Commercial laundry detergents have sulfates, fragrance chemicals, and who knows what other ingredients that not only can cause irritation to your skin, but also do not assist in the preservation of our plant either. I tried several homemade versions of laundry soap, which were ok... but I was not 100% happy with it. One was really chunky, so it was difficult to pour from my reused laundry soap dispenser. My second recipe was pretty good, but I believe it may have had Borax in it, which I later read is not as natural as it is made out to be. Then I stubbled across soap nuts!
What are Soap Nuts?
Soap nuts are the dried shells from the soapberry off the Sapindus Tree. The shells from this tree contains a substance called saponin, which is the substance that produces a soaping effect. Because the saponin found in these shells are 100% natural, it is perfect for use for individuals with allergies or sensitivities to commercial laundry agents.
Benefits and Other Interesting Facts about Soap Nuts
- Excellent at removing odors
- Can be used for reusable diapers or pet pads!
- Naturally anti-fungal and anti-microbial
- Hypoallergenic
- Perfect for individuals with sensitive skin or infants
- Can be used for other housecleaning, not just laundry!
- Eliminates the need for other laundry agents, such as brighteners, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets
- If kept dry, shelf life is basically endless
- 100% biodegradable and does NOT pollute the water
- Also great for composting!
- Not tested on animals and cruelty free
- Not harmful to animals
- Warm or Hot Water Washes
- Place 4-5 shells, or about 1/2 oz, in cotton, drawstring bag and tie securely.
- Toss in washing machine before you add your clothes.
- Remove from washer at end of the wash. Leave in bag to dry.
- Reuse 3-5 times, or until shells become thin, mushy, and/or very light tan or gray in color.
- Cold Water Washes
- Make 1 cup of soap nut "tea"
- Soak 4-5 bagged shells in 1 cup of very hot water for approximately 3 minutes.
- Pour soap nut tea and bag into wash
- Remove from washer at end of the wash. Leave in bag to dry.
- Again, reuse 3-5 times.
I have been using soap nuts for over a year now. I absolutely love them! Because I wash everything on cold (with the exception of my dogs reusable "pee pads"), I make batches of soap nut liquid.
- Soap Nut Liquid
- Place 12-15 shells, or 1-1/2 oz., in 6 cups of pure, clean water.
- Place in crock pot on high for at least 4 hours
- I usually forget about them, so mine usually are in this process for 6 hours.
- If you prefer, you can bring the water to a boil, on the stove, and simmer the shells for about 1 hour
- Allow to cool and strain out shells or any shell fragments.
- Place in an airtight container.
- I recommend keeping in refrigerator. After this process, they are said to have only several days worth of shelf life; however, I have not had a batch go bad, yet, by placing them in the 'fridge!
I use the liquid just as I would laundry detergent. In fact, I use an old laundry cap, with the measurement lines for small, medium, and large loads to measure out the liquid. I'll admit that I do miss the "fresh, clean" smell that my laundry used to have... but I really do like the smell of the soap nuts too. I believe it has a very light woodsy smell to it, once the clothes are out of the washer and dryer. I do not use any kind of fabric softer or dryer sheets. I have not missed these items at all, either.
The cost? I buy my soap nuts at naturoli.com. (If you visit this website, you can find out even more about soap nuts.) The initial cost is kind of high, as you buy a large quantity of soap nuts at one time. This lasts you a long time though. I think my first order was for the 32 oz bag for $29.99... but the $30 I spent lasted me nearly a year!! So, compared to the $10 per bottle of store bought laundry soap that only lasts you a couple months... soap nuts is definitely the more frugal way to go! They run sales on occasion too... so both times I've purchased the soap nuts, I've purchased whatever amount was the best for the money. I think this last time I got 48 oz bag.
I admit that sometimes it is a pain to have to make the soap nut liquid. You kind of have to stay slightly ahead, so you don't run out -- but I guess you kind of have to do that with the store bought kinds too! I do have some natural, store bought laundry soap on hand, in the case that I do run out and need to wash something NOW. Overall though, I truly do LOVE this alternative to laundry soap. I have not have any issues with them and definitely do not plan to go back to the commercial brands ever.
For those of you who feel that you do not have enough time to actually make your own soap nut liquid, NaturOil carries their version for you! It is a little more expensive than the shells, so I personally have not tried it, but my guess it that it would work just as well! If any of you have ever tried it, let me know what you think!
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