Question from Melisa
I have just order soap nuts for the first time. I have been using Dr. Bronner’s soaps along with Washing Soda, Borax and Baking Soda and I thought the soap nuts would be more economical. I’m just wondering if I will need to add any of the things when I get them. What do you think, would these other things be needed? FYI I have a very hard working husband and teenage son so there is a little of everything on their clothes.
Debra’s Answer
I just use soap nuts and nothing else. My husband says that they don’t completely clean his really dirty clothes, like when he’s been working on his car, but for my clothing and bedding and towels, they are completely fine.
Readers, what is your experience?
I tried making Cal’s pre-treatment recipe of 1 part borax, 1 part washing soda, 1 part vinegar and 1 part water. Put it in a spray bottle and used it once. It seemed to work pretty well on stains, but the next week it was hard as a rock in the bottle, which I had to throw away. ??
I make a soapnuts “tea” by taking 7 or so soapnuts and putting them in just boiled water, putting a lid on the pot and letting it steep for 9-12 hours. I squeeze out the nut, toss them into the compost, and store the soap nuts liquid in a jar. Then I use a tablespoon or 2 of the liquid for every load of wash. I loke doing it this way because I feel it is a more concentrated laundry liquid from the soapnuts. I have purchased the nuts fromLaundry Tree and love the quality of their nuts, they are big and sticky, full of the saponin.
LOVE soap nuts. Been using them solely for two years now and all good. Occassionally grease won’t come out so I just put some dishwashing detergent I use for dishes on it and back in with the soap nuts and it comes out perfect. My favorite brand isYoreganics/. Also used Econuts but prefer Yoreganics of the two. I get them at a really good price on http://www.babysteals.com. They come up now and then on there and it’s really the best price I’ve seen them anywhere. You can also boil them to make liquid soap too.