DIY Laundry: Blue Soap Bars Will Change Your Laundry Experience in India

Locating a laundry service in India is not impossible but it can be a daunting task. Basic wash & dry services are found in most local markets though they require some effort to find and time spent going back to receive your garments. The most luxurious option would be to dump your clothing into the hands of a hotel liaison for a hefty fee without any hassles.

But why not do-it-yourself? It’s significantly cheaper and the state of your clothing is literally in your hands. Sacrificing your time and effort is worth the task because it puts you directly into a practise used by Indian women (and some men) everyday.

All over the country, in tiny bodegas or kiranas you’ll find blue soap specified for the job. There’s multiple varieties but “Rin” brand is a favourite by locals and costs only Rs. 10 (15 USD cents) or Rs. 2 for a powdered packet. The commonly used method is to: grab a bucket (there is always one inside the washroom of your hostel, hotel or homestay) and fill it with warm or cold water. Fill it halfway to leave space for clothing then wet the cloth by dipping it in the water, one at a time. I prefer Rin bar soaps as they last longer than single use powder packets, so I would then soak a bit of the bar and apply it in a few strokes onto my clothing, especially on heavily stained areas. You don’t wanna scrub too roughly as you’ll stretch or tear fabrics so be gentle and simply massage the soapy suds into your clothing. Once you’re finished cleaning, rinse off the suds, hang your pieces to dry and pack up the rest of the bar in a bag to use another time.

Now, this method is the adopted, Westernized version. The method used by Indian peoples features one small, yet significant difference: slapping. One piece of clothing is taken out of the bucket and laid down on the floor. It is then scrubbed with the bar of soap until all dirt is loosened and set aside for the next piece until all the items have been cleaned. Once the items are scrubbed, each one is rolled into ball and kneaded, pounded and slapped against the floor. Rocking it back and forth, picking it up, kneading and slapping it again so no dirt is left behind. When each item has been wrung out, the bucket is emptied and filled with cold water to rinse out any remaining soap; repeated with fresh water until soapy residue is gone.

The process of cleaning your clothes on dirty floors may seem counterintuitive, but from personal experience, I can say that my clothes came out much cleaner this way. And I began to love this practise because I participated in a daily chore that all Indian women took part in. I was involved in the experience and I wasn’t simply offloading my responsibilities on another.

Plus, I saved a lot of money and stress.

These soaps are very budget-friendly and last for multiple washes so it’s not necessary to stock up. Just be respectful and don’t do your laundry in public spaces. It takes up time for those waiting to bathe or physical space if you’re in a public shower.