When I decided to live a more “green” and non-toxic lifestyle one of the first things I wanted to change was my laundry detergent. With all the harsh chemicals listed on the jug (plus the ones that aren’t), I knew this was an important place to start. Also, because of the fact we spend so much time wearing our clothing, I wanted something that wasn’t full of nasty stuff that would absorb into our skin. After all, it is the largest organ of the body. At the time, there were a few different brands available that were more natural, but they still came in big plastic jugs. Even though we always recycled the jugs, I just didn’t want to buy them anymore, plus they could be quite pricey. One day while on a message board, I joined a conversation about something completely new to me and certainly new to a lot of people…..and possibly new to you, too. The discussion was on the topic of soap nuts. Yeah, you read that right. Soap. Nuts. Well, they aren’t even nuts at all, but rather, a berry! So before you ask, they are completely safe for someone with a nut allergy. Promise. At the time there wasn’t a whole lot of information about soap nuts, but I knew they were something I wanted to try immediately. Mainly, just because they were different and that’s just how I roll. I like using or trying things that not everyone else necessarily does. Also, let’s face it, the name alone is enough to get people engaged in a conversation. I tried one brand and it was okay, but I wasn’t overly impressed. Another huge priority for me at the time, and to this day, is really connecting with the company behind the products in my home. Knowing their story and what their mission is makes them more real to me, which creates a connection, and hopefully a long term relationship.
This is what I found in NaturOli. I have had phone and email conversations with the owners of NaturOli. How many companies can you say that about, with products that you buy and use in your home? Pretty cool, right? Not only have I had those conversations, but they happen to be pretty great people. They care about their product, the quality of that product, their customers and the environment. Quite a package, wouldn’t you agree?
The soap nuts page on their website is filled with amazing information, from where the soap nuts from from, to how they work, to using them for your laundry, plus much much more!
For me personally, I have mostly used them for my laundry. Let me share a little of my “journey” with you.
- Basically, you just put several soap nuts in the small wash bag, drop it in the washing machine, and start your machine.
- I love the fact that I don’t need to worry about any chemicals on my clothes and that there is no need for fabric softeners! Yes, you heard that right! The soap nuts actually soften the clothes naturally. So, you can go ahead and ditch those horrible chemical laden “sheet” ones you have been throwing in the dryer with your clothes.
- I have a child in my home who has wet the bed on occasion. (he’d be mortified that I am sharing that, but for the sake of making a point, I’m sure he’d understand.) *wink* Honestly, at first I was skeptical when I tossed the soiled sheets and clothing into the washing machine with the soap nuts, but when they came out of the dryer, my skepticism disappeared! The urine smell was gone. Ha! How do you like that for good quality and non-toxic cleaning?
- I simply love that my clothes come out of the dryer soft and smelling, well, fresh and clean. Not from some artificial fragrance, but simply because they are just plain clean! Every now and then, though, I do add a few drops of essential oil if I want a certain scent on my clothes. An example is lavender. It just smells so relaxing – a good one to add with the sheets and pillowcases.
- Also, during the winter, I sometimes add eucalyptus or tea tree oil for their natural germ fighting qualities.
I mentioned that for the most part I only use the soap nuts for my laundry, but there are many more uses and some I have tried. I have actually boiled them with water on the stove to form a liquid, which I used to clean my dishes and my kitchen counter tops. I like it for those purposes in a pinch when I have run out of my dish washing soap and can’t get to the store right away. It’s great to know that having that large bag of soap nuts means I can clean just about anything in my home with some simple boiling of them or chopping them in the coffee grinder or blender.
I started using soap nuts from NaturOli exclusively about two years ago and have never looked back. I simply love them.
Here’s the fun part! You can win some! NaturOli wants one of my most awesome readers to experience the NaturOli difference for themselves by giving you the chance to win one of their 4 ounce bags of Soap Nuts, which can wash up to 40 loads of laundry! Oh, I am so excited for you, but in the meantime, if you can’t wait to try them, they are having a wonderful SALE so go check it out here!!
Okay, here’s how to enter:
~Go to Facebook and “Like” the NaturOli page then leave me a comment telling me you did that.
~Follow me on Twitter and leave me a comment with your Twitter ID.
~Go to the NaturOli website and tell me something OTHER than soap nuts that they sell. (please be original and don’t just copy someone else’s comment)
~Leave me a comment telling me what makes you most curious about trying soap nuts for the first time. If you already use them, tell my something that you LOVE about them!
~Click on that handy little button (right above my follower list in the sidebar) and subscribe to my blog.
~Tweet this giveaway or share it with your friends on Facebook.(only once for each, please, but you get 2 separate entries!)
I must be able to reach you if you win or I will have to pick a new winner so please leave me your email address in at least one of your comments.
The giveaway will end on May 1st, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. and I will use random.org to pick a winner. U.S. entries only please. Good Luck!
*Disclosure: I was not provided with compensation or product for this review. NaturOli will provide the winner’s prize of a 4oz. bag of soap nuts.
I "liked" NaturOli on FaceBook 🙂 Is this where I tell you that? I hope so!
I'm using my soap nuts liquid doing laundry today! It's great to know I'm not putting chemicals on my clothes, my sheets and in my septic system. Plus you don't need to use fabric softener either!! Can't get any better than that except win!!
Yes, Laura! But I do need have an email address for you if you win. Please leave another comment with that information. Thanks!! 🙂 (anti-spam) format please. 🙂
I'm just curious about the whole thing because I have never heard of them. But they sound awesome, especially since you've tried them and love them. Love your blog btw!
OMG!! You have no idea how excited I am to have stumbled upon this blog and post!! Couldn't have been a better time. We have a ridiculous list of allergies in this house (nuts, etc), but also, my daughter's allergic to SLS— based from coconut… so finding soap/cleaners without it is DIFFICULT to say the least. And, most of them don't clean very well. Really want to try these out.
Checked out the NaturOli website. Totally cracked my husband up that they also sell Massage oil… pretty sure it's just the "sensual" part of the title that got to him.. lol. Thank you thank you thank you for bringing this up!!
For soap nuts in the UK, visit Ethics Trading
I've been using them for years, brilliant little berries and they can go in the compost when spent!
Allergies were what lead me to soap nuts – my son had horrid eczema as a baby and most commercial washing powders set it off, especially those in tablet form. But soap nuts really do the job and keep our skins free from the harsh chemicals added to commercial powders.
They also sell a Flax seed Eye Pillow. That sounds interesting!
ashleyreynolds1 at hotmail dot com
I'm interested in trying soap nuts because I been experimenting with different detergents for a while, trying to get natural ones when I catch a good deal–at least no fragrances added. Sometimes I'll find a deal on Method, but this would be even better!
ashleyreynolds1 at hotmail dot com
my son is allergic to almost all laundry detergent. We currently use Charlie's soap but i would love to try another alternative to see if he is not allergic to something else.
I follow you on twitter @jodifur
I subscribe to your blog in google reader
Liked NaturOli on Facebook!
Visited NaturOli's site – they are awesome. Wish they were a little less expensive… but, you get for what you pay for I'm sure! 🙂
Anyway I'd love to try the supreme facial kit. Woo hoo!
Would love to try soapnuts because my daughter has battled eczema for nearly 6 years & we've tried every type of detergent. Nothing seems to help very much (except plain water!).
I retweeted your contest!
I like NaturOli on FB!
I follow you on Twitter!
I subscribe to your lovely blog 🙂
I'd love to try their foot creme. Or pumice stone on a roap. Something foot-related.
What interests me about soap nuts? Well, I had never heard of them before this. And I don't really get how they work. I like trying new things. My email addy… mariana at youknowwhere.com
Thanks to everyone for entering!! Random.org has chosen comment number 6! Congrats Ashley….that's you!! (after removing my comment to Laura, which does not count in the numbers)
Congrats Ashley! This is the winning comment!!
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