Soapnuts also known as soapberries contain saponins which are natural surfactants. It is called “reetha” in Hindi and “boondi kottai” in Tamil. They are actually berries and are 100% natural and biodegradable. Soapnuts can be used as a non toxic alternative to chemical laundry detergents and soaps. I am always for natural eco-friendly products and I wanted to replace all chemical products used for washing and laundry in my house. Soap nuts are natural and non polluting. Soap nut liquid has many uses. It can also be used to clean dishes, for washing clothes, baby diapers, baby clothes, as a shampoo, as a hand wash liquid and many more. It is gently and can be used even on very sensitive skin.
How to use Soapnuts
Prep Time : 10 mins
Cook Time : 30 mins
Author:Padhu Sankar
Author:Padhu Sankar
Ingredients needed
Soapnuts – 20
Water – 6 cups
Soap Nut Liquid Detergent Recipe
Soap nut liquid is a multipurpose cleaner. Let us see how to make soapnut liquid.
Remove the seeds from the soap nuts.
In a large vessel/pan, combine together 15-20 soap nuts (seeds removed) and 6 cups of water. Let it boil.
Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat. (Note – Use a big vessel or pan so that the soap suds does not boil over.)
Simmer for 30 minutes or until it reduces to 4 cups and the water turns dark. Remove from heat and keep it covered.
Once the liquid cools completely, squeeze the soap nuts with your fingers nicely to extract more soap. Leave it overnight.
Next Day – Strain the liquid, pour it into a glass bottle. Use it within 3-4 days or refrigerate. This soapnut liquid is your multi purpose cleaner.
You can re-use the soap nuts again. You can re-boil it and extract more liquid or you can grind it to a paste and use it to wash utensils. Then compost the used nuts.
Shelf life – As it is a natural product, you have to refrigerate it. It stays good for 10 days in the refrigerator and for a longer period in the freezer.
How to use soap nuts for washing clothes
Have you ever tried washing your clothes with soapnuts. I remember my grandma wash her silk saree (pattu saree) with soap nuts. Using commercial soaps and detergents that contain harmful chemicals is neither good for us nor for the environment. It is time we change to natural products which are harmless and safe to use.
Place 5-6 soap nuts (deseeded) in a small cloth bag/pouch and tie it tightly at the top. You can also use a drawstring muslin bag or an old unused socks (knot the socks at the top so that the berries do not come out when washing),
Boil a cup of water. Once it starts boiling, remove from heat and soak the soapnut bag in it. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Leave it to cool. Add the soap nut bag along with the water, into the washing machine and wash as usual. You can add 2 drops of your favorite essential oil if preferred but not necessary. Alternatively you can soak the soap nuts overnight and skip boiling.
Once the washing is over, remove the bag with soap nuts and dry it. You can reuse it for 3-4 washes or until the soap nuts disintegrates and is no longer soapy when crushed between your fingers.
You can add the used soapnut to your compost bin as it is biodegradable.
For washing clothes by hand – Soak 3-4 soap nuts in warm water for an hour. Then squeeze the soap nuts to release the saponin. Remove the soap nuts and soak the clothes to be wash in that soap nut water for 15-20 minutes. Then wash and rinse your clothes. It can be used for all fabrics as they are very gently but effective.
How to use soapnuts for washing vessels
Dry the soapnuts in the sun. Remove the seeds and powder 16-18 soapnuts and add to 1 litre of Citrus Fruit enzymes. There are no hard and fast rules. You can add more or less of soap nuts. Alternatively, you can add a little soapnut liquid to your fruit enzymes and use it. It will not foam as commercial dish wash soap but cleans effectively. When mixed with citrus fruits enzymes, the liquid need not be refrigerated as the the citrus enzymes acts as a preservative.
Soapnut Liquid as hand wash and body wash –
Soap nut liquid can be used as a hand wash and also as a body wash. It is very gently on the skin and is great especially for persons with very sensitive skin and those suffering from skin problems like eczema or psoriasis. It also has anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti fungal and antibacterial properties.
Soapnut Shikkakai shampoo
Soak 3-4 soapnuts and 3-4 dried shikkakai pods for an hour in enough water. Boil till the shikkakai pods gets cooked well. Cover and leave it overnight. Whisk the mixture with a hand blender or mixie or squeeze it nicely with your hands. Strain the liquid and use it as a shampoo.
How to use – Wet your hair, apply the liquid on your scalp and gently massage for 3-4 minutes. Then rinse your hair with water.
As this is a natural homemade shampoo, it will not lather or foam like commercial shampoos, but will leave your hair clean. If used regularly, it prevents dandruff and your hair will be healthy and soft. If interested, check more herbal shampoo recipes.
Soapnut liquid is a multipurpose cleaner
It can be used to clean anything from tiles, cutlery, glass, as a car wash, pet shampoo, for mopping floor, cleaning jewelry etc.
As a insect repellent – It is also a natural insect repellent. Add a little soapnut liquid to half a bucket of water and use it for mopping the floor. Mixed with few drops of neem oil, it can be used as a natural pesticides for plants.
Where to buy Soapnuts
It is easily available in all grocery stores or in country drugstores (nattu marundu kadai) in India. It is also available online.
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Oh my god.. Padhu Ma'am.. I'm an avid follower of your recipes and tips.. although I ahve shied away from commenting so far, I ahve tried multiple recipes and all have been successful. I'm trying out the citrus fruit enzymes currently.. can't wait for it to be done. I'm going to try this as well. Excellent documentation. And kudos to your effort. Inspired! Thanks..
Super!! I am regularly following your blog. Infact got addicted to it..
I am wondering how you are thinking like this.. kudos to your concern about our environment..
Thanks a lot for this wonderful blog.
Keep rocking..
Regards,
Aish
Very useful and detadeta post .. Thanks for sharing..
Hi Padhu,
I have just started using soapnuts and vendayam for my hair along with rice kanji. i didn't use shikakai in it.. My hair is the weakest. I think it would get better with regular use of this herbal shampoo. Can you please suggest something to strengthen my hair, Both internally (ie., intake) and externally. Also please suggest some remedy for constipation. Thank you in advance.
A balanced diet is important for healthy hair. To relieve constipation, drink enough water. Include fruits like apples, papaya, guava and pear. Also include a tsp of desi ghee in your diet regularly.
Hello mam.Really amazing natural shampoo.Have seen this nuts definetly will try it .Love your recipes thnk u☺.
Hi,
Can the soapnut liquid be used to remove long lasting stains from wooden floor?
No, it will not remove stains.
Hi, nice recipe for homemade dish washing liquid. its really useful, where can i get citrus fruit enzymes?
Thank you so much for sharing this, really nice post towards a more sustainable living. I am trying your fruit enzyme currently and can’t wait for it to be ready to use. 🙂
I have a question – how can we use soapnut or soapnut liquid in dishwasher? I tried it a few times but notice its not being effective in cleaning the vessels.
Soapnut water can be used only for hand washing vessels, not in dishwasher. I have not tried it. But I use soap nuts in the washing machine to wash cloths. I tie 15 soapnuts in an old socks and knot it tightly. Then soak the sock bundle in water overnight. I add the water along with the soapnut bundle in the washing machine. I have stopped using chemical detergents to wash my clothes as I am allergic to chemicals. This is working so well. Well, my clothes will not be very dirty as I am working from home. So it suits me well.
Hi Padhu, does the soapnut bundle remain in the washing machine until the cycle is completed through rinse and spin as well? Doesn’t it produce suds throughout?
Yes, it will remain until the cycle is completed. Once the cycle is over, remove the socks with the soapnuts and dry it by hanging it. You can reuse the same until the soapnut disintegrate. Then you can add fresh ones.
Thanks Padhu. One more query – Should the unused nuts be refrigerated for future use or do they remain good in room temperature?
Cooked nuts have to be refrigerated. Uncooked dry ones can remain at room temperature.
Hi Padhu,
Can we use the soap nut powder avaible in the market and mix it with the fruit enzymes. If yes, can you pls share me the qty of soap it powdery it be added
Yes. No particular measurements.