Soap nuts are safe for use in both top and front loading washing machines. All measurements of soap nuts and other helpful agents should be scaled to the size of your load which can be calculated based on the total capacity of your washing machine. Please take the time to read through the following instructions carefully.

The Basic Machine Load

You'll be amazed at how easy this is!

Just add one half soap nut per kilogram capacity of your washing machine to the wash bag we supply with your order or into a sock with a knot in it. Add the bag directly into the machine and wash as usual. There is no need to be concerned about having the bag remain in machine for the rinse cycle as soap nuts do not have chemical residue to leave behind. It is also a natural softener so you won't need to add any of that either!

Expended Soap Nuts

Over 4-6 wash loads, less if using hot water, the soap nuts will disintegrate and will need replenishing. This can be done either by replacing the entire contents every few loads or by checking the bag between loads for broken down shells for removal and topping it up again.

Just go with what works best for you.

Nappies and Sensitive Skins

Soap nuts are hypo-allergenic and are known for their benefits for people with skin conditions. They are completely suitable to use on the clothes that come in contact with sensitive skin. This makes them perfect for your baby's clothes and any clothes that have direct skin contact.

They are also fantastic for your soiled nappies! Using a warm to hot wash cycle, depending on you nappy type, soap nuts will release a greater amount of saponin allowing the deeper clean that nappies need. This, in turn, will lead to a faster break down of the nuts so please restock the wash bag with fresh soap nuts.

Sparking Whites

As soap nuts are free from chemical whiteners and bleaches you may find yourself looking for something to reinvigorate that sparkling white appearance. To do this you can add 50ml of lemon juice or ½ teaspoon of citric acid to your rinse cycle per kilogram of clothing.

Brightest of Brights

Another advantage of soap nuts is that without chemical whiteners and bleaches your colours will not be faded as quickly as with other laundry detergents. Without the addition of reflective optical brighteners found in washing powders your colours will show their natural brightness wash after wash.

Stain Solutions

Soap nuts are effective at removing every day stains. If in doubt refer to a stain guide for any special care instructions for removal. Of course, there will always be difficult stains, like those containing zinc for example, that will always require special treatment. Lipstick is a classic example.

Hard Water Areas

If you are supplied with 'hard water', water that is heavily laden with minerals, your clothing will naturally grey in time as the mineral deposits build up in the garment. To prevent this add 125ml or a ½ cup of vinegar to your rinse water for a full 5kg load. Please be aware that clothes will not have the same level of softness as they would without the vinegar.

That 'Fresh' Smell

As your clothes slowly relinquish the chemical residue from previous washings it will develop the odour that they fabric would normally expect to have when wet. It is not a 'bad' odour but simply noticeable as being 'woody' or 'earthy' when the item is wet but simply disappears once dry. It is a natural phenomenon just like the smell of surrounding plants just after it has rained.

If you prefer your wet items not to produce this scent or you miss that 'fresh' smell that your previous detergent had then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil either to the wash bag or to the fabric softener draw.