Kale covered in cabbage aphids - easiest (and safest) way to remove?

[Inastate]

My kale has a persistent colony of cabbage aphids. It was just one leaf in the summer, and I kept crushing them and hosing them off, but now most leaves seem to have thousands and the previously healthy plant is starting to struggle and some leaves are wilting/becoming diseased.

I generally tend to garden organically. What's the safest yet effective method to remove them? Is there any kind of pesticide I can make using household stuff? Or pesticides which are generally considered somewhat organic/safe, yet still effective?

There are tends of thousands of these things now so I know a deterrent isn't going to work, they need to go.

Thanks.

[Guest]

I only tried in a couple of times but a smidge of homemade salad dressing (oragano, lavender, bay, what ever herbs that come to hand and garlic steeped in veg oil) in water and spray. Made a vast improvement.

If you want them off before eating then soak leaves in salted water.

[Chestnut]

My plot neighbour uses one of those hand held vacuum cleaners you can buy for corners/cars. Just goes round the brassica cage hoovering the underside of the leaves!

[Snoop Puss]

^Inspired. I might try that if they get out of control next year. Thanks.

Like the sound of your spray, too, NG.

[Logunner]

Soapy water. Not to much soap though