How to use Soapnuts as a Natural Laundry Detergent:
Warm or hot water will release the saponin in the soapnuts. You will need to wash in warm or hot water and rinse in cold water. Place 3 - 5 Soapnuts in a small muslin bag, tie closed, and toss into drum of your washing machine. Dry clothes as usual, being sure NOT to put the muslin bag of soapnuts in the dryer. Whalla….your clothes are clean and soft. It’s that easy……. You can reuse the same bag of soapnuts for 4 to 6 loads of laundry. You can then toss spent soapnuts in your compost pile.
3.5 oz (100g) for $6.00 - this is enough to do 34 to 40 loads of laundry. You may even get more loads per bag depending on how dirty your loads are. You will need to experiment to see what works best for you. You will also receive one muslin bag.
Trial size for $2.00 - this is enough to do 4 - 6 loads of laundry. Enough to see how well you like using our soapnuts.
Additional tips:
· Use 3 tablespoons of soapnuts liquid soap per load of laundry. Soapnuts liquid soap is great if you still want to wash in cold water.
· If not reusing soapnuts immediately….be sure to let them dry out.
· If your water is soft, you may only need to use the lower amount of soapnuts. You will need to experiment for yourself on this.
· I like to add a ½ to 1 cup of borax to my whites.
· Tough stains will still need to be pre-treated with other stain removing products before washing.
· Soapnuts are not scented which is great for those with fragrance issues. If you want scent, you can add a few drops of our essential oils or fragrance oils. Tea Tree Oil or Orange Oil are great choices. Or a nice soft scent like our Cotton Blossom. Add to the water. Do not add directly to clothes as this may cause stains.
· To tell if your soapnuts are spent and ready for the compost heap….. squeeze them when they’re wet. If you see a white or honey-like liquid, they’re good for another use.
· You should find that your clothes seem softer and cleaner when using our soapnuts to do your laundry.
How to make Soapnuts Liquid Soap:
For 4 cups of Soapnuts Liquid Soap, start with 6 cups of water and 12 – 15 whole soapnuts (or equivilant in broken shells). Bring to a boil and boil for 30 minutes. When cooled, strain through a coffee filter to remove soapnut shells, add additional water to make 4 cups if necessary, and decant into an airtight plastic or glass jar. Alternatively, you can pour 4 to 6 cups of boiling water over 12 - 15 soapnuts, seal tight over night. The next day you will need to strain out the soapnut shells and decant into an airtight container. You will want to store unused soapnuts liquid soap in the fridge as it can spoil over a long period of time. You can freeze soapnuts liquid soap in ice cube trays too….adding 2 or 3 cubes (enough to be equivilant to 3 Tbs.) per load.
Get your Soapnuts from A Rare Treasure.com or at The Kountry Nook, 212 N Capitol St., Pekin, IL 61554. Phone: 309-347-7821.
Other uses:
Dishwasher
Fill the soap dispenser with Soapnuts liquid soap. You might also want to add vinegar as a rinse agent.
Liquid hand soap
After making a batch of soapnuts liquid soap, fill a pump bottle with the liquid for use as a hand or body soap. If you want your liquid soap scented, you may add up to 1 ½ teaspoons of a skin safe fragrance oil or up to ½ teaspoon of an essential oil per 8 oz of soapnuts liquid soap. Start with a lower amount of fragrance or essential oil first. Add more, up to the maximum amount, if desired. See our information on the benefits of Tea Tree Oil as an excellent addition of an essential oil to your soapnuts liquid soap.
Shampoo
Use soapnuts liquid soap as your shampoo in the shower. For help with dandruff, leave on scalp for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing. Soapnuts liquid soap does not create a lot of lather but it is still working.
Hand Washing Silks and delicates
Use 1 – 2 teaspoons in warm water to gently wash delicate clothing. Rinse and following garment manufacturers drying recommendations.
Window and Glass Cleaner
Fill a spray bottle with 2 cups water, 1 Tablespoon vinegar, and 1 Tablespoon soapnuts liquid soap.
