English Ivy - Natural Detergent
English Ivy is a plant we are all likely familiar with, especially when it starts taking over a garden or wall!
Traditionally, it was used internally to treat respiratory symptoms, thinning mucus, decreasing inflammation in the lungs and airways, fighting oxidative stress, and boosting air flow. Also used for colds and joint pain.
Nowadays, Ivy is only recommended for external use medicinally: fresh leaves applied as a poultice can help pain, rheumatism, sciatica and swollen legs. Ivy leaves soaked in lemon juice is said to successfully treat corns also.
One of my older herbal books has a recipe to make Ivy Cellulite Cream, to be massaged into areas of cellulite.
One thing that Ivy is fabulous for is to clean dishes and clothes with!
Ivy has a lot of saponin content, a natural soap-like substance with great cleaning power, making it perfect for making a natural detergent!
So how do you use it? It's as easy as grabbing a good handful of ivy leaves, the darker green the better (these leaves have more saponin in them), shred them well, pop them in a sock or delicates bag and tie off/zip up and then into your machine with your load and hit go.
Put the leaves in the compost after the wash is finished.
Or you can make a liquid wash with the leaves:
Ivy Detergent Recipe:
- 60gm/50 leaves of English Ivy
- 3 cups of water
- 1/2 Tbspn washing soda powder
Shred the leaves, put them in a large pot with the water and washing soda. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Leave to cool and then strain the liquid and store in a glass bottle or container.
And that's it! Use about 1 cup in a full load of washing, or a little in your sink. This mix is best used fresh, and you can store it in a fridge or dark cupboard to extend the lifespan.
Alternatively, you can add some vinegar to your Ivy detergent mix, at a ratio of 1:5 vinegar to water, to extend the life and help clean dishes and clothes. Vinegar is also a great clothes/towel softener, we use that instead of anything else.
Ivy Soap Ingredients: about 60 grams / 2 ounces of ivy leaves (common or English ivy) 0.6 liter / 3 cups of water half a table spoon washing soda a container, for example a mason jar or a fidor jar
Quelle: https://www.smarticular.net/en/eco-ivy-dishwashing-and-laundry-soap/
Copyright © smarticular.net
Quelle: https://www.smarticular.net/en/eco-ivy-dishwashing-and-laundry-soap/
Copyright © smarticular.net
about 60 grams / 2 ounces of ivy leaves (common or English ivy) 0.6 liter / 3 cups of water half a table spoon washing soda a container, for example a mason jar or a fidor jar
Quelle: https://www.smarticular.net/en/eco-ivy-dishwashing-and-laundry-soap/
Copyright © smarticular.net
Quelle: https://www.smarticular.net/en/eco-ivy-dishwashing-and-laundry-soap/
Copyright © smarticular.net
Please note: Ivy can be irritating to some people so always do a spot test first.
Posted: Saturday 15 April 2023