Soapnuts (Sapindus Mukorossi), also known as soapberry, soapods, reetha, etc. Soapnuts are not coming from the nuts family at all. Soapnuts are the dried fruit of the Chinese Soapberry tree, so it is from berry family. The ripe soapnuts is golden or brown. Soapnuts are natural washing agent that grows on tree. Its stickiness derived from the saponin content on its shell which will act as detergent once it's in contact with water. Commonly known to be growing in Nepal, India and China, but only few articles mentioned Indonesia. Thanks to www.maggiespureland.com and www.soapnuts.ca for mentioning Indonesia. Soapnuts do grow on Indonesian soil. Our ancestors are very well aware about the benefits of soapnuts and we thank them to inherit us this valuable knowledge through generations.
For centuries, soapnuts have been used as a laundry detergent by Indonesian people. Soapnuts even hold a very special role on maintaining the beauty of Indonesian textile heritage ‘Kain Batik and Tenun Ikat", as the most preferred washing detergent used in order to protect its colors and materials from being fade and easily shattered.
Soapnuts are commonly called ‘Klerek' by Indonesian people, and ever since chemical detergent arrived in our modern world, soapnuts were put aside by most of the population. Soapnuts trees were cut down in many areas since most people think modern world doesn't want it anymore, no economic benefits to keep soapnuts tree grow while they have family needs to be fed. So, many people prefer to take advantage from selling soapnuts trees to be used for firewood.
CHEMICAL DETERGENTS vs SOAPNUTS CHEMICAL DETERGENT
As you know, your everyday detergents especially for laundry contain a combination of many toxic chemicals, the residues of which are left behind on your clothes after washing. This can be potentially dangerous as these chemicals are absorbed by your skin into your blood stream and also evaporate into the air, which you and your children breathe. Both, the manufacturing process of the chemical detergents and their use, have a long term effect on the environment as well.
Please read below to see which chemical toxics that you needs to be concerned about and please cross check it with your detergent.
Phenols: Toxic, suspect carcinogenic. Rapidly absorbed. Effects include swelling, pimples, and hives. Internal consumption can cause circulatory collapse, cold sweats, coma, and death.
Optical brighteners: Skin allergy, toxic to fish and can cause bacterial mutations.
Phosphates: Environmental hazard causing excessive growth in aquatic plants which leads to the suffocation of fish & underwater life.
EDTA: Skin irritant leading to allergies, asthma, and skin rashes. Does not bio degrade readily. Environment hazard.
Artificial fragrances: Toxic effects on fish and mammals, Often cause allergies, skin and eye irritation. Do not easily bio-degrade in the environment.
Ammonia: Can cause burns, cataracts & corneal damage. Long term repeated exposure can cause bronchitis and pneumonia. Also has a toxic effect on plants, animals and fish.
Sodium Sulfate: Corrosive. Severe eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Can cause asthma attacks.
NOW COMPARE TO SOAPNUTS
Soapnuts are 100% natural detergent, Grows on trees, processed by the nature. As long as you don't eat it (very bitter), or get in contact with your eyes, it is very friendly to you and the environment.
Using soapnuts as your detergent (works for many things, not only your laundry), means you are helping yourself and helping to save our one and only earth. How come? Keep reading...
* Since its 100% natural, no chemical agent added, it's automatically more friendly for the environment, and you can use the waste water for your plants (if you had one).
* Hypoallergenic, will not harm your lovely hands.
* Soapnuts have less suds and non soapy, so it's automatically reduce the water consumption in your washing cycle.
* It's never been tested on animals, in fact it's being used to clean them, not to kill them.
* In suffering rural economies, soapnuts trees being cut down and sold as a lumber and firewood to feed hungry families. Now, since you, your family and friends using soapnuts, we can guarantee their income by keeping the soapnuts trees growing.
* Soapnuts beats all the chemical laundry detergent in terms of preserving the colors and the quality of your lovely clothes, while at the same time it preserves our lovely mother earth.
* It's more economic too, 1Kg of soapnuts can be used for up to 150 loads of laundry.
