Superior Soapnuts are the dried fruit from the Ritha (sapindus mukorossi) tree. There are other types of trees that produce a poorer grade of soapnuts. The ones we import contain very high amounts of saponin. Saponin is the substance which gives the soapnuts their cleaning power.

Once you have tried using soapnuts, you will never want to go back to chemical detergents. There is no need to use fabric softeners either. Your clothes are left naturally soft. Towels and wash cloths are more absorbent.

HOW TO USE SOAPNUTS

Shells: Place 4 or 5 soapnuts in a small pouch of cotton or a sock tied at the top. Put this into your washing machine load with temperatures up to 90 Degrees.

Liquid: Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of soapnuts liquid for a large load of laundry. (If your laundry feels a little stiff upon completion of the cycle, you've used too much!)

Note: When making soapnuts liquid it is important to remember that, because soapnuts are actually a fruit and the liquid therefore a 'fruit juice', if left at room temperature for more than a few days, it will begin to mold. If stored in the refrigerator the liquid should last a couple of weeks. Another great idea is to pour the liquid into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, store in the freezer in a well marked container! Each  frozen cube will be approximately 2 tablespoons which is the amount recommended for a load of laundry!

Soapnuts are highly effective and gentle at the same time. They will leave your laundry fresh and clean and compared to other detergents, its mildness will keep colours bright, maintaining the fabric structure of your clothes for longer periods.  They can be used on all fabrics and at all temperatures (although the saponin is best released in a little warm water initially).  They leave your clothes incredibly soft without the need for fabric softeners or conditioners.

Soapnuts are not a heavy stain remover. Although the liquid can be sprayed directly on fabric and successfully remove minor staining, heavier stains will still need to be pretreated with a stain remover.

Soapnuts are especially effective for washing cloth diapers. They eliminate all lingering smells and will strip the diaper of detergent build-up, increasing the diapers absorbency!

Soapnuts are both ecological and economical when compared to other forms of detergents. A 500g bag of soapnuts can be used for 200 or more loads of laundry.

Soapnuts will leave your clothes fragrance free. If you'd like to add a fragrance, just add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the wash.

Shells can be used for more than one wash but the number of washes per shell bag will depend on the water temperature used. Washing at lower temperatures, the soapnuts can be used more often. You will know the soapnuts need to be replaced when they become thin and dull with no shiny pockets of saponin left in them.