Soapnuts liquid how to

I've been wanting to share this since ages ago ( ok months ago) but I keep forgetting about it. Truth is since I do this regularly, I don't think people might be interested in it ( I did share about soapnuts benefits in this blog too)
And today, a few of Facebook's friend  posted this articles about the danger in the artificial fragrance. And of course SOAP NUTS  come to mind. I've been using it for more than 7 months now together with vinegar, baking soda and tea tree/lavender oil.

My helper of course was pestering me about this.. it doenst clean well, no suds.. bla bla bla.. So I Googled it and find the info in Mandarin and printed and asked her to read.  Mission Accomplished ! Hah! ^_^

So here is what I do ( once a week or so)

Put the soap nuts in the cloth bag ( a hand full) , and boil with a pot full of water.
Let it boil then shimmer for another 15 minutes. Let it cool for a bit and then put in the container and your soapnut liquid is ready to be use!
And throw the soapnuts.

Another simple way is just to make the "TEA". Just put the bag in a bowl hot water for a few minutes, then use the "tea" for washing. You can re-use the soapnuts for 5 more times.

Or just put in the bag of soapnuts into washing machine ( hot water setting is the best) , then add baking soda in the detergent compartment and vinegar in the softener compartment. I add the TTO and LO in the bag just for antiseptic and great smell! And Voila!... my laundry is done.


PS : you liquid soapnuts must be use within a week or so. It doesnt have any preservative. As for me a pot  ( 2-3 medium bottle) is good for a week or so.

Happy trying...

Green living.. for healthier live and better earth!

Xoxo

S.R

As promised : Soapnuts Review and usage

So finally I got it and used it.
Just from a few times, I can tell I love it.
This is my personal reviews for family and friends just to create the awareness of soapnuts as an alternative to commercial soaps/detergents, I am not associated with any seller at the moment. If you got any questions please refer to any seller's website or browse on the net to gather more info. Thanks!!!
 
Here just to review what is soapnuts again:
Soap nuts or Soapberry, also sometimes referred to as Washing Nuts or Ritha / Reetha (in Hindi), contain ‘Saponins’, which have the ability to clean and wash. When in contact with water, it creates a mild suds, which is similar to soap.

For hundreds of years, people in India and Nepal have been doing their laundry and cleaning with Soapnuts The nut is the dried fruit of the Ritha tree and the saponin released is a 100% substitute to normal detergents..

Soap nuts can be used for cleaning basically anything, from washing clothes, as a liquid soap, cleaning and shining ornaments, household cleaner etc.

Soapnuts are highly-effective and gentle at the same time. It will leave your laundry fresh and clean and compared to other detergents, its mildness will keep colours bright, maintaining fabric structure of your clothes for longer periods. It can be used on all fabrics and at all temperatures.

Soap nuts are allergy-free and hence are good for your skin especially good for babies, eczema and sensitive skin. This chemical free product is excellent for washing children’s clothing.

Soap nuts are both Ecological and Economical when compared to other forms of detergents.
A brief on the Benefits of using soapnuts:

• Clearly cheaper than normal detergents.
• Environment friendly as soapnuts are 100% natural, they do not pollute our environment. Furthermore, soapnuts are considered renewable primary products. The soapnut trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.
• Perfect for allergic persons, people with sensitive skin and people who suffer from neurodermatitis.
• Effective and gentle as Soapnuts clean dirty laundry very effectively and at the same time preserve the colour of your laundry better than chemical detergents. In Nepal, people wash even the finest silks using soapnuts.
• 100% biodegradable. Simply add the used soapnuts directly to your compost heap.

MY REVIEW IN MY OWN WORDS

How to do :
to Wash in hot water washing machine, just put4-5 soapnuts in muslin bag or old sock. Wash as usual. Dry the soapnuts between wash, and it can be use for 5 times.

For cold water washing machine and other use ( bath, shampoo, laundry, etc)
You can make a soapnut tea , by soaking 4-5 soapnuts in 1 litre of hot water about 3 minutes. You can also put the bagged soapnuts into the load.

I am thinking to use it as " bubble bath" just put the soapnuts in the bag, then run the hot water and soak it to make soapnut tea in the bath tub. Add my favorite aromatherapy oil ( calming , rejuvenating, energizing , and romantic scents) Voila!! Healthy and natural bath! I even bath my lil monsters with the " tea" .

Or to make the soapnuts liquid ( serve as multipurpose cleaner):
since saponin can only be extracted from the nuts when the water is heated, a decoction or liquid is necessary for a cold wash. Boil 3 to 4 handfuls of nuts in one liter of water for 4 minutes or longer to make thicker concentrate . Remove the shells and allow to cool. One spoonful is enough for a load. You can use this for bath, shampoo , hand wash, vegetable wash etc.
Or you can boiled and shimmered it longer ( 20 minutes) until the soapnuts almost finish.

You can add tea tree oil, lavender oil , orange oil to add the scents.
And you can use white vinegar as softener.


So far I have use soapnuts to :
Wash my dishes in dishwasher( just put 3-4 soapnuts in the cutlery compartment) the dishes came out clean and smell nice.
To wash my laundry ( I added vinegar and lavender oil)
To wash my kids
To clean my stove top as multi purpose cleaner, and I can tell it works wonder!



As I am not an idealist perfectionist individual, I try to reach something more accessible to my life . I am not trying to make my whole family life 100% green.( wish I could ) . I try to use more earth friendly products, and buy organic veggie when I need ( like for salad or fruits) . And  recycle all of my old newspaper and paper products in my household.
Like in this case, to live in more " greener" way and since I can buy soapnut over here so I do it. Since I am a believer that Action speaks louder than Words.

One step at a time. I am not aiming to change the world or be a environmentalist , this is just my personal choice.


Back to nature.. healthier living, better earth!

XOXO
S.R