Did you know that you can use Soapnut Berries as an eco-friendly way to make your own laundry detergent substitute?

Soapnut berries come from the Sapindus trifoliatus tree. The trees produce the berries, which, when crushed, can be used to make soaps and detergents. This is because soapnut berries contain saponins, which are surface acting agents, making them useful as an ingredient in cleaning detergents.

Here Are Some Eco Tips For Using Soapnut Berries

You can think of soapnut berries as eco laundry balls. You will need a cloth bag made out of a loose-mesh fabric like cheesecloth that can be tied off at the top. Inside this bag you place four or five soapnut berries, tie it off and place it in the washer with your laundry. The soapnut berries help to wash the clothes, removing dirt and odors with ease. The soapnut berries can be reused four or five times in your washer, gently cleaning your clothes. When the soapnuts get soft and mushy, you are done with them, and the used berries can be placed in your compost pile with no ill effects because they are plant matter.

You can also make a liquid detergent out of the soapnut berries by boiling them in water. The liquid that will result works like a concentrated detergent, and so you will not need very much–about three tablespoons is enough–to get your clothes bright and smelling fresh once again. This liquid can also be used for other types of household cleaning, such as for windows and glass. It works well for cleaning dishes in your dishwasher as well. Soapnut berry soap is safe to use on colored clothing as well as whites. Because the soapnut berries are from plants and are natural, they will add no chemicals to your laundry, which can be a benefit to those who are sensitive to chemicals in laundry detergents that get left on clothes that go through the wash. It also makes a great laundry soap for anyone allergic to fragrances and dyes often used in commercial laundry detergents as well. The soapnut eco laundry balls will last longer if your wash your clothing in cold or warm water rather than hot water.

Soapnut trees grow in warm areas of the world including India and Nepal, and this includes several of the southern United States such as Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma and Florida. If you do not live in any of these areas, you can easily find them from fine herbal merchants online.