Canadian Entrepreneur’s Laundry Detergent Grows on Trees
Demetria Organics Soap Nuts Benefit the Body, Environment and Wallet
New e-business Demetria Organics is striving to save our planet, and our pocketbooks, one load of laundry at a time with its launch of Soap Nuts.
Soap Nuts are Himalayan tree berries that create cleansing bubbles when agitated in water. The suds are an antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, scent-free and additive-free alternative to laundry detergent and household cleaners.
Frustrated with questionable ingredients in commercial cleaning products, Canadian entrepreneur Marlese Assman began an extensive search for healthful, environmentally friendly household products for her own use. Her introduction to this one-ingredient all-natural cleanser ultimately led to the creation of Demetria Organics earlier this year.
“I could not get over how effective and affordable soap nuts are,” Assman said. “The more I learned about the product, the more I wanted to share it with others.”
Four berries placed in a drawstring bag and thrown into the wash can be reused up to six times before composting. A bag of 100 Soap Nuts — which retails for $13.20 tax-included — can wash up to 100 loads of laundry. Soap Nuts also replace the need for fabric softener, which means extra savings per load. Since they are naturally low-sudsing, Soap Nuts may be used in any washer, including high efficiency machines.
Assman also boils Soap Nuts in water for an all-purpose cleaning liquid. She might mix in a few drops of Demetria Organics’ lemon essential oil for a more powerful disinfectant or add a tablespoon of vinegar to a spray bottle for cleaning glass.
Demetria Organics Soap Nuts are biodegradable and sustainably grown. Assman works directly with fair-trade growers’ cooperatives in Nepal to import the wild, hand-harvested berries.
“We have created a symbiotic relationship between the growth and distribution of all our products,” Assman said. “We are dedicated to environmental sustainability, products that are as natural as the body itself and quality of life for our customers and suppliers.”
Demetria Organics Soap Nuts are available for purchase online at www.demetriaorganics.com.
Chic Galleria is giving away soap nuts to one (1) lucky Chic Galleria reader. The winner would receive a 250g bag of soap nuts (which does 75-100 loads of laundry) and organic sweet orange essential oil that you can add to fragrance their laundry if you wish. Just leave a comment on this article and tell us your worst laundry problem? The winner will be chosen at random from those who leave a comment and the winners will be announced January 25, 2010.
Congratulations Kym!
Posted by: Sky on January 22, 2010 at 9:12 am
My biggest problem with the laundry is the bottles. Seriously, it just kills me when I am finished with a bottle of detergent…they are huge! I want to be a bit more green and earth friendly.
Posted by: Beth C on January 22, 2010 at 9:30 am
My worst problem are grass stains!
Posted by: Kimberly B. on January 22, 2010 at 10:41 am
My worst problem with the laundry are the detergents that clog our pipes from the high phosphate concentration and we have to call in a plumber to unclog them.
Posted by: Kiley Smith on January 22, 2010 at 12:05 pm
My worst laundry problem is finding something natural and eco-friendly that won’t make my husband, daughter and I break out!
Posted by: jacque on January 22, 2010 at 4:25 pm
My worst problem is oil stains. My hubby works on cars. I would love to try this!
Posted by: DogsMom on January 22, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Our worst laundry problem is muddy pawprints. we spend a lot of time hiking with the dogs and playing on the beach, and everything I own has at least several paw prints stained onto it.
Posted by: Faythe @GMT on January 22, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Smelly towels…
ughh!
gramousetails atgmail.com
hugs
Posted by: L.C. Evans on January 23, 2010 at 7:39 am
My worst laundry problem is trying to remove stains without using a ton of detergent. My grandson lives with me and he finds the most interesting ways to dirty his clothes.
Posted by: Cindi on January 23, 2010 at 9:34 am
I don’t have a “problem” per say with laundry; except, the huge amount
I do on a daily basis does get overwhelming sometimes!
Thanks, Cindi
Posted by: Peggy Gorman on January 23, 2010 at 11:41 am
Dirt and grease stains ,my man is always working on his tractor or something.
Posted by: Stacy on January 23, 2010 at 7:03 pm
My biggest problem with laundry is getting the stench from my husband’s work out of his clothes! Seems like vinegar is the only solution so far.
Posted by: Beeb Ashcroft on January 24, 2010 at 5:26 pm
My worst laundry problem is the fact that my washing machine is on its last legs and doesn’t always drain all the water out at the end of a cycle. UGH! Thank you for the giveaway!
Posted by: Robin G on January 24, 2010 at 5:51 pm
My washer gets a funky smell sometimes & it is hard to get rid of. We wash in cold and have heard the animal enzymes in regular detergents can cause this.
Posted by: Katie @ thinkPINK on January 24, 2010 at 5:52 pm
My worst laundry problem is my husband doesn’t turn his clothes right side out or leaves tshirts stuck under sweaters! Not an awful problem compared to the others! lol
Posted by: Jenna @ For The Love of Baby on January 24, 2010 at 7:19 pm
My biggest laundry problem is getting stains out without using harsh chemicals. I have sensitive skin as does Kelsie and I don’t want to irritate!
Posted by: Abby on January 24, 2010 at 8:24 pm
I can’t seem to get my whites to stay white. Especially under the arms…ew.
Posted by: Kym on January 24, 2010 at 9:25 pm
My worst problem is stained baby singlets and bibs, how do I get it out!
Posted by: Lisa on January 24, 2010 at 11:14 pm
Mine would be finding time to do it, and all the stains that become permanent as a result.
Posted by: bunnyb on January 25, 2010 at 12:23 am
Worst problem would be smelly towels! I hate it when I have to rewash because it smells damp.
Posted by: Patti F on January 25, 2010 at 9:05 am
My 4 yr. old goes to a Waldorf preschool where the kids where pocketed smocks. My worst problem is remembering to empty the natural delights he fills them with on the playground (acorns, twigs, handful of sand, even snails ….lovely!)
Posted by: Ali @PickleSugarPlum on January 25, 2010 at 11:29 am
Potty training accidents and food and drink/dye stains!