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
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
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