DIY - No Chemical Crap Kit by That Red House

Fancy making your own pre-wash stain remover, home surface spray, stainless steel and glass cleaner?  Or how about your own shampoo, body/hand wash, shaving cream or moisturising baby wash?

Well we've got the goods to get you started. This beautifully presented No Chemical Crap Kit by that Red House features: 

• 250g packet of organic Soapberries
• 100g Guar Gum
• 100g Citric Acid
• Earth Spice Laundry Tonic (this smells amazing)
• A glass spray bottle
• And a full recipe list to make surface spray, shampoo, body/hand wash, shaving cream/baby wash, stain remover and glass cleaner.

The Mother Broth Soapberry Liquid forms the base of all the recipes. If you're not familiar with Soapberries, well.........Soapberries are the natural alternative to traditional laundry detergents and fabric softeners. They are often called 'soapnuts', but they are not nuts at all. They are in fact a fruit!

Soapberries are the fruit of the Sapindus Mukorossi tree, which grows in several different regions around the world, but is most prevalent in the Himalayas. The shell of the fruit is then collected, dried and packed for use. The shell is exceptionally high in 'saponin' which is nature's soap. This saponin content reduces the surface tension of the water so it will remove dirt and leave fabrics, soft and clean.

And...... Soapberries can be used in any area of the home. They can be used as laundry detergent, shampoo, hand wash, household cleaner, body wash and have many more applications.

Some key facts:

• Completely chemical free, grey water safe, septic safe and fully compostable.
• Hypo-allergenic. Anti-bacterial and Anti-fungal
• Perfect for those with allergies or sensitive skin - completely odourless
• Money saving. Soapberries cost around 10c per wash load for a 1kg bag. Compared to conventional washing powders, they can save you a great deal over the course of a year.
• Our 'That Red House' soapberries are also certified organic by international certification body Ecocert and USDA.
• 100% Australian owned company.
• 100% sustainable. Soapberry trees are often subject to deforestation, so purchasing them ensures that they are maintained as a form of income for the Nepalese people, thus reducing deforestation
• That Red House Soapberries are harvested from wild trees in the pristine Himalayan mountains of  Nepal, by small local communities. By purchasing, you are supporting the 'Grow Nepal' initiative which creates a future for the Nepalese people, and encourages sustainable practices across the planet

Are Soapberries suitable for front loader washing machines?
Soapberries are suitable for all types of washing machines including front and top loaders. Because they leave no residue on the fabrics, they can be used without activating the rinse cycle, saving water.

What is the ideal temperature to use soapberries in the laundry?
Soapberries work in all different temperatures, but if you use hot water, the berries will not last as long. They are just as effective at higher temperatures, but you may need to discard/compost them after 3 washes instead of 5. The saponins are released more effectively in warm water (40 degrees is ideal). Alternatively, if you use them in cold water, they may not activate as quickly as they will in warmer water.   *Handy hint - Soaking your soapberries in hot water for 5 mins prior to a cold wash will soften the shells and activate them.

Do they remove stains?
Soapberries will clean your clothes of everyday dirt, but for tougher stains you will need to treat them prior the washing.

Will they 'whiten' my whites?
Regular laundry detergents use chemical 'optical brighteners' to make your whites 'appear' whiter. Soapberries will clean your whites, but because they do not contain optical brighteners, they will not give the same appearance as the chemical based detergents. You can add washing soda or lemon juice to your load if you want to whiten your clothes more.

Do they 'foam up' when I use them.
Soapberries will create suds when activated, but they will not create the same foam that conventional detergents and soaps produce. This foaming action in conventional products is a chemical additive used to give the 'illusion' of cleaning, and has no bearing on the effectiveness of cleaning action. 

Are they safe for compost, septic and grey water?
Yes! They are completely natural, biodegradable and safe for use in those applications. In fact, being anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, they actually work well with septic tanks. If you are using grey water in your garden, there really is no better choice than soapberries. 

Are the soapberries safe for those with nut allergies??
The soapberries are sometimes called soapnuts, but they have no relation to nuts. They are perfectly safe for use by those with nut allergies, and are in fact great for those with sensitive skin.

Are they safe for use with sensitive skin?
Soapberries are ideal for people with all kinds of skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis and allergy sensitivity. They are extremely hypo-allergenic, and it is recommended to use them if you suffer from any of these conditions. Using Soapberries for baby clothes, bedding and nappies is safe, and using them as a bath wash is also gentle and effective. Many people have used soapberries to wash not only their clothes, but by using the shampoo/body wash recipe, have noticed their skin conditions improve or disappear completely.