h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

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.

I've tried them a few times. They smell a bit...odd.

Do they leave your clothes with a funny smell?

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.)

OK we may give them a go then. Thanks for the advice, Mala.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My husband wasn't impressed with his shirt still being dirty and downright forbade me to use soap nuts ever again.

Ooh! A proper discussion!

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.

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!)

I think I still have some of the nuts, if you want to try them.

Moi?
No thanks - I think I can live without them.

So can I, really.

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!