Why Don't We Know About These?

Soap Nuts are fully sustainable, renewable, offer future forestation potential and are quite possibly the single most effective solution to reducing a huge range of pollutants on our stressed plannet. Mother Nature's gift of soap nuts has always provided us with truly green and exquisitely effective household cleaning and personal care .......Soap nuts are also a totally renewable resource. Each year brings a new soap nut harvest, and the trees have a very long lifespan. Most are exported form India, Nepal and Southern China.

Less than half of the Sapindus Mukorossi soap nuts (the most highy prized and valued of the many specias of soap berry trees) from the Sivalik Hills and Doon Valley regions fo the Himalayans are being harvested and used today. Most end up decomposing in the soils. This is a terrible waste of a valuable resource and economic stimulus for these regions.

Mukorossi soap berry trees may also be cultivatd across other vast regions of the world, typically those areas of highter elevation and relatively steep slopes. Mukorossi trees are extremely hardy, live an average of ninety years and are prolific fruit bearers. They produce fruits for roughly eighty of the ninety year lifespan. Many regions around the largest mountain ranges on nealy every continent presently have lands that provide us little environmental or ecological benefits. Many of these regions would be ideal area for the cultivation of Mukorossi soapberry trees.

Hence soap nut trees offer the world, forestation potential of many otherwise  unproductive lands across the globe. They flourish in poor soil conditions and reduce erosion of valuable top soil. The forests of Mukorossi soap nut trees in Nepal and India are actuallly alien to those lands. They originated in what is now China and were brought to these regions for cultivation. With adequate demand there is no reason many other lands cannot be similarly cultivated and forested.

To read more of this article by Christopher Sicurella click now

HOW TO GET SOME

They come in 8oz and 4oz bags made of unbleached muslin.
No plastic bottles to feel badly about.
8oz is about 98 washes for $16.95
4oz is about 48 washes for $9.95 shipping is included.
It also comes with the little muslin wash bag(s) and instructions
for all the ways you can use these berries.

Or you can get a sample to try for the cost of shipping.
5 berries in a washbag
which will last somewhat conservatively for 5-7 washes.

You can call me at 508 693-6057 to place your order
or email at Vitalsigns@pobox.com we accept PayPal and credit cards.

How Do Soap Nuts Work?

Very, very simply.

But first, the name Soap Nut is misleading for it is the shell that actually provides the active ingredients. The soap nut SHELL contains and releases the saponins (soap) when it comes in contact with warm or hot water. (See directions for use in cold water.) Agitation further releases these saponins. The saponins then circulate as a natural surfactant (surface active ingredient). They break down the surface tension between water and oil in the wash water reducing the surface tension of the water aiding it in freeing dirt, grime and oils from clothes.

Essentially this is the exact same fundamental principle that applies to how most detergents and soaps work. It's simply not achieved via use of synthetic chemicals. The name saponin is derived from the Latin word 'sapo', which means soap. There are many plants around the world that are saponaceous (meaning that they contain saponins) but only a few, are known to produce appreciable amounts. Hence, this is why soap nuts are so very special in their ability to be an effective cleanser - directly from the tree. As discussed on other pages, sapindus mukorossi trees have been found to produce the highest and most consistent quality soap nuts.

Ready for use by the end user directly from harvest, extraction of the saponin from the soap nuts requires nothing more than putting them directly in the wash machine in warm water. Drawstring bags are used to contain the soap nut shells, and the shells can be reused until their saponin content has been depleted. Given that the saponins are naturally a low sudsing detergent, they are ideal for high efficiency (HE) washers and even carpet cleaners.  

 

Important points about Soap Nuts:

Effectively clean laundry - leaving it softer and fresher that you may have ever experienced.

Antimicrobial properties. Removes microbes from laundry.

Natural anti-fungal properties.

Hypoallergenic. Most allergic reactions to detergents are due to the chemicals and fragrances in them. - Great for removing odors.

Low sudsing: Good for all washers. Excellent for high efficiency (HE) washers.

Eliminate the need for fabric softener.

100% biodegradable.

No animal testing.

Requires no manufacturing processes. No chemicals or fossil fuels needed to produce.

A primary product from a sustainable source.

Does not pollute our water systems.

Natural product with basically an endless shelf life.

Since Soap Nuts are primarily a resource from only emerging nations, increased demand will provide an additional needed economic stimulus, plus will encourage increased planting, growth and farming. Increased forestation and natural means of harvesting will aid in the reversal of Co2 accumulation.

Virtually untapped potential for eliminating most harmful chemicals from the market.

 

 

PLASTICS FACTS

Great Pacific Garbage Patch


63

Pounds of plastic packaging per person ends up in US landfills every year.

Plastic accounts for 16 % of all municipal solid waste in this country,

and 50% - 60% of the waste littering

BEACHES, OCEANS AND SEABEDS

450

Years estimated for a plastic bottle to degrade completely in a marine environment.

On the slight upside, packaging beverages in plastic uses an estimated 52% less energy than glass or metal packaging requires.

93%

of individuals over 6 years & older have shown urine containing detectable bisphenal A (BPA), a chemical used in the manufacture of some plastics, according to a CDC study pubished in 2007.

4 Million TONS of BPA are produced each year

A National Toxicology Program report released last fall said there was

"some concern" that exposure to BPA could lead to developmental changes in infants and children. (my note: autism?? allergies?)

6.8%

of total plastics were recovered for recycling in the US in 2007, said the EPA.

About 37% of plastic soda bottles and 28% of plastic milk and water jugs get recycled.

Making products with recycled materials takes 50% less energy 

than starting from scratch.

A Very Broad Green Expanse

 How to Make Liquid Cleansers from Soap Nuts

and More ways to Stop Using and Paying for Toxins in Your Home

 Place 12 to 15 soapnuts (about 1.5 ounces) in about 6 cups of water. For best results, bring to a boil and simmer for approximately an hour. You will know that you have fully extracted from the soap nuts when they turn very light tan or gray and are mushy. Allow to cool and strain. Store the soap nuts liquid in an airtight glass jar. As with other botanicals, the infused soap nut solution is best stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight. This 100% pure soap nut solution has absolutely no preservative of any kind; hence it has a limited shelf life of several days. It should be refrigerated to extend its shelf life. This is typical of virtually all water-based botanical solutions. We are infusing our proprietary liquid formulas with specific natural preservatives that will greatly extend shelf life, yet still be safe and chemical free. For the make-at-home solution, simply don't make more than you'll use in a few days.


For Household Cleaning: Pour soap nuts liquid into a spray bottle. Use full strength or dilute as desired. Use for sinks, counters, floors, etc.
For Windows and Glass: Fill a spray bottle with about 8 oz of water. Add a half-ounce of soap nuts liquid and a half-ounce of vinegar. Spray and then wipe clean with dry cloth.
For Dishwashers: Fill the dishwasher soap dispenser with soap nuts liquid. Wash as usual. Tip: For extra sparkle, add a half-ounce of vinegar to the rinse dispenser or during the rinse cycle.
For Hand Wash: Add about 2 tbs of soap nuts liquid to wash water and stir, or make a tea with your soap nuts muslin bag. Simply hand wash as usual.
For Steam Cleaning Carpets: Soap nuts work exceptionally well in carpet cleaners because they are so low sudsing and odor reducing. Add about a quarter cup of soap nut liquid to hot water in the portable cleaner. Great for urine stains! For Jewelry: Soak jewelry in soap nuts liquid for a few minutes. Use an old soft toothbrush to remove debris. Rinse with clean water and polish with a soft cloth. Soap nuts have been used as a fantastic jewelry cleaner for eons. There's no need for harsh, toxic chemicals!
For Pets: Same as above. Superb for pets! Your little loved ones will never feel and smell this fresh again! They'll appreciate it, too!
For Shampoo: Use soap nuts liquid to shampoo hair. Leave in for about 5 minutes. Rinse as usual with warm water. If you prefer more suds, add a little your favorite shampoo. We know it's hard not to want more suds.

How Do You Use Soapnuts?

I have added them to my bath water to see what happens.
I have also kept a glass on the sink with a few berries floating in it.
After a few days it produced a juice that smelled fruity. Very nice. I used the juice to wash my face. I got a squeaky clean but without drying which I thought was extraordinary. Most cleansers I find drying. You can't keep the juice indefinitely without refrigeration but since I use it every night the timing is fine. I've also used it that way in the kitchen.

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