While they are certainly less toxic than “normal” detergent, we might actually be releasing more toxins into the environment by using them. And why is this? Because since so many people in the USA and Europe think it´s cool to go green and want to use soap nuts, prices of this crop have multiplied and a lot of people in India, where it is native, are no longer able to afford it. So while soap nuts are exported to the so-called first world, a lot of Indians have switched to cheap chemical detergents, possibly more aggressive than most and applied by hand by those who don´t own a laundry machine.

Authors conclusion? “Green” products are a hoax.
My conclusion? Not necessarily all the time… but just because something seems to be green, doesn´t mean it really is. And in order to know whether we are making the right choices, we ought to try looking at the big picture. Though, of course, that´s easier said than done…

I´ve tried to verify the story above by finding other sources for it, but I haven´t yet. What I HAVE found is other accounts of how the price for soap nuts is now many times of what it used to be. And while the consequences weren´t mentioned in those other sources, to me, they sound too rational to dismiss.
So… I don´t buy soapnuts anymore.
What I use, at the moment, is some sort of ball that according to the description contains minerals and stuff to clean your laundry and allegedly can be used about 1000 times before wearing out. I don´t know whether I´ll stick to that method forever, but at the moment, it seems to be the best solution I´ve been able to find.

My mother used to wash her hair with these berries when she was much younger living in Vietnam. Ever since I've been looking for them and coming up with weird names. Earlier tonight, gave up and decided to write the simplest thing that came to my mind and it happened to bring me to your website.

Thank you!!

Thien An from delightinmoderation.com

lashwish[at]gmail[dot]com

And my question to Mother Earth – Please can you tell me if the little things I am doing add up? I worry that it’s just a drop in the ocean since corporations are still allowed to pollute with little or no consequence.

This is the constant struggle, trying to go against what, for some reason, is still the mainstream! It shouldn’t take so much effort to reduced my own plastic use. We try!

Thank for the review for this product and for helping them change their packaging!

We’re trying!

kath1216 [AT] aol [DOT] com