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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Make Soap from Yucca Leaves

Many people know that you can make soap from yucca root, but digging up a yucca plant is a lot of work and it kills the plant. The active ingredient in yucca soap is saponin. Saponin is the an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal chemical that foams when it is shaken up. High concentrations of saponin are found in yucca root, but saponin is also found in the leaves of the yucca.

Here's how to make yucca soap and avoid killing the yucca plant:

Cut a handful of yucca leaves.

Use your knife to scrape the waxy, green skin off of the leaves.


Place the scrapings in a sealable container with some water.

Shake the container vigorously for several minutes.

Pour the liquid off into another container and discard the scrapings.


The liquid can be used as hand soap, shampoo, disinfectant wash, laundry soap, or dishwashing soap.
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39 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 29, 2012 at 4:52 PM

    That's the most direct and useful description of this process that I've seen. Many mentions talk of Yucca being a soap "replacement", but few, that I've seen at least, actual go through the preparation itself. Thanks for that.

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  2. UnknownSeptember 12, 2012 at 2:06 PM

    I have been making yucca cordage and KNEW there should be SOME use for all the scrapings! I had realized it was an awesome soap as I would wash the green off my hands from the processing, but wasn't sure how to work with it. I have been using alternative shampooing methods for a couple months now, this was a GREAT addition! VERY happy with the results!

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  3. Physical Science Class BlogNovember 24, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    I just made this and it was easy; however, in regards to shampoo substitute, if you have only experienced sudsing from sodium laureth sulfates and such, this feels different in the hair, and is not so sudsy...not to say that less suds is a bad thing, just a different experience.

    Also, in regards to killing a yucca if you harvest the root: I tried a few years ago to get rid of a yucca plant in my yard to protect our blind dog from injury, and I found yucca is hard to kill by digging up the roots. Any small root I left behind generously sprouted many new yuccas in its place. Good for shampoo, bad for blind dog ;)

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  4. Sensible SurvivalNovember 24, 2012 at 7:33 PM

    Thanks for your comment. As for killing yucca by digging up the roots, wouldn't you know. You can't kill yours, and I've tried half a dozen times to transplant yucca into my yard and can't get one to live. Hank

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    Replies
    1. Nana in the westAugust 1, 2016 at 3:56 PM

      I know this is an old post but I just stumbled across it. If you're still trying to get one started you might try my "method." Got frustrated after years of trying to get one started so asked my husband to till the area and I'd plant flowers. Next year - yuccas. Now they're everywhere. Good luck.

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    2. Nana in the westAugust 1, 2016 at 3:57 PM

      I know this is an old post but I just stumbled across it. If you're still trying to get one started you might try my "method." Got frustrated after years of trying to get one started so asked my husband to till the area and I'd plant flowers. Next year - yuccas. Now they're everywhere. Good luck.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2014 at 7:14 PM

    I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often..

    rachelle madrigal
    www.imarksweb.org

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  6. Sensible SurvivalJanuary 9, 2014 at 8:41 AM

    Thanks for reading.
    Hank

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  7. vickyMay 1, 2014 at 6:45 AM

    Where can you get a yuuca plant and hows the temp for growing one thanks vicky

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  8. Hobbyhorse1027May 2, 2014 at 11:37 AM

    Hello,
    I was just wondering why you didn't just chop the yucca leaves up in a blender or with a mortar and pestle if going the no electricity route? Scraping the wax off the leaves seems like it would be very time consuming. Thank you. Lisa

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  9. My worldMay 4, 2014 at 5:46 PM

    I would like to know if the blender route would work too. I'm thinking I will be planting Yucca in my rock bed soon.

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  10. Sensible SurvivalMay 8, 2014 at 7:48 AM

    The blender route would work fine I'm sure. The reason that I scrape the leaves is because I use the remaining fiber to make cordage. Also, the scraping is what you would have to do in a wilderness survival situation. Yucca is widely found from Missouri to the south throughout the U.S. It likes to grow in loose sandy soil that is well drained. Look for it on the slope of a south facing hill. If you find one yucca you will probably find many of them. I have seen areas with hundreds of them growing together. Their moisture needs are not great. They like warm temperatures but will survive freezing with no problem. Hank

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  11. UnknownDecember 17, 2014 at 8:16 PM

    Thanks!I also agree that this is the simplest description of any soap-making I've ever seen. As far as yucca range, it grows as far north as Montana. It grows better in the eastern part of the state, which gets less water than the west, but I have seen it from the western border to the east. Not sure how far north, though there are a lot of specimens in Missoula that survived -30 (that's 30 degrees below 0 Fahrenheit).

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  12. UnknownDecember 17, 2014 at 8:17 PM

    Thanks!I also agree that this is the simplest description of any soap-making I've ever seen. As far as yucca range, it grows as far north as Montana. It grows better in the eastern part of the state, which gets less water than the west, but I have seen it from the western border to the east. Not sure how far north, though there are a lot of specimens in Missoula that survived -30 (that's 30 degrees below 0 Fahrenheit).

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  13. Chad BealeJuly 2, 2015 at 8:39 AM

    I am with the National Park Service and we would like to use your one of your images from this post. Particularly the one of you scraping the leaves. The image would be displayed on a outdoor sign with other images discussing the many different uses of a soaptree yucca. You can contact me at chad_beale@nps.gov THANK YOU

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  14. UnknownNovember 23, 2015 at 6:16 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  15. UnknownApril 19, 2016 at 10:47 AM

    Thank you for the info! Now I finally know how to kill my yucca! LOL. Its taking over my garden in front of my house AND on the side. Maybe now I can put the plant to use! (I also have one in the backyard which I will keep since it is growing slow in the shade.)

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  16. AprilHolmanMay 7, 2016 at 9:30 AM

    Yay! Thank you so much! Finally! Gah! I have been searching for way too long. Everyone just says that it can work. Love your pictures and your work is appreciated.

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  17. RhondaSeptember 1, 2016 at 7:19 AM

    Also pleased to find this info. It may be a somewhat different variety I have here in New Hampshire, but there are several growing behind my house, and one that's always been in the cemetery plot where my parents and grandparents are. On the latter, I hack away about half of it every year or two so it doesn't overpower the stone--still doing fine!

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  18. Yvette's PonderingsOctober 6, 2016 at 5:37 AM

    I just came across your great article. I wonder if I can put this in my washing machine for doing laundry. Thanks.

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  19. Sensible SurvivalOctober 10, 2016 at 6:26 PM

    Yvette,
    Not sure. Never tried it. Don't see why it wouldn't work, but I'd try it with some old clothes first to see how it works.
    Hank

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  20. Yvette's PonderingsOctober 11, 2016 at 5:22 PM

    Thanks for your response.

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  21. UnknownNovember 14, 2016 at 2:17 PM

    How do you store it and what is the shelf life?

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  22. Sensible SurvivalDecember 10, 2016 at 7:03 PM

    Joshua, I have never stored it long-term, don't know what the shelf life would be. Not sure if it has enough saponin to overcome muldew. Would be an interesting experiment.

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  23. JackieFebruary 9, 2017 at 5:56 PM

    Hi I found your blog, and I would like to use the photos of you making Yucca Soap, but I don't see a contact email here to email you directly. Can you email me at outfoxmagazine@gmail.com? I run a small publication for children and I think they would find this really interesting!

    Jackie

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  24. UnknownJune 20, 2017 at 9:49 AM

    My field is going crazy with yucca! I wanted to try making soap and thanks to you, I believe I can! I did have a question. You said there is higher concentration of saponin in the root than in the leaf. Is the root more suitable for laundry & dishes? Or does it really make a difference?

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    Replies
    1. Ghost OrchidNovember 7, 2021 at 6:09 PM

      Do not use the leaves for laundry! They will stsin your clothes green! The leaves are great for bath soap and shampoo, and their lather is rich and creamy if you simply rub the fibers directly in yours hands with a little water. Kind of luxurious, in fact. And moisturizing. And the fibers are great for scrubbing the feet.

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  25. Sensible SurvivalJune 30, 2017 at 5:51 AM

    Jessica,
    The root will produce a stronger soap, a little more lather, and no green color. Of course digging the root means killing the plant, but if you are over-run with them I guess this is not a problem for you.
    Hank

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  26. UnknownJune 30, 2017 at 4:27 PM

    Thank you Hank! I have a whole acre field full of them. I plan to harvest some of the roots & let the rest go to seed so the supply stays replenished.

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  27. Buehrle Family Blog (BFB)July 31, 2017 at 7:18 AM

    How long can this be stored? A few days? A month? Longer?

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  28. Sensible SurvivalJuly 31, 2017 at 9:04 AM

    Not sure how long it will store. Would be interesting to find out. I may mix up a batch and see how long it lasts. I will put the results on my blog if I do, or if you give it a try post a comment letting us know.
    Hank

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  29. UnknownFebruary 12, 2018 at 11:37 PM

    Thank you for this useful, interesting article!
    I'm just switching to no chemicals.
    & I have 2 huge yucca plants i the field.
    Brilliant idea!
    Can any yucca variety be used for soap?

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  30. TApril 9, 2018 at 3:33 PM

    Did you ever try to see how long it lasts? I'm not in a place where they grow wild so interested to know

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  31. TApril 9, 2018 at 3:33 PM

    Did you ever try to see how long it lasts? I'm not in a place where they grow wild so interested to know

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  32. NinaJuly 18, 2020 at 3:34 PM

    Was wondering how much water to shavings you add?

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  33. LoreneJune 17, 2021 at 8:09 PM

    I'm Lorene from Arizona. If I understand correctly, I can take yucca leaves, put them in the blender and then add water and I'll have shampoo? Will the leaves grow back and keep the plant healthy? We have a bunch of them on our property on a hill. I would love to harvest them for shampoo but keep them alive at the same time.

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  34. Elmer BakerJuly 1, 2021 at 1:25 AM

    I read your article very carefully. I think you should also write article about soap making machine manufacturer. This will be beneficial for others i guess thank you.

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  35. Ghost OrchidNovember 7, 2021 at 5:17 PM

    Hi, if you don’t need to save the fibers for cordage, then an easy way is just to strip/peel the fibers with your hands. Then you can just rub the bundle with a little water and get a nice lather. Use the bundle of fibers to scrub your feet!

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