Most consumers don't realize that more than 30% of the impact that a garment has on the environment happens AFTER you take it home. In the useful life of a garment, the washing, drying and general care of a garment contributes a significant portion of both the energy consumption and chemical impact that a garmet will have on the environment during its full life.
This is why we love soap nuts! We use Maggie's Pure Land Soap Nuts in our own laundry and we want everyone else to use it! We are so impressed with soap nuts, that we plan to make them available to all our customers with each purchase of a Truly Organic garment.
What is a Soap Nut?
Soap Nuts are the dried fruit of the Chinese Soapberry tree (Sapindus
mukorrosi), similar to the lychee. A long time ago, local folks in the
South East Asia figured out that when the nuts get wet, they release
saponin, a natural cleaner, making them great for washing clothes!
Maggie's Soap Nuts are the only household cleaner made exclusively
from Nature, by Nature.
A single soapberry tree produces hundreds of kilos of nuts per year!
Maggie's Soap Nuts fall to the ground in Indian and Indonesian forests
where they are collected by folks who have used the nuts for centuries.
We take pride that our all-natural soap GROWS ON TREES!
Here are some more FAQ about Soap Nuts:
How do Soap Nuts work?
Maggie’s Soap Nuts work like a detergent. They contain
saponin, an all-natural surfactant. Conventional detergents are
manufactured, chemical surfactants. Surfactants work by
breaking the surface tension of water so it can more easily
penetrate into fabrics, effectively making water “wetter.” Once
wet, the agitation of your washing machine (or your hands)
shakes the dirt loose from your clothes. Then Soap Nuts’
saponin holds the dirt in suspension in the water (preventing it
from re-depositing on your clothes) until you’ve rinsed it away. [Top]
Can I use Soap Nuts in my HE (high efficiency) washing
machine?
Yes! Maggie's Soap Nuts are low-sudsing and are ideal for
high-efficiency washers. [Top]
Where are the bubbles?
Most laboratory cleaners contain foaming agents to “trick”
consumers that the product is working. In truth, the quantity of
bubbles does not tell you if a cleaner is effective! Maggie’s
Soap Nuts keep you clean without phoney bubbles. Because
they are low sudsing, Soap Nuts are ideal for H.E. and front-
loader machines. [Top]
How do I use Soap Nuts?
Can I use Soap Nuts to clean more than my laundry?
Yes! In Indian Ayurvedic science, Soap Nuts are used as a skin
and hair cleanser. Soap Nuts are used in Bali by artisans who
create beautiful jewelry and batik fabrics. Learn more ways to
use Maggie’s Soap Nuts and learn to make a homemade,
multipurpose liquid cleaner. [Top]
Can I use too many nuts?
We recommend two whole Maggie’s Soap Nuts per load of hot
water wash. For really dirty clothes, giant loads, or when
washing in cold water, you can use more nuts. You’ll know
you’ve used too many nuts if your clothes feel stiff after washing.
The stiffness results from excess saponin in the rinse water and
is not harmful to you or the clothes. The stiffness will go away
after the next washing. [Top]
Can I use the Soap Nuts more than once?
Yes! The saponin in Maggie’s Soap Nuts releases quickly into
hot water, and more slowly in cold water. When washing in hot
water you only need two soap nuts per load and they’ll release
all of their saponin in about one wash. When washing with
cold water, up to 4 nuts and reuse them up to 4 times. You’ll
know the saponin in Maggie’s Soap Nuts is used up when the
nuts no longer feel squeaky clean or sudsy when you rub them. [Top]
Can I use Soap Nuts with any temperature water?
Yes! The saponin in Maggie’s Soap Nuts releases quickly into
hot water, and more slowly in cold water. When washing in hot
water you only need the equivalent of two whole Soap Nuts per
load. They’ll release all of their saponin in about one wash.
When washing with cold water, up to 4 nuts and reuse them
up to 4 times. Alternatively, pre-soak your cotton sack containing
two soap nuts in a little hot water to release the saponin. After a
couple minutes of soaking, add the mixture to the cold-water
wash. [Top]
Do I have to remove the Maggie’s Soap Nuts from the
washing machine during the rinse cycle?
No need to remove the soap nuts from the rinse cycle. There’s
no soapy residue to rinse away! The little bit of saponin left
in the rinse adds softness and body to your clothes. [Top]
Are Maggie’s Soap Nuts hypoallergenic?
Yes! Maggie’s Soap Nuts are 100% natural, safe and
hypoallergenic. We recommend them for babies and people
with sensitive skin. In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Soap Nuts
are used traditionally to treat skin disorders like eczema and
psoriasis. With Maggie’s Soap Nuts, there’s nothing between
you and your clothes but Mother Nature! [Top]
Do I need to clean the chemical detergent residue out of my
washing machine before I wash my clothes with Soap Nuts?
You can use Maggie's Soap Nuts to purify your washing
machine. To remove chemical residues from your machine,
run a full load of rags through a warm or hot wash cycle with
4-5 soap nuts in the sack.
[Top]
I’m allergic to nuts. Can I use Soap Nuts?
Yes! Maggie’s Soap Nuts are actually a dried fruit related to the
lychee. People with nut allergies can safely use Soap Nuts! [Top]
Do Maggie’s Soap Nuts have a fragrance?
Yes and No. On their own Maggie’s Soap Nuts have a mild,
fresh, vinegary smell. They will not fragrance your clothes. For
added fragrance, add a few drops of you favorite essential oil on
the cotton sack. For a refreshing wash, Maggie likes to use
geranium, coriander, or neroli. [Top]
Do I need to use fabric softener?
Nope. Maggie’s Soap Nuts naturally soften and add body to
your clothes! In fact, Soap Nuts are used commercially to give
body and sheen to expensive silks! You’ll love how your clothes
feel after washing with Maggie’s Soap Nuts. [Top]
Are Maggie’s Soap Nuts safe for my delicate washables?
Yes! Soap Nuts are ideal for gently cleaning delicate fibers like
wool and silk! [Top]
Will Soap Nuts keep my colors bright?
Yes! Maggie’s Soap Nuts are 100% natural and gentle. Your
colors will look brighter! [Top]
Will Maggie’s Soap Nuts get my white clothes REALLY
white?
To maintain sparkling whites we recommend that you always
separate your colors. For extra stain removal, when necessary
add a scoop of environmentally friendly oxygen bleach to the
wash. [Top]
What is the environmental and social impact of Maggie’s Soap Nuts?
In suffering rural economies Soapberry
trees are cut down and sold as lumber
and firewood to feed hungry families.
Maggie’s Pure Land reserves the
Soapberry harvest years in advance,
providing families with guaranteed income
from living Soapberry trees. [Top]
By using Maggie’s Soap Nuts
You are preserving tropical forests!
You are supporting real people in their
local economies, cultures and communities!
You are using the safest, most natural product
available! [Top]
Can Maggie’s Soap Nuts help me Save Water and Energy?
Yes! Since there’s no soapy residue to rinse away you can use
shorter rinse cycles on your washing machine. [Top]
What do I do with the leftover shells?
You’ll know the saponin in Maggie’s Soap Nuts is used up when
the nuts no longer feel squeaky clean and sudsy when you rub
them. If they’re re-useable, let the shells dry out and use them
again later. When the shells are ready to retire, add them to your
garden compost. [Top]
Why is the plastic bag and silica gel desiccant necessary?
We import Maggie’s Soap Nuts from humid climates. Without a
plastic bag the nuts absorb moisture from the very wet air and
get black and sticky as they release their saponin. We pack a
desiccant inside each bag to help absorb any moisture that
gets trapped inside. [Top]
My Nuts are sticky! What’s up?
Yikes! Soap Nuts turn black and sticky as they absorb moisture
from the air. If your soap nuts are exposed to long-term moisture,
like humid air, they may change color. This doesn’t affect Soap
Nuts’ cleaning power. In fact, some people think the sticky nuts
clean better because they are pre-releasing their saponin. We
like our nuts to release when WE are ready, so we pack them
with a desiccant. [Top]
What’s this little black marble I found in my box of Soap
Nuts?
Lucky you! That little black marble is a seed. You can plant your
own Soapberry tree. [Top]
Where can I get those great Maggie’s Soap Nuts earrings?
There are three varieties of those great little earrings – brown
nuts, black nuts, and seeds. A pair is included inside every
box of Maggie’s Soap Nuts. It’s a way of saying thanks. You
can also buy them from us here. [Top]
How do I care for my Maggie’s Soap Nuts earrings?
Treat your Maggie’s Soap Nuts jewelry like pearls, by wiping
them with a soft dry cloth. We don’t recommend taking your
earrings into the bathtub, shower, steam room, or sauna. Your
Maggie’s Soap Nuts jewelry is perishable (and cleansing) in wet
environments. You might end up with an expired pair of earrings
and a really clean neck! [Top]
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