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Soap Nuts: Our New Favorite Eco-Friendly & Nontoxic Laundry Solution!

Posted by Smita Kishore on

My husband and I have been searching for a truly clean laundry detergent that doesn't irritate our skin or contain synthetic preservatives for over a year now. While I'd heard of soap nuts in the past, I felt a bit wary of something so natural. "How can a nut clean our clothes?!" I remember thinking to myself. But as we've struggled to find something we're happy with, I figured it was time to give them a try, and boy are we glad we did! Not only are soap nuts 100% organic, they are also 100% eco-friendly and super easy to use (aka: no double boilers or mixing involved!). 

So what exactly are they?

Soap nuts are actually a berry that grows in the Himalayas and are related to the lychee. When these berries dry, they form a hard shell, which is how they came to be known as soap nuts. These organic berries contain a natural surfactant called saponin, which is released when their shells absorb water, lifting dirt and stains from our clothes. 

soap-nuts-eco-friendly-organic-natural-laundry

Why We Love Them 

  • Gentle on the Skin. Perfect for those with skin sensitivities, allergies, and eczema.
  • No Chemicals, Preservatives or Synthetic Nonsense. Aka: Better for our skin, better for our health, and better for the environment!
  • Eco-Friendly. Soap nuts are reusable and 100% biodegradable.  
  • They Actually Work! Our clothes come out clean, fresh, and stain-free. 
  • Cost-Effective. Soap nuts can be used for multiple loads and are much cheaper than alternative green laundry cleaners. 

soap-nuts-eco-friendly-organic-natural-laundry

How to Use 

  • Add 5-6 soap nut shells into a cotton muslin bag and tie a knot to keep the soap nuts inside. Tip: If you prefer scented detergents, then simply add a few drops of organic lavender essential oil into the bag before tying. Soap nuts natural scent is kind of similar to apple cider vinegar, though your clothes won't come out smelling like that ;)  
  • Start your washer and place the muslin bag inside. 
  • Add your clothes and wash as normal. 
  • You may reuse the same bag of soap nuts multiple times until the seeds become gray and mushy. When you are ready to start a new bag, compost the old one!
  • Note: Make sure to use deseeded soap nut shells as the seeds are staining. We get ours from Mountain Rose Herbs, but they are also available at Amazon, most health food stores, and even Bed Bath & Beyond!

Love + Light,

~Smita :)

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