JumbleTown Ireland - View Single Post - Natural Alternatives to Cleaning Products etc.

irishrose · **Posted: 27-02-2009 , 10:11 PM** #**103**

I don't make my own detergent, but last summer I bought a bag of soapnuts at the Oxfam Fairtrade shop just off Grafton Street. I've been using the same bag since, washing about three to four loads of laundry per week. A bag of soapnuts costs about 9 euro. They claim you can use soapnuts for virtually all cleaning - that you can make washing up liquid, shampoo, etc.. However, I followed the instructions and made a batch of what was supposed to be washing up liquid, and it turned out to be a lot like colour-tinged water, and about as effective. Since then, I've stuck to using it in the washer. It's not a panacea - it won't remove grass or wine or grease stains any more than most detergents, but it's cheap and it gets the majority of things clean. I simply pre-treat stains as I did when I was buying detergent. I would recommend them.

	Posted: 27-02-2009 , 10:11 PM #103
irishrose Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 49	soapnuts I don't make my own detergent, but last summer I bought a bag of soapnuts at the Oxfam Fairtrade shop just off Grafton Street. I've been using the same bag since, washing about three to four loads of laundry per week. A bag of soapnuts costs about 9 euro. They claim you can use soapnuts for virtually all cleaning - that you can make washing up liquid, shampoo, etc.. However, I followed the instructions and made a batch of what was supposed to be washing up liquid, and it turned out to be a lot like colour-tinged water, and about as effective. Since then, I've stuck to using it in the washer. It's not a panacea - it won't remove grass or wine or grease stains any more than most detergents, but it's cheap and it gets the majority of things clean. I simply pre-treat stains as I did when I was buying detergent. I would recommend them.