tell me about soapnuts... - Page 4

[BeagleMommy]

The batch of liquid I made from the most spent soapnuts washed my dishes in the dishwasher last night! So, I guess they are still good. I didn't wait until I had more, I just used four nuts and about a cup and a half of water. And then I just kept adding more water in subsequent batches. Still good. I'm not complaining. Guess I'll know they are done when they are no longer making usable liquid.

[jul511riv]

I think it's a big issue of water quality as well. Here in Israel we have EXTREMELY hard water (like, it makes our showerhead go out of date within a few months because of the mineral build up of the water totally blocking the holes!) I can get maybe 3 loads out of them before they are clearly spent. As in, they are torn to shreds or greyish and mushy and, of course, when you squeeze them, no saopin comes out.

[maxwill129]

Okay, so now my question is this:

laundrytree.com says you can't use the soapnuts in a bag for cold water washed because the saponin doesn't get released so you need to make a liquid first and then use that. I've only used cold water and not only do my clothes seem clean and fresh, but I can use the soapnuts way more than 4 washes...

Do you think it's just more effective to do liquid?

[BeagleMommy]

So, I know you are supposed to leave the soapnuts in during the rinse cycle and remove before drying, but I really thought I had used liquid in this particular load of laundry until I pulled the little bag out of the dryer.
Did I ruin those soapnuts?
Has anyone else done this?
Do I just compost them?

Pregnancy brain is a frustrating thing. . .

[maxwill129]

Originally Posted by BeagleMommy

So, I know you are supposed to leave the soapnuts in during the rinse cycle and remove before drying, but I really thought I had used liquid in this particular load of laundry until I pulled the little bag out of the dryer.
Did I ruin those soapnuts?
Has anyone else done this?
Do I just compost them?

Pregnancy brain is a frustrating thing. . .

I think someone earlier said they do this all the time or their DH does and it doesn't hurt the soapnuts!

[BeagleMommy]

Thanks!