Art of Natural Living

Soap Nuts & Wool Dryer Ball Giveaway

By Inger Nov 13, 2015 Lifestyle, Reviews & Giveaways 134 Comments

As I typed the words “Soap Nuts” I had to chuckle.  ‘Cause it really sounded like people who are “crazy about soap” and, well… isn’t it a little odd to be nuts about soap?  Crazy about cheese maybe… chocolate for sure, but soap? 

Soap Nuts, Organic Even!

Soap Nuts, Organic Even!

In truth, however, I am a bit crazy about soap: scented & silky handmade bars for bathing and now these chunky natural tree berries (“soap nuts”) that will actually produce soap as they wash your clothes.  How cool is that–in a Euell Gibbons eats trees, chunky granola kind of way!  

So when I was offered a review/giveaway of Eco Nuts soap nuts, liquid soap, and wool dryer balls, I jumped on it.  “Try soap nuts“— now off the bucket list!

What are soap nuts

If you haven’t heard of soap nuts  before, they are the shell of a berry (so not technically a nut) that contains a natural soap called saponin.  They grows on the Sapindus mukorossi (Soap Berry) tree in the Himalayas. Soap nuts are gentle on both clothes and skin, making them ideal for those with sensitive skin, eczema, allergies and psoriasis—even for baby clothes and cloth diapers.   

Eco Nuts Soap Nuts are great for septic and grey water systems—and they work in both regular and HE washers. Unlike commercial laundry detergents, soap nuts do not contain artificial foaming agents that produce lots of bubbles or foam. Don’t worry–foam is not an indicator of cleaning power (many handmade soaps and shampoos foam less too…)! 

Eco Nuts Soap Nuts

Eco Nuts Soap Nuts

Eco Nuts Soap Nuts are even wild-harvested and certified organic.  Saponin tastes bad to insects (“wash your mouth out with soap??”) so pesticides aren’t needed, and the trees naturally love poor uncultivated soil.  How cool is that!  

The Test

My husband is in charge of the laundry so he was tasked with trying out our sample products.  He started with the liquid soap nuts and washed a test load of normal laundry plus a “kitchen rag” that had been used to clean out a really grimy grill pan.  Result: clothes looked great, rag did not.  So he rewashed the rag in conventional detergent PLUS BLEACH; it still looked awful.  Conclusion(s):  The econuts worked great.  Don’t clean a grill pan with a cloth you ever expect to look good again. 

Eco Nuts Liquid Laundry Soap Label

Eco Nuts Liquid Laundry Soap Label

He then tried a load with the actual soap nuts.  Since you reuse these, they go into a cloth bag which you toss in with your laundry.  The soap nuts worked beautifully as well.  So with two thumbs up, we moved on to the dryer balls.

Now my husband and I are old hands at dryer balls and first started using them when we read about the chemicals (yuk) contained in dryer sheets.  Our kids were tiny then which meant we were doing a ton of static producing (and chemical filled) drying.  Dryer balls soften and help dry clothes by fluffing and separating them so you don’t have a sodden mass of towels thunking around your dryer.  So when we spotted a package of plastic dryer balls at the State Fair we were hopeful, then happy when they seemed to do the trick.     

 

Eco Nuts Dryer Ball

Eco Nuts Dryer Ball

When Econuts mentioned that their dryer balls were made of wool, however, that sounded even better.  Especially as I was hit with a flash of eeuuwww, you’ve been bouncing overheated plastic in your kids’ laundry for years.   My husband gave them a try, then carried a folded load up two flights of stairs for me to pat saying “I think these are even softer.”    

Another listed benefit of dryer balls is to reduce drying time but we didn’t go so far as to test this.  In my mind skipping the dryer sheets alone justifies the balls. Of course when my visiting (barely) adult daughter (now adjusting to paying her own laundry costs), heard about this, she picked one up and stroked it enviously.  (Any bets on how long it takes her to talk us out of them?) 

For another take on dryer balls, see this post by the Cloth Diaper Guru.  Yes, for kids of all ages! 

Eco Nuts Logo
Eco Nuts Logo

The Eco Nuts Company

Eco Nuts founders Mona and Scott give us a hint the the company’s origin on their website saying, “It bothered us that when we took walks on the beach, it was littered with the plastic bottles of so-called eco-friendly detergents and cleaners.”  So when Scott’s uncle recommended soap nuts for Mona’s skin allergies, an idea was born.  At the time there was a handful of small companies selling them to consumers—and these were routinely packaged in a lot of plastic.

Mona, a scientist, was also surprised to find that the sellers knew little about them other than that “they work great” and thus had little ability to troubleshoot problems.  “We realized we could not only package and market soap nuts better than anyone else, but we could also build upon the wonderful properties of saponin and create other products. We called our company `Eco Nuts,’ which we thought was a great description for these fantastic little berries as well as wonderful play on words for people like us who are crazy about the environment. We hope you will join us by becoming an Eco Nut, too!” 

Eco Nuts Soap Nuts, Liquid Soap, Dryer Balls

Eco Nuts Soap Nuts, Liquid Soap, Dryer Balls

And Now for the Giveaway

This is sponsored by Eco Nuts and includes the items I received (liquid soap, soap nuts, dryer balls).  It is open to U.S. mailing addresses and closes at midnight CST on November 29 (right after Thanksgiving when you’ll have lots of dish towels to wash, right?).  To enter leave a comment telling me what you are doing to live greener.  For a second entry follow Art of Natural Living on Facebook and leave a second comment letting me know this (current followers can leave a second comment letting me know you are already a follower).  The winner will be picked randomly, contacted by email and have 24 hours to get back to me with shipping information or a new winner will be chosen.

And If you don’t want to wait to check them out, take a look at this $5 (free shipping in the U.S. even) three product trial pack.   Hmm, doesn’t that sound like a nice college care package? (Okay at the moment, just post press, the free shipping isn’t working correctly, but they were happy to take my order online–so I can attest to nice support folks too)

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134 thoughts on “Soap Nuts & Wool Dryer Ball Giveaway”

  1. Heather Fleck

    I love soap nuts and use them all the time! I also recycle regularly and use as energy efficient of products as I can.

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  4. Kristy

    I try to use as many green products as possible. We also donate unwanted items in good condition(toys, clothes, etc) instead of throwing them away.

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  13. Danielle Jones

    We make our own cleaning products using vinegar and water. I also love to repurpose items that are fixing to go to the garbage. For instance when my papaw’s home was sold i got several old wooden boxes out of the junk pile. I turned one on it’s side and hung it on the bathroom wall. It now holds toilet paper and looks pretty cool.

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  17. Mary Gardner

    We recycle and use recycled goods as well as growing a vegetable garden each year and try to buy from local farmers as often as possible.

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  19. Christine

    I grow my our fruits & veggies & try to buy organic when I can & I also make a lot of my own household cleaners.

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  21. Rhonda R.

    We used to buy water in bottles all of the time. We then got smart and started using a pitcher with a filter. I am interested in the dryer balls because i would like to stop using dryer sheets.

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  25. Melinda A

    We are cloth diapering two kids, trying to reduce our use of plastic, and using reusable shopping bags when we go grocery shopping!

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  26. Maribel F

    I plant my vegetable garden in the summer, eat organic and recycle paper and plastic and also try to clean with vinegar and baking soda most of the time. I’m a new follower in facebook

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  29. Christina B.

    So far I’m going greener by using more natural products in the bathroom and kitchen. These are the big areas of the house where I feel most of the chemicals used to be and by cutting half of them out and making them natural I feel like I’m doing alot. Maybe not all I can do but more than I was and as I go along I hope to convince the rest of my family.

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  30. Cassie

    We use cloth diapers and reusable menstrual products (silicone cup), buy mostly used clothing, cook whole foods (such as dry beans instead of canned), garden and compost, and many other things, but I haven’t yet used soap nuts.

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  32. Sindy Murray

    We drive an electric car, and have wind turbines. We reuse and pass down clothes to our younger kids or nieces/nephews.

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  36. Tamara

    We have eliminated chemicals in our life and try to support local green businesses when we can.

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  37. Maureen

    We have three young children and lead a greener lifestyle by eliminating harsh chemicals, detergents and instead use alternative eco-friendly products. We also have an organic vegetable garden, compost heap and recycle. Finally, the kids help by coming up with ideas for repurposing common items around the house to keep it out of the trash!

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  38. Hayley Elliott

    I cloth diaper, make my own cleaning products from mostly vinegar and essential oils, use wool dryer balls, we use NO fabric softener, I try to reuse most things as many times as possible before throwing them away (ex. plastic bags), organic foods. I would love to do more to live greener!

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  40. Emily

    We live a greener life by purchasing environmentally friendly household cleaning as well as hygiene products! I love the Melaleuca brand. I haven’t ever heard of this before but would be Sooooo happy to try!!

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  44. Felicia Offenbacker

    We live a greener life by using cloth diapers & using essential oils & coconut oil based cleaning products!

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  49. Rachel D

    we have a garden, use only reusable bags, and make all of our cleaning supplies and soaps

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  50. Anjenet Noel

    I have a passion for protecting the environment. I want to reduce my footprint in as many ways as I can. I try to live a greener life by using organic hand, laundry and shower soaps (including shampoo), using organic household cleaning products, using reusable shopping bags and reducing my meat consumption. I would love to try soap nuts!

    P.S. Following on FB!

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  52. Nicole

    I have 8 children and a husband who works in a warehouse. I do a lot of laundry! I do up to 5 loads a day. I love the idea of minimal waste with soap nuts. I would love to try it!

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  53. Sheila Parks

    Thanks for all you do to live greener and to help all of us do so.

    I am wanting to enter your contest for econuts products.

    Here is some of what I do to live greener:

    I am an organic vegan

    I have lots of organic underwear, sheets, pillow cases, towels.

    I use recycled paper goods only in my apartment

    I use only green household products

    I hope I win.

    thanks for having the contest and for all else you do

    Sheila

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  54. Janis

    I’m a cloth diapering, breastfeeding mama that tries hard to be mindful of our output on the world. I would love to try some wool balls!

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  55. Stephanie M

    I try to grow my own food, and I use reusable bags instead of plastic bags, I also try to use greener products.

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  57. Theresa Davies

    Hubby and I are doing everything we can to stay green! We make our own soaps, detergent and cleaning supplies.

    Reply ↓
  60. Brenda G.

    I use white vinegar to clean the house which I feel proud about because it’s eco-friendly. I can rest assured there are no harsh chemicals to breathe in.

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  62. Joy Q

    i recycle and reuse items instead of just getting rid of them. i also try to buy as much organic items at the grocery store that i can.

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  63. Morgan Watson

    I am slowly, but surely trying to live greener every single day. I have switched mostly to organic soaps, shampoos, lotions, cleaners and laundry detergent. I also only use organic essential oils in a diffuser to help my home smell better.

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  64. Danielle Priser

    We’ve started living greener by growing veggies and feeding any garden refuse to our chickens. Which we then also keep/bake the eggshells to feed back to the chickens too. 🙂

    Reply ↓
  67. kelly mcgrew

    i recycle as well as donate my old clothes and household items instead of throwing them away and adding to landfills.

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  72. natasha lamoreux

    We recycle all that we can and pay more attention to buying organic and chemical free products.

    Reply ↓
  73. Ally

    We do a lot to be more eco friendly–biodegradable doggy bags, washable tuperware instead of plastic bags, recycling (of course), and walking and taking public transit as much as possible 🙂

    Reply ↓
  74. Angelica

    We’re living greener by growing our own food, composting our food scraps, and buying products with recycled packaging/ minimal packaging so there’s less waste to throw out!

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  79. Birdiebee

    To live greener, I don’t use any cleaners with harsh chemicals. Every cleaner is a natural cleaner. I also recycle, repurpose and reuse.

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  81. Jill H

    I would love to try these eco-nuts & have been wanting to try the dryer balls for quite a while, I too had the plastic ones, which one disappeared like a sock, maybe one of the dogs got it. I have been trying to reduce chemical useage in cleaning products have done so in personal products for a long time. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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  85. Jennifer Scheldberg

    I’ve been buying those reusable totes for shopping in place of using the plastic ones.

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  88. wen budro

    I am trying to live greener by phasing out household chemicals and eating more organic fruits and vegetables.

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  91. heather

    To live greener we recycle items and donate plastic items to certain stores so they don’t end up in the trash.

    Reply ↓
  93. Wehaf

    I commute by bus, I recycle, I grow some of my own food, and I have partially switched from disposable paper products to cloth ones.

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  97. Melanie Riek

    I’d love to try soap nuts! I cloth diapered my 2nd baby and buy white vinegar by the gallon to use as an all-purpose cleaner (mixed with half water) and in place of liquid fabric softener in the wash. I made my own wool dryer balls, too. If I win, I know some people that I’m sure would be happy to have the Eco Nuts dryer balls.

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  99. Cassandra Eastman

    To live green we just started cloth diapering a couple month ago and love it! We also use organic skin products, and use mostly organic cleaning products!

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  101. Nichole Martin

    to live Green we use cloth diapers and wipes we also clean with plant based cleaner

    Reply ↓
  103. Anita

    I love my Econut products. I first saw them on Shark Tank and was going greener on cleaning supplies of all kinds so thought I would give them a try. These nuts are perfect; less plastic jugs and no clumping powders and no harsh or perfume smells on the clothes. After I use them for a bunch of washes I put the used ones into an empty container and then when I mop the floors I throw a handful of the used ones into the hot water. I do not use any harsh chemicals on the floor anymore. After that use the nut pieces go into the compost. Love how much use I get out of them. From the earth back to the earth. I also love the dryer balls. The cat even tosses one around for a toy once in awhile when I am not looking.

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  105. Anya Sunflower

    As a new mom, I am trying to be especially conscious of what products my little family uses. I try to incorporate as many organic and eco-friendly choices as possible, and am really interested in trying these natural laundry products (since there is always so much laundry to wash with a small child!) 🙂

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  107. Sarah Parker

    We are using cloth diapers. We also recycle and compost. We try to limit the trash we create. I’d love to try soap nuts for all my baby laundry!

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  109. Pri

    It would be great to try these… my friend just recommended them! I’ve been starting to make my own lotions and face care items, it’s been fun looking at websites like yours to get more ideas!

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  111. Elizabeth Parker

    We already garden, compost, recycle, buy organic/non-GMO stuff when possible and reuse what we can, but we also plan to use cloth diapers with our little guy when he is born in March. 🙂

    Reply ↓
  112. Leah Hines

    To live greener, my husband and I garden, compost, buy organic and non gmo, recycle what we can, buy locally when possible, and will be using cloth diapers on our children. Reduce, reuse, recycle 🙂

    Reply ↓
  114. Alison Watson

    We recycle, compost and all additional food waste goes to either our dogs, chickens or our goats 🙂

    Reply ↓
  115. Becca Z

    We recycle, we buy organic and avoid chemicals in our food, health and beauty products, and cleaning products, we have given up paper towels and plastic straws and baggies, we have switched light bulbs and we make conscious efforts to conserve water.

    Reply ↓
  119. Calli

    I am living more minimally, donating old clothes and not buying as much. For the holidays I am trying to make consumables or gift experiences instead of things.

    Reply ↓
  120. Laura R.

    I love the idea of dryer balls and I bet these work a whole lot better than the ones I tried to make. I’m always looking for that extra step for being more eco friendly. Almost nothing I buy is new, it’s mostly thrifted or salvaged.

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  121. Lynn

    Well, looks like I’ll be adding dryer balls to my Christmas “wish list.” I don’t have the patience to line dry, but I’m always looking for ways to save energy at home.

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  125. Jennifer Macha

    I’m trying to be a good recyclers and decreasing the amount of processed foods I buy for my family.

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  127. Louise

    Hi Inger!
    I must say, you sure to share interesting finds, lol…My daughter and I were just talking about you as a matter of fact. I told her the next time you shared an eco friendly find I would let her know. She is looking for a new laundry detergent (the last batch she made lasted well over a year but she’s ready for something new:)

    I’ll be telling her about this post. Hopefully she’ll pop by for a visit and find you on FB too. (As you know, I don’t FB yet:)

    Thanks for sharing, Inger…I’ll be posting about my vacation surprise soon. (hopefully over the weekend:)

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  128. Gloria DeNice

    For a long time I have been trying to live greener by using all natural ingredients, soaps, cleaning products and personal items. I do have dryer balls and love them, and gifted them to relatives. I have never tried soap nuts, although I have heard of relatives using them. And I’m already a friend on FaceBook.

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  130. Maryann D.

    I am living greener by buying organic products and eating vegetarian, and I also use only natural household products and conserve energy.

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  132. Angela Saver

    To live a greener life, we grow some of our own veggies, & buy from local organic farms, as well as making my own laundry soap & household cleaners! I have wanted to try Eco Nuts brand for some time!

    [email protected]

    Reply ↓

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