Soap nuts
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Product Reviews
Forum Name: Cloth Nappy Discussion
Forum Description: Are you new to cloth nappies? Looking for washing tips? Want to rave about a great new nappy you've tried? By popular request a board especially for all our cloth Mums!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14454
Printed Date: 18 August 2025 at 2:37pm
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Topic: Soap nuts
Posted By: kiwivic
Subject: Soap nuts
Date Posted: 13 February 2008 at 12:08pm
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I usually use Eco-Store powder for all my washing, but have been looking into alternatives - specificially soap nuts. Has anyone tried them?
Vic xx |
Replies:
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 13 February 2008 at 12:15pm
| Never even heard of it! |
Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 13 February 2008 at 12:20pm
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I've heard good things about the washing balls from Greenbeans.
Are the soap nuts the natural thingys? Not heard any reviews but I'd be interested to hear your view if you do end up using them!!! I'd say they'd be fabulous for kiddos with sensitive skin. |
Posted By: Kels
Date Posted: 13 February 2008 at 12:22pm
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Never heard of it either ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Busy mum to Miss 15yrs, Miss 10yrs and Master 4yrs |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 13 February 2008 at 1:13pm
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Haven't about them but like nikki have heard about the balls. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: AliaDawn
Date Posted: 13 February 2008 at 1:17pm
I've considered them, but I'd rather see some good reviews from trusted people before I tried them! Just a little sceptical here  -------------  
 
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 13 February 2008 at 1:21pm
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http://www.scarecrowfarm.co.nz/index1.html - Soap Nuts at Scarecrow Farm
Maybe you could email the ladies at Scarecrow Farm? I think they are on here too...? |
Posted By: AliaDawn
Date Posted: 13 February 2008 at 1:23pm
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Is scarecrow farm being weird for anyone else? I noticed a few days back that when I go to it, it constantly reloads itself over and over. The product pages are OK though - If I can manage to get there. I use firefox by the way. -------------
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Posted By: kiwivic
Date Posted: 13 February 2008 at 3:46pm
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Yes, Scarecrow Farm was where I read about them! I know they're really popular with cloth nappy users in the UK (as are eco balls). I think I might try a 50g sample bag (only $5). I'm very intrigued and will let you all know how I get on!
Vic xx |
Posted By: nicolaann
Date Posted: 13 February 2008 at 4:34pm
Will be interesting to hear what they are like. I have never heard of them before.  ------------- Nicky, Mum to Alex (5) & Sophie (3) http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Instinct
Date Posted: 14 February 2008 at 12:01pm
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I have been using the soap nuts and finding them fantastic. My son is toilet training so we don't have many nappies left to wash any more. So with these I can throw other washing in with them - and they don't cause buildups!!
I think they are fab, especially for washing cloth nappies and I'll be getting some in stock for the site in the near future. The clothing comes out clean, and soft ... and the nappies don't stink 
Big thumbs up for me! Karyn www.mothersinstinct.co.nz |
Posted By: nicolaann
Date Posted: 14 February 2008 at 12:49pm
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Thanks Karyn, thats great to hear from someone who has tried them. I think I will order a 50g pack to try. ------------- Nicky, Mum to Alex (5) & Sophie (3) http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: kiwivic
Date Posted: 14 February 2008 at 12:56pm
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Woo-hoo, I have ordered the sample bag - can't wait for it arrive! :)
I got it off TM and postage was only $2.50. Vic xx |
Posted By: kiwivic
Date Posted: 22 February 2008 at 11:09am
My soap nuts arrived yesterday and can't say I'm overly keen on them. I did a few washes yesterday to try them out - DH's work shirts first and they came out still a little whiffy under the armpits (sorry, DH would kill me for telling you that!) - as if they'd just had a rinse rather than a wash. You couldn't smell them without sticking your nose right in and having a big sniff, but I'm just fussy about stuff like that. Also, I often stick a load on at night before I go to bed and then hang it out in the morning. Only the load this morning smelt awful - like it had been sitting wet in the sun for days  - I had to put it on a wash again with detergent. I didn't want to chance it with my nappies so think I'll be sticking with my Eco Store powder for now.
Vic xx |
Posted By: mothersinstinct
Date Posted: 22 February 2008 at 11:15am
What temperature did you use to wash them with? They apparently have been having more success with a warmer wash rather than cold. Also you can add some drops of essential oil such as Lavender or Tea Tree. If you have been washing on cold, I would suggest going a bit hotter and see how you go. I probably wouldn't leave the washing sitting for that long over night in this weather. They do tend to get a bit stinky left in the washing machine for hours - I have done this myself with regular detergent, and they have stunk |
kiwivic wrote:Posted By: nicolaann
Date Posted: 22 February 2008 at 11:29am
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Oh bugga.. I was really keen to get some, but now I'm having doubts!
Maybe I will still get a sample bag??  ------------- Nicky, Mum to Alex (5) & Sophie (3) http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: kiwivic
Date Posted: 22 February 2008 at 1:24pm
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I did 2 washes in cold and one in warm. To be honest I don't want to have to wash in warm all the time because a) my power bill will go up and b) not all our washing is suited to a warm wash. As for the overnight wash, I probably do one load a week overnight and have never had a problem with it smelling bad. I know that if I've ever left it for a day in hot weather then it might be a little whiffy, but this was only 7hrs overnight and not in the hottest part of the day. The wash smelt REALLY bad
It was only a sample bag so I haven't lost out too much ($7.50 incl postage) - I think I'm just happier to stick with the Eco Store and cold washes (except for nappies which I always do in a warm wash). Vic xx |
Posted By: mothersinstinct
Date Posted: 25 February 2008 at 2:04pm
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I believe it works out around 10c more per wash to wash in warm, rather than cold. I have always found a warmer wash is much better for stain removal anyway, and I've always washed the nappies in the same temperature. I don't mind paying this little extra for the amount I will be saving by using soap nuts, compared with detergent prices.
I have just done a full load of washing with a full bag of soap nuts, on a medium heat, with a few drops of tea tree and they have come out feeling soft, and smelling fresh. |
Posted By: kiwivic
Date Posted: 25 February 2008 at 2:49pm
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Each to their own, it's just not for me
Vic xx |
Posted By: nicolaann
Date Posted: 05 March 2008 at 10:50am
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I bought soemsoap nuts, and have been using them this week. I'm a little undecided on weather or not I like them. My normal clothes washes seem to have come out fine. I'm just not too sure about the nappies. I forgot to put tea tree in this morning, and my nappies are smelly. Although I guess they would be with eco store if I didn' put the oil in. I will keep using them and see how it goes. Haven't tried a warm wash yet, so may do that tomorrow.
Has anyone else tried them since lately? ------------- Nicky, Mum to Alex (5) & Sophie (3) http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Instinct
Date Posted: 05 March 2008 at 12:19pm
I only use them in a warm wash now for that reason. I found the warmer wash must help the soap nuts to soften a bit more. You can make up a solution of soap nuts and hot water to pop in the washing machine. This is a way of doing it and get the effects of a warm wash using cold water. Details here http://www.scarecrowfarm.co.nz/index1.html |
Posted By: Bazilb
Date Posted: 11 March 2008 at 9:50pm
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Hi
Just though I'd add my thoughts on these. I've been using them on all washing since October last year (husbands work clothes, babies clothes, and my business work clothes). I love them and really cant believe how great they work. They are definitely recommended in warm water, or using a solution to ensure that the saponin is releasing from the soap nuts. It costs about $.10 extra to do a warm wash, and it costs only $0.10 a load when using soap nuts (about $0.20cents a load). Compared to Persil Sensitive (at $0.56 cents a load) it still works out much cheaper even washing in warm water. I really havnt noticed the $1 extra on my power bill each month, as my detergent shopping is so much cheaper. They are definitely something that you have to try yourself, and work out the right amount of nuts to water temperature for your machine. It will vary with the amount of water the temperature and how much agitation you are getting. |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 11 March 2008 at 9:55pm
| how do they work???? I am really curious now |
Posted By: nicolaann
Date Posted: 12 March 2008 at 10:30am
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Have a look at the scarecrow farm website, there is lots of info on them there!!
The only other thing I don't really like about them is that my clothes are much harder... like I need to add fabric softener. I am going to keep using them for now. Still haven't tried a warm wash, obviously I need to!!  ------------- Nicky, Mum to Alex (5) & Sophie (3) http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: nicolaann
Date Posted: 14 March 2008 at 11:07am
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Ok, have now done 2 warm nappy washes, and they worked so well!! They are all clean, smell as good as nappies can , and are soft! WOOHOO!! My wraps and prefolds came out nice and white too!! Very happy!! ------------- Nicky, Mum to Alex (5) & Sophie (3) http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: kiwivic
Date Posted: 03 April 2008 at 2:32pm
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Just had to say, I ran out of washing powder so pulled out my old sample bag of soap nuts (which I'd given up on) and used them to wash my nappies yesterday & today. Have to say they did a pretty good job on the nappies (washed in warm water). They got rid of the poo residue on Leo's new D'lish inserts and left everything smelling pretty fresh (i.e. no poo or wee smells!). Maybe I'll give them a proper trial on my nappies over the next week . . .
Vic xx |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 03 April 2008 at 9:48pm
| Ooo I was considering getting some of these, did you put oil in it too Vic? |
Posted By: kiwivic
Date Posted: 04 April 2008 at 11:01am
No, I don't have any oil so I just washed them as they came. DH did the nappy wash for me this morning because I was in bed poorly with a throat infection and used Eco Store (thanks to the sachet you sent us Stacey!) but I'll keep going with the soap nuts for a few days. Can anyone tell me what sort of oil is recommended and where's the best place to get it from? Vic xx |
Posted By: mothersinstinct
Date Posted: 04 April 2008 at 11:05am
I use tea tree oil or Lavender oil on mine. I especially love the Lavender - such a lovely smell! 
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 04 April 2008 at 11:55am
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Oh yip cool, might have to get myself some now. My sister is an aromatherapist so might get some oils off her
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Posted By: bailey98
Date Posted: 05 April 2008 at 7:05pm
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I brought some soapnuts from the soapnut shop (www.thesoapnutshop.co.nz) and they sell the nuts as well as powdered soapnuts. I got a combo which gave me a bit of both. I really like the powdered version because i use it like normal powder and can do lots of other things with it. Even washing my hair with it now.
We have a lot of lime in our water at home and it's been good for getting rid of limescale. |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 05 April 2008 at 9:19pm
WHITE VINEGAR in the fab softenenr dispenser is fab for softening clothes, especially towells, and cleans your machine as well! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: bailey98
Date Posted: 05 April 2008 at 9:38pm
| I find my clothes softer. I wash my hair with it as well and if you use too much your hair feels a bit stiff and if you use less its lovely and soft. I wonder if that might work with the laundry too. There are different types of nuts so I wonder if your ones are different to my ones... |
Posted By: Mama2two
Date Posted: 08 April 2008 at 7:16am
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I just have to say that I have been using these for a couple of days now (just bought a trial pack for $5 from scarecrow farm) and am so impressed!!!
Sam's nappies have never come out so soft before and they definitley come out just as clean as with the ecostore we were using. Sam's clothes also came out smelling clean and fresh!!! I am definitely sold!!! I did do a warm wash with them though as recommended and added a few drops of tea tree oil to the bag. Also I was told if you want to make sure you don't get any greying due to not having artifical brightners in the wash to try adding a couple of drops of lemon oil or even real lemon juice to the bag. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 08 April 2008 at 1:41pm
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ooo thanks for that tip about the lemon juice
I'm just about to order some
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Posted By: bailey98
Date Posted: 08 April 2008 at 4:55pm
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I use the SoapNut powder to soak my really nasty washing in and then my SoapNuts in the machine. It works really well. The Soap Nut shop is cheaper than scarecrow so it's worth a look. (www.thesoapnutshop.co.nz) I got a really good brochure with my order with recipes for doing lots of things with them.
I like the tip about the lemon juice! Thanx I guess that would make the machine cleaner too :) YAY |
Posted By: bailey98
Date Posted: 08 April 2008 at 4:56pm
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Has anyone tried those ecoball things where you just put some plastic ball in the wash with no washing detergents at all?? They look strange.
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