Soap Nuts for Laundry: A Natural, Non-Toxic Way to Clean Your Clothes

One of the first changes I made on my sustainable living journey was switching up my laundry routine. I had already been using eco-friendly or natural detergents because I couldn’t tolerate the scents in conventional brands, but I wanted a plastic-free alternative. After trying a few options, I discovered soap nuts for laundry and I haven’t looked back since!

Soap nuts release a natural soap called saponin in warm water, making them perfect for everything from laundry to dishes, body care, and household cleaning. They are gentle on sensitive skin, compostable when you’re done with them, and surprisingly easy to use.

Curious about how to use soap nuts for laundry? Here’s everything you need to know!

What Are Soap Nuts and How Do They Clean?

Soap nuts (also called soapberries) are the dried fruit of the Sapindus mukorossi tree, a species native to the Himalayan region and parts of India and Nepal. Despite their common name, they are not actually nuts, making them safe for people with nut allergies. 

When soaked in water (the warmer, the better), soap nuts release a natural surfactant called saponin. Unlike conventional detergents that rely on synthetic chemicals, saponin is plant-based, biodegradable, and surprisingly powerful. Because they are gentle, scent-free, and non-toxic, soap nuts are perfect for people with sensitive skin, laundering baby clothes, and are safe for cloth diapers.

Why Are Soap Nuts a Sustainable Choice?

Soap nuts aren’t just effective cleaners – they are also a sustainable choice for those looking to reduce their environmental footprint. Here’s why:

• 100% Natural and Biodegradable – Unlike most conventional detergents (which are made from petroleum or petrochemicals), soap nuts are completely plant-based and are home compostable.
• Plastic-Free Packaging – Many soap nuts are sold in reusable cotton bags, recyclable cardboard boxes, or can be purchased in your own containers at some bulk stores.
• Concentrated Goodness – Conventional liquid soaps are diluted, making you use more than necessary – unlike a bar of soap. Soap nuts offer the same cleaning power in a smaller package, without the plastic!
• Multi-Purpose Solution – Soap nuts can replace laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo, body wash, and more! This reduces the number of products you are buying, ultimately conserving resources and cutting down on packaging waste.
• Reusable – Soap nuts are not single-use! They can be used multiple times before they lose their cleaning power.

How to Use Soap Nuts for Laundry

Your laundry routine is a great place to start using soap nuts in your home. They work well in both standard, HE, and front-loading washing machines, as well as for handwashing. They are also perfect for cold water washing and safe for septic and greywater systems.

You can use dried whole soap berries in the laundry or make a liquid soap! 

How to make liquid laundry detergent from soap nuts:

• Boil 4 cups of water. 
• Turn off and add 8-10 soap berries.
• Cover and let it steep overnight.
• Strain and pour into a reusable bottle.
• Compost used soap berries. 
• Use ½ cup per laundry load. 

How to use whole soap nuts for laundry:

• Place 4-6 berries in a small cotton bag and tie shut. 
• Activate the saponin by placing them in a small jar of hot water as you load your machine.
• Toss the bag in with your load and leave in for the complete cycle.
• Reuse 4-6 times (or until they turn grey) and then compost! 

Soap nuts are unscented, so if you would still like a scent in your laundry, try adding a drop or two of your favourite essential oil to wool dryer balls, or air dry outside for a fresh scent.

Whether you’re washing a full load or hand-washing delicates, soap nuts offer a simple, sustainable solution that’s kind to your clothes, your skin, and the planet. And their magic doesn’t stop at laundry — soap nuts can also tackle dishes, personal care, and household cleaning. Stay tuned for more ways to put them to work in your home!

Have you tried soap nuts yet? Let me know how they’ve worked for you in the comments, or share any other sustainable laundry tips you love!