Y’all have been very interested in my use of soap nuts. I think a lot of you are like, “That’s cool, but I can’t wash my laundry with nuts. That’s just weird. And it makes me get the munchies.” So, you just watch me and think in the back of your head, “Awww, she’s so cute being all cheap and stuff.”
But really, after using Soap Nuts (FTC, that’s an affiliate link…in case you want to air your dirty laundry any time soon) for two years, I am totally hooked. They are so easy and so frugal. I’m a convert for life – even with the odd comment about dirty, wet dog. (See video.)
My two other posts about them:
Soap Nuts: A Natural, Frugal Laundry Detergent
I wanted to do a little post for y’all with some of my Soap Nuts Tips (watch how you say that out loud), and I thought a video would be best. Direct from my basement (with no cleaning beforehand!), I give you: Soap. Nuts. Tips. Say it slowly.
We generally only have 2 loads a week. How long does the liquid last before molding? Could it be refrigerated? Do they seem to last as long if you did the liquid vs the nuts in the bag?
If you only do two loads per week, I would stick with using the nuts. Yes, you can store it in the fridge if desired.
I sell soap nuts and am amazed at how thoroughly Stacy has researched this product and how accurate her answers are!
I tried soap nuts on my cloth diapers (talk about cheap, haha) and loved them! If I didn’t have to import them here in Costa Rica, they’d definitely be my go-to laundry aid.
Hi, Stacy!! I bought the 5 Lb bag from Amazon. I noticed though that most of the nuts were not whole nuts. Do you think I got a bad batch? Can they still be used? Thank you so much!
Nope, that’s normal. 🙂
Ok.. just an update:
I did a wash with a chestnut in it. It cleans well, but it turns whites BLUE. An article that I read says “an agreeable sky blue”. But… the whites are now blue. Not really agreeable. Maybe I’ll use it for darks only. LOL!
However, I’m glad it was just some cloth diapers and pull-ups. So not too big a deal. But just a word to the wise!
A chestnut? Why did you do that? Did I miss something?
What about horse chestnuts? They also release a saponin that can be used as a foaming agent and in laundry. The British used them for centuries in their laundry. Horse chestnuts (sometimes referred to as conkers) can also be used as a blood thinner and also to help with varicose veins.
I don’t know if the method is the same as soap nuts. You might need to peel/grind them first. I plan on collecting a bunch and then looking it up to see what to do.
They grow ABUNDANTLY in North America! And it is all FREE!!!
You just have to be careful when ingesting them. They have a poison called esculin. I know there is a way to get the esculin out, but I am in the midst of finding that out. If I can do it safely, I plan on using it in my homemade bentonite clay toothpaste as a foaming agent. Commercial toothpastes use SLS (Sodium Laureth/Laurel Sulfate) as a foaming agent even though it is a known carcinogen. If I cannot figure out how to get the esculin out, then I will just use soap nuts for my toothpaste.
Ohhhh, okay. I’m not lost now. LOL
I was just wondering what water you have….hard or soft. I have very hard water and I find it difficult to find a good soap recipe.
I really don’t know. LOL Oh dear. Is that dumb?
Hard water has to be “made soft” in order for surfactants (detergents) to work. Add a 1/4 cup of sodium carbonate (washing soda) to the laundry and the soap nuts will work like a charm!
I noticed that Amazon has a 5 pound bag of soap nut pieces that are the same brand that you use and was wondering if that would be a good deal if I were going to try to make the liquid. What would you suggest?
I have used the pieces with great success!
The soap nuts are in pieces because they had to be broken in half to get the seed out. The seed adds weight without adding any cleaning capability.
What kind if water do you have…hard or soft? I have very hard water and find it challenging to find soaps that work well.
Um, I think I have to answer this with…I have no idea. LOL
I don’t know if you posted this in the comments on one of the other posts (I could have missed it when I looked), but I was wondering how soap nuts compare to Charlie’s Soap for cloth diapers. I assume by “cloth diaper safe,” you mean that they don’t leave any kind of residue or buildup. But if you use them for diapers you would add some kind of disinfectant, right? Like grapefruit seed extract (my fav.)?
Also, how does this work for an HE machine? Would I need to worry about over-sudsing?
We’re not ready to use soap nuts since we have enough Charlie’s Soap to–literally–last us for the next 4 years, but they’re on my radar.
That’s why I add the vinegar. 🙂
I don’t have an HE washer, so I don’t have experience. But they do talk about that at the Soap Nuts site: http://www.naturoli.com/soapnuts/faqs.html
Aw, what a cute southern accent. 🙂 (I just said that in a Minnesotan accent, btw). Thanks for the Soap Nut TiPs. I have purchased the liquid soap nuts before, but never considered the actual nuts. Maybe I’ll look in to the price comparison. I bet one of your linked articles covers that….
It’s WAY cheaper to make your own liquid. 🙂
Thanks for the reminder about these 🙂 I wanted to start using these after you last post but forgot. I was wondering though using the nuts in the bag seems like so much less work. Is there a reason I am missing that the boiled liquid is better?
Some people don’t want to bother with the hot water step. That’s how you activate the nuts – so if you want to skip a step, you can make the liquid and just pour it right in. 🙂
Boiling isn’t hard. I just boil them on the stove (link above) and then let cool. Then I can just pour in as needed – no hot water required.
If you have raw soap nuts you should use them and not the liquid because you get twice the wash when you leave the soap nuts in through the rinse cycle in addition to the fact that you get three wash loads out of the raw soap nuts that you don’t get from the liquid.
Thanks for sharing! The way I’ve been doing it is so much more difficult. Off I go to round up my marker, eraser and mason jar!
Hi Stacy! You said you used vinegar in the middle “thing”. Is that vinegar used as a fabric softener? Im gonna try the nuts in the sample size. Im excited =)
Yes – and to kill germs. Good luck!
Love this idea, thanks! In one of your related articles you said you only use warm or hot water, why is that? Do you find it cleans better than cold? I’ve used cold water for decades, because I can’t afford the electric bill if I use hot water. Our babies are grown and gone, so sanitation isn’t paramount anymore 🙂
Well, I always felt like my clothes weren’t really getting clean when I only used cold water. I ALWAYS wash towels and sheets on hot….everything else gets warm. 🙂
My husband is extremely sensitive to smells in laundry. I do use vinegar. He likes a “clean” scent. What has your experience been? I did just order the sampler. Can you tell I almost need to make more soap? I dread grating soap.
There is no scent with these – at all. It just smells like non-dirty. 🙂
why make the liquid, when the nuts in the bag seems so easy to do. Is it more frugal? Just wondering….maybe that is the way I need to go too.
A lot of people don’t like to bother with the hot water step to activate the nuts. Making the liquid is really easy – linked above. Then you can just pour it in, no hot water needed to activate. 🙂
Making you own liquid is cheaper than buying the liquid soap nuts.
ok, thanks!
I love your videos! I haven’t switched to using soap nuts (yet), but I do use white vinegar in almost every wash. Oh, and that do-hickey is called the fabric softener dispenser. ( : (At least, that’s what mine says!)
Agitator!!! 🙂 Someone else told me on Facebook.
Hi Stacy. I have followed you a while and did not realize you were from the South. Love your accent. Thanks for the video. I use my soapnuts the same way (put it in a jar and shake away). I’ve been using them for a year, and won’t go back. They are cheap and don’t hurt my very sensitive skin!!!
🙂 Virginia, y’all. I thought my twang came through in my posts…and if it didn’t before, it will now. LOL
Thanks! I have a huge bag of them on my washer and was way to intimidated to use them- looks simple enough. I think I’ll give it a go.
Is using soap nuts cheaper than using Borax, and Felphs Nephtilla soap, and Arm and Hammer washing powder? (The Duggar family washing soap recipe) Just curious.
I’m not sure – I talk about cost in the original post about Soap Nuts. It depends on the exact recipe you use. I like using these because they are eco friendly and natural. 🙂
Nice video. Thanks, always wondered about them. I NEVER ever use hot water for laundry and never have. Even diapers I did warm for 6 yrs. I would worry about the mold issue. How quickly does it mold usually? Have a good day.
Not too fast, that’s why I make a small batch. 🙂 Maybe 2 weeks?
Thanks. I only use about 1-2 tabl. naturally sourced laundry detergent now and I’m afraid it would mold before I get it used. I have 3 yrs. worth anyway yet but I will remember and maybe reconsider in the future.
I think a lot of people keep it in the fridge. But my laundry and fridge aren’t close, so that’s a hassle.
thanks so much! I had never heard of soap nuts before…how would it work in a front loading washer? just activate them with hot water from the faucet maybe?
I don’t have a front loader…but you could try that!
Where can you buy soap nuts and about how much do they cost?
I buy mine from Amazon. l linked it above.
I loved your soap nuts video! My husband and I use soap nuts and just love them. I actually need to order more because we are running low. They are such a wonderful eco and budget friendly option for laundry!