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WHAT ARE SOAP NUTS?

Updated: Oct 30, 2023


Eco Nuts® Soap Nuts are a berry shell that naturally contains a cleaning agent that works like detergent. They grow on theSapindus mukorossi (Soap Berry) tree in the Himalayas.

The natural cleaning agent found in these berries is called saponin. Saponin works as a surfactant, breaking the surface tension of the water to penetrate the fibers of your clothing, lifting stains from the fabric, and leaving dirt suspended in the water that is rinsed away. Regular sort bought detergents contain chemical surfactants too, this is just a natural source. Despite the “soap” in its name, soap nuts DO NOT contain soap that causes soap scum and buildup like a regular bar of soap does.


Eco Nuts Soap Nuts are gentle on both clothes and skin, making them ideal for those with sensitive skin, eczema, allergies and psoriasis. Because they are so mild, they are perfect for baby clothes. All-Natural Eco Nuts Soap Nuts are also great for septic and grey water systems. Unlike commercial detergents that have artificial foaming agents, soap nuts do not produce lots of bubbles or foam. While commercial detergents and soaps have marketed heavily around that visual, foam simply is not an indicator of cleaning power.


All Soap Nuts by Eco Nuts are wild-harvested, meaning they are gathered from wild trees grown without any kind of chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides. Saponin actually tastes bad to insects so no pesticides are needed, and the trees naturally love poor uncultivated soil. They are organically grown by mother earth and certified USDA Organic by Oregon Tilth. Read more about what Organic certification means here.


NUT ALLERGY SAFE!

Soap Nuts are actually a berry (a fruit!) related to the lychee and are not nuts at all. They are completely nut allergy safe and have been used successfully with no reactions by people with nut allergies. They earned the name “nuts” because of the way that they dry into hard shells resembling nuts, as opposed to squishy fruit. If you have heard of “Soap Berries” they are the same thing, and both terms are used interchangeably.

While Soap Nuts have been a terrific solution for many customers with skin allergies and other conditions, people who have many allergies or compromised immune systems should always take proper precautions and first wash one small item in a small container or sink OR do a patch test before washing an entire load in the washing machine.


NOT JUST YOUR EVERYDAY SOAP NUT!

If you are familiar with soap nuts, our Eco Nuts have become a widely recognized brand name. We encourage you not to settle for generic “Soap Nuts.” Eco Nuts Soap Nuts are high quality wild-grown organically in the pristine Himalayan regions of Nepal and are carefully sorted before they are packaged in the USA.

If you ever find that your package of Eco Nuts is unsatisfactory we will gladly refund your money or send you a new box. Our money-back satisfaction guarantee also covers our promise that you will get the number of loads we claim on the box. Eco Nuts are high in quality and cleaning power because in addition to our proprietary sorting and handling process, we also only use a particular variety and size. We chose Sapindus mukorossi as the best species for laundry and that is the only species we use in all our products. Our proprietary sorting process also ensures a consistency in shape and texture that makes Eco Nuts pleasant and easy to use. Because we lovingly and carefully hand package in the USA, we can also eliminate individualized plastic wrapping otherwise required by customs.

College students, mothers, campers, techies, boarders, and eco-activists alike keep telling us that Eco Nuts Soap Nuts work great! Try a sample size and you’ll become an Eco-Nut too!

Natural Fabric Softener


During the rinse cycle a small amount of saponin (the soap) is released which acts as a natural fabric softener – opening up the fabric fibers instead of leaving a residue. No need to take out before the rinse- leave it in the whole time. Because it is a natural soap and not a synthetic chemical, it will not leave a grime on the fabrics as you would expect with regular detergent, making Soap Nuts a great choice for sensitive skin.

Don’t wash your baby’s clothes, bedding or stuffed animals in anything else! Eco Nuts is 100% Non Toxic – your family deserves the best!

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