Soap Nuts (Soap Pods)

What are Soap Nuts?

Soap nuts/pods are in fact a berry found in India and Nepal. They are harvested sustainably from the soap berry tree and the shells are then dried for use as they are a natural source of Saponin.

How to use Soap Nuts?

Washing Clothes:

To wash clothes you need to use 4-6 pods in the small wash bag and these can be used for three-five washes working out at a cost in the region of 3p per wash (compared to the equivalent estimated 25p per wash with a standard non-bio powder). They can be used at any temperature and for any wash type including delicates and wool washes. Although the soap nuts have a natural vinegar smell before use, once placed in the wash with your clothes they are odourless. There is no need to add fabric softener, but if you like scented clothing add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil to either the wash bag or into you washer draw. Once the pods have been used and have turned brown/soggy do not throw them away, store them in an airtight container until you have 60 pods and they can then be used for other purposes.

Household Cleaner:

Once you have amassed around 60 used pods put them in a pan and add 1lt of water and bring to the boil then simmer for ten minutes then leave to cool. Once cool strain the liquid and add 10 drops of tee tree oil (a natural disinfectant which can be purchased online for circa £3.50 for 10ml and which will last for up to six months of use) and then decant into old spray bottles saved from previous household chemical sprays and detergents. This will store for up to one month and can be used for the kitchen, bathroom, as a floor wash or add a teaspoon of white vinegar and use to clean glass and metal surfaces to a shine or add a little vinegar and baking soda and use to clean your toilet bowl. This mixture with no additives can also be used to soak clothes with stubborn stains before adding them to the normal clothes wash as detailed above.

Shampoo/Hand Wash/ Body Wash:

Again once you have amassed around 60 used pods you can put the pods in a pan and add 1lt of water and bring to the boil then simmer for ten minutes then leave to cool. Once cool strain the liquid and add 10ml of your favourite essential oil for scent. Tee Tree works well for skin prone to spots and blemishes; Orange Oil for sensitive skin; Bergamot for dry skin; or maybe Camomile for aches and pains and to relax. This can be added to your bath water, used as a body wash and hand wash or as shampoo for up to a month after making. Although it will not lather in the same way as conventional products it cleans just as well and for a fraction of the cost and at no cost to you or the environment as it does not add further excess chemicals to waste water or to your body. For a natural conditioner to follow try adding a teaspoon of olive oil to the mixture, rub through your hair paying particular attention to the ends and then rinse out as normal.

Where to Buy Soap Nuts?

The pods can be purchased from a variety of online retailers and on average cost £12 including delivery for 1kg of pods which equates to approx 750 pods and they usually come in a large draw string cotton bag with a smaller cotton bag for use in the washing machine.

Environmental Credentials?

Although the pods will have to travel from India/Nepal and they therefore may rack up air miles if not shipped, the pods when used don’t release harmful chemicals into your home or the environment. Soap pods are very good for people with dry skin or eczema and due to lack of chemicals reduce inflammation and itchiness associated with conventional detergents.

For more low cost and environmentally minded tips why not read Low Cost Living – Live Better Spend Less by John Harrison