I read about these funny little seeds a while ago and after seeing some on eBay I thought I'd give them a go. At home I’ve always been an Ecover soap powder kind of girl but since being at uni I find myself often, I’m ashamed to say, reaching for the cheaper supermarket brand. Cheaper for me: yet more costly on the environment. Not so good!
Soap Nuts appear to be the happy medium. Grown in India and Nepal they contain ‘Saponin’ which acts as a natural soap. Chemical free, sustainably produced and completely biodegradable they seem the obvious alternative to washing powder. They are relatively cheap- I paid nearly £2 for 100 grams worth (around 33 nuts) and used in half dozen batches, and washed at least four times each they work out at around 0.09p a wash.
After my first wash with them I am pleased to report that they would ‘do everything it says on the tin’ should they have said that on the tin. My clothes have reappeared from the wash smelling clean, though unfragranced (I’m told you can add a few drops of essentials oils if you’d like a scent) and feeling particularly soft. What more could you ask for?
Instructions for use:
- Place 6-8 nuts in a small muslin bag- I got mine free with the soap nuts
- Place into the washing machine drum with washing
- Set your normal wash
- Use up to six times, though note that the ‘potency’ of their cleaning power is strongest on the first wash. They will darken in colour when they are no longer effective
- Throw in the compost when finished with
Poppy Sakulku
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You know, its really fun to use soap nuts for handwashing garments and for doing dishes by hand. That way you can see how long they last. I have five in a glass by the sink. As I run hot water into a bowl or pot I swish the nuts (not in the muslin bag) around and you see them foaming up so you know they are still good. The bubbles dont last but I am constantly amazed at their cleaning power on greasy stubborn pots and pans! Glasses come out sparkling and I'm a Dawn junkie! You can keep using them till they thin out. I'm still learning from them. Its like they are a live organism unlike a dead powder that is the same everytime. Check out my blog because I have alot of suggestions (I wash my face with their liquid) and I want to hear other people's experiences. NoGreenerClean.com
You are right, people should listen to what you are saying because you are absolutely right.
This is great info. I am looking around for this stuff right now and these tips will be very helpful.
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One thing that I was surprised about when I first started using soap nuts was the smell! It is awful! BUT the weird thing is that the smell doesn't appear in your clothes at all. I was very please with the results. It is green and environmentally sound which makes me feel great, and the clothes come out looking great and feeling soft.