Horse chestnuts (conkers) are high in saponin – a natural detergent that removes dirt and grime from clothing. Autumn is the perfect time to collect conkers. They are easy to identify (pic below).
NB: DO NOT CONSUME HORSE CHESTNUTS AS THEY ARE TOXIC. THOROUGHLY WASH ALL KITCHEN ITEMS AND SURFACES THAT COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE NUTS.
Method
- Using a strong kitchen knife and cutting board, cut the conkers into large chunks. Alternatively, wrap a handful in a kitchen towel and whack really hard with a hammer to break them up.
- Place the large broken pieces into a high-power blender and grind/pulse until they are crumbled (pic below).
- Spread the conker crumb onto baking trays or dishes and place in a warming oven or bottom oven shelf on the lowest setting. The aim is to dehydrate the crumb (not cook them), which can take a minimum of 2-3 hours, but often much longer. Keep checking the moisture level from time to time.
- When the crumb is dehydrated and cooled, place in a storage container and label it. Adding a small muslin bag of rice to the container will help to draw out any remaining moisture and prevent mould.
To Use (Per Load)
- Place a large heaped tablespoon or approx. 40-50g of crumb into a cup and add a little warm water (roughly 1:2 ratio by volume). Leave for 20-30 minutes so the saponin leeches out and the liquid turns milky.
- Strain the liquid into a second cup and then discard the crumb.
- Add the liquid to your washing machine in the usual manner.
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Diana Coldman