Sustainable Laundry Made Easy: The Power of Soap Nuts

What are Soap Nuts?

Soap nuts, despite their name, are actually berries that grow on the Sapindus mukorossi tree, native to sub-tropical regions of Asia. These berries contain a natural soap called saponin, which is released when they absorb water. With some agitation, like in a washing machine, they can effectively work as a sustainable substitute to traditional laundry powders and liquids.

How Do Soap Nuts Work?

Soap nuts often come packaged in a muslin bag. To use them, simply:

• Pop 5-7 berries into the bag
• Tie it up tight
• Toss it in your washing machine

When the cycle finishes, lay the bag in the sun to dry before reusing. You can use the same set of berries about 5 times, or until they fall apart. Then, simply discard the old ones in the compost bin.

Tips and Tricks

For larger or dirtier loads, you can add a few more berries to the bag. If you wash your clothes on cold, you can also soak the berries in hot water to trigger the soap release quicker. Additionally, you can make your own soap nut liquid detergent by:

simmering the berries in boiling water and straining the mixture into a bottle or mason jar

The Benefits of Soap Nuts

Soap nuts are:

• Safe for people with nut allergies
• Fragrance-free
• Hypoallergenic
• Biodegradable

They’re also easy to find, gentle on clothes, and gentle on the environment.

Making the Switch

Making the switch to soap nuts may require a bit more effort, but it’s a reminder that small changes can add up to make a big difference. So why not give soap nuts a try? Your clothes, and the planet, will thank you.