Organic Soap Nuts
Washing laundry with soap nuts:
It doesn't get much more simple - Doing laundry can even be fun! Most laundry detergents on the shelves of our supermarkets contain numerous
chemical substances, synthetic dyes, fragrances and fillers. These chemical substances are effective in deeply penetrating our clothes -
cleaning, sanitizing and scenting them. However, these same chemicals build up in our clothes and linens and transfer to our skin, leading to
short term and/or long term skin troubles for some individuals. They break down fabric fibers and fade colors and they are harmful to our
environment. Soap Nuts are simply a natural solution.
The following list is simply very basic directions. Only your imagination will limit what
soap nuts can be used for. It is note-worthy to mention that for centuries many Eastern cultures have earned a reputation for producing some
of the finest of fabrics and jewelry known to the world. Saponins (soap nuts) played a role in the care of these ultra-fine creations.
We encourage you to write us with your own 'recipes', and we will gladly share them.
Basic Laundry Directions:
The most simple and common / traditional method of washing laundry with soap nuts is by using the raw nuts in a drawstring bag, and simply
tossing the bag in with your laundry. The soap nuts can also be used to make a 'tea', a fine soap nut powder or concentrated solution.
All forms and methods work great.
SOAP NUT SHELLS (whole and pieces):
Warm or Hot Water Wash:
Put 4 or 5 soap nut shells or equivalent pieces, about a half-ounce, in cotton or muslin drawstring bag and tie bag securely. (we us a double knot)
Toss in washing machine before you add your clothes. Remove from washer at end of the wash to dry (leave soap nuts in bag). Re-use 3 to 7 times. (you will get more uses from
warm-water wash, and less uses with hot-water wash, as soap nuts release more saponin the hotter the water that you use.)
The soap nuts are no longer effective when they become thin, mushy and very light tan or gray. If you are in doubt, simply run the bag under some
warm/hot tap water to moisten the nuts. Squeeze the bag with your hand several times, and you will see a light sudsing.
Cold Water Wash:
Simply make a cup of soap nut 'tea' by soaking 4 or 5 bagged soap nuts in a cup of very hot water for approximately 3 minutes. Pour both the
soap nuts liquid and bag in wash. Remove from washer at end of the wash to dry (leave soap nuts in bag). Re-use 3 to 7 times. (again, you will get more uses from
warm-water wash, and less uses with hot-water wash, as soap nuts release more saponin the hotter the water that you use.)
Again, the soap nuts are no longer effective when they become thin, turn soft, mushy and very light tan or gray.
Hand Wash:
Add about 2 Tablespoons of soap nuts liquid (below) to wash water and stir, or make a tea with your soap nut muslin bag. Hand wash as usual.
Powdered: Put 2 - 3 tsp soap nuts powder in wash water. Wash as usual.
Important points about Soap Nuts:
- Effectively clean laundry - leaving it softer and fresher that you may have ever experienced
- Anti-microbial properties. Removes microbes from laundry
- Natural anti-fungal properties
- Hypoallergenic. Most allergic reactions to detergents are due to the chemicals and fragrances in them. - Soap Nuts are great for removing odors!
- Mild and gentle on fabric structure and colors
- Low sudsing: Good for all washers. Excellent for high efficiency (HE) washers
- Eliminates the need for fabric softeners
- 100% biodegradable
- No animal testing
- Requires no manufacturing processes. No chemicals or fossil fuels needed to produce Soap Nuts
- A primary product from a sustainable source
- Does not pollute our water systems
- Good for septic and grey water systems
- Environmentally safe
- Natural product with basically an endless shelf life
- Since Soap Nuts are primarily a resource from only emerging nations, increased demand will provide an additional needed economic
stimulus, plus it will encourage increased planting, growth and farming.
- Virtually un-tapped potential for eliminating most harmful chemicals from the market and from our homes!
Making Soap Nuts into Powder or Liquid:
Not only are powdered and liquid forms nice for laundry, but the list of other chemical products that can be replaced by soap nuts
is long and getting longer every day.
POWDER: Place soap nuts in a blender or coffee grinder. Grind to a very fine powder for laundry. (coffee grinders tend to grind the finest
powder - this may require a couple grindings, removing the un-ground pieces and grinding again) You may also want to make a courser, more
abrasive grind for scouring and scrubbing needs. Store in an airtight container. Shelf life is indefinite as long as the soap nut powder
is stored in a cool dry place.
LIQUID: Place 12 to 15 soapnuts (about 1.5 ounces) in about 6 cups of water. For best results, bring to a boil and simmer for
about an hour. You will know that you have fully extracted from the soap nuts when they turn very light tan or gray and are mushy.
Allow to cool and strain. The ratio of soap nuts to water, plus 'cooking' time will affect the liquid's concentration and potency.
Experiment until desired results are acquired. There is no wrong way of cooking them into a liquid. Liquids will vary accordingly.
Store the soap nuts liquid in an airtight glass jar. As with other botanicals, the infused soap nut solution is best stored in a cool place
away from direct sunlight. This 100% pure soap nut solution has absolutely no preservative of any kind so it will have a limited shelf life
of several days. It should be refrigerated to extend its shelf life. This is typical of virtually all water-based botanical solutions. We also offer
Extreme 18X Soap Nuts, which is a soap nut liquid with specific natural preservatives that greatly extend the shelf life, yet are still
safe and chemical free. For the make-at-home solution, simply don't make more than you'll use in a few days.
TIPS:
- Soap nuts will last longer using warm vs. hot water.
- Soft water may require less soap nuts. Very hard water may require more.
- There is no need for fabric softener. Soap nuts leave your cloths soft.
- Soap nuts have a distinct odor, similar to vinegar when they are dry and more pungent when wet. Soap nuts do not smell pleasant;
but amazingly your clothes smell clean and fresh after washing with soap nuts.
- If you like scent, you can add 10 drops of essential oil on the cotton bag before tossing it into the machine.
- Soap nuts will not remove heavy stains - as with any detergent, pre-treat stains with a stain remover as you normally would.(we have found soaking stains in a
soap-nuts bath works wonders!)
- If clothes are very dirty, do half size loads instead of full.
- If you like super whites, you can add oxygen bleach to the load.
- Soap nuts perform better in a less than full load. (though we tend to load our machine!)
- There will be very little suds. No suds actually means no commercial foaming agents or chemicals.
- Soap nuts are wonderful for washing cloth diapers. Unlike chemical detergents, they will not clog the fabric causing the diaper to
loose its absorbency and they will not cause diaper rash. In addition, soap nuts will clean and remove detergent residue from diapers.
Soap nuts chemical-free cleaning solutions
Rid your home and life of toxins! Many common household cleaners can be replaced entirely with the use of soap nuts. Saponin's inherent
effective cleaning power, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties, odor-reducing capability, and natural gentleness combine to provide
an amazingly safe yet effective cleanser for a multitude of everyday uses. Incredibly, the vast majority of highly toxic synthetic
chemicals in our homes can be thrown away forever.
Certainly we've all heard the alarms of 'bio-hazard' in our head when we reached in to pull out our arsenal of cleaning solutions.
Interestingly, it is quite difficult to find an image of cleaning products without rubber gloves in the picture. That is certainly a good thing.
If it were not for gloves our hands would be a scary site! Household chemical cleaners can be both horribly damaging to our skin and highly toxic
to our body. Soap nuts offer a chemical free cleaning solution.
The following is only a very short list of some alternate cleaning solutions that soap nuts will work great for. You will even notice hair care.
If you can boil water, the basics of chemical free cleaning can be in your hands and at use in your home today!
For Household Cleaning:
Pour soap nuts liquid (above) into a spray bottle. Use full strength or dilute as desired. Use for sinks, counters, floors, etc.
For Windows and Glass:
Fill a spray bottle with about 8 oz of water. Add a half-ounce of soap nuts liquid (above) and a half-ounce of vinegar. Spray and then wipe clean
with a dry cloth.
For Dishwashers:
Fill the dishwasher soap dispenser with soap nuts liquid (above). Wash as usual. Tip: For extra sparkle, add a half-ounce of vinegar to
the rinse dispenser or during the rinse cycle.
For Hand Wash:
Add about 2 tbs of soap nuts liquid (above) to wash water and stir, or make a tea with your soap nuts muslin bag. Simply hand wash as usual.
For Steam Cleaning Carpets:
Soap nuts work exceptionally well in carpet cleaners because they are so low sudsing and odor reducing. Add about a quarter cup of soap nut liquid to hot water in the portable cleaner. Great for urine stains!
For Pets:
Same as above. Superb for pets! Your little loved ones will never feel and smell this fresh again! They'll appreciate it, too!
For Shampoo:
Use soap nuts liquid to shampoo hair. Leave in for about 5 minutes. Rinse as usual with warm water.
If you prefer more suds, add a little of your favorite shampoo. (We know it's hard not to want more suds! Isn't it interesting that the chemical industry
has taught us if it doesn't make bubbles, it's not clean?!)
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The King's Daughters
