And the Giveaway Winners Are………………..

I am pretty excited about this, as I hope you are.

I have worked all morning trying to install a WordPress plugin that numbers the comments with no success.

I decided to fire up www.random.org and figure out who the winners are the old fashioned way: counting

The first randomly generated number was 29.  This means that Melissa W will receive a 500g bag of Greener Living Soap Nuts.

The second number was 8.  For that, Daphne will receive a 1 kg bag of Greener Living Soap Nuts.

The third and final number was 4.  Christine was the fourth post and wins the prize of a 1 kg bag of Greener Living soap nuts and a set of coconut scrub pads.

Thank you all for playing our first soap nuts and scrub pads giveaway contest.

Come back and visit and visit again.  We plan to have more soap nuts laundry detergent giveaways in the future.

Published in:  on January 29, 2010 at 2:54 pm Leave a Comment
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Soap Nuts & Coconut Scrub Pads Giveaway

Greener Living Soap Nuts

Certified Organic Soap Nuts

Hi Everyone,

Great news!  We decided to do a product giveaway.  There will be three prizes:

1. A 500g (1.1 lb) bag of Greener Living Soap Nuts

2. A 1 kg bag of Greener Living Soap Nuts

3. A 1 kg bag of Greener Living Soap Nuts and a set of coconut scrub pads

Safix Coconut Scrub Pads

Safix Coconut Scrub Pads

You can enter up to three times:

1. Post a link to the http://soapnutslaundry.com giveaway on your blog or website

2. Tweet a link to the the giveaway

3. Post a link to the giveaway on your Facebook status for all your friends to see.

Each entry is given for a reply posted to this blog entry.

For three entries to the contest, you need to post three responses with where you posted your link

Winners will be chosen through random.org

The contest will be open until the end of January 28, 2010

Contest open to residents of US & Canada

Good Luck!

Published in:  on January 14, 2010 at 11:04 am Comments (40)
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Soap Nuts Gaining Popularity in North America

Soap Nuts LaundryI am excited to see that soap nuts are gaining popularity in North America, and around the world. As a webmaster, I pay close attention to statistics; especially those published by Google. When we began www.buysoapnuts.com around two years ago, Google Keyword Tool said that the term “soap nuts” was only typed into Google about 6,000 times per month, and there were less than 300,000 results for the query. Now, the same tool shows that the search term is typed in more than 20,000 times per month, and there are roughly 600,000 search results, depending on the day you type it in.

That a good increase for only two years.

Still, it seems that nine out of ten people that you mention soap nuts to have never heard of them.

I guess it’s just a matter of time. If we all keep sharing the good news, everybody will know:)

Published in:  on November 8, 2009 at 7:43 pm Leave a Comment
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Soap Nuts Natural Laundry Detergent

WHAT ARE THEY?

In India, Nepal, and other South Asian countries, a tree called sapindus mukorrosi grows small fruits surrounded by a firm outer shell. This tree is unique because it produces its own natural saponins, a soap-like product,  that coats the shell of the fruit. When the fruits ripen and fall from the tree, local families harvest it, then remove the fruit from the seed. The soap nut shell is then dried out in the sun, using absolutely no chemical processing or manufacturing processes.

This soap nut shell absorbs water and releases saponins which circulate as a natural surfactant in the wash water, reducing the surface tension of the water and freeing dirt, grime and oils from the clothing.  They act just as commercial laundry detergents, but without the chemicals.

When the clothes are rinsed, the soapnut saponins are washed downstream where they remain harmless to the environment. No synthetic chemicals, no fragrance chemicals, no foaming agents or other toxins. Just shells grown by nature.

WHY SHOULD I USE SOAP NUTS?
Soap nuts are an excellent choice for people who desire to use environmentally friendly products. They are a pure product, and contain no added chemicals, fragrances, dyes or fillers. They are also wonderful for people with skin allergies, eczema, or sensitivities to commercial detergents.

HOW DO I USE SOAP NUTS?
Place 4 to 6 soap nut shells in the small muslin bag, tie it closed, and throw it into the drum of your washing machine. You can reuse this batch for 4 to 6 loads of laundry. If you have an HE washer, you may even get many more loads of laundry out of your soap nuts.  The soap nuts will be mushy and gray when they need to be composted. Alternatively, you can use 3Tbsp (45mL) of soap nuts liquid per large load of laundry.

TO MAKE SOAP NUTS LIQUID:
Boil 100g soap nuts with 12 cups (3L) of water for 30 minutes. When cooled, remove the soap nuts, and pour the   liquid into an appropriate container.


You can use the soap nuts liquid for more than just laundry!

All Purpose Cleaner
Keep the liquid in a spray bottle and use to clean the bathroom, kitchen, floors,  etc. Add a few drops of essential oil if you prefer a different scent.  Make sure that you don’t keep too much at a time, though.  They are 100% natural with no chemicals, and therefore will spoil.

Cleaning Jewelry
Soak your jewelry in the liquid for a few minutes. Use an old soft toothbrush to gently remove debris. Rinse with clean water and polish with a dry cloth.

Window and Glass Cleaner
Fill a spray bottle with 250mL water, 15mL vinegar and 15mL soap nuts liquid. Spray and wipe windows or mirrors clean. Polish with a dry cloth or newspaper.

In the Dishwasher
Fill the soap dispenser with soap nuts liquid. Add vinegar as a rinse agent, and your dishes will come out sparkling clean!

Liquid Hand Soap and Shampoo
Fill a squirt or pump bottle with the liquid and use to wash your hands or hair. Your hair will come out soft, thicker and manageable.

Pet Shampoo
Add the liquid to a squirt or spray bottle to wash your pet. It will leave the fur soft and manageable.

Plant Wash and Pest Repellent
Add 250mL water, 15mL soap nuts liquid and 15mL Neem oil (optional) to a clean spray bottle. Shake well. For plant wash, spray leaves and wipe clean. To repel pests, spray plant thoroughly, covering all surfaces and allow to air dry.

Hand Washing Silks and Delicates
Add 15mL soap nuts liquid to warm water. Gently wash your delicate clothes. Rinse with warm water and hang or lay flat to dry.Steam Cleaning Spot Treatment
Add 30mL to 4L hot water and use in a portable steam cleaner. Great for getting out urine smells and stains.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are soap nuts an additive to my regular laundry detergent?
There is no need to add commercial detergent. Soap nuts do a wonderful job of washing laundry. Try it for yourself!

Are soap nuts safe to use in my HE or front load washer?
Yes. Soap nuts are low sudsing, so they are perfect for these types of washers. Put 4 or 5 soapnuts in the mini wash bag, tie it closed, and throw it into the drum of your machine. Use this bag for 4 or 5 loads of laundry. Or you can use 3Tbsp of liquid per large load in the detergent drawer.

Can I use soap nuts to safely and effectively wash cloth diapers?
Yes! Soap nuts are found to be the best detergent for washing cloth diapers. They effectively eliminate all lingering smells. They will ’strip’ the diaper of detergent build-up, increasing the diaper’s absorbency!

There are no bubbles during the wash cycle. What’s wrong?
There is nothing wrong! Soap nuts are a natural, low sudsing product. There are no added fillers, dyes or chemicals that would create bubbles in the wash. Even without lots of bubbles, the soap nuts will thoroughly clean your clothes.

Are soap nuts safe for people with nut allergies?
Absolutely! Soapnuts are actually a fruit related to the lychee, so there is need to worry for those with nut allergies.

Are soap nuts safe for people with sensitive skin or skin disorders?
Yes! Soap nuts are natural and hypoallergenic. They do not contain added chemicals or fragrance which often irritates people with skin sensitivities. Soap nuts are beneficial for both bathing and laundry.  Some people see their eczema and psoriasis fade or even go away after regularily using soap nuts as a laundry detergent.  The only allergy you could have to soap nuts would be comparable to somebody being allergic to apples, or another fruit.

Do soap nuts come in different fragrances?
No. Soap nuts are natural so there are no added fragrances. Soap nuts have a distinct smell like apple cider vinegar. However, once you wash your clothes, they will be fragrance free.

For more information on Soap Nuts & how to order, visit http://www.BuySoapNuts.com

Published in:  on March 5, 2009 at 4:05 pm Comments (2)
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Independent Review of Soap Nuts

Check out this independent review of soap nuts.  Good for getting a non-biased opinion.

Published in:  on December 4, 2008 at 4:55 pm Leave a Comment

Hair Loss and how Soap Nuts can Help

Soap nuts are a popular natural laundry detergent in many parts of the world today. Numerous households have bags of soap nuts handy for washing clothes, or windows, or as a remedy for treating common skin problems without any side effects. Soap nuts are not nuts; rather they are the fruit of the Sapindus mukorossi tree. Soap nut trees are mainly found in India, Nepal & China. The fruits of the soap nut trees are used for various purposes. While the seeds of the soap nut fruit are used as detergents to replace artificial washing powder, the outer shell of the soap nut contains saponins which are good for treating skin problems.

People in India practice an alternative form of medicine called Ayurveda, which strongly recommends the use of soap nut powder for maintaining your crowning glory.  Soap nuts have been used in this region for centuries not just to repair damaged skin and hair but also to prevent such conditions from occurring again. Soap nut powder is used to wash the hair while bathing. Regular use of soap nut powder ensures the reduction of hair fall to a great extent. Many people who were on the verge of going bald have seen good hair days because of soap nut.

Soap nuts are used in combination with many natural ingredients to counter hair loss. Soap nut powder & liquid cleanse the hair and keeps it shiny and soft. Its gentle action rejuvenates the scalp cells and prevents hair loss to a great extent. Dandruff often speeds up hair loss, but soap nuts fight away dandruff as well. When the problem of dandruff is solved, the side effect of hair loss can quite often also be eliminated. There are many companies that sell good quality soap nut shampoo with high concentration of soap nut extract. But you could also use soap nut powder or liquid directly on your hair. Gently work up lather while massaging your scalp. Allow the soap nut powder to work on your scalp for a few minutes and then wash thoroughly.

A simple recipe for soap nut shampoo is as follows: Take 6 cups of water and add 6-7 whole soap nut shells to the water. Boil them and simmer for half an hour. Strain the boiled nuts and pour the remaining liquid into a bottle to use as a shampoo on your hair.

Another fact is that using soap nuts eliminates the exposure of the scalp to harmful chemicals. If you were using a commercially manufactured shampoo, your so-called remedy would itself contain chemicals that could slow down the process of healing and recovery. Hair washed regularly with soap nut gets thicker and glossier with each use. Prevent dandruff and steer clear of future hair loss. Stick with soap nuts shampoo and you could have a head of hair to be proud of. But note that while soap nuts act as a supplement to help you against hair loss, a balanced diet will go a long way in preventing the condition from recurring.

Published in:  on October 22, 2008 at 11:54 pm Comments (1)
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Soap Nuts and Their Benefits

Soap nuts are a fruit of Sapindus Mukorossi trees. These trees grow in south east India, China, Indonesia and Nepal. Sapindus has about five to twelve species of shrubs and small tree which grow in tropical and warm climate. There are nearly 5 to 12 different types across the world. The crushed seeds are used to make soap. In Indonesia it is called “Klerek”

The Sapindus genera of trees are straight cylindrical and have height of 4meters to 5 meters. The tree has life span of nearly 70 years; it can reach a height of 25 meters and trunk diameter of 1-2 meters. It is excellent tree to plant along boulevards. The bark is shinning gray and fairly smooth when the plant is young and dark grey when tree is mature.  The fruit which is called soap nut is 1-2 cm in diameter small leathery skinned contains one to three seeds. The foliage is used to feed live stock during drought.  

Soap nuts contain natural surfactant called Saponin which is used to clean clothes. Saponin cleans cloth by allowing water to enter fabric and removing dirt. The ripe fruit of the tree is golden or brown in color. Soap nuts are alternatively chemical detergents and are environment friendly.  Soap nut are safe for washing woolens and other delicate fabrics. It can be reused many times by placing few nuts in cotton bag with a wash load.

 

Soap nuts are used for many medicinal uses.  It is also in list of herbs and minerals for Ayurveda, ancient Indian medical system. The Soap nuts are also used in Unani and Tibetan indigenous and century old medical systems. Soap nuts are used as in Ayuvedic shampoos and cleanser also as medicine for eczema and psoriasis. The various uses are as under:

 

·         Soap nuts shell is used as natural and environment friendly detergents. They are odorless. Also the waste water can be reused from irrigation. It is organic, bio-gradable and non polluting cleaning product.

·         Being Hypoallergenic, soap nut does not harm hands.

·         Soap nut are non soapy and have less suds, this reduces water consumption.

·         Being mild detergent it helps maintain color and feel of the fabric.

·         De-toxing Food: Soap nuts powder added to warm water can help remove the residual pesticide and chemicals in fruits and vegetables by washing them.

·         It can be used washing pets, cars and carpets and other things at home as the waste water can be used for watering garden.

·         It is recommended for bathing especially for people with skin disease and allergy.

·         It is widely used for washing hair. It prevents dandruff and removing lice.

·         Soap nuts solution can be used for cleaning jewelry.

·         The saponin from the soap nuts is used in preparation of toothpaste and textile auxiliary.

·         Soap nuts powder is added to facial pack to provide delicate cleansing of skin.

·         It has been used for curing eczema and psoriasis.

·         Soap nuts have also been used as an expectorant and emetic and even for migraine, epilepsy and cholorosis.

·         Natural pesticides: Soap nuts are also used as an effective and natural pesticide for plants and repelling insects around the home.

·         A contraceptive cream out of Ritha fruit has been recently developed by the Central Drug Research Institute, India

 

Soap nuts are really multipurpose natural produce in service of mankind and nature.

 

Published in:  on September 24, 2008 at 4:59 pm Comments (2)
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Soap Nuts: The Environmental Aspect

Environmental degradation has been a matter of concern for human species for over centuries now. Ecologist, biologists, and many other are engaged in a very tedious job of coming up with products which are less harmful to the human beings and the nature. Our ever increasing dependence on the technical advancements has left us on a verge of an era where, we can see our destruction owing to the fall of nature due the human atrocities.

 

Day in and day out, we use products which not only harm us but also our Mother Nature by disturbing the balance in the ecosystem. Water pollution, air pollution, noise pollution and so many others in the queue are a constant threat to us. A few decades back, it was established that the simple laundry detergent that we use for cleaning our clothes are actually harming us and in the long run destroying our clothes! These detergents contain harmful chemical, dyes and artificial fragrances which are left behind in the clothes even after they are washed. These harmful chemicals later percolate into our blood causing various types of diseases. When we try to see from the nature’s perspective, we find that the water running away after the clothes are being washed, contain harmful chemicals which disturb the aquatic ecosystem!

 

However, to give a sigh of relief, there is one natural product that can not only replace these harmful chemical detergents but also protect us and also our precious nature. It is quite possible that you have not heard about this gift that nature has in its store to give us. Soap Nuts, the natural soap grows on trees and has the ability to replace the laundry detergents. Growing on a tree called Sapindus, the soap nut is found in the jungles of India, Indonesia, Nepal and other South Asian countries. They have a natural substance called Saponin which comes out when the soap nut comes in contact with water and enables water to penetrate the fabric of the cloth and clean it.

 

If we try to speak about the environmental aspect of the soap nut then, it is better to queue them up for an easier and clear understanding.

 

·         100% vegetable detergent, the soap nut is scentless and is biodegradable and does not compromise with cleaning the cloth.

·         People with allergy and skin diseases are advised to use the soap nut for bathing because of the anti-microbial properties of the Saponin.

·         Soap nuts are economical and do not come up with any harmful environmental wastes on decomposition.

·         The presence of less chemical agents does not pollute the water courses.

 

These biodegradable soap nuts are non-toxic by nature and do not pose any threat to mankind even in the remote future. However, studies have revealed that the Saponin in the soap nuts can be used for other environmental benefits like combating harmful micro organisms and controlling fish population.

 

In short we can term soap nuts as a blessing to mankind and we must all strive for making a better use of this wonderful gift given to us by Mother Nature.

 

For more information visit http://www.buysoapnuts.com/Natural-Laundry-Detergent.html

 

Published in:  on July 21, 2008 at 2:15 am Leave a Comment
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How to Use Soap Nuts

A soap that grows on trees and is free of any harmful chemicals and toxic dyes is called a soap nut! Sounds vague, but it is true! Soap nuts are actually the fruit of a tree called Sapindus and have a cleansing property because of the presence of a natural surfactant called Saponin. This Saponin, when it comes in contact with water, cleans the clothes by allowing the water to enter the cloth fabric and remove the dirt. It is eco-friendly and harmless to the environment, as well as having anti microbial properties.

Soap nuts can be used for many purposes.  They can be used as a natural laundry detergent or to clean your utensils. They can also be used as a natural pesticide or for cleaning jewelry.

·         LAUNDRY: Tie 4-6 soap nut shells in a muslin bag (provided with most soap nuts orders) and put it in the washing machine load at a desired temperature. You can use the same pouch for 4 to 6 loads of laundry. When the shells become grayish and mushy, they are ready to be replaced and added to your compost. 100 g of soap nuts can be used for approximately 40 loads of laundry.

·         DISH CLEANER: You can use soap nuts liquid to wash your dishes. To make the liquid, boil 100g of soap nuts in 12 cups (20 l) of water for approximately 30 minutes.  Cool the liquid, remove the shells, and your liquid soap is ready! Storing the liquid in an air tight container helps it to keep longer.  Because there are no added chemicals in soap nuts liquid, it can go bad after some time, depending on the storing conditions. You can use this liquid for washing the dishes or even use 3 tbsp for a large load of laundry.

·         The liquid soap from the soap nuts can be used for many purposes. It can be used as a shampoo, car wash, pet shampoo or anything that you wash with liquid soap or detergents.

·         You can also use your soap nuts liquid for cleaning and purifying the fruits and vegetables that you eat. Just soak them in the liquid for 10 minutes and your food is clean and germs free!

·         Soak your jewelry in the liquid and then rub it with a clean cloth. This will give back the shine and glaze.

·         Use your soap nuts liquid as a pesticide. Spray the liquid on trees or plants and the insects will be repelled.

·         Applying the liquid on your scalp can help prevent dandruff. Use the liquid as a shampoo, leave it on your scalp for 5-10 minutes, and rinse as normal.  This process can also help prevent hair loss due to excess chemicals our scalp is exposed to every day.

Soap nuts have been used for centuries in India & Nepal.  We are just now beginning to discover the benefits in North America.  Soap nuts are the natural choice for an all-purpose cleaner, and an environmentally friendly detergent.

For more information visit http://www.BuySoapNuts.com

 

Published in:  on July 4, 2008 at 6:25 am Comments (3)
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Soap Nuts as a Laundry Detergent

             Ever since the inception of industrial revolution, life has become fast and the developments in the fields of science and technology has made human life simple and more convenient. All the hassles of day to day activities have been taken care by the complex dynamics of technology. Every night we sleep with a dream and the next morning we are out in the market to buy the dream that has already been converted to reality.

 

           But, in spite of this we are bothered, the cause being the technology itself. With all its goods kept on one side, technology also has a cruel face on the other side of the fence. With all its developments if, technology is giving us a hassle free life, it is also giving us a polluted environment to live in. Water, air and even sound are not being spared. The chemicals coming out as the byproducts are harming our environment and are directly and indirectly harming us. It is just that we are not able to realize until we are in danger.

 

           Keeping aside the macro level alerts like global warming, increase in the sea level etc, let us peep into our daily life and see at micro level, the impact of technical developments. Covering every aspect in the discussion to follow may be outside the scope of this article and hence we will try to limit our discussion only to a simple chemical product- the laundry detergent.

 

          A combination of different chemical substances to clean our clothes is what we call laundry detergent. When mixed with water this detergent creates lather and the chemicals penetrate deep inside the clothes to clean the dirt and the harmful microbes present in them. But studies show that long term usage of these detergents can lead to skin troubles, not to mention about the water pollution which disturbs the balance of the aquatic life!

 

         A question arises, is there something to make the earth greener and pollution free? Yes, there is. Most of us are unaware of a natural substance which can substitute this laundry detergent and is 100% natural. The substance is known as Soap Nut and is a fruit of a tree called Sapindus. Native to Nepal, India and some other South Asian countries, this tree requires a warm and tropical environment to grow. The harvesting process of this soap nut is completely natural and does not call for any toxin or chemical involvement.

        The Soap Nut consists of a solid and hard outer shell and a small fruit inside it. This outer shell is used for making cleaning products. After the fruit ripens, it falls to the ground from tree. It is then picked up and then dried under the sun and is ready to use. Saponin, a natural substance, is present in the Soap Nut. When the Soap Nut is soaked in water, the Saponins are released. This helps the water to penetrate the fabric and clean it. The Soap Nut is a good replacement of the commercial detergents also because of the fact that it has a natural anti-microbial property which kills the harmful microbes present in the dirt. Because Soap Nuts do not contain any added dyes or chemicals, they do not create very many bubbles or lather but are capable of cleaning clothes as effectively as the commercial laundry detergents.

        Natural and harmless, these Soap Nuts can actually help us to take a step ahead in a greener and more natural world. Soap Nuts do not disrespect technology but rather attempt to save the world from a chemical holocaust. Using soap nuts as a natural laundry detergent is a tribute to nature and the solutions it gives us.

For more information visit http://www.BuySoapNuts.com

 

Published in:  on June 21, 2008 at 11:17 pm Leave a Comment
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