Laundry Tree Gift Certificate Giveaway
Last week LaundryTree gave away a $20 gift certificate to a dkMommy Spot reader. (Congratulations to Kira!) Now I have two more $20 gift certificates to give away. This time, it will be a little different. Since I already told you all about my experience using all-natural Soap Nuts to clean my laundry, I thought we’d talk about what is in the average laundry soap. Here are some of the more common ingredients and why they’re not so good for our families:
Petroleum distillates (or napthas): Linked to cancer, lung damage, lung inflammations, damage to mucous membranes.
Phenols: Toxic. Nonyl phenol ethoxylate, a common phenol in U.S. detergents, is banned in Europe. Stimulates growth of breast cancer cells.
Optical brighteners: Can cause allergic reactions when exposed to skin that is later exposed to the sun.
Sodium hypochlorite (household bleach): Highly poisonous when ingested, and can mix with other chemicals to create deadly gases.
Artificial fragrances: Many of these are made from petroleum, and they can often cause allergies and skin and eye irritation.
Whew! And I left out the ones that are bad for the environment, although I can’t imagine any of these are so great for the earth either.
I wouldn’t tell you all of this if there wasn’t a simple solution. Soap Nuts are all natural. They’re a little dried fruit off a tree that grows in India, Indonesia, and Nepal. Better yet, they work great. I did a little math and found that using Soap Nuts would actually be much cheaper for my family than any of the conventional laundry detergents. Want to try them?
3 Ways to Win (One winner will be chosen from Comments, another from active email subscribers):
1.) Go take a look at the laundry detergent you have right now. In the comments section of this post, tell me one ingredient you found there. (Don’t worry–spelling doesn’t count.) I’ll go first. Let’s see here–aha! I found it. Ingredients: Soap Nuts.
2.) Email subscribers are entered into this and all future giveaways, for as long as their subscription is active. Just click here: Subscribe to dkMommy Spot by Email (Please make sure to verify your Feedburner subscription by responding to the email they send you. If you don’t receive it, check your junk mail. Only verified subscriptions are entered for all the giveaways.)
3.) Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this post. Come back and leave me a Comment with a link to your blog post.
Do all three, and you’ve got three entries to win! You have until midnight EST on Sunday, July 20, 2008, to enter.
For another shot at LaundryTree’s Soap Nuts, check out the Gimme Recipes! Contest. LaundryTree has added a $20 gift certificate to the gift bundle going to the submitter of the best healthy recipe.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Sodium lauryl sulfates. which I try and make sure isn’t in our bath or skin products but yet is all over our bodies all day long anyways! here I come soap nuts!
July 17th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I usually use Seventh Generation. Ingredients: A low-foaming blend of naturally derived cleaning agents (coconut-based surfactants), Non-animal derived enzymes to remove protein and starch stains, Natural water softener and alkalinity builder for enhanced performance (borax), Natural anti-redeposition agent to wash away soils (sodium gluconate), Table salt, Preservative (less than 0.05%), Water.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I know that baking soda is one ingredient in my laundry detergent. I’ve been using Arm and Hammer Essentials which has some plant based ingredients in it too.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Biodegradable surfactants and enzymes - what does that mean?
July 17th, 2008 at 11:51 am
naphthas, what the heck is that anyway? Guess I need to read labels more. Thanks for the giveaway.
July 17th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I use ECOS and the label looks pretty good. soap bark, chamomile, horsetail plant, soy fabric softener, etc.
The label also incudes a disclaimer that it is sodium laurel sulfate free. Also free of nonionic surfactants derived from SLS. (souds pretty gross)
July 17th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
The naphtas always confused me!
July 17th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I would love to try this product! Having allergies to most detergents; this product looks absolutely perfect to me!! Not to mention……….its Very Intriguing!
July 17th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
[...] $20 Gift Certificates to LaundryTree July 17, 2008 | Filed in: Uncategorized If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Where: dkMommy Spot [...]
July 17th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
enzymes..huh what kind
July 17th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
There’s something called biodegradable surfectants in mine.
Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sara B.s last blog post..Lesson of The Day
July 17th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Baking soda, vinegar.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
The first ingredient in mine is coconut-based surfactants. I think we’ll switch to soap nuts when my current supply runs out. Even though Seventh Generation is better than other detergents, I’m sure soap nuts would be healthier for us and better for the earth, not to mention cheaper! I have to buy Seventh Gen. in bulk since it’s so expensive.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I found sodium lauryl sulfates listed as an ingredient in my detergent.
July 17th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Nonanoylbenzene Sulfonate
gkstratos@ yahoo.com
July 17th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Sodium Laureth Sulphates–this is in my 7th generation. I thought this was not good (whatever it is) but now Im confused b/c I thought 7th Generation was supposed to be better.
July 17th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Biokleen - orangle peel extracts
July 17th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
The detergents I have currently are Tide Coldwater and All. In the Tide, I found enzymes and in the All, I found brightening agent. Please enter me in your “Soapnuts” giveaway drawing. I really appreciate it. Thanks, Cindi
July 17th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I used All and I was surprised with how non-specific the ingredients were. Like “perfume” - that doesn’t tell me much! Thanks for the giveaway!
July 17th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I actually use soap nuts and the ingredient is…soap nuts! i also use their lavender essential oil and i need a refill so i hope i win!
July 17th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Question: How do you use soap nuts in a front loader? Just curious?
July 17th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I found Sodium Carbonate. It said Caution! This product contains Sodium Carbonate. That can’t be good!
July 17th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I use Tide HE and it has anionic surfactants. I would LOVE to try the soapnuts with my 3 kids who have eczema.
Heathers last blog post..Problems with Wordpress 2.6
July 17th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
It has anionic and nonionic surfactants!
July 17th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
It has aponin, a natural substance known for its ability to cleanse and wash.
July 17th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
The main ingredient in my seventh generation free & clear laundry detergent is: A low foaming blend of naturally derived cleaning agents (coconut derived surfactants & glycerin.) doesn’t sound too bag. I’ve tried laundry tree soap nuts before and loved them, would love some more! =) Great giveaway, thanks.
Mary @ Adventures in Mommylands last blog post..BabyLuxe {daily} Birthday Giveaway
July 17th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Hmmm…it’s vague:
cleaning agents, buffering agent, stabilizer, brightening agent
Not good!
July 17th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Diethanolamines is on the list.
July 17th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Blogged ya:
http://mommyland512.blogspot.com/2008/07/win-laundry-tree-soap-nuts.html
Thanks again!
Mary @ Adventures in Mommylands last blog post..Win Laundry Tree Soap Nuts
July 17th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
naphtas. Thanks so much for the opportunity.
I am also a subscriber.
mistys last blog post..This and that… arranged to be confusing.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Triethanolamine? What the heck is that?! In fact, I barely recognize any of these ingredients. Maybe that’s why the print is so fine on the ingredient list. You really have to look - and they all sound like something that would poison my dog.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I use Costco brand. The ingredients….”contains anionic and/or nonionic surfactants”. Well which one is it?
July 17th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I actually make my own laundry detergent out of glycerine soap, washing soda, and borax. I try to be as eco-conscious as possible but I still have trouble getting my whites white. I really want to try the soap nuts. Thanks for the great contest!
July 17th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Mine said cleaning agents, water, stabilizers, and whitening agent…don’t go being specific and give away your secret formula or anything. None of that tells me anything. I would love to win some soap nuts in place of my usual jug of suds.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
anionic and nonionic surfactants. Huh?
Thanks for this opportunity.
Jane Maries last blog post..They’re No Worse for the Wear!
July 17th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I am a nut for Soap Nuts
July 17th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
well…the bottle says, “does not contain bleach or sulfates” and “The organic surfactants in Delicare are biodegradable.” Strangely, the ingredients are not listed anywhere on the bottle or the website. It’s not unscented so I’m going to say “fragrance” as an ingredient. Crazy. Thanks for the giveaway (and the laundry lesson)!
July 17th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
anionic surfactants
July 17th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
My tide has anionic surfactants. Not sure what those do though!
July 17th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
All mine says is contains cleaning agents,fragrance and colorant. No ingredients listed.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Aminoethanol - doesn’t sound good (sigh). I’ve blogged about you as always and still a subscriber
http://robynsonlineworld.blogspot.com/2008/07/great-blog-found-from-giveaways.html
Robyn’s Online Worlds last blog post..Nine West Knifeworks
July 17th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Biodegradable surfactants and enzymes in mine.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Aminoethanol - that doesn’t sound good (sigh). I’ve blogged about you also and still a subscriber.
Robyn’s Online Worlds last blog post..Nine West Knifeworks
July 17th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I have no idea what these are… naphtas.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
My laundry detergent says anionic and nonionic surfactants - is that good?
I have never heard of soap nuts so I think I really need to try these.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I use Gain Concentrated and the only thing I could really find on ingredients was Biodegradable Surfactants…And even after looking that up, I’m still confused as to what that is! Looks like I need to be more careful in choosing my detergent…I’m gonna have to give Soap Nuts a try! I’ve heard such great things about them!
July 17th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
stabilizer whatever that is
July 17th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Ingredient(s): anionic and/or nonionic sulfactants - what, can’t they make up their minds what’s in it? Soap nuts is a lot more straight-forward and certainly easier to pronounce! I’d love to try Soap Nuts!
July 17th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
There’s baking soda in there! Soap Nuts look awesome.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
anionic surfactants???
thanks!
moore.g at insideconnect.net
stacey moores last blog post..Precious Moments Birthday Collectible {GIVEAWAY}
July 17th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
There are Artificial fragrances in mine.
Reizas last blog post..On lunchboxes and customer service
July 17th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
So yeah…what exactly IS in “fragrance”? Shouldn’t they have to tell me how they made the fragrance? We usually use fragrance free but hubby did the shopping last time, and now my nose it itchy!
JenOs last blog post..a couple more three month pics
July 17th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
My Tide HE just said surfecants. It gave very little info. Disappointing, actually.
Would love to win. Thanks for the giveaway. I actually have been looking into making my own laundry soap. (Like I need something else to add to my to-do list!)
July 17th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Polymer
marybeth i.s last blog post..MB’s Favorite Things - Prismacolor!
July 17th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Mine says enzymes. I would love to win some soap nuts. I couldn’t wait and went ahead and bought some . I can’t wait to try. Look so neat and no more lugging the soap. Thanks so much for showing me soap nuts. There is a code to save 2.00 on the site. Count me in to win!!
July 17th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Hi! I currently use Nature Clean … which has some really funny words for non-toxic soap … like “Cellulose Collides” :-O … it would be REALLY nice to try something that only has ONE ingredient for a change
July 17th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I’ve just recently tried soap nuts and love them. I only have 4 so I would love to get some more. In the mean time I’m using chemically stuff. Lets see and ingredient I found is enzymes.
laces last blog post..To Think is To Create and a Wii
July 17th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Uh, I make my own, so that’s pretty easy. Fels naptha soap (package says it contains none of that napthalene stuff, oddly). Not sure why the name, then.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
It doesn’t really disclose - that can’t be good, huh? ; ) I’m using All Free and Clear. It says: Cleaning agents (anionic and non-ionic surfectants), buffering agent, stabilizer, brightening agent.
Why so vague?
NESs last blog post..Transcript
July 17th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
There aren’t too many listed on my detergent - biodegradable surfactants and enzymes. It is fragrance free and dye free.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Mine has nonionic surfactants! Boo!
July 17th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
anionic and nonionic surfactants, and enzymes
July 18th, 2008 at 12:07 am
One ingredient is sodium lauryl sulfates.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:38 am
sodium lauryl sulfate, not so good
Noreens last blog post..Butterfly Invitations
July 18th, 2008 at 2:23 am
I’d like to try this out. One ingredient I found is biodegradable surfectants (whatever that means).
July 18th, 2008 at 3:34 am
wow i love to try and win this it would helpout a lot thanks
jennifer bowens last blog post..going back to wioh boy what a joy
July 18th, 2008 at 5:42 am
coconut derived surfactants in my 7th generation though I have to say, I’ve been less than thrilled with the quality of the product, sometimes i have to wash twice. I’d love to give the soap nuts a go — i do at least a load a day!
July 18th, 2008 at 6:44 am
baking soda in mine.
July 18th, 2008 at 7:37 am
I took a look on my Arm and Hammer laundry soap. It’s made with baking soda and their “Tropical Breeze” scent is lovely.
July 18th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I use ECOS laundry detergent by Earth Friendly Products. It doesn’t break my son’s eczema out.
Ingredients:
Plant (coconut) based surfactant, soap bark, chamomile, horsetail (plant), lavender, rosemary, soy based fabric softener, essential oils of magnolias and lilies, water.
Cathys last blog post..
July 18th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Aminoethanol. I have to read all the food labels because my son has major food allergies so I guess by the time I get to the cleaners I am to tired of reading. This product sounds awesome. Thanks for the chance.
July 18th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Gain Joyful Expressions: contains Biodegradable surfactants (anionic and nonionic).
July 18th, 2008 at 9:43 am
anionic surfactants
July 18th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Essential oils of magnolia and lily are one of the ingredients in the Ecos brand I am currently using.
July 18th, 2008 at 9:52 am
enter me (baking soda)
July 18th, 2008 at 10:08 am
baking soda
July 18th, 2008 at 10:09 am
baking soda
July 18th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Mine said cleaning agents, water, stabilizers, and whitening agent…how generic!
July 18th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I know that baking soda is one ingredient in my laundry detergent.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Hmm, biodegradable surfectants. You have scared me!
July 18th, 2008 at 11:56 am
sodium cocoate - sounds edible.
July 18th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
This sweepstakes has been featured on Sweepstakes Advantage, http://www.sweepsadvantage.com. The Web’s Largest Directory of Free Online Sweepstakes. Good Luck to Everyone!
July 18th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Enzymes…. weird?
kristi blackstones last blog post..Princess Frog Box
July 18th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I would love to try Soap Nuts!
July 18th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
sodium citrate is one that is in mine
July 18th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
perfume and fragrance
July 18th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Sodium lauryl sulfates…now I feel itchy!
I have wanted to try the soap nuts for awhile!
princessandthebeads@gmail.com
Mindys last blog post..COME ON INTO THE DINING ROOM AND I WILL FIX YOU SOME SWEET TEA
July 18th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
anionic surfactants ?
July 18th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
saponin is one of the ingrediants. This is green and good. Please enter me in the giveaway.
July 18th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
sodium laurel sulfate… and what does that even mean?!
July 18th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
These sound awesome.. but can you use them on cloth diapers… I’m guessing you can. Can you use them on PUL covers though? Thats a toughy… I’d love to find out.
July 18th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
i would be interested in trying them.. i wish someone here sold them so i didn’t have to order them.. mine says Biodegradable surfactants
July 18th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
sodium lauryl sulfates in mine too - and naptha is in mothballs, which are just as bad for you and the environment
July 18th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I found biodegradeable surfactants in mine.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
This looks like a great natural product. Right now I am suffering from a reaction to my laundry soap, and “it ain’t pretty.” So, this product looks very appealing.
July 19th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Fragrance oils
July 19th, 2008 at 8:29 am
You know what I hate about my current detergent? so vague! I mean, what IS in “fragrance” and “anti-redeposition agent”? Everything’s an “agent” - at least some parts of the list have some more specific names after them, but sodium alumino silicate and sodium carbonate aren’t exactly reassuring.
July 19th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Mine starts with Cleaning agents (anionic and non-ionic surfactants). It does tell me that all surfactants are biodegradable.
Thanks for the giveaway. I’d love to tree the soap nuts.
July 19th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Great contest
July 19th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I’ve been using soapnuts (also known in India as Rita or Aritha) to wash my hair since I was a little girl
They’re awesome and can also be used in their powdered form to make a kind of shampoo paste. Takes a little more effort than conventional shampoos, but on the plus side, it’s a lot healthier. But you know what, I never knew you could use them to wash clothes as well!
I went to take a look at my laundry detergents and now I’m a bit afraid - there’s nothing about the ingredients! Are they so scary that they won’t put them on the box?!!!
July 19th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I am slowly but surely turning my family into a “Green” family. When my kids were little I used baking soda and vinegar to the laundry because they all have very sensitive skin. I recently discovered seventh generation products and now use all of them. The main ingredient in the free & clear laundry detergent is: A low foaming blend of naturally derived cleaning agents (coconut derived surfactants & glycerin.). I have never tried laundry tree soap nuts before or even heard of them, I would love to try them! Great giveaway, thanks.
July 19th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I’ve been using Dr Bronners on my diapers… one ingredient is “saponified organic coconut & olive oils” I throw in some washing soda too to help it along. I love Charlies Soap, but have been out of it for quite awhile. I’d love to try some soap nuts!
mama ks last blog post..La La Linky Love
July 19th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I linked to the contest here:
http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2008/07/la-la-linky-love.html
July 19th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
have no idea what this is but nonionic surfactants is in there
July 19th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Baking Soda
July 19th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Surficants–what are they?
July 19th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Bleach
July 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I also found biodegradeable surfactants in mine.
Thank you for offering this prize.
July 19th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
My detergent–Tide HE Free and Clear–actually doesn’t have a real list of ingredients–it just says “includes biodegradable surfecants and enzymes.” No phosphates, and no dyes or perfumes. So could be worse… But I really want to try these soap nuts!
July 19th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Ingredients: biodegradable surfactants
July 19th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Mine has anionic surfactants!
July 20th, 2008 at 12:26 am
HMMMMM IT SAYS biodegradable surfactants and cleaning agents it’s not very detailed as to what all the ingredients are kind of makes you wonder
July 20th, 2008 at 12:27 am
biodegradeable surfactants
July 20th, 2008 at 10:29 am
anionic surfactants
July 20th, 2008 at 11:06 am
surfactants???
July 20th, 2008 at 11:22 am
The only things is lists are: biodegradable anionic surfactants and enzymes - yikes, that concerns me!
July 20th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Hmm, anionic surfactants in mine, not quite sure what that is, probably not good!
July 20th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
seems to have anionic and/or nonionic surfactants…………….weird!
July 20th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
borax
July 20th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
biodegradable anionic and/or non ionic surfactants
July 20th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
enzymes
July 20th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I just spent several minutes researching soap nuts, I have never heard of them and think this is so very cool! The ingredient in my detergent is: baking soda.
July 20th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
The artificial fragrances are what make my head hurt!
July 20th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
perfume
July 20th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
baking soda
July 20th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
fragrance
July 20th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Like another poster, I also use Tide HE and found that it has anionic surfactants. I am really curious about how the soap nuts wori.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:00 am
naptha????