Yeah yeah, that title made you look...
But a few weeks back I bought some soap nuts and I have been trying them out. What the hell are they are hear you ask?
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From wikipedia
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Soapnuts contain saponins which are a natural surfactant. They have been used for washing for thousands of years by native peoples in Asia as well as Native Americans.[3] Soapnuts are being considered for commercial use in cosmetics and detergents as well as many other products.[4]
Soap nuts have historically been used in folk remedies as a mucolytic agent[5], emetic[6], contraceptive[7], and for treatment of excessive salivation[5], epilepsy[5][8], and to treat chlorosis[5]. While they do exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, the effectiveness of some of these folk-remedy treatments have not been subject to extensive scientific scrutiny. However, modern scientific medical research has investigated the use of soap nuts in treating migraines.[6][8]
Investigation of the contraceptive capability of plant saponins have shown some spermicidal capacity for certain extracts.[7][9] While the Sapindus saponins have not been proven be as effective as more commonly used spermicides it has been shown that they are less irritating than chemical alternatives.[10]
Soap nuts, such as those of Sapindus mukorossi, are among the list of herbs and minerals in Ayurveda. They are a popular ingredient in Ayurvedic shampoos and cleansers. They are used in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and for removing freckles. Soap nuts have gentle insecticidal properties and are traditionally used for removing lice from the scalp.
Sapindus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) species including Endoclita malabaricus.
I bought 1kg of them (for $30 I think), and they come with a little cotton bag, you put 4-5 of the fruit/nuts into the bad and tie it shut, throw the bag into the washing machine and wash you're clothes. The nuts will last 3-4 washes they reckon, I did 5 washes and they were still taking lots of dirt out of the clothes. Works out to cost about 12c a wash, WAAAY cheaper than commercial powders and liquids. And very environmentally friendly
Evidently you can also boil them up to make liquid hand cleaner, shampoo, general house cleaner, even engine degreaser...
Worth trying out I reckon, I'm pretty happy with the results...
Backyard Farming Forum
Bet she loves it now. Going to work and not knowing what she might find.