Nature’s Wash Berries are new and strange. Believe us, we get that. It took us a while to wrap our heads around it too. So here we will do what we can to answer all of your burning questions and clear up any concerns and confusion. Feel free to Contact Us with any questions you still have and we may just post your query here too!
Hey! Who stole my bubbles!?!
This is one of the more difficult changes to get used to. This may sound like cleaning blasphemy, but we’re going to ask you to stay with us here: suds do NOT equal cleaning. We know, almost every image of soap and cleaners is equated with nice suds and bubbles, but most of them come from artificial sudsing agents added for that effect. Now, even natural cleansers will have some suds and in certain circumstances you want them, but Nature’s Wash Berries have very little natural suds and in laundry you really DON’T want any. Learn more about this crazy talk here: In Depth
Nuts, Berries…whatever. Sounds like I can eat them. Can I eat them?
We would advise against it. It may be organic and botanical in origin, but it is still a soap that you are eating. Plus the shell is quite hard and solid. It would be like trying to eat peanut shells. We can not control your decisions and actions once you’ve received Nature’s Wash Berries and are left up to your own devices, but we do absolve ourselves legally and morally of any shenanigans that you get up to with our soap nuts.
Can I use Nature’s Wash Berries in cold water?
Yes and no. The saponin in Nature’s Wash Berries is quite hard and thick; that’s why it can last up to 4-6 washes before being all used up. Heat makes it softer. For a regular wash with everyday wear clothes, 5 or 6 Nature’s Wash Berries should be ok even with cold water. However, if you have hard water or dirtier (gym, hiking, gardening, etc.) clothes, you may want to “prime” the wash bag in a cup or two of hot water before using or running a warm wash. Goto How to Use? for more info.
Can I use Nature’s Wash Berries in a High Efficiency (HE) front-loading washer?
YES! In fact, because Nature’s Wash Berries barely sud, rinse away so clean, and help fight detergent build-up, they are perfect for HE washers.
Will my clothes have a scent?
No, despite having what many describe as a slightly vinegary smell, Nature’s Wash Berries don’t impart any actual fragrance to clothes. While many people love this, others still like a nice scent on their laundry. For a completely natural fragrance, check out our Laundry Sachets line.
Do Nature’s Wash Berries get stains out?
The saponin on the berries will clean about as well as any other surfactant, whether chemically made or natural. For heavy or set stains, you will still need to pre-treat and/or pre-soak to fully get the stain out, just like any other laundry cleaner.
Will Nature’s Wash Berries get my whites white?
Although they clean and soften, soap nuts do not bleach, which is a separate chemical process. See our Common Problems section for tips on laundry care.
I used about 20 Nature’s Wash Berries in one wash and now my clothes are stiff. What now?
No idea why you would do such a thing, but this is simply excess saponin in your clothes. Unlike chemical detergents, you won’t have a physical reaction and there is no health danger; your clothes are just stiff. Simply run a rinse to get the saponin out. And use the normal amount next time, Roger. (Hate to call out names, but really…)
Shouldn’t I take the wash bag out during the rinse cycle?
There really is no need. Although a bit of saponin will be released during the rinse cycle, it is so gentle and easily rinsed away that barely any will be left over at the end of your wash. Compared to how much detergent residue is left over from conventional detergents, Nature’s Wash Berries rinses away much cleaner. You may be able to get one more wash out of each batch by stopping to remove the bag before every rinse cycle, but that’s a lot of hassle that isn’t necessary!
Do Nature’s Wash Berries have an expiration date?
No, after being dried the saponin will preserve them almost indefinitely. If exposed to air, moisture, or heat, you may notice them getting sticky. This is simply the saponin softening up. It does not affect the cleaning ability at all but may be messy to handle. In this case, an airtight container may be a good solution.
I’m allergic to nuts. Will Nature’s Wash Berries harm me?
No, they are completely hypoallergenic. In fact, the name “soap nuts” is incorrect since they really are berries.
What do I do with all these used shells?
Since they are unprocessed botanical product, Nature’s Wash Berry shells are a completely biodegradable and compostable product. You can toss them in your garden, compost bin, or trash.