Remember back in February, I first mentioned Soap Nuts here? I ran across a mention of them on a message board and was intrigued by the idea that this might be truly natural version of laundry soap.
I was thrilled with how they worked. I had purchased the 5 load trial size, so I immediately went back and bought the bigger one. I also looked around the Maggie’s Pureland website and was happy to see that they have an affiliate program, so I can sendpeople there to buy Soap Nuts and I make a little money from the sale. I emailed them to get more info on the product and heard back the next day from one of the co-owners, Dariel. We had a wonderful conversation about how he and his business partner Maggie came to sell this unique product. She had run across them in Europe and upon returning to the States, realized there weren’t many sources here, so she invited Dariel to join her in starting the company, Maggie’s Pureland.
He also got a huge kick out of the fact that when I first tried soap nuts, I did Larry’s laundry before my own. The reason for that was two-fold. Of course I didn’t want to risk my clothes on this crazy idea. The more important reason though is that Larry’s clothes get really dirty. If you hang around here at all, you already know he is a carpenter. That can be a dirty business. In the evenings and on weekends, he occupies himself with fixing broken machinery, cutting firewood, working in the garden and other pursuits that all seem to leave his clothing in a terrible state. The man is a dirt magnet, trust me. So, if I was going to get a good test of how well Soap Nuts work, Larry’s clothes were the way to go.
Obviously, I was pleased with the result. And 4 more loads later, using the same 5 nuts, I was still pleased. The clothes are all clean. Very very clean. They smell …. well, clean. Just clean. No perfumey smell, no unpleasant chemical odor that “unscented” products seem to have. Clean. And they are soft, even though I didn’t use fabric softener. I can’t stand static filled, rough clothes – I always use fabric softener. I don’t need it any more though, because the Soap Nuts take care of that too.
In the course of our conversation, Dariel offered to send me a sample of their liquid soap as well. I didn’t think it would matter to me if I used the nuts or the liquid, but I was wrong about that. The liquid has a nice tea-tree/lavender scent, though that doesn’t really last on the clothes, which still just smell clean. The liquid works just as well as the nuts and is a bit more convenient, particularly if you are only doing a load or two. So, though I have both kinds, I do seem to use the liquid more.
Now we come to price. It is impossible for me to say if you are going to save money, because that is going to depend on what you are using now. If you use a top premium brand like Tide, and buy it in smaller sizes at a supermarket, then Soap Nuts will definitely cost you less. If you are using super cheap off brands and you purchase in bulk at a warehouse store, then this is going to be more expensive than that. Personally, I used a mid-priced brand, bought in a large size at Sam’s Club and this is just about the same price.
For me though, price is not the only consideration. I am not a freak about being “green” in everything I do, but I try not to tax the earth too terribly much, and this is definitely a step in that direction. No processing of chemicals is involved in the making of Soap Nuts. You aren’t dumping chemicals in the waste water system either. [I put the used nuts in our compost] And you aren’t dressing yourself or your kids in clothing that has chemical residue left on it.
Finally – Dariel generously offered to sponsor a giveaway for one of you. Leave a comment between now and Friday at 12 noon Eastern time to be entered to receive your choice of a either a 10 ounce box of the nuts [50 to 80 loads] or a 32 ounce bottle of the liquid [64 loads]. In your comment, tell us: what kind of laundry soap do you use right now? Simple huh? Entires limited to US addresses only, 1 per person and the winner will be chosen by random draw.
And, I hope if you decide to buy some to try, you will use my affiliate link which will be residing in my side bar from now on. The link is right here to the left too – go check out their website and don’t forget to enter to win some of this amazing product by leaving a comment.
I’m the first commenter of the day! Do I win anything?
We use Tide HE because we have a High Efficiency front loader.
I don’t want to enter because I already love them. A. Lot. I have been using the Soap Nuts liquid for a few weeks. Our clothes all feel squeeky clean and soft.
We used to use All bought in the 55 gallon drum at Sams. This is a little more than what we used to spend. But it is sooooo worth it.
Oh sorry. I didn’t realize this wasn’t the testimonal part of the program. Oh well.
sounds crazy doesn’t it? but, wow – that really sounds great. especially clean and soft with no chemicals.
ahh, right now, my mother uses one from costco. soap nuts sound amazing!
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…Ooo, enter me please. I use Tide and would like to give ol’ Mother Earth a break…
…Thanks Dlyn! Now to go check out the link…
…Blessin’s…. :o)
I use Purex and I would love to try soap nuts. I enjoy your blog.
Enter me, please! My husband does the laundry right now and he gets either All or whatever is on sale. I used to use Melaleuca liquid and that was nice, too. I also use Woolite.
I use Ecos which I get from Costco but also got a box from the Eco Store USA — Their’s is a “front loader” laundry powder that works really well!
The Soap Nuts have me curious though — My Hubby is a machinist during the week and a carpenter on the weekends. We’re really dirty around here too! :)
we use tide have forever, cause of allergies i get it at sams cause bulk saves I am so totally interested in trying this especially with a new baby coming any day! hubby is a carpenter too!
We have a fairly new Fischer and Paykel washer and dryer and have been trying out different detergents. Can’t say I’ve been too happy with any of them, but we’ve also just determined that our water is really hard. Ugh. Right now there’s some Purex in the laundry closet. The environmentally friendly stuff, because I wasn’t paying attention. :)
This sounds really neat! I already use non-chemical cleaners for the kitchen, floors, and bathrooms, why not the laundry! We use all different kinds, but mostly All or Tide I guess, and Dreft for the baby’s clothes. I for some reason never thought about the chemicals laundry detergent leaves on clothes, and with a toddler and a baby on the way, it would give me piece of mind knowing it is all natural. Thanks for the info!
I’m a Gain girl. Love the scent, but unscented is fine if things are CLEAN. I am intrigued and very, very doubtful. Good chance to win me over, huh! Heh. I have friends who use Melaleuca liquid, and while I like it and have tried it myself, I wasn’t overly impressed with the cost/benefit ratio. I also can’t stand to hug them because they smell like soap in an icky way.
*C’mon, random draw-thingy..hit me*
Okay – I am intriqued! I read your original post about soap nuts and couldn’t wrap my mind around it. This post really helped straighten me out.
I use the cheapest high effeciency detergent they sell at walmart. It is usually All brand.
Currently I make my own laundry detergent, both for environmental reasons and frugality (plus, it’s fun!), but I would love love to try soap nuts! I’ve heard of them before, and they fascinate me. Thanks for the great giveaway, and the review! :)
I use the Kirkland He concentrate environmentally friendly soap for my new front loader. The only thing I don’t like about it is that it is so concentrated, that it is hard to get every drop of detergent out, even after rinsing the cup. After awhile, the soap builds up into a thick mass in the bottom of the cup…If I can use soap nuts in a front loader, enter me…I’m willing to try something new!
Dlyn! The affiliate link in the sidebar just keeps bringing me back to this post and I want to order some!
Thanks for the heads-up Flea – I fixed it now!
I love te colours and lay out of your blog, i really want to get hold of this theme, what are you using?
Hi Donalyn, my name is Donalyn also. I haven’t found many of us and I am wondering if you have any story that goes along with your name. My name was a combination of my Dad and Mom’s names. They took the Dona from my father’s name(Donald) and the Lyn from my mother’s name (Evelyn). I am just wondering if you had a combination name like mine. Thanks for your responce. Donalyn Lemone
Hi there – my name is a combo of the same two names, but it is my Dad {Donald} and my grandmother {Evelyn}. I didn’t appreciate it when I was kid, but I do now! Nice to meet you :)