Absolutely! Hot water causes the soapnuts to release their saponin, but cold water has little, if any, effect on them. So the saponin is released during the wash cycle, and is washed away during the cold water rinse. Pretty cool, huh?
If you lose your wash bag (or it breaks) you can:
First, we totally understand your skepticism. Here’s what we recommend for the cure: get your hands on a sample bag. Use that sample bag to wash a load of towels or sheets. You’ll notice that they’re softer and fluffier — without softener or dryer sheets — than they are when you use your favorite detergent. (And if you were worried that the soapnuts will stain (they won’t), you’ll probably feel more comfortable testing them on your towels than your favorite blouse).
Still not convinced? Wash a load of jeans. (Especially jeans that have been often overdried until they’re “crunchy”). Again — softer. Clean-smelling.
No, soapnuts are not perishable and do not have a shelf life. Over time, they will naturally absorb moisture and become dark and sticky if they are exposed to air. This “transformation” does not affect their cleaning capabilities — in fact, the stickiness means that the saponin is already being released! That’s great news for getting your laundry clean, but a little messy for handling.
To avoid the stickiness, you can transfer your unused soapnuts to an airtight container for longer-term storage. Any jar with a lid will work — we recommend recycling an empty jar from your kitchen.
