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Soap nuts information

(Sapindus Mukorossi)

 Warm or Hot Water Wash:

Put 4 or 5 soap nut shells or equivalent pieces, about a half-ounce, in cotton or muslin drawstring bag and tie bag securely.

Toss in washing machine before you add your clothes.

Remove from washer at end of the wash to dry (leave soap nuts in bag).

Not harmed by going through the dryer!

Re-use 5 to 8 times. The soap nuts are no longer effective when they become thin, mushy and very light tan or gray.

Cold Water Wash:

Soak soap nuts in a cup of hot water for a few minutes to expedite saturation. Pour water and bag into laundry.

Liquid

Place 12 to 15 soap nuts in about 6 cups of water. For best results, bring to a boil and simmer for approximately an hour. You will know that you have fully extracted from the soap nuts when they turn very light tan or gray and are mushy. Allow to cool and strain. Store the soap nuts liquid in an airtight glass jar. As with other botanicals, the infused soap nut solution is best stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight. This 100% pure soap nut solution has absolutely no preservative of any kind; hence it has a limited shelf life of several days. It should be refrigerated to extend its shelf life. This is typical of virtually all water-based botanical solutions. For your homemade solution, simply don’t make more than you’ll use in a few days.

Hand Wash

Add about 2 tbs of soap nut liquid to wash water and stir, or make a tea with your soap nut muslin bag. Simply hand wash as usual.

Powder:

Grind soap nuts in blender or coffee grinder. Grind to a very fine powder for laundry. Make a coarser, more abrasive grind for scouring and scrubbing.

TIPS:

Soap nuts will last longer using warm vs. hot water.

Soft water may require less soap nuts. Very hard water will require a bag of 5 shells.

There is no need for fabric softener. Soap nuts leave your cloths soft.

Soap nuts have a distinct odor, similar to vinegar when they are dry and more pungent when wet. Soap nuts do not smell pleasant: but amazingly your clothes smell clean and fresh after washing with soap nuts.

If you like scent, you can add 10 drops of essential oil on the cotton bag before tossing it into the machine.

Soap nuts will not remove heavy stains, as with any detergent, pre-treat stains with a stain remover as you normally would.

If clothes are very dirty, do half size loads instead of full.

If you like super whites, you can add oxygen bleach to the load.

Soap nuts perform better in a less than full load.

There will be very little suds. No suds actually means no commercial foaming agents or chemicals.

Soap nuts are wonderful for washing cloth diapers. Unlike chemical detergents, they will not clog the fabric causing the diaper to loose its absorbency and they will not cause diaper rash. In addition, soap nuts will clean and remove detergent residue from diapers.

INTERESTING POINTS ABOUT SOAP NUTS:
– Soap nuts are a true answer and solution for sensitive skin types and infants. Fantastic for laundering diapers!
– Popular throughout Europe and Asia for centuries, yet virtually unknown in the US. (Hmmm.)
– Excellent for removal of odors.
– Naturally anti-fungal and anti-microbial.
– Hypoallergenic! – Many people have allergic reactions to detergents due to the chemicals and fragrances in them. Soap Nuts are totally free of such chemicals.
– Soap nuts are extremely versatile and can be used for numerous household-cleaning needs – even glass cleaning!
– Easily converted to powder or liquid forms at home.
– Virtually eliminate the need, and the expense, for brighteners, fabric softeners and dryer sheets.
– Naturally reduce static cling.
– Highly effective, yet very gentle.
– Being so mild, Soap Nuts help keep colors bright and maintain fabric structure.
– Shelf life is basically endless if properly stored (simply kept dry).
– Soap nuts do NOT pollute water!
– Resolve issues of grey water and are great for septic systems.
– Not harmful to animals.
– 100% biodegradable. Excellent for composting.
– No chemicals needed to produce.
– No fossil fuels used to produce – essentially no energy required.
– No animal testing or animal cruelty.
– Soap nuts are a completely natural product from a sustainable source.

Other Soap nut uses:

Non-streak glass & window cleaner

All-purpose kitchen and bathroom cleaner

Perfect for washing fruits and vegetables

Gentle dish detergent. Not recommended for dishwashers.

Excellent for stainless steel, polished granite, tile and counter tops.

High sheen jewelry cleaner

Low sudsing carpet cleaner for soft carpets and rugs.

Plant spray for pest deterrent.

Car wash…won’t remove wax.

Non irritating for washing and bathing.

Excellent for those with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, dandruff and itchy scalp. Initial patch test recommended.

Ultimate pet shampoo. Leaves coat with healthy sheen while leaving skin soft and nourished. Helps deter fleas, ticks, deer flies and other common pests.

Virginia Soaps & Scents Soap Nuts are:

Sun-dried and De-seeded

USDA & ECOCERT Certified Organic

Sorted, inspected and packaged in the USA