Search
Latest topics
» New from AZby Scorpio Rising Yesterday at 11:18 pm
» N&C Midwest October 2023
by OhioGardener Yesterday at 8:47 pm
» Tomato Fruitworm
by sanderson Yesterday at 4:39 pm
» Ohio Gardener's Greenhouse
by sanderson Yesterday at 4:14 pm
» Plan for a raised bed off ground?
by OhioGardener Yesterday at 8:24 am
» Beds not holding moisture?
by MrBooker Yesterday at 6:36 am
» Stevia
by markqz 9/28/2023, 12:11 pm
» Mark's first SFG
by markqz 9/28/2023, 11:53 am
» N&C Midwest September 2023
by Scorpio Rising 9/27/2023, 6:55 am
» Walking stick kale
by markqz 9/26/2023, 11:52 pm
» Butternut squash sets world record at the State Fair of Virginia
by markqz 9/25/2023, 5:13 pm
» Closing beds for winter
by plantoid 9/25/2023, 4:25 pm
» Famous Gardening Quotes
by OhioGardener 9/23/2023, 12:51 pm
» Foodbank’s composting program creates food from food
by OhioGardener 9/22/2023, 8:29 am
» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by OhioGardener 9/21/2023, 1:15 pm
» Turning existing garden beds into SFG
by jemm 9/20/2023, 7:35 am
» updating my mix - what should I add
by sanderson 9/18/2023, 5:04 am
» Senseless Banter...
by sanderson 9/16/2023, 11:37 pm
» Lumber and measuring for SFG boxes
by sanderson 9/16/2023, 12:21 am
» Avatar issues
by Guinevere 9/14/2023, 7:53 pm
» Happy Birthday!!
by sanderson 9/11/2023, 4:40 pm
» When to harvest? / Watermelon seedlings
by sanderson 9/9/2023, 6:07 pm
» Hornets Nest
by sanderson 9/8/2023, 8:15 pm
» Tropical Storm Hilary
by jennyjo37 9/5/2023, 5:31 pm
» A square foot garden in a round bed.
by alicej 9/4/2023, 3:39 am
» Determinate Cherry Tomato for Greenhouse
by OhioGardener 9/2/2023, 6:52 pm
» N&C Midwest August 2023
by Scorpio Rising 8/31/2023, 9:01 am
» Hurricane
by Scorpio Rising 8/30/2023, 7:25 am
» No-Fail Zucchini Bread
by OhioGardener 8/28/2023, 11:11 am
» buying compost small town SW Pennsylvania
by sanderson 8/27/2023, 6:41 pm
Google
SOAP verses DETERGENT
2 posters
Page 1 of 1
SOAP verses DETERGENT
I am posting this to help clarify the difference between soaps and detergents. Most of us have seen the videos of rescue workers gently washing oil-soaked ducklings with Dawn detergent. Hey, if it's gentle enough for ducklings, it must be gentle enough for our plants!
Wrong. Detergent is necessary for this specific use because it is good at cutting grease and oils, just like it does for our dirty pots and dishes. But, using it for our plants is NOT healthy. This article was authored by Docwas for another web site, and with his permission, I am posting it here.
Dr Bonner’s peppermint pure castile soap is listed as having the potassium salts of Long Chain Fatty Acids (LCFA) . The label mentions use to spray bugs on plants.
https://www.drbronner.com/all-one-blog/2017/06/dilutions-cheat-sheet-dr-bronners-pure-castile-soap/
https://www.lisabronner.com/castile-soap-spray-for-garden-pests/
Products approved by the EPA for use as an insecticidal soap will include the specific insects that it is effective against as well as the proper usage of that products.
Wrong. Detergent is necessary for this specific use because it is good at cutting grease and oils, just like it does for our dirty pots and dishes. But, using it for our plants is NOT healthy. This article was authored by Docwas for another web site, and with his permission, I am posting it here.
Dr Bonner’s peppermint pure castile soap is listed as having the potassium salts of Long Chain Fatty Acids (LCFA) . The label mentions use to spray bugs on plants.
https://www.drbronner.com/all-one-blog/2017/06/dilutions-cheat-sheet-dr-bronners-pure-castile-soap/
https://www.lisabronner.com/castile-soap-spray-for-garden-pests/
Products approved by the EPA for use as an insecticidal soap will include the specific insects that it is effective against as well as the proper usage of that products.
Insecticidal soap is a frequently recommended pesticide for use against many soft-bodied pests that affect the garden and landscape. It has no residual effect and is considered safe for humans, pets, and most beneficial insects.
I see many posts on some gardening Facebook pages that give recipes for homemade insecticidal soap using common dish soaps. Unfortunately, many recipes aren’t for insecticidal soap at all, they are for insecticidal detergents since most dish “soaps” are detergents.
There is a big difference between soaps and detergents and how they affect our plants. A soap has long and short chain fatty acids, and it is the fatty acids that work against most soft-bodied insect pests. True insecticidal soaps only have the long-chain fatty acids. Detergents are mostly petroleum based synthetic chemicals that are designed to breakup oils and grease. That’s what makes a detergent superior to a soap for cleaning dishes. However, that property of a detergent is what makes it bad for plants. Detergents can remove the natural protective oils on plant leaves and make the plant more susceptible to pests and diseases. The soap that has been studied and approved for its ability to safely control soft bodied insects in the garden is made from the long chain fatty acids of potassium salts. There are numerous products that are commercially available either as a concentrate or a ready to use spray, and these are all properly labeled for pesticide use.
The main thing is for you to be aware of what you are spraying on your plants and keep the Dawn under the kitchen sink where it belongs.
Here are some links to informative information about insecticidal soap:
https://www.gardenfundamentals.com/insecticidal-soap-use.../
https://www.gardenmyths.com/dish-soap-damage-your-plants/
https://hgic.clemson.edu/.../insecticidal-soaps-for.../
Nicola likes this post
Re: SOAP verses DETERGENT
I'm bumping this thread to remind folks that Dawn dish detergent for insect control is not supported by the SFG Foundation. Castile soaps, like Dr. Bronner's Liquid Peppermint Soap, and insecticidal soaps are supported.
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/management/soaps-detergents-and-pest-management.html?fbclid=IwAR3qNr9Qt9B03knyqAjODIR07GCGyu8JPKBp8dbtJn9ZxhuUWMEmC25x4d0
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/management/soaps-detergents-and-pest-management.html?fbclid=IwAR3qNr9Qt9B03knyqAjODIR07GCGyu8JPKBp8dbtJn9ZxhuUWMEmC25x4d0
donnainzone5 likes this post
Re: SOAP verses DETERGENT
Good reminder! In addition to the above, there are a couple important points:
Dawn Detergent is anti-bacterial. We want the microbes in our gardens, so we don't want to use anti-bacterial soap.
The peppermint scent of Dr. Bonner's Castile Peppermint Soap has the added benefit of repelling many insects. So, in addition to the soap controlling the pests, the peppermint repels other insects.
Dawn Detergent is anti-bacterial. We want the microbes in our gardens, so we don't want to use anti-bacterial soap.
The peppermint scent of Dr. Bonner's Castile Peppermint Soap has the added benefit of repelling many insects. So, in addition to the soap controlling the pests, the peppermint repels other insects.
"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
sanderson likes this post
Re: SOAP verses DETERGENT
Yes, I think there are at least 2 ingredients that are anti-microbial.OhioGardener wrote:Dawn Detergent is anti-bacterial. We want the microbes in our gardens, so we don't want to use anti-bacterial soap.
"Dawn Detergent Ingredients.
water.
sodium lauryl sulfate.
sodium laureth sulfate.
lauramine oxide.
sodium chloride.
phenoxyethanol.
PEI-14 PEG-10/PPG-7 copolymer.
methylisothiazolinone.
fragrance.
yellow 5"
Repellent, and it smells so dang good!The peppermint scent of Dr. Bonner's Castile Peppermint Soap has the added benefit of repelling many insects. So, in addition to the soap controlling the pests, the peppermint repels other insects.

» Home Made Laundry Detergent & More
» soap
» Ants in my Plants... Bugs in my Beds?
» Soapnut tree (Saponida mukorossi)
» worried about pests
» soap
» Ants in my Plants... Bugs in my Beds?
» Soapnut tree (Saponida mukorossi)
» worried about pests
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|