Soapberries, also known as soap nuts, are a simple and effective alternative to conventional detergents. The small fruit shells contain saponin, a natural soap substance, which is released when they come into contact with water. This means you can wash your clothes completely without synthetic additives or perfumes.
Soapberries are easy to use: simply place a few shells in the provided wash bag and put it in the washing machine with your clothes. They can be reused several times and are suitable for both white, colored, and delicate clothes such as wool and silk. At the same time, soapberries are gentle on the skin, making them an ideal choice for children and people with allergies or sensitive skin.
Not all soapberries are the same. It is important to choose organic soapberries, as conventionally grown soapberries may be treated with pesticides or other chemical sprays. When the shells are used directly as a detergent, it is crucial that they are free from chemical residues, otherwise, you risk residues coming into contact with your clothes and skin. The soapberries are the fruits of the tree Sapindus mukorossi, which grows in the tropical rainforests of Central America and Southern Asia. The natural content of saponin in the soapberries ensures that they can wash your clothes wonderfully clean.
Cocoon Company's soapberries are 100% organic and handpicked from trees that grow naturally in the Himalayan region, and we harvest ours in the Indian region of the Himalayas. They are gently sun-dried without the use of artificial additives. This means you get a pure and honest product that you can safely use in your everyday life. Soapberries are gentle on your clothes and will help preserve the colors and structure for a longer time. The soapberries can be used for all textiles - including fine fibers such as kapok, silk, merino wool, corn fiber, etc.
Soapberries have been used for centuries and are still a traditional part of everyday life and cleaning and washing in many countries. They are known for their ability to clean both textiles, skin, and hair in a gentle way. Cocoon Company builds on this tradition and makes it easy to bring soapberries into the modern home.
The berries produce saponin to protect themselves from insects. Saponin contains surfactants, which can reduce the surface tension between the water and the dirt on your clothes, so your laundry becomes clean. The soapberries are most effective at temperatures between 30 and 60 degrees. For washes below 30 degrees or short washes at 30 degrees, you should soften the soapberries before use. You do this by soaking them in hot water for 5-10 minutes, so the saponin can be activated. You can certainly use soapberries at over 60 degrees, but then the saponin breaks down much faster, and the soapberries can often not be reused.
Soapberries do not contain bleach or optical whiteners, and therefore you will find that your white clothes will become grayish over time. If you want to avoid this, you can add baking soda or soda crystals to your white laundry. It naturally brightens your clothes again without the use of harmful chemicals.
Be sure to remove the laundry immediately after the wash is finished. Be aware that some stains can be difficult for the soapberries to remove, as soapberries do not contain enzymes or chemicals like traditional chemical-filled detergents. Therefore, you should treat difficult stains before washing with soapberries, for example with our natural stain remover block or just regular neutral dish soap.
Monday: Open by appointment Tues-Friday 11.00 - 18.00Saturday 11.00 - 16.00Sunday: ClosedThe store is closed from Dec. 22nd - Jan. 2nd
