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washing up water on plants

(28 Posts)
Bea65 Sat 16-Jul-22 10:17:47

Do any GNs who don't possess a dishwasher, empty a bowl of not greasy foodstuff onto their potted plants? Know of a friend in sunny Altlanta,GA who used to shower with feet in a bowl or bucket (can't remember which) and then use this water on her plants..just wondering if my washing up water is ok for them?

Oldnproud Sat 16-Jul-22 10:21:27

Yes, I do it regularly in warm weather.
Personally, I use very little washing-up liquid unless things are particularly greasy, but OH is the opposite. It all goes on the plants, whichever of us has washed up, and the plants all seem fine.

midgey Sat 16-Jul-22 10:21:36

I save the cool water before it’s warm enough to wash up…(if you follow me). I sometimes use the used washing up water but I am using it on the flowers outside.

Mandrake Sat 16-Jul-22 10:21:37

No. I don't know that the soap will be good for them.

Shinamae Sat 16-Jul-22 10:22:44

The water from my washing machine goes straight onto my front garden and doesn’t cause any harm as you can see…

Shinamae Sat 16-Jul-22 10:23:35

This..

Shinamae Sat 16-Jul-22 10:23:59

Shinamae

This..

Didn’t post first time ?‍♀️?‍♀️

Hetty58 Sat 16-Jul-22 10:35:59

A neighbour was fined for allowing their washing machine (in their garage) to empty onto their drive - as it pollutes the rainwater drains.

Callistemon21 Sat 16-Jul-22 11:15:19

Mandrake

No. I don't know that the soap will be good for them.

Spraying with very diluted washing up liquid gets rid of bugs so I can't see that it can do any harm

We did this regularly in drought years, used bath water as well and to flush the loo

NotSpaghetti Sat 16-Jul-22 11:30:32

We used to use bath water. I'd be wary of anything with food remains in these days because of tge proliferation of rats ?
hmm

BlueBelle Sat 16-Jul-22 11:40:45

No, at least not with washing up liquid in the water I use it to spray on the leaves but not for the roots and I wouldn’t like my washing machine water to go anywhere but down the drain

Whiteclavel Sat 16-Jul-22 12:19:50

I have always done this, specially in the hot weather... and the plants don't seem to mind it at all... I also use the water from cooking, pasta, rice vegetables... if I haven't used any salt... No problem at all

nandad Sat 16-Jul-22 12:21:09

I wish we could redirect water from the washing machine and shower to water our lawns, unfortunately we use a water softener and you shouldn’t use softened water on plants.

Chardy Sat 16-Jul-22 12:34:32

In warm weather, I put (weak) washing up water on the pots on the balcony.

Purplepixie Sat 16-Jul-22 12:37:24

Yes, I have always put washing up bowl water onto plants and they are still there.

HettyBetty Sat 16-Jul-22 13:30:58

Yes, we catch at least some of the shower water and the washing up water. It goes on the lawn or the tougher plants and doesn't seem to do any harm.

VioletSky Sat 16-Jul-22 13:35:55

Have always done this as I was told it keeps off the pests that eat them.... they don't seem to mind

GreyKnitter Sat 16-Jul-22 13:36:05

I used my bath water to cheer up the plants in my front garden yesterday. Hope they’ll survive!

rubysong Sat 16-Jul-22 13:38:27

Currently showering standing in a large plastic trug and using the water for the loo and greenhouse.
Here in Cornwall our water company has asked locals us to save water so that all the visitors who come in the summer will have plenty! I expect if you are in the tourist economy that doesn't get your goat quite as much as it does with the rest of us. (Rant over.)

MeowWow Sat 16-Jul-22 13:39:32

I use “grey” water on plants outside, never on indoor plants. I’ve done it for years and my garden is doing fine. When I wash my hands or vegetables the water goes into a jug and then poured on a plant.

DillytheGardener Sat 16-Jul-22 13:55:01

I don’t use the dishwashing water, but I do use the water from rinsing the suds off, as it is pretty clean with very little suds in it.

Greyduster Sat 16-Jul-22 14:04:55

I put a bowlful of washing up water on my beans early this morning - didn’t hear them complaining!?

lixy Sat 16-Jul-22 16:19:35

I use washing up water on the garden, but not pots, no idea why.
I have a lovely time doing the Autumn clearing - that's when I find all the teaspoons that have been thrown out with the dishwater!

J52 Sat 16-Jul-22 17:07:43

Indoor plants like cold tea, diluted.

Shinamae Tue 19-Jul-22 22:19:35

Hetty58

A neighbour was fined for allowing their washing machine (in their garage) to empty onto their drive - as it pollutes the rainwater drains.

Mine soaks away