By nenna

Re: Senior Moment(again)
29 Apr 2008 14:58

Just as an addition to the subject of soapnuts which came up yesterday, I mentioned that I had them but rarely used them. Well, today I put in a wash of towels and a towelling bathrobe which had quite a few marks on it so I thought I would use a hotter wash than usual. I put the objects in the drum , measured out the washing liquid, wondered whether to use a soap nut and then went out of the room to get some tea-towels to add to the drum. Mission done, I then put the washer on at 60 degrees, not my normal temp. Cycle complete, I put washing out on line, thinking the higher temp. had made a difference for the better! On coming back in I noticed my washing liquid still on the worktop, I had forgotten to put it in the drum!! Lesson learned, do we really need this expensive commodity when it doesn't seem to make much difference, if any, to the cleanness of our washing?

Replies

By Anushka

Re: Senior Moment(again)
29 Apr 2008 17:25

Nenna,

Last week end I came across these soap nuts in my local health store. The saleswoman explained that you could use a handful of nuts about 3 times (the same nuts), without using any soap powder at all. But she did add that if you want the washing to look really white, then you have to add whitener. So what's the point?

I now buy savon de marseille, which comes in flakes, and is a lot less polluting than ordinary soap powder. To help the soap along I have 12 small balls (the size of golf balls, more or less), that go into the machine with the clothes and the soap. The balls supposedly rub the clothes and help the dirt get out.

I have to say I see no difference, that is, my laundry is not less clean than with more expensive and polluting product...

Anushka

By gilldoteee

Re: Senior Moment(again)
30 Apr 2008 13:22

with all these things that are left in, I just wonder how they are ever rinsed out!
Do the balls rolling around in the washing wear the clothes out?
Sorry to be a sceptic!

By Anushka

Re: Senior Moment(again)
30 Apr 2008 20:08

Gildoteee,

I don't think the balls will wear the clothes out. In the time before washing machines we rubbed the clothes by hand agains a "corrugated" stone. The balls do the same effect.

So far I find my washing to be as clean as it was with soap powder.

This savon de marseille doesn't have a smell, but I can always put some drops of essential oil with the wash.

Anushka

By gerry

Re: Senior Moment(again)
17 May 2008 11:43

Nenna, brilliant idea to cut the cost of living by not using washing powder. Anything else we could do without?

By Flapjack

Re: Senior Moment(again)
29 May 2008 02:41

Nenna - I think there would have been 'residual' detergent in the workings of your washer which would have helped!

But I agree with you, I often use half the recommended amount for the laundry and it works just fine, especially with our very soft Manchester water.

On the same note, I have often forget to add a detergent cube to the dishwasher and the stuff has come out spotless, again I think, due to the dose of rinse aid in the final rinse.