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Soapnut info

Soap nut (botanical name : SAPINDUS MUKOROSSI) is an all-natural, environmentally safe and economical way to clean. The nut is the dried fruit of the Rittha tree, a species of trees native to India and the lower forests of Nepal. Its shell contains saponin and when the soap nut is brought into contact with water, its saponin is released. It is a good substitute for washing soap and as such is used in preparation of quality shampoos, detergents, etc. In fact, in the rural areas, the skin of the fruit is highly valued as a naturally produced shampoo. It is also used for washing woolen and silk garments.

Uses : Soap nut is used as a laundry soap, skin cleanser, shampoo, pet shampoo and more.


Laundry: Soap nuts wash as effectively as conventional detergents. Soap nuts preserve the colour of your valuable laundry better than chemical detergents. Just put 3 or 4 shell-halves in the cloth bag supplied and use instead of your regular detergent. The warmer the water the more saponin will dissolve in the water. Shells can be used for more than one wash but the number of washes per shell bag will depend on the water temperature used. Discard any remains when they become dark brown and soggy. Whites may become slightly grey after extended use - you can counteract this with the use of an oxy whitener (sodium percarbonate) which is also safe for the environment. Sodium Percarbonate is a biodegradable laundry product. It will break down into water, oxygen, and soda ash. It provides powerful cleaning, bleaching and stain removal action. Sodium Percarbonate can be obtained from health foods store or at the supermarket, hardware store etc. Look for « Oxy » products containing only sodium percarbonate or sodium carbonate (not bicarbonate).

  • Liquid Soap: A liquid soap can be made by boiling a few soap nut shells in a pot of water for 5 to 10 minutes. When cool the the mixture can either be strained or put in a blender.
  • Pet shampoo: Parasites can be removed from pets fur and skin by washing with a mild solution of this liquid soap. Your pet will be left clean, soft and protected from further infestations.
  • Household cleaning: Good for all household cleaning inside and out including windows, which will be left sparkling after a quick polish with paper towel when dry. A soap nut sud will clean your kitchen and your bath as thoroughly as chemical cleaners do. Again adding a little sodium percarbonate or sodium carbonate will work with most tough cleaning jobs.
  • Car washing: Add a few soap nut pieces in a warm bucket of water or use the liquid soap you have made and wash your car as usual and polish to a good shine when dry.
  • Cleaning jewellery: Soap nuts are used as a jewellery polish in India. Soak jewellery in soap nut water then rub, rinse and polish.
  • Natural pesticide: Soap nuts produce saponins to repel insects. You can use this same product to protect your plants without using chemicals. Fill a spraying bottle with a diluted soap nut solution and spray your plants or use the wash water from your laundry or dish washing.

Numerous advantages:

  • Soap nuts are a completely renewable, biodegradable material that can be put in your compost bucket once spent.

  • Allergy free and especially good for babies, eczema and sensitive skin. Allergic persons and people suffering from dermatitis in particular will benefit from the use of soap nuts, as clothes which were cleaned with soap nuts do not irritate the skin or cause itching.

  • Keeps your colours bright.

  • Economical compared to other brands of detergent. 1 kg of soap nuts can be used for up to 150 loads of laundry. You save 20 to 50% compared to normal detergents.
  • You even save money for the fabric softener because laundry washed with soap nuts turns out surprisingly soft.

  • Support the local economy of the regions where it is harvested. Families in India often depend on the harvest of their few trees to supplement their income.

Frequently asked questions

  • The nuts are not whole but in pieces, is that normal ?

Only the shells contain saponine.  Even if these are in pieces they provide better contact with water and therefore more suds.  Some distributors crush the shells into a powder to better mix with water

  • How many pieces of shell do I have to use?

The quantity is not critical.  A small handful equivalent to about 5 to 10 half shells is enough. It wont produce a lot of suds, which is normal. Incidentally, it is the perfect laundry soap for front loading washing machines since the manufacturers recommend a low sudsing detergent.

  • Do the nuts have to be removed during the rinse cycle?

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

  • Can the wash be done with cold water?

 To wash in cold water, soak the nuts, while in their cotton bag, in a little hot water a few minutes (while the tub is filling) to release the saponin , then add to the wash. 
Note:  In hard water it is preferable to add a small quantity of sodium bicarbonate.  This will balance the pH and increase the effectiveness of the saponin (or any detergent for that matter).
  • If the nuts do not produce a lot of suds are they still as effective as soap?

Their cleaning power is just as strong without the presence of suds.

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