I wash my clothes with nuts. How’s that for an intro? Sapindus mukorossi is the technical name and they grow in the Himalayas, but I just called them “Soap nuts.” While it may not be soap as we think of soap, the ingredient in the soap nuts, Saponin, is an all-natural cleaner that penetrates to the very fibers of your clothing, attacking stains and pulling out dirt to be rinsed away.
Interested in trying them out? I thought so. Here are five reasons why you should make the switch from traditional detergent to soap nuts.
(This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here. )
5 Reasons I Wash My Clothes with Soap Nuts
1. Soap nuts will save you money.
Everyone likes to save money, right? So I figured this was a safe place to begin. A small box full of soap nuts will usually cost around $10 (perhaps less) and with that box, you can do 100 loads. It’s just me and my husband right now (Well and a cat, but he doesn’t wear any clothes) so I only do about two loads per week.
According to the math, these soap nuts should last me about a year. Even if that’s being generous, in a year I typically go through several gallons detergent which can cost at least $10 per gallon. I chalk it up as definite savings immediately, and in the long-run.
2. They are better for your skin and health.
Do you have sensitive skin? Psoriasis? Allergies? Eczema? How about a baby in the house with delicate skin? Then this is definitely the best alternative to traditional detergent for you. They are 100% natural, organic, and since bugs hate them, are grown without any pesticides, making them truly skin-friendly for everyone. Not only that but all you with nut allergies can use them too! We only call them nuts because of their appearance, but they are actually dried out berries.
{Although, if you do have allergies it is always worth doing a small load and seeing how you react before throwing all your clothes in. Better safe than sorry.}
Since I am sensitive to perfumey smells, I also enjoy the very light nutty scent.
3. They are simple to use.
Every time I do a load I just throw my little bag of soapnuts in with it and shut the door. No pouring, spilling or slopping the detergent on the machine or myself. And when the load is done, just keep the bag of nuts in the washer for your next round.
4. Better for your clothes.
Because they have to work harder than soap nuts at breaking up stains, chemicals in traditional laundry detergent can breakdown the fibers in your clothes, giving them that “worn out” look quicker.
But soap nuts are all-natural, so they gently clean your clothes, helping them look newer, longer. One company says to test out the difference on a pair of towels and notice which ones remain fluffier. I’ll take fluffier, thank you.
5. There is less waste.
For my environmental-worried friends, you will save hundreds of laundry detergent bottles from winding up in a landfill by using soap nuts. For my minimalist friends, you will not need to store these bottles in your laundry room! Also, soap nuts can be used to replace so many other items in your households such as an all-purpose cleaner, face wash, shampoo, insect repellent, or even pet wash.
And if you’re looking for even more reasons to try out soap nuts, here are just a few: sustainable, you can grow them yourself, can use as a fabric softener, saves water and energy, compostable and many, many more.
I use eco-nuts that can be purchased at Amazon or Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Make sure to check out my weekly cleaning routine schedule for more inspiration.
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This is so interesting! I have never heard of of washing with nuts. I may have to try them =)
Yes, I’m a true convert!
Cool! I’d heard of soap nuts before, but didn’t really understand what they are. I’ve experimented with making my own laundry detergent, but this sounds even better!
Yes! They are so easy.
Oooh. This is really new to me. So impressive and how genius this is!
So interesting! Looking at the picture, it looks like they have a pink, reddish color to them. That doesn’t affect the clothes at all? I may have to try these! I wash a ton of laundry with 7 people in our family. Linking up at Monday Musings.
Does not affect the color or stain at all! And if anything, they better help keep the color of yours clothes than harsh detergent.
I have heard of soap nuts and have thought about trying them, but just haven’t gotten around to it. Now I won’t too! I like going natural when possible and I love saving money. I did not know that you can uses them to wash your face, I am interested in trying that as well. I would also like to try and grow my own. That would be so cool! Thanks so much for this info on soap nuts I am going to look into them.
I’ll never go back to regular detergent now.
I saw soap nuts in an amish store but they were expensive and I didn’t really know how to use them. Now wish I had bought them.
Candy, you can still get them on Amazon for around $12. That box also lasts a year so it’s a great price.
I’ve never heard of this before, but they sound cool! My fiancé has mild plaque psoriasis on his back and we are always looking for NATURAL ways to help cure it.
Try it! I’ve never looked back.
I am all about going more natural roots. I’m slowly but surely switching over my cleaning products, so when they are finished, I switch them out. I may have to try soap nuts once I finish this jug of detergent!
I will never go back to liquid detergent now. I’m slowly using up all my old cleaning products and replacing them too…
This is so cool! I want to try these now.
So interesting!! I have never heard of this.
I’ve never heard of soap nuts but they sound pretty amazing!
They are amazing! I will never go back to regular detergent.
After reading this, I am going to have to give these a try! I will pretty much try anything that will help my clothes last longer! Do you have any recommendations on where to order them?
I get them from Amazon but I think stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond probably have them too!
Soap nuts are so cool! I used a soap nut body wash & it was super foamy. :]
// itsCarmen.com
Carmen – that is next on my list to try!
These sound awesome! I’ve never heard of them. Thanks for sharing!!!
I was at a Amish store and they had soap nuts. I had never heard of them before and wasn’t really sure how they worked or how to use them.. Next time I will pick some up.
I have literally never heard of soap nuts, I didn’t know this was a thing. I am going to have to try it out myself. I like that it’s better for your skin since I have a lot of skin issues and I have a baby in the house, who pretty much needs to have something that doesn’t hurt his skin.
Yes! So much better for sensitive skin and babies!
Definitely going to try this for myself!
This is neat, never knew this. I didn’t know it was even an option!
Yup it’s a pretty great alternative to traditional detergent!
I have NEVER heard of these before! Wow. I need to get some to try!
I’ve never heard of soap nuts. What a neat idea!! I’ll have to give these a try.
How have I never heard of these?! They sound amazing.
I’ve never heard of such a thing. I definitely want to get some now! I’m sure I’ll go through 1 box a month though
I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised how long they last!
This is so interesting. It’s the first time I’ve heard of it. And with all these benefits, there really is no reason not to try! I just don’t know about the nutty scent…I like my soapy scent…is it a fresh smelling kind of nutty? I guess I need to find one in the store and see for myself.
Jolina, You can always throw essential oils in to make it smell however you like!
I have thought about using these, but never got around to ordering some. Maybe someday I can grow my own!
Whoa that would be ambitious! I think if they are kept indoors or a warm climate it might be possible.
I had heard of these before but didn’t know much about them. So interesting!!
I’ve heard of soap nuts before, but I didn’t realize they are from an actual plant. I love using natural, unrefined products and it’s hard to get a more natural laundry detergent than this. I have to try these!
I currently use an all natural detergent, but would love to try these! I have heard of them, but never checked into them.
How interesting! I’ve never heard of these before!
This is so cool!! I had no idea something like this even existed. Will definitely have to check it out 🙂
I started using soap nuts several years ago as my eldest had eczema. As she’s got older she only has occasional flair ups so my soap nut use has tailed off. I really need to start using them again to save money.
I have never heard of these, so cool! Saving money and being environmentally friendly is always a plus!
xx nicole
http://www.nicoleparise.com
I’ve never heard of these but I’m going to try them. LOVE when you can switch to a natural option and as a bonus it saves money!
Yes they are great!! And no mess, too. 🙂
Same same same!