Horse chestnuts - one more alternative to washing powder
Horse chestnuts - one more alternative to washing powder
Since last year I am intensively trying out different natural alternatives to chemical washing and cleaning products. And this is one year already that I have not used any chemical washing powder or liquid or tabs. This is my contribution to cleaner nature. And our washing is clean. And... I believe that my skin is much better this year.
Now I am experimenting with horse chestnuts (Aesculus hippocastanum).
I am glad I have a reason for collecting chestnuts. I have always collected them as a child. They are so beautiful to me. Now I collect them for a purpose - I use them for laundry.
I chop chestnuts, dry them and store in a tightly closed jar.
For washing I soak 3 tablespoons of dried chestnuts with 300 ml boiling water and leave for 30 minutes to soak. I pour the strained liquid into the washing machine. The rest can still be used twice: soaking for other washings.
My friend does it a bit differently. She puts a handful of dried chestnuts into a blender, soaks with half a Liter of hot water. Blends for 30 seconds, strains and pours the liquid into the washing machine.
Now I have three possible alternatives for washing naturally: ivy leaves (hedera), soapwort (saponaria officinalis) and horse chestnuts (Aesculus hippocastanum).
Comments
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@jolanta.wittib I am very much enjoying following your experiments!
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Very neat. Does it have any natural aroma that stays on the clothes?
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Are horse chestnuts edible? Or are those the poisonous ones that look like chestnuts?
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@Megan Venturella horse chestnuts are not edible. They are also not good for animals, because they contain so much saponins, that the digestion system will start to foam. I add a photo of the chestnuts I use for washing.
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I have read other articles on using horse chestnuts for laundry, but have been a little hesitant. But with you having a positive experience, I am going to give it a try. I have used herbal home made laundry detergent for the last 3 years and love the fact that my clothes get clean, but actually smell CLEAN and not perfumey!!
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This is very interesting, unfortunately, nuts of any kind don't grow here. But will have to look into the ivy. As well as doing some research to see if soapwort will or does grow here. Thank you for sharing your experiences with everyone so we can learn from them as well.
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@MelissaLynne I have just washed the clothes and gave them a good sniff 😜. I think they have no specific smell. Just neutral.
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Thanks, good to know. Lol
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