Soap Nuts Uses, Tips & Recipes
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If you would rather make your own solutions instead of using our Extreme 18X Laundry and Green Cleaner Concentrate:
Soap Nuts For Laundry Use
Warm or hot water wash: Use 4-5 soap nuts or equivalent pieces (about 1/2 ounce) in muslin bag and tie securely. Toss is washing machine before adding clothes.
Remove from washer at end of wash to dry, leaving nuts in bag. Re-use 3-7 times.
Nuts are no longer effective when they turn soft, mushy, light tan to gray in color and become thin and no longer have a slippery, soapy feel.
Hints:
*If you use hot or warm water to wash and rinse take the soap nuts out before the rinse cycle starts, otherwise if rinsing with cold water just leave them in.
*Soap nuts will last longer using warm vs.hot water
*Soft water may require less soap nuts while hard water may need 5-6 nuts and adding about 1/8 to 1/4 cup baking soda to the wash water or, a tablespoon to 1/4 cup of coarse ground sea salt depending on load size, will work fine.
*If you want a scent add about 10 drops of your favorite essential oil on the bag in the washer or on a cloth in the dryer.
*Pre-treat heavy stains as usual with a stain remover
*If clothes are very dirty, do smaller loads which gives more agitation for the soap nuts.
Powder
Put 2-3 teaspoons in wash water and wash as usual.
To make powder:
Grind 5 or 6 nuts to a fine powder in a blender or coffee grinder. (Coffee grinder works best). This may require grinding a couple of times. Remove any un-ground pieces or sift. Place in an air tight container.
Liquid
Pour about 1/4 cup of liquid solution into wash water. Wash as usual.
To make liquid
Place 12-15 nuts (about 1 1/2 ounces) in 6 1/2 cups of water.
Bring to a boil and simmer for about an hour. Cool and strain.
You can adjust the amounts of nuts and water to make smaller amounts, depending on how much you would use in a few days. Remember there are no preservatives in this solution so it will not last long. Refrigerating helps prolong shelf life a little longer.
The saponin (soap) is fully extracted from the nuts when they turn light tan/gray, are mushy and no longer have a slippery, soapy feel. If they still appear deep in color and are still releasing soap, add more water and re-simmer until color/feeling change. You can discard them in the compost or garden.
Store in an airtight glass jar in a cool place away from direct sunlight. Water-based botanical/plant extract have a short shelf life of 3-4 days. Refrigerate to extend shelf life.
Hand Wash
Soak 2 bagged shells in 1/2 cup of very hot water for 3 minutes. Pour water into basin, or use 2 Tablespoons of already prepared liquid.
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For Household Cleaning
Pour soap nuts liquid (from liquid recipe above) into a spray bottle. Use full strength or dilute as desired. Clean sinks, countertops, floors, tile, etc. Sprinkle a little baking soda to be used as a gentle scouring agent that does not scratch.
For Window/Glass
Fill spray bottle with 8 ozs. of water, 1/2 oz. vinegar and 1/2 oz. soap nuts liquid. spray and wipe with clean, dry cloth.
For Hand Washing Dishes:
Add about 2 Tablespoons of soap nuts liquid in dish water and wash as usual
For Steam Cleaning Carpets
Add 1/4 cup of liquid soap nuts solution to hot water in portable cleaner. Great for urine stains.
For Jewelry
Soak jewelry in soap nuts liquid for a few minutes. Use an old soft toothbrush to remove debris. Rinse with clean water and polish with a soft cloth.
For Shampoo
You can make your own or just use our Soap Nut Shampoo bar...so easy to use!
Use soap nuts liquid to shampoo hair. There will not be a lot of suds, just work well through hair. Leave in for about 5 minutes. Rinse very well. You can also bathe pets and soap nuts naturally repel insects!
Insect Repellent: Use a mild soap nut solution to keep away the bugs on pets and people. Just spray on. Great for repelling mosquitoes. Also, bathing with the Soap Nut & Olive Oil bar soap will also repel them.
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