What do I need to know to use soapnuts?
The most important thing to know about using soapnuts is this: it’s SUPER easy! And it’s really kind of fun, too!
- Put 3-5 soapnuts (or the equivalent in broken shells) in the small cotton drawstring bag that came with your soapnuts. (If your clothes are not very dirty, or if your water is soft, you may want to experiment and use fewer shells.
- Pull the bag closed and toss it in the washing machine with your laundry.
- You won’t need detergents and softeners, but you might want to add a scoop of oxygen bleach if you prefer really bright whites. And just like with regular detergent, if you’ve got tough stains, you’ll probably want to consider using a stain remover.
- Your clean laundry won’t have a scent when finished, but you can use your favorite essential oils to add fragrance.
- Wash on the hot or warm setting, and rinse in cool or cold. (Click here for information on washing in cold water). (You can leave the wash bag in during the rinse cycle, because the saponin is only released by the hot temperatures of the wash cycle).
- You can re-use the same soapnuts in your laundry up to FOUR times! Re-use them immediately, or set them aside to dry out and and be re-used later.
For more info on using soapnuts, check out the information categories at right.
For more info: Getting started..., How do I use soapnuts?
