The soapnut

What is it?
The shells of the nut from a tree (Sapindus trifoliatus and S. mukorosiii) which grows in India and Nepal are a natural detergent to wash your clothes. They contain the substance "saponine" which has the same effect as soap. You can simply put a little cotton sachet or a sock with 4-5 half nutshells into your full washing machine and you won’t need any detergent any more!

How does it relate to ecology/sustainability?
The detergents most of us use to wash our clothes are produced in an industrial process, requiring energy and raw materials, leaving behind waste and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, some of them are problematic for the river ecosystems they eventually end up in. By using the soapnut, you reduce the material and energy input for your clean clothes (though not necessarily the transport effort!) The soapnut is – of course – biodegradable.

Where can I get more information?/Where can I get it?
In Nepal and India it is used traditionally. In Germany it is on sale in organic food stores (“Bioläden”). For more information on the web, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapindus and http://www.gogreen.cellande.co.uk/shop/products/soapnuts/soapnuts.htm or www.waschnuss.info (in German)