Soap-It Nuts Q and A

What are Soap-it Nuts?

So what exactly is a ‘soapnut’? It is the dried fruit of the Sapindus Mukossi tree that grows in India and Nepal. This fruit of the tree produces ‘Saponin” a natural cleanser which is a 100% alternative to ‘commercial’ detergent. They are allergy-free and have been used for hundreds of years on all types of fabric in other countries. Soap-it Nuts are highly effective, gentle and cost effective. Our Soap-It Nuts leave laundry clean and their mildness will keep your clothes soft. The fabric structure of your clothes is maintained for longer periods because they are so gentle.

They can be used on all types of fabric in any temperature. No fabric softener is necessary because the Soap-Nuts leave your clothes naturally soft.

How do I to Use Soap-it Nuts?

It is easy to use Soap-It Nuts. Simply put 3-4 nuts or shells in the cloth bag provided and throw them in with your wash. They work best in a warm-water wash and cold rinse. Wash clothes as usual. Pull the cloth bag out before you put your clothes in the dryer. Your clothes will be clean, fresh and soft. Use 3-4 nuts for a large load up to 3-4 times. Sprinkle a ¼ cup of washing soda in with the nuts as an extra grease cutter or stain remover. It doesn’t affect the softness of your clothes. The lack of shiny crystals in the nut’s shell lets you know that it is ready to be composted or discarded. The warmer the water the more saponin will be dissolved in the water. You can expect to get 3 washes with warm water and up to 5 with cold water.

There are no optical whiteners in soap nuts. Instead use an oxy-whitener (sodium per-carbonate) which is safe for the environment if needed. Sodium Per-carbonate is a biodegradable laundry product that will break down into water, oxygen, and soda ash. It provides powerful cleaning, bleaching and stain removal action. Sodium Per-carbonate can be obtained from health foods store or at the supermarket.

A few drop of Essential Oil can be added to each load for fragrance if you desire.

When do I use a detergent booster?

Use washing soda or a non-chlorine bleach for heavily soiled clothes. The non-chlorine bleach helps with your white loads. Use ¼ cup of washing soda or a non-chlorine bleach (such as Oxy-clean) with the nuts as an extra grease cutter or stain remover. Neither product affects the softness of your clothes. These products are safe for the environment and non-toxic.
There are no optical whiteners in soap nuts. Using non-chlorine (sodium per-carbonate) effective and safe for the environment if needed. Sodium Per-carbonate is a biodegradable laundry product that will break down into water, oxygen, and soda ash. It provides powerful cleaning, bleaching and stain removal action. Sodium Per-carbonate can be obtained from health foods store or at the supermarket.

When are the Soap-it Nuts done?

Soap-it Nuts are done when they are soft or have lost their shine. The lack of shiny crystals in the nut’s shell lets you know that it is ready to be composted or discarded. The warmer the water the more saponin will be dissolved in the water.
You can expect to get 3 loads of wash from 3 nuts. But as with any detergent, personal results will vary. Please experiment and let us know what works best for you.
A few drop of Essential Oil can be added to each load for fragrance if you desire.

Are Soap-it Nuts Cheaper than Other Detergents?

How do I store Soap-it Nuts?

Soap-It Nuts should be stored in an air-tight container or keep them in the plastic bag they come in. Otherwise, they will pick up the moisture and become stuck together. They are still useable and just need to be broken apart.

Can wash be done with cold water?

To wash clothes in cold water, soak the nuts while in their cotton bag, in a little hot water a to release the saponin , then add to the wash. Or make Soap-It Nut liquid soap by boiling 7-8 nuts in 4 cups of water for 15 minutes.

Note: In hard water it is preferable to add a small quantity of baking soda. This will balance the pH and increase the effectiveness of the saponin or any detergent.

Will they work in a front-loading machine?

The nuts can be used with a front-loading machine or HE (high-efficiency) machine. Use one nut one time or a half-cup of the soap nut liquid. Using Luke-warm water will help release the saponin from the nuts for more effective cleaning.

Do I remove the nuts during the rinse cycle?

Not if you rinse with cold water because the saponin is released in warm water.

How do I use the pieces?

It is normal for the nuts to come in pieces because only the shells contain the saponin. These pieces provide good contact with the water and will clean your clothes. Use the same equivalent of 3-4 nuts when using the pieces. They won’t produce a lot of suds which is perfect laundry soap for the front loading washing machines since the manufacturers recommend a low-sudsing detergent. The cleaning power is just as powerful without the suds.

Are Soap-it Nuts good for sensitive skin?

Soap-it Nuts are Hypoallergenic. They are naturally antibacterial and antifungal while being very gentle on the skin. Washing your skin regularly with soap nuts can also help prevent many skin diseases. The chemicals in detergents are absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream. In comparison, soap nuts are a 100% natural product. Allergy free and especially good for babies, eczema and sensitive skin, soap nuts will not irritate the skin or cause itching.

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