Author Topic: Soap Nuts for Laundry Detergent  (Read 4402 times)

BreakingtheCycle

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Soap Nuts for Laundry Detergent
« on: November 03, 2014, 11:23:35 AM »
Does anyone else use soap nuts?  We buy the soap nut bits in bulk, and make our own soap nut soak. I love that they are natural and way cheaper than store bought detergents!

kel

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Re: Soap Nuts for Laundry Detergent
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2014, 08:13:24 PM »
I just picked these up after reading about them on some frugality/natural goods forum (maybe here, maybe reddit - not sure). Haven't gotten to use them as I'm still finishing up the last of the other laundry detergent. I'd love to hear any tips, tricks, learnings that you've picked up (including what a "soap nut soak" is). Thanks!

Andy_in_Aus

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Re: Soap Nuts for Laundry Detergent
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2014, 08:33:25 PM »
Does anyone else use soap nuts?  We buy the soap nut bits in bulk, and make our own soap nut soak. I love that they are natural and way cheaper than store bought detergents!

Weird, I came across these other day (searching up home made laundry detergent), and I kind of thought that sounded a bit strange. But now you've got me interested.

If I may be so bold as to pick your brains...

- How well do they wash clothes, particular heavily soiled stuff?
- Any long term issues with the washing machine?
- What do the clothes smell like after using them?
- +1 - What is a "soap nut soak", I thought you just threw them in the wash inside a bag?
- Any other hints and tips you'd care to share.

 


BreakingtheCycle

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Re: Soap Nuts for Laundry Detergent
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2014, 07:11:57 PM »
For the soap nut soak, you boil water and then toss in about 7-8 soap nuts (I think it's about 4 cups water as we fill about a quart jar).  When it cools you use that liquid as detergent to wash clothes.  We also add a few drops of peppermint oil and sometimes vinegar or baking soda to add more freshness (like for washing sheets).

So it only works ok for stains, but other than that clothes are clean and fresh smelling (peppermint oil is a big part of the fresh scent I'd say).  We've used it for 5 years now!

We just bought this huge amount of soap nuts which will last us at LEAST a year I would say, for our family of 5!  The pieces are cheaper than the full nuts, because I think you need the nuts to wash directly in the machine (for washing on hot) whereas the soak can be made with the pieces (you strain them out).  We only use soak.

Here's what we bought:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NU2L8U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The other thing my husband just mentioned was that the soap nuts don't keep whites as white either, but we just put up with it because we like that it's natural and less expensive.
« Last Edit: November 05, 2014, 07:14:36 PM by BreakingtheCycle »

mlejw6

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Re: Soap Nuts for Laundry Detergent
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2014, 01:59:46 PM »
We've used soap nuts for several months now. We put five or six in a cloth bag and throw it in the washer. Since they're activated by heat and we like to wash in cold water, we microwave them first in a cup of water (right in the bag), then throw the nuts and water into the machine. One bag of soapnuts can go through multiple washings (5 to 10). Then they break up and you can throw them out in the trash or compost them or just throw them out into the yard. The clothes don't smell like anything when they're washed, though I can smell a little soapy smell in the water that is microwaved with them. I can't stand most fragrances, so I love that they don't smell like anything in particular.

Downsides are they don't keep colors bright (don't care about that) and every once in a while I'll find a bit of a soap nut on my clothes. Upsides are the inexpensive price and they're all natural.

Andy_in_Aus

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Re: Soap Nuts for Laundry Detergent
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2014, 04:13:55 PM »
Thank you both for taking the time to reply, I'm sold!

I'm going to get a supply when I get home and get a chance to go to the green living shop.

BreakingtheCycle

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Re: Soap Nuts for Laundry Detergent
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2014, 08:43:21 PM »
I wanted to add that for our soap nut soak (7-8 soap nuts added to 4 cups boiling water), we keep the jar by the washing machine and pour a little in with each load.   My husband does laundry but I think we use 1, maybe 1.5 jars of soap nut soak per week.

stripey

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Re: Soap Nuts for Laundry Detergent
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2014, 01:14:34 AM »
They work well enough for me, and keep my clothes nice and soft without fabric softeners. For heavily soiled things though I soak in homemade laundry liquid though.
They don't have brighteners added, so your whites may not look as white after a while (but given environmental concerns about greywater I would avoid commercial detergents with whiteners anyway)

happy

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Re: Soap Nuts for Laundry Detergent
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2014, 03:36:48 AM »
Cheaper to make your own laundry detergent

stripey

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Re: Soap Nuts for Laundry Detergent
« Reply #9 on: November 08, 2014, 06:12:39 AM »
Cheaper to make your own laundry detergent

Whilst I agree, I think soap nuts are gentler on clothes (particularly silk, woollen and delicates) than home-made detergent (at least what I make which soap + washing soda + borax) which is the reason I have both at hand...

dragoncar

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Re: Soap Nuts for Laundry Detergent
« Reply #10 on: November 10, 2014, 12:55:26 AM »
Anyone tried deez nuts as laundry detergent?