NB: Before you try any of these alternatives to soap, especially if you’re using them to wash clothes, or as a shampoo make sure you do a skin test to check for possible allergic reactions.

This is an extract from the handout of a talk on “Spring Cleaning With Herbs” that I gave to the Mercian Herb Group in 2009.

When it comes to cleaning some of us get into a bit of a lather over what we can use instead of chemicals to clean clothes and fabrics in the home. There are 3 outstanding herbs that can be used to clean fabrics and that can also used to make cleaning products where a foaming action is required.

Soapwort – Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) can be used as a mild detergent for fine fabrics or upholstery and is especially effective as a mild cleanser for old or antique fabrics, including rugs and tapestries. The plant is rich in saponins which produce a rich lather in water. Crushing the roots and leaves and shaking them in warm water will create this effect. Not just used for making soap, the plant can also be used as a shampoo to ease a dry itchy scalp, although try to avoid getting shampoo in the eyes as it can irritate them. The leaves can also be crushed and rubbed on the hands to make soap. To make soap, chop the whole plant and boil it in water for about twenty minutes and strain. If making a shampoo, add, a floral/herbal water or decoction to improve the smell. The best ‘soap’ is obtained by infusing the plant in warm water.

Soapwort was used to wash the Turin Shroud and is still used today for cleaning old fabrics today by places such as the National Trust because of its mild and gentle action. Soapwort contains a natural fungicide, the roots have been known to knock out fish to make them easy to catch – for this reason it may be a good idea not to grow Soapwort close to fish ponds.

Soapwort Fabric Shampoo

½oz (15g) dried Soapwort root, or 2 large handfuls of fresh clean Soapwort stems
1½ pints (3/4L) of water

Note: Always test on a small piece of fabric first. Consider using distilled or spring water if you live in hard water areas.

If you are using dried root, soak it overnight. Crush the roots with a rolling pin, or chop the fresh stems into 1″ pieces or smaller. Place in water in an enamel pan, bring to a boil, cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow to stand until cool, then strain.

For upholstery, lightly dampen a sponge or soft brush with the cooled solution, rub lightly and allow to dry. Apply again if necessary.

For fragile or delicate fabrics, allow the piece to soak in cool water until thoroughly moistened, then soak in the cool Soapwort solution, and rinse again in cool fresh water.

Yucca – The fibres of Yucca root have been used by the Native American Indians to make rope, sandals and cloth and also as a cleaning agent for centuries. The roots are rich in saponins and are used in the same way as soap. Yucca can also be used to make shampoo to help fight dandruff and hair loss. The most successful Yucca ‘foamers’ are Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata), Spoonleaf Yucca (Yucca filamentosa) and Mojave Yucca aka Spanish Dagger (Yucca schidigera). Use 1 Tbsp of dried Yucca Root or 2 Tbsp fresh Yucca Root to ½ Pint warm water and agitate the water to make a foam. Use the solution to clean fabrics using the hand washing method. Made with a herbal decoction this can also be used to wash the hair.

Soap Nuts –There are several types on the market of Soap Nuts on the market, the most commonly sold in the UK for using as an alternative to soap powder is Sapindus mukorossi, better known as the Chinese Soapberry. The soap berry contains saponin, a natural detergent which is used to clean clothes, the nuts are quickly becoming popular as an alternative to manufactured, chemical soap powders. They’re said to be safe for washing silk, woolens and other delicate fabrics. The fruits of Sapindus muorossi have a slightly irritant effect on the mucous membranes. Whilst the fruit of the Soap Berry (Sapindus saponaria) contains an irritant sapintoxin which can cause a rash or blisters to form on the skin.

Soap nuts look like a cross between a chestnut and a large dried rosehip and have a rather pronounced smell of vinegar, although this isn’t apparent when you’re washing is done. To use place 12 soap nut shells in a small cloth bag and add to the washing machine, they can be used up to 3 times if the wash load isn’t heavily soiled.  When they’ve have no cleaning power left you just put the soap nut shells on the compost heap. Soap nuts can also be used to make herbal shampoos.