himalayan soapnuts by ecoideas

Soapnuts are called soapnuts due to their ability to produce a rich, cleansing suds. The hard, stone- like pit of the fruit is removed, and the fleshy part (the pericarp) is dried in the sun.

For centuries, soapnuts have been used by people in northern Asia; India, Nepal, etc. to wash their laundry and finest textiles (wool, silk, cashmere…). They’ve also used soapnuts to make cleaning solutions for washing dishes, floors, and their hair!

Where Do Himalayan Soapnuts™ Come From?
They are imported from the Himalayan Mountains in Northern India. Once every year, the soapnuts are harvested by the growers, and sold to Ecoideas' facility located in the Himalayan Mountains where they are cleaned, pitted, dried, and packaged. Ecoideas’ Himalayan Soapnuts™ are processed in a small production unit in Northern India which provides jobs to otherwise unemployed local women. 

Himalayan Soapnuts™ are Unique…
Himalayan Soapnuts™ are certified organic, and come in an organic cotton bag with a smaller organic cotton laundry sac inside for doing laundry. Each bag has enough soapnuts to clean over 200 loads of laundry (1Kg bag) and over 50 loads of laundry (250g bag) , and when the nuts are left to dry after use, they can be used again! The packaging is made from certified organic cotton.

The Soapnut’s Many Uses…
Himalayan Soapnuts™ have many useful, practical applications:

Laundry
Place 6- 8 soapnut-halves in the small cotton pouch included in the package of Himalayan Soapnuts™. Make sure to tie the drawstrings shut.
*In cases of hard water, you may need to use 10 soapnut-halves for optimum cleaning.

Place the pouch of soapnuts in the washing machine with your laundry. For a scented wash, sprinkle a few drops of your favorite essential oil directly on the cotton pouch before tossing it in the washing machine. For heavily soiled or stained laundry, use the soapnuts in combination with our non-toxic, bleach–free stain removing salt (sodium percarbonate).

How to make a Soapnut Solution
In a small/medium cooking pot with a lid, add some water, and cook a small handful of soapnuts for about five minutes. Cover the pot with a lid while cooking. After five minutes, remove the pot from heat and let cool. Remove the soapnut shells, and place in the compost.

* By increasing the amount of soapnuts when making the solution, you can make the solution stronger, and adding more water will make it weaker.

Dishes & Kitchen Cleanup
Himalayan Soapnuts™ are excellent for washing dishes and cleaning. Make a soapnut solution using the directions found above. Determine the strength of solution bests suits your needs by experimenting with the amount of soapnuts you cook each time. The soapnut suds are extremely gentle and softening on the skin, so there is no irritation or dryness experienced when washing dishes! 

All Purpose Cleaning
You can make a soapnut solution for all- purpose cleaning by experimenting with the concentration of soapnuts in the solution. The solution is safe for using on floors, and any other places you would use soap for cleaning.

Hair Shampoo
By making a soapnut solution and placing it in a squeeze bottle, or a reusable shampoo bottle, you can use it as an everyday shampoo! It is wonderful for helping to get rid of dandruff or psoriasis. Try it for a body wash too!

Bathing Your Pets
Just as you would use a soapnut solution for your own shampoo or body cleanser; use it for your cat or dog too! They will love the mild, soothing suds- especially if they suffer from dry skin or bald patches.

Taking Care of Your Plants
A mild soapnut solution is wonderful for getting rid of common houseplant pests, and protecting the plants from possible ones. The mild suds deter any prospective pests due to the ‘saponin content’ which is repulsive to insects and pests. Simply make a mild solution and put into a spray bottle. Spray generously onto the foliage of your plants, and the top of the soil.

Reusing Your Soapnuts…
Once you have used the soapnuts in the laundry, remove them and let them dry completely. When they have dried, they are ready to be used again! After using them in the laundry a second time, set them aside to dry. Try making a soapnut solution with them for all- purpose cleaning.

Because Himalayan Soapnuts™ have not been altered or added to in any way; it is completely safe to wash the suds down the drain. The suds, as well as the nuts themselves, are fully biodegradable and septic safe. When the soapnuts have been used to their full potential, we recommend that you throw them into your composting.

• If you use hot or warm water to wash and rinse take the soap nuts out before the rinse cycle starts, otherwise if rinsing with cold water just leave them in.
• Soap nuts will last longer using warm vs.hot water.
• Soft water may require less soap nuts while hard water may need 5-6 nuts, or for hard water I add about 1/4 cup baking soda to the wash water.
• If you want a scent add about 10 drops of your favorite essential oil on the bag in the washer or on a cloth in the dryer.
• Pre-treat heavy stains as usual with a stain remover.
• If clothes are very dirty, do smaller loads which gives more agitation for the soap nuts.