Are Washberries suitable for use with cold water?  Although the saponin is released better in warm water, cold water will work.  For a more effective wash you can pre-soak the Washberries in a small amount of hot water and put the water and berries into your wash once the machine has filled with water.

Can I use Washberries in a front loader?  Yes.  They actually dont create many suds so are perfect for front loaders.

How do I know when to refresh the Washberries?  We recommend refreshing after 4 or 5 washes. You will notice that the berries go very soft and shiny.  Once the berries have broken down the saponin in the shell has been used and the berries will need changing.  The number of washes will vary depending on the temperature of your water and the size of your wash.

Can I use Washberries if I have a nut allergy?  Yes, soap nuts are not actually nuts.  They are a dried, deseeded berry and are not known to cause allergic reactions.

Can Washberries be used if I have sensitive skin?  Washberries are perfect if you have sensitive or delicate skin.  Although there may be some residue left in your washing it will act as a natural fabric softener and will not react with sensitive skin.  

Will Washberries cause a buildup in my cloth nappies?  No.  Washberries are perfect for nappies as the detergent does not buildup on microfibre, cotton etc and they are great for sensitive and delicate skin.

Will my washing smell nutty?  Your washing will smell clean and fresh with no chemical residues.  You can add a couple of drops of essential oil to the wash bag if you like your washing fragranced.

Do I need to remove the Washberries for the rinse cycle?  You actually dont need to do a rinse cycle and can save on water use.  Any saponin residue left in the washing will act as a natural fabric softener so does not need to be washed out.  As Washberries are natural your greywater can be used in the garden.  Another great way to support the environment.

How should I store the Washberries? We recommend that you store your Washberry soap nuts in a sealed container to prevent them becoming sticky in humid environments.  

I have occasionally noticed brown smudges on light coloured fabrics after washing.  Whats caused this? Your Washberries may have been caught tightly in a wash that is overloaded or among long fabrics (sheets etc).  Run these items through a warm wash making sure that there is plenty of room for agitation of the wash water.

Can I only use Washberries for washing?  No.  You can use a Washberry solution for any cleaning job (including floors, benches, windows, hair and body).  Just boil 8 half soap nuts in 4 cups of water and sieve out the nut shells.  Make sure that you use the solution within 4 days as the solution does not have an antimicrobial.  You can add a few drops of Tea Tree essential oil to the solution (a natural antimicrobial) to help kill germs, and a few drops of Lavender or Lemon essential oil for a lovely fragrance.

Will Washberries remove stains?  Washberries are effective at removing general stains, however for more stubborn stains you will need to use warmer water, and/or a separate stain soak.

Do Washberries work on whites?  As Washberries dont contain any optical brighteners you may experience some greying over time.  You can add 1/2 cup of lemon juice and dry your wash in the sunshine to brigthen up your wash.