Soapnuts and nappies

[Hillbilly]

Anyone know if they can be used for soiled nappies (rinsed beforehand obviously) - have checked a couple fo my green parenting sites but nothing written on that subject

[glenniedragon]

Soapnuts aren't that great on staining stuff, they're ok at general washing. But I used to soak my nappies in Soda Bic. and then wash them...soapnuts do make things nice and soft....If you line dry in the sun that has a bleaching action too.

kind thoughts
Deb

[Hillbilly]

Ah, I forgot to say I use fleece liners too and they are dark (with exception of his freisian cow pattern spotted ones ) so staining isn't much of a problem as pretty well covers the entire inside of the nappy and any poo that lands is usually contained on that plus *most* days his nappies are hung out on the line. Any ideas/comments on the 'hygiene' aspect tho? Am pleased to hear it makes things soft tho- Ecover/our water makes his nappies a bit too crispy for comfort.

I currently soak my nappies in water with teatree oil - whats Soda Bic stand for? - its sounds better? Bicarbonate of Soda?

[Shirley]

several of the mums on green living have used soapnuts on their babies nappies - including woodmaiden who also posts on here.

[Hillbilly]

Green living! I forgot about that one. Thanks Shorley!

[glenniedragon]

Yep Bicarbonate of soda, dont buy it in the teeny tiny boxes for cooking- go to the chemist and buy it by the kilo, it seems a lot but is more cost effective in the end as I don't think its the 'consuming' quality if you know what i mean!

kind thoughts
Deb

[Hillbilly]

Ach no thats fine. I have boxes of the stuff (and borax) here that I bought for cleaning stuff but I didn't know you could use it for soaking nappies! Top tip! Thank you

[the woodmaiden]

Hi Hillbilly
Shirls told me you were asking about nuts 'n' nappies lol!!
My 11month twins are in cloth & yup use soapnuts,I dry pail them altho recently *teething* poos yuuuuuuech have been awful so I have just grabbed a bit of Ecover washing up liquid & squirted that on the stain & then flung in the bucket.

I use the soapnuts for 2 out of 3 washes,& I make sure I use *fresh* soapnuts if that makes sense,so if I have some that have already been used a couple of times to do clothes then I pop those in a tub & get fresh ones out to the nappies,when the nappies done,those nuts will get then used to do clothes,sounds confusing but I know wht I mean lol!!

Then on the 3rd wash I will use Ecover liquid. Have been doing this now for couple of months & no probs whatso ever,the odd stain does stay but after line drying with the sun on the stainy bit,its soon faded right out.Hubby was surprised,he didnt think the soapnuts would be up to it but they work fine,the main thing I have found with them in general,not just nappies,is not to overload the machine so theres enough room for everything to get agitated in there & then all the saponin to be swoooshed around & do its job.
I use white vinegar to soften altho havent used that as much since using the soapnuts,like you I found Ecover liquid & our hard water=crunchy bumhuggers lol!!!!

Hope this helps!
Am really happy with them
Bright Blessings
Woody

[Hillbilly]

Aw brilliant thanks Woody! Noted about using 'fresh' ones for nappies. That should work out perfectly as I do three dark loads to one 'white load' - and the only 'whites' we have are his nappies. Noted too about not overloading the machine. Possibly why I am not seeing ANY bubbles (not even little ones) - someone said I should see a couple of little ones?

So far I am pleased with them. I did one nappy wash yesterday and line dried them and no probs.

Thanks again (and to you Shirley)

[the woodmaiden]

No prob!! I have 3 lots of nuts too lol!! I dyed my towels purple & when I used the nuts the original little bag came out purple hued! so I keep that bag with nuts I use for the towels,they prob fine now but not risking it lol!! & then normal clothes & nappy nuts lol!!
its not problem,they all sit in little pots on the window sill!
I dont over load the machine now & see suds every wash just helps with the psychological (sp?) side of the washing I think! I *need* a scent when I undo the door too so few drops essential oil sorts that out,altho it doesnt really linger on the clothes,does sometimes but not like a regular softner would,which I am sooooooooo happy not to be using! I was such a softner addict
Woody

[Lucy Robyn]

I've just sent off for a sample of soap nuts and am looking forward to trying them out. As I've my first baby due in December I was already wondering about washing nappies. My questions have already been answered, you guys are so clever !