Soap Nut

Soap nuts are probably the most sustainable cleaning product on the market. They are an all-natural, plant-based product, easy to grow organic and require very little packaging. They are naturally hypoallergenic, odorless and do no damage to surfaces or fabrics. And there are countless ideas on how to use them, making them sustainable and versatile. The soap nut comes from the Soapnut Tree (Sapindus mukorossi). The trees produce the small black berry, approximately one inch (2-2.5 cm) in diameter, that are deseeded and the shell is dried prior to use.
The shells used for detergent contain something called saponin, which works as a natural surfactant. Surfactants reduce the surface tension of the water, essentially making it wetter and easier to penetrate into soiled fabrics. This combined with the agitation of your machine or handwashing removes the dirt or particles, then keeps them away from your clothing until rinsing occurs. Most commercial detergents contain chemical surfactants, some of which (such as 1,2- Dioxane) have been shown to be carcinogenic and volatile. But soap nuts are all-natural and have been used for centuries around the The Benefits of Soap Nuts If you're not yet convinced of their benefits or how to use soap nuts, the following information should answer some of your questions:
Sustainable: It's a renewable resource, easily grown organically.
All Natural: No funky or harmful ingredients.
"Green": Less processing, less energy and less packaging.
Affordable: They can replace multiple cleaners, and last longer.
Reusable: Each berry can be used up to 6 times before it's spent.
Hypoallergenic: No skin or respiratory irritation and non-toxic.
Not Actually Nuts: They're totally safe for those with nut allergies.
Simple: Throw them in your wash or make a simple liquid detergent.
Odorless: But you can always add your own essential oils.
Gentle: Their mild nature won't damage delicate clothing or surfaces.
No Fabric Softener: They naturally soften your fabrics!
Save Water: They rinse easier so require less water.
Save Energy: You can use a shorter rinse cycle in your laundry, too.
Front-loading Friendly: No suds are perfect for HE machines.
Works in Any Temperature: Use them in cold, warm or hot water.
Non-polluting: 100% biodegradable and safe for graywater systems.
Compostable: Used shells can be thrown in your compost.
Self-sufficient: You can even grow a soap nut tree yourself!
Countless Uses: Look below for a few ideas on how to use soap nuts in your own home.