2.12.2010

Soap Nuts Review & GIVEAWAY!



I had never heard of Soap Nuts until I was introduced to them on The Funky Monkey. On their banner it stated that they were affordable, so I clicked on it thinking "I'll be the judge of that!". What I found on their site was a lot of impressive information. I found that Soap Nuts weren't actually nuts at all, but fruit grown on the Sapindus Mukorossi tree. There is "Saponin" in them there berries! And, when agitated in water the Saponin is released creating a low-sudsing detergent!! It's actually pretty simple. The more I thought about it the more it made sense...the majority of my cleaners are "plant based" - this is just using the plant itself instead of some kind of processed product I might buy at the store. 

And the price? The price is great for what you get! I bought the 250g bag of Soap Nuts for $11.60. With that I got a wash bag, enough Soap Nuts for 75-100 loads of laundry, numbered magnets to help me keep track of which load I'm on and detailed instructions and recipes. Their organic Essential Oils were also such a great price I decided to pick up a 5ML bottle of Lemongrass Oil for only $4.35! To add scent to your laundry you can put a bit of essential oils on a cloth and throw it in the dryer with them during the cool down cycle. This is a GREAT alternative to dryer sheets which aren't good for anyone.


Special Features of Demetria Organics' Soap Nuts:
  • 100% Natural & Organic
  • Biodegradable: can be composted after use
  • Natural Fabric Softener
  • Multi-purpose for other household cleaning
  • Anti-Microbial: safe for septic systems
  • Gentle, yet effective: mild enough for sensitive skin & delicate fabric
  • Hypoallergenic: perfect for anyone with sensitive skin or allergies to commercial additives, dyes, and fragrance
  • Free of manufacturing processes - From agricultural procedures through to packaging you are receiving a hand processed product

Within just a few days my Soap Nut's arrived. I had never been so excited to do the wash! I was so eager to not only see if they work, but how they worked. The packaging was pleasing, they even sent a couple of packs of Glee Gum!!


After reading the instructions I found that the Soap Nuts needed to soak  in hot water for 5 minutes for a cold water load (because I had never used them). So, I got a glass bowl and put hot water in it and placed the bag with 4 shells inside. I stood there and watched, not knowing what to expect or if I should expect anything at all. I kept dipping my fingers in to see if there was change. The water began to feel smoother, not sticky or sappy, just smooth. After another minute I could see the liquid clouding and seeping from the bag.
After 5 minutes, I poured the water and bag of Soap Nuts into my load of darks. As I poured it in I noticed suds! I know that you do not need suds to get clean, but it was encouraging to see none the less.
I placed the magnetic numbers on the washer top in a straight line and figured I would just push the numbers up with every load. Seems easy enough - and handy, too!


   
So, as the wash did it's thing I waited. Curious and eager to see if I could even tell if they had worked or not. when I finally went to get the clothes from the dryer I was pleasantly surprised at how crazy soft everything was!! I brought them upstairs and showed my best gal pal and she was equally as impressed. I did not use the Lemongrass because I wanted to get the experience with just the Soap Nuts so that I could smell the laundry afterwards and it didn't smell like anything at all, but it did smell  and feel really clean. 

So, in a nut shell (haha), I love it! I have since done multiple loads with it and am still pleased with the experience. I am only using the shells for 4 loads rather than 5 and plan on keeping the shells after I am done washing with them. When I have gone through them all  I plan to boil them down to a liquid all purpose cleaner to put in a spray bottle. I will post an update on that in the future, so keep an eye out for that.

~WIN A 250g Soap Nuts package from Demetria Organics~

How To Enter: 
MANDATORY: To enter you must Publicly follow this blog in google friend connect (on the right side bar). I am trying to grow my readership so that I may bring you more awesome giveaways like this one! After that, please visit Demetria Organics and come back here and leave a comment stating something you learned about Soap Nuts not mentioned here or another product of theirs you would like to try.

*You must do the mandatory requirements and entry before using any extra entries. Please include your E mail address with your comment so that I may notify the winner. Entries will be accepted until midnight March 4 and the winner will be announced on March 5. Winner is determined by random drawing of numbers, each comment you leave is a numbered entry.*

Want the low down on entering blog giveaways?

Extra Entries:
(You may do any or all of these - current subscribers or followers count too!)
Good Luck everyone!!!

    73 comments:

    Rachel said...

    Woohoo.... I'm the first to comment. It's cool that they have recipes for shampoo and other cleaners for using the nuts (berries.) I have been looking for a shampoo alternative because of my oily hair. I'm also a google friend.

    Rachel said...

    I am a fan on facebook.

    teadraal@yahoo.com

    Carrie said...

    I love how the soap nuts have many uses from shampoo, bathtub cleaner, jewelry cleaner, glass cleaner & all purpose cleaner. I would also love to try the Hugo Naturals Vanilla & Swt Orange Body Butter.

    Carrie said...

    I already follow on facebook

    Carrie said...

    became a fan of Demetria Orgaincs on Facebook

    Rachel said...

    I love the pasionate protection necklace. It's gorgeous!

    Onewithwings said...

    I learned that soap nuts can be used as a jewelry cleaner, how cool is that? I might try it as shampoo as well. I am glad they are hypoallergenic, as my son has eczema and is really sensitive to harsh detergents. Right now we make our own laundry soap.

    Nuxvomica45@yahoo.com

    :)

    Rachel said...

    I'm a fan of Demetria Organics on Facebook.

    Onewithwings said...

    I am already a fan of gypsy jewels on Facebook

    Onewithwings said...

    I followed you on twitter as well and linked to your blog! :)

    Rachel said...

    I shouted out on www.myspace.com/teadraal

    Rachel said...

    I shouted out on facebook about the giveaway.

    BEadECLECTIC said...

    Oh, I've already done like half of these requirements in the past, darn it!

    I think I'll probably end up buying these... they look AWESOME!

    And.. I LOVE Glee gum. My Mom got it for me once, because that's my childhood nickname. :)

    bead.eclectic@gmail.com

    Anonymous said...

    I would love to try their Organic Lime and Mint Soap with Sea Kelp

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    BleuRoo said...

    These sound awesome! I love that they are also hypoallergenic, very cool :)

    Anonymous said...

    Follow Gypsy Jewels on Twitter

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    BleuRoo said...

    I subscribed via email.
    bleuroo@bellsouth.net

    Anonymous said...

    Visit Gypsy Jewels Etsy Shop and come back stating your favorite item: I like the Crystal Necklace and Bracelet Set

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    BleuRoo said...

    I'm a fan on Facebook.
    bleuroo@bellsouth.net

    Anonymous said...

    Heart the Gypsy Jewels Etsy Shop

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    BleuRoo said...

    I'm following on Twitter.
    bleuroo@bellsouth.net

    BleuRoo said...

    I love the Buddy Blanket! Then again, it could just be the model influencing me ;)

    bleuroo@bellsouth.net

    BleuRoo said...

    I hearted your shop.

    bleuroo@bellsouth.net

    Anonymous said...

    fan of Demetria Organics on Facebook (matthew wood)

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    BleuRoo said...

    I became a Facebook fan of Demetria.

    bleuroo@bellsouth.net

    Anonymous said...

    Follow Demetria Organics on Twitter @matt4melis

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    BleuRoo said...

    I'm following Demetria on Twitter.

    bleuroo@bellsouth.net

    Anonymous said...

    http://twitter.com/matt4melis/status/9019040336

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

    sunnymum said...

    Their skinnyskinny Organic Lavender Eucalyptus with Goat Milk sounds really great. I'm a follower. cbeargie at yahoo.com

    sunnymum said...

    I love the Buddy Blanket with Funky Flowers from Gypsy Jewels Etsy Shop. Very cute pictures too!

    sunnymum said...

    Hearted your shop on etsy as spritysis.

    BEadECLECTIC said...

    I just checked out their site (sorry for the split up comment!)and now I'm really wanting to try their lemon and blood orange soap. I love the smell of lemon- it's super refreshing!

    I want those soap nuts even more now, since I learned you can clean jewelry with them!

    Alyse Lange said...

    Hi I am a fellow kellymom, facebook friend and Kalamazoo area LLL member :)

    The soapnuts sound great for my daughter's laundry because she has eczema. I would also love to try their mint lime soap!

    Thanks,
    Alyse

    Alyselange@gmail.com

    Alyse Lange said...

    Email Subscriber

    Alyse Lange said...

    Facebook fan

    Alyse Lange said...

    Visited etsy and love the petoskey mystic necklace :)

    Anonymous said...

    i follow you with blogger and i pick the Hugo Naturals Grapefruit Shower Gel as my choice to try

    Anonymous said...

    i follow u on twitter where i am agodlyhomemaker

    Anonymous said...

    from the etsy store i pick the
    Heart Shaped Pearl Necklace
    GORGEOUS!!!

    Anonymous said...

    TWEETED http://twitter.com/agodlyhomemaker/status/9105356690

    Anonymous said...

    FACEBOOKED IT TO www.facebook.com/agodlyhomemaker

    Anonymous said...

    i fanned ya at fb

    Anonymous said...

    i hearted ya at etsy

    lumin said...

    Since soap nuts can be used as shampoo & has no fragrances/ other irritants, I'd like to use it to wash my dogs in the lake this summer (they hate baths, but love swimming!), and make all our camping cleaners out of it.

    jenwinks@gmail.com

    lumin said...

    I subscribed to this blog. I really enjoy the collection of subjects here.

    lumin said...

    Ooh! I like the Warm Vibrations necklace at the Etsy shop!

    lumin said...

    I am a facebook fan of Gypsy Jewels!

    lumin said...

    I am a facebook fan of Demetria Organics, too!

    lumin said...

    Not sure what exactly constitutes a Shout Out! on FB, but I did put a link & my participation as my status update... Not sure how to "heart" the Gypsy Jewels Etsy Shop.

    Unknown said...

    might just have to try some chai...your blog looks great, juliea!

    Unknown said...

    officially a fan of GJ on FB...

    Unknown said...

    my favorite Gypsy Jewels item would have to be the nursing clips.

    Unknown said...

    i am now a fan of Demetria Organics on Facebook.

    Unknown said...

    dropped props to the giveaway in my FB status...

    Heavenly Savings said...

    These are very interesting to me! I'd love to try them! I am a follower and I think that I would also love to try the shower gel from Demetria! How cool! They have some neat stuff!
    Kwhiz84(at)live(dot)com

    Heavenly Savings said...

    E-mail subscriber
    Kwhiz84(at)live(dot)com

    Heavenly Savings said...

    E-mail subscriber
    Kwhiz84(at)live(dot)com

    Heavenly Savings said...

    facebook fan
    Kristina W.
    Kwhiz84(at)live(dot)com

    Jessica said...

    I am a following fan....I am always trying to make my own soap to be more natural. Soap nuts would be great for me to try.

    VI Doulas (Erin) said...

    I'm a Facebook fan!

    Erin@vancouverislanddoulas.com

    VI Doulas (Erin) said...

    I joined the blog :-)

    erin@vancouverislanddoulas.com

    VI Doulas (Erin) said...

    I follow you on Twitter

    erin@vancouverislanddoulas.com

    Rainbow Babies and Sunshine Girls said...

    I love that you can make a liquid detergent... I was starting to get sad because we have an all in one combo washer and dryer... we never take the clothes out from dirty to clean and dry. But I can make a liquid detergent and I don't have to worry about it!! YAY
    Melissa
    hayliss@gmail.com

    The Crunchy Lactavist - Normalize Breastfeeding said...

    It's good to know that Soap Nuts are able to be used in high efficiency washing machines as well.

    Even if I don't win, I plan on purchasing these, they sound AWESOME!

    crunchylactavist@gmail.com

    Tiffany Deering

    The Crunchy Lactavist - Normalize Breastfeeding said...

    I have been a fan of Gypsy Jewels for a while LOL, although I don't use a nursing cover, I'm one of "those" women...

    crunchylactavist@gmail.com

    Tiffany "Nurses In Public" Deering

    The Crunchy Lactavist - Normalize Breastfeeding said...

    I love the idea of your nursing clips for those mothers that aren't as comfortable breastfeeding in public because our society is confused about nudity not being the same as sex. I have thought of giving them as gifts to my friends to encourage nursing in public... it's better to nurse with a cover than not nurse at all! I just might buy some of your necklaces, they are so beautiful and affordable. I have my eye on the pearl necklace with the heart pendant... gorgeous and in my budget!

    crunchylactavist@gmail.com

    Tiffany Deering

    Rainbow Babies and Sunshine Girls said...

    I am a fan on facebook ( have been for a while LOL)

    Rainbow Babies and Sunshine Girls said...

    I have subscribed VIA e-mail.

    Rainbow Babies and Sunshine Girls said...

    I became a fan of Demetria Organics on facebook

    Viva said...

    Their Soap Nuts are grown organically in the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal. The Hugo Naturals Grapefruit Body Lotion looks great too.

    Viva said...

    Email subscriber

    Viva said...

    Email subscriber

    you'llshootyoureyeout! said...

    I think I'm gonna try the lip balm. I always have a hard time finding some that I like that doesn't have greasy-feeling petroleum in it.

    I became a fan Demetria Organics on Facebook, since I'm already a fan of Gypsy Jewels!

    Oh and....I love you!