Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do they Actually work?
A: You don't
have to take our word for it! We've sent off free samples to be reviewed independantly and we'll post them all on here. Check
out our Testimonials Page. We never pay for
any of our reviews - they are all honest and unbiased.
Q: Do these work in a front-loading or High Efficiency (HE) machine?
A: Absolutely! They are low sudsing and high in cleaning power. Just put the wash bag directly into your machine
with the rest of your clothes.
Q: I've heard
of something called Soap Nuts. Is this the same thing?
A: If you are familiar with Soap Nuts, our Eco Nuts™ have become a widely recognized brand name. Don’t settle for generic
soap nuts. Eco Nuts™ are
higher in quality and cleaning power because in addition to our proprietary sorting and handling process, we also only use
a particular variety and size. We have found this quality control translates into more re-uses than many other generic soap
nuts. Our proprietary sorting process also ensures a consistency in shape and texture that makes Eco Nuts™ pleasant and easy to use. Because we lovingly and carefully hand package
in the USA, we can also eliminate individualized plastic wrapping otherwise required by customs.
College students, mothers, campers, techies, boarders, and eco-activists alike keep telling us that Eco Nuts™ work great! Try a sample size and you'll become an Eco-Nut too!
College students, mothers, campers, techies, boarders, and eco-activists alike keep telling us that Eco Nuts™ work great! Try a sample size and you'll become an Eco-Nut too!
Q: OMG I accidentally put the bag with
Eco Nuts™ into the dryer! Are they still usable?
A: Yes, though
you may get fewer washes until you replace them.
Q: Is this a berry
or a nut or fruit or what?
A: If you want to get technical, it is actually a drupe - a fruit in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a pit or large seed. The chinese soapberry tree is closely related to lychees. In the case of Eco Nuts™, we have removed the inner seed for you. Other plants that produce drupes are coffee, mangoes, cherries, apricots, peaches and plums.
Q: I have nut allergies,
are these safe?
A: It is safe for people with nut allergies because it's a fruit and not a nut (though they
definitely resemble nuts!)Many people with severe nut allergies have used Eco Nuts™ with no problems
or reactions. While
Eco Nuts™
has been a terrific solution for many customers with skin allergies and other conditions, people who have many allergies or
compromised immune systems should always take proper precautions and first wash one small item in a small container or sink
before washing an entire load in the washing machine.
Q: How do these work exactly?
A: Eco Nuts™ contain an
all natural chemical called saponin that acts as a surfactant. The saponin is released from the berry when it its agitated
in water. Regular detergents also contain a manmade, chemical surfactant. Surfactants work by breaking the surface tension
of the water so it better penetrates cloth fibers. The agitation made by your laundry machine shakes the dirt loose and and
the saponin holds it in the water until it is rinsed away.
Q: Because the
bag is in the machine for the whole wash, even the rinse cycle, is that okay? Are my clothes being washed twice?
A: Because
the saponin in Eco Nuts™
leaves no residue, you don't even need a rinse cycle. If you want, you can actually stop your machine and save gallons of
water (great for California water conservation). In the rinse cycle, Eco Nuts™
release very little saponin since the rinse cycle is cooler
water. That small amount of saponin is what makes your clothes soft and fluffy.
Q: Can I use bleach with these?
A: Sure! We recommend an eco-friendly oxygen bleach, but any brand is fine.
Keep in mind that standard bleach deteriorates fabrics through oxidation causing them to wear out sooner. Another Eco-friendly
way of bleaching is by putting your articles out in the sun. For information on sun-bleaching, check out this article at dirtydiaperlaundry.com
Q: How Do I store Eco Nuts™?
A: Make sure they are kept in a cool, dry place away from any moisture.
Q: Theres some berry halves in here. Are those okay to use and will they still
work?
A: Yes, you can use them! The saponin is contained
in the skin of the berry so any sized peice will still release that saponin. There are some companies that only offer whole
berries but we don't see why any should go to waste, which is why when it goes through our triple hand-sorting process we
allow halves to get through and we judge on color, size and weight. The berries are slit open during the pitting/drying process
so sometimes the whole berries break in two. When measuring for your bag, simply take two halves to equal a whole! The peices
can also be re-used - same as the whole berries.
Q: How many washes can I get with these?
A: It depends on the temperature of the water. If you wash only in very hot
water, you will probably get 6 loads. If you do cold water only washes, you can get up to 10 loads. Because of the high
quality of the berries, you will likely get many more washes than what we say on the box.
You will be able to tell when they are used up because they will start to disintegrate. Then you
can compost them if you wish, or simply add new berries to the bag.
Q: Do I need to use hot or warm water or can I wash in cold water?
A: We encourage you
to read the labels on your garments and linens and wash with the recommended temperature of the fabric. Eco Nuts™
will work in any temperature water. Hot water will release
more saponin.
Due to our proprietary handling process, Eco Nuts™
will still release saponin in cooler water, and will still
effectively clean normal cold-water laundry as long as the machine was not over-filled. If the laundry to be cold washed is
very soiled, you can make a "tea" by soaking the bag in hot water for a few minutes and then add the bag with the
water to your cold water wash, and put fewer items in the machine to provide more agitation.
Q: You recommend these for cloth diapers,
but I've read elsewhere that "natural" detergents aren't good for them. can you explain?
A: Many natural detergents contain enzymes or leave a residue which contribute to wear and tear on your cloth
diapers. Eco Nuts™
leave little to no residue and actually remove residue that other detergents leave behind. To read more about why Eco Nuts™ are great for cloth diapers, and how to wash cloth diapers, check out our page here.
Email us with your questions at EcoNutsSoap@gmail.com
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