Detergent plucked from a tree
The more conscious we become of the world we live in, the greater the attention we pay to Mother Earth, for it is she who gives us life. Numerous household detergents do, indeed, eat up unwanted bacteria and funguses in our homes, but they also do the same to ones that are essential to our environment. So, why manufacture synthetic household detergents, when Mother Nature provides us with her own wonderful natural product. The Indian soapnut.
In India and Nepal, the soapnut (sapindus mukorossi) is an herbal detergent that has been used in daily life since time immemorial. And the decoction of this natural product is not only used for laundry, but essentially for all cleaning activities within the home.
Profile
The soapnut tree was originally native to southern India, but today it is widespread throughout the country. The soapnut tree generally grows to a height of as much as 15 m, with the crown of the tree around 1.50m in width. The leaves are between 12 and 30 cm long. In the months of March/April, the tree is covered with white blossoms. The fruit (soapnuts) is harvested in September/October. The ripe nuts are golden in color and are sticky. They are stored and allowed to dry; their color turns to a reddish brown and the stickiness diminishes.
After being harvested, the soapnuts are cracked. The shells are carefully dried and packed in cloth sacks. The inner black nut is unsuitable for eating or washing. The shells, on the other hand, contain valuable ingredients that lend themselves perfectly to washing laundry. They contain the substance saponin, which has similar effects to soap.
As soon as they come into contact with water, they give off soapy suds.
Traditional Use
In the old days, Indian women used soapnut shells to wash and care for their beautiful hair. People also understood the art of blending soapnut powder with ayurvedic herbs to create a body soap. In provincial India to this day, the dishes and household objects are cleaned using its soapy suds. Jewelers, too, used soapnuts to give their gold and silver jewelry a marvelous shine.
Modern Use of the Soapnut
The soapnut can be used in washing machines without a problem. The cloth bags mean that you don't have to dig the soapnut shells out from your laundry once it's washed.
In contrast to the laundry detergents you find in stores, which contain a considerable number of chemicals including solvents, fragrances, preservatives and brighteners, the soapnut is kind on the environment and especially kind on the skin.
A fabric softener is generally no longer necessary and your laundry is odorless.
How does the soapnut work?
Soapnuts give off soapy suds as soon as they come in contact with water. Fill the two small cloth bags which are enclosed with 4-5 soapnut shell halves - tie securely. Place the bags between your laundry in the washing machine. Then go ahead and put your laundry through the usual cycle, with or without prewash.
The soapnuts will soften more at higher temperatures than at lower ones. At lower temperatures, then, you will have to use the soapnuts one more time afterwards.
After the wash cycle is complete, remove the soapnut bags, as well as any shell fragments that may have escaped. Dry the bag with your laundry and, the next time you are doing laundry, use them again. Use the two other replacement bags as needed.
The used soapnuts can ultimately be disposed of with the rest of your organic waste or composted.
What can you wash with them:
- colors and laundry that is washed between 30 - 90 °C
- cottons
- wool and silk
Insider Tips:
Suitable for all wash temperatures. Terry towels also become snuggly soft without having to use fabric softener. Essentially ideal for laundry that is moderately dirty, does not fade colors. If there are tough spots or stains, we recommend adding a tablespoon of stain-remover salt. For a natural fragrance in your laundry, you might wish to add an essential oil - such as lavender oil - to your washing machine (during the rinse cycle). If you are doing two loads at low temperatures (30-60C), one after the other, you can use the same bag of soapnuts two or even three times. Just squeeze the bag and if the wide suds are still being emitted, you can use the nuts again.
Clean your gold and silver jewelry
Soften 2-3 soapnut shell halves in a bowl with around 100-150 ml of hot water for about 45 minutes. Rub the softened shells a little in the palms of your hands, which will create a light foam. Use the pieces of shell to clean the jewelry. If needed, you can also use a toothbrush (soften the bristles in water beforehand).
For your dishwasher
Use the nuts the same way as you did in your washing machine. Put a few nuts in the cloth bag, then place the bag in the dishwasher (in the cutlery basket, for example).
Not only will your dishes be clean, you will also be eating from a plate that has not been washed in chemicals.
