Savon de Marseille Specialists - Since 2012

Proper Soap - Packed and Dispatched from North Yorkshire

For Washing, Laundry & Cleaning

style_washing-up-FrenchSoapsUK-Marseille Soap

Washing dishes has long been one of the traditional uses of Marseille soap. Long before modern detergents, vegetable oil soap was relied upon to dissolve cooking fats and grease so they could rinse away easily with water.

Today that same principle continues in a variety of formats. This collection brings together practical kitchen cleaning products rooted in traditional soapmaking, from the historic savonneries of Marseille and carefully selected French household makers.


  • Why Soap Works So Well for Washing Up

    Soap works by binding to oils and fats. One end of the soap molecule attaches to grease while the other attaches to water, allowing cooking oils and food residues to be lifted from surfaces and rinsed away.

    Traditional Marseille soap is particularly well suited to this task because it is made from vegetable oils that produce a stable, effective cleaning soap when saponified. For this reason it has long been used not only for washing hands and laundry, but also for cleaning cookware, dishes and kitchen surfaces.

  • Solid Dishwashing Soap: A Traditional Kitchen Staple

    Solid dishwashing soap bars remain widely used across France. A sponge or brush is simply rubbed directly onto the soap before washing dishes.

    Because the soap is concentrated in solid form, these bars last a long time and avoid the need for plastic bottles. Many are enriched with bicarbonate of soda to support grease removal and help lift stubborn residues from pans and cookware.

    For households looking to simplify their cleaning routine, solid dishwashing soaps offer a durable and economical alternative to conventional washing-up liquids.

  • Marseille Soap Washing-Up Liquids & Traditional Dishwasher Powders

    For everyday convenience, many savonneries also produce washing-up liquids based on their traditional Marseille soap formulations. These liquids combine the natural degreasing properties of vegetable oil soap with the familiar format of modern dishwashing liquids.

    Dishwasher powders take a different approach, using mineral cleaning agents such as sodium percarbonate and soda crystals. These traditional ingredients release active oxygen during washing, helping break down grease and food residues while supporting dishwasher maintenance.

    Together, these formats reflect the continuing evolution of traditional cleaning methods — simple formulations designed to work reliably in everyday kitchens.