Potassium Soap

What is Potassium Soap?

Potassium Soap is a biodegradable horticultural soap made from potassium salts of fatty acids derived from sunflower oil. It works as an effective insecticide, helping to combat and prevent common pests such as aphids, earwigs, red spider mites, scale insects, caterpillars, sawfly larvae, woolly aphids, whiteflies, and other soft-bodied pests. When sprayed on plants, it disrupts the pests' cell membranes, causing dehydration and eventual death.

Potassium Soap can also be used to naturally and effectively clean gardening tools, pots, containers, greenhouses, plastic tunnels, and other surfaces around the home and garden.

Additionally, it has long been used as a natural cleaner, effectively removing tough stains and mildew from various fabrics and surfaces.

What can it be used for?

• to protect flowering and edible plants in the home, greenhouse and garden
• to clean various surfaces, greenhouses, pots and gardening tools
• to remove stubborn fabric stains

Benefits of Potassium Soap

• Works as a natural insecticide and helps to combat and prevent the most common pests in homes, gardens, and greenhouses.

• Can be used as a natural soap to clean up plants that have suffered a pest attack, such as to remove sooty mold and mildew.

• Potassium Soap provides a secondary source of potassium to plants, which can support their overall health.

• Biodegradable, safe for the environment, and is generally safe for beneficial insects like ladybugs when applied correctly (apply when these insects are not actively foraging).

• Does not contain any toxic compounds and is approved for organic gardening.

• Naturally and effectively cleans gardening tools, pots, containers, and surfaces.

• Helps to remove stubborn stains from various types of fabrics without causing damage.

How is it produced?

Potassium soap is made from potassium salts of fatty acids, derived from sunflower oil. The process creates a natural soap that is free from toxic substances, making it an excellent household insecticide, surface cleaner, and fabric stain remover.

How should it be applied?

Plant Spraying:
As a preventive tool, apply every fortnight, especially leading up to when pests are typically seen. If pests are present, apply 3-4 times, 1 day apart, or more frequently if needed. Repeat the treatment 8-10 days later if necessary. The dilution ratio is 200-600 ml of soap per 10L of water (for the concentrate). Allow a 5-day withdrawal period before harvesting. Spray from a distance of 30 cm, ensuring both sides of the leaves and stems are thoroughly wet. Avoid spraying on forming flowers during bloom. Apply in the morning, evening, or on a cloudy day. Do not spray in direct sunlight or on a rainy/windy day. Do not spray directly on fruit, vegetables, or berries. Wash crops before use.

Surface Cleaning:
Pour the solution onto the surface, leave for 1-3 minutes, and clean with a brush or cloth. Rinse the surface with water. The dilution ratio is 40-60 ml of soap per 10L of water (for the concentrate).

Hand Wash:
The dilution ratio is 40-60 ml of soap per 5L of water.

Machine Wash:
The dilution ratio is 40-80 ml of soap, depending on water hardness.

Can it be used on all plants?

While potassium soap is safe for most plants, some sensitive plants may be damaged in extreme conditions, such as temperatures above 32ºC or if the plant is severely dehydrated. Always apply when plants are well-watered, and consider testing on a small leaf first to check for adverse reactions. Apply a small amount to one leaf and wait 24-48 hours to observe any signs of damage such as browning or spotting.

 Storage

Store out of direct sunlight, in a well-ventilated, clean place at +5ºC to +30ºC.