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How to use soapnut shells to wash your laundry

Using soapnuts and washbag

1. Put soapnut shells (or equivalent half shells) into the muslin washbag, tie bag securely.
   
   
2. Place washbag into jar with warm water for 3 minutes. This helps to release the soap.
   
   
3. Load laundry into machine, place soaked washbag on top of laundry and wash as directed.

Using soapnut liquid

1. Load laundry into machine.

2. Pour 1- 2 cups of soapnut liquid into drawer of washing machine and wash as directed.

Using Soapnut Powder

1. Add 2 tablespoons of the soapnut powder into a sock and tie securely.

2. Place sock amongst laundry in the washing machine drum and wash as directed.

Travel Wash Soapnut Liquid Recipe

1. Put three soapnut shells in a container with warm/hot water.

2. Close lid tightly and shake well.  Use as directed. Rinse thoroughly.

Treating Stains

Pre-Wash:

Use our stain removing wet bar: Wet stain and bar then work bar into stained fabric. Treat both sides of the stain. Wash as directed.

Pre-Wash:

To treat really stubborn stains, pre-soak clothes with 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda and 1 cup of vinegar overnight in tepid or cool water. Hot water will set stains.

During Wash:

Create your own oxygenated cleaner by adding 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda into the drawer of the washing machine. Or alternatively : use an in wash stain remover / laundry bleach of your choice.

Have a read of our blog post on stain removal

Adding a fragrance to your laundry

Soapnut shells are a natural softener, so no artificial fabric conditioner is needed. But for fragrance you can add 10 – 15 drops of your preferred essential oil into your conditioner drawer or onto the muslin wash bag. Our preferred scents are: Ylang Ylang, Jasmine and Lavender but you can have whatever you like. Lemongrass and orange are great as well for smelly football clothes! To buy essential oils click here

Home-made tumble-dryer sheets

If you are using a tumble dryer you can add a few drops onto a handkerchief and add that to the tumble dryer.

Disposal

Soapnut Shells: The same bag of soapnuts can be re-used 3 - 4 times. Exhausted soapnut shells start to break up in the bag. When soapnuts reach this stage compost them. The picture above shows the soapnuts after 2, 3 and finally 4 washes.

The saponin (which is a mild insecticide) should be completely exhausted there will be nothing to inhibit the creepy crawlies that may ingest it. However if you are worried, put it in your green recycling.

Soapnut Powder: When you have exhausted the soapnut powder, simply compost the soapnut powder residue.

Grey Water - Watering the garden:

Soapnuts are totally organic and, as stated earlier, a mild insecticide.  It is safe, even beneficial to put on your garden. Your washing machine uses about 50 litres (12 gallons!) of water per wash. Collect that waste and your watering problems are over. Say goodbye to those little plant destroying insects. For more ways to use soapnuts have a look at our soapnut recipes!

©Living Naturally Limited 2011