The next time that you are working with mortar try this builders trick. Add a small amount of washing up liquid to cement (3 sand 1 cement) when mixing to make a smooth texture and ease the working properties.
You can use a petrol water pump as an additional tool for the job.
Step One
Liquid dish detergent can be added to cement to help strengthen and ensure the longevity of concrete. Dish detergent adds tiny air bubbles to your cement mixture. This is otherwise known as air entrainment. Once cured, the bubbles become tiny pockets of air in the concrete. These pockets allow the concrete to breathe thus preventing cracking as the concrete expands and contracts in fluctuating weather conditions.
Step Two
Liquid dish detergent also plasticizes the concrete, which makes it easier to work with for patching and troweling. Liquid dish detergent should not be added to ready-mix concrete, as it already contains an air entrainment agent.
Step Three
Mix your cement, crushed rock and sand with a shovel in a wheelbarrow or in a revolving concrete mixer. The traditional recipe for concrete is three parts crushed rock, two parts sand and one part cement, however dish detergent can be used for any concrete recipe. Mix it until all parts are evenly combined.
Step Four
Add liquid dish detergent before adding water. Use three cups of detergent for a 47-pound bag of cement or six cups of detergent for a 94-pound bag of cement.
Step Five
Begin adding water while stirring the concrete. Stir the concrete with a shovel by using folding motions. Add water bit by bit, until you achieve a thick, soupy consistency. Keep mixing while adding water to ensure that the detergent is activated and uniformly incorporated into the concrete.