Gardener Shares Step-by-Step Guide to Making Natural Cleaning Products from Plants: “Fun Hidden Uses”

Have you ever looked at the ground and noticed those reddish-brown nuts? These are chestnuts, also known as horse chestnuts or chestnuts. Believe it or not, these little plants aren’t just fun to collect—they can also naturally clean your dirty laundry with just a little water.

Scoop

Joseph Clarke (@joesgarden.official) shared the hack with his 830,000 Instagram followers.

“Chestnuts, or horse chestnuts, are absolutely everywhere this time of year, and they have fascinating hidden uses,” he says at the start of the video.

He then details the step-by-step process for creating your own natural cleanser.

Feed: Look for chestnuts that have fallen in mid to late fall. Be sure to distinguish them from edible chestnuts, which grow on a smaller tree and have a less rounded shape. (Conkers are toxic to eat.)

Prepare: Place the chestnuts flat and slice them. Remove the outer shell and pour boiling water over the nuts.

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Create the foam: After about 10 minutes, strain the water into a container. You should see foam – that means you are on the right track!

Mix: Place the softened chestnuts in a blender with a little water and blend until smooth.

Shop: Pour the mixture into a sealable container. You can refrigerate it for up to two weeks or freeze it to use year-round.

Usage: Use the mixture in the washing machine or to hand wash clothes. Just remember to do a test run first to check for any adverse reactions.

How does it help

Conkers are rich in a natural compound called saponin. Think of saponins as environmentally friendly plant cleaners. As more people switch to natural products, such as vinegar and baking soda deodorant or potato cloth, saponins are gaining popularity. They can effectively clean your clothes without harmful synthetic chemicals.

Keep in mind that there are cheap homemade alternatives to many of the cleaning products you can incorporate into your cleaning routine.

Natural detergent is a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint and reduce your environmental impact.

And here’s a bonus: cleaning hacks like using lemons or eggshells to clean surfaces can also reduce the amount of plastic waste in your home. You can compost leftover chestnuts, making your laundry even more eco-friendly.

What people say

Clarke’s Instagram followers were delighted, with one even calling the advice “mind-blowing.” Others said they were already familiar with the hack, with one user writing: “I’ve been doing this for a year now. It works just great. I add geranium essential oil because I love the scent.”

Another commenter said, “You can also chop them up and dry them for easy storage throughout the year and make a fresh batch with hot water if needed. I just leave them for 20 minutes to soak and take just the liquid without mixing. I never mix. I tried if (they) softened enough to blend, but the liquid itself was already enough for washing. Really cool!”

A third jokingly commented: “You have to watch this until the end. I really thought you were making juice!”

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