Savon de Marseille Specialists - Since 2012

Proper Soap - Packed and Dispatched from North Yorkshire

For Washing, Laundry & Cleaning

Laundry Liquids

Soap-Based Laundry Liquids Made with Savon de Marseille

For centuries, textiles were washed using simple vegetable oil soaps. Long before synthetic detergents existed, soaps such as Savon de Marseille were trusted to lift grease, remove everyday dirt and rinse away cleanly with water.

Liquid laundry detergents adapt this traditional cleaning method for modern washing machines.

By combining soap with carefully balanced plant-derived surfactants, these formulations allow the cleaning properties of Marseille soap to disperse evenly throughout the wash while performing reliably in shorter cycles and lower temperatures.

French Soaps specialises in this tradition of soap-based laundry care, selecting formulations made in France that prioritise effective cleaning, balanced composition and fabric care rather than heavy fragrance or unnecessary additives.

The result is a collection that retains the logic of traditional soap laundry while offering the convenience expected in modern homes.


Different liquid detergents follow slightly different approaches.

Some rely primarily on traditional Marseille soap, while others combine soap with additional plant-based cleansing agents to improve performance in modern washing machines.

  • Soap and Detergent: An Important Difference

    Soap is produced by saponifying vegetable oils with an alkali. It cleans by binding to grease and dirt so they can be rinsed away with water.

    Detergents, developed during the twentieth century, rely primarily on synthetic surfactants designed to perform in hard water and machine washing.

    Many modern laundry liquids combine both approaches — traditional soap providing the core cleaning action, supported by surfactants that improve dispersion and performance in contemporary washing conditions.

  • Savon de Marseille in Liquid Form

    Savon de Marseille has been used for washing textiles for centuries. Produced by slowly cooking vegetable oils in large cauldrons, it forms a simple yet effective soap valued for its ability to remove grease while remaining gentle on fibres.

    Liquid laundry detergents based on Marseille soap adapt this traditional formulation for modern washing machines, allowing the soap to dissolve quickly and distribute evenly throughout the wash cycle.

  • Soap-Based Laundry for Modern Machines

    Modern washing machines operate with shorter cycles, reduced water levels and lower temperatures.

    To perform reliably in these conditions, many liquid laundry detergents combine traditional soap with carefully selected plant-derived surfactants that help disperse the soap evenly throughout the wash.

    This allows the cleaning properties of Marseille soap to remain at the heart of the formulation while improving performance in modern appliances.