More About Household

Our Household collection gathers the French cleaning cupboard: laundry detergents from Le Chat, L'Arbre Vert, Persil, Omo, Mir and Super Croix, Soupline and Cajoline fabric softeners, La Croix bleach, black soap and Marseille soap cleaners, multi-surface sprays from Ajax, Carolin, Chanteclair and Sanytol, washing-up liquids, drain cleaners, and kitchen essentials such as foil, baking paper and sponges. More than 220 products, delivered across the UK.

Why French Household Products?

Many people who have lived in France miss the particular scents of French laundry and cleaning products: the "grand air" freshness of Soupline, the lavender of Mir and Persil Bouquet de Provence, the green tea of Mir Secret de Nature, the sweet almond of L'Arbre Vert. French cleaning also has its own traditions built on simple ingredients such as Marseille soap, black soap, bleach (eau de Javel), soda crystals and bicarbonate, which remain popular alongside modern formulas.

Three French Classics

Eau de Javel

French bleach takes its name from Javel, a district of Paris on the left bank of the Seine where a chemical factory was founded in 1777. Around 1785–1789, the chemist Claude Louis Berthollet developed a hypochlorite solution there for bleaching linen, which was sold as eau de Javel and shortened the bleaching of cloth from months to hours. Today the name means household bleach in French. The range includes La Croix Eau de Javel Disinfectant 1.5L, lavender, eucalyptus and lemon versions, a precision bottle, a bleach gel, 5-in-1 doses, bleach wipes and bleach sprays for the bathroom and kitchen.

Marseille Soap

Soap-making in Marseille is centuries old. In 1688 an edict signed by Colbert de Seignelay, under Louis XIV, regulated soap production there, requiring pure olive oil and banning animal fats. Traditional Marseille soap is still associated with a high oil content, often 72%, and in household products it stands for gentle, effective cleaning, according to the brands. Find it in Le Chat sensitive detergents, Rainett Marseille soap refills, Carolin floor cleaner and wipes, Chanteclair degreasing spray and Uni Vert Ecocert soap flakes.

Black Soap

Savon noir is a soft soap made from vegetable oils and potash, traditionally linseed oil and today often olive oil too. It is sold as a thick liquid or paste and used diluted for floors, tiles and grease. Choose Briochin Liquid Black Soap 1L, Maître Savon de Marseille real black soap, Carolin black soap cleaners or the Briochin black soap laundry detergent.

What's in the Collection

Laundry

• Detergents: Le Chat (sensitive, baby, expert, bicarbonate, capsules and powder), L'Arbre Vert Vegetable Liquid Detergent and sensitive-skin ranges, Persil, Omo, Mir (black, colours, white, wool), Super Croix (Japan, Morocco, Bora Bora), Rainett, Maison Verte, Genie and Chanteclair bicarbonate.
• Fabric softeners: more than thirty Soupline products, from Grand Air and lavender to hypoallergenic, concentrated, refill and tablet formats, plus Cajoline, L'Arbre Vert and Hyperdou.
• Stain removal and care: K2R pre-wash spray, Mir whitening stain remover, Sanytol stain powder and linen disinfectant, Scarlet colour-catcher wipes, Chanteclair linen fragrances and Soupline wardrobe sachets.

Cleaning

• Multi-surface: Ajax Fête des Fleurs (lemon, lily of the valley, poppy), Ajax lime, Carolin, L'Arbre Vert rosemary, Mrs Meyer's, Mr Propre and Sanytol.
• Kitchen and bathroom: Cif cream, Chanteclair and Briochin degreasers, Antikal scale remover, Décap Four oven cleaner, Clair glass-ceramic spray, Silex barbecue glass cleaner.
• Floors: St Marc pine resin, Carolin linseed oil and Marseille soap floor cleaners.
• Windows: Ajax Triple Action, L'Arbre Vert and Clair.
• Toilets and drains: Canard WC, Destop drain cleaners, and Eparcyl septic tank activator.

Washing Up

Paic Excel and Paic Extreme, Mir (grapefruit, raspberry, green tea, bicarbonate), L'Arbre Vert sweet almond and sensitive hands, Rainett lemon, Mrs Meyer's, and Rainett all-in-one dishwasher tablets.

Kitchen Rolls, Wraps and Accessories

Alfapac and Elembal foil, baking paper, cling film and freezer bags, Okay kitchen towels, Mamison and Mapa gloves and sponges, Spontex sponges, brushes and mop accessories, plus Raid, Fulgator and Insectivor insect control.

Simple French Cleaning Ingredients

• Soda crystals (cristaux de soude): a strong degreaser for ovens, pans and floors; wear gloves. Try Paulette Soda Crystals 500g.
• Bicarbonate of soda: a mild abrasive and deodoriser for sinks and fridges.
• Household vinegar: Paulette vinegar sprays for limescale and shine.
• Black soap: diluted in warm water for floors and greasy surfaces.

How to Choose

• Sensitive skin and babies: Le Chat Sensitive, Le Chat Baby, L'Arbre Vert sensitive and hypoallergenic Soupline.
• Ecolabel products: look for the EU Ecolabel on Ajax, Rainett, L'Arbre Vert and Cif packs.
• That French laundry scent: Soupline Grand Air or Lavender.
• Disinfecting: La Croix bleach or Sanytol, used as directed.
• Traditional cleaning: black soap, Marseille soap and soda crystals.

Safety First

Always read the label and follow the instructions and dosage. Never mix bleach with other cleaning products, especially acids such as descalers or vinegar, or products containing ammonia, as this can release dangerous gases. Wear gloves for bleach, soda crystals, oven and drain cleaners. Keep all household products out of the reach of children and pets, in their original containers. Use biocidal products safely; always read the label and product information before use. Check hazard information on each product page. For more, see Laundry, Cleaning and Soupline.

Household FAQs

Why is French bleach called eau de Javel?

After Javel, the Paris district where it was first made at the end of the 18th century.

What is black soap used for?

Diluted in water, it cleans floors, tiles, kitchen surfaces and greasy dirt; follow the dosage on the pack.

Which detergents are for sensitive skin?

Le Chat Sensitive, L'Arbre Vert sensitive-skin ranges, Rainett Sensitive and hypoallergenic Soupline, according to their brands.

Do French detergents work in UK machines?

Yes, washing machines work in the same way; follow the dosage on the pack for your water hardness.

Can I mix bleach with vinegar?

No. Never mix bleach with acids or other cleaners.