I love working with real people. I chatted one morning with Donna at NaturOli, the company that makes (grows?) soap nuts, a natural laundry detergent. She told me all the ways I could use soap nuts and the 18X extreme liquid in my kitchen, since I write a kitchen blog. She even sent along a little loofah to use as a pot scrubber. Did you know a loofah isn’t a sponge, but in the gourd family? You can grow them right here in the States. Talk about local products! Personal attention is just one benefit of NaturOli; true commitment to the environment is another.
Their soap nuts products are as natural as anything I can imagine for cleaning purposes. Soapnuts are perfect for people with sensitive skin, and some say this is the best product out there for washing cloth diapers. Please read my soap nuts review of how I ran them through the wringer in my laundry room, then check out the soap nuts academic information site and allow yourself to be drawn in by the menu bar labels at the top of the screen like I was.
GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR ENTERING!
If you’d like to try soap nuts for washing laundry (or anything else in your house), TWO WINNERS will each receive a 4 oz. (40 load) Soap Nuts AND an EXTREME 18x Soap Nuts Laundry Soap 1 oz. trial size.
Just leave a comment at this post telling me what you discovered at the soap nuts academic information site and you’ll be entered to win! (If you receive KS via email, you will need to click over to the site to leave a comment.) If you’d like more chances, obtain extra entries by doing the following. You may leave all the entries in one comment and I’ll sort them out!
BONUS entry for linking up a bean recipe or leaving one in the comments at the October Fest Carnival of Super Foods, Bean and Legumes Edition.
- Mandatory entry: tell me something you learned about Soap Nuts.
- Subscribe in a reader or via email to Kitchen Stewardship (or tell me if you already do).
- Tell me why you’re interested in soap nuts products.
- TWO entries: If you have a blog or website, post about this giveaway linking back to this post.
- What’s your favorite Monday Mission or Recipe? Just tell me in the comment and I’ll give you an extra entry.
- Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about it (just click the button at the top of this post).
- Write about it on Facebook.
- Stumble or Digg this post (you can use the “Share This!” icon at the bottom of the post).
- Email 5 friends (who don’t already read Kitchen Stewardship) about the giveaway.
- Stumble or Digg your favorite post or recipe at Kitchen Stewardship.
Be sure to tell me everything you did in your comment. There are a possible 10 entries! If you can handle completing all 10, I’ll give you a bonus entry just for being perseverant (but tell me if you do in your comment so I’m not up counting all night). If you don’t have a blog, I’ll still give you the bonus if you complete the other 9. 
I still trust the honor system. Just be honest about what you’ve done – giveaways should be fun!
I will use random.org’s integer generator to choose the commenters who win from my list of commenter emails. The giveaway is only open to U.S. residents. NaturOli does, however, ship internationally. Just not for freebies. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, October 8th, and I’ll post the winners by the following Monday.
If you missed the last Monday Mission, click here.
Kitchen Stewardship is dedicated to balancing God’s gifts of time, health, earth and money. If you feel called to such a mission, read more at Mission, Method, and Mary and Martha Moments.
Want more opps for free stuff? Visit Heavenly Homemakers Fall Giveaway Carnival for bunches of bloggers giving away fun prizes!
I just found your website last night and added it in my google reader. The post I was reading last night was about finding soap nuts so imagine my glee when I saw you were giving them away today! I would love to win these.
.-= Megan´s last blog ..Part 2 of 2: Beating Crohn’s Disease and living symptom free =-.
1) soap nuts need a wash bag for laundry
2) i’m a subscriber
3) i want to try them b/c my family has sensitive skin
I didn’t realize they were fruit & not nuts. I would love to try these!
fascinating website – I just started skimming it and bookmarked it to go back and read during naptime when I can concentrate!
I had no idea you could grow soap nuts?
Would love to try their soaps – been making my own detergent and would love to see how the soap nuts compare.
I have been hearing alot about these lately!
thanks for the giveaway!
I learned saponin is the active ingredient. I subscribe. I’d like them for cost and sensitive skin family members. My current favorite recipe is the whole wheat tortillas to come
Did 1 and 3 in above comment
I subscribe already
I tweeted it
Have alot of favorite recipes…… but I loved the Asian dressing – made it last night, will post sometime what I did with it but it tasted great!
Blogged about it
http://aheavenlyperspective.blogspot.com/2009/10/soap-nuts.html
thanks!
.-= Jen´s last blog .."Refried" Beans =-.
This is fascinating! I just purchased products to make my own laundry detergent but am really intrigued with this. Why have I never heard about it before? Thanks for posting; I’m eager to try this out! I never knew these existed. Curious, do you know how long they can be stored and remain effective (I mean before the 3-7 loads)? I also like that the liquid concentrate form takes so little space to store! Perfect for my little home but growing family.
I’m curious about the shampoo bar. I’ve been looking for an alternative to typical store bought shampoo concoctions.
I just found you through the in-season recipe swap at Tammy’s Recipes. I look forward to trying your cabbage soup.
Katie Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 7:36 am
Katrina,
Katie
I thought you asked a great question. I’m curious too, so here’s the answer from the company:
Soap nuts basically have an endless shelf life if properly stored. If the user plans to have them around for several months, we recommend that they remove them from the muslin bag and store them in an air tight container. They should be stored in a cool, dry, dark location away from direct sunlight. Most laundry rooms are the perfect location!
Nice!
cool, half a cup is equal to 17 lbs of regular laundry soap?! that’s awesome!
i already subscribe to your blog, love it!
.-= emily´s last blog ..Real, Delicious Food on a Real Budget! =-.
I have been really interested in using soapnuts after hearing about them from a few friends. I just went to the website and was very happy to learn about their anti-fungal and insect repellent properties! That makes me feel so much better about all the soapy water we put out with our washings – especially now that we use cloth dipes!
I subscribe to your reader.
I posted on fb.
I’m not doing much experimental cooking these days (39 wks pregnant…), but I am excited about the bean burrito recipe!
.-= Sara-Beth´s last blog ..Sneak Peek: Our weekend away in the mountains =-.
Soap Nuts are great! I have been using them for a couple months now.
I learned that the laundry water can be used in your garden after a load using soap nuts. I am a subscriber with Reader and want to try soap nuts because I have sensitive skin.
One Monday Mission I really liked was to try to eat more eggs. I never was a big egg eater and now I’ve been making all sorts of good dishes with eggs.
I was just looking at soapnuts in a catalogue and thought they were such a great idea then a friend of mine mentioned your giveaway on facebook. I would love to try them, a natural and cheap way to do laundry!
I learned from NaturOli that they grow in Central Asia and are actually a berry with high concentration of saponin. I’m still amazed that soap grows! For your counting I’ve done #’s 1-3 and 6-8 so 6 total and I’m going now to leave my favorite bean recipe. Thanks for this great giveaway.
I learned that soap nuts work great in my HE washer because they are naturally low sudsing. I’m so intrigued!
I subscribed to your blog in Google Reader a week ago…
I’m interested in soap nuts because I’m just starting to try to simplify my cleaning regime and move to more environmentally friendly products, while still making the best use of my money.
From the Monday Mission checklist, I really liked the “No More Bleach in the Kitchen: … easy, natural kitchen cleaning solutions.” article. I can’t wait to try these in my home!
just followed you & tweeted…my tweets automatically become my status on Facebook
Thanks so much for writing about these!
I didn’t realize soap was such a recent “invention.”
.-= Jen @ Happy Little Homemaker´s last blog ..October – Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions =-.
And I subscribe to your feed.
.-= Jen @ Happy Little Homemaker´s last blog ..October – Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions =-.
Who knew you could *grow* soap? I’d love to give soap nuts a try. I’m always on the lookout for simple, cost-effective, green cleaning products and methods.
Check out my post on other cheap, green cleaners you can make with what you’ve already got in your pantry.
I’m now following you on Twitter!
.-= Wren´s last blog ..UPrinting Vinyl Banner Giveaway! =-.
I’ve been intrigued by soapnuts for about a year, but haven’t taken the plunge yet. I found it interesting that soapnuts vary so much – which makes me more hesitant to try the ones I’ve found locally!
I subscribe in google reader.
I’m interested in soapnuts because they are all natural and good for sensitive skin – my son has a bit of eczema.
I follow you on twitter.
.-= Kristi_runwatch´s last blog ..Magic Eraser, if only you really could do magic… =-.
Wow, what an interesting read! I was especially interested in the historical aspects. I’m subscribed in google reader, as well. Thanks!
1) I had no idea there was a bit of a conspiracy regarding soap “back in the day.” :>)
2) I subscribe in a reader.
3) After cleaning my bathroom with nothing but baking soda, vinegar, and peroxide, I’m ready for the next level!
5) That’s still my favorite Monday mission – the natural cleaning one.
If I get it on the blog or get it tweeted, I’ll have to come back and tell you. :>) Thanks for the chance!
.-= Lenetta @ Nettacow´s last blog ..Chili With Things You Never Thought To Include =-.
1. I learned that you don’t need suds to get things clean!
2. I already subscribe through Google Reader
3. My favorite Monday Mission (so far) is to get over your fear of fats! I just made a pie with lard
4. I emailed 5 friends
5. I would love to win because I am trying to get rid of unnecessary chemicals in my family’s lives. I’ve switched to baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide for most of my cleaning needs and baking soda and vinegar shampoo/hair rinse (is that what you have been using?
Katie Reply:
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:40 am
Lindsay, Yes, the “no-poo” thing. It’s a bit tricky to get the hang of, and I’m not entirely happy with it. Good luck!
K
1. I learned that you don’t need to do the second rinse. (Something I do and would like to stop.)
2. I subcribe to your blog.
3.My favorite mission was to get the bleach out of your kitchen.
4.I would like to win because I have 2 girls who have very sensitive skin. I use dryer balls right now but I learned that they are made of toxic plastic! Yikes! Soap nuts sound like a great alternative.
5. I submitted a recipe for your bean carnival.
Could you explain how the stumble and digg things work? I’m always a bit behind, and I don’t know much about this. Thanks.
.-= christina´s last blog ..Refried Beans =-.
Katie Reply:
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:43 am
Christina,
I just barely know how to do those things myself! Go to http://www.stumbleupon.com to download the Stumble thing, and then you can use the “Share this” icon at the bottom of the post to “stumble” the post. Digg.com is similar; you just register and then “digg” posts you like. I don’t know if that helps, but it’s about the extent of my limited knowledge!
Katie
I learned where soap nut trees are grown and that there are two types. NaturOli uses the most potent and consistent type called Mukorossi soap nuts.
I subscribe via e-mail.
I would like to try soap nuts to lessen our impact on the environment and our pocket.
Thanks for taking me to the academic information site.
I hope this isn’t a duplicate – I shut down the first try.
1. it can be used in my he washer – low sudse
2. I follow you via email
3. I follow you on Twitter and retweeted
4. I am interested in them because I do so much laundry and would like to use something natural.
5. My fav. mission was the egg one.
6. I am doing a blog post and linking back to here.
.-= Christy´s last blog ..Repost: Crockpot Spicy Potato Soup =-.
I discovered that you will not need fabric softener with soap nuts!
I subscribe via google reader!
I want to try these since they are very eco-friendly…and not heavy like my enormous jug of detergent. I also like that you can use cold water with soap nuts!
My favorite Monday Mission is the one about the bone broths.
I learned that the traditional method of soap nuts + wash bag is the most frugal.
I’m interested in soap nuts because they are safe for cloth diapers – and my budget!
My favorite Monday Mission is how to use your dishwasher wisely. I pretend it’s Tetris!
1. I learned that you shouldn’t put the wash bag in the detergent compartment – just wash it with the clothes.
2. I already subscribe.
3. I’m extremely interested in chemical and fragrance-free soaps because I can’t take either of those. The fact that it’s as easy as pick it, dry it, use it – is fascinating to me! The cost is great, too, since I currently make my own soap and would love one less thing to do.
.-= Cardamom’s Pod´s last blog ..Slowing It Down =-.
1-they are a fruit not nuts!
2-i sub via email (michaels_crown@yahoo.com)
3-i follow you on twitter and i tweeted http://twitter.com/agodlyhomemaker/status/4544140614
4-i facebooked it
5-i’m interested in soapnuts becuz i try to avoid chemicals.
5- i love monday missions! my choice is making yogurt- i did it! and i loved it!
.-= tami lewis´s last blog ..win an apron or maybe not? lol =-.
I read the soap nuts academic site. I learned that this is nature’s soap and not manmade.
Sign me up for the soap nuts entry!!
I can’t wait to try this product! Finally something that is safe AND economical!
Oh, man, I would love to try these. Maybe they would work better in our hard water than other natural options we’ve tried. (Besides, it just doesn’t get any more natural than SoapNuts. lol)
I learned that soap nuts aren’t really nuts; they’re berries, so those with nut allergies needn’t be concerned.
(And I already subscribe to your feed via email, and posted in the bean carnival linky.)
.-= Rachel R.´s last blog ..Bad (and Good) Commercials =-.
1. Soap Nuts Pro:
A surfactant is something that reduces water’s surface tension allowing the water it to break up dirt, grease and grime from fabrics (or anything).
2. I put a link on my blog
3. and my facebook
4. This is SO cool. I have been married 5 years and have 2 babies…I am always trying to find natural and non-toxic things to clean with. I have had NO clue where to start. It isn’t something that I grew up with. I am so excited to talk with my husband and try these out! Maybe I will win some!!
.-= Krystle Hummer´s last blog ..Soap Nuts =-.
1. You can use them 3-7 times.
2. I’m a subscriber.
3. I make my laundry soap right now and I DON’T like it. Want to try something different. (But I think I’d do better with the oil)
6. I’m a twitter follower.
.-= Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..Finer Things Friday: Team Spirit =-.
I discovered that June 2009 studies showed Soapnuts were just as good at cleaning as some of the most popular synthetic detergents on the market.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Dahlias =-.
I’m interested in Soapnuts because I’ve heard great things about them, and because I’m tryign to use less chemicals.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Dahlias =-.
1.) I learned that soap nuts are less expensive than other alternatives (can’t believe I didn’t know this already!) Much less expensive than Ecos, which I’m currently using.
2.) I now subscribe
3.) Not only am I interested in finding a less expensive alternative, but using soap nuts appears to be a superior way for getting laundry clean. Cheaper and better! I’m all about that!
9.) I’ve emailed more than 5 friends/family members about this — I’m sure they’ll all be interested.
Thanks for highlighting soap nuts. I hope I win so I can try them out!
You can use the washwater for your garden. It may even end up helping your garden grow healthier since it has both anti-fungal and insect repellent properties.
I think I got it figured out (stumble). I just heard about soapnuts a few weeks ago so I’m excited about your giveaway!
Whew!
1. They can actually clean my washer. Interesting!
2. I suscribed to your email.
3.These are totally green! and not that I know they can clean my washer too makes them even more cost effective.
4. I don’t have a blog
5.I just came across your blog a few days ago but really like your homemade cleaning products ie>replacing bleach
6. I tweeted
7. I wrote on facebook
8. I did stumble- I think
9. I email 5 friends
10.my favorite would be throw away less food!
11. I also left a recipe!!
Think that covers it all
I didn’t know they needed heat to help activate the saponin…I’m also a subscriber and I am interested in them as an alternative for washing diapers! My favorite recipe is chicken stock:)
I found out that you can throw them in the compost when you’re done with them..
– I follow you on rss
-I’m interested in soap nuts products because I’m always interested in a cheaper more non-toxic option for cleaning clothes, especially because we cloth diaper and can’t just use any soap on them.
-I’m excited for the fall weather to try out your cabbage soup with super secret super food pumpkin puree!
.-= Evelyn´s last blog ..Wanted You to Know =-.
Try going to digg.com or stumbleupon.com to read more about it. Don’t forget to enter the other ways anyway! Good luck, K
Wow I love how it’s so concentrated. I learned that it’s naturally anti-fugal and hypoallergenic. I would love to try this product. Thanks for the chance.
.-= RecycleCindy´s last blog ..Crochet a Toy Plarn Ball =-.
# 1 I learned they now make the concentrated liquid and it is tiny.
# 2 Already subscriber.
# 3 I like the fact they last a long time, saving on packaging and purchasing.
I am excited about Soap nuts because they’re anti-fungal. As a breastfeeding mom I’m always on the warpath against yeast! I had no idea such a natural option even existed, so I definitely learned that. I tweeted it, subscribe, and my fav Monday mission is the current one: butter! I’ll facebook it next. That makes six entries, I think. :
I learned that soap nuts reduce the need for additives such as fabric softeners and dyer sheets and they do not pollute our waters. I also learned that I really want to try these! Thanks for the giveaway, hope to win
.-= Kate´s last blog ..Fall Giveaway Carnival =-.
The first thing I learned is that they are a nut, grown, not manufactured, that can be used as laundry detergent! HOW COOL IS THAT?! The things I learned from the website was that chemical detergents build up in washing machines. Why am I interested? The frugality. I like saving money. I buy the anti-allergen detergent any how, so something with the same and better effect for less money is a bonus for me. I also subscribed and wrote about this on facebook. (should be 4 entries!)
Hi,
I found your blog last week when searching for oils on Google and am pretty excited because your goals line up pretty close to mine and you’ve explored some of the same things I have (fermentation [kefir, water kefir, kombucha], no-poo, living sustainably) and have written great instructions about it! I added your blog to my RSS reader and look forward to the continuing updates. I had never heard of soap nuts before – I learned what they are and how they are a natural source of saponins. I figure I should enter the contest, though I probably will buy a trial and put them to the test even if I don’t win. I’d like to move away from chemicals, if not for our safety, then to stop dumping them into our water supply! Thanks again for your hard work writing informative posts – I really appreciate it and have learned a lot. I’m starting to replace EVOO with coconut oil for sautes…
Katie Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 1:26 am
Kevin,
Welcome along for the ride! It’s fun to hear of people with similar goals. Thank you for the encouragement. Glad to be of help!
Katie