Soapnuts

[Guest guest]

There is a co-op going on now for ordering soapnuts. Below is info on them.

 

To participate go to: comfycreations/ and

join...you can always quit the group after the order.

They also co-op lots of materials for knitting, etc. and even folded diapers,

maybe organic.

 

They're about $20 a kilo. I bought 2 kilos in April or so, which came with 4

sacks of nuts...I am still only about 1/3 of the way through the 1st sack and do

laundry for the 3 of us constantly

 

They say it's 300-400 loads per kilo, so that's .05 per wash. My clothes have

felt so much nicer since, even after using 7th gen. and those types forever.

 

Info:

 

Truly effective, 100% natural and safe for sensitive skin. Soap Nuts are the

dried fruit of the Chinese Soapberry tree. They contain saponin, a natural

cleaner used for thousands of years to clean clothes, just like the plants used

by Native Americans for washing.

Simply put a few Soap Nuts into a cotton sack and drop it in your laundry. Your

clothes come out clean, vibrant, and soft. Replace your detergents and softeners

with the soap made from Nature by Nature. Your clothes, your skin, your family,

and your planet will thank you.

• 100% BIODEGRADABLE!

• IDEAL FOR SILK AND WOOL!

• HYPOALLERGENIC!

• SAVE WATER! SAVE ENERGY!

• BRIGHTENS COLORS!

• NATURAL FABRIC SOFTENER!

• LOW SUDSING!

• Soap Nuts can help you leave a cleaner ecological footprint on the Earth

 

SOAPNUTS

Soap nuts or Soapberry, also sometimes referred to as Washing Nuts or Ritha /

Reetha (in Hindi), contain `Saponins', which have the ability to clean and wash.

When in contact with water, it creates a mild suds, which is similar to soap.

For many years, people in India and Nepal have been doing their laundry and

cleaning with Soapnuts The nut is the dried fruit of the Ritha tree and the

saponin released is a 100% substitute to normal detergents..

Soap nuts can be used for cleaning basically anything, from washing clothes, as

a liquid soap, cleaning and shining ornaments, household cleaner etc

Soapnuts are highly-effective and gentle at the same time. It will leave your

laundry fresh and clean and compared to other detergents, its mildness will keep

colours bright, maintaining fabric structure of your clothes for longer periods.

It can be used on all fabrics and at all temperatures.

Soap nuts are allergy-free and hence are good for your skin especially good for

babies, eczema and sensitive skin. This chemical free product is excellent for

washing children's clothing.

Soap nuts are both Ecological and Economical when compared to other forms of

detergents

A brief on the Benefits of using soapnuts:

 

• Clearly cheaper than normal detergents.

• Environment friendly as soapnuts are 100% natural, they do not pollute our

environment. Furthermore, soapnuts are considered renewable primary products.

The soapnut trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.

• Perfect for allergic persons, people with sensitive skin and people who suffer

from neurodermatitis.

• Effective and gentle as Soapnuts clean dirty laundry very effectively and at

the same time preserve the colour of your laundry better than chemical

detergents. In Nepal, people wash even the finest silks using soapnuts.

• 100% biodegradable. Simply add the used soapnuts directly to your compost

heap.

LAUNDRY

Place 6-8 shells in a small pouch of cotton or a sock tied at the top. Put this

into your washing machine load with temperatures upto 90 Degrees.

 

Soapnuts are highly-effective and gentle at the same time. It will leave your

laundry fresh and clean and compared to other detergents, its mildness will keep

colours bright, maintaining fabric structure of your clothes for longer periods.

It can be used on all fabrics and at all temperatures. Its leaves your clothes

incredibly soft and all this without the need for fabric softeners or

conditioners

 

Soapnuts are both Ecological and Economical when compared to other forms of

detergents. 1 kg of soapnuts can be used for upto 150 loads of laundry.

 

If you wish to change the scent of your clean laundry, you can add a few drops

of essential oils to the wash.

 

Shells can be used for more than one wash but the number of washes per shell bag

will depend on the water temperature used. Washing at lower temperatures, the

soapnuts can be used more often. Use soapnuts only once if washing at high

temperatures.

DISH WASHER

Use soapnut liquid (see below instructions) for washing your glasses, dishes,

cutlery and pans as usual. Don't be deceived by the lack of bubbles on the

effectiveness of the cleaning.

 

There are no artificial foaming agents so there will be very few if any lasting

bubbles but your washing up will be cleaned effectively even if left to soak.

 

Alternatively, just put 3 shells in the bottom of the cutlery holder and some

vinegar in the rinse aid dispenser and your cutlery will come out sparkling

clean.

LIQUID SOAP

How to make a liquid soap using Soapnut ?

 

Add about 50g (handful) Soapnut Shells (excluding seeds) to approx 4 cups of

water. Crush the shells into smaller pieces before adding.

Bring to boil, then simmer for approximately 20 minutes. The boiling process

extracts the saponin from the nut shells and combines with the water.

You can use the liquid immediately, or let it steep overnight. Strain into

appropriate container and compost the remaining shells.

The liquid that is left can then be used as shampoo, all purpose cleaner, car

wash, liquid soap, pet shampoo, washing up liquid or any other things you would

normally clean with a liquid.

CLEANING & DETOXIFYING FOOD

Soak your fruit and vegetables for approximately 10 minutes in the soapnut

liquid. Rinse off and enjoy this food free from harmful chemicals and residue.

The soapnut solution can then be reused for household cleaning.

CLEANING JEWELRY

Soapnuts are commonly used in Indian households for cleaning and shining jewelry

due to its effectiveness. Jewelry is soaked in soapnut liquid and then rubbed

with a cloth to give it a shine.

 

NATURAL PESTICIDE

Using soapnuts is an effect and natural alternative to repel insects off your

plants and around the house. This easily replaces chemicals. Your left over

soapnut liquid from washing or laundry can be used for this purpose.

DANDRUFF CONTROL

Apply the liquid soapnut on scalp and leave on for 5-10 minutes. Make sure the

liquid does not get into the eye as it will burn. Rinse hair with water.

Following this procedure regularly will not only help prevent dandruff, but will

also keep your hair soft and strong. You can also replace the soapnut liquid

with soapnut powder.

 

They are one of the best detergents to get rid of bad odors. Musty towels and

wash cloths, even cloth diapers, come out smelling fresh and new. Stubborn

stains, though, such as blood & red wine, require a stain remover to help the

cleaning process. You can also use 1/2c. lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide to

help brighten your white clothes.

How do I use Soap Nuts in my Laundry?

 

For Laundry Detergent, you can use them in one of two ways:

 

1. Toss 4 or 5 Nuts in a small muslin bag (provided with most orders) and throw

it in with your laundry. (Make sure that you take them out before putting your

clothes in the dryer). The nuts will do 4 or 5 loads.

 

2. Boil 15-18 whole Soap Nuts in 6 cups (1.5 quart) of water for 30 minutes.

The liquid you have is now a concentrated, chemical free detergent. The

leftover shells can be placed in your compost. Use 3 Tbsp or 45 ml of this

detergent with each load of laundry. This allows you to do approximately 60

loads of laundry. Not bad for under $10!

 

Can Soap Nuts be used for More Than Just Laundry Detergent?

 

Yes. They can be used, in the liquid form, for cleaning just about anything.

From dish washer soap, to window & glass cleaner, to repairing oily or dry hair,

Soap Nuts are a multi-purpose cleaner. For more information on particular

applications visit http://SoapNuts.WordPress.com

 

The End Product Still Goes Down the Drain. Does That Hurt the Environment?

 

No. Soap nuts are antimicrobial. This means that they actually help in

breaking down the grey water in your septic system. Also, you do not have to do

a rinse cycle when you use them. This can save gallons of water every wash

cycle. Don't worry, though; if you forget to stop your machine before the rinse

cycle they are just as effective. The amount of saponin left in the rinse cycle

will just leave your clothes feeling soft. They are 100% environmentally

friendly.

 

Win-Win Situation

 

With great cleaning power, no harmful chemicals, & prices that rival any other

detergents, Soap Nuts are one of the best cleaning agents you can buy.