Soap Nuts by Maggie's Pure Land

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do Maggie’s Soap Nuts come from?
Maggie’s Soap Nuts are the dried fruit of the Chinese Soapberry Tree (Sapindus mukorrosi),
related to the lychee and rambutan. Maggie’s Soap Nuts are harvested in Indian and Indonesian jungles where Soap Nut trees are holding forests and families together! Our Soap Nuts fall to the ground where they are collected by local folks who have used them for centuries.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

Are Maggie’s Soap Nuts safe for my delicate washables?
Yes! Soap Nuts are ideal for gently cleaning delicate fibers like wool and silk!

Will Soap Nuts keep my colors bright?
Yes! Maggie’s Soap Nuts are 100% natural and gentle. Your colors will look brighter!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. We’ve included a pair inside every box of Maggie’s Soap Nuts. It’s our way of saying thanks. You
can also buy them from us here.

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!

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