Soapnuts are a great alternative to conventional Laundry detergents, not to mention, economical.

Soap nuts are an all natural alternative to traditional laundry detergents.  We are a culture addicted to suds and we tend to gravitate towards cleaning supplies that lather to the hilt, but that isn’t what really cleans.  The cleaning power is found in the surfactant (in this case saponin) used in the product.  A surfactant is any substance that lessens the surface tension of water and aids the water in loosening grit and grime.  Other than the initial suds that show the surfactant has been activated,the bubbles are just for show.

Not only are suds a poor judge of how powerful a cleaner is, there is often added ingredient to produce more suds that is just another chemical that you don’t need on your clothes or in your life.  Instead of allowing more chemicals to permeate your clothing and affecting your family’s heath, try using this all natural, grown on trees, alternative.

How to Use Soap Nuts as a Laundry Detergent

1. Soap Nuts will come with a small draw string sack in which you will put four to six berries into. This batch of berries is good for up to six loads of laundry.

2.  Place sack containing the fruit in the washer with your laundry and wash through the full cycle.

3.  Remove the sack before placing laundry into the dry or on a clothesline.

Tips:

Soap Nuts release the most saponin when used in warm/hot water and is then more effective.  If you choose to wash your clothing in cold water as I do, soak the berries (sack and all) in cup of warm water for a few minutes to activate them and then put the sack along with the fluid into your wash.

If you have children with allergies/sensitivities, this could be a great switch to make because of how gentle the surfactant is in on the skin.  However, just like with anything else, try this on a small batch of clothing to ensure that there will be no reaction with your children’s skin.  I will usually try things on myself because I have sensitive skin and if all turns out OK, I’ll try it with my children.  You could also try washing towels or something that they are exposed to in limited amounts rather than clothing that will be against their skin continually.