Reetha : Eco Detergent that grows on trees!

Household Uses of Soap Nuts ( Sapindus Mukkorossi)

More Than Detergent

The primary use of soap nuts remains as a laundry detergent. However, given its impressive cleaning properties, it's no wonder why they've also been identified for other purposes -- including shampoo, a spot treatment, and jewelry cleaner.

http://madalbal.in/handmade_soaps_dealer_in_goa_india.php

A 100% natural product, soap nuts are available in dried-fruit form, as well as in powders and liquids. From the dried fruit shells, you can create your own powder and liquid versions from scratch.

Featured in The New York Times* in a piece done on "green and clean" laundry, soap nuts are today recognized the world over for their natural, eco-friendly ability to clean clothes. Yet did you know that with the same solution, you could clean practically everything in your home? It's true. How many commercial detergents can ascribe to that? Answer: None.

To get you started on your soap-nuts cleaning, here is the liquid recipe and a few ideas to ponder and experiment with:

How to make Soap Nut Liquid

Boil 10-12 soap nuts in 6 cups of water for 30 minutes until it is boiled down to 4 cups. Put 1/4 cup liquid into the laundry. Tip: its best to make smaller batches as it can spoil without preservatives.

All purpose cleaner: Boil soap nuts and separate the pulp from liquid with a strainer. Add the solution to a spray bottle and use for cleaning surfaces, windows, mirrors, and stovetops.

Steam-cleaning spot treatment: Add your soap-nuts solution to a portable steam cleaner. Though soap nuts have no fragrance, they can help remove odors from fabrics, such as curtains and upholstery.

Liquid hand soap: A water basin of warm water and a few soaked soap nuts can serve as a wash for your hands and face. For more foam though, add the solution to a portable foaming pump-bottle and use is anywhere.

Shampoo: Though soap nuts do not lather as much as commercial shampoos do, they do clean well and are safe for both humans and pets.

CAUTION: if the liquid gets into the eyes of it will sting, please be careful.

Jewelry cleaner: Regular dishwashing liquid has long been used as a convenient jewelry cleaner; soap nuts can be used in the same way. Soak jewelry in a solution of soap nuts and warm water and use a soft-bristle toothbrush to loosen any dirt.

Dishwasher soap: Add vinegar to the load as a rinsing agent and wash dishes as you normally would.

Vegetable wash: Being a fruit and 100% natural, you won't need to fear washing your vegetables with chemicals when using soap nuts.

Pest repellant: Works on various pests, such as mosquitoes. Soak the soap nuts, strain the liquid, and add to a spray bottle. Apply to arms and legs before going outdoors.Also works to get rid of pests on house and garden plants.

Unlike Other Cleaners

Unlike other cleaners, soap nuts do not rely on lab-created chemicals to do the job. Rather, the naturally-occurring saponin in their shells is all that's needed. Also, since soap nuts do not lather as much as commercial detergents, less water is needed to rinse their suds away. Using soap nuts enables you to reduce, reuse, and recycle -- the three R's of the environment.

For those with allergies, soap nuts are also ideal. As a hypoallergenic product, they can be used for most any purpose, from laundry to cleaning the windows. The residue left behind won't trigger common allergies, nor agitate sensitive skin. For babies and people with skin conditions, such as psoriasis, soap nuts can quell any and all concerns.

As a household cleaner, the nuts can be used in every room. And in the end, once you've used and reused your shells, you can simply return them to the Earth. If you already have a compost pile for your garden, soap nuts are a perfect addition. Biodegradable, the shells are far from being waste.

A Final Household Tip

As noted, soap-nut shells can be crushed into powder or boiled and strained into liquid. However, another approach is to freeze the liquid into cubes. For laundry, take a few cubes and toss them in your muslin bag. Since the saponin of the nuts has already been released, you can use the cubes in cold, warm, or hot washes. For spot cleaning, simply melt the cubes, add them to a spray bottle, and start spritzing.

"Its Good for you , your family and the environment."