I just discovered the wonderful world of soap nuts, and I’m in love! Soap nuts are the only laundry detergent in the world that actually grows on trees. But they’re good for more than just cleaning your clothes; they’ve got all kinds of uses around the home! Today, I’m sharing the 5 best ways to use soap nuts, plus where to go to find even more uses for these nifty little berries.
What are soap nuts?
Soap nuts are not actually a nut, but a berry that grows on the Sapindus Mukorossi tree and contains a natural surfactant, called saponin, which cleans your clothes by lifting the dirt off of them. They’re also 100% natural, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly, making them a great choice for use around children, pets, and those with sensitive skin.
5 Ways to Use Soap Nuts
Besides just throwing the nuts (or adding a few pumps of the liquid) into your washing machine to wash your clothes, there are actually quite a few other ways to use soap nuts:
- All-Purpose Cleaner – A concentrated liquid cleaner for use all over the home.
- Powdered Laundry Detergent – A borax-free powder detergent that’s great for clothes and cloth diapers.
- Soap Nuts Shampoo – A simple shampoo that cleans and nourishes hair, and an herbal shampoo with marshmallow root, herbs, aloe vera gel, and more.
- Soap Nuts In the Dishwasher – Super simple and frugal way to wash your dishes!
- Homemade Soap Nuts Liquid – If you’re ready to venture into DIY, you can try making the soap nuts liquid right at home.
But that’s not all; there’s so much more! Check out the links below for even more ways to use soap nuts, as well as some helpful tips and advice to get the most use out of them.
The Mother of All Soap Nuts Recipes from Crunchy Betty – Apparently, soap nuts can be used in 4 different forms: whole berry, liquid, paste, and powder. This post has even more ways to use soap nuts, with everything from glass cleaner and bug spray, to shaving cream and dandruff treatment.
How to Tell If Soap Nuts Still Have Cleaning Power from Kitchen Stewardship – The directions on soap nuts usually say that the nuts are ready to toss once they’ve turned a light brown/gray color and become very soft, thin, and mushy. As helpful as those instructions are, there’s a much better way to test your soap nuts’ cleaning power.
5 Uses for Soap Nuts from Surviving the Stores – There’s a toothpaste recipe in here!
Where to Buy Soap Nuts
I’ve personally tried soap nuts from both Green Virgin Products and Mountain Rose Herbs, and I love them both. You can read my review of Green Virgin Products’ soap nuts here and purchase them either from their website or on Amazon. Mountain Rose Herbs’ soap nuts can be purchased here.
Have you tried soap nuts yet? What’s your favorite way to use them?
Has anyone else noticed that hair loss in women has become an issue? Even some young women, I have noticed are loosing hair. I believe could be related to a number of things. After hearing that it took three years for lobbyist to get J&J to stop putting formaldehyde in baby shampoo. It made me start to realize what are they putting in our shampoo, or body washes, in our facial products. After all our skin is basically sponge. I’m doing everything in my power to lessen the toxins that go into my body, by food, drinks, and personal grooming products.
That’s an interesting point, Debbie. For sure the products we use are affecting our overall health, but there’s much to be said about our substandard diets nowadays as well. So you’re right, controlling what we put IN and ON our bodies is smart thinking!
I am using soap nuts for a few years now and I can’t tell you how much I have recommended them to friends and family. I’m sharing this article on my fb page!
Love soap nuts! They work so well for our laundry!
Great post! Thanks for including my soap nut liquid recipe! Will definitely be sharing!