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You are here: Home / Fundamentals / Soap Nuts Tips

by Stacy  51 Comments

Soap Nuts Tips

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

How to Make Soap Nuts Liquid

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.

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About Stacy

Stacy is a Homemaking and Business Mom Mentor, the author of two cookbooks, creator of multiple e-courses, seasoned life coach, and comedian extraordinaire. Her first priority is her husband and her children - family first. She presses on each day because her calling is to teach, train, and mentor other ladies to have their dreams. She believes if it’s not easy, you won’t do it – because she’s lived it. She’ll bring YOU the awesome so that you can get your home back into control and watch your business soar. For tips and easy strategies, you can follow her on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the content above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Comment Policy: I love reading your thoughts and input on what you read here. I'm sure we'll disagree sometimes and that's okay! In those cases, do what's right for you and yours. As with any form of communication, only post comments that move the discussion in a positive direction.

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Comments

  1. cnbn3 says

    October 18, 2014 at 6:20 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 21, 2014 at 1:34 pm

      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.

      Reply
  2. Rhonda Krill says

    December 27, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    I sell soap nuts and am amazed at how thoroughly Stacy has researched this product and how accurate her answers are!

    Reply
  3. Jelli says

    November 5, 2013 at 11:19 pm

    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.

    Reply
  4. Anabelle says

    November 1, 2013 at 11:48 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      November 1, 2013 at 2:26 pm

      Nope, that’s normal. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Sarah says

    October 31, 2013 at 12:57 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 31, 2013 at 3:14 pm

      A chestnut? Why did you do that? Did I miss something?

      Reply
  6. Sarah says

    October 31, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 31, 2013 at 3:14 pm

      Ohhhh, okay. I’m not lost now. LOL

      Reply
  7. Aimee says

    October 29, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 3:13 pm

      I really don’t know. LOL Oh dear. Is that dumb?

      Reply
    • Rhonda Krill says

      December 27, 2013 at 3:31 pm

      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!

      Reply
  8. Joyce says

    October 29, 2013 at 11:43 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 3:01 pm

      I have used the pieces with great success!

      Reply
    • Rhonda Krill says

      December 27, 2013 at 3:32 pm

      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.

      Reply
  9. Aimee says

    October 29, 2013 at 11:08 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 3:02 pm

      Um, I think I have to answer this with…I have no idea. LOL

      Reply
  10. Shelley says

    October 29, 2013 at 8:44 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 3:06 pm

      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

      Reply
  11. Ariel Adorno says

    October 28, 2013 at 11:26 pm

    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….

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:13 am

      It’s WAY cheaper to make your own liquid. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Kathryn says

    October 28, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:16 am

      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.

      Reply
    • Rhonda Krill says

      December 27, 2013 at 4:27 pm

      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.

      Reply
  13. Nicki Conner says

    October 28, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    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!

    Reply
  14. Melinda Cox says

    October 28, 2013 at 11:06 am

    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 =)

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:17 am

      Yes – and to kill germs. Good luck!

      Reply
  15. Rcatheron says

    October 28, 2013 at 10:55 am

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:18 am

      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. 🙂

      Reply
  16. Erin says

    October 28, 2013 at 10:45 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:18 am

      There is no scent with these – at all. It just smells like non-dirty. 🙂

      Reply
  17. Cynthia Carter says

    October 28, 2013 at 9:53 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:20 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Cynthia Carter says

        October 29, 2013 at 8:54 am

        ok, thanks!

        Reply
  18. Nikki Thornton says

    October 28, 2013 at 9:52 am

    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!)

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:20 am

      Agitator!!! 🙂 Someone else told me on Facebook.

      Reply
  19. Cindy Mc says

    October 28, 2013 at 9:51 am

    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!!!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:21 am

      🙂 Virginia, y’all. I thought my twang came through in my posts…and if it didn’t before, it will now. LOL

      Reply
  20. Jean says

    October 28, 2013 at 9:21 am

    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.

    Reply
  21. Wendy says

    October 28, 2013 at 9:20 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:21 am

      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. 🙂

      Reply
  22. Deb Brauneller Berning says

    October 28, 2013 at 9:12 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:22 am

      Not too fast, that’s why I make a small batch. 🙂 Maybe 2 weeks?

      Reply
      • Deb Brauneller Berning says

        October 29, 2013 at 9:30 am

        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.

        Reply
        • Stacy says

          October 29, 2013 at 3:05 pm

          I think a lot of people keep it in the fridge. But my laundry and fridge aren’t close, so that’s a hassle.

          Reply
  23. Beth says

    October 28, 2013 at 8:55 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:22 am

      I don’t have a front loader…but you could try that!

      Reply
  24. wendy says

    October 28, 2013 at 8:40 am

    Where can you buy soap nuts and about how much do they cost?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      October 29, 2013 at 7:23 am

      I buy mine from Amazon. l linked it above.

      Reply
  25. Alexandra says

    October 28, 2013 at 8:30 am

    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!

    Reply


Hello! I’m Stacy!

I believe God created you to be the hero of your home. You CAN manage your home instead of it managing you. That’s why I empower women with simple solutions for their homemaking needs – because if it’s not easy, you won’t do it. {Read More…}

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