I just love it when I get an innocent 'liker' on my facebook page asking "So Cath, what are soapnuts?"...I feel like a lion pouncing on them with all this information I have stored in my brain (and In my facebook photo album)...ultimately soapnuts have really changed the landscape of my cleaning choices at home (nearly as much as Nature Direct and microfibres...will blog on these in the future too!!)
Here is the info I have collected, researched and trialed at home myself on them...some of it is from my supplier, my tumblemonkey facebook likers and as said..from my practicing at home.
WHAT ARE SOAP NUTS. The berry comes from a tree, also called the "soap berry tree", is unique in that it synthesizes its own natural soap-like "saponins" (any of various plant glycosides that form soapy lathers when mixed and agitated with water) that coat the shell of the fruit. When the fruits ripen and fall from the tree, the inner fruit (seeds) are removed from the outer shell, leaving the SoapNut ready to use.
WHERE CAN YOU GET SOME TO TRY? I understand that everyone is trying to sell you something new, natural or wonderful and the solution to all your problems...and although i do sell dryerballs..soapnuts are not my biggest seller...but they do deserve to be spoken about and this knowledge should be shared with sa many people as possible...so as a result of this I am only selling small sample bags...enough to let you try them in your washing machine for 4- 6 loads PLUS you can then make approximately 4 cups of multipurpose liquid from what is left over (if you want) . They can also be used with great success in your dishwasher (I have yet to work out exactly how long these last in your dishwasher..I will let you know...also replace your rinse-aid with white wine vinegar) Please email us on tumblemonkey@optusnet.com.au for a Sample Pack. If you have always wanted to give them a go but not had the chance and would like to try some let me know...they are $3 per pouch plus postage to anywhere in australia for $1.50
I used them in my machine for a few weeks(in the sample pack) and then decided to try making the liquid...I did read that apparently some front loaders (as they use little water) struggle with the sample packs...so the liquid is a better solution.I myself had no problem with the sample packs...but wanted to try the liquid anyway...so I added all the nuts from 2 sample packs and 6 cups of water and just gentle boiled for about 30 minutes. When finished it makes about 3 cups of liquid. I use a small shot glass of liquid per wash.
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| Boiling the soapnuts and water |
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| Cooled soapnut liquid |
Here is the liquid cooled...I put it in the fridge (as it has no preservative you cannot leave it out for too long..apparently after a week it can spoil) You can put half in icecube trays...and freeze. I have left mine with a squeeze of lemon juice n the fridge...but here is some more info on preserving your liquid
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Using the Barmix to froth up some liquid
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Soapnut liquid concentrate (or soapnut 'juice', if you like) has approximately a 2 week shelf life on the kitchen bench, or at least a month in the refrigerator. The addition of an antibacterial oil, such as eucalyptus oil, will extend the shelf life further still. We have also had great success with citric acid (available easily from supermarkets, or at our Online Store), just use 1 teaspoon per litre. Dissolve the citric acid crystals into 2 tablespoons of hot water, then stir into the strained soapnut liquid. The liquid can also be frozen for long term storage. We like to make it as we need it, each month, and store it in a jug in the refrigerator. We fill our spray bottles and foamy bottles as we need to, and the last bit left over each month is used in our washing machine. Because this is a totally natural product, the 'juice' will eventually ferment, turning into 'soapnut wine' (though we do not recommend drinking it!).
I went ahead and made a foamy handwash using a barmix and some liquid...you can also just put the liquid into the bottle and shake it....it will froth naturally!
As a bubble bath (pics show the success)...simply add this frothy Barmixed liquid in at the start of the bath....the bubbles didnt last four an hour...but they lasted for a good 15 minutes...enough to keep the kids happy and me happy as I think this a wonderful natural,non toxic solution to a very common problem (I have searched and bought many expensive, NATURAL products that have all worked to varying degrees)...you could add a nice essential oil to make the bubble bath smell nicer.
Just one more thing I want to add...alot of people ask me what if I have a really dirty load and do they keep whites white...well the short answer to that is NO. I find that clothes can start to look a bit grey and TRADEMANS armpits don't come out sparkling fresh....BUT if you are commited to going completlely natural... for Sparkling Whites try adding 50ml of lemon juice or ½ teaspoon of citric acid to your rinse cycle per kilogram of clothing...I have also been succesfully using Lectric Soda (available at the supermarket for about $4 in your cleaning aisle as a prewash (to replace NAPISAN)
YOu can also try using half the load size with the usual quantity of soapnuts. For heavily soiled washing, use a warm to hot water wash as this will extract more saponin from your wash bag of SoapNuts, giving it a more powerful clean. This will mean, however, that your SoapNuts washbag will have to be reloaded with fresh SoapNuts after the 2nd or 3rd washload. Our supplier says to help with those stubborn stains, like grassy knees or red wine, run cold water over the stain, then cover with bi-carb soda and let it sit overnight. Wash the bi-carb soda off with cold water, then take your current washbag and (if not already wet) wet it then rub the stained area vigorously with this to form a lather. Then place the clothing into the wash as per normal. Use a cold water wash and let the load soak for extra cleanliness. I have found that you can also keep the wash bag in a jar of water between wash loads, the water can be used as a spot stain remover/pre wash liquid. It also acts as an indicator of when to reload your wash bag with fresh SoapNuts as the water will remain clear when no more saponin is being released.
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Soapnuts in a meshbag for the dishwasher
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Most recently I started using the soapnuts (wrapped in a mesh bag) and placed on the top draw for my dishwasher. I replaced the rinse-aid with white wine vinegar) and I am getting a wonderful, clean result...despite the FINISH adverts that claim only this product will work and not ruin your dishwasher...phewey I have used ECOSTORE really succesfully and now soapnuts...(and a handy hint...if you are still using this leading brand..halve the quantity..apparently plumbers find pipes etc all worn because the chemicals ruin the pipes)
I tried soapnuts on my hair after someone suggested it...and didnt really like it...didnt like the smell and my hair didnt feel any different to when I had got into the shower...my daughter has added some rose oil to it and is giving it a red hot go...we will see.
I also made what I call a SPIDER-SOUP using some soapnut liquid and eucalytpus oil to spray on big nasty spiderwebs.. I created this concoction to rid my back deck of spiders...I spoke recently on FB about the HUGE spiders we have in our house..and some white tails...and on our back deck we have these monster black spiders. My problem is my dad and dear husband are currently making a small working studio for me outside (will show pics another time)...and as I am going to be storing things out there...like wool etc I dont want these monster spiders making homes in it)...so I wanted something to not only get rid of the ones that are there BUT to also deter anymore from coming...I have made up a SPIDER-SOUP of soapnut liquid and eucalytpus oil...and I tell you what...IT WORKS...well IT MADE THE BIG BLACK 50 cent piece spiders drop from their homes and slowly lurch away (under the deck)...so I am hoping that keeps them at bay..and I fell great that I have not had to lace the family area with horrible chemicals to do it!!
So that is soapnuts in a coconut shell!!
Here are a heap of questions about soapnuts I may not have answered (but that my supplier has on her website)
1. Can you use soapnuts if you have a nut allergy?
Soapnuts despite the name are NOT actually nuts: they are a berry. They are not part of the nut family and won’t cause any nut allergy.
2. How many do I need?
6-8 half soapnut shells per wash which can then be reused around 4 times. If you are using hot water they will not last as long.
3. Will they remove stains?
They are effective at removing everyday stains but you may need to use a separate stain treatment for more stubborn ones. Why not try Lectric soda ...a natural solution of sodium carbonate (available at the supermarket for roughly $3) OR Bosistos Eucalyptus Spray
4. Can they be used for other things?
Yes they can be used for a whole range of things. To make a liquid soap simmer 25g of soap nuts in 500ml of water for around 10 minutes - this can be used as a household cleaner or as a base for many cleaning products.
5. Are they safe to use in all machines (front and top loaders)?
Absolutely - just remember to keep them in the cotton wash bag provided (or alternatively an old sock tied at the top) to avoid the shells sticking in any filters in your machine. If the nuts have come free in the wash check your filter to ensure none have become lodged. Our supplier says some front loading washing machines use only a small amount of water, so using SoapNuts in the wash bag supplied may not give an effective clean. Instead, bring to the boil and then simmer your SoapNuts in water for 20 minutes, then strain the liquid concentrate and use this in your front loader drawer. Use 20-25 whole SoapNuts (half cup of broken pieces) to 1 litre of water. Be sure to simmer on the lowest heat or your liquid will boil and bubble over....which wouldn’t be so terrible as it would clean your stove top at the same time!
6. Can I use soapnuts in cold water?
Yes! It's best to soak the soanuts just prior to using in hot water to release the saponins. The saponins release more slowly in cold water but they still work effectively.
7. Can I use soapnuts if I have sensitive skin?
Soap in a Nutshell soap nuts contain no chemicals so they are safe for most sensitive skins. We have in fact received some very positive reports back from customers of sensitive skin conditions having improved after using our soapnuts.
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