The Magic of Soapnut

From Childhood Wonder to Kokroma’s Everyday Practice

It’s hard to believe, it’s been almost six years since I started Kokroma. Back then, I didn’t have much: no formal training in textiles, no big investment. Just a curious mind, my research background, and plenty of energy. The more I explored Nepali traditions and raw materials, the more I realized something powerful: sustainability is not new to us. It has always been deeply woven into our way of life. We just have to look a little closer.

One of my first challenges came right after launching Kokroma’s very first batch of “Daura Suruwal sets”. Customers loved the designs, but they complained about shrinkage. The solution was simple: wash the fabric before sewing. But then came the real question: “how do we wash in the most sustainable way?”

Of course, the market was full of washing powders. But they smelled too strong, felt harsh on delicate baby skin, and were unnecessarily expensive. I knew I needed something better, something safer, and more aligned with Kokroma’s vision.

And that’s when I remembered “soapnut”, something from my childhood.

Childhood Memories of Soapnut Magic

As a little girl in my village, Dudhauli, Sindhuli, just before Dashain and Tihar, our biggest
festivals, goldsmiths would go door to door. They carried a small cloth bag, a plastic bucket, some tools, and a few soapnuts. My mother often welcomed them to shine her jewelry—her “Tilhari”, “Dungri”, and a few pieces of silver “Pauju”.

Now, there were always rumors floating around that these goldsmiths secretly stole bits of gold in the process. My mother, cautious as ever, would tell us children to watch them carefully. So, wide-eyed and curious, we sat glued to every movement. We didn’t blink, convinced we’d catch the trick if it was real.

The goldsmith would ask for a bottle of water, pour it into his bucket, and then pull out this dark brown nut called “Ritha” (soapnut) in Nepali. With a nearly broken toothbrush, he rubbed the nut onto the jewelry. And just like magic, foam appeared! The dull jewelry suddenly shone as if brand new.

To me, it was sorcery. A seed that could make bubbles? I desperately wanted one, just so I could impress my friends with this magical trick. That fascination stayed with me for years. Because I was born in the Terai Region, we didn’t have soapnuts in the village. It grows in a hilly area of Nepal.

Soapnuts Forgotten and Found Again

Fast forward to 2013, when I was working on a research project in far-west Nepal. Along the roadside, I saw sacks of soapnuts left abandoned, as if they were useless. I asked villagers why. They told me nobody wanted to buy soapnuts anymore, and synthetic washing powders had taken over. Soapnuts were seen as too much hassle.

I couldn’t resist—I picked up a few kilos of soapnuts and stuffed them into my backpack. My research colleagues teased me: “Rewati, you’re not just collecting data, you’re collecting soapnuts too!”. Actually, I was shocked that this biodegradable, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free gift of nature was being thrown away.

The Turning Point for Kokroma

Years later, in early 2019, when I had an issue with washing fabric sustainably, I pulled out
those same soapnuts from my cupboard. I had carried them with me for years, refusing to throw them away. And finally, they became the answer to my washing dilemma.

I tested them on our cotton fabrics, and the results were amazing. Gentle, clean, soft, exactly what I was looking for. From then on, soapnut became part of Kokroma’s DNA.

Today, I source A-grade, seed-free soapnuts locally. Our team prepares them the traditional way: soaked overnight until the water releases its soapy goodness. Since we wash fabrics daily, we soak large batches and keep reusing the liquid until the soapnut has given all it can. And when it’s finally exhausted, even the leftover husk goes back into the soil as compost. Nothing is wasted.

More Than Just Laundry

Six years into Kokroma’s journey, soapnut is more than just a detergent. It’s a reminder of what we stand for.

Sustainability is not always about high-tech innovation or futuristic solutions. More often, it’s about returning to the wisdom of our roots. Soapnut connects me back to my childhood curiosity, to the forgotten traditions of rural Nepal, and to the values Kokroma was built on: care, respect, and responsibility.

When I think about soapnut, I don’t just think about clean clothes. I think about babies wearing garments washed in something safe and gentle. I think about the farmers and local suppliers who benefit from our purchases. I think about the earth, spared from harsh chemicals. And I think about the small but meaningful act of choosing something natural, something slower, something better.

That’s why, at Kokroma, every garment carries this story. Every piece of fabric is washed not just clean, but with love for the baby who wears it, for the earth we share, and for the future we’re all responsible for.

How You Can Use Soapnut at Home

Here’s a simple guide you can follow at home:

Step 1: Prep

Take 5–6 soapnut shells (remove the black seed inside) and soak them in 2–3 cups of water overnight. For quicker results, you can gently boil them in water for 10–15 minutes.

Step 2: Use the Liquid

The water will turn slightly brownish and soapy. This is your natural detergent. Strain it and use the liquid for washing clothes, cleaning fabrics, or even as a gentle household cleaner.

Step 3: Reuse and Compost

You can reuse the same batch of soapnuts 2–3 times by soaking them again with fresh water. Once they lose their foam, toss the shells into your compost. They’ll return to the soil as natural fertilizer.

That’s it. Safe, simple, sustainable. Just the way we like it at Kokroma.

Sometimes I think back to the little girl watching the goldsmith with unblinking eyes, waiting to see if he would steal the gold. What I didn’t realize then was that the real treasure was already in his hand: the soapnut itself.

And today, as Kokroma grows, I feel grateful that this small childhood wonder has become such a big part of our journey. It’s proof that the answers we’re looking for often lie in traditions we’ve forgotten. We just need the courage and the curiosity to rediscover them.

Written by: REWATI GURUNG
Photos: GARY WORNELL