Hand washing : use lukewarm water, add 6 to 8 half shells mix them until the water is soapy with a slight lather, then remove the soap nuts. Wash and rub your wash the same as with a regular product then rinse. You can also prepare a decoction of the nuts in advance and use it from a bottle. Boil 3 to 4 handfuls of nuts in one litre of water for 4 minutes. Remove the shells and allow to cool. One spoonful is enough for a load.

Cold wash : since saponin can only be extracted from the nuts when the water is heated, a decoction is necessary for a cold wash. Boil 3 to 4 handfuls of nuts in one litre of water for 4 minutes. Remove the shells and allow to cool. One spoonful is enough for a load.

Shampoo : a decoction of soap nuts gives a shampoo which provides effective long term protection against dandruff. It makes hair look shiny and full of vitality. The hair is smooth and has a good sheen and is easy to comb. The shampoo is recommended for people suffering from allergies of those with sensitive scalps.

Liquid detergent for animals : wash your pet with a decoction of soap nuts without the smallest trace of chemicals! Their fur will be soft and silky and the characteristic smell of the saponin will keep parasites at bay for some time. It is very effective against lice, fleas and ticks. Boil ten or so half shells in 200 ml of water for 5 minutes and leave to cool. Remove the shells and add as much lukewarm water as necessary. Wet the animal with it and massage his skin so that the solution penetrates well, leave it to act for some minutes then rinse. Make sure the solution doesn't get into his eyes.

Liquid soap : a highly concentrated decoction of soap nuts gives a liquid soap which regenerates the skin. You can fill a soap dispenser with it.

Delicate fabrics : use the decoction of soap nuts to wash delicate fabrics such as wool and silk.

Universal cleaner : use the decoction of soap nuts to replace chemical cleaning products in the kitchen and bathroom. A decoction of 3 or 4 handfuls of nuts in 1 litre of water with 2 spoonfuls of white vinegar added gives you a bottle of ecological detergent which you can use for floors, toilets, baths, kitchens and even windows.

Cleaning jewelry : squeeze half a lemon into a small amount of soap nuts decoction and brush your jewels with an old tooth brush.

Plant protection : prepare a decoction of 10 half shells in 150 to 200 ml of water for 5 minutes. Then simply use it dampen the upper and undersides of the leaves of your house plants. You can also spray your indoor and outdoor plants with the soap nuts decoction and take advantage of saponin's action to fight harmful organisms such as aphids without harming the plant and without poisoning your garden. You can also use this decoction on your fruit trees.

Mosquito repellent : wash or smear your exposed parts with a decoction of soap nuts and the mosquitoes will leave you alone, repelled by the smell of saponin.