Natural detergent Soap Nuts ®. Sapindus - natural soap Soap nuts where they grow

1. Botanical description
2. Chemical composition
3. Application
4. Types of soap tree

Soap tree is the name given to several varieties of plants from the Sapindaceae family. One of them is Kelreuteria paniculata (lat. Koelreuteria paniculata). This is a rather tall shrub with fruits in the form of small triangular boxes containing round, smooth, physalis-like berries. But this plant does not have cleansing properties..

The true soap tree is considered to be Sapindus (lat. Sapindus), which is translated from Latin language means "Indian soap". The genus includes evergreen shrubs, small trees, common in the tropical zone of South America, South-East Asia. In Russia, plants are found in the subtropics of the Black Sea coast, where they were introduced.

Botanical description

Most sapindus are short trees with thin branched trunks covered with light gray bark. Their length rarely exceeds 7–8 m. The crowns are wide, carved, and umbrella-shaped. The leaves are compound, odd-pinnate, consisting of 9–15 elongated lanceolate lobes located on the central petioles. The upper side of the leaves is dark green and smooth. The back is a little lighter, with slight pubescence.

Sapindus prefer loose, moderately nutritious, loamy soils.. They bloom from early May to late August. Carpal paniculate inflorescences consist of several dozen small white or light yellow corollas about 3 mm in size.

The fruits are round drupes with a diameter of about 1–2 cm. There are 3 hard seeds inside. Unripe fruits are soft, covered with light green velvety skin. As the shell matures, it turns brown, hardens, and turns into a rough, hard shell. When drying, the surface sometimes becomes dark, almost black. The inside remains green. Externally, ripe fruits look like nuts. Due to the unusual property of the shell to release foam when moistened, they are called soapy. Plants begin to bear fruit in the tenth year of life.. One mature tree produces up to 30–50 kg of nuts during the harvest period.

IN natural environment Sapindus habitats are capable of living up to 80–100 years.

Chemical composition

Sapindus fruits lather due to the presence of a large amount of saponins in them. These are nitrogen-free organic substances from the group of glycosides. They are amorphous, colorless, melt easily, and have no distinct odor. When in contact with water, they form a large amount of foam and have good cleaning properties. In the fruits of the soap tree, the concentration of these substances can reach 38%. Slightly less saponins are found in flowers and bark.

Compounds in soap nuts have a neutral reaction when forming foam.. In an open environment, saponins easily decompose and do not pollute soil or water. These substances do not harm the human body, but they are toxic to insects and fish and have a paralyzing, suffocating effect.

Application

The ability of sapindus berries to lather was noticed in ancient India, Tibet, and the natives of South America knew about it. In everyday life, fruit shells were used as a natural cleanser: they were added to water when washing fabrics, washing the body, and hair.

In medicine

The healing properties of saponins contained in the shell were used in Ayurvedic, Oriental, and Chinese medicine. Infusions and powders from crushed roots, bark, and flowers of the tree were used as medicinal remedies for inflammatory diseases respiratory organs, joints, eye mucosa, for the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, epilepsy, headaches, seizures. Similar herbal medicine is also used in modern medicine. Preparations from sapindus bark help with dermatological fungal infections, asthma, and digestive system disorders.

Chemical compounds in soap berries have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the skin, they have a slight cooling, softening, whitening effect, maintain the natural level of acidity, and moisturize.

In cosmetology

Detergents contain synthetic surfactants and foaming agents that have an aggressive effect on the skin and provoke the development of allergic reactions. Toilet soap, in the production of which animal fats and alkalis are used, washes away the natural protective film from the surface of the body and dries it out. Almost all modern detergents leave an invisible residue on the skin, leading to rapid subsequent contamination.

Substances contained in sapindus fruits are chemically neutral. They effectively remove dust, dirt, and grease from the surface, but do not reduce the protective properties of the skin and preserve the water balance, natural structure and shine of the hair. The foam that saponins form when soaping is less abundant than that of chemical gels or shampoos, but is well distributed and washed off. Hair washed with a solution of soap nuts becomes soft, easy to comb, and does not electrify. The scales of the shaft are not clogged with surfactant residues, so after several uses the hair regains its natural volume and elasticity, and it stops quickly becoming greasy. Dandruff disappears. The skin stops itching and peeling.

The soap can be used by adults and children. It relieves irritation and does not cause burning or other unpleasant sensations.

Soap fruit extract is added to natural hair and skin care products: shampoos, conditioners, balms, masks, lotions.

In everyday life and other areas

The soap solution perfectly washes fabrics made of silk, wool, etc., while maintaining their quality. The berries are used for delicate cleaning of carpets, pillows, and blankets.

Dried fruit shells are often used in their natural form.. It is sold at special points of sale of eco-cosmetics, pharmacies, and online stores. It's easy to use: just wet it warm water, rub in your palms. For washing, household work, and cosmetic procedures, you can prepare a soap solution in advance by soaking the nuts in a container for a while. For convenience, the shells are sewn into fabric bags and washcloths.

The hard seeds of Sapindus berries are used as ornamental material for necklaces, rosaries, beads, bracelets.

The wood of the plant has a light brown or reddish tint. It is durable, resistant to moisture. Used in the construction, turning and shipbuilding industries.

Types of soap tree

The quality of soap berries directly depends on the type of tree. The best are considered:

• Sapindus saponaria,
• Sapindus trifoliatus.

These species are common in India, southern China, and the Himalayas. Their berries are the largest and produce a lot of foam. The trees are highly productive.

Growing at home

In the southern regions, where winter temperatures do not fall below -3 °C, sapindus can be grown in open ground, gardens Very coldy temperate zones are destructive for them. You can cultivate a soap tree in the middle zone as an ornamental greenhouse plant.

When germinating seedlings from seeds, preliminary scarification will be required. The surface of the hard seeds is filed or rubbed with an abrasive. The material is then soaked in hot water for 10–12 hours. For planting, prepare a container with a nutrient substrate. Suitable loamy soil with the addition of leaf humus, peat, wood ash. Plant the seeds to a depth of about 3 cm. After moistening, the container is covered with glass or covered with film. Keep at a temperature of 22–25 °C. During the day - in bright sunlight, in the evening it requires illumination with a lamp.

Sprouts emerge in 2–2.5 months. At first, they must be protected from drafts and sudden temperature changes. Sapindus are watered every other day. The soil should be slightly moist at all times.

Every 2-3 weeks you need to add it to the soil. mineral fertilizers. Every 2–3 months - organic.

Pots with sapindus must be placed on the sunny side. The premises should be regularly ventilated. In summer, you can take the plants out into the fresh air.

The soap tree grows in warm countries climatic zone, but its main habitat is northern India.

Sapindus Mukorossi is deciduous tree with 5-10 pairs of leaves, and is somewhat reminiscent of our mountain ash.

The tree can reach up to 25 meters in height and has beautiful greenish-white flowers. After which beautiful fruits appear on it, similar to shelled walnuts. They are used instead of soap and shampoo, since they contain up to 40 percent saponin. It is this substance that actively cleans any fabric and surface from dirt.

It is safe for humans (if you do not eat it), but destroys harmful insects, pathogenic fungi and microflora. The soap emulsion obtained from the nut can also help gardeners: it fights late blight and the Colorado potato beetle. Pets can be freed from fleas and ticks by bathing them in this solution.

The tree can easily be grown from seeds. The seeds germinate quickly and the seedlings begin to grow. However, it has not yet spread beyond the Caucasus in the nature of the Russian Federation.

But lovers of organic products can order soap tree nuts online almost anywhere in the world, and the nuts will keep your home clean and hygienic without causing allergies or other side effects.

Soap nut, soap berry, soapnut, washing nut, soapberry (English), reetha, rita, rishtah, hrishtah, phenaka, sarishta, urdhvashodhanah, phenil, risht, rishtak, punalai (Ind.)

Soap nut - natural detergent, soap, shampoo, conditioner and conditioner. Soap Nut It has a low pH level, perfectly cleanses the skin and hair, relieves inflammation, dryness, and flaking. Soap Nut has an antibacterial and cooling effect, heals, nourishes, softens and moisturizes, slightly whitens. Soap Nut prevents hair loss, eliminates dandruff, makes hair soft, thick and shiny.

Soap nut is the fruit of the soap tree, or sapindus, also called “soap berry”. Soap tree is a genus of evergreen or deciduous small trees or shrubs of the Sapindaceae family, native to the tropics of Asia and America.

The name “sapindus” was given to the plant by C. Linnaeus and comes from the Latin words “sapo” - “soap” and “indicus” - “Indian”, that is, “Indian soap”.

Soap tree - medium to tall tree with leaves 15-40 cm long, with flowers collected in panicles. The fruits of the soap tree, soap nuts, are berries approximately 1.5 cm in diameter, containing from one to three seeds. While soap berries ripen, their surface is soft and velvety. When ripe, they become hard, similar to nut shells, hence the name “soap nuts.” Dry soap nuts are dark brown or black, depending on the type of drying.

There are many species of soap tree, the main ones being Sapindus mukorossi, Sapindus trifoliatus and Sapindus saponaria. The quality of soap nut depends on the variety, collection and storage conditions. The Sapindus Mukorossi variety is considered the best; it has the highest content of saponins. These are the largest nuts in size. They grow most commonly in the foothills of the Himalayas in Northern India, while Sapindus trifoliatus, the second most important soap nut variety, is found in Southern India. It contains a sufficient amount of saponins, although less than Sapindus mukorossi, almost half the size, but externally it is difficult to distinguish from other varieties of soap nuts, which contain much less saponins and, accordingly, are a low-grade product.

Soap Nut It is characterized by a high content of saponins (up to 38%), which determines its washing properties. Saponins are also found in other parts of the plant.

The plant has a poisonous effect on fish, protozoa and insects.

Soap nuts were used in, their description is contained in ancient Ayurvedic texts.

Dura shell seeds were used to make rosaries, bracelets, and necklaces. Soap trees were also cultivated as ornamental plants.

have antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, cooling, softening, nourishing, moisturizing, whitening properties.

- natural, 100% natural detergent, low pH, does not contain chemicals, does not cause allergies, replaces shampoo, soap, washing powder, as well as any other detergents. Saponins are natural foaming agents that produce easily foaming solutions. Less foam is obtained than when using products containing alkali. After washing, they completely decompose in the environment without polluting it.

Saponins contained in nuts are excellent at dissolving fat and removing dirt. Soap nuts have been traditionally used as a natural shampoo and soap in India for centuries. In addition, the local population of India has long used soap nuts as a natural detergent for washing fabrics and clothes.

When washing your face and body with soap nuts, the skin receives soft, gentle, yet effective cleansing and antiseptic protection for the whole day. Nuts have antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties and are effective for allergies and skin diseases.

Removes when washed with regular soap protective layer skin, it becomes more vulnerable to infections and germs for some time before it restores this layer again. This does not happen when washing with soap nuts, and in this case, washing does not strip the skin of its natural oils, softening it.

Nuts have a cooling effect, which makes washing especially pleasant in hot weather. Soap nuts maintain the water balance of the skin, nourish the skin, and make the skin velvety and soft.

Soap nuts remove impurities from the hair, regulate the activity of the sebaceous glands, cleanse the scalp without degreasing the hair, relieve itching, flaking and inflammation, provide a cooling effect and even eliminate headaches and fatigue. Effectively strengthen hair follicles, promote hair growth, increase hair thickness, and eliminate dandruff.

After washing with soap nuts, hair becomes soft, fluffy, manageable, easy to comb and style, acquiring additional volume. Hair conditioner is not required for this wash. In addition, this is an excellent prevention against lice and various fungal diseases.

Soap nuts treat brittle hair, give it strength, and prevent split ends. Returns beautiful natural shine to hair. At regular use The natural water-fat balance of the skin is restored, resulting in less dirty hair.

Mode of application:

When washing your hair, the hair is first wetted, then a paste or solution of soap nuts is applied to it, rubbed in and rinsed off. The procedure is repeated, if necessary, once or twice, until the hair creaks and foams, signs that the hair is already clean. It is good to not wash off the solution immediately, but leave it on your head for a while, as it acts as a balm and nourishes the hair roots and the hair itself.

When washing with soap nuts, laundry does not require subsequent softening rinse aid. Nuts are odorless, so your laundry smells like clean laundry. This is very important for people with allergies to smells. When washed with nuts, colored laundry retains its original color for a long time. Soap nuts are especially suitable for delicate washing of silk and other delicate fabrics.

Whole nuts are placed in a fabric or canvas bag, poured hot water or boiling water, infuse for about half an hour. The result is a finished liquid soap. To obtain greater concentration, the nuts can be infused longer. The higher the water temperature, the more saponins they release. After this, the bag is removed and dried to be used next time. When washing, a bag of whole nuts is placed in the washing machine.

The bag of nuts can also be used as a natural washcloth when washing your body.

When purchasing whole soap nuts, be sure to buy ones that have already had the seeds removed. If the nut contains seeds, they must be removed before washing. During the washing process, the nuts may split, and the seed, unsuitable for washing, can instantly leave a dark stain on things when it comes into contact with them and ruin them.

Soap nut powder is diluted in water until smooth. The small granules formed in this paste gently exfoliate old skin cells, improving microcirculation and evening out the complexion, and have a slight whitening effect. This paste can also serve as a nourishing mask for facial skin, toning, softening, rejuvenating it and smoothing out wrinkles, as well as a strengthening hair mask applied to clean hair. It's good to hold it on your face 10-15 min, on hair - from 15 to 40 minutes. Ready-made pasta is used in the same way as cooked pasta, only it is usually a more uniform product, without small granules.

Washing with soap nuts is suitable for any skin type, including delicate children's skin and sensitive, thin, and problematic skin. Ideal for cleansing oily skin and hair.

Soap nuts are used in cosmetology due to

- antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial properties

- moisturizing properties

Retains skin moisture and maintains natural water balance.

- whitening properties

Gently exfoliate old cells, improve blood circulation and complexion, whiten dark spots and freckles.

If ingested, soap nut powder may cause vomiting; it is best not to use it for washing dishes. If the soap nut solution comes into contact with the eyes, it causes severe redness, irritation and burning. Eyes should be rinsed thoroughly with plenty of water. However, the same solution in a small concentration is a good prevention of infections and infections of the mucous membrane, for example, conjunctivitis.

Indian jewelers successfully use soap nuts to clean precious metals and make them shine. For this jewelry put them in a concentrated solution of soap nuts and leave them there for a while, and then take them out and wipe them with a cloth.

An infusion of soap nuts is used for wet cleaning and for washing cars.

The healing properties of soap nuts are used in medicine to treat skin diseases, digestive disorders, diarrhea, lumbago, and asthma.

The root and bark of soap trees are also used in medicine. They treat skin diseases, eczema and psoriasis, migraine, epilepsy. They have expectorant, sedative and analgesic properties.

How can washing with washing powder be dangerous?
After washing with washing powder, its particles remain on the fabric and get on human skin. Since washing powders contain aggressive chemical compounds, this often causes allergic reactions and accumulation of harmful substances in the body.

Skin is the largest organ in area human body which makes the main contact with the environment. Particles of washing powder and conditioner remain in the fibers of the fabric, then fall on human skin and contain:

Surfactants (synthetic surfactants) from 15 to 30%. Even rinsing 10 times in hot water does not completely free clothes from anionic surfactants (a-surfactants). When in contact with the skin, α-surfactant molecules are relatively easily transferred to its surface, penetrate the microvessels of the skin, are absorbed into the blood and spread throughout the body. This leads to impaired blood properties and decreased immunity.

Phosphates create conditions for more intense penetration of surfactants through intact skin, promote increased degreasing of the skin, more active destruction of cell membranes, and sharply reduce the barrier function of the skin. Significantly enhance the toxic properties of a-surfactants

Anti-lime and bleaching components - can cause various diseases skin, eczema and allergies.

Synthetic fragrances contain chemical components that penetrate the skin well and can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.

Alkalis - can penetrate living cells and damage them. Many people, when alkalis come into contact with the skin, develop neurogenic inflammation (occurs in response to irritation of sensitive skin fibers by a caustic substance).

Than washing Soap nuts® better than washing with detergent
Our approach to washing is fundamentally different from the approach of manufacturers of synthetic detergents. For the vast majority of washing powder manufacturers, the main criterion for the quality of the powder is the visual cleanliness of the washed laundry and the presence of a certain special fragrance, while the chemical purity of the washed clothes does not play a role. This approach is quite justified from the point of view of fashion items, but from the point of view of everyday wear, this approach, in our opinion, is not suitable. Think about what's going on - let's say we have clothes that have visible signs of soil contamination. We wash these clothes with powder, remove traces of soil, but after washing, invisible residues of washing powder remain on the clothes. What happened to the clothes in this case? Has it become cleaner or, on the contrary, dirtier? We think it's dirtier. Means Soap nuts® is an absolutely natural product - the fruits of sapindus and allows you to wash clothes without the use of synthetic detergents. Washing powders create the illusion of cleanliness while Soap nuts® really makes things clean.

Than washing Soap nuts® is better than washing with baby/hypoallergenic/eco-friendly and laundry detergents.
Indeed, the problem of chemical contamination of clothing has become so widespread that an entire segment of laundry products has emerged to solve this problem.

1. Making powders from soap shavings. The path is not bad, and soap is indeed much safer than what is contained in traditional powder, but soap shavings kill the bearing and heating element of the washing machine, laundry after such a powder is hard, and the pH reaction still remains alkaline.

2. Statements that the product is hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly and safe, while the composition itself remains essentially as dangerous as that of traditional household chemicals. Most traditional manufacturers of SMS do this, but manufacturers of pseudo-ecological household chemicals are especially successful in this.

3. Release of products with a truly fundamentally different recipe. We know of only 2 such companies - Almawin and Sonett.

It is clear that our products can only be compared with the products from point 3.

Main advantage soap nuts® is that their environmental friendliness and naturalness are obvious. This is not a white powder of unknown content, the safety of which we have to believe from the words of sellers and manufacturers. Who can guarantee that the manufacturer won’t suddenly decide to add some nasty stuff and write about it in the ingredients? Or who will guarantee that the white powder that is in the box is really a detergent from the manufacturer, and not a mixture of salt, soda, and some nasty stuff from Ivan & Ravshan from the next basement? There are many known cases of counterfeiting of ordinary powder at 50 rubles per package, but here it costs 200 rubles or more.

These questions disappear when you use soap nuts® . Dried fruits are not white powder and cannot be faked. Of course, we know of cases where smuggled products are sold under the guise of our products, but these are still the fruits of sapindus, albeit more worse quality, but natural, natural, what grew on a branch, and not some kind of chemical poison.

Why Soap nuts® ; so expensive compared to powders?
Not true. These powders are expensive, but Soap nuts® cheap;) Packaging 450 gr. washing powder costs from 30 to 50 rubles. and lasts for 3-5 washes. Therefore, the average cost of washing is 10 rubles. Packages of nuts 500 gr. enough for 100 washes and it costs 510 rubles. It turns out that the cost of one wash is 5 rubles.

However, it is populism to compare the cost of washing Soap nuts® with the cost of washing with powder is not correct in principle. How much is the harm to your health from chemicals on clothes? How much does the conditioner that you add to the powder cost? How much does increased wear and tear on linen cost? This is on the one hand. On the other hand, the powder can be bought in cheap, economical packaging, and Soap nuts® do not bleach and are less effective against a number of stains... To accurately calculate, you need to take everything into account, but is it necessary?

Our opinion on the comparison of the cost of washing is this - there is a natural, safe product for everyday washing, whose washing cost is in the same range as the cost of washing with traditional washing powders. The choice is only yours, what to wash with - chemicals or what nature itself gives.

Due to what Soap nuts® ; wash and clean?
Soap nuts® are washed due to the fact that their peel contains saponins - natural surfactants, but not synthetic ones (as in industrial powders and conditioners), but natural ones that are beneficial for the skin. Saponins begin to be released from fruits upon contact with water. The saponin molecule adheres to dirt molecules at one end and water at the other end, and “pulls” the dirt into the water. The same principle as modern washing powders.

What are they made of? Soap nuts® ? From soap?
Soap nuts® “made” from the fruits of the soap tree - sapindus. The fruits are collected, the pits are carefully removed and dried. The dried pericarp hardens and becomes like a “nut”. No soap, powder or any chemicals are used. “Soapiness” is a property of the plant itself.

Solution soap nuts® got into your eyes. It stings a lot. What to do?

1. Don't rub your eyes!
2. Rinse thoroughly with running water until the discomfort goes away.

On the Internet there are recommendations for special instillation of infusion into the eyes for the treatment of conjunctivitis and other diseases. However, we do not recommend engaging in such self-medication and advise you to avoid getting the infusion into your eyes to avoid very unpleasant sensations.

ABOUT THE PLANT AND ITS FRUITS

Where does the soap tree grow?
The soap tree grows in the tropics and subtropics. The growing area depends on the type of soap tree:

Sapindus delavayi - Delaway's soap tree. China, India
- Sapindus drummondii Hook. & Arn. - Drummond's Soap Tree. Southwest USA, Mexico, Transcaucasia.
- Sapindus emarginatus Vahl, South Asia
- Sapindus marginatus Willd., Florida soapberry. USA
- Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. - Chinese or Indian soap tree. North of India. North of Pakistan. China. Himalayas, Transcaucasia.
- Sapindus oahuensis Hillebr. ex Radlk. - Hawaiian soapberry. USA.
- Sapindus rarak DC. - Java soap tree. South Asia
- Sapindus saponaria L. - Real soap tree. Southeast USA, Caribbean, Hawaii, Central and South America, Transcaucasia.
- Sapindus tomentosus Kurz, China
- Sapindus trifoliatus L. - Three-leaved soap tree. South India, Ceylon, South Pakistan
- Sapindus vitiensis A.Gray - China

Is it true that S.Mukorossi are “soap nuts” and S.Trifoliatus are “soap berries”?

No it is not true. Soap nuts® is a registered trademark of Soap Nuts LLC and is used to individualize its products - natural detergent Soap nuts® (dried sapindus fruits) of both varieties S.Mukorossi and varieties S.Trifoliatus.

In Russian-language botany, the term “soap nuts” is not known and is not used.

In total, about 15 species of sapindus are known in the world, the fruits of which, according to modern botanical classification, belong to the upper fractional syncarpous perinaria. According to previous classification systems, these fruits were classified as drupes or single-seeded berries. According to the explanation to the Commodity Tax Code of the Customs Union, the fruits of sapindus and currently classified as sapindus berries (soap berries). Therefore, the officially accepted term used to designate the fruits of both S.Mukorossi and S.Trifoliatus in the territory Russian Federation is "berry".

Is it true that in India the local population calls the fruits Sapindussoapnuts?

No it is not true. In India, the most widely spoken languages ​​are Hindi and Sanskrit. In Sanskrit, the fruits of Sapindus are known as Arishta, Arishtak or Phenila, and in Hindi as Araballa, Antavala (S.Trifoliatus) and Rishta or Rita (S.Mukorossi). Soapnuts is an English term.

Is it true that among the local population in India, Trifoliatus is considered second-class for washing?
No it is not true. Trifoliatus is a South Indian variety and Mukorossi is a North Indian (Himalayan) variety. Their habitats practically do not overlap. The local population uses the variety that grows in their area for washing.

The washing abilities of both varieties are approximately the same, and for hand washing (this is how the local population washes), Trifoliatus fruits are better suited because lathers better in unheated water.

In addition to its cleaning abilities, S. Trifoliatus is highly valued for its healing properties and is widely used in Ayurveda as a remedy for skin diseases.

Is it possible to grow a soap tree in Russia?
In the Russian part of Transcaucasia, the species Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn, Sapindus saponaria L., Sapindus drummondii Hook grow in open ground. & Arn. Trees begin to actively bear fruit after 7-10 years. Indoor cultivation is possible. When growing at home, keep in mind that the height of an adult tree reaches from 10 to 25 meters.

ABOUT WASHING

Do I need to take it out of the car? Soap nuts® during rinsing? Can laundry be rinsed if there are items in the drum while rinsing? Soap nuts ® ?
Saponins are released when interacting with water at any temperature. However, the higher the water temperature, the more intense separation in progress saponin.

Pull out Soap nuts® from the drum during rinsing is not necessary. Most of the saponin is released from Soap Nuts during the wash cycle when the washing machine heats the water. The rinse cycle goes on cold water. When rinsing clothes in washing machine saponins are also released, but in very small quantities, and it is precisely because of this that the laundry is soft after washing and does not require the use of conditioner. Saponins are surfactants, but not synthetic (as in industrial powders and conditioners), but natural.

Saponins are generally beneficial for the skin. When using sapindus for hygienic purposes, the skin becomes softer and smoother. At the same time, all protective functions skin, thereby increasing resistance to infections. Recommended for use by people suffering from eczema, psoriasis, and other skin diseases.

At what temperature can you wash? Soap nuts ® ?
The temperature range is determined by the ability of the washing machine, usually from 30 to 90 degrees, or by the ability of your hands, usually from 20 to 40 degrees.

What is the best temperature to wash at?
General rule is such that the higher the washing temperature, the more efficient they work Soap nuts® The lower the washing temperature and the harder the water, the more shells required to achieve a good result.

What items are suitable for washing? Soap nuts ® ?
Soap nuts® can wash any fabric - cotton, linen, synthetics, wool, silk and their mixtures. Linen can be either white or colored. However, it is most advisable to wash 5 groups of clothes with Soap Nuts:

Underwear and bed linen to prevent powder residue from getting on your skin. This is especially true for children's underwear.

Colored linen, because slightly acidic reaction Soap nuts® ensures color retention.

Wool and silk, because firstly, such things can only be washed in an acidic environment, otherwise the item will be damaged, secondly, you can slightly increase the washing temperature without the risk that the item will “shrink”, and thirdly, washing Soap nuts® gives wool and silk items a special softness.

Membrane fabrics and reusable diapers, because... Soap nuts® do not clog pores on such things

Fleece clothing, because... this type of fabric has the ability to especially actively adsorb the fragrance contained in the powder, so if you do not want to actively smell of washing powder, you should wash such clothes Soap nuts® . In addition, fleece clothing also becomes very soft after washing with Soap Nuts.

What items are not suitable for washing? Soap nuts ® ?
- For washing outer clothing heavily soiled with combined contaminants (work jacket drenched in machine oil, etc.)
- For washing white things that should be not just white, but snow-white (ceremonial shirts, tablecloths at receptions, etc.). The fact is that modern washing powders contain two types of bleach - chemical and optical. Chemical bleach removes pigment through oxidation with oxygen or chlorine. Optical brightener is a special dye that coats fabric fibers, paints over stains and converts the ultraviolet part of the light spectrum, which is invisible to the eye, into visible white. The optical brightener remains on the fabric all the time, and some of it transfers to the skin.

Because the Soap nuts® are simply dried fruits, they do not contain any of the above types of bleaches. They simply remove most contaminants. Therefore, you should make a choice of what you want - a dazzling white thing and a bouquet of chemicals into the bargain, or just a clean thing that may not shine, but will be really clean and without any chemicals.

How to wash white clothes using soap nuts ® ?
As stated above, ensure a level of whiteness comparable to washing powders, Soap nuts® cannot due to the lack of bleach in them. Therefore, in order to get snow-white laundry when washing Soap nuts® it is necessary to use oxygen bleach based on sodium percarbonate. This bleach is characterized by the fact that in water it decomposes into active oxygen and soda, and is as safe as possible for humans and the environment.

How to wash by hand?
Fill the entire fabric bag that comes with the kit with shells (10-20 pieces) and soak in a basin for 10 - 15 minutes. Then, thoroughly wash the bag, intensively squeezing it with your hands. Quite a lot of foam should appear. Place the laundry in this washing solution and let it soak for 15-20 minutes. After this, you can proceed directly to washing the clothes. Particularly contaminated areas are recommended to be treated additionally Soap nuts® using a bag of shells as a bar of soap. After washing the bag with Soap nuts® dry or place in plastic bag and freeze until next time.

What kind of washing powder and how much should you add when washing?
No need to add washing powder! Soap nuts® are not washing balls. Soap nuts® products themselves contain a detergent and the main advantage of using them is washing without detergent.

Where should the shells be placed?
The shells need to be placed in the canvas bag that comes with the kit. This bag must be carefully tied and placed in the drum of the washing machine along with the laundry for the entire wash cycle.

Is it possible to leave wet laundry for a long time with Soap nuts® in the washing machine drum?
After finishing washing, it is highly recommended not to leave wet laundry in the machine. You need to unload the car immediately. This is due to the fact that when long-term storage wet laundry together with Soap nuts® in the drum of the machine it is possible to dye things that have direct contact with the bag in which the Soap Nuts are located. This staining is unstable and is eliminated by repeated rinsing. In addition, since saponin is a natural surfactant and decomposes quickly enough, ultra-long storage of wet laundry together with Soap nuts® in the washing machine (more than 12 hours) may cause an unpleasant odor.

How to count shells if they are not whole?
One whole shell is two halves, four quarters, etc. It should be noted that in our products the number of intact shells is extremely small and there are no problems with counting.

Will the shells rub through the laundry?
No, they won’t wipe it, because... This is not a hard nut shell, but just a dried berry, which when placed in water soaks and becomes soft. It's just dried fruit.

How to collect shells after washing?
In order not to collect the shells after washing, a canvas bag is included. You just need to remove it from the washing machine drum and dry it or freeze it in a plastic bag.

What to do if a stain appears after washing?
If the laundry has been left in the drum for a long time with Soap nuts®, then the most likely cause of the stain is the leakage of sapindus juice. This spot is usually dark in color. It's not scary, because... The dye is water-soluble and such stains can be removed by repeated rinsing.

However, sometimes stains appear even though the laundry was removed immediately after washing. These stains appear as a result of the action of saponin on a previously invisible stain that was already on the clothing. The so-called “manifestation” of the stain occurs. The nature of such spots is unknown. According to our statistics, approximately one buyer out of 1000 faces such a problem. If this happens, you can try using bleach or traditional laundry detergents such as soap or laundry detergent to remove the stain. Since washing mechanisms are different, in most cases the stain can be removed. Although there is a certain class of stains that cannot be removed by anything, the likelihood of such an event is very low.

How many shells are needed if the load is incomplete?
The quantity indicated on the pack of nuts is based on a typical washing machine, designed for a load of 4-5 kg, with the drum loaded approximately halfway. If you have loaded very little laundry, you can reduce the number of nuts. The exact quantity is selected empirically depending on the type of laundry and the brand of washing machine.

I have a non-standard washing machine. How many shells do you need?
You need to determine how the load of your machine differs from the typical one, with a load of 4-5 kg, and increase or decrease the number of shells by this amount.

What to do with a bag of Soap nuts® after washing?
After washing the bag with Soap nuts® must be removed from the washing machine drum and dried. There is no need to remove the shells. You can also place pouch C Soap nuts® into a plastic bag and freeze until next time. If you wash often, several times a day, then you don’t have to take out the bag.

Things were not washed. The washing result is not satisfactory. What was done wrong?
There may be several options.

1. The insides of the machine are quite dirty. The fact is that over time, dirt is deposited on the internal surfaces of the washing machine and colonies of bacteria settle. This situation especially occurs if the machine washes constantly at a low temperature (30-40-60) and does not wash at 90. These bacteria neutralize the effect of the detergent. When washing with powder, this is usually not felt, because... The dosage of the powder is obviously too high.

Running an empty car at 90-95 degrees with citric acid (80 - 100 grams) helps. This procedure is recommended to be done once every 3-4 months. The only limitation is that it is not suitable for cars with an enameled tank, because... this may cause corrosion of the tank. However, most modern washing machines have tanks made of of stainless steel or plastic, for which this procedure is harmless.

2. Things may seem unwashed compared to powder, because... The powder contains special color enhancers and bleaches, which, in essence, simply paint fabric fibers with a special polymer that converts the ultraviolet part of the spectrum invisible to the eye into visible white. Things seem to glow after washing with powder. In this case, several goals are achieved - the dirt is painted over, the grayness of the linen is painted over, the brightness of the colors increases.

IN soap nuts® there is no such chemical component. After washing with them, not only does the laundry stop “glowing,” but also that grayness that the powder so diligently painted over comes out. Therefore, sometimes appearance after washing the clothes are somewhat inferior to what they would have been if washed with powder, but there are no chemicals. In addition, with frequent washing Soap nuts® the color of things is preserved, and the fabric is not destroyed.

3. Any difficult stains must be treated before washing. None of the existing chemical washing powders can guarantee the removal of absolutely all stains. Soap nuts® are soft natural remedy for washing, and, naturally, cannot outperform aggressive synthetic detergents in efficiency, so you cannot demand the impossible from it. Using eco-friendly oxygen bleach can solve this problem.

4. Very hard water significantly reduces washing efficiency. In this case, it makes sense to use a magnetic decarbonizer.

5. It is possible that there was too much laundry and it was not able to move freely around the drum of the washing machine. The fact is that when the laundry is freely mixed in the drum, both chemical and mechanical dirt separation is ensured. If the laundry cannot be moved, then only chemical washing is provided. Soap nuts® are a softer dirt-removing agent compared to washing powder, so the mechanical impact when washing Soap nuts® is very important. Therefore, we recommend loading the drum approximately halfway (to allow the laundry to move freely).

6. If there is no foam at all in the washing machine (at least in the form of individual bubbles), this means that the entire detergent component has become associated with dirt, and there is nothing more to wash with. It can be associated with either severe soiling of the laundry or severe soiling of the washing machine. It is necessary to clean the machine and increase the quantity soap nuts ®

7. In general, from my own experience, when washing with nuts, you need to experiment to find the optimal washing program and the number of nuts, because Everyone’s car is different, their laundry is different, and most importantly, their water is different.

8. Best results Soap nuts® is indicated when washing wool and colored cotton linen. Worst results Soap nuts® is indicated when washing synthetic light-colored outerwear. On the other hand, outerwear does not touch the skin, so it can be washed with synthetic washing powders.

There is no absolutely universal, absolutely effective and absolutely environmentally friendly detergent. You always have to choose what to sacrifice. Items that have close contact with the skin should be washed with a product that ensures safety and true cleanliness, and not its appearance. Outerwear You can really wash something that makes the thing more beautiful, and the fact that particles of washing powder remain in the fibers in this case is not so important if you are not bothered by the smell of chemical fragrance from clothes.

Another thing is how most modern synthetic detergents affect nature... But this is already a question of ethics.

The laundry doesn't smell like anything after washing. What to do?
Lack of odor is the main advantage of use soap nuts® . However, if you want your laundry to have a pleasant smell, you can drop a couple of drops of natural essential oil onto a bag of nuts or into the rinse compartment.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY AND SAFETY

How harmless are saponins?
Saponins contained in plants, in most cases, do not pose a threat to human health. When taken orally, they are not toxic, as they are destroyed in the intestines. In the form of dust, the only unpleasant effect of saponins is irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs, causing severe sneezing and a scratching sensation in the throat. Saponins are dangerous only when administered intravenously, because... even in negligible concentrations cause the destruction of red blood cells.

On the contrary, saponins are beneficial for the skin. Sapindus fruits are widely used for medicinal purposes. For example, saponins are used in the treatment of skin diseases and hair loss. They also suppress the growth of tumor cells.

It is written on the Internet that saponin is toxic to fish and worms - lethal. Is this really true?
Saponin is indeed poisonous to fish and insects. That is why one of the uses of sapindus solution is as a natural insecticide; you can protect flower sprouts from pests, and you can also drive fleas off your beloved dog. The beauty of this product is that saponin decomposes very quickly (in a few days) in water. In the presence of UV radiation from the Sun, this happens even faster and does not harm the fish. Otherwise, in India, where many soap trees grow, there would be neither fish nor insects.

If you do not pour the fresh solution directly into the aquarium or pond, it will not harm the fish.

Have your products been tested on animals? Were any mice/rats/monkeys harmed during product testing?
Products have been InVitro tested so no mice, rats or monkeys were harmed

ABOUT THE WASHING MACHINE

How Soap nuts® ; affect the stainless steel drum, rubber gaskets?
Saponins, which are released from nuts during washing, are more gentle on rubber and plastic, in contrast to the aggressive components of washing powders. Soap nuts® contain neither aggressive alkalis nor acids.

Washing machines are designed for washing with washing powders only for automatic machines. Can it be used in automatic machines? Soap nuts ® ?
Indeed, not any detergent can be used in an automatic washing machine. This is due to the fact that the detergent for such machines must have reduced foaming so as not to damage the washing machine. Foaming during washing Soap nuts® is significantly less than even when washing with washing powder for automatic machines, so washing Soap nuts® is washing machine safe. Vice versa, Soap nuts® are a good replacement for soap shavings powders, which destroy the washing machine bearing and stick to the heating element, leading to its accelerated burnout.

Won't they do any harm? Soap nuts® the mechanism of the washing machine?
Soap nuts® cannot harm moving parts of the machine because firstly, they are in the bag the entire time of washing, and secondly, when they get into water, the shell becomes soft.

Won't they do any harm? Soap nuts® Heating element of a washing machine?
No, they won’t do any harm, unlike washing powder made from soap shavings, which sticks to the heating element and leads to its overheating. Another thing is that modern washing powders contain components that, on the one hand, prevent the formation of scale on the heating elements of washing machines, and on the other hand, then also remain on clothes and harm health.

These components are in soap nuts® no, therefore, in the case of hard water, you will need to take care of the health of the heating element of your washing machine yourself. To do this, firstly, it makes sense to install a magnetic anti-scale filter on the line to the washing machine, and secondly, periodically clean the washing machine using an anti-scale agent or specialized means to clean the machine. Many washing machine manufacturers have such branded products and are sold in service centers. Please note that we recommend using either an anti-scale agent or a branded cleaning product, and not Calgon, which is not an anti-scale agent and about which there are quite a lot of complaints on the Internet.

Citric acid can be used as a simple anti-scale agent. It is necessary to load 80-100 grams of citric acid into the powder cuvette and run an empty washing machine on a program with a temperature of 90-95 C. In the case of hard water and the absence of a magnetic filter, it is recommended to do this procedure once a month. This procedure is suitable for most modern washing machines with a stainless steel or plastic tank. For old washing machines with an enamel tank, this procedure is not recommended, because... the acid can cause corrosion of the tank if there is already damage to the enamel.

ABOUT STORAGE

What are the storage conditions and shelf life of these nuts?
Keep Soap nuts® should be in a dry and preferably cool place (not in the sun). Due to increased humidity, the fruits may stick together, but this will not affect their cleaning properties. However, you shouldn’t overdry them either. A snap-on plastic bag provides the best moisture content.

The guaranteed shelf life is 2 years; the shelf life of the product while maintaining its cleaning properties is unlimited.

How does frost affect properties? soap nuts ® ?
Doesn't have any effect. Towards the frost Soap nuts® are indifferent.

ABOUT QUALITY soap nuts ®

Is it true that the Trifoliatus variety is unsuitable for washing because... Does it have very little saponin?
No it is not true. The amount of saponin does not depend so much on the variety of sapindus, but highly depends on the time of collection, ripening conditions and storage conditions of the fruit. Over more than 4 years of our work, we have seen the maximum amount of saponins in the Trifoliatus variety. But this was rather an exception. Based on our practice, in terms of saponin content, high-quality Trifoliatus is slightly superior to light Mukorossi (of those that we tested, and we tested a lot during this time) and slightly inferior to dark Mukorossi. S.Mukorossi and S.Trifoliatus are two varieties of the same plant (soap tree), so both can be washed.

A significant difference that affects the characteristics of washing is the content of tannins and dyes, which will be explained below.

Is it true that Trifoliatus and dark Mukorossi stain fabric when washed?
No it is not true. Trifoliatus can stain the fabric not during washing, but after it, if the bag with Soap nuts® leave in the washing machine with the washed laundry. In this case, a concentrated infusion will flow from the bag onto the laundry. If you washed with light Mukorossi, then you most likely will not notice anything, but in the case of dark Mukorossi and especially Trifoliatus, visible streaks may remain on the clothes. The color is not permanent, water-soluble, and can be easily removed by repeated rinsing. Therefore, in the case of washing with dark Mukorossi and especially with Trifoliatus, it is advisable to unload the machine immediately after washing.

Separately, you should pay attention to the fact that we recommend washing with the help of the soap nuts®, and not using a decoction of them. The fact is that when preparing a decoction, much more tannins and dyes are transferred into the decoction than simply when washed. The longer the shells are boiled, the more coloring substances will go into the broth. In the case of washing with broth, we cannot guarantee the absence of color on the fabric.

Is it true that Mukorossi good quality should they smell nothing, be light and not sticky?
Not true! The fruits are either light golden or dark brown. There are two harvests a year. Summer ones are dark, winter ones are golden. According to our practice, it is in dark fruits maximum amount saponin. The darker the fruit, the riper it is, and the more saponin it contains. We tested a fairly large number of samples from different suppliers and from different countries. Light fruits are really beautiful in themselves, their shells are more regular in shape and they are really almost not sticky. Dark brown fruits are less beautiful in appearance, more sticky, there are overripe fruits with streaks of juice (the main source of saponin). Because the Soap nuts® are needed not in order to admire them, but in order to wash them, then we specially bring only dark Mukorossi, as the most effective for washing.

It should be noted that the fruits should be sticky, but not sticky, and stickiness should only appear when they come into contact with natural moisture.

Mukorossi have a light herbal smell with vinegar and cheese notes, which intensifies as the temperature increases. The smell is also directly related to the stickiness of the fruit, and the stickiness is related to the saponin content. Therefore, very dry shells with no odor at all have less cleaning power.

Anyone who wants to check the above can independently conduct a simple test for saponin content. You need to take one shell of the same mass of each type, put them in the same plastic bottles, fill halfway with water and shake. The size of the foam head will be proportional to the amount of saponin contained.

Most often, buyers do not like the smell of the Mukorossi variety, because... it has a faint cheese-vinegar smell. But the fruits of this variety are large and have a beautiful appearance. The Trifoliatus variety is small and less beautiful, but has a more pleasant smell - sweet fruity and floral. In our experience, most people like it. Some compare it to strawberries, others to coconut, others to oriental incense. Although there are people who don't like this smell either.

The smell of the infusion or decoction, in our opinion, is more like the smell of dried fruit compote from childhood.

Once again we would like to note that the linen has no smell at all. Neither pleasant nor unpleasant;)

ABOUT THE BREW

How to properly prepare a decoction soap nuts® ? How many nuts are needed and for what amount of water?
To prepare the decoction, you need to take 4-5 nuts, add two glasses of water and boil over low heat for about 15-20 minutes. This is a sample recipe. Depending on the quality of the water and the purpose of using the nut decoction, you can take different quantities from 1 to...as much as you like :) The same nuts can be boiled 1-2 times. The second time, it is desirable that the volume of water be smaller. In general, you need to experiment with concentration depending on the purpose of use.

What is the shelf life of the decoction?
About storing the decoction. For some reason, everyone stores it differently. This probably depends on the water, the duration of the boil and the time the broth sits outside the refrigerator and the temperature inside the refrigerator. The approximate shelf life of the decoction is 1 week. Sometimes longer. You can tell that the broth has already spoiled by a changed smell, severe clouding, and the appearance of mold. A slight turbidity of the solution and a small sediment are not criteria for the deterioration of the solution.

In general, in the case of a decoction, it should be borne in mind that the saponin compound is unstable, under normal conditions in an aqueous environment it decomposes in a day or two, and with increasing temperature the rate of decomposition increases. Since the effectiveness of the decoction decreases as it is stored, we believe that storing the decoction from soap nuts® is not advisable at all.

Is it possible to boil the shells again and get a “full” broth for washing?
The shells can be boiled 2 times, but only the second time pour 2 times less water and pour a double dose into the washing machine.

How to wash your hair with a decoction?
It is more convenient to wash with your head tilted forward in a bowl of broth so that the liquid does not get into your eyes. The decoction is very liquid and non-soapy, so you will have to get used to this method of use.

In our opinion, it is much more effective and convenient to use either a washcloth for washing your hair. Soap nuts® or Soap nuts® S. Trifoliatus ground into powder.

ABOUT OTHER APPLICATIONS

Can I use Soap nuts® body wash? How safe is it for the skin?
Although the product is certified for washing, according to reviews from our customers, its use on the body is not only safe, but even useful. When using sapindus for hygienic purposes, the skin becomes softer and smoother. At the same time, all the protective functions of the skin are preserved, thereby increasing resistance to infections. This is especially true for people suffering from eczema, psoriasis, and other skin diseases.

How Soap nuts® wash your face?
Wash your face with the solution, but very carefully! Be careful not to get it in your eyes, because... they are pinched so that the onion rests;). For skin better variety Trifoliatus, because it is healthier, smells better and soaks better and faster.

Can I use Soap nuts® for washing hair? How often can you wash your hair? Soap nuts ® ?
Although the product is certified for washing, according to reviews from our customers, its use on hair is also very useful, since the hair becomes soft, shiny, and less dirty. In addition, they fall out less, grow better, and dandruff disappears. Hair Soap nuts® can be washed every day.

Can I use Soap nuts® for medicinal purposes?
The products are certified as a detergent, although the sapindus fruit is actually used as a medicine in the countries where it grows. If you are confident that you know how to use them as a medicine, then use them, but entirely at your own peril and risk.

How Soap nuts® can I wash the dishes?
It is best to wash dishes with a sponge soaked in a concentrated solution (or decoction).

ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE

Do you sell whole “nuts” or just the “shells” used in washing, without the pit?
Package soap nuts® contains only the pericarp (“shells”) used in washing. The pit does not have a cleaning effect and is removed before drying.

Is it possible to eat Soap nuts ® ?
We strongly do not recommend it, because this product is certified as a detergent, although in India the fruits of sapindus are actually used as a medicine taken orally. Sapindus fruits taste hot and bitter.

Is there a lot of foam? soap nuts ® ?
There is practically no foam in the washing machine. If you wash in a basin or wash with Soap nuts®, the amount of foam depends only on your desire - the more you lather, the more foam you will get.

How many times can you use Soap nuts ® ?
As long as they produce foam, that is, as long as the detergent is released.

How to understand that saponin has been completely released and Soap nuts® no longer work?
You need to knead the wet fruits in your hands. While the foam is released, Soap nuts® can be used. If practically no foam comes out, then you need to throw away the used shells and take new ones. In addition, completely used wet shells take on a slightly bluish tint. However, in our experience, it is not advisable to constantly monitor the suitability of each shell, since it is easier to use the nuts for washing the number of times indicated on the package, and use them for other uses. Soap nuts® as long as they provide a cleaning effect.

How to recycle Soap nuts ® ?
Soap nuts that are unsuitable for further use are disposed of as normal household waste.

Is there enough for everyone? soap nuts ® ?
The question is really difficult. If everyone suddenly stops washing with powders and only washes Soap nuts®, then, of course, there are not enough sapindus fruits for everyone. But this can never happen, because according to available statistics, only 2-3% of buyers care about the safety and environmental friendliness of washing, and they are ready to consider an alternative to traditional washing powders. For the remaining buyers, either the cost of the powder or its visual effectiveness is important. Therefore, for those 2-3% who are concerned about the safety and environmental friendliness of washing, soap nuts® that's enough.

Have there been any disadvantages of using soap nuts ® ?
The disadvantages include the fact that Soap nuts® are inferior to powders in washing white clothes. But this is understandable - the powders contain 2 types of bleach: chemical and optical. And there is none in nuts. But, in order for the effectiveness to be the same as when washing with powder, it is recommended to add oxygen bleach.

Also require additional processing greasy stains (but many powders cannot cope with them), collars and cuffs on men's light-colored shirts. It is advisable to wash bed linen and kitchen towels at 90C.

Do they have Soap nuts® antimicrobial properties?
Thanks to its structure and saponin content, sapindus fruits inhibit bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes, which causes acne, and Pityosporum ovale, a yeast that causes dandruff.

The better Soap nuts® than lye made from ash and water?
It is better than lye in that there is no alkaline reaction of the environment (the fabric and its color are intact), it can be used in the washing machine (no abrasive), there are no ash particles on clothes, it does not corrode your hands, but rather heals. Maybe lye has some other disadvantages, but we don’t know about it, because... we only wash it ourselves Soap nuts ® .

Soap nuts are a versatile product that can be used for cleaning, body and hair care. Find out more about the properties of soap shells, as well as their types.

The content of the article:

Looking at the composition of most shampoos, one of the first five components you can see is an ingredient such as SLS or SLES. These active surface substances, with prolonged exposure, can negatively affect the condition of the hair, making the strands more brittle. Finding a high-quality shampoo without harmful ingredients is not easy, so many women use soap nut tincture as a detergent, which, in turn, has a wide range of uses.

What are soap nuts

The value of the fruits of soap trees is concentrated in the shell; it is there that a large number of natural foaming agents are located, which also have good cleaning properties, which allows them to be used for rinsing clothes, washing dishes, and hair. Products prepared using soap nuts are non-toxic, do not cause allergies, do not pollute the air, and are odorless, which cannot be said if instead you use products with harmful chemical compounds. Note that nuts taken from soap trees can reduce inflammation, speed up the healing process of wounds, and minimize the increased secretion of sebum.

Soap nuts for washing clothes

First, you need to decide on the number of shells (1 shell is equal to two halves) needed for a full wash. For soft water you can take 3-6 shells, for hard water - 5-10. Moreover, these nuts are enough for 1-3 procedures. Place the fruits in a cotton bag and add, if desired, about 5-10 drops of essential oil to obtain a pleasant scent. Tie the bag well so that the shells do not fall out during the washing process, and place it in the drum along with the clothes.

For hand washing, just pour water into a container, add soap shells and shake the liquid a little to get foam, after which you can begin the washing process itself. Soap nuts will help rid clothes of stains caused by chocolate, yogurt, borscht, some types of felt-tip pens, pens, etc. getting on the fabric. In some cases (if strong tea leaves, currants, mayonnaise get on clothes, if traces are found on cuffs and collars, etc.), additional treatment will be required.

Helaplant nuts are effective in combating traces of grass, tomato paste, blood or other stubborn stains. As for white things, they should be washed at very high temperatures, since soap nuts do not have bleaching effects. If the stain is difficult to remove, it is better to pre-treat it; for these purposes, in some situations, you can use the method of soaking the fabric in cold water with the addition of salt or soda, or using laundry soap.

Washing dishes using soap nuts

1. Pour a liter of ordinary, or preferably purified, water into a pan, and put 20 to 30 shells there. The nuts should be chopped first, but you can do without it; in this case, the softened fruits should be mashed with a fork during the cooking process. Cover the pan with a lid.
2. Turn the heat to low and simmer the soap nuts for half an hour. During this time, the shells will have time to release saponins, substances that have valuable properties, and turn water into a washing extract.
3. Collect the shells in a bag, strain the liquid and pour into a convenient jar.
   If you do not cover the pan, the water may boil away by almost half, in which case you will get a more concentrated extract and, if desired, can be diluted with water. Try to use the prepared product within two weeks, no more, since later the extract will no longer have the abilities that it could boast at the beginning of its life. A large number of saponins disappear even after the first boiling. To extend the shelf life of the product, store it in a cool place.

Soap nuts for cleaning

The versatility of soap nut extract is also confirmed by the fact that the product helps protect children from harmful bacteria and worms by simply rinsing toys with it and letting them dry.

Washing vegetables and fruits

Note that eating poorly washed vegetables and fruits can provoke the development of gastrointestinal disorders and also cause food poisoning. Rinsing apples and pears under running tap water will not be a problem, but qualitatively minimizing contamination of grapes, cherries or currants, for example, can be a considerable task. Take water into a deep container, put vegetables or fruits there and add soap nut extract. In a couple of minutes you can be sure of the purity of the products. Be sure to rinse your food again with clean water.

Use the nut solution to rid food of traces of birds, insects and animals, or to clean dust and dirt.

Pet care

Soap nuts and houseplants

Spray the product over the leaves and do not rinse off, because the resulting film serves protective barrier from pests and dust.

Cleaning jewelry accessories

Don't know how to make a product you purchased long ago look new? Try using the action soap solution from nuts. Dip the jewelry into the extract, go over the stained areas with a soft toothbrush, and buff the piece dry using a soft, dry cloth.

Skin and hair care: recipes

A solution of soap tree shells can be used as liquid soap for hand and body wash or hair shampoo. The product is suitable for sensitive skin that quickly reacts to external irritants; it is used for eczema, acne, psoriasis, itchy skin, etc.

Do not expect abundant foam from using a solution of soap nuts. If you clearly miss it, you can add a little babassu foam to the prepared product. Wash your hair until it squeaks and try to wash it so that the shampoo does not get into your eyes.

Place 10 shells in approximately 1 liter of boiling water and boil for 10 minutes. Let the mixture cool, do not forget to squeeze out the nuts, and filter the prepared product, strain, and pour into a bottle. In order to extend the shelf life of the product (more than two weeks), add grapefruit seed extract to the solution.

You can do without nut extract by placing the shells in a cloth bag, soaking them in hot water and wringing them onto your head and strands while showering or bathing, using the foam as a hair cleanser. You can reuse the remaining nuts.

The solution, saturated with saponins, makes hair soft and thicker, making combing easier. Regular washing of strands will lead to much less hair falling out and dandruff will disappear.

If you have a coffee grinder, you can bring the nuts to a powdery state. Dilute 1 tbsp. spoon of powder with warm water, apply evenly to the strands and after a few minutes, or even more, rinse with water. You can obtain the powder yourself; it is also available in some online stores of ingredients for the production of safe cosmetics.

As a shampoo, you can use either a solution of nuts or a product with the addition of other components. So for cooking products for all hair types you will need:

• Clay Multani Mitti - 35%
• Soap Nut Powder - 32%
• Shikakai soap bean powder - 23%
• Amla powder -10%

Common Types of Soap Tree Nuts

Trifoliatus berries are significantly smaller in volume from Mukorossi, their diameter is approximately 1.5 cm and thickness - 1 mm, while the diameter of Mukorossi nuts is from 2.5 to 3 cm, and the wall thickness is 2.5 mm. Small shells get wet faster, but those nuts that gradually release substances into the water are more suitable for washing. Trifoliatus nuts, marked by the presence of saponins 20-25% (in Mukorossi this figure can reach up to 35%) and containing coloring substances, are best included in scrubs, masks and hair strengthening products; their foam creates a gentle and pleasant, strawberry, sweet aroma . Nuts of the Trifoliatus species can be distinguished by color, the berries are very dark, reddish-brown, sometimes even black, Mukorossi berries are amber-yellow-brown, with a grassy, ​​sour smell.

Video recipe for soap nut shampoo: