| There are some critical aspects about using soap nuts | | | | solutions, a pure soap nut liquid will go rancid within |
| in non-traditional forms. By "traditional" I refer to the | | | | days unless preserved in some fashion. (One seller |
| dried soap berries (aka soap nuts) that are put in a | | | | who must have been in a very big hurry to get a liquid |
| cotton bag and tossed in with your laundry. Recently, | | | | to market stopped selling it within weeks. I have some. |
| soap nut powders and liquids are showing up more | | | | Wow. Talk about gross!) Essentially some India/Nepal |
| and more. Isn't the race for the next new always | | | | exporters don't have the mindset for developing a |
| amusing? The inherent problem with a "race" however | | | | safe and healthy detergent. (Remember it's a |
| is that speed often leads to errors and mistakes. | | | | detergent - not a skin care product.) The precious |
| There are very significant issues to be aware of with | | | | saponin's inherent healthy, green characteristics were |
| both these new forms of soap nuts. | | | | totally destroyed. Essentially everything good about the |
| NaturOli is taking very proactive steps to make the | | | | soap nut was undone. The MDSS read like it was |
| use of soap nuts much more affordable plus keep | | | | arsenic! I was shocked! It should have a biohazard label |
| them safe for laundry and many other household | | | | on it. IMPORTANT NOTE: This does NOT need to be |
| cleaners. Right when we are all stretching our dollars | | | | disclosed to the consumer. A seller can simply label a |
| as far as possible, while also being concerned about all | | | | product with saponin extract and be on safe legal |
| possible health hazards, NaturOli is taking very | | | | ground. One more time in other words: There are no |
| responsible consumer oriented measures. | | | | laws requiring companies to tell you this. Be aware that |
| It's important to note that NaturOli has its roots in | | | | there's no FDA requirement of full disclosure for |
| proprietary natural skin care formulations, hence our | | | | detergents & cleansers. To worsen the problem, |
| perspective in the detergent and cleanser industry is | | | | you can bet that many soap nut liquids will be |
| quite unique. As a signer of the Safety in Cosmetics | | | | produced, bottled and labeled in India and Nepal. It's by |
| Compact we are bound by much strict policies. We | | | | far the cheapest way to produce it. So PLEASE don't |
| treat detergents and cleansers with the same care | | | | expect the label to tell you all this. As usual it will only |
| and concern as we do topical and beauty industry | | | | tell you what you want to hear. So, Caveat Emptor! |
| formulas. The two big issues here involve economics - | | | | (Buyer beware!) Look for full and complete disclosure |
| and most importantly, health concerns. | | | | of ALL ingredients. |
| Let's start with the economics: | | | | Not only are we talking money, but also we are talking |
| 1) NaturOli does not promote use of soap nut powder. | | | | about our health. Although saponin is naturally |
| It's becoming increasing popular by many sellers, but is | | | | anti-fungal and anti-microbial, once liquefied it will very |
| - by far - the least economical way to use soap nuts. | | | | quickly become rancid and then pose serious health |
| (Guess some people are deciding not to mention that. | | | | risks. A common sense approach to use of well |
| Well, at least the math isn't tough.) The problem is that | | | | tested, high quality semi-natural and safe chemical |
| regardless of how finely one powders the shells, the | | | | preservatives will be required to extend the shelf life to |
| saponin (the all important active ingredient) is not fully | | | | our required two years. Citric acid simply won't do the |
| released before it ends up down the drain. Not good. | | | | job. If you want to be 100% natural and remain safe |
| Remember this is a fruit - not a synthetic chemical. | | | | from serious fungal and other infectious diseases stay |
| Hence we must accept and work with its inherent | | | | with the traditional methods of usage for now. |
| properties. Compare for yourself: A half-ounce of | | | | (Although this is not the topic of this article, on the note |
| quality soap nuts used in the traditional method (that's | | | | of shelf life: Never expect a TRULY genuine, "natural |
| the average weight of five soap nuts) can do three, | | | | skin care" or cosmetic product to last two years. |
| four, five or even more loads. A half-ounce of powder | | | | Formulas designed for topical application that ultimately |
| (the recommended amount to be effective) does ONE | | | | will enter your bloodstream, should be used within six |
| load. Period. That's it. To worsen the problem, sellers | | | | months for maximum benefit and effectiveness. |
| are charging a premium for powder. Ouch! If soap nut | | | | Discard after one year.) |
| powder is what you really feel you must have, NaturOli | | | | NaturOli will only produce our own soap nut liquids and |
| recommends using a coffee grinder and grinding them | | | | many other household cleaning solutions in our US lab. |
| yourself to the finest dust possible. Try reducing the | | | | Our extracts and MDSS will be safe and benign, yet |
| suggested half-ounce to a third or quarter-ounce. | | | | the wonderful properties and characteristics of the |
| Depending upon your water hardness and machine | | | | soap nut will be preserved. For your protection and to |
| type, you may be able to use less. Save the pieces | | | | extend the shelf life as discussed we will use no |
| that don't grind to use traditionally. Our lab is working on | | | | preservatives rated higher than a three-to-five on the |
| some really out-of-the-box ways for utilizing powder - | | | | Safety in Cosmetics zero-to-ten rating scale. We feel |
| without the huge increase in cost per wash. Soap nuts | | | | this is a good compromise since these are not topically |
| used traditionally and wisely can be as affordable as | | | | applied skin care products or cosmetics. Note that |
| any effective chemical detergent. If you desire the | | | | many popular "so-called" healthy, all-natural cosmetics |
| convenience of powder, simply be aware that | | | | have ratings in the eight-to-ten range. Although not |
| presently the convenience comes at a very steep | | | | required for detergents and household cleaners, we will |
| price. | | | | act in the spirit of a signer of Skin Deep's Safety in |
| Now - the more serious warning: | | | | Cosmetics Compact. All our soap nut formulations (be |
| 2) Be extremely cautious of ALL soap nut liquids. This | | | | for personal care or household use) will be very low in |
| is scary. Our recent review and analysis of an official | | | | rating - as our award winning skin washes and creams |
| MDSS (Materials Data Safety Sheet) that was | | | | already are. There is no rating system for detergents |
| reluctantly provided by an India/Nepal exporter was | | | | and cleansers, but we can calculate what they would |
| absolutely frightening. Apparently, in the big rush to | | | | be. Hopefully someday there will be one. |
| quickly get a liquid to market, the exporter used less | | | | Guess we all can soon stop spending money on |
| than eco-friendly extraction processes, plus loaded the | | | | rubber gloves - IF we simply be patient and use good |
| solution with the cheapest chemical preservatives they | | | | judgment.Good luck, be wise and live green. |
| could find. As with most botanical extractions and | | | | |