Soap nuts

[ahoney]

Hi was wondering if anyone has any thermomix soap nut recipes? I hav a bag of them I use in washing machine ( in a little bag) but apparently you can make shampoo, multi purpose cleaner, dish liquid, clothes liquid, powder out of them too!

[tarosuma]

I use soap nuts for washing too.  I use them a few times for washing and collect up all the bits.  Once I have a good stock of them, I throw them in a pot and boil them up.  Then I strain, store in the fridge and use for cleaning the bath etc.
Will be interested to see if anyone uses the TMX for them.

[missgrunge]

Er, what's a soap nut? 
Miss G

[tarosuma]

Hi
I found out about soap nuts a few years ago and have been using them ever since.  They are actually a kind of fruit but are hard like a nut.  They contain saponin which is like a natural detergent. I think they are native to India or somewhere similar.  You put them in a little bag and pop them in the washing machine.  I am a self confessed hippy so I love the idea of using purely natural ingredients for washing my childrens cloth nappies and clothes.
They don't sud up as much as detergent but I have found them to be absolutely fine for us.  I wouldn't expect them to be fantastic for stain removal or anything, I rely on the sun for that, especially for nappies.

[missgrunge]

thanks tarosuma.  I thought a soap nut was what MeganJane is! 
Miss G

[meganjane]

thanks tarosuma.  I thought a soap nut was what MeganJane is! 
Miss G

Yes, but I'm in capitals - Soap Nut!!

[Sonan]

where do you buy soap nuts??? intrigued...

[meganjane]

Wild Soap Nuts

Soap in a Nutshell - these guys are cheaper!

I was thinking of ordering some, but they wouldn't really clean my DH's work clothes.

I have a range of surfactants at my fingertips as I use them for my shampoos and baby bath. So I make my own washing up liquid, spray cleaner & toilet cleaner. I still make the soap, borax and washing soda laundry detergent and am happy with that.

Let us know how the soap nuts go.

[cookie1]

I'm glad someone else asked about the soap nuts.
My DH gets filthy so I don't think they'd suit us.

[Sonan]

thanks MeganJane - hhmm I have very grotty children so probably not the best for me either.... okay second question, what are surfactants? Does your laundry detergent do a good job? Is there a link to that one?
I mostly just use vinegar and bicarb and essential oils around the house

[judydawn]

Sonan, here is the link for the washing powder http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=1843.0

[meganjane]

I'm a vinegar and bi-carb girl too.  I just scrubbed my sink this morning with bi-carb and it's sparkling!

Surfactants are products that are used in shampoos, body washes, dishwashing liquid, spray cleaners. The ones made from petroleum by products are very harsh and are best used for cleaning. Those that I use are made from sugar and coconut and I also use one that is natural, called soapwort. Similar to soap nuts, it's a plant that has natural saponins.

I play around with various ones and make dishwashing liquid, hand cleaner, spray and wipe and toilet cleaner.

[Bambi]

I use soap nuts on our clothes and the babies nappies

[Jen71]

I also LOVE soap nuts and I have three grubby boys (ages 8,8, and 9) who get very dirty.
The soap nuts tackle our tough stains surprisingly well. Theyre so economical - it's hard to imagine using anything else.

For any of the boys white t-shirts, I still soak in NappySan before washing.

But I do recommend you give the soap nuts a try. We love them.

[the_vermins]

http://www.kussen.com.au/OurProducts/tabid/241/List/0/CategoryID/43/Level/a/Default.aspx
They sell soapnuts too.  Local to Perth so you can pick if you want to.

I wonder how the liquid soap would be made...??