Switching to a healthier laundry routine was easier than expected, and now my Sunday noon is a vibrant wash day! I've ditched toxic detergents since four years ago because most washing machines leave chemical residues on clothes, which the skin can absorb.
Using natural alternatives can help avoid potentially harmful chemicals found in commercial detergents.
We're fortunate to have plants in nature that are waiting to be used. One such plant is the horse chestnut, known as conker nuts in England. Using conker nuts as a detergent is an excellent way to avoid potentially harmful chemicals in commercial detergents.
This nearby conker tree bears prolific fruits in the summer, dropping nuts all over the ground in autumn that can be picked up year-round.
Conker nuts contain 3-6% natural saponins that create bubbles and clean your clothes.
The powerful compound in horse chestnuts, aescin, makes them inedible to humans. Yet, it is very safe to apply topically to treat varicose veins, aches, and pains, as you can find them in health shops in tincture or oil forms. Aescin has impressive medicinal benefits. It is a powerful astringent, making it practical for cleansing clothes. With special processing, some people do eat them.
Children in the UK also use conkers to play "the game of conkers". https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Conkers/
For the past four years, I've used conker nuts to create a laundry liquid.
Here's how I do it:
Collect the conkers; it's easier when they are in season and scattered on the ground.
You can smash them while fresh and then blend them for finer grains. At this stage, you can choose to either dry them in the oven or keep them in the freezer.
You can let them dry in their shells. Soak them for an hour before smashing them into pieces.
I prefer my conkers to soak, allowing them to release more saponin. They can last at least a week without developing a vinegary smell. I've observed that they undergo a self-fermentation process, which enhances the cleansing power by producing vinegar. Trust your nose; if it smells rancid, discard it and make a fresh batch. Additionally, vinegar serves as a natural fabric softener. I incorporate 2% salt per mix to ward off any bacteria, applying my fermentation skills. This step prevents my Conker soap from going rancid, ensuring it's always readily available without any hassle. Salt also helps keep the colour from fading; some people experienced that conker had a bleaching effect so that the salt will counter that. This technique may not be widely known, as I just made it myself, but it's feasible. You can also choose to add food preservatives.
Or, to avoid any dilemma, dry them and soak them a small amount per use. But I find this more hassle.
I used to blend and dry them to keep them longer, but there were so many conkers around our area, and I did not have to do this. Fresh conkers also produce white liquid, while the dried ones make a little brown liquid. But I had no issues with staining the whites.
I use 10 blended Conker nuts per litre. To wash, Use 1/2 cup of the conker nut water per medium wash and 1 cup for heavy wash.
You can add essential oils of your choice for preferred scents.
To summarize my ingredients for "Fuss-free Conker Nut Laundry Detergent":
1 liter hot water
10 conker nuts, blended or crushed (equals 1/2 cup blended)
20 grams salt
Essential oil, if preferred, for desired scents
Mix all ingredients, soak for at least 30 minutes before use, and leave the conker soaking for at least 24 hours before straining, or you can leave it in if you wish and strain before each use.
Alternatively, you can boil and strain.
Transfer the mixture into a jar for easy dispensing.
Since switching, we've had no itchy skin, and our clothes wash nicely. It's eco-friendly, healthy, cost-effective, sustainable, effective, and really fun to do. It makes me feel closer to nature!
Happy Washing!
Have a lovely day, everyone!
Mariah 馃尦馃槉
