Soapnuts have a distinctive vinegar type smell, but your washing and dishes do not smell like Soapnuts after using them. To make your washing or dishes smell extra clean, add a few drops of essential oils such as eucalyptus to every wash!
Here’s some of our favourite recipes –
Soapnut Liquid Solution
Add 10 – 15 soapnuts to 1 litre of water, bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes. When the liquid has cooled, strain it and store it in an airtight container or jar – it will last for approximately 2 weeks in room temperature or up to a month in the fridge. Adding essential oils like eucalyptus and tea tree will make it last slightly longer. The liquid is “off” when it becomes rancid. You can also freeze the liquid in ice cube trays! This is a fantastic base for many wonderful soapnut recipes, so it’s one to remember!
Make Laundry Detergent
Depending on wash load size and amount of soiling, use 4 – 6 soapnuts (or equivalent in pieces) in washbag (or old sock knotted at top) and place in washing machine. Wash as normal in either hot or cold water. Soapnut shells can be reused 4 – 6 times depending on temperature washed at (hotter washes means less rewashes). You can use the liquid recipe above as liquid laundry detergent – just put about 3 tablespoons of the liquid into your detergent dispenser. To make your clothes and linen smell lovely just add about 3 or 4 drops of your favourite essential oil to the wash (don’t add the oils to your clothes directly – just add them to the fabric softener or liquid detergent compartment of your washing machine). Soapnuts are suitable for both front loader and top loader washing machines.
Soapnut Laundry Handwash
Use 3 – 4 soapnuts in 500ml boiling water. Allow to simmer for 8-10 minutes and add essential oils if desired. Add to sink/bucket and use to soak and hand wash delicates. Don’t overdo it with the essential oils! A few drops is more than enough.
General Household Cleaner
Just add a few squirts of lemon juice or about 100 mls of white vinegar to your Soapnut Liquid Solution, plus any essential oils (orange or eucalyptus are great for cleaning and smell really fresh!) and just spray and wipe in the kitchen or bathroom. Remember to spot test first! This is not for the soapnuts, but for the essential oils which can stain.
Window and Mirror Cleaner
For your inside windows, just add 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of Soapnut Liquid Solution to a spray bottle, shake, then spray and wipe on your windows and mirrors. Wipe off with a dry cloth, paper towels or newspaper.
To clean the outside of your windows, fill a bucket with hot water and mix in a cup of Soapnut Liquid Solution and 1/2 a cup of white vinegar. Then wash your windows and squeegie off the excess solution!
Dishwasher Detergent
Place 5 soapnuts into the cutlery basket of your dishwasher and substitute your Rinse Aid with white vinegar, then pop on your usual wash. Alternatively you can pour some of the Soapnut Liquid Solution into the detergent dispenser. For a fresh scent to your dishwasher, either add a few drops of lemon or another citrus essential oil to the rinse aid compartment with the vinegar, or cut a fresh lemon or lime in half and place either in the cutlery tray or somewhere on the top rack of your dishwasher.
Pest Repellant
Transfer some of your Soapnut Liquid Solution into a spray bottle, and add some extra water (make it half soapnut liquid and half water) and use it as a pesticide in the garden – it’ll get rid of aphids, and other nasties on your veggies and herbs! It also repels ants – just add a few drops of eucalyptus or tea tree oil to the solution and spray around the areas where ants are congregating.
Pet Wash
Just use your Soapnut Liquid Solution – add some lemon juice (a few squirts) and a 3 to 4 drops of lavender essential oil then wash your pet as normal. It repels ticks and fleas so they’ll be happy and so will you. You can also spray some of this solution around their bedding to get rid of the nasties!
Soapnut Shampoo
Use 3 soapnuts and 500ml water. Simmer for 10 minutes and add cornflour to thicken if desired as well as any essential oils to scent. Just keep in mind that some essential oils can be skin irritant, so only use a small amount – 3 or 4 drops is plenty! Keep this mixture away from your eyes!
Soapnut Bath Wash
Use 3-4 soapnut shells in washbag and allow to steep in hot bathwater for 5 minutes. Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil. Keep this mixture away from your eyes!
Enjoy the amazing things you can do with Soap nuts.