Soapnuts. Anyone ever use them?

[geckodani]

I had a major allergy scare a few weeks ago, and have been looking for alternatives to some of my usual laundry and cleaning products as a result. I stumbled across soapnuts in my search. Has anyone used them? Would I be crazy to give them a go?

Here are two sites:

http://www.soapnuts.ca/faqs.html

http://www.zamuta.com/

I googled them and a bajillion and 4 sites pop up as well.

 

[Loves Vintage]

I''ve thought about trying them, but I''ve also been meaning to make my own laundry soap, so I have to go through that process first.

I''ll be interested in hearing whether anyone has positive reviews of the Soapnuts.

 

[lyra]

Interesting. It also says you can polish silver and gold jewellery with them.

I''ve never heard of them before. Do they leave anything behind in your washer, or do they just dissolve? Sounds really cool.

 

[geckodani]

From what I've read, you toss a few nuts in a cloth bag, throw it in with the wash and that's it. Apparantly the saponin rinses away, and the little bit left acts as a fabric softener. They're supposed to be good for 4-6 loads.

I'm completely intrigued. I'm going to have to get some and wash a load of towels or something. I'll report back.

ETA: The shells and nuts themselves don't dissolve, but you can compost and/or toss them.