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:
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.
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!
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 ;)
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
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
Thanks for reading.
Hank
Where can you get a yuuca plant and hows the temp for growing one thanks vicky
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
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.
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
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).
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).
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
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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!
I just came across your great article. I wonder if I can put this in my washing machine for doing laundry. Thanks.
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
Thanks for your response.
How do you store it and what is the shelf life?
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.
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
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?
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
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.
How long can this be stored? A few days? A month? Longer?
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
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?
Did you ever try to see how long it lasts? I'm not in a place where they grow wild so interested to know
Did you ever try to see how long it lasts? I'm not in a place where they grow wild so interested to know
Was wondering how much water to shavings you add?
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.
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.
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!
Only needed one leaf for my shower.
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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