What Are Soap Nuts?
Soap nuts are the fruit of a tree (Sapindus Mukorossi), found primarily in the Himalayas (ours come from Nepal), and they are an EXCELLENT alternative to traditional laundry detergents. How are soap nuts prepared for use in your wash? They are simply harvested, de-seeded, and then dried in the sun. And they work!
There are so many wonderful things about soap nuts!
Here are just a few:
•They are simply a dried fruit — 100% totally natural.
•They are organically grown and are free of harsh chemicals, so they are incredibly gentle. (This makes them especially great for those with sensitive skin — including babies and those that suffer from allergies, eczema, and psoriasis).
•They’re totally biodegradable, so they’re better for the environment than regular detergent.
•They’re antimicrobial, so they’re even good for septic and greywater systems.
•They are low-sudsing — exactly what you need for HE (or high-efficiency) washers.
How Do They Work?
The shell of the soap nut contains saponin, a natural substance known for its ability to cleanse and wash. That’s what makes them so GREAT for cleaning your laundry!
Soap nuts are natural so there are no added fragrances, however they do have have a mild vinegar-like scent to them. Don’t worry, though — your laundry WON’T smell like soap nuts when it’s done. In fact, it will have no special smell at all. If you prefer a fragrance you can add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil directly on the cotton wash bag before you toss it in the wash.
Other Uses
Soap nuts are very versatile! You can use the liquid form for many things other than simply cleaning laundry.
How to Make Soap Nuts Liquid
Boil approximately 12-15 whole soap nuts with 6 cups of water for 30 minutes. When it is boiled down, you will have about 4c. of liquid left. When cooled, remove the soap nuts, and pour it into an airtight plastic or glass jar. It is better to make the liquid in smaller batches as it can spoil. If necessary, you can always cut the recipe in half. Experiment with making liquid to see if you prefer a more concentrated version, using 3 cups water instead of 6 cups. Some prefer the concentrated solution for hand-washing and use as a shampoo.
You can also freeze it in ice cube trays as well. Depending on the size of each ice cube, use two or three per load of laundry. If each ice cube holds about 1 tablespoon, use two ice cubes.
Here are some ideas of what the liquid can be used for:
Remove chemicals from your produce
Wash chemical sprays and pesticides away with this simple mixture of soap nut liquid and water.
•In a bowl, add 1/2 cup of soap nut liquid to 2 cups of water.
•Soak your fruits and vegetables in the mix, or pour it into a spray bottle and spray them instead.
•Always rinse food well before eating.
Plant wash and pest repellant
It’s important to clean the leaves of your houseplants, because dust on their leaves blocks sunlight and reduces the plant’s ability to photosynthesize.
•Mix 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons Soap nut liquid in a clean spray bottle.
•To wash plants, spray the leaves and then wipe them clean.
(This is also wonderful for repelling and even eliminating common houseplant pests)
• Spray plant thoroughly and generously, covering all surfaces, -----including the top of the soil.
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• Allow to air dry.
Shampoo
You can make your own soap nut Shampoo using soap nut liquid! This solution will leave your hair feeling soft and clean!
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• Mix some soap nut liquid with a bit of your favorite shampoo (at approximately a 10/1 ratio with the soap nuts liquid forming the bulk of the mixture).
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• Use the mixed solution to wash your hair.
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• If your hair feels slightly more stiff than normal once it’s dry, use less soap nut shampoo next time. In this case, less is more – cheaper, too!
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• It has also been known to help in the removal of head lice because of its gentle insecticidal properties.
Mosquito Repellent
Spray it onto your hands and then rub onto bare arms, legs or face. Safe and gentle to use for babies and children.
Liquid Hand Soap
Fill a regular or foaming pump bottle with the liquid and use to wash your hands. It will not create tons of lather like traditional soap, but it will still get your hands clean. Also consider adding some tea tree oil to make your hand wash a tea tree soap.
All Purpose Cleaner
Keep it in a spray bottle and use to clean the bathroom, kitchen, floors etc. Add a few drops of essential oil if you prefer a different scent.
Steam Cleaning Spot Treatment
Add 3 tablespoons to 1 gallon hot water and use in a portable steam cleaner. Great for getting out urine smells and stains.
Window and Glass Cleaner
Fill a spray bottle with 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 1 tablespoon soap nuts liquid. Spray and wipe windows or mirrors clean. Polish with a dry cloth or newspaper.
Dishwashing Detergent
Fill the soap dispenser with the liquid. Make sure to scrape the dishes clean first. Add vinegar as a rinse agent, and your dishes will come out sparkling clean!
Cleaning Jewelry
Soak your jewelry in the liquid for a few minutes. Use an old soft toothbrush to gently remove debris. Rinse with clean water and polish with a dry cloth.
For Your Pets
Add the liquid to a spray bottle or foaming pump bottle to wash your pet's fur. It will leave the fur soft and manageable. Also spray directly onto your pet's fur to help repel mosquitoes.
