Can You Wash Your Hair With Soap Nuts?

What Are Soap Nuts Made From?

what are soap nuts made from

Soap nuts come from dried shells of the soapberry nut. Soapberry nuts are sourced from the Sapindus mukorossi tree which is native to tropical climates such as in Nepal for example.

Soap nuts contain Vitamins A, D, E, and K, which can lead to shiny, healthy hair. They’re actually a soap berry and are related to the lychee.

What Are the Benefits of Soap Nuts?

Soap nuts have many benefits including both skin and hair care. In fact, soap nuts are one of the main ingredients found in many luxury haircare product lines.

Soap nuts can also be used to clean fragile items like jewelry. Because soap nuts are eco-nuts, natural, and affordable, they have become a part of many people’s skin and hair care routines.

Can You Use Soap Nuts for Hair Washing?

can you use soap nuts for hair washing

Yes, you can use soap nuts for washing hair and they’re an excellent choice as they’re safe, effective, and more gentle than many commercial products for hair washing.

How Do You Wash Your Hair With Soap Nuts?

You can wash your hair with soap nuts with the following steps.

1. Oil Your Hair First (Optional)

It’s up to you if you oil your hair first. If you have hair that is very dry you may want to add a few drops of oil before washing with soap nuts.

2. Prepare Your DIY Shampoo

The next step is to prepare your DIY shampoo. There are a variety of ways that you can turn soap nuts into a natural shampoo consistency. One method is to boil soap nuts in water for up to five minutes.

However, this method can be pretty tedious if you have to do it every time you wash your hair. We recommend investing in a grinder and grinding your soap nuts down into a powder. You can also use an electric coffee grinder.

When you’re ready to wash your hair, take a few scoops of the soap nuts in powder form and mix them with warm water. You can also add essential oils during this step to add a floral fragrance to your shampoo, too!

3. Washing Gently With the Soap Nut Shampoo

Wash gently using the pre-made shampoo. Lather it into your hair but avoid the usual massage movement.

Massaging soap nuts into your hair can leave it tangled and difficult to work with, so it’s best to lather it onto your hair instead. Be sure to keep your eyes closed.

4. Repeat Washing Again

Because it can be challenging to apply the soapnut solution to every inch of your hair, especially without massaging it into your scalp, it’s a good idea to repeat the process.

Make up a second solution when mixing the first and repeat step three.

5. Rinse Thoroughly

Rinse the shampoo thoroughly. Again, make sure you keep your eyes closed. Then, towel dry and style as usual.

You should notice an improvement in your hair right away!

How to Use Powdered Soap Nut

You can use powdered soap nuts by mixing them with warm water or essential oils. This turns the powdered material into a moist hair soap solution you can apply to your hair.

Do Soap Nuts Remove Oil From Hair?

Soap nuts are effective for oily hair too. They are antimicrobial nuts, meaning they can get rid of bacteria that lead to oil.

Soap nuts are also effective in removing dandruff, too!

Do It Yourself Soap Nut Shampoo

do it yourself soap nut shampoo

You have a few options for making a DIY soap nuts shampoo. Here are some of my favorites you can make at home.

Option #1: Seep in Heated or Boiling Water

  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
  2. Next, add either full soap nuts or soap nut powder to the water. (If you use soap nuts, you’ll have to wait longer for them to seep into the hot water. If you use powder, it will slowly dissolve and form into a substance that can be easily applied to your hair.)
  3. Allow some time for the mixture to seep and distribute through the water.
  4. After a little while remove the pot and let it cool. Put the soap nut solution in a cup or container for showing use when you like.

Option #2: Make Soap Nut Powder

You can also make your own soap nut powder. Whole soap nuts can be more cost-effective than buying powder that has already been ground down for you.

The best way to do this is to drop the soap nuts in a coffee grinder. You may need to grind them a few times to get them to a substance that’s easy to work with.

The great thing about turning soap nuts into powder is that it doesn’t remove any of their vitamins or benefits.

If you make too much shampoo by adding the powder to hot water the soapnut solution will eventually become difficult to work with and can lose its nutrients after a few days.

With soap nut powder you can store the leftover in a jar and use it when you’re ready.

Option #3: Using a Stove

A stove is a great way to add soap nuts to boiling water.

  1. If you only need a small solution of shampoo use a flat pan and bring a few cups of water to a boil.
  2. Drop in the soap nuts or powder and let it cook for up to five minutes.
  3. Turn off the heat, remove the pan, and let the shampoo cool before applying it to your hair.

Where to Buy Soap Nuts for Your Hair

where to buy soap nuts for your hair

You don’t have to travel to Nepal to buy soap nuts for your hair. Fortunately, you can source authentic soap nuts online.

It’s also possible to find soap nut liquid for your hair online. Liquid soap is usually easier to work with than whole soap nuts, by the way.

How Much Do They Cost?

Soap nuts cost anywhere between $10-$40 per package depending on the brand and the amount you buy. Buying in bulk may be costly but can bring down the cost per soap nut.

You may want to invest in a larger quantity if you plan on using soap nuts frequently to wash your hair or want to add it into your skincare routine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

frequently asked questions faqs

Here are a few more quick answers about using these products.

Are soap nuts good for hair?

Soap nuts are great for the hair, especially dry hair. They include the vitamins you need for shiny, healthy hair. Soap nuts also promote hair growth and can get rid of frizzy, tangled hair.

How many soap nuts will you need per shampoo?

The number of soap nuts you need per shampoo depends on a few factors, like how much hair you have, the thickness of your hair, and the method you’re using to shampoo.

You can expect to use between 5-6 soap nuts per shampoo. If you have shorter hair, you may get away with 2-3 soap nuts. If you have long or thick hair, you may need up to eight soap nuts.

Do soap nuts dry out your hair?

Soap nuts don’t dry out your hair. In fact, they include vitamins that add moisture and nourishment back to your hair.

Do soap nuts cause hair loss?

There haven’t been any reports of soap nuts causing hair loss. In fact, soap nuts are said to do the opposite.

Because soap nuts include essential vitamins, they can replenish your hair with the nutrients it needs to grow and become thicker.

Commercial shampoos are much harsher on the hair and this can potentially contribute to hair loss.

James Marshall

About the author

James is a business management professional and consultant with a former background in maintenance, repair, and hands-on projects. He enjoys DIY tasks and maintenance around the home as well as part-time writing. Read more »