Step 1:Prepare Soapnut Detergent
Materials Needed:
- 100g soapnuts
- 3 quarts (litres) water
- pot
Step 2:Simmer 30 Minutes
Bring the water to a boil. Turn down the heat to a low simmer for at least 30 minutes. Or use the Hay Slow Cooker for greater efficiency.
Step 3:Strain
Allow the liquid to cool, then strain out the soapnuts.
Step 4:Storage
Funnel the liquid into an old detergent bottle. This product is all natural so keep it in the fridge when the temperature is warm -- it doesn't have as long a shelf life as commercial products and is completely biodegradable.
This liquid can also be used as a vegetable and fruit wash, all-purpose cleanser (great on floors), laundry detergent, shampoo or to get aphids off a favorite plant.
Soapnuts are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, efficient cleaners but they don't suds up to the degree we are accustomed to these days, but have no fear. Your dishes are as clean as can be.
Step 5:Prepare Dishes For Washing
Quickly rinse dishes with a minimum amount of cold water.
Step 6:Clean Out Sink
Clean out your sink and put in the plug.
Step 7:Fill Sink
Start to fill the sink with hot water.
Step 8:Add Detergent
Add about 1-2 Tablespoons of soapnut detergent.
The water will suds up, but the suds quickly subside. Don't worry the soapnut detergent is still doing it's job.
Step 9:Wash Dishes
Wash dishes and place in dish drainer to dry.
Step 10:Remove Used Dishwater
It would be easier to use a plastic tub at this point, but I don't have one the right size for the job, so I just ladle out as much of the used dishwater as I can into a bowl.
Step 11:Dish-Water Your Plants
Water your most needy houseplant.
I'm looking into growing my own soapnut plant next -- then it will truly be cradle to cradle dishwashing.
Posted to Instructables by jpmurph
Instructables is a Premier Content Partner of SustainLane. Instructables is a web-based documentation platform where passionate people share what they do and how they do it, and learn from and collaborate with others.
Chris S. says:
Excellent! Well done. Kudos!
As a responsible professional formulator for soap nut (saponin) cleaning products it need to be emphasized that soap nut liquid (as ANY botanical solution) will not alone have hardly any shelf life at all. It is FAR from that of commercial detergents and cleaners that are loaded with preservatives and other unsafe base chemicals. I have personally (in controlled laboratory studies) seen solutions reach potentially harmful levels of contamination within a week. Be assured I do not wish to overly concern anyone, but we MUST be aware of the potential health hazards when developing solutions at home.
Use caution when using a soap nut liquid that has not been preserved adequately (or professionally). Albeit soap nuts (aka soap berries) are naturally anti-fungal and antimicrobial, additional measures must be taken to ensure it does not become rancid and potentially harmful. Citric acid will help, but only marginally. It is best to use it within a FEW DAYS. You are correct in that refrigeration will help extend shelf life, but not much longer. The solution CAN be frozen without loss of effectiveness after thawed.
Smell the solution prior to use. However, this can be deceiving because the pure soap nut liquid will naturally have a pungent odor making it difficult to determine if it is still fresh. That pungent odor will not transfer to dishes (or anything) once dry. If you suspect it to have become contaminated, discard it.
Fungal and bacterial growth is high and rapid. Soap nuts are a wonder of nature and I highly promote their use for a plethora of household cleaning purposes. I strongly encourage development of natural home based solutions to replace chemical commercial cleaners, but common sense and good judgment reign supreme. Outside of a lab, most people have limited knowledge of hard chemistry and limited sources for effective yet safe preservatives.
Hence, GO GREEN, but just be careful!
Christopher Sicurella
Founder / NaturOli