Eco-Detergents: Nuts about Soap Nuts!

Eco Detergent: Nuts About Soap Nuts

Following on a short story of these little wonders of nature, ( In the HOMEMAKERSonline February Newsletter), I was inspired to investigate further and see where I can get my hands on some.
There aren't many suppliers of soap nuts in South Africa, but I discovered one site that sells them, reasonably inexpensively. Visit www.naturesoap.co.za On this site you can discover the various uses of Soap Nuts as well as order them for R85 per 500g. Here are some of the uses of soap nuts that I’ve found have made them a staple in MY home:

LAUNDRY
The easiest way to use them for laundry, is to simply pop 3 to 6 soapnuts in the small muslin bag (supplied with soap nuts from www.naturesoap.co.za), tie it closed, and throw it into the drum of your washing machine along with your articles of clothing that need washing. You can reuse one batch for 4 or 5 loads of laundry. Soapnuts are highly-effective and gentle at the same time. They will leave your laundry fresh and clean, colours bright and no need for fabric softener.
When the Saponin has been used up the shells will look dark and feel mushy, at this point you can safely throw them on your compost heap or put them aside for making soap nut liquid (Instructions on making soap nut liquid on the site) Soapnuts are both Ecological and Economical when compared to  other forms of detergents. 1 kg of soapnuts can be used for up to 150 loads of  laundry.

WASHING DISHES
Use soapnut liquid for washing your dishes. Don’t be deceived by the lack of  bubbles, since there are no artificial foaming agents so there will be very few  if any lasting bubbles. This in no way impacts on the ability of the liquid to  clean your dishes. If you are using a dish washer, just pop 3 shells in the bottom  of the cutlery holder and some vinegar in the rinse aid dispenser and your dishes  will come out sparkling clean.

SHAMPOO
Simply use soapnut liquid instead of regular shampoo, it is not as thick as  standard shampoos, and does not create as much artificial lather, so beware that  you do not use too much, as a little goes a long way. Soapnut shampoo will leave  your hair clean, naturally.

STEAM CLEANING SPOT TREATMENT
Add 45ml to 4L hot water and use in a portable steam cleaner. Great for getting out  urine smells and stains. A table spoon of bicarbonate of soda added to this is  specially good for removing cat smells.

SOAPNUTS:
• Are imported from India (shipped, as this is more enviro-friendly than flying them in).
• Have been growing in the wild for centuries in the area they are sourced them from.
• Are harvested in a sustainable manner.

Be sure to visit www.naturesoap.co.za and discover many more uses for these wonder-nuts, as well as order some for YOUR home! Also available on the site are ‘Enchantrix’ products, which are also Ethical & Eco Friendly’. Their range includes Body Care, Kids & Household products, all at a price to suit your economically-stunted-but-eco-conscious-budget :-)