The intent of this article is to raise both seller and consumer awareness about very important aspects regarding soap nuts, plus to provide insight that will enable consumers to make better – much more informed – choices. Much is to be learned about soap nuts – on the part of both sellers and buyers alike. As sellers, we have a responsibility as professionals to know all we can. I intend to shed some needed additional light on the some very important issues (particularly given this time of year).

Soap nuts (the natural detergent that actually is found growing on trees) are not “nuts” (in this case you can take the term anyway you desire). They are actually a fruit most commonly referred to as a soapberry. Now, that had to sound really weird, huh? It’s no wonder people are confused. I just referred to a detergent as a fruit, and a detergent growing on trees. Jugs and bottles certainly don’t grow on trees. And also, I certainly would not call wine a grape. Are you confused, yet? I would be. It is my hope that this article clarifies a great deal about what soap nuts actually are. As your understanding grows, such seemingly stupid statements will actually begin to make sense. I’ve dedicated nearly a year intensely studying soap nuts and their inherent properties. From lab test to standing in front of the washing machine, countless hours have been spent. As a large US importer and a product formulator, that’s my job. I hope my work will save you precious time.

Again, soap nuts are a fruit. They produce a substance that is a natural detergent (or soap). It is called saponin. Sapo is actually Latin for soap. There are numerous botanical sources for saponin. What makes the soap nut so special is its extremely high concentration of saponin. It is the saponin that is Mother Nature’s own natural surfactant that effectively acts in the exact same way as a chemical detergent or soap.

Important break: “What the heck is a surfactant?” Excellent question! I’m so glad someone asked!

sur-fac-tant n. A substance or agent, for example, a detergent or a drug, that reduces the surface tension of liquids so that the liquid spreads out, rather than collecting in the form of droplets.

All detergents and soaps are essentially surfactants. It is surfactants that allow for the break up of dirt, grime, oil, grease, etc. in water – and thus enables things to be washed and become cleaned. It’s really that simple. (There are some minor exceptions but this is the KEY thing to realize about how detergents and soaps work.) It is just the fact that most surfactants – that we know of – have come out of chemical labs rather than grown by Mother Nature. I assure you they are not picking fruit at Procter and Gamble. At least not when making detergent. I bet this is beginning to make sense.

Somewhere throughout the ages people started calling the dried soapberries “nuts”. Why? Because they feel and look more like a nut than anything else. They are hard and dry (when they are ready for use) and even a nut-like color. If you picked one up off the ground, your first guess would be: “some kind of nut.” So, there you go. The rest is history. When growing on the tree, soap nuts remind me most of a cherry given their large seed size relative to its pulp and skin. As they are dried in the sun, they become wrinkled and then look reminiscent of a date or an overgrown (big time) raisin – just drier and harder. During their first couple months they will be yellowish to golden in color. As they age they will redden in color. As time continues, they will simply darken and shrink a bit in size. If properly stored in a cool dry environment they can last for years. As with nearly all dried natural or organic fruits, vegetables, etc., if they are not stored properly and allowed to become moist they will blacken and even grow molds. I would not recommend them at that point. (So much for common sense.)

Again, it is the soap nuts’ remarkable ability to produce saponin (that natural soap) in high levels that makes them so incredibly special – the ideal natural detergent, soap and cleaner. As a consumer, you receive them as simply the dried fruits with their seeds removed (usually). However, as an apple is not just an apple, or a grape is not just a grape, a soap nut is not just a soap nut. Do you think a vineyard cares about the type and quality of the grapes they grow? You bet – big time. If all is not right, a year’s harvest could become worthless. Now, the grape is probably the most extreme example that I can think of to make my point. Such is the beauty of extremes – the fundamentals are made easy to understand. It’s such fundamentals that we are going to apply to soap nuts.

Note: Again, the purpose of this article is to provide additional information about soap nuts that may lead to better personal experiences, and most importantly, to assist you in becoming a more informed seller and a greater asset to your customers. Many of you know the fundamentals, but we are now starting to drill into some very interesting nuances that can be puzzling for even the most informed of us.

Firstly, the type, variety and strain: As with grapes, they run the gamut. A vineyard is extremely particular regarding the grapes they grow. Different grapes will produce different wines. With soap nuts, we don’t need to go to that extreme for one reason: There is no culinary aspect to deal with. The value of a soap nut distills (pun intended) down to one thing – saponin. 100% pure saponin (other than the extraction process that can result in significantly different results and qualities) has no variables. It is what it is. It is the concentration of saponin that we must concern ourselves with. From species to species in the Sapindus tree family that grows across the globe, the soap nuts vary greatly. Without going into the many, many varieties in detail (that’s another long article), the fact is that the mukorossi variety contains the most consistently high concentration of saponin. Hence, it is the most prized and highest valued. The Florida soapberry for example is a soap nut, but it simply doesn’t work as well because its saponin concentration pales by comparison. Hence it is not the same as others. So far, easy, right?

Secondly, the harvest and back to grapes: The growers are very precise as to when they harvest. The grapes are checked daily. Only at their optimal point, depending on what the grower wants, are they harvested. Even a day can make a difference. Given that this is November, it is the perfect time of year to address this issue. To keep focus I will refer strictly to mukorossi harvests, albeit the fundamentals are the same for all.

At this time of year (October/November/December) the soapberry is maturing on the trees. From area to area and affected by the year’s weather in the area, we will find soap nuts at various stages in their development. We are dealing with both wild and plantation grown soap nuts. Last years harvest of soap nuts has become dark and the shells have shrunk somewhat in size. Only if stored properly will they still be dry (nut gummy or sticky). The new harvest is, of course, of highest demand and value. However, in the rush to bring newly harvested soap nuts to the market, many soap nuts are prematurely harvested. When prematurely harvested, soap nuts will be a bright gold to yellow color, but also they will be typically small (often in the 2cm range as compared to a mature soapberry at 4cm or larger).

A mature soap nut will have reached its peak in saponin content – the most important factor. Hence, not only are the prematurely harvested soap nuts wasteful in that another six to eight weeks could produce a much more bountiful harvest. But also, they will not be of the quality of a fully mature soap nut. Given drying and shipping times, look for the best quality newly harvested soap nuts to begin showing up in the US in late December, January and February. Properly stored soap nuts from last year’s harvest will be the better choice. If the soap nuts are very dark, gummy and sticky (as is often the case at this time), they have not been stored properly. Hence, look elsewhere for the best quality – regardless of time of year.

Thirdly, the results of inexperience: Most sellers of soap nuts know little more than the average user. Soap nuts are so new to the US and western hemisphere in general, that many sellers are selling only due to the fact that there is a market. Whenever there is a market, there will be sellers (and, of course, buyers). It is a caveat emptor (buyer beware) scenario. The quality of product the buyer receives is largely a function of the questions the buyers ask. Therefore, ASK QUESTIONS. Ask about the species, quality, condition, color and size. Don’t get too hung up on age. The shelf life of soap nuts is very long if properly stored and maintained. Again, ASK. Request representative samples if making a large purchase. Moisture build up, often due to condensation, is probably the leading causes for inferior quality soap nuts to come on the market. Be wary if you think they have been being stored in a garage somewhere (a common scenario). If you don’t get good answers, look for another seller. Be cautious of cheap prices without good, logical reasons. Improperly stored soap nuts are getting bad at this time. Sellers will “fire sale” them. You typically get what you pay for.

Lastly, bottom of the barrel hunting: The two main varieties that are being sold in the US are Sapindus Mukorossi and Sapindus Trifoliatus. Both grow in relatively close proximity, particularly in India. The trifoliatus variety is smaller and less effective. They are not as highly valued. Mixing the varieties is a very common practice among harvesters and exporters. Not even those that are very familiar with soap nuts can immediately identify the difference. Important note: A large amount of soap nuts are pre-packaged overseas for retail in the US to save on labor costs. (This “note” is worthy of its own article, so I will just drop it here.) Hence, not even most US and Canadian sellers can inspect them carefully. NaturOli, is an exception since the final packaging in done in the US. Soap nuts shipped by NaturOli have been hand inspected within only weeks of sale.

So, the bottom line: You need not be a connoisseur (as a wine master) to find quality soap nuts. The very simple, and even common sense, knowledge shared in this article should help you to make much better decisions. Be you a newbie or veteran to soap nuts, you want a good experience – and the most value for your money. Reliable quality and saponin content will ultimately lead to increased affordability. You will never again need to rewash a load, or use more soap nuts than required. A little knowledge goes a long, long way.

Understanding that soap nuts are Mother Nature’s fruits – not lab produced products – is the most critical aspect of being a good user and consumer of them. If you think of soap nuts as a fruit – be it a grape, cherry, or apple  – you are half way home.

At NaturOli, the common phrase one hears everyday is, “Together we can make a difference.” This is heartfelt. I ask of you to share you soap nut experiences with NaturOli. None of us know what we don’t know. As a collective, we all have so much to share – and we can all benefit by such sharing. Being highly informed, honest sellers, we will all develop life-long business and personal relationships. Your input is highly valued and always greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Chris

Soap Nuts natural laundry detergent and cleansers are indeed the beginning of a new age in safe, green, healthy household cleaning solutions. Albeit the powder and liquid forms of soap nuts may be convenient for some, there are significant economic and VERY serious health issues regarding them that the consumer needs to be aware of. NaturOli is bringing these issues to light – and resolving them. As sellers of high integrity we have a responsibility to the consumer to share what we know.

There are some critical aspects about using soap nuts in non-traditional forms. By “traditional” I refer to the dried soapberries (aka soap nuts) that are put in a cotton bag and tossed in with your laundry. Recently, soap nut powders and liquids are showing up more and more. Isn’t the race for the next new always amusing? The inherent problem with a “race” however is that speed often leads to errors and mistakes. There are very significant issues to be aware of with both these new forms of soap nuts.

NaturOli is taking very proactive steps to make the use of soap nuts much more affordable plus keep them safe for laundry and many other household cleaners. Right when we are all stretching our dollars as far as possible, while also being concerned about all possible health hazards, NaturOli is taking very responsible consumer oriented measures.

It’s important to note that NaturOli has its roots in proprietary natural skin care formulations, hence our perspective in the detergent and cleanser industry is quite unique. As a signer of the Safety in Cosmetics Compact we are bound by much strict policies. We treat detergents and cleansers with the same care and concern as we do topical and beauty industry formulas. The two big issues here involve economics – and most importantly, health concerns.

Let’s start with the economics:

1) NaturOli does not promote use of soap nuts powder. It’s becoming increasing popular by many sellers, but is – by far – the least economical way to use soap nuts. (Guess some people are deciding not to mention that. Well, at least the math isn’t tough.) The problem is that regardless of how finely one powders the shells, the saponin (the all important active ingredient) is not fully released before it ends up down the drain. Not good. Remember this is a fruit – not a synthetic chemical. Hence we must accept and work with its inherent properties. Compare for yourself: A half-ounce of quality soap nuts used in the traditional method (that’s the average weight of five soap nuts) can do three, four, five or even more loads. A half-ounce of powder (the recommended amount to be effective) does ONE load. Period. That’s it. To worsen the problem, sellers are charging a premium for soap nuts powder. Ouch! If soap nuts powder is what you really feel you must have, NaturOli recommends using a coffee grinder and grinding them yourself to the finest dust possible. Try reducing the suggested half-ounce to a third or quarter-ounce. Depending upon your water hardness and machine type, you may be able to use less. Save the pieces that don’t grind to use traditionally. Our lab is working on some really out-of-the-box ways for utilizing powder – without the huge increase in cost per wash. Soap nuts used traditionally and wisely can be as affordable as any effective chemical detergent. If you desire the convenience of powder, simply be aware that presently the convenience comes at a very steep price.

Now – the far more serious warning:

2) Be extremely cautious of ALL soap nuts liquids. This is scary. Our recent review and analysis of an official MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheet) that was reluctantly provided by an India/Nepal exporter was absolutely frightening. Apparently, in the big rush to quickly get a soap nuts liquid to market, the exporter used less than eco-friendly extraction processes, plus loaded the solution with the cheapest chemical preservatives they could find. As with most botanical extractions and solutions, a pure soap nut liquid will go rancid within days unless preserved in some fashion. (One seller who must have been in a very big hurry to get a liquid to market stopped selling it within weeks. I have some. Wow. Talk about gross!) Essentially some India and Nepal exporters don’t have the mindset for developing a safe and healthy detergent. (Remember it’s a detergent – not a skin care product.) The precious saponin’s inherent healthy, green characteristics were totally destroyed. Essentially everything good about the soap nut was undone. The MDSS read like it was arsenic! I was shocked! It should have a biohazard label on it. IMPORTANT NOTE: This does NOT need to be disclosed to the consumer. A seller can simply label a product with saponin extract and be on safe legal ground. One more time in other words: There are no laws requiring companies to tell you this. Be aware that there’s no FDA requirement of full disclosure for detergents & cleansers. To worsen the problem, you can bet that many soap nuts liquids will be produced, bottled and labeled in India and Nepal. It’s by far the cheapest way to produce it. So PLEASE don’t expect the label to tell you all this. As usual it will only tell you what you want to hear. So, Caveat Emptor! (Buyer beware!) Look for full and complete disclosure of ALL ingredients. Not only are we talking money, but also we are talking about our health. Although saponin is naturally anti-fungal and anti-microbial, once liquefied it will very quickly become rancid and then pose serious health risks. A common sense approach to use of well tested, high quality semi-natural and safe chemical preservatives will be required to extend the shelf life to our required two years. Citric acid simply won’t do the job. If you want to be 100% natural and remain safe from serious fungal and other infectious diseases stay with the traditional methods of usage for now.

(Although this is not the topic of this article, on the note of shelf life: Never expect a TRULY genuine, “natural skin care” or cosmetic product to last two years. Formulas designed for topical application that ultimately will enter your bloodstream, should be used within six months for maximum benefit and effectiveness. Discard after one year.)

NaturOli will only produce our own soap nuts liquids and many other household cleaning solutions in our US lab. Our extracts and MSDS will be safe and benign, yet the wonderful properties and characteristics of the soap nut will be preserved. For your protection and to extend the shelf life as discussed we will use no preservatives rated higher than a three-to-five on the Safety in Cosmetics zero-to-ten rating scale. We feel this is a good compromise since these are not topically applied skin care products or cosmetics. Note that many popular “so-called” healthy, all-natural cosmetics have ratings in the eight-to-ten range. Although not required for detergents and household cleaners, we will act in the spirit of a signer of Skin Deep’s Safety in Cosmetics Compact. All our soap nut formulations (be for personal care or household use) will be very low in rating – as our award winning skin washes and creams already are. There is no rating system for detergents and cleansers, but we can calculate what they would be. Hopefully someday there will be one.

Guess we all can soon stop spending money on rubber gloves – IF we simply be patient and use good judgment.

Good luck, be wise and live green.

Soap nuts uses are unlimited and soap nuts can replace many common household cleaners. Yes, truly natural cleaning products do exist. The saponins in soap nuts have inherent natural cleaning power, antimicrobial and antifungal properties, odor reducing capability, and natural gentleness which combine to provide amazingly safe yet effective chemical free cleaners for a multitude of natural cleaning possibilities.

You will even notice soap nuts shampoo made from soap nuts liquid. NaturOli has many soap nuts saponin-based formulas for both household and personal care that are nearing the end of their research and development pipeline. Stay tuned for many new soap nuts based products to be unveiled. However, if you can boil water, the basics can be in your hands and at use in your home today

Soap nuts liquid recipe:

Place 12 to 15 soap nuts (about 1.5 ounces) in about 6 cups of water. For best results, bring to a boil and simmer for approximately an hour. You will know that you have fully extracted from the soap nuts when they turn very light tan or gray and are mushy. Allow to cool and strain. Store the liquid in an airtight glass jar. As with other botanicals, the infused soap nut solution is best stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight. This 100% pure soap nut solution has absolutely no preservative of any kind; hence it has a limited shelf life of a few days, unless stabilized. Refrigeration will extend its shelf life. This is typical of virtually all water-based botanical solutions. We are infusing our proprietary liquid soap nuts formulas with specific natural preservatives that will greatly extend shelf life, yet still be safe and chemical free. For the make-at-home solution, simply don’t make more than you’ll use in a few days. 

The following is only a very short list of some natural cleaning alternatives using soap nuts liquid.

Chemical Free Multi-purpose Household Cleaner
Pour soap nuts liquid into a spray bottle. Use full strength or dilute as desired. Use for sinks, counters, floors, etc.

Chemical Free Window and Glass Cleaner:
Fill a spray bottle with about 8 oz of water. Add a half-ounce of soap nuts liquid and a half-ounce of vinegar. Spray and then wipe clean with dry cloth.

Chemical Free Dishwashing Detergent:
Fill the dishwasher soap dispenser with soap nuts liquid. Wash as usual. Tip: For extra sparkle, add a half-ounce of vinegar to the rinse dispenser or during the rinse cycle.

Chemical Free Steam Cleaning Carpets:
Soap nuts liquid works exceptionally well in carpet cleaners because it is so low sudsing and odor reducing. Add about a quarter cup of soap nuts liquid to hot water in the portable cleaner. Great for urine stains.

Chemical Free Jewelry Cleaner:
Soak jewelry in soap nuts liquid for a few minutes. Use an old soft toothbrush to remove debris. Rinse with clean water and polish with a soft cloth. Soap nuts have been used as a fantastic jewelry cleaner for eons.

Chemical Free Pet Shampoo:
Soap nuts also have a natural insect repellent property so not only will your pets be naturally cleaned they’ll be less likely to attract various pests such as fleas, ticks, and lice. The natural antifungal properties of soap nuts are perfect for pets with skin irritations, rashes, and hot spots. Soap nuts liquid is also perfect for washing pet bedding.

Chemical Free Shampoo:
Use soap nuts liquid to shampoo hair. Leave in for about 5 minutes.
Rinse as usual with luke warm water, or diluted vinegar. If you prefer more suds, add a little your favorite shampoo. We know it’s hard not to want more suds.

If you are interested in buying soap nuts for personal use please visit NaturOli Soap Nuts