Soap Nuts for Natural Laundry Care

I discovered soap nuts about 6 months ago and they have solved a year long mystery. I began using the wool dryer balls about a year ago when I was first plagued with a miserable poison ivy like rash on my arms and arm pits for six weeks. My dermatologist ended up giving me a prednisone shot to finally calm it down since nothing else was working. Creams, lotions etc – all some manner of steroids. It was pretty frustrating. I felt I had been using ‘good’ detergent – i.e. Seventh Generation, Mrs Meyers and Method. In February when it flared again, I went through a week long patch test. Out of 60 patches, 2 were positive – and neither ingredient was listed on any product I used. I even emailed the companies – all who responded – and said they do not use those ingredients. In April I discovered a local company selling all natural shampoos, soaps and the soap nuts. I had never heard of soap nuts. But his wife’s story was so similar to mine, I decided to try them out. They WORKED. Within weeks, as I cycled through clothing, I used soap nuts instead of commercial laundry remedies, the itching flare ups had stopped. I then switched to their all natural shampoo. For decades, once a week I would use a prescription shampoo to manage my scalp dermatitis. I realized about after a month of using their shampoo (and I had been using ‘all natural’ shampoos – but commercially made) I suddenly did not need my prescription shampoo. So kudos to the soap nuts. And in my case – also using a shampoo that has only naturally occurring ingredients has solved a life long problem.

I tried soap nuts to wash clothing, and found, like others here, that they didn’t work for me. I have a well with hard water, and in the winter, especially when the water is SO COLD, it fills my washer very slowly, so I use warmer water, but not hot. I don’t think they work well in cold or warm water, I believe they need hot to work well.(Hence the boiling as it directs here, or by making tea with boiling water) I also found they let my clothing with a film, or discolored whites. HOWEVER! I made a liquid from them, simply by making a ‘tea’! Washing dishes, and some say even hair (found on a website for helping grow hair thicker). So, I used a few soap nuts, added them to a teapot, boiled water and let it steep for hours until cold. Voila!! I noticed that they still had foam to them, so did it again, and again, and again! I’m on my 7th or 8th time, (small teapot, though) and they are still going strong. My only worry is that the liquid may spoil before I get the chance to use it all up. So, I’m using it in my homemade shampoo, and for dishes and some other cleaning chores. I’ll store it in the refrigerator, just for caution, and use it quickly. Next time, I’ll use fewer nuts, and make only a small amount. I did add several drops of lavender, lemon, lime and orange to it, as I don’t think it smells very good! I won’t use them for laundry, but for all other cleaning stuff, I’ll give them a go!

The soap berries are a wonder….will never go back to normal washing powder….

Have only just started using them and I love them! As a 21 year old student living out of home, they are definitely the most cost effective solution for laundry detergents. They work so well and are so cheap that even all three of my male roommates are using them!

Hi! I just bought a kit of soap nuts and wool dryer balls and im in love! So easy and so natural and eco-friendly!
I do have to admit that with the very grimy or smelly stuff the clothes don’t come out as clean smelling as with soap, but i found an efficient and environmentally harmless method to make the results perfect for me and my daughter! I soak the washberries in their muslin bag inside a measuring cup (2cups) filled halfway with warm water while im loading the laundry in my front loading machine. Then i add the muslin bag straight to the clothes, close the door and start the machine. I top up the measuring cup with white vinegar and maybe 7-8 drops of lemon essential oil and i place the EO/soaking water/vinegar mix in the “liquid soap” dispenser of the washing machine and VOILA! the clothes smell fresh, even after they dry, and the vinegar even has a bit of a javel type whitening effect without the harsh chemicals!

I’ve been using my bag of soap nuts since December and I’m down to half a bag of shells. Are these the same as using a whole berry? Should I just use twice as many pieces in my bag?

I take a few with me when hiking and camping, that way I can wash my hands in a stream or creek if I need to and it doesn’t put any chemicals in the waterways.

Katie,
Of all the laundry options you’ve tried – hone made or store bought that you deem safe – which one ckeans best for using ‘he’ laundry machine? I am targeting graasy kitchen towels and kids clothes :).
Thanks a lot!!