Here at home we exclusively use soap nuts for our laundry. So what is a soap nut? Soap nuts actually are a fruit from a bush native in India and Nepal. The outer shell of the soap nut contains saponin, a natural substance known for its ability to cleanse and wash. (That’s what makes them so GREAT for cleaning your laundry!) And here’s a cool fact: soap nuts are not a new concept; they have been used to clean all kinds of fabric for centuries
- Soap nuts are 100% natural
- They are organic, free of harsh chemical, making the perfect for sensitive skins including babies.
- They are 100% biodegradable so better for the environment than regular detergent. After the nuts are done just throw them into the compost.
- They’re antimicrobial, so they’re good for septic and greywater systems
- They work!!! We use them on everything including solid diapers and they clean every time.
- They are cost efficient because five soaps nuts can be used for 3-4 loads of laundry, so one bag of soap nuts will last a really long time.
To use place 4-6 nuts in cotton muslin bag and tie the bag up. Place bag with laundry. There will be no bubbles and the smell is like apple cider vinegar. If you like a nicer smell, just add a few drops of essential oils such as lavender or vanilla. After a while the soap nuts will look mushy grey and that’s when it’s time to discard them and use some new.