Marseille soap

Green or white Marseille soap: what are the differences?

Marseille soap comes in two main versions: green and white. Although both are made from vegetable oils, their composition influences their properties, texture, and everyday uses. So, how do you tell them apart, and more importantly, which one should you choose for your needs?

Why can Marseille soap be green or white?

The different shades of Marseille soap are due to the vegetable oils used in its production. Green soap owes its color to its high olive oil content. Over time, it can naturally turn from green to brown without affecting its quality. White (or beige) soap, on the other hand, gets its color from oils like copra (coconut) or sometimes sunflower. These differences directly influence their respective uses.

Green Marseille soap

It is considered the most versatile.

A richer texture

Compared to white soap, green soap has a slightly richer and softer texture, making it more suitable for body care.

Recognized Properties

Green Marseille soap is known for its many qualities:

  • Moisturizing and nourishing properties
  • Hypoallergenic soap
  • Natural degreasing power
  • Antibacterial properties

Thanks to these characteristics, it is particularly suitable for regular and gentle use.

Its everyday uses

Personal hygiene and care
  • Daily body wash
  • Hand washing
  • Gentle shampoo for hair
  • Can be used for oral hygiene (very good for gums and leaves teeth clean and white)
Minor care
  • Cleaning of superficial wounds thanks to its antibacterial properties
Household
  • Washing dishes
  • Household cleaning
Traditional tips

Green Marseille soap is also used in some old wives’ tales:

  • Placed in a wardrobe, it helps repel moths
  • Placed at the foot of the bed, it is sometimes used to relieve nighttime cramps

White Marseille soap

White Marseille soap, on the other hand, is the specialist in deep cleaning.

A richer lather

Thanks to coconut oil, white Marseille soap has a higher lathering power than green soap.

A harder texture

White soap is generally harder, less oily, and better suited for intensive cleaning.

Recognized Properties

White Marseille soap also possesses very interesting properties:

  • Strong degreasing and stain-removing power
  • Excellent cleaning capacity
  • Generous lather for easy washing
  • Does not clog textile fibers
  • Gentle on fabrics, even the lightest ones

Its Main Uses

For Laundry

It is the most commonly used soap for:

  • Making homemade laundry detergent
  • Natural pre-wash stain removal
  • Washing laundry without leaving streaks
  • Washing delicate fabrics (by hand)
  • Cleaning baby clothes (thanks to its simple formula)
  • Washing heavily soiled laundry (dishcloths, rags)

Thanks to its excellent degreasing power, it cleans fabrics without leaving streaks, even on light or pale fabrics.

For the home

It can also be used for:

  • cleaning surfaces
  • removing stubborn grease
  • washing dishes (particularly effective on tough grease)

Our tip: Ideally, you should have both at home—green soap for everyday washing and dishes, and white soap for laundry and heavier cleaning. By combining them, you benefit from a natural, simple, and effective solution for taking care of both your skin and your home. Want to learn more? Explore all our articles about Marseille soap in our blog section.

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