Friday November 27th, 2009
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Soap Nuts: A New Alternative to Wash Clothes
Posted by Joshua W. Jackson on May 24, 2006 - 2:44pm.
By Kara DiCamillo of Treehugger
We find these little nuts interesting (and also wonder who discovered them) but apparently you can use them in your washing machine in lieu of detergent. SoapNuts are the shells of a seed from trees grown throughout India and Nepal. These shells give a soapy substance when they come in contact with water (the seeds are discarded) and it's said that 1kg of the nuts can wash 100 loads. Simply pop 6-8 shells in the cloth bag and throw them in your washing machine – these will last about 3-4 washes. Your wash will come out clean, but without a smell, so if you like the scent of clean clothes just add a few drops of essential oil to the wash beforehand. SoapNuts can also be used for other things as well, like washing windows, cars or pets. When the shells have been used to their full extent just throw them in the compost pile.
Syndicated from Treehugger.
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We should start taking care of the thing that we do every day to help aour planet
I would like to know where to find these soap nuts
not sure where these folks ship, but they have them:
http://www.gogreen.cellande.co.uk/shop/products/soapnuts/soapnuts.htm
http://www.ethicstrading.com/soapnuts.htm
This is great!! I want to get these immediately! I have been blessed to have no sensativities or allergies, but my roommate can only use certain detergents because the chemicals. This would be something great for planet and washing machine peace! Has anyone used them? I am picturing a bag of nuts tumbling in the washer… do they make a lot of noise in the machine?
The soapnut concept has a serious flaw. Modern washing machines are designed to progress from wash to rinse once the soap has been dispersed throughout the garments. If we are to believe that soapnuts are reusable, we must assume that they will produce suds whenever water is applied and they are agitated through the spinning of the washing machine drum. This means that when your machine starts the rinse cycle, it will continue to produce soap suds and your clothing will never be rinsed of the soap residue. This may explain why a number of places that sell soapnuts state that they will make your whites turn grey and they recommend using an eco-friendly bleach. Of course one could stop the washer and remove the sack of nuts before the rinse cycle starts but this is not easy on a front loader. Front loaders are clearly the choice of green minded people as they use far less water and less soap. Essentially, it seems to me that soapnuts are extremely impractical and are more of a gimmick than an alternative to liquid or powdered eco-friendly soap.
I’m not an environmentalist by any stretch of the imagination, but I do consider the impact of what I am doing has on the environment. That is why when my wife started using Soap Nuts as our household cleaner, it sparked my curiosity to learn more.
What are Soap Nuts?
Soap Nuts are actually not nuts at all. They are berries (also known as Soap Berries) that grow on trees in India & Nepal. There are two main varieties of Soap Nuts: sapindus trifoliatus (The Small Soap Nut) and sapindus mukorossi (The Large Soap Nut). The Large Soap Nut is the most commonly used in cleaning (probably due to its size & ease of harvesting), but both varieties are quite effective.
How do Soap Nuts Work as a Detergent?
Soap Nuts contain large quantities of saponin in their shells, which acts as a natural, gentle detergent when it comes into contact with water. Without added chemicals, fragrances or dyes, Soap Nuts are safe and gentle for handwashing delicates, yet tough enough for regular laundry. They will leave your laundry soft, clean and fragrance free, without the use of fabric softeners.
Will Soap Nuts Clean Difficult Items?
Yes and No. Soap Nuts are one of the best detergents out there to get rid of bad odors. Musty towels and wash cloths, even cloth diapers, come out smelling fresh and new. When it comes to stubborn stains, though, such as blood & red wine, you will want to use a stain remover to help the cleaning process.
What About My Allergies to Soap?
Most allergic reactions to soap are due to added chemicals and fragrance. Soap Nuts are naturally grown and chemical free. When we began using soap nuts for our laundry detergent, the eczema which I had across my chest and belly cleared up and has been gone now for 6 months. Soap Nuts are 100% non-allergenic.
How do I use Soap Nuts in my Laundry?
For Laundry Detergent, you can use Soap Nuts one of two ways:
1. Toss 3 half Soap Nut shells in a small muslin bag (provided with most Soap Nuts orders) and throw it in with your laundry. (Make sure that you take the soap nuts out before putting your clothes in the dryer). The nuts will do 3 or 4 loads.
2. Boil 100 g of Soap Nuts in 12 cups (3L) of water for 30 minutes. The liquid you have is now a concentrated, chemical free detergent. The leftover shells can be placed in your compost. Use 3 Tbsp or 45 ml of this detergent with each load of laundry. This allows you to do approximately 45 loads of laundry. Not bad for under $10!
Can Soap Nuts be used for More Than Just Laundry Detergent?
Yes. Soap Nuts can be used, in the liquid form, for cleaning just about anything. From dish washer soap, to window & glass cleaner, to repairing oily or dry hair, Soap Nuts are a multi-purpose cleaner. For more information on particular applications visit http://SoapNuts.Wordpress.com
The End Product Still Goes Down the Drain. Does That Hurt the Environment?
No. Soap nuts are antimicrobial. This means that they actually help in breaking down the grey water in the septic system. Also, you do not have to do a rinse cycle when you do your laundry with soap nuts. This can save gallons of water every wash cycle. Don’t worry, though; if you forget to stop your machine before the rinse cycle the Soap Nuts are just as effective. The amount of saponin left in the rinse cycle will just leave your clothes feeling soft.
Soap Nuts are a Win-Win Situation
With great cleaning power, no harmful chemicals, & prices that rival any other detergents, Soap Nuts are one of the best cleaning agents you can buy.
For more information on Soap Nuts & pricing, visit http://Stores.HotterThanHealth.com
Matt Johnson
http://Stores.HotterThanHealth.com
I've tried soapnuts a few times, with varied success (not so good on whites, better on dark clothing), but will still be testing them out again. I ground up a bunch I had in the coffee grinder (use a face air filtering mask, as it will become very fine and air bourne), and will try 1-2tsp for my next wash (with a few drops of lavender EO added to the powder container).
My main reason for commenting, however, was the statement from Anonymous (Soapnuts are just plain nuts...) that hot rinse cycles would reactivate the soap. In the US, ALL rinse cycles use cold water, and they have for at least the past 3 decades. I would be surprised if this were not the case in other parts of the world.
UPDATE: ground up soap nuts do sud in hot water (not cold, however), and I'm finally happy with my purchase. It's much easier to use now, and the clothes actually seem cleaner than with the "nut bags" :)
I've been using these for months and love the way that they leave my clothes soft. I add a few drops of essential oils to each load and they smell fantastic.
I get mine at www.cheekymaidensoap.com
They have great prices!
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