Soapnuts

black-saturn

I was telling my mum about this and she said that my nan used to use something called Soapweed in her wash which as far as she could remember was a root or bark looking thing. I've googled it but only found it on gardening sites so I dont know if you can still buy it for using in the wash.

Its good the soap nuts work in the dishwasher. Wish i had one now.

Has anyone noticed how often the word NUT is used in the address of where you order them from? It's almost like an april fool joke.

savvy

Caterina wrote:

One question, though: has anyone ever used Soapwort? It is a root that contains saponin. I would be curious to see if it works like soapnuts but if it grows locally I'd favour it over something that is shipped across a couple of continents.

Caterina

Haven't used it, but certainly looks like it from this

oops_a_daisy

I got mine delivered yesterday, I didnt think posties worked on a Sunday ??? but they 'appeared' just outside my door. Anyway I put some to work straight away on a whites wash and a coloureds. I love the way the clothes do not smell of chemicals - they just smell clean and they are definately softer than using non bio tabs and fabric softener. My towels are much softer too - I am definatley a convert. I put approx 6 half shells in the little bag and have now done 3 loads so will hopefully have another 2-3 loads to go. I bought some soda crystals at the weekend as back up for bad stains but could somebody tell me do I put the soda crystals into the powder drawer, into the drum or directly onto the stain ? and how much of the soda crystals will I need per load ? Thankyou for all of those who have posted advice and information on this thread - It has certainly helped me save some money and be kinder to the environment.

gemmaj

I've used my free sample twice now for normal clothes washing. The clothes end up clean and smell-free but does anyone else find that the washing machine STINKS and the clothes smell when wet, too. My washing machine never smelt like that before!?!

black-saturn

No it just smells of nothing. Are you sure your not having problems with stagnant water and you havn't noticed it before because you have been using scented items?

I gave them the ultimate test today when I washed something really horrible in there (not going to say what it was at teatime) and it worked. Three cheers for soapnuts :T :T :T

Caterina

I know that you can buy soapwort at Baldwins the herbal shop online

www.baldwins.co.uk

I might order a small sample (the mininum is 25 g) when I order my chamomile and limeflower teas - not before as I do not want to pay P&P for a little thingy. After I give it a go I will post results here.

Caterina

halloweenqueen_2

Received my sample of soapnuts today - wil be washing the sheets -aren't they just the weirdest little things - the soapnuts, not my sheets!!!!!

soba

Bought my first bag of soapnuts last week, and have been using them since. No problems with stain removal, but DS's school shirts (cotton) have gone a bit dingy with there being no bleaches in soapnuts, so I've just done them with Ecover bleach. Hopefully that'll do the trick.

Linda32

mamaoba wrote:

For filthy coloureds (the ex is a builder!) I add a scoop of soda crystals to the wash.

Thanks for that, my other half is a mechanic, so overall are oily, I'll try soad crystals instead of washing powder.

Ticklemouse

I've just put my order in for 500gms of nuts.

If you're reading from "In a soapnut shell" - thanks for the sample - you've got my business