Soap Nuts natural laundry detergent - 100g

Soapnuts are the fruit of the Ritha tree, also known as the Soapnut tree, or Soapberry tree. Soapnuts get their name due to their ability to produce rich, cleansing suds. The hard, stone-like pit of the fruit is removed, and the fleshy part is dried in the sun.

For centuries, soapnuts have been used by people around the world to wash laundry and the finest textiles (wool, silk, cashmere…). Soapnuts can also be used to make cleaning solutions for washing dishes, floors, and hair!

Features:
Certified Organic
Completely safe to wash suds down the drain
100% biodegradable
NO additives or preservatives: Phosphate & Petrochemical Free
Hypo-allergenic
Dermatologist approved  
Septic and Grey water safe
Cotton bags included are also certified organic
Keeps laundry soft and preserves colours
Eco-friendly
No artificial fragrances
Not tested on animals
Can be used to wash silks and wools
When the nuts are left to dry after use, they can be used again!
Soapnuts’ Many Uses
 
Perfect Alternative to Harsh Laundry Detergents!
 
Just pop them in with your laundry!  Use a muslin cotton bag to hold them.
Put 5-7  soapnuts in the cotton drawstring bag that comes with your order.
Tie the bag closed, add a few drops of essential oil of your choice (if you wish).
Pop it in the washing machine and wash the clothes on warm or hot.
 
THAT’S IT!
 
Take the bag out before you put the laundry in the dryer. You can re-use the same soap nuts for your next load, since they’re good for four rounds of laundry.  If you don’t have any more laundry to do, just set them aside to dry and you can use them again later.
WASHING IN COLD WATER
To wash your laundry in cold water, use your Soap Nuts to make a Soap Nut Soak. Then add 1/4 to 1/2 cup (depending on how soiled the load is) directly in the washing machine. For really heavily soiled laundry, more can be safely used.
 
THE RECIPE FOR SOAPNUT SOAK:
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a heavy saucepan with a lid.
Turn off the heat and toss 6-8 soapnuts in the saucepan with the hot water.
Cover the saucepan, and let it sit overnight.
In the morning, discard the remaining soapnut shells.
Pour the cooled liquid into a container with a lid. (You can add Vitamin E as a preservative).
If you’d like your Soapnut Soak to have a scent, add your favorite essential oils. 
 
This batch of Soapnut Soak will wash at least 16 loads of laundry. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup for each load.  (You can adjust this amount as needed, depending on the size of the load and how dirty the contents are).

It can also be used to safely replace many household chemicals: window cleaner, bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner, floor cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner, liquid hand soap, delicate laundry soap, and even shampoo.
You can also double or triple the recipe to accommodate your laundry schedule! Keep in mind, though, that if you’ve made enough to last more than a week or two, it’s a good idea to keep it refrigerated in a clearly labeled bottle.
 
Hair Shampoo: By making a soapnut solution and placing it in a squeeze bottle, or a reusable shampoo bottle, you can use it as an everyday shampoo. It is wonderful for helping to get rid of dandruff or psoriasis. Try it for a body wash too!
 
Taking Care of Your Plants: A mild soapnut solution is wonderful for getting rid of common houseplant pests, and protecting the plants from possible ones. The mild suds deter any prospective pests due to the saponin content, which is repulsive to insects and pests. Simply make a mild solution and put into a spray bottle. Spray generously onto the foliage of your plants and the top of the soil.
 
NO NEED FOR FABRIC SOFTENER!
Eliminating the need for another type of harsh chemical concoction.  Soap berries are not only highly effective but also very gentle and safe to use on even your most delicate articles of clothing including cashmere, wool and silk. Because soap nuts are mild and natural, using it preserves the colors and the structure of your clothing longer than chemical detergents.  It actually softens your clothing naturally too, so you will no longer need to use fabric softener.  The laundry turns out amazingly soft!
Fabric softeners work by coating the surface of the cloth fibers with a thin layer of chemicals, animal fat and/or silicone compounds.  Fabric softeners contain chemicals that impregnate fabric and are released over time.  These chemicals may come in direct contact with the skin and may be absorbed or inhaled.  Certain ingredients release formaldehyde, which has been linked to cancer in laboratory tests.  Among other softener components are benzyl acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer), benzyl alcohol (an upper respiratory tract irritant), and chloroform (a neurotoxin and carcinogen).  Some chemicals are neurostimulants or irritators and may be linked to central nervous system toxin exposure symptoms like headaches, disorientation, mood swings, numbness in face or extremities, memory loss, or irritability.  Most fabric softeners use petroleum-based chemicals which deplete a non-renewable source and are not easily bio-degradable.
 
Soap Nuts are Awesome for Colours
They are especially good for colours.  Because they don’t contain any whiteners or brighteners your colours will stay the right colour for longer.  They clean effectively however will not fragrance your laundry.  If you prefer a fragrance use a couple of drops of essential oils either directly onto the nuts or in the dispenser drawer (front load).
The nuts can be used for 4-6 consecutive loads and then disposed either in the compost bin or normal bin.  Because the soap nuts leave your laundry so soft there is no need to include softeners.
Take a look at the label on your current laundry detergent.   You would find any number of these:
* anionic and nonionic surfactants
* buffering agents
* perfumes
* “quality control” agents
This list can be translated to the more familiar “chemicals, allergens, and pollutants”.  Soapnuts, on the other hand, contain no man-made ingredients and are 100% all natural making them great for people with allergies and skin conditions.
 

Reusing Your Soapnuts: Once you have used the soapnuts in the laundry, remove them and let them dry completely. When they have dried, they are ready to be used again. After their second use, set them aside to dry. Try making a soapnut solution with them for all-purpose cleaning. When the soapnuts have been used to their full potential, throw them into the composter.