Soapnuts - the soap that grows on trees

HeidiS · Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

Hello everyone. I was wondering if anyone has heard of soapnuts. It is apparently a laundry detergent that grows on trees.
I ran across this web site that talks about it and it sounds interesting but would like to know if anyone else had heard of them or tried them.

The site I found the information on is called SoapNuts Canada soapnuts.ca

Thanks
Heidi S.

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:00 am Post subject:

I use them here in the Uk and I think they are fabulous- they save you money too!

cindybell · Guest

In the US I have been using Maggoe's Soap Nuts for almost a year. My clothes come out clean and really soft. They are so soft sometimes I don't even recognize my jeans. It's fun to wash clothes with soapy nuts. The people at Maggie's have been really nice to answer all my questions. The soap nuts have opened my eyes to living without factories and laboratories. The earth provides all we need. I got the soap nuts at my local health food store but you can get them at maggiespureland.com . Happy washing. PS: I use them on my dog and my car too.

595345 · Guest

My wife recently purchased a bag of soapnuts to use for cleaning cloth diapers for our baby girl. They worked better than any other laundry detergent she had tried. She was so impressed that she bought them in bulk & opened up an e-store so that she have a home-based business and still raise our daughter. Her site is Stores.HotterThanHealth.com Check it out!

Guest

I’m not an environmentalist by any stretch of the imagination, but I do consider the impact of what I am doing has on the environment. That is why when my wife started using Soap Nuts as our household cleaner, it sparked my curiosity to learn more.

What are Soap Nuts?

Soap Nuts are actually not nuts at all. They are berries (also known as Soap Berries) that grow on trees in India & Nepal. There are two main varieties of Soap Nuts: sapindus trifoliatus (The Small Soap Nut) and sapindus mukorossi (The Large Soap Nut). The Large Soap Nut is the most commonly used in cleaning (probably due to its size & ease of harvesting), but both varieties are quite effective.

How do Soap Nuts Work as a Detergent?

Soap Nuts contain large quantities of saponin in their shells, which acts as a natural, gentle detergent when it comes into contact with water. Without added chemicals, fragrances or dyes, Soap Nuts are safe and gentle for handwashing delicates, yet tough enough for regular laundry. They will leave your laundry soft, clean and fragrance free, without the use of fabric softeners.

Will Soap Nuts Clean Difficult Items?

Yes and No. Soap Nuts are one of the best detergents out there to get rid of bad odors. Musty towels and wash cloths, even cloth diapers, come out smelling fresh and new. When it comes to stubborn stains, though, such as blood & red wine, you will want to use a stain remover to help the cleaning process.

What About My Allergies to Soap?

Most allergic reactions to soap are due to added chemicals and fragrance. Soap Nuts are naturally grown and chemical free. When we began using soap nuts for our laundry detergent, the eczema which I had across my chest and belly cleared up and has been gone now for 6 months. Soap Nuts are 100% non-allergenic.

How do I use Soap Nuts in my Laundry?

For Laundry Detergent, you can use Soap Nuts one of two ways:
1. Toss 2 or 3 Soap Nuts in a small muslim bag (provided with most Soap Nuts orders) and throw it in with your laundry. (Make sure that you take the soap nuts out before putting your clothes in the dryer). The nuts will do 3 or 4 loads.
2. Boil 100 g of Soap Nuts in 12 cups (3L) of water for 30 minutes. The liquid you have is now a concentrated, chemical free detergent. The leftover shells can be placed in your compost. Use 3 Tbsp or 45 ml of this detergent with each load of laundry. This allows you to do approximately 60 loads of laundry. Not bad for under $10!

Can Soap Nuts be used for More Than Just Laundry Detergent?

Yes. Soap Nuts can be used, in the liquid form, for cleaning just about anything. From dish washer soap, to window & glass cleaner, to repairing oily or dry hair, Soap Nuts are a multi-purpose cleaner. For more information on particular applications visit SoapNuts.Wordpress.com

The End Product Still Goes Down the Drain. Does That Hurt the Environment?

No. Soap nuts are antimicrobial. This means that they actually help in breaking down the grey water in the septic system. Also, you do not have to do a rinse cycle when you do your laundry with soap nuts. This can save gallons of water every wash cycle. Don’t worry, though; if you forget to stop your machine before the rinse cycle the Soap Nuts are just as effective. The amount of saponin left in the rinse cycle will just leave your clothes feeling soft.

Soap Nuts are a Win-Win Situation

With great cleaning power, no harmful chemicals, & prices that rival any other detergents, Soap Nuts are one of the best cleaning agents you can buy.

For more information on Soap Nuts & pricing, visit Stores.HotterThanHealth.com

AaronT · Guest

Hi, I see a lot of people love these things but I bought a bag a few weeks ago and have yet to be satisfied. I'm not the type that needs chemical smells to think my laundry is clean but my clothes come out of the washer and dryer still smelling like body odor. I use hot water and have tried 2-5 fresh nuts each wash. My question is than, what am I doing wrong?

ReignOfLuck · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 35 Location: los angeles, ca

I've never heard of soap nuts. Thanks for the info about them. I understand where your coming from AaronT. I don't need my clothes to have a detergent smell but I want my clothes to not smell like it did when it went in the wash.

dankejane · Guest

Ok all soap nuts are not the same. You want to make sure that what you are buying is one hundred percent Sapindus mukorossi soap nuts. some suppliers out there mix lesser grade soap nuts with these to stretch the product. What results are less bubbles, and a lesser product. this may be why your clothing still smells, although I don't know myself. When I washed my clothing with the sapindus mukorossi soap nuts, my clothing came out wonderfully smelling of nothing at all. It is actually a strange sensation.

If you boiled the nuts prior to using, maybe you didn't boil long enough? If you used cold water, you also need to use more nuts. Maybe that is a factor.

I love them! :lol:

brokenstar · Guest

Arron,
I would suggest tring soapnut liquid vs the shells alone and see how that works for you, you might find some other ideas on sapindusmukorossi.com

my friends and i are going to place a bulk order with organicsoapnuts.net (based in the usa by the way!) i've ordered from them before and have been really happy compared to some other places i tried, anyways...the more we order the cheaper they are, and with what we are ordering its already about 12 dollars a pound...so if anyone is interested in going in on it... let me know and so we can do even better !

mybrokenstar<at>gmail.com

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