Do soap nuts work?

[chonky]

I really would like to find a green alternative to supermarket washing powder, and was thinking about giving these a go. Are they any good? TIA.

C'mon you Lakeland afficionados

yes, they're fab.

this seller is quite good

Thanks PinkTulips - I've placed an order with them. Have to laugh, I'm quite excited about a bag of soap nuts arriving!

me and dp were really excited too when we ordered our first lot... sad isn't it, lol!

Yeah they are great , try using some lavender oil to get rid of strong smells though

I used them for 3 months. Bit disappointed as my whites went very grey, even with a drizzle of Vanish in every wash.

Have gone back to Ecover.

They don't have brighteners, so whites can be a bit grey. You can use something like Ecover bleach in with them though.

I also add a couple of drops of EO - typically lavender as MrsWho does.

I get mine from ethicstrading.com

I've used them for a few years now. Great for ordinary stains. For whites, pop in a spoonful of Ecover laundry bleach - my 3 children all still have lovely white school shirts, football kit etc.

For tougher stains, I pre-treat with Ecover stain remover. Hanging clothes outside in sun also helps.

No need to keep soapnuts in water in a jar or anything odd like some instructions say. I keep mine in a bag (net bag given away free by some washing tablet makers!) in the washing machine. I use them for about a week, then compost.

I really like them and as i dry on the line in good weather, my clothes are never crunchy - the soapnuts are a natural softener.

As others have mentioned, a dash of laundry bleach here, a drop of EO there - its like grown-up potion-making

Yes - afaik, only one seller I know of recommends the jar thing. I just keep'em in the bag and change periodically.

aha, laundry bleach. Will try again! I did lurve the softness.

LOL! Yes, it does seem rather obvious when pointed out, doesn't it? Ethics Trading point out that laundry bleach is helpful for whites, so I was aware of it in the first place (which helped).

Does anyone wany a free bag (I'm afraid I didn't get on with them )? CAT me if interested.

catted you

Now you can tell me why you didn't get on with them

Hve you noticed, btw, that tesco now do their own brand "ecover" washing powder etc?

I think it's because we create washing that requires industrial strength stain removal!

Yep - have seen the ecover alternative - only problem is it's Tesco's brand, which then raises a whole other load of consumer concerns. Aaargh, why is being 'right on' so bloody hard?

HI. YOU LADIES SHOULD TRY CILIT BANG! THERE IS NO BANG! WITH ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRODUCTS, OH NO.

ouch - my ears hurt now

PMSL Couldn't buy something that sounds like a sex toy!

At least the tesco stuff is cheaper