Soapnuts

About Soapnuts

Our soapnuts are the dried fruit from the Ritha (Sapindus Mukorossi) tree. They are mainly grown in India and Nepal. They contain high levels of saponins (natural soap) which are both very effective at cleaning but gentle on your skin and fabrics. There are other varieties of soapnuts, but they contain lower levels of saponin.

• Soapnuts are not actually nuts, they are the fruit of the Ritha tree. The saponins are in the outer shell of the fruit, not in the fruit itself.

• It takes 9 years before the Soapnut tree flowers, it grows 10-20 meters in height and produces it’s fruit for up to 90 years!

• Also known as Soapberries or washing nuts.

• Soapnut shells are naturally dried by the sun and require no chemical processing.

• Soapnuts are 100% biodegradable and compostable! When they are used up, just throw them in your compost.

• Soapnuts are actually more effective than conventional detergents; they are a tough cleanser, that’s still very gentle on your skin!

• They leave clothes clean and surprisingly soft: so soft, that you won’t need a fabric softener! (imagine the money you can save there!)

• 100% vegetable: suitable for vegans.

• The Saponin in soapnuts is naturally antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial in general.

• Good for septic and grey water systems.

• Soapnuts can be used on all fabrics and at all temperatures!

• There has never been any animal testing done with soapnuts.

How to Use Soapnut Shells:

Break and place 4-5 soapnuts in the muslin bag provided and tie at the top. Add to your washing machine with your laundry.

Temperature will affect the amount of soap used; for more soiled loads, try a warm/cold cycle. They can be used on all fabrics at all temperatures. No fabric softener is required, they leave clothes soft and completely scent-free!

 Soapnuts will last for a number of washes; the total varies depending on the water temperature used. You will know the soapnuts need to be replaced when they become thin and dull with no shiny pockets of saponin left in them. The average is about 5-8 loads.

Are soap nuts safe to use in my HE or front load washer? Yes. Soapnuts are low sudsing, so they are perfect for these types of washers.

Can I use soap nuts to safely and effectively wash cloth diapers? Yes! Soapnuts have actually been found to be the best cleansing product for washing cloth diapers. They effectively eliminate all lingering smells. They will also strip away synthetic detergent build-up, increasing the diaper’s absorbency!

Are soap nuts safe for people with nut allergies? Absolutely! In fact, Soapnuts are actually a fruit related to the lychee, not a nut at all!

Are Soapnuts gentle enough to use on my delicate clothes? Yes! Soapnuts preserve the color of your valuable laundry better than chemical detergents and gentle even on the most sensitive of skins. In south Asian countries people wash even their finest silks using soapnuts. They are also great for washing wool.

Are soap nuts safe for people with sensitive skin or skin disorders? Yes! Soap nuts are natural and as hypoallergenic as you can get. They do not contain added chemicals, fragrance or dyes which often irritates people with skin sensitivities. Soap nuts are beneficial for both bathing and laundry. Some people see their eczema and psoriasis fade or even go away after regularly using soap nuts as laundry soap. It is important to note, however, that you could still have an allergy to them as you potentially could with anything else (though rare); if you have a reaction you should discontinue use.

Do soap nuts come in different fragrances? No. Soap nuts are natural so there are no added fragrances. Soap nuts have a distinct smell; however, once you wash your clothes, they will be fragrance free, in fact, they will literally have no smell at all!

How do Soapnuts effect the environment? Soapnuts do not pollute the environment. They are considered a renewable resource, and are 100% compostable and biodegradable. They also leave no soapy residue, so the number of rinse cycles can be reduced, saving energy and water.

How should I store my Soapnuts? Soapnuts absorb moisture very easily. They become dark & sticky in a very short period of time if left exposed to air. Ideally the nuts should be packed in an airtight container or plastic bag. The handful of soapnuts in your wash bag should be fine exposed to air for the duration of their use. If your Soapnuts do get sticky, don’t worry, this does not mean that they have gone bad, they will still wash as effectively as before.

How long will my soapnuts keep before going bad? They don’t go bad, they pretty much have an endless shelf-life.

Are soapnuts effective for really dirty laundry? Yes. The only thing to remember is that you may need to reduce the clothes in the machine to give some room for the clothes to move freely. If your soapnuts are at the end of their life, you may have to switch to some new ones to make sure there are enough saponins to thoroughly clean a soiled load.

Some of the shells are broken; will this affect thier cleaning ability? Yes, but in a good way. This will actually help more saponins to release during the wash.

Do you have another Question about Soapnuts not answered here? Then please email us.