HOMEMADE LIQUID SOAP NUT LAUNDRY CLEANER
Shake before using. 3-4 Tablespoons per load. 4-5 Tbs for hard water or extra solid clothes.Recipe will make enough liquid for 21 (5 Tbs per load) to 34 loads (3 Tbs per load). (See note below for shelf life)
Servings: 6 cups
Ingredients
- 13 Soap Nuts
- 8 cups Water
- 1/2 teaspoon Citric Acid or 1 teaspoons Salt (Extends shelf life)
- 30+ drops Lemon or Lemongrass AND Tea Tree Essential Oil Disinfecting oils (sent will be faint through wash)
Instructions
- Add soap nuts and water to a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 2-3 hours. You’ll know your soap is ready when the soap berries are light tan or grey – that’s a sign that all the wonderful saponin has been extracted. Turn heat off.
- Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon citric acid OR 1 teaspoons salt into in warm soup nut liquid... so let it cool down a little first.
- Allow the soap to cool (I usually let it sit for about 1-2 hours) and then strain out the soap nuts.
- Add about 30 drops of lemongrass and 30 drops of tea tree essential oil into the mix.
- Store in a glass gallon jug or container.
Notes
SHELF LIFE & STORAGE
Fresh soap nuts liquid has a “light apple juice” smell, while soap that has gone bad will smell sour.
Soap nuts are berries. So essentially you're making fruit juice ... without the sugar. There are no preservatives, unless you add the salt or citric acid... which will extend its shelf life.
The liquid will last for 1-2 weeks at room temperature, or about 3-5 weeks in the fridge. Double that time if you add salt/ citric acid. Or you can freeze them in ice cube trays (which will lasts months) and throw a few cubes in the wash each time.
If you are not storing the detergent in the refrigerator or freezer, and you do not do more than 20- 30 loads per 2 weeks; I would recommend making 1/2 the serving size at a time.