A Conversation for How To Do The Laundry Properly and Efficiently
Soap Nuts
Vestboy Started conversation Aug 14, 2009
Around for a lot longer than detergents they are a natural way of cleaning clothes (among other things) without the harmful side effects of detergents, so I hear. Also a lot cheaper per wash!
Has any one out there used them. They seem to be growing in popularity in the "green" world.
Soap Nuts
Malabarista - now with added pony Posted Aug 14, 2009
I've tried them a few times. They smell a bit...odd.
Soap Nuts
Malabarista - now with added pony Posted Aug 14, 2009
They can do, especially if you don't hang them up to dry straight away. But even then, they won't smell "clean", ie not perfumed from your normal detergent. It helps to put some some scented oils in the "fabric softener" drawer. (You won't need that - the soap nuts don't get rinsed out after all. That's why it might be a good idea to do a "normal" wash every few cycles.)
Soap Nuts
Studies I've read about stones/balls/nuts etc. to replace detergent have shown that they don't make the clothes any cleaner than just water by itself.
Useless thingamajigs so to say.
Soap Nuts
Malabarista - now with added pony Posted Aug 14, 2009
Well, the nuts (or rather their husks) actually contain saponins - it's not like those stupid "miracle balls". Those are more of a placebo so people dare to use less detergent. Most people just use too much of it.
Soap Nuts
aka Bel - A87832164 Posted Aug 14, 2009
I've tried them, and the laundry wasn't clean at all - and I'm not talking the lack of 'fresh' smell here. I tried them at 30°C - maybe that's just not a high enough temperature.
Good article, btw.
Soap Nuts
Malabarista - now with added pony Posted Aug 14, 2009
I used them at 30° as well, but I've only used them a few times on stuff that wasn't really dirty or only had water-soluble stains - sheets and towels and the bathmat, mostly.
But I prefer to just use the "green" detergent.
Soap Nuts
aka Bel - A87832164 Posted Aug 14, 2009
My husband wasn't impressed with his shirt still being dirty and downright forbade me to use soap nuts ever again.
Soap Nuts
Sho - employed again! Posted Aug 15, 2009
I use much less washing liquid than the manufacturer (of the liquid) recommends - unless I have a really filthy wash to do.
I had been considering the soap nuts or ball things - I think I'll give them a miss now though.
Soap Nuts
Sho - employed again! Posted Aug 15, 2009
Oh and I meant to say for this, MMF, nice to see it on the FP (especially at the weekend when lots of us will be doing our washing!)
Soap Nuts
Malabarista - now with added pony Posted Aug 15, 2009
I think I still have some of the nuts, if you want to try them.
Soap Nuts
Sho - employed again! Posted Aug 16, 2009
Moi?
No thanks - I think I can live without them.
Soap Nuts
Vestboy Posted Aug 16, 2009
I'd like to give them a go but it is probably easier for me to fdind some closer to home - but thanks for the offer!
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Soap Nuts
- 1: Vestboy (Aug 14, 2009)
- 2: Malabarista - now with added pony (Aug 14, 2009)
- 3: Vestboy (Aug 14, 2009)
- 4: Malabarista - now with added pony (Aug 14, 2009)
- 5: Vestboy (Aug 14, 2009)
- 6: dragonqueen - eternally free and forever untamed - insomniac extraordinaire - proprietrix of a bullwhip, badger button and (partly) of a thoroughly used sub with a purple collar. Matron of Honour. (Aug 14, 2009)
- 7: Malabarista - now with added pony (Aug 14, 2009)
- 8: aka Bel - A87832164 (Aug 14, 2009)
- 9: Malabarista - now with added pony (Aug 14, 2009)
- 10: aka Bel - A87832164 (Aug 14, 2009)
- 11: Vestboy (Aug 15, 2009)
- 12: Sho - employed again! (Aug 15, 2009)
- 13: Sho - employed again! (Aug 15, 2009)
- 14: Malabarista - now with added pony (Aug 15, 2009)
- 15: Sho - employed again! (Aug 16, 2009)
- 16: Malabarista - now with added pony (Aug 16, 2009)
- 17: Vestboy (Aug 16, 2009)
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