Clean Up That Gross Washing Machine With Soap Nuts

Get rid of all those nasty and potentially hazardous chemicals that have built up in your washing machine. Yuk! Soap nuts make it VERY easy by breaking down old chemicals quickly, efficiently and effectively. A good cleaning of your washer will help avoid release of unwanted chemicals into your wash water. Hence, I suggest giving your washing machine a new and fresh start by using soap nuts to purge it of these chemical build-ups.

My realization of how significant this is began after receiving many reports that mildew odors (particularly in front loaders) were gone after just a few washes with soap nuts. All washers get a build up of chemicals in them over a period of time. Front loaders and HE washers are even more susceptible by their design. The build-up of chemicals is especially noticeable in and around the seal in the door of the washer. Also, it is very commonly reported that the build-ups and “rings” start disappearing in a very short period with the use of soap nuts.

This suggests that the old chemicals in these build-ups and residues are ending up in your laundry. We know the residue is going away, and the only place for it to go is directly into the wash/rinse water, right? That is exactly what we do not want.

The saponin in the soap nuts works exceptionally well and very quickly to break down and dissolve these chemicals. Hence, it is only reasonable to assume that your first few washes may contain a high level of the old chemicals that are already residing in your machine. Albeit, saponin is breaking these chemical down, why not just get rid of them first? Who knows how potent these residues may be? It is only reasonable to assume that they are even more concentrated in chemical makeup than the original detergent.

Therefore, I have a very simple suggestion that can only improve your laundry experience. Clean your machine – before doing your next load. Here are the two easy things that you can do:

1) Since soap nut powder is such an amazing scouring powder and cleanser, you can use it to clean up any heavy residue. You can buy soap nut powder or even better yet, just grind some yourself and save a few bucks. Grind them to a dust in a coffee grinder or processor. You will be amazed at how well the powder works if you haven’t yet used it in this way. (btw: Try it on the rings in your toilets and sinks. My toilets and sinks are sparkling clean for the first time in years!)

2) Do a few HOT water washes and rinses of old rags or anything other than your clothes, diapers, towels, linens, etc. that will be in contact with your skin for any long periods of time or be harmed by the hot cycles. If you don’t have enough old rags for a few loads just rewash them.

I hate suggesting wasting any water or energy, but it is really the best way to effectively get all those chemicals out of your washer once and for all. I had one customer who even reported hearing increased water flow through their washer drainpipes after such efforts. Now that really suggests just how much chemical residue many detergents leave behind.

These very, very simple first steps will minimize the possibility of any unwanted chemical exposure via your laundry – which is, of course, the primary reason we are all changing to soap nuts in the first place. So, if your machine shows any signs of old chemical build-ups, (and even if it does not, for you can not see every place where these build-ups exist) these initial clean up efforts may lead to an even more pleasurable first experience with soap nuts.

Those of us that have been using them have already cleaned up our machines through just normal usage. The use of soap nuts is a rapidly growing and better way of washing laundry, plus they are leading us to many other greener and safer cleaning methods.

We never stop learning, and I’ll never stop sharing any new information or tips. I hope that this article will help the growing number of new users of soap nuts to have the best experience possible. Enjoy!