Soap Nuts

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Soap Nuts

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linz71

Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Posts: 119
Location: N.E.Lincolnshire

Posted: Sat Mar 28, 09 12:05 am Post subject: Soap Nuts
Does anyone have any experience or an opinion on using soap nuts in instead of wash powder/liquid?

marigold

Joined: 02 Sep 2005
Posts: 12458
Location: West Sussex

Posted: Sat Mar 28, 09 8:14 am Post subject:
Soapnutter sells them https://ethicstrading.com/ . Haven't tried them myself though.

00C

Joined: 15 Jan 2009
Posts: 6
Location: Scotland

Posted: Sun Mar 29, 09 7:54 am Post subject:

I use them and I like them.

I don't use them on whites because the soapnuts don't contain any bleaching agents so after a while the whites will look dull. Some people choose to alternate soapnut/powder washes for their whites. I don't, purely because I very rarely have a white load to do and I've got a massive box of powder to get through!

It takes a couple of washes for the powder to be completely washed out of the clothes (you'll see lots of bubbles during those washes) but after that the clothes are softer so I don't use fabric conditioner.

The soapnuts can smell a bit vinegary, and the clothes can have a faint smel when they're wet but once they're dry they have no smell whatsoever. I really like this because my sense of smell is quite sensitive and I've never liked the heavy perfume of washing powders. Some people miss the smell though, so they add a couple of drops of scented oils to the fabric conditioner dispenser.

I don't tie them in a sock as is usually recommended. I use one of those drawstring bags for washing tablets. As I use powder I didn't have one so I got a free bag from the Persil website. https://www.persil.com/dosingproduct.aspx

They seem to work well with most normal levels of dirt but won't handle really dirty stuff. Mind you, as my vision's rubbish you might want to take that first part with a pinch of salt, I may have missed something!

I got a free sample from https://www.inasoapnutshell.com before buying them. You just send the postage or send the postage cost via Paypal.

Oh and I compost them when they're used up, which is a nice bonus. Hope that helps

James

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 2866
Location: York

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 09 8:09 am Post subject:
We combine soapnuts with bought powder by using them as a pre-wash to help clean nasty stuff. Seems to work well. We did use them on main washes, but sometimes things like socks didnt always feel as clean as they otherwise would. And as for nappies.....

linz71

Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Posts: 119
Location: N.E.Lincolnshire

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 09 12:05 am Post subject:

Thanks for the advice.

Fortunately mine are long out of nappies James

I think I'll try the free samples and see how it goes.

We don't have too many white loads either 00C most of ours are blacks and dark colours. I don't care much for strong scented things either. I bought a supermarket 2 in 1 liquid the other week and my toweling dressing gown smelt so perfumed afterwards. Not sure if drying it on the clothes horse rather than the washing line due to the rain had much to do with it retaining so much scent. Either way it was far from pleasent.

zachariah11o

Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Posts: 15
Location: Bulwell Nottingham

Posted: Wed Apr 29, 09 1:08 pm Post subject:
I tried soap nuts for the first time last week and thought they did a fair job of the washing. Following the advice of one poster I added a few drops of geranium oil to the conditioner draw. This perfumed the whole load, and the house whilst it was drying. Next to be washed will be the bed linen. I'm thinking of adding lavender oil to this to see if it helps relax me at night. Regards Paul

***merlin***

Joined: 09 Aug 2009
Posts: 112

Posted: Sun Aug 16, 09 12:47 pm Post subject:
using lavender oil in laundry for males clothing is not really advisable it causes hormonal imbalances over a period of time I have tried soap nuts but, i dont know whether it was just in my mind, but i didnt like them, i have made my own laundry gel for years for with no problems, we make all our own cleaners/ creams/soaps/lip balms etc both cosmetic & medicinal

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Sun Aug 16, 09 3:40 pm Post subject:
Ooo. That reminds me. I am currently in possession of rather a lot of bees wax that needs using up. I was thinking of using this recipe, except it says it doesn't keep. Do you think it would keep in the freezer? Or does anyone have a recipe that will keep?

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sun Aug 16, 09 4:09 pm Post subject:

Jamanda wrote:

Ooo. That reminds me. I am currently in possession of rather a lot of bees wax that needs using up.

I was thinking of using this recipe, except it says it doesn't keep. Do you think it would keep in the freezer? Or does anyone have a recipe that will keep?

it s a pretty big recipe, I usually make cold cream using just a tablespoon of wax at a time and aim to use the result within a week

Wax doesnt go off, creams do, make it little and often and you can also adjust the recipe each time to perfect one that is just right for you

Mojo'sKitchen

Joined: 12 Sep 2010
Posts: 12

Posted: Sun Sep 26, 10 8:31 pm Post subject:

***merlin*** wrote:

using lavender oil in laundry for males clothing is not really advisable
it causes hormonal imbalances over a period of time

I have tried soap nuts but, i dont know whether it was just in my mind, but i didnt like them, i have made my own laundry gel for years for with no problems, we make all our own cleaners/ creams/soaps/lip balms etc both cosmetic & medicinal

Thanks for that, I was just thinking of getting some Lavender oil as we have just started using soapnuts and I miss the smell the washing liquids/powders leave when it's dried in the house.

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced online shop to buy the oils?

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