I’ve previously shared my homemade recipes for liquid and powdered laundry detergents, but recently, I’ve been trying an even more natural option that I’d like to talk about. Honestly, when I first heard about this years ago, I thought it was a bit out there. Then again, there were times when I thought cloth diapering, making my own soap, and raising chickens were odd ideas too.
Soap nuts come from India and Nepal, and they’re gaining popularity as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical detergents. For those with allergies to regular detergent chemicals, they’re a gentle option. Traditionally, soap nuts have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for conditions like eczema and psoriasis, thanks to their natural saponin content, which acts as a detergent. When the soap nut shell absorbs water, it releases saponins that serve as a natural cleanser, breaking down dirt and oils in your laundry.
It might sound a bit strange, but they really do work! They don’t leave much of a scent—maybe a faint apple aroma—and although they don’t produce suds, they effectively remove stains. In my search for non-toxic laundry options, these are the best I’ve found. Homemade soaps are great but still produce waste. Soap nuts, on the other hand, can be used completely and then composted, leaving no waste. You just need a reusable muslin bag to use them in your laundry.
Soap nuts are also very affordable. You can buy a handful for pennies and use them for several loads, making them an economical choice. They don’t sud up, so they’re perfect for front-loading and high-efficiency machines, and they won’t leave any residue behind. Plus, they’re safe for cloth diapers!
These nuts won’t give you the strong scent of commercial detergents, but I enjoy the subtle apple fragrance that vanishes when clothes are dry.
Using them is easy: just put 4-6 soap nuts in a muslin bag (you can make one using fabric scraps) and toss it in with your laundry. Wash with cold, warm, or hot water like usual. After washing, take the bag out and let it dry. You can use the soap nuts multiple times until the shells go soft and grey, then compost them.
For a completely natural laundry routine, follow up with wool dryer balls instead of conventional dryer sheets.
Soap nuts aren’t just for laundry; you can also use them to make liquid cleaner, as a dishwashing agent, or even in shampoo. I plan on sharing more recipes soon!
I purchase mine online, but they’re starting to appear in specialty stores as they become more popular.
Have you tried soap nuts? How did they work for you? Any advice? Feel free to share!
