Hi Aliza! Thanks for your question! Soapnuts can be re-used about three times before they have lost their cleaning power; so we include those re-uses in out total load estimates.

Cathy - It's true that soapnuts work best in warm or hot water. (It is the heat that makes thhem release saponin -- the cleaning agent). Making the liquid version, which we call soapnut soak, is no harder than brewing a pot of tea. It is an extra step, but not a complicated or time-consuming one. (I like to make enough at one time to do several weeks worth of laundry). And then once the liquid is made, you can use it for all the things Joanne mentions in the video and more!

Hi, Mary Anne! Thanks for your question. From what I understand, dry, irritated skin can be a side-effect of chemo. If for that reason alone, soapnuts would be a great fit for your friend. Soapnuts are gentle on skin AND clothes -- and they don't have manufactured fragrances that can sometimes be an irritation. Soapnuts are antibacterial and antimicrobial, so they're great for cleansing and disinfecting. In this situation, I'd certainly use soapnuts (using hot water where possible). You could also a little tea tree oil to the wash for a disinfectant boost.

Hi Amy, what great questions!

Soapnuts are not perishable and do not have a shelf life. We recommend that you store them in an air-tight container because when exposed to air and humidity, they will naturally absorb moisture and become dark and sticky. However, this “transformation” does not affect their cleaning capabilities — the stickiness means that the saponin is already being released.

Our load estimates are based on the soapnuts themselves; you will most likely get MORE loads out of your soapnuts if you "brew" them. (We call the resulting liquid Soapnut Soak). Making Soapnut Soak is the most efficient way to use soapnuts -- as you can keep putting them in hot water until they have released ALL their saponin.

The best way to tell that your soapnuts are spent is to squeeze them when they’re wet. If you see a white, foamy liquid or a honey-like liquid, they still contain saponin and are good for another use.

Soapnuts work great in hard water. Our recommendation is to use soapnuts the same as you would with your regular detergent. Then, if you think they need a boost, you can use hard-water additives (such as borax). If you use vinegar to soften your laundry, you can also use it when you use the soapnuts (although you may not need it!)