Asha Handicrafts
Asha Handicrafts provides the security of markets to small scale artisan workshops around India, like ANSA, the soapnut harvesters in Tamil Nadu.
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- Scott, in his review at mainlinephoto.wordpress.com
- M. Scott, Sandgate, QLD
- World Council of Churches
- Anita Roddick - Founder of The Body Shop
Soapnuts
Environment-friendly laundry alternative
Soapnuts ( sapindus mukorossi ) are an environmentally friendly, sustainably produced, bio-degradable and compostable alternative to commercial laundry detergents. Grown wild in India, for centuries these nuts have been used for many purposes, from laundry to cleaning jewellery and treating contaminated soil. They are most widely recognised as being an effective and environmentally friendly natural detergent, but can be used for a wide variety of other uses.
Our soapnuts are imported directly from Asha Handicrafts, an Indian Fair Trade Organisation, giving consumers the added value in knowing the harvesting and production is done under Fair Trade conditions.
How do they work?
Soapnut shells contain a high proportion of natural saponin. When the shells come in contact with water the saponin is released and suds are produced - just like adding normal detergents.
Full instructions for various methods of use are provided, in both top-loaders and front-loaders, cold or hot wash, but the basic method is to simply pop 6-8 shells into a small cotton bag (provided), put the bag in a cup of hot water for a few minutes (if using cold wash), and then place it in your washing machine instead of detergent. They are excellent for cleaning laundry, leaving it beautifully soft and fresh. There is no need to include softeners and they are especially good for colours because they don’t contain any whiteners or brighteners, so your colours will stay coloured for longer.
Extremely cost effective, the 500gm bag should wash 200 loads, or 7-10 loads per week for around 6 months before it runs out. The nuts can be used for 4-6 consecutive loads and then disposed of in the compost bin or spread around garden plants as mulch. And since the laundry water contains only natural ingredients, it can much more usefully be reused as grey water to reduce water consumption.
An NI Staff favourite - we've all tried them and are hooked!
Contents 500 gms soapnuts, 3 small washing bags, instructions for uses.
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New Internationalist