Size and Washing Load
100g - approx. 40 loads
250g - approx. 100 loads
500g - approx. 200 loads
1kg - approx. 400 loads
What is a Soap Nut - The magic of nature - (Sapindus Mukorossi)
How would you like a 100% natural cleaner that grows wild in the Himalayas and has been used for centuries in India, China and Nepal. It's even on supermarket shelves in Europe and it's cheaper than chemical alternatives. They come direct from India.
Soap Nuts are the seed pod of a macadamia-
The pods contain a very high percentage of saponins (Mother Nature's soap), a surfactant which removes dirt and oils from clothing when contacted with water. Soap Nuts can also be boiled into a liquid concentrate and used as a general purpose cleaner, shampoo, hand soap... the list is long and growing.
What can I use them for?
Well, just about everything. As a detergent, a personal cleanser and shampoo, a general purpose cleaner, car wash, pet wash, vegetable wash, carpet and upholstery cleaner...Soap Nuts are most commonly used as a laundry detergent. They are used instead of chemical detergents and fabric softeners. Simply place a few of these amazing soap nuts into our small Wash bag and throw them in with your washing. They will leave your laundry clean and fresh for around 6 washes, no need for any other cleansers or fabric softeners. At around 10 cents per wash, why would you use anything else? Soap Nut shells are used on their own in a cotton bag or an old sock tied at the top and put into the machine with your clothes. They do not need to be removed during the rinse cycle as there is no harmful or irritating residue as is left over from normal detergents. The surfactants in the nuts cleans and softens your laundry in one economic and environmentally friendly swoop!
We have tested them extensively in our washing machine and are very satisfied with their ability to clean anything and everything, including baby clothes and nappies, delicates and silks, woollens, towels and muddy bathmats and even sweaty work clothes from gardening.
Read what others have to say about Soap Nuts - Click Here
Recipes
*Note - KEEP AWAY FROM EYES
Laundry detergent
Place 4-7 half shells (or equivalent in pieces) in the washbag (or old sock knotted at top) and place in washing machine. Wash as normal. Soapnut shells can be reused 3-4 times depending on temperature washed at (hotter washes have less rewashes). Then just put them in your compost.
Multi-purpose cleaner
Put a handful of soapnut shells to 500 mls hot water and boil for 10-15 minutes. Allow to cool, strain and add liquid to empty spray bottle. This can be used to clean the house from top to bottom - including windows. You can add few drops of eucalyptus oil (optional). Dispose of shells in compost.
Relaxing/Cleansing Bath
Place 3-4 Soap Nut shells in washbag and allow to steep in hot bathwater for 5 minutes. Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil.
Jewellery Cleaner
Mix up a mild Soap Nut/water solution (3-4 soapnut shells with 1 litre hot water) and use to soak jewellery before rinsing, drying and polishing.
Shampoo
Place 3 Soap Nut shells and 500ml water. Simmer for 10 minutes and add cornflour to thicken if desired as well as any essential oils to scent (Lavender is great). The shampoo will not lather as you may be used to but it will clean your hair. PLEASE KEEP AWAY FROM THE EYES. Try using our Foaming Bottle for a great foaming effect.
In the garden
Mix up a Mild solution of Soap Nuts/water (3-4 Soap Nut shells with 1 litre hot water.) Spraying the mild solution on garden plants can help keep some parasites away.
Pet cleaner
Mix up a mild solution (3-4 Soap Nut shells with 1 litre hot water.) PLEASE KEEP AWAY FROM THE EYES (can also be useful for prevention of parasites).
Delicates Handwashing solution
Place 6-8 half shells in 500ml boiling water. Allow to simmer for 8-10 minutes and add essential oils if desired. Add to sink/bucket and use to soak and hand wash delicates.
Foamer Bottles and Citric Acid are available for purchase.
