Julie Mundy-Taylor
  • Home
    • About
  • Contact
  • Storytelling
    • Publications
    • Events
  • Libraries
    • Publications or events
  • Research
    • Publications
  • Blog
  • Documents
  • Sustainability

Recipes and tips for sustainability

10/13/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Dishwashing liquid 
I'm trying to reduce the amount of plastic we use as much as possible and dishwashing liquid that comes in a plastic container (even the "environmentally friendly" ones) was beginning to annoy me.
I've tried using bar soap but I'm not a real fan of it for dishes (we've used a locally made "no nasties" soap in the bathrooms for years). I had my 1st attempt at making dishwashing liquid from soap nuts and I'm really happy with the result.


* 5 cups of cold water to 20 soap nuts.​
*simmer for 45 mins (it gets a nice froth on the top during this stage).
​
* Cool the now very brown mixture in the pan.
*Strain the mixture into a large jug (or smaller one several times if necessary) through a very fine sieve.
The used soap nuts will be quite sludgy. Dry them out on a baking tray in a sunny spot to resuse. You should be able to use them at least once more, reducing the water each time.
* Pour the strained liquid into a container. I reused a commercial dishwashing liquid bottle but will buy a ceramic one eventually when needed.
* Soap nuts liquid won't suds up as much as the commercial stuff but I only used the same amount as I normally would and I was really happy with the results.
*Store the made up liquid in the fridge (make sure to label it well so it isn't confused with anything drinkable.
*You can also freeze in iceblock trays and defrost and use as necessary
*Can be used for other things, including surface cleaner, clothes washing, shampoo, handwash.


I'd love to source soap nuts from Australia to cut down the carbon footprint of transport. Anyone know of a supplier?
#homemade #sustainability #soapnuts

Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    October 2019

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly