Safe Alternatives for Baby and Child

Do you know what chemicals are in the most commonly used “sensitive” baby detergent?  You may innocently believe you are washing  your clothes and making them fresh and clean, but you may actually be loading them up with harsh dangerous toxins such as petroleum, phosphates, sulfates, artificial fragrances and colors, chlorine, etc.

My children have sensitive skin, and occasional  eczema.  I am always on a hunt for the safest products that touch my precious children’s skin. Even if they did not have sensitive skin, I would not want to put awful chemicals listed in common laundry detergents all over their bodies…who would??  I was actually searching for the “Greenest” Laundry Detergent and when I heard of Demetria  Organic’s Soap Nuts, (100% organic and natural) I could hardly contain myself. But the question is, what are Soap nuts exactly and do they work?

A 100% Natural Laundry Soap by Demetria Organics

Demetria Organics Soap Nuts are actually dried berry shells that have the slight appearance of nuts. They are the fruit grown on the Sapindus Mukorossi tree. The shells contain saponin  and this saponin is released when in contact with water and the motion of the washing machine. They are hypoallergenic, antimicrobial (safe for septic systems)and do not contain additives, dyes, nor fragrances as explained by the company.

Demetria Organics also state that  the Soap Nuts are gentle enough to wash babies clothing  in as well as the clothing of individuals with allergies.  Soap nuts are biodegradable and can be composted after being reused 3-5 times, depending on if you use hot water or cold water for your washes. In my house we use cold water, and have maximized the usage of these awesome berries!   Soap nuts can also be boiled into a liquid and used as a household cleaner.  They are a natural fabric softener as well, which is great because who wants to add more chemicals to your laundry by adding fabric softeners?!!

Organic Shampoo, Household and Jewelry Cleaner

India and South Asian countries have been using Soap Nuts for many many years, not only as a laundry detergent, but for a shampoo, jewelery cleaner, and an all purpose household cleaner!  How is that for an all-in-one?

The boldest I tried was as a household cleaner.  By boiling 12  Soap nuts in 6  cups of water for 30 minutes, you have the base cleaner. You can then add 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice or essential oils, for smell , preservative and extra cleansing.  Directions from Demetria Organics state to put small batches in the refrigerator, to keep fresher since there aren’t any true preservatives in the liquid.  You can then add cooled liquid into a spray bottle, and spray away, “non-toxin” style!  This is great if you are spraying around children. Another amazing way to use this liquid is for a glass cleaner!  All you have to do is add one tablespoon of vinegar (which I always have in my house).  What else can I say?  This stuff is a keeper.  I am tempted to to attack my next try with this miracle berry as a shampoo!

Find more “recipes” for Soap Nuts” here, and enjoy organic cleaning from head-to-toe and all over your home!

Demetria Organics Soap Nuts Wins Green Award

We give Demetria Organics’ Soap Nuts  our most prestigious seal of approval, the ‘Mom Approved, Child Tested’ GREEN AWARD. Everything from the product itself, to the manufacturing practices and packaging make this product GREEN and EARTH FRIENDLY.

The Soap Nuts are grown organically and wild harvested, AND handpicked  in the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal by a fair-trade organization. The Soap Nuts are imported to Canada where they are packaged by hand in a reusable cotton bag.

I must say, the packaging was terrifically pleasing on the eyes as well as the environment. The two muslin bags can be reused and one small resealable plastic bag keeps the soap nuts fresh.  Demetria Organics states that employment is provided to over 200 people in this small village, and that the workers are treated and paid fairly to enrich their quality of life. Go Demetria Organics, go!!!!!

Soap Nuts are:

• 100% natural & organic
• Biodegradable: can be composted after use
• A Natural Fabric Softener (no need for bounce sheets)
• 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
• Economical – The same soap nuts can be used up to 5 times
• Nut free – Because they are actually a berry individuals with nut allergies can also use them
• Usable in all washing machines (HE, Front & Top Loading)

We truly believe that this simple yet natural alternative to commercial laundry detergent can make a difference on various levels; in our own homes improving our health & well-being, safe for the environment & helping make a better life for the 200+ individuals the fair trade organization employs.

Putting This Natural Laundry Soap To The Test

I tried a 250g bag of Soap Nuts that should tackle about 75-100 loads of laundry.  Included in this kit we received was a muslin bag with velcro closure, in which you are to place your Soap Nuts prior to putting them in your washer.

Since I do wash in cold water, easy to follow simple instructions advise one to soak this bag with four Soap Nuts in hot water for 5 minutes, and then toss the whole bag into your machine with your clothes. Now, when you soak the Soap Nuts in the hot water and you take  a nice whiff of them up close, they do have an acidic/ vinegar like smell. However, when your laundry is finished, a really faint fresh, and slightly sweet smell is present. This is just enough of a refreshing scent to prove that these soap nuts really do the trick!  They clean your laundry extremely well.

My family’s  clothing  came out really soft  especially when we used the dryer. My 18 month old daughter loves to smell things and she gives her clothing and linens the thumbs up whenever she takes a sniff! I even wash her “security blankie” with the Soap Nuts and she constantly rubs it on her face! Now I don’t have to worry about chemicals at all in my family’s clothing and linens. To all Mom’s out there, “What are you waiting for?  This product is truly amazing!!!!”

Demetria Organics Soap Nuts are priced very reasonably, as a 75-100 load bag is priced at $11.83 , which is about $0.10 per load.

When you purchase this size bag or larger, magnets are included to place on your washing machine to keep track of the number of times you reuse your Soap Nuts, which is very cool.

Additionally, my daughter thinks this is the coolest way to do laundry.  Soap Nuts are to be used by adults, or child may help too with adult supervision!  Now, for a 3.5 year old who could spend an afternoon meandering through a park or field looking for nuts and berries, THIS is a cool way to “get our clothes all clean.”

Buy Demetria Organics Soap Nuts

All of the packages below come with a washbag, instructions and numbered magnets for your washing machine door.  Additionally, each option works out to be as little as only $0.10/load!

• With the large 1kg bag of soap nuts you can do 300-400 loads of laundry.   $35.00
• The medium 500g bag of soap nuts you can do 150-200 loads of laundry.   $20.00
• The small 250g bag of soap nuts you can do 75-100 loads of laundry for $12.00

Demetria Organics’ Soap Nuts are available online at www.demetriaorganics.com

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