# For some reason I was sure that you could use soap bars in washing machines
**URL:** https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/for-some-reason-i-was-sure-that-you-could-use-soap-bars-in-washing-machines/21684
**Category:** The Garage
**Created:** [October 15, 2019, 3:54am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/for-some-reason-i-was-sure-that-you-could-use-soap-bars-in-washing-machines/21684 "2019-10-15T03:54:03Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Paul\_Blay](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Paul_Blay)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2019, 3:54am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/for-some-reason-i-was-sure-that-you-could-use-soap-bars-in-washing-machines/21684/1 "2019-10-15T03:54:03Z")
For some reason I was sure that you could use soap bars in washing machines but apparently you can’t. Was that changed recently, or am I just imaging it? I did a quick Google and as far as I can tell there’s no real life reason you couldn’t hit your soap bar with a hammer and use the bits to wash clothes. At least not by post apocalypse standards.
---
### Author:  [@Victor](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Victor)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2019, 2:15pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/for-some-reason-i-was-sure-that-you-could-use-soap-bars-in-washing-machines/21684/2 "2019-10-15T14:15:57Z")
I think washing power is some kind of superior resource, which can’t be crafted and allows superior machine washing action. And soap is a craftable alternative for manual washing, which is less effective.
But maybe someone has better explanation?
---
### Author:  [@MutaMan](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/MutaMan)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2019, 2:53pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/for-some-reason-i-was-sure-that-you-could-use-soap-bars-in-washing-machines/21684/3 "2019-10-15T14:53:40Z")
Realistically you COULD use regular soap if crushed up enough to almost powdery bits and washed with warm water, but the water would need to be hot enough to soften/melt the soap and it would need to be a bit different than the washing machines we’re used to.
Detergent, however, is a powdery chemical substance like any other(that can be made at home) and should be craftable.
---
### Author:  [@anothersimulacrum](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/anothersimulacrum)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/for-some-reason-i-was-sure-that-you-could-use-soap-bars-in-washing-machines/21684/4 "2019-10-15T17:45:24Z")
> [@MutaMan](#):
>
> you COULD use regular soap if crushed up enough to almost powdery bits and washed with warm water,
>
> Detergent, however, is a powdery chemical substance like any other(that can be made at home) and should be craftable.
The only thing blocking those from being in the game is someone doing the work to include them.
See [Idea - Craftable detergent · Issue #29330 · CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA · GitHub](https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA/issues/29330)
---
### Author:  [@Paul\_Blay](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Paul_Blay)
#### Post date: [October 17, 2019, 12:23pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/for-some-reason-i-was-sure-that-you-could-use-soap-bars-in-washing-machines/21684/5 "2019-10-17T12:23:18Z")
Could we do something like the following?
Recipe
/recipes/recipe\_medsandchemicals.json
```auto
[
{
"type": "recipe",
"result": "makeshift_detergent",
"category": "CC_CHEM",
"subcategory": "CSC_CHEM_CHEMICALS",
"skill_used": "cooking",
"difficulty": 0,
"time": 200,
"autolearn": true,
"charges": 20,
"qualities": [{ "id": "FILE", "level": 1 }],
"components": [
[[ "soap", 20] ]
]
}
]
```
\items\tools.json
```auto
{
"id": "rasp",
"type": "TOOL",
"name": "rasp",
"description": "This is a rasp. It is used to shape and remove excess wood.",
"weight": "760 g",
"volume": "290 ml",
"price": 1100,
"to_hit": 0
"bashing": 1,
"material": "steel",
"symbol": ";",
"color": "light_gray",
"qualities": [[ "FILE", 1] ]
},
{
"id": "grater",
"type": "TOOL",
"name": "grater",
"description": "This is a cheese grater. In better times it was used to grate cheese, slice vegetables and extract zest from lemons. It's used in some cooking and chemistry recipes.",
"weight": "360 g",
"volume": "190 ml",
"price": 300,
"to_hit": -1,
"bashing": 1,
"material": "steel",
"symbol": ";",
"color": "light_gray",
"qualities": [[ "FILE", 1] ]
}
]
```
---
### Author:  [@anothersimulacrum](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/anothersimulacrum)
#### Post date: [October 17, 2019, 12:50pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/for-some-reason-i-was-sure-that-you-could-use-soap-bars-in-washing-machines/21684/6 "2019-10-17T12:50:10Z")
Yes, but the crafting recipe needs to make something that’s not detergent.
---
### Author:  [@Paul\_Blay](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Paul_Blay)
#### Post date: [October 17, 2019, 1:23pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/for-some-reason-i-was-sure-that-you-could-use-soap-bars-in-washing-machines/21684/7 "2019-10-17T13:23:59Z")
“makeshift detergent” and add that to what washing machines can use?
---
### Author:  [@anothersimulacrum](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/anothersimulacrum)
#### Post date: [October 17, 2019, 1:26pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/for-some-reason-i-was-sure-that-you-could-use-soap-bars-in-washing-machines/21684/8 "2019-10-17T13:26:57Z")
Yep.
If you’ll do the JSON, adding the item and recipe, I’ll do the C++ to make it work with washing machines.
---
### Author:  [@Paul\_Blay](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Paul_Blay)
#### Post date: [October 17, 2019, 3:04pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/for-some-reason-i-was-sure-that-you-could-use-soap-bars-in-washing-machines/21684/9 "2019-10-17T15:04:42Z")
Yeek, well I can try. It may take some time, if I manage to finish at all.
The items I added (rasp, grater) would need to be found.
I’ll draft out stuff in thread first.
Added “grater” to kitchen drops just above the waffle iron. I can’t imagine more people have waffle irons than graters.
\itemgroups\collections\_domestic.json
```auto
"items": [
["toaster", 30],
["microwave", 30],
["coffeemaker", 30],
["food_processor", 30],
["grater", 25],
["waffleiron", 25],
["flashlight", 20],
["extinguisher", 20],
["sm_extinguisher", 10],
["pastaextruder", 10],
["dehydrator", 10],
["hotplate", 10],
["clock", 10],
["multi_cooker", 5],
["char_smoker", 5],
["can_sealer", 2],
["atomic_coffeepot", 1]
]
```
\itemgroups\tools.json
Added “rasp” to common household tools after metal\_file
```auto
{
"id": "tools_common",
"type": "item_group",
"//": "Common household tools",
"items": [
["hacksaw", 50],
["hammer", 80],
["misc_repairkit", 25],
["pliers", 60],
["saw", 60],
["screwdriver", 100],
["screwdriver_set", 50],
["wrench", 40],
["xacto", 40],
["bucket", 5],
["jumper_cable", 10],
["funnel", 50],
["claw_bar", 2],
["crowbar", 10],
["thermometer", 5],
["multitool", 10],
["recharge_station", 10],
["hand_crank_charger", 25],
["metal_file", 10],
["rasp", 8],
["hand_vice", 10]
]
},
```
Added “rasp” to tools\_carpentry after chisel
```auto
{
"id": "tools_carpentry",
"type": "item_group",
"//": "Portable tools used for carpentry",
"items": [
{ "group": "tools_common", "prob": 100 },
["circsaw_off", 100],
["cordless_drill", 100],
["hand_drill", 20],
["nailgun", 100],
["chisel", 10],
["rasp", 10],
["toolbox", 15]
]
},
```
And of course you need the actual makeshift detergent itself.
\items\chemicals\_and\_resources.json
```auto
{
"type": "AMMO",
"id": "makeshift_detergent",
"category": "chems",
"price": 500,
"name": "makeshift detergent",
"symbol": "=",
"color": "white",
"description": "Soap gratings as a crude substitute for detergent.",
"material": "powder",
"volume": "250 ml",
"weight": "1 g",
"ammo_type": "components",
"container": "bag_plastic",
"count": 20
},
```