Your Safest Alternative to Chemical Detergents
Fornya Soapnuts are:
100% Certified Organic (USDA & ECO-CERT CERTIFIED ORGANIC )
Seedless
Sapindus Mukorossi species (contain higher amount of saponin)
Benefits of Soapnuts
100% Natural, Safe & Hypoallergenic
Protects your family from being exposed to toxins, carcinogens, skin irritants and endocrine disruptors.
Chemical free
Leaves no chemical residue on clothing
Replace laundry soap & fabric softener
Lower the cost per load of laundry
Environmentally friendly- water from your washing machine can be used.
Harvested and processed by hand
100% Fragrance Free
Safe for Delicate Fibers
Safe for Septic Systems
Multi-purpose can be used to make liquid household cleaners
Compostable
What are soap nuts?
Soap nuts or soap berries are the common names for the ripened and dried fruit from a Sapindus tree. While there are many varieties of soap nut trees there are only two species harvested for soap nuts today, the Mukorossi and the Trifoliatus.
How do I know which type of soap nut to buy?
The significance of between the two soap nut trees is the size of the berries and the percentage of saponin. The Mukorossi species produces larger berries almost an inch in diameter (2-2.5cm), yellowish brown in color, plus consistently produces the highest levels of saponin of the two species. NOTE: A person should not buy whole soap nuts as these soap nuts contain the seeds which stain clothing. The seeds falsely increase the weight of the useable product.
Which soap nuts should I buy; whole soap nuts or just the shells?
Unless the whole soap nuts listing states that the soapnuts are de-seeded or seedless the whole soap nut still contains the seed in the shell. The seed of the soap nut does NOT contain saponins the only purpose it is sold in the shell is to increase the weight of each bag sold and rip people off. The seeds are worthless. If you were to do laundry with whole soap nuts the color from the seed inside of the soap nut shell may very well stain your laundry. You should always buy de-seeded or seedless soap nuts as you are getting more value for your money and can use 100% of the product.
Does it make a difference if I use pieces rather than whole shells?
Small pieces of soap nuts work just as effectively as whole shells and larger pieces however soap nuts sold by most reputable companies are graded and the small pieces removed.
How can I be sure of what I am getting when I buy soap nuts?
A reputable company will indicate the species of soap nut; sell the product by weight, sell hand processed, graded, seedless USDA & ECO-CERT Certified Organic soap nuts.
Fornya only sells 100% USDA & ECO-CERT Certified Organic, graded, seedless, Sapindus Mukorossi soap nuts (shells) by weight.
What is saponin and how do soap nuts work?
The saponin found in soap nut shell is a natural surfactant which allows the soap nuts to work like a detergent. The saponins from the soap nuts are released when the shells get wet. Surfactants work by breaking the surface water tension so it can penetrate into the fabrics easier allowing the water to break up the dirt, grease and grime from fabrics. During the wash cycle the agitation shakes the dirt loose from the clothing. The saponin holds the dirt in suspension in the water which prevents the dirt from being re-deposited on the clothing.
How many loads of laundry will 1.1 pounds (17.6 ounces) (500 grams) of soap nuts clean?
The number of loads of wash an individual can get out of soap nuts depends on variables. One can expect to get between 150 to 175 loads of laundry washed from a 1.1 pounds (17.6 ounces) (500 grams) bag of soap nuts. Soap nuts release more saponins with warm or hot water compared to a cold water wash. The number of soap nuts one will use for each wash cycle depends on the how dirty the clothing is, the temperature setting for the wash cycle and how hard the water is. Please see explanations below:
Warm & Hot Water Wash Cycles
For warm & hot water washes one would typically uses less soap nuts (2 or 3). For heavily soiled clothing one should use 5 or 6 soap nuts in a warm or hot water wash. Please note: due to the fact that the saponins are released quicker in warm & hot water washes one will typically need to replace the soap nuts after 2 or 3 loads of laundry have been washed.
Cold Water Wash Cycles
For cold water washes we suggest using 5 or 6 soap nuts in the muslin bag as the saponins are not released as quickly. A person will typically get 5 wash loads of laundry from 5 soap nuts in the muslin bag. To increase the release of saponins in a cold water wash one can soak the soap nuts in a couple of cups of hot water for 15 minutes prior to washing.
Hard Water Wash Cycles
Cold water washing with hard water can cause problems in getting clothing clean, if you change to a warm water wash and use 5 or 6 soap nuts your clothing should come clean. Extreme hard water may require a water softening agent.
Are soap nuts suitable for heavily soiled laundry?
For heavily soiled laundry we suggest using warm or hot water setting on your washing machine plus adding a few extra soap nuts. Secondly you may want to reduce the amount of laundry in the load which will help increase the agitation. Please keep in mind soap nuts remove stubborn stains such as blood or tomato sauce without the use of a stain remover.
Is it possible to use too many soap nuts?
If you use too many soap nuts your laundry will be slightly stiffer after washing. If this happens, re-wash the laundry in plain water and reduce the amount of soap nuts used for future loads.
Are soap nuts safe for sensitive skin or problem skin conditions?
Absolutely, soap nuts are 100% natural, free of synthetic chemicals and hypoallergenic. Soap nuts leave laundry free of chemical residues which is why they are highly recommended for individuals with allergies or sensitive skin.
Are soap nuts safe to use with delicate fabrics?
The saponin in soap nuts is extremely gentle and will not harm your most delicate fabrics including silk and wool. Soap nuts can be used with the gentle cycle on the washing machine for delicate fabrics or can be used with hand washing of delicate fabrics.
Are soap nuts safe for washing cloth diapers?
Soap nuts are safer for washing cloth diapers as the saponins are 100% natural and soapnuts are very effective at removing odors. Commercial detergents and soaps contain chemicals that build up in the diaper quite often irritating your baby’s skin causing a rash. Commercial detergents also break down the fibres in the diaper causing the diaper to loose absorbency.
Are soap nuts safe to use with pets?
Absolutely, many people use soap nuts liquid they make themselves as a pet shampoo as the soap nuts are 100% natural, antifungal, antibacterial and reduce odors. Most pet shampoos sold on the market contain chemical which are not good for your pets.
I don’t see suds, are my soap nuts working?
The amount of suds one sees in a washing machine during the wash cycle have nothing to do with the effectiveness and cleaning ability of soap nuts. Most laundry detergents contain chemical ingredients to produce fake suds to fool people their products work better. “Suds do not clean”.
Should I remove the soap nuts for the rinse cycle?
No, the rinse cycle is a shorter cycle and the saponins released during the rinse cycle are a natural fabric softener and reduce static cling.
Can soap nuts be used in high efficiency top load or front load washing machines?
Yes and because soap nuts are low sudsing they work very well in high efficiency washing machines.
I use bleach when washing loads of whites, do soap nuts replace the bleach?
Soap nuts do not replace bleach, however adding bleach when washing whites does not affect the cleaning power of soap nuts.
Soap nuts have a vinegar type scent, will my laundry smell like this?
No, clothes come out of the wash smelling clean and fresh, the scent does not transfer to your clothes.
How should I store soap nuts and how long will they last?
You should store your soap nuts in an air tight container to ensure they do not absorb the humidity from the air. When stored incorrectly soap nuts may become sticky, this does not affect their performance. Soap nuts have an endless shelf life when stored correctly.
How can I make liquid soap nuts?
Most recipes will tell you to use 10-12 soap nuts and 6 cups of water bring to a boil and the simmer for 30 minutes. I made my first batch that but it seemed pretty diluted and the soapnuts were really brown.
Fornya Liquid Soap Nuts Recipe
1) Take 20 soap nuts and break them into small pieces; (I use a rolling pin). The reason I break them into pieces is because the saponin is both on the skin and inside the shell in the dried pulp.
2) Place them in a pot, add 6 cups of water, bring to a boil over medium heat and once boiling turn heat down to maintain a low boil for 25 minutes (keep an eye on the soap nuts solution so that it does not boil over as solution will start forming suds) stir occasionally.
3) Add 1 cup of water continue boiling for another 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
4) Repeat process adding 1 cup of water and boil for another 10 minutes.
This recipe yields 4 cups of liquid soap nuts. Due to the fact that there is no preservative it should be bottled, labeled and stored in the fridge. It will last 1 -2 weeks, to store it for longer periods of time you can fill ice cubes tray and freeze it. When doing laundry just
Uses for Homemade Liquid Soap Nuts
Suggestion modify as required
For Laundry: add 3 to 4 tablespoons or 2 ounces per load; if using frozen soap cubes add a couple of your frozen soap cubes per load of laundry into the washing machine.
For Dishes: 1 ounce per sink
For Pet Shampoo: dilute 1 ounce into 1 quart or litre of water.
For Washing floors: add 1 ounce to 1 gallon of water
Removing bugs from cars: add 2 ounces 1 gallon of water
Cleaning Jewelry: Place jewelry in soap nuts liquid wait a few minutes and scrub with an old toothbrush. Rinse with water and polish with a soft cloth.
