Imagine a life without chemicals and therefore being able to
live in a more "green" manner. Wouldn't it be great to have a
100% natural, environmentally friendly and renewable source that
you can use for most of your routine tasks and eliminate
chemical-based products in the process? There are forums,
activist groups and major campaigns targeted towards making th
planet greener and safer place to live in.
We hear talks and
news reports about how modern technology and chemical based
products are polluting the environment and how slowly but
steadily we are causing the earth to become more and more
polluted. While there are many who are not affected even
remotely by such discussions there are many more who care and
wish to make a contribution towards reducing our "carbon
footprint" on this earth.
It seems almost impossible for individuals to join together and
rally the big companies for change toward greener living. It is
easy, however, to make small adjustments to our lives
individually. It is like the old saying: Millions of small drops
make a vast ocean. Each of us can contribute towards betterment
of the environment by using alternative natural methods in our
daily life and avoiding products containing pollutants, which
destroy the environment and negatively impact our health. One
way of preserving the environment is the use of soap nuts for
performing routine tasks such as cleaning, washing and laundry.
Many people are not aware of this natural fruit that makes it
possible to be "greener" while going about our daily lives.
Soap nuts are the fruit of the Sapindus tree that is native to
India, Nepal and some other South Asian countries. They require
warm and tropical weather conditions for their growth. They are
an excellent source for all cleaning purposes and the process of
harvesting them is purely natural and does not include the use
of any chemicals or toxins. A soap nut consists of a small inner
fruit and a solid outer shell. It is the shell that is of most
use in preparing soap nut based cleaning products. The fruits
are simply picked up after they ripen and fall out of trees and
dried naturally in the sun; then they are ready for use. In
fact, these soap nuts contain a substance called saponin which
is extracted, and then used in commercial soaps and detergents.
When the shell of the soap nut comes into contact with water,
the saponin is released, allowing water to penetrate the fabric
and remove grime from the fabric.
Why should you use soap nuts?
Soap nuts have anti-microbial properties which make them
excellent for bathing purposes. They keep the skin smooth,
protected and free of infections. They are great for people
suffering from eczema and other skin disorders.
Soap nuts can also be used as a natural additive to shampoos and
bath gels. Soap nut liquid or powder can be used to wash hair
effectively. The process removes and treats bacteria, lice and
prevents scalp infections from occurring. Soap nuts are also
known to add luster, body and smoothness to hair.
Soap nuts are also an excellent insecticide. Make a mild
solution of soap nuts to spray on the plants in your garden
everyday. This keeps common insects away from your garden.
Soap nuts are also used for household cleaning. Make a liquid
solution and use it to spray down counters, sinks, floors etc.
Soap nuts are a very effective and safe laundry detergent
alternative. They do not contain any chemicals and are safe for
all laundry, including cloth diapers, lingerie and hand
washables.
