Cleaning with Soap Nuts - Natural & Chemical-Free

Conventional laundry detergents and cleaners contain toxic ingredients that can be harmful not only to you and your family, but to the environment.  Organic natural laundry detergents and cleaners can be so expensive that they are financially inaccessible to many communities. Soap nuts offer an economical (to say the least) and an organic environmentally friendly alternative to cleaning.

“Soap nuts are found in both the eastern and western hemispheres, but are native to India and Nepal. They have recently become a popular environmentally friendly alternative to chemical detergent, and are a gentle option for those with allergies to chemicals in regular detergents. Soap nuts contain saponin, a natural detergent. The soap nut shell absorbs water and releases the saponins which circulate as a natural surfactant in the wash water, freeing dirt, grime, and oils from clothing.” (Mountain Rose Herbs)

You can purchase a 1 pound bag of organic soap nuts from Mountain Rose Herbs for $6.00 (I purchased mine on special so it was even cheaper).  You can also search the internet for other sources. In this video, I use up to 10 soap nuts (although you need less for the laundry).  Based on the price of a 1 pound bag and the weight of 1 soap nut, I was able to determine the incredible cost of cleaning with this method:

1 bag of soap nuts – 454g (1 pound); cost per gram  -$0.013

10 soap nuts ~ 40g

Cost for cleaning with 10 soap nuts = $0.53!

Soap Nuts For Laundry

Place 6-8 soap nuts in a muslin bag or plastic diffuser.  Place at the bottom of your washing machine and start water.  You may optionally add 5-7 drops of essential oil (I like Lavender, Lavender/Sweet Orange or Lavender/Tea Tree) to running water.

Add clothes or sheets or towels and wash as normal.  Remove soap nuts prior to placing clothes in dryer.

The same soap nuts can be used until the shells become worn (5-8, maybe 10 times for small loads).

Soap Nuts Cleaning Solution

After you have used your soap nuts for the laundry, give them a second life by making this safe and effective cleaning solution.

Place 10 soap nuts in 3 cups (32 ounces) of water and bring to a boil over high heat.  Once boiling, reduce heat medium and continue to boil for 20 minutes.  After soap nut shells soften (after 10-15 minutes) you can use a fork to break open soap nuts to release more of their natural saponins.  After 20 minutes, strain soap nuts from liquid (but do not discard).  Your liquid amount will be reduced from boiling so add more filtered or distilled water to make 32 ounces.  Add essential oils of your choice (10-14 drops of blend of your choosing).

Place in spray bottle and use as you would traditional cleaners.  Refrigerate any unused portion.

Soap Nuts Scouring Powder

After you’ve used your soap nuts in the laundry and to make cleaning solution, Grind soap nuts into a fine powder and add equal parts baking soda.  Use as you would conventional scouring powder.

All this for 53¢!