lo-wren

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Soap Nuts? That’s Nuts! NaturOli Soap Nuts Review

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*I was provided a product for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.
Select grade USDA certified organic soap nuts

So, I’d been hearing musings about soap nuts in my cloth diapering and natural parenting circles, and my curiosity was piqued.  In my quest to become more eco-conscious, I recently jumped on the wool dryer ball bandwagon and had a strong desire to go completely natural with my laundering.
I will be honest and say that, even after reading about soap nuts, I still couldn’t wrap my mind around how they worked.  How can something that’s not soap create ‘soap’?  More to the point, how on earth would soap nuts actually work?

I was delighted when NaturOli sent me a sample of their soap nuts to give a ‘spin’!  Before I even get to the product, I want to talk about the packaging.  This may sound a little anal, but I am really bothered by the pen in the linen box packaging that often occurs with warehouse fulfilments.  My shipment of NaturOli soap nuts came in an appropriate sized box, small enough to fit just the soap nuts, literature, sample of Extreme 18X (review here), and cushioned with biodegradable packing peanuts.  Eco-friendly – I was already impressed.

Before getting down to the ‘dirty’ business, I took the time to read the literature that was sent with the soap nuts.  Made from drying the fruit of the sapindus tree, soap nuts produce a ‘soap’ with cleaning properties.  From the informational leaflet enclosed in the package, NaturOli Soap Nuts are:

  • Hypoallergenic, fragrance free, eco-friendly and biodegradable
  • Low sudsing – perfect for high efficiency washers
  • Free of synthetic chemicals, fillers, toxins, dyes and perfumes
  • Ideal for cloth cotton diaper laundering
  • Imported only from Fair Trade, Co-op suppliers
  • NaturOli Soap Nuts are cleaned, sorted, & packaged in the USA

So, how exactly do you use them and how well do they work?

I took 5 of the soap nuts and placed them in the small muslin bag that was provided.

I tied the bag securely and placed into my washer before adding clothing.

I added a large load of D’s clothes (2 weeks worth), set the water temp to warm and ran the cycle.  When the load was done, I tentatively opened the lid.  I pulled the first article of clothing out, sniffed and cracked a smile.  I promptly grabbed another piece of clothing, sniffed…and was absolutely amazed.  The clothes smelled fresh and clean!  I say that I was amazed because, to be truthful, I was a cynic.  I also have no idea how the clothes smelled so fresh when the soap nuts had no traceable smell prior to putting in the wash.  I know this because I totally smelled them (hee, hee, hee!).
The ultimate test?  Five days of stinky diaper laundry, mixed in with kiddo towels to put the soap nuts to the test.  No extra rinse cycle.  The results?  Even more amazing!  The diapers and towels smelled fresher than they usually do with my homemade diaper detergent.  Guess what, NaturOli?  I’m sold!  No harsh chemicals, fresh smelling laundered items, super clean results–we’re definitely converting!  With me converting to soap nuts, I won’t have large plastic bottles of detergent cluttering my laundry area.  We currently use 3 different detergents: one for my husband and myself, one for D’s laundry, and one for diapers!
To find out more about NaturOli’s line of natural products (they have an array of different products), you can find a soap nut sample pack here, and search for other great natural soap berry products while you’re there!  Be sure to check NaturOli out on Facebook and Twitter too!
Welcome to NaturOli natural products.
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Comments

  4. Soap nuts look really interesting. I am trying to avoid chemicals as much as possible in my house. However, I have yet to get away from conventional laundry detergents.

    Reply

  10. I’d really like to also try their Alta Dish Washing Liquid. I love that they have a whole line of alternative, natural items.

    Reply

  11. i would like to try the Anti-static Dryer Puffs, Soap Nut Shampoo, Pure Cocoa Butter, Rich & Invigorating Body Wash and Calendula Anti-aging Soap Bar.

    Reply

  14. I’ve read about soap nuts before but never tried them; I’d like to try the NaturOli 100% Natural Hair Serum.

    Reply

  28. I was always curious how well soap nuts would work on getting cloth diapers clean. Thamks for the informative post.

    Reply

  29. I have actually never heard of soap nuts before. I may have to read more on them and give them a try.

    Reply

    • Soap nuts are the gateway to the rest of NaturOli’s amazing soap nut products! I swear by their shampoo and skin treatments, and I’m about to try their new conditioner.

      Reply

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  1. […]  We are an environmentally conscious family with sensitive skin, so NaturOli’s cleaning and laundering products are the perfect fit for our household; we’ve even traveled with NaturOli!  Once I […]

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