Yay! Y’all asked for more videos and I’ve finally delivered.
It’s a miracle that I figured this out without injuring myself. Anyway, here is my post on how to make soap nuts liquid. It’s very easy and VERY frugal.
Here is my original post on Soap Nuts just in case you missed it. You guys were really interested in them – and I’ll just tell you again…they rock and I love them.
In the video I said I would tell you here in print how to preserve the liquid if you want to do that – I prefer to make smaller batches. The liquid can spoil (I’m not exactly sure how long before that would happen because I use it quickly) so either make smaller batches or preserve it.
It can be frozen in ice cube trays if desired – you will use 2 ice cubes per load.
You can find the instructions for canning the soap nuts mixture at BuySoapNuts.com
Uses for Soap Nuts Liquid:
-Laundry detergent: I use 2-3 tablespoons per load. You will use half of that for a HE washer
-Shampoo: use liberally as desired
-Dog Shampoo: use liberally as desired when you get the dog to stand still
-Foam Soap: just put this liquid directly in your foaming container
-Mosquito repellent: spray directly on skin (child safe)
-All purpose cleaner: add essential oils as desired or use plain (spray bottle)
-Spot cleaner
-Dishwasher detergent: fill dispenser with soap nuts liquid. Use white vinegar as a rinse aid
-Bad attitude spray: okay, so not really or I would be a millionaire
*Note: Soap Nuts are compostable
Soap Nuts Liquid
5 cups water
15 soap nuts
Combine water and nuts in saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce to simmer. Simmer 30-45 minutes so liquid can concentrate.
Strain out soap nuts. Store in glass jar. Use as desired.
Yield: about 1 quart









Hi, I'm Stacy! Welcome to Stacy Makes Cents! I'm a naturally-minded, frugal living mama, who likes to blog about living debt free in everyday life. Delicious (and healthy) recipes, money tips, and frugal living posts abound here! Enjoy your stay. Romans 13:8 

















How long does it last without canning or freezing? Also, why can soap?
Brandy recently posted…Always a Reason to Celebrate
Because it can spoil. Canning it makes it last just like if you’re canning food. I have no idea how long before it spoils because I always use mine quickly. That’s why I only make a quart at a time.
So can the soap nuts be reused or are they ready for the compost after this???
Ready for compost!
Oh thank you! I can’t wait to make mine. I wash a lot with cold and I think that the liquid would work better with my washer!
Tara recently posted…4 Dairy Free Casseroles (3 Gluten Free too!)
Yes – will definitely work better with cold water.
Stacy,
Can these actually go into a compost pile? Doesn’t the soapy-ness harm the soil?
Susan
I don’t have a compost pile, but I read in various places that they were compostable.
I am so excited to try this! I just ordered 4 lbs on amazon for under $40!!!! Yeah, I won’t have to make any more detergent… which foams over when I forget about it and have to clean my stove top… (but it is hot soap, so it is kind of easier to clean stove)..
Looking forward to all natural cleaning! I love bubbles!
Oh. My. Goodness! I’m going on Amazon and buying soap nuts today! I have about a thousand canning jars and since its the middle of winter, I have a lot of empties! Do you use liquid or the soap nuts in the bag for your laundry more? Which do you prefer? I was thinking of using the liquid for most everything else and just soap nuts for the laundry. Hmmm. Another project added to the long list. Lol.
I find that I like the liquid best, but I still use the berries sometimes.
I’m still so intrigued by soap nuts, but paranoid it would send me into a huge allergic reaction.
You could try the sample pack? I haven’t read anywhere of anyone having a reaction but it’s always nice to check first. Amazon sells the sample packs that do 5-8 loads.
How does it work as a dishwasher detergent?
Lori, I listed that in the “Uses” down below the video. I don’t use my dishwasher, but all the things I read said to fill your dispenser and then use vinegar as the rinse aid.
Interesting!! I have never heard of soap nuts until I found your blog. I might try this. Stacy, do more videos please. You are just precious and make me smile. Happy Valentine’s Day.
hi any idea of cost per batch you make?
Nope – I’m terrible at math.
I just like the small child Darth Vader breathing into the mic, very cute…
She was “helping.”
ok i did it but the soap is very dark is it made to be dark?
It should be similar to the picture that I posted at the top.
cool stuff ty
First of all I wanted to thank you for sharing all the information you bless us with and to ask a question. My husband works in grease and that as well as the smell of his clothes is a situation I deal with every day. Do you know if the soap nuts would be able to solve both problems?
I’m not entirely sure. I would say yes…but I haven’t had to clean anything like that. I would suggest going with the trial pack that I linked in the Soap Nuts original post and see if that works.
I am really interested in trying this, but how well do soap nuts really clean?…. I have tried making my own laundry detergent and while it is much cheaper than the brand names in the store I have found they are not cleaning my clothes as well…. one batch even seemed to leave a reside on some clothes…. I do have two boys who love to go outside and get dirty.. they dig in the dirt and look for treasure some days I just have to hose them off outside lol…
by the way I do love your recipes and neat ideas Thank You!….
Well, they get my poopy diapers clean.
So, that speaks highly of them. But I was skeptical at too first -so I ordered the sample pack.
Do you pre-soak or pre-wash those diapers…. or wash them right away? or do the soap nuts really do the job alone?
I always rinse my diapers before washing. Here is my routine: dump diapers in, cold rinse, hot wash with soap nuts, cold rinse. Hang dry in sunshine.
The first cold rinse helps get poop off.
Love your accent!

Jenny recently posted…I made butter!
What accent?
So… I see that you use up the liquid quickly, but what’s the longest you have kept the liquid in the jar? Thanks!
Hmmmmmmmm, probably about 3 weeks.
Just the push I needed to get started on this . . . I use cold water in an HE front loader so this would work much better for me. Just ordered the nuts using a gift card. Cha – Ching!
WOOHOO!!! Bout time!
Have you compared to see which is more economical…making the liquid or using the soap nuts directly in your laundry. We purchased some pre-made liquid & have used soap nuts too. Just wondering if making the liquid myself will make the soap nuts go farther in use? Thanks for this post!
When crunching the numbers, it seems that if you use three tablespoons of the liquid instead of two, the price is about the same. If you use two tablespoons (like I do) the cost is a bit cheaper for the liquid.
So have you tried this in your dishwasher? I have heard that getting dishes clean with something natural can be quite a challenge. I am thinking of maybe soap nut liquid in the soap compartment and 1/2 cup vinegar on the bottom after the washer has been going for a while. What do you think?
I don’t use my dishwasher. LOL When I said I stored my fancy dishes in there, I REALLY meant that. LOL
This is awesome! I’m investigating and looking forward to getting the sample pack or perhaps the 15-25 load size package. One question… what size load do you use 2-3 Tablespoons for? I always wash large loads in a high capacity top loader. Just trying to get an estimate for the number of loads per pound of berries. (I’m obsessive like that
)
I use 2 tablespoons for a medium sized load. I try not to do large loads very often. But if doing a large load, I use 3 tablespoons.
O Stacy I love your blog!!! I do have a question and would like to apologize in advance if its already been asked, when using this soap nuts liquid for an all purpose cleaner do you dilute with water any or just use as is?
Thanks!
I usually mix it with water, but I’m sure it would work fine full strength.