I have to admit, it was really difficult for me to believe that soap nuts could actually work. My skepticism caused me to walk by them at my local natural grocery store for years. I liked the idea of an all-natural laundry solution, but I figured soap nuts would not be effective enough to take on the heavily soiled laundry from homesteading and an overall active lifestyle. 

That attitude persisted until about six years ago, when I first started working for Mountain Rose Herbs. Colleagues and customers alike raved about these mystical soap nuts (which aren't actually nuts at all), so I decided to finally give them a try. I’m really glad that I did, and my wallet and septic system continue to thank me daily.

While many people enjoy the common method of using deseeded soap nuts directly in the wash, I prefer to make them into a liquid detergent. It is an added step and requires a bit more forethought, but I have found that you have more control over the concentration of saponins and the liquid disperses more evenly throughout each laundry load.

In addition to liquid laundry soap, soap nuts can be used for just about anything you would normally use soap for, making them a really great ingredient to have around. As a resiliency-minded person, this is one of the staples I stock up on in my "emergency" supplies list. I like having a way to make soap without going to the grocery store, and they are inexpensive, light, and just need water to use. 

Soap Nut Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe

Makes about 4 cups.

Ingredients

• 1 cup organic deseeded soap nuts 
• 6 cups of water
• 10-15 drops of essential oil of choice (optional)

Directions

1. Add soap nuts and water in a pot.
2. Bring to a gentle boil.
3. Reduce heat and cover the pan 
4. Let simmer over low heat for about 45 minutes.
5. Strain liquid into a bowl and set aside.
6. (Optional) You can reuse the soap nuts for another small batch by adding another 4 cups of water, simmering for an additional 30 minutes, and adding the new batch of strained liquid to the previous batch.
7. Once the solution has cooled, you can add essential oils of your choice (see suggestions below).
   
   

How to Use Soap Nut Laundry Detergent

1. Add four tablespoons of homemade laundry liquid to a medium-sized load of laundry.
2. Wash according to recommendations on clothes.
3. For heavily soiled clothes, add 1-2 tablespoons of borax powder to the wash. 

Pro Tips

• Shelf Life & Storage: Like most DIY preparations with a high water content, this liquid is not shelf stable for very long. It is recommended that you store the mixture in the refrigerator for no longer than 3 to 4 weeks. However, I do have quite the life hack for you! Freezing the detergent into ice cubes will make them last a really long time, and they will be pre-portioned for use. Since each tray is a bit different, you’ll have to determine how many cubes you’ll need per load. Silicone ice trays help the cubes pop out very easily, and then you can store them in a re-used freezer bag. Just be sure to mark them, because while some people in your household may deserve it, you don’t want anyone involuntarily washing their mouth out with soap!
• Essential Oils Are Optional: If you decide not to use essential oils, the wash water will smell a bit like apple cider, but after drying, this will dissipate.
• Are soap nuts septic safe? Yes! Soap nuts are generally considered septic tank safe)!
  Are soap nuts safe for HE washing machines? Yes, soap nuts are considered safe for HE washing machines!
• Only use deseeded soap nut shells as the seed itself can stain fabric.
  
  
  

10 Best Essential Oils for Fresh Laundry

1. Virginia Cedarwood
2. Bay Laurel
3. Sweet Orange
4. Lemon
5. Lavender
6. Cypress
7. Rosemary
8. Sage
9. Basil
10. Tea Tree
    
    

Want to Skip the Prep Step?

Learn How to Use Whole Soap Nuts in Your Laundry

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