Learn how to make soap nut laundry detergent. Soapberry laundry detergent is an all natural way to wash your clothes. If anyone in your family has sensitive skin, soap nuts laundry liquid may help reduce irritation.

Soap Nut Laundry Detergent

I've been making my own laundry detergent for 15 years. I normally use Fels Naptha and make either a powder laundry soap or a liquid.

While I like the Fels Naptha laundry soap, I've found that over time my clothes don't get as clean. We live in a farm, and it has a hard time with sweat and oils that get into our clothes. Learn how to use Fels Naptha soap for more than just laundry.

After a few months of using my laundry detergent, I had to learn how to deep clean laundry with laundry stripping.

Laundry stripping is very effective for getting clothes and towels really clean, but then I learned how to use soap nuts for laundry.

You can use soap nut liquid laundry detergent all the time. I generally just use it every few months as an alternative to using Fels Naptha.

This soapberry laundry detergent recipe is one of the recipes in the April 2022 Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box.

Learn how to make 12 different recipes in my Natural Cleaners ebook.

The Simply Earth box is a monthly subscription box just for essential oils. For $39 a month, you get four full sized oils plus supplies to make 6 easy recipes.

The April box is all about laundry. You get supplies for soap nuts laundry liquid, a DIY linen spray recipe, reusable dryer sheets, stain remover, diffuser blend, and a roller.

For just $39, you get:

The box is perfect for beginners, but I also enjoy learning new things with the box. Use code EVERYTHINGPRETTYFREE when you subscribe to get a free bonus box plus a $40 gift card for a future purchase!

Are Soap Nuts Good for Laundry?

Yes, soap nuts for laundry is an eco friendly alternative to using laundry detergent. These are also zero waste since I can reuse the mason jar container over and over.

This soap nuts laundry detergent recipe is good for removing odors on clothes and some dirt. However, I do want to note soap nuts laundry liquid is perhaps not the best option for heavy stains.

It's best to pretreat stains before washing.

How Do You Use Soap Nuts in Washing Machine?

There are a few ways to learn how to use soap nuts for laundry. First, and the easiest way, is to put some soap nuts in a muslin bag and toss them in with your clothes. You can reuse them a few times before replacing them.

Although this is the easiest way to use soap nuts for laundry, it has some drawbacks. Hot water activates soap berries better than cold water. I wash my clothes in cold water since we have propane to heat water.

Front load washers don't agitate the soap nuts well, so they don't release as much detergent. I have a front load, so I like to make soap nut liquid laundry detergent.

Can You Use Soap Nuts in a Front Loader?

Yes, you can, but they won't be as effective as using soap nuts laundry liquid in a front loader since there's less agitation.

However, top load vs front load doesn't matter if you make a liquid laundry detergent.

Are Soap Nuts a Detergent?

Soap nuts, or soap berries, contain a natural surfactant called saponin. It's a natural detergent. It gets suds like laundry detergent and helps remove oils and dirt from clothes.

You can also use soap nuts to learn how to make soap nut liquid concentrate for cleaning.

Are Soap Nuts Good for Skin?

Soap nuts are gentle on your skin. You can use them to make a soap nut shampoo recipe or body wash, and they are a great choice for sensitive skin or those with eczema or who get irritated by detergents.

What Do Soap Nuts Smell Like?

Soap nuts are odorless, so your soapnut shells laundry detergent will also be odorless. Your clothes will come out of the laundry smelling like nothing.

I used to not scent my laundry detergent, but now I add some essential oils to my soap nuts detergent recipe. I used the Clean and Fresh blend.

Can You Use Vinegar With Soap Nuts?

Yes, you can use vinegar as a natural fabric softener with your soapberry laundry detergent.

Do Soap Nuts Expire?

The dried berries themselves do not expire. They should be stored in a cool, dry location. Your soap nut laundry detergent, however, will only last about a week.

You can store it in the fridge to make it last longer.

How Many Times Can Soap Nuts Be Used?

If you are tossing them into your washer to use soap nuts for laundry, you can use them 4 to 6 times. When they stop releasing suds or break apart, it's time to replace them.

For soap nuts laundry liquid, you can reuse the berries a few times. When they start to break down and fall apart, you'll need to replace them.

How Long Does Soap Nuts Laundry Liquid Last?

Since this soap nuts laundry detergent recipe is water based, it will go bad. It will last about 1 to 2 weeks on the shelf.

To extend the life, add 120 drops (1 1/4 teaspoon) of Geoguard ETC. Geoguard ETC is a natural preservative and won't harm your laundry and won't irritate most people's skin.

Essential Oils for Soap Nuts Laundry Liquid

I used Clean and Fresh blend from Simply Earth. It's a blend of fir needle, neroli, lemon, and grapefruit essential oils. It has an uplifting scent, and it helps freshen your clothes.

You can also try one of the following oils or blends for laundry:

You can learn how to make your own blends with these essential oil blending worksheets. Keep track of your essential oil recipes with an essential oil journal.

Soapnut Shells Laundry Detergent Ingredients

You will need the following to make a soap nuts detergent recipe:

8 soap nuts
2 cups water
20 drops Clean and Fresh essential oil blend
1/2 cup vinegar

How Do You Make Laundry Liquid From Soap Nuts?

Step #1

Place water and soap nuts in a small pan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and let simmer for 1 hour. The water should be a light color.

Step #2

Turn off the heat and let the liquid cool to room temperature. Strain out the soap nuts. You can compost them or let them dry to reuse them.

Step #3

Add the vinegar and essential oils to the liquid and stir. Pour into a resealable container.

Use 2-4 tablespoons of soapnut shells laundry detergent per load of laundry.

Now you know how to use soap nuts for laundry!

For more natural recipes to make at home, check out these posts:

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soap nuts, soap berry, liquid, laundry detergent,

Yield: 20 ounces

Author: Cari @ Homesteading in Ohio

Estimated cost: $2

Soap Nuts Liquid Laundry Detergent Recipe

prep time: 6 Mperform time: 2 hourtotal time: 2 H & 6 M

How to make a natural liquid laundry detergent with soap nuts.

materials:

8 soap nuts
2 cups water
20 drops Clean and Fresh essential oil blend
1/2 cup vinegar

tools:

Measuring cup
Small pan

steps:

Place water and soap nuts in a small pan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and let simmer for 1 hour. The water should be a light color.
Turn off the heat and let the liquid cool to room temperature. Strain out the soap nuts. You can compost them or let them dry to reuse them.
Add the vinegar and essential oils to the liquid and stir. Pour into a resealable container.
Use 2-4 tablespoons of soapnut shells laundry detergent per load of laundry.

https://www.homesteadinginohio.com/2022/04/soap-nuts-laundry-detergent-recipe.html

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Soap Nuts Laundry Detergent Recipe