The Tropical Fruit Forum
Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: funlul on June 09, 2015, 12:44:24 PM
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I have been trying to utilize more greywater for irrigating the vegetables and fruit trees. Have not implemented laundry to landscape (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=14871.0) yet, but need to find garden friendly cleaning products first lest I kill the plants with toxic water!
Does anyone have recommendations on specific products? I mostly read about the "Oasis" brand but they are $$ and only available online? Any DIY recipes that you use and seem to work well? Many thanks!!
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Most/many organic cleaners need to dry out before they breakdown.
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check the label for ingredients.
some use Borax.
In large amounts, borax will kill everything, and damage the soil for years.
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Company called Ecos sold locally in Costco makes liquid Laundry detergent without SOdium Lauryl Sulfates and use coconut surfactants & other non toxic ingredients. Made in the USA by Earth Friendly Products. A better choice even if your sending your water down the drain.
Ingredients are; Purified Water, Naturally derived anionic coconut kernel based surfactant, and coconut oil based fabric softener, N.O.P. Certified Chomomile and Lavendar essential oils. Free of Perfumes, Dyes, and Optical brighteners.
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Citrus *Enzyme* Cleaner??
http://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2013/07/7-things-you-should-know-before-making-citrus-enzyme-cleaner.html (http://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2013/07/7-things-you-should-know-before-making-citrus-enzyme-cleaner.html)
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/03/make-your-own-citrus-enzyme-cleaner.html (http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/03/make-your-own-citrus-enzyme-cleaner.html)
Soap berry / soap nuts for laundry??
http://www.permies.com/t/8416/toxin-ectomy/Soapnuts-Laundry-people-don (http://www.permies.com/t/8416/toxin-ectomy/Soapnuts-Laundry-people-don)
http://theecofriendlyfamily.com/2013/03/cleaning-with-fruit-lets-talk-soap-berries-or-soap-nuts/ (http://theecofriendlyfamily.com/2013/03/cleaning-with-fruit-lets-talk-soap-berries-or-soap-nuts/)
Tea seed powder 茶籽粉 or 茶枯粉
Apparently byproduct of tea oil extraction... Said to be excellent for cleaning dishes, hair, etc. Not sure where to buy in the US?
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The booze cleaner resembles recipes for compost tea, which incorporate molasses (as from brown sugar.)
The soapberries remind me that saponins are present in many plants.
But, I think of just-plain soap, as it used to be made. Does it work better, worse, or the same as off-the-shelf products?
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But, I think of just-plain soap, as it used to be made. Does it work better, worse, or the same as off-the-shelf products?
Thanks! The concern is bio-compatibility e.g. will it accumulate too much salt or other chemicals in the long run?
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I went ahead with the citrus "enzyme" recipe using fresh lemon peels + brown sugar + yeast, it allegedly will take 2 weeks to finish.
Soap nuts en route from Amazon.
Now only if I figure out where to get "tea seed powder". International shipping from China would be cost-prohibitive ???
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Company called Ecos sold locally in Costco...
Thank you so much! Some sites claim Oasis cleaner / soap nuts are the safest, but Ecos is definitely mentioned lots of places. I'll try the soap nuts route for now.
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Soap nuts en route from Amazon.
Native American Indians used Yucca to wash. (for me, Yucca grows like a weed)
Some tribes used other plants as well.
http://newlifeonahomestead.com/saponins-plant/ (http://newlifeonahomestead.com/saponins-plant/)
http://www.tulipsinthewoods.com/wild-plants/soaproot-chlorogalum-pomeridianum/ (http://www.tulipsinthewoods.com/wild-plants/soaproot-chlorogalum-pomeridianum/)
http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/growing-soap-plants-zmaz97aszgoe.aspx (http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/growing-soap-plants-zmaz97aszgoe.aspx)
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I was ready that dr. Bronners Castile soap is safe for plants. That stuff is great for everything from floor to laundry to body wash. Any one using this with any ill effects?