SOAP NUTS = NATURAL CLEANING (+ giveaway)

Posted by Jennifer on April 26, 2009 – 7:49 pm

Soapnuts are an economical, environmentally friendly and effective replacement to your laundry soap! I mentioned them in More Green = More Green in honor of earth day!

I had never heard of soapnuts until I saw an ad on kijiji for them. It was in the baby section and advertised that they were perfect for cleaning cloth diapers. Skeptical, I ordered one of their trial bags as I am interested in earth friendly products only IF they perform. I was amazed and how well they cleaned – even with cold water!. A few weeks later, I ordered a large package.

“Soapnuts are the dried fruit from the Ritha (sapindus mukorossi) tree. There are other types of trees that produce a poorer grade of soapnuts. The ones that Superior Soap Nuts import contain very high amounts of saponin. Saponin is the substance which gives the soapnuts their cleaning power.

Many of these trees were once logged for income. Happily, Superior Soap Nuts’ supplier, among others, is harvesting the soapnuts which is a renewable resource. This is creating a sustainable income for Nepalese people in local areas.”

There are many uses for soap nuts to clean many aspects of your home in addition to laundry. I haven’t tried them yet but plan to shortly! If the results are equivalent to what I experience in the laundry room, I will be thrilled!

Superior Soap Nuts has kindly offered to sponsor a giveaway in participation with the Springtime Giveaway Carnival at Heavenly Homemakers. One lucky reader will receive one of their 500g packages!

Just a thought: the name Superior Soapnuts could come from the fact that they are located in Upsala, ON which means they are fairly close to Lake Superior or it could be based on the fact that their soapnuts are a superior quality.

How to Enter:

Entry #1: Visit Superior Soap Nuts and take a look at the page on how to use them. Come back and leave a comment with which way you think you would use them. While you’re there…spend a little time reading about this interesting alternative to laundry soap! PLEASE REMEMBER, that I need a way of contacting you.

Entry #2: Blog about this contest and leave a link to your post in the comments.

Entry #3: Subscribe via a reader or email. Leave a comment letting me know you have.

So go ahead and do one or all of the above to enter! And don’t forget about the Apron Giveaway here!

Wondering what a Beautiful Calling is and who am I? Read here to find out a little more!

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Tags: Deals, Reviews/Giveaways
This post is under “Uncategorized” and has 76 comments so far.
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76 Responds so far- Add one»

1. Lizzie Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 8:15 am
I would use them to wash our cloth diapers! I’ve been interested in trying soap nuts for a few years now.
2. Tim, Allyson, Emahry, and Jonathan Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 8:17 am
We love soapnuts. We just place them in a pouch in the washer.

Allyson
3. Tim, Allyson, Emahry, and Jonathan Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 8:18 am
My wife discovered soapnuts a few months ago. I’m now using them to make a natural pesticide for the garden.

Tim
4. Tim, Allyson, Emahry, and Jonathan Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 8:21 am
I’ve subscribed via Google.

Tim
5. Tim, Allyson, Emahry, and Jonathan Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 8:22 am
I subscribed via Yahoo.

Allyson
6. Yard Sale Princess Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I think that I would try the Abrasive cleaner. I love the fact that the soapnuts can be used multiple times in the wash before they can then be put into the compost! I would just throw them onto our slope and let them naturally compost into the soil! I love that you don’t have to use the rinse cycle! Oh my, how much water you can save! Wow!
7. The Woodall family Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 9:13 am
wow-these are so cool! You can use them as shampoo? WOW! I would love to try these all over my house:)
8. Anonymous Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 9:17 am
I have wanted to try these for my laundry! I’m trying to get away from the traditional detergents in favor of something more natural that will also clean well.

Susan
heartreasure@comcast.net
9. debhmom3 Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Wow! I’m intrigued by all the uses. Really cool!
10. Naturally Frugal Mom Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Definitely would be using these for cloth diapers!!
11. Naturally Frugal Mom Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Now a subscriber via Gmail!
12. Anonymous Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I would love to try soapnuts for cloth diapers. My children also have very sensitive skin and are prone to eczema. I think these would be wonderful.

Shelly
13. spinnitter Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 10:42 am
I would get the shells and make the liquid and try it on everything and anything that needs to be cleaned. Sounds like a great product!
14. Spinnitter Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 10:45 am
I would get the shells and make the liquid and use it to clean anything and everything! Sounds like a great product!
15. Spinnitter Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 10:46 am
I would get the shells and make the liquid and use it to clean anything and everything. Sounds like a great product!!
16. Susan Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 11:00 am
I just subscribed!

Susan
17. ikkinlala Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I’d use them in the laundry – I like the idea of putting them in an old sock.

ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca
18. Christy Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I’ve been thinking of giving these a try! I use cloth diapers so would be interested in trying them for that. What a great giveaway!
19. James, Andrea, and Clara Smith Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I love that they can be used in the dishwasher and to clean fruits and veggies! Nice to have an alternative!
20. techyone Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I would use them in a pouch in the washer for laundry.
techyone at gmail dot com
21. simplyserina Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
i’m thinking general cleaner or shampoo.
22. Teresa Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I’m interested in all the ways to use them, but cleaning fruits and vegetables with them is really intriguing.

tlnovak(at)mlnovak(dot)com
23. pjzjr Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I’ve been hearing about these for a while and would love to try them for laundry. I had no idea there were so many other uses!
24. pjzjr Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Subscribed via the website – jayzee2000 (at) gmail
25. Lenetta Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I am always looking for a better mosquito repellant! I would LOVE to try that!

Lenetta @ Nettacow
Nettacow at gmail dot com
26. Anonymous Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I saw them to one kijiji and wanted to try them, they look really great the only bad thing is you have to paypal them, sandy
27. Organized Nutrition Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
WOW, I have never heard of them until now… I would definately use them in the washer!!!!
28. Organized Nutrition Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I have never heard of them until now… I would totaly use them in the washer!
29. Audrey Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I would love to try them as a hand soap!! Love liquid hand soap.
30. Amanda Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
I would like to try them in the laundry, but I had no idea they had so many other uses! Thanks!
31. Jess B Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I’ve seen other bloggers talk about these and haven’t taken the jump to them yet, but I’m intrigued! I’d probably start by using them for laundry and working my way from there!
32. SaraJane Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
oh my word! how did i miss these? i’ve been looking for something like this for a long time. I would definitely use these in the laundry, dishwasher, general cleaner, most definitely as a pest repellent… I could go on and on. I can’t wait to try these out!! Thanks!
33. SaraJane Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
oh, and I just subscribed. Great site!
Sara O’
34. Cindy Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
I would love to try these for laundry, especially for my kids clothes. They both have autism spectrum disorder and we are always looking for a better chemical free way to do laundry. I love the fact there are also other recipes on their site
35. Valerie Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
CLEANING JEWELLERY, wow I didn’t know you could do that
KawaiiNeko2008 at aol dot com
36. The Green Yak on Etsy Said：
April 27th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
I’d use them for laundry, and possible to make an all-purpose cleaner, as well

greenyak [at] yahoo [dot] com
37. SaraJane Said：
April 28th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
http://homeschoolproject.blogspot.com/2009/04/giveaways-blogs-and-craft-supplies-oh.html

I blogged your giveaway!
Sara O’ knittingprose@gmail.com
38. Tamara Said：
April 28th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I would definitely try them as mosquito repellant! Everything is bigger in Alaska…the mosquitoes are no exception!

Thanks for offering these!

mrshuntinak AT msn DOT com
39. Tamara Said：
April 28th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I subscribed to your feed!

mrshuntinak AT msn DOT com
40. christin Said：
April 28th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Wow! I didn’t realize there were so many uses! I would definitely use them for laundry and dishes, the all purpose spray would be awesome and the mosquito repellent sounds great for summer:) Thanks!
christinbanda(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
41. knmkendall Said：
April 28th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Thank you for this giveaway! I would try these for laundry. I do a lot with five children!
42. rebecca Said：
April 28th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
I’ve been wanting to try these with my cloth diapers! I think the number of uses is amazing.

gitrecca at gmail dot com
43. Brianna @ Heart(h) Management Said：
April 28th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I’ve heard of soapnuts before, but like you, I’ve always been pretty skeptical. Frankly, hearing you rave about them is enough for me to be willing to try them at some point–especially on my cloth diapers. Well, not *my* cloth diapers. LOL.

And it looks like if you make them into the soapnut LIQUID, it would be a really, really economical alternative to regular laundry soap as well as a green one. Hmmmm. I wonder how much their shipping to the US is…
44. Brianna @ Heart(h) Management Said：
April 28th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Ahem. I am a *devoted* subscriber. LOL.
45. Anonymous Said：
April 28th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I signed up via verizon mail and have been wanting to try soap nuts for a long time. Thanks for the chance
Pat
plshake@verizon.net
46. Pam Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 6:39 am
WOW! Who would have ever thought this could clean your laundry. I would love to give them a try. I’m always looking for ways to reduce, reuse, recycle.

pammsmith at comcast dot net
47. Allison Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 9:26 am
I’d use it to keep aphids away from my garden! They’re always a problem

spammysauce@gmail.com
48. sunnymum Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 9:49 am
I'd use them to clean veggies & fruits, and then recycle the solution for general cleaning. Sounds great!
49. Maria D. Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I’d use them for laundry and cleaning jewelry! Sounds like a fascinating product!
50. "MissMelissa" Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I’ve really been wanting to try these in the laundry, and am so pleased they seem to work for you!!!

Melissa
51. Aiming Our Arrows Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Wow! So many uses…I guess I would try the laundry first then use it for hand soap.
~Jill
52. Nicole M. Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I want to try these so badly! I would love to use them for the baby’s laundry.
53. JenniferB Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I would use them in the dishwasher- sounds pretty neat

ejxd95@gmail.com
54. Kelly Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
I want to try them in place of laundry – nothing fancy here yet. I would definitely use them in a pouch first, although if I get around to it I might try making the liquid. I found it interesting that the saponin is supposed to deter ticks and stuff… that might be reason enough to try it as a body wash now that summer’s here and we’ll be outside a lot.
55. Bethany Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I would enjoy using the soapnuts as laundry detergent… Thanks! beththeweth[at] yahoo [dot] com
56. JenniferB Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
blogged
http://mynotsohurriedlife.blogspot.com/2009/04/soap-nuts-contest.html

ejxd95@gmail.com
57. JenniferB Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
i subscriber with reader- igoogle
ejxd95@gmail.com
58. Tam Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I like the idea of using them for pest control in the garden.
59. JenniferB Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
I would use them in the dishwasher
ejxd95@gmail.com
60. JenniferB Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I’m a subscriber with reader- igoogle
ejxd95@gmail.com
61. pinecone304 Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I would use them for my cloth diapers
62. Anonymous Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
i don’t have a blog, but enjoy yours
would love to win, as the impetus to try soapnuts. my girls say i was “green” before it was cool. always looking for ways to protect our watershed.
amila ~ mlb9fan at yahoo dot com
63. lorraine Said：
April 29th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I have looked at soapnuts before and I would love to try them.

lorrie briggs 10 @ yahoo dot com
64. jermandkate Said：
April 30th, 2009 at 8:21 am
laundry & dishwasher ~ side note… i will be doing 8 loads of laundry today, i know – you're jealous.
65. all4fun* Said：
April 30th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I heard about these but I put off trying them. Now would be a great time. I would use them in our everyday laundry.
66. Heartfelt Homemaking Said：
April 30th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I think cloth diapers would be the first thing I would use them on. But many of the other uses intrigue me as well, especially if they work as wee as they claim to . What a great giveaway.
67. Jen Said：
April 30th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
great!
I would use them for laundry and maybe dishwasher!

Thanks!
jennifergraceplus4(at)gmail(dot)com
68. seasonsmom Said：
April 30th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I’d use them in the DW and washing machine. have seen an ad somewhere (maybe thru EC?) and got intrigued. Going to enter in your other options. Check my giveaway out too!
69. seasonsmom Said：
April 30th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I subscribed in a reader
70. Anonymous Said：
May 1st, 2009 at 8:29 am
I have been curious about these as we are always looking for more earth-friendly ways to care for our home. I didn’t know they could go in the dishwasher too!

sarabrown77 (at) gmail (dot) com
71. Katherine Said：
May 1st, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I would use them as laundry and hand soap…Thanks for the post, I hadn’t heard of these before!
ladykatie@harborlandings.com
72. Donna Said：
May 1st, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I’d love to have them around for our cloth diapers as well as for making general cleaning solution!

donnashenk (at) gmail (dot) com
73. Katie Said：
May 1st, 2009 at 9:22 pm
I have been looking for a greener yet not so expensive laundry detergent for years! Blogged about it at http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/05/01/natural-cleaning-hodgepodge/
74. ~M Said：
September 17th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I would use them for cloth diapers and maybe shampoo (you're not supposed to wash curly hair with shampoo containing sls…this doesn't).

Thanks!

michloves80s at gmail dot com
75. ~M Said：
September 17th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I subscribe!
michloves80s at gmail dot com
76. Lucinda Sillery Said：
April 5th, 2011 at 5:51 am
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already Cheers!