Soap Nuts

Magentasue

A_fiend_for_life wrote: »

Interesting tips!

Anyone used soap and soda crystals in the washing machine? I am using the cheapest powder I can find at the moment and cost is key.

Yes. As said above, I found it left soap marks on black tops. Tried mixing with borax but same thing happened. Also used food processor to grate soap and them whizz with crystals to get a fine 'powder' but it still happened.

Ronaldo7_2

Hi, I purchased some EcoBalls about 6 months ago and to be fair they are okay when nothing has any stains and doesn't smell too much, and overall they should work out to 3p per wash over time. The stain remover that comes with it does work very well but my daughters have complained so much - "there is no lovely smell" - that I have relented and now use an organic liquid concentrate, which works out to 11p per wash, called AlmaWin All Purpose Washing Cream. This is much better and the girls are happy with the lovely smell!

andrione1

Ronaldo7 wrote: »

Hi, I purchased some EcoBalls about 6 months ago and to be fair they are okay when nothing has any stains and doesn't smell too much, and overall they should work out to 3p per wash over time. The stain remover that comes with it does work very well but my daughters have complained so much - "there is no lovely smell" - that I have relented and now use an organic liquid concentrate, which works out to 11p per wash, called AlmaWin All Purpose Washing Cream. This is much better and the girls are happy with the lovely smell!

i am finding the lack of lovely smell a big drawback myself, and will always have detergent in stock aswell, on the days i need the lovely laundry smell.

andrione1

Magentasue wrote: »

Soap nuts are OK for non-demanding loads but I don't sort my washing like that. I do everything but whites at 30deg and want everything clean first time.

At the moment I have a big plastic tub which is roughly 40% branded washing powder (Bold this time but it varies), 40% soda crystals and 20% Vanish. Is working better than most combinations I've tried and costed out at about 7p per wash.

The soda crystals bring the cost down but also help reduce limescale, I believe.

i will look into using soda crystals. are there any particular brands or shops better than other?
thanks.

Magentasue

Supermarkets do these for about 50p a bag:


They were 28p a bag in Tescos a few weeks back but seem to be normal price now. More info here:

http://www.dri-pak.co.uk

Cat72

I have tried soapnuts and found them useless- would never use them again. They dont remove stains and they smell.
I also use cheap washing powder and soda crystals ( you get them at most shops ). Im not sure to be honest it really keeps my costs down compared to just using plain old cheap washing powder .
I also use vinegar in my wash to help clean ,make it less smelly and keep it softer. Just a cheap bottle of white vinegar from asda or farmfoods about 36p.
My friend used the eco balls and again said they didnt really remove stains.

Magentasue

Mixing washing powder with soda crystals definitely saves money for me but I do buy branded powders. I know some people find no difference, but I find my mix works better than supermarket powders.

That said, before I started doing the soda crystals, I only ever used half the recommended amount of washing powder.

daleigha

ive been using soap nuts for a couple of months now, and has been previously said, they are good as long as the clothes arent heavily stained. i also found that my whites were looking a little dull, so i occasionally use a normal washing capsule instead. i put a bit of essentail oil into the drawer, which gives the clothes a nice scent. i have also started using soda crystals along with the soap nuts - im hoping that this will help with anything that is stained.

xx

competitionscafe

Ronaldo7 wrote: »

I have relented and now use an organic liquid concentrate, which works out to 11p per wash, called AlmaWin All Purpose Washing Cream. This is much better and the girls are happy with the lovely smell!

Can I ask where you buy this (I can find it online but as it's heavy the postage will be quite high) and their website doesn't give a list of stockists.

Thanks.

greenbee

I use soapnuts for things that aren't too dirty, with either ecover fabric conditioner or vinegar depending on the type of washing (fabric conditioner for delicates, vinegar for towels). They seem to work better on a 40 rather than a 30 wash. I don't miss the smell, as I'd rather not smell of detergent during the day! If I want to smell of something nice, I put perfume on ME :rotfl:

Whites will never look as white with ecological detergents, soapnuts or washing balls, as we judge whiteness on optical brightness, not on cleanliness. So if you want bright whites, then use a conventional powder with an optical brightener in it. If you just want your clothes clean, then find a combination of product and wash cycle that you are happy with. In the summer :rolleyes: hanging whites outside helps get them whiter, as the sun is a strong natural bleaching agent.