Soap Nuts - Can It Work?
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Forum Name: General Chat
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Topic: Soap Nuts - Can It Work?
Posted By: Anonymous55
Subject: Soap Nuts - Can It Work?
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 10:44am
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I have considered using soap nuts various times and finally had a sample and used it in my front loader (warm wash) - with disappointing results.
I.e. dirty (brown) sock were still dirty. 
Hence I wasn't very impressed and forgot about the idea of an environmentally friendly washing detergent cheaper than my trusted persil front loader detergent. I'm wanting to give the soap nuts another go as I'm just not happy with the cost/environmental factors atm and am wondering if a suitable alternative would be oxygen bleach PLUS soap nuts. Has anyone got any wise words of wisdom or advice for me? Is anyone using this method or have you found that soap nuts are for hippies that don't mind wearing dirty socks...?? (No offense  )
Maybe there are alternative ways of washing at budget/environmentally friendly? |
Replies:
Posted By: noisybaby
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 11:09am
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We use soapnuts on the nappies and don;t have any issues with cleanliness. The odd stain is still present but nothing a quick hang in the sun doesn't fix. I love soapnuts. maybe you didnt use enough? ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Anonymous55
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 11:24am
I didn't try the nuts on the nappies, just on our general 1-a-day clothes load and I used the whole sample I was given. If I remember right it was about 6 nuts in the little cottonbag. 
I really want this to work but I don't think I can live with dirty socks, etc 
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noisybaby wrote:Posted By: sbeach
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 11:46am
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I use soap nuts for some washes... on everyday washing they are okay but I use Surf concentrate on DH's socks and my work gear, things that need a real good clean!!!
I have a toploader with a low profile agitator (ie just a bump) and it is an aquasmart machine so maybe they work best in the toploaders that use more water.... I plan to use them on the MCNs...not quite there yet tho.... I did find when I used them on some items, fleecy lined hoodies (like Hallenstiens ones) in particular they came out so nice and soft like Id used fabric softener... ETA: you are using the right amount...one tip is not to empty the baggy out just keep adding new nuts as the others deteriorate... ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: _H_
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 12:32pm
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i have heard that they can take a couple of washes to work well, ie the water from the wash helps to break them down, this is why it is best to add new nuts to the older ones instead of having all new nuts.
maybe try them in another couple washes and see if they get better? ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 12:48pm
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I use them on poohy nappies (scraped ones) and the pooh comes out fine, but I don't use them on the clothes yet so can't help you there. I find the first wash that they are really soapy so maybe the sample you were given wasn't that great???
I also use a FL & warm wash. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 1:47pm
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the thing about the soapnuts compared to say persil or surf etc is that the soapnuts dont bleach your clothes to look clean. i use mine for my nappies and clothes... if you use hot water then the nuts release more of the soapy stuff, but wont last as long either.
so you may find you need to soak or scrub your socks (and other hard wearing articles) before washing them if you want them to look white again! Or you could try the soapnut powder - i think the soapnut shop has them on special at the moment... it comes in sachets and you can use the sachet twice and it has essential oil in them already. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: MrsMc
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 9:17pm
| how frustrating for you, but obvioulsy they dont compare to persil etc but will be cleaning your clothes. I would pre soak socks etc then use them |
Posted By: Anonymous55
Date Posted: 22 October 2010 at 11:29am
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Great to hear some advice on this as it's really frustrating me!
I figure I'll give them another shot combined with presoaking them in oxygen bleach and a few drops of tea tree oil. If that doesn't live up to my expectations I guess I'll be stuck with persil and a bad concience! 
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Posted By: jano1
Date Posted: 22 October 2010 at 1:50pm
| You could make your own washing powder |
Posted By: Anonymous55
Date Posted: 22 October 2010 at 4:16pm
How do I do that??
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