Mother Earth just never runs out of things to surprise me!
Our new favorite ingredient is SOAP NUTS! These are the fruits of the Sapindus Mukorossi (Soapberry) tree, which is native to the Himalayas. Although these berries are new to us, soap nuts go way back in history—especially in India, where the tree is abundant. Indian households widely use soap nuts in their laundry. So, what really are soap nuts, and how do they work?
What Are Soap Nuts?
Contrary to their name, these are actually berries! These dried shells—or husks—of soapberries contain a natural cleaning agent called saponin that works like a detergent. Saponin is also a surfactant. Surfactants are a common ingredient even in commercial detergents. But unlike chemical surfactants, these are 100% natural and biodegradable, making them an amazing alternative to store-bought detergents.
Surfactants, or surface-active agents, lower the water’s surface tension, making the particles slippier and helping remove dirt from clothes.
What are Soap Nuts’ Advantages Over Commercial Detergents?
All-Natural, All-Organic
One notable characteristic of soapberry trees is that they grow even in hard conditions and don’t need fertile soil or chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides to grow. This means they are grown organically!
Since they are harvested fresh from the trees and are dried directly from the sun, they do not undergo any chemical process and are guaranteed to be 100% natural.
Because they are all-natural and all-organic, they make a great substitute for various chemical-filled cleaning products (not only detergents).
Mild and Gentle
Soap nuts are very mild and gentle on clothes and skin, making them perfect for those with sensitive skin, eczema, allergies, psoriasis, and even babies.
Soap nuts are nut-allergy-safe since they are only berries, after all! People who are allergic to nuts have successfully used soap nuts. However, it is still best to take proper precautions and do a patch test, especially if you are prone to allergies, have sensitive skin, or have a compromised immune system.
Because soap nuts are low-sudsing, they can be used with high-efficiency (HE) washing machines.
Environment-Friendly
The production and processing of these nuts are all done organically, which means they do not negatively affect the environment. In fact, they even protect areas in which they are planted from the risk of erosion. Also, using these in household cleaning is deemed to be environment-friendly.
With the “suds equal clean” false advertising, commercial detergents use artificial foaming agents that are not good for septic and greywater systems. On the other hand, soap nuts do not produce lots of foam yet are just as effective in cleaning.
Clean Smell
I love how my clothes smell after using soap nuts. They’re not covered in an artificial fragrance that makes my brain foggy. They smell sharp, fresh, and clean.
How to Use Soap Nuts
Soap nuts are so easy to use! For Simply Earth Soap Nuts, you can place the bag inside your washing machine (just remove the label).
With this method, be sure you use a hot water cycle. This will allow the soap agents in the berries to be extracted to clean your laundry.
You can use 1 bag of berries for about four wash cycles or until you notice that their color has faded. When their color has faded, saponin has been removed from the berries.
Don’t want to use hot water for your load of laundry? No problem. Check out our Liquid Soap Nut Laundry recipe below!
With this recipe, you can wash your laundry at any temperature. You also don’t have to fish the bag of berries out of your clothing before loading them into the dryer or keep track of how many loads of laundry you’ve done with them.
Liquid Soap Nut Laundry Recipe
Soap Nut Liquid Laundry Detergent
Ingredients
1 oz (~8 ct) Soap Nuts
2 cups water
½ cup vinegar
20 drops essential oils
Directions
- Combine Soap Nuts and water in a pan. Bring them to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover. Allow the Soap Nuts to simmer for 1 hour or until they turn a light color.
- After the Soap Nuts have finished simmering, turn off the heat and allow them to cool. Strain out the Soap Nuts and discard them.
- Stir in vinegar and essential oils with the Soap Nut-soaked water.
- To use, store in a sealable container. Add 2-4 Tbsp per load of laundry.
Notes
- This recipe uses water and no preservatives. Its shelf life is approximate. To preserve this recipe, add 120 drops (a little less than 1 ¼ tsp) of Geogard ECT Preservative to the finished recipe and shake well to mix.
- Tip: Have you tried using our natural solubilizer? This product allows your essential oils to be distributed throughout the mixture. To use our Natural Solubilizer, add ½ tsp of Natural Solubilizer with the essential oils and mix thoroughly. While stirring, slowly add the water and vinegar mixture from step 2 to the oils.
Say Hello to Chemical-Free Laundry!
Don’t miss out on the power of all-natural cleaning! Soap nuts are a simple, sustainable way to keep your laundry fresh and toxin-free. Give them a try and let us know how they work for you—tag us @fromsimplyearth on social media or drop a comment below!
Want to explore more natural cleaning solutions? Download our FREE DIY Natural Cleaning Guide and discover easy, effective ways to ditch harmful chemicals for good. Plus, subscribe to our Monthly Essential Oil Recipe Box to get 4 pure essential oils, 6 aromatherapist-created recipes, and a FREE Big Bonus Box—everything you need for a healthier home!