I've satrted using soapnuts a couple of weeks ago. Am still in the evaluation stage. I couldn't handle the smell of my laundry detergent anymore, so the soapnuts were a welcome change... am using a couple of drops of rose geranium oil on the bag to scent my washing.
i hate the way the soapnuts smell before oyu put them in the wash. kinda vinegary. but the laundry smells ok. and seems pretty clean...
my mum is also trialling them in germany atm. she said they're great for normal lods, but really soiled/stained stuff doesn't work. her normal detergent does, though. so she does everyday stuff in them, but jackets and things that tend to get dirty and you don't wash so often, she uses normal detergent on.
Oh and she also washes the gowns, etc. for my dad's surgical practice. she doesn't use soapnuts on those for hygienic reasons. she tried one load though and blodd stains didn't come out.

i hope your dh will get his tax sorted. i have my fingers crossed!

lol at him not pointing out panda eyes. you know what, he probably doesn't even notice. it's amazing what my dh can ignore...

saša