Sponsored

Ken came across soap nuts and knew he was on to something big. 

Ken Marion was about to retire in 2009 when he got a stern wake-up call. His older brother Rich had died from cancer at the ripe age of just 52. He had never smoked, led a seemingly healthy life, but left three kids and a wife behind. Ken was devastated and left wondering how his brother could suffer such an untimely death.

After doing a vast amount of research, Ken was surprised to uncover the number of carcinogens hiding in everyday cleaners. From laundry detergents to fabric softeners as well as household cleaners, he couldn’t believe the number of toxic chemicals and carcinogens in these everyday products. He was even more surprised to learn how so much of the population had absolutely no idea the damage that these products could do.

It was here that an entirely new journey began. Ken dove deep into his research, looking at ways to manufacture eco-friendly products that were free of toxins that could cause cancer and other illnesses down the road. He found that lax regulations in the U.S. had led to a market filled to the brim with products that consumers think are safe, when in fact, they’re far from it. Some of the ingredients found in many widely available detergents are on the EPA list of hazardous chemicals. The European version of the EPA has outlawed well over 1,000 chemicals that are still legal in the U.S. Yet shockingly, the EPA has banned or restricted only five chemicals since 1976. How could our standards be so different? How could so many carcinogens be hiding in products we deem safe?

Ken’s research first led him to soap nuts, a fruit that grows on the Chinese Soap Berry Tree. The shell of the berry contains saponin, a natural surfactant with amazing cleaning abilities. At the same time, these soap nuts, also called soap berries or wash berries, are hypoallergenic and gentle on even the most sensitive skin. Ken knew he was onto something when he tried soap nuts and saw how effective they were. What’s more, they were inexpensive when compared to conventional detergents. By simply adding whole soap nuts in a drawstring bag, the berries clean and deodorize a load of laundry without detergents, fabric softeners, or dryer sheets. And at the same time, soap nuts were relatively unheard of in the U.S.

Ken was hooked. These simple soap nuts, found deep in the forests of Nepal, had so many great uses. That’s when Green Virgin Products was born. Ken discovered that the best soap nuts were grown in Nepal and India, which is where he sources all of his premium, deseeded, USDA certified organic soap nuts today.

While it may seem like a stretch to go from pending retirement to starting a soap nut e-commerce company, Ken was driven to inform the public that there’s a better way to clean laundry. And from there the business grew into non-toxic cleaners that today come in all shapes and sizes. Their formula is 100 percent non-toxic and completely odorless. Green Virgin Products also manufactures non-toxic soaps and deodorant stones. It’s all about getting the carcinogens out of everyday products.

If you’ve never used soap nuts, you should give them a try. I’m a huge fan because they’re completely biodegradable and safe. In fact, they actually clean septic and grey-water systems. For too many years I was left itchy and uncomfortable as a result of harsh laundry detergents, but soap nuts work great for those with sensitive skin like me. Plus, you can replace multiple products with a simple soap nut, so it’s actually a cheaper substitution.

Finding safe cleaning products can be confusing because often times I don’t know which ingredients are dangerous. And more and more it’s becoming difficult to depend on the federal government to properly regulate both cleaning and personal care products. For me, the easiest way to reduce my poison load was to find non-toxic cleaning products that allow me to simplify my routine. Green Virgin Products does both.

Want to detox your cleaning routine? Join the Green Virgin Products Revolution by signing up for their newsletter to get access to exclusive deals.

This is a sponsored post. We love our sponsors!

Related on EcoSalon

Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe for DIY Clean Clothes Without the Chemicals

New Eco-Friendly Liquid Laundry Detergent From Method

SC Johnson to Disclose All Proprietary Fragrance Ingredients

The post Soap Nuts Startup: An Unexpected Cancer Death Leads One Entrepreneur to Start a Clean, Green Business appeared first on EcoSalon.

Laundry day has never been so environmentally-friendly.

One of the sneaky ways you are putting both the environment and your health at risk can be found in none other than the laundry room. Store-bought products are packed with toxic ingredients – some of which are not even noted on the packaging – that irritate the skin and can lead to diseases such as cancer. These five alternatives cover all your laundry needs without much effort, and they take heed to both your skin’s health and your environmental consciousness.

Stain Remover

There are a lot of natural stain removers to choose from, but I prefer hydrogen peroxide for its accessibility and environmental-friendliness as well as for being a panacea of sorts. Hydrogen peroxide has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-mold, and anti-mildew properties, which makes it a wonderful cleaning agent. In addition to cleaning cuts and wounds, it can be used to remove clothing stains. Simply spray the hydrogen peroxide onto the stain, allow it to sit for 10 minutes, and then throw the clothing into the washer. Prior to washing, it may also help to use a toothbrush to scrub the stain while the hydrogen peroxide is sitting.

Detergent

Adapted from My Healthy Green Family, this detergent recipe mimics the effects of Tide, without the toxic, potentially cancerous ingredients. The soap gets rid of impurities and oils, the washing soda both cleanses and softens, the baking soda removes stains and odors, and the salt prevents fading.

Ingredients:

• 1 bar vegetable-based glycerin soap, grated finely
• 1 cup washing soda
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup coarse salt

Directions: Grate the bar of soap. It can be scented according to your olfactory preferences, but make sure there are no artificial perfumes. Combine the grated soap with the remaining ingredients and mix until evenly combined. When not using, store in an airtight, glass container. Use in dosages equal to what any regular detergent company recommends.

Softener

Instead of using softener, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle. Baking soda is a natural softener and isn’t less irritable to your skin as are chemical-ridden store-bought brands.

However, if you have the time to put together a more effective and aromatic softener, in a bowl, combine 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/2 cup water. Stir until the baking soda is dissolved. Next add 2 cups of white vinegar, but slowly, as the mixture will foam and rise slightly. Once it has settled, add about 15 drops of your favorite essential oils. Mix thoroughly and store in a glass container. Use the same amount you would if adding normal softener to the laundry.

Wrinkle Releaser/Dryer Sheets

To prevent wrinkles, take 1 teaspoon of the extended softener recipe and mix it with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray lightly onto wet clothing, just out of the washer, before putting into the dry cycle or hanging to dry.

Dry-Clean-Only Clothing Deodorizer

To remove the stink from clothes that require dry cleaning only, vodka is a handy tool. Simply spray vodka all around the clothing item and let it hang overnight to dry. Vodka has anti-bacterial properties that get rid of the smell, surprisingly without leaving any vestiges of vodka aroma behind.

Images: Gemtek1, Tim Samoff, Kathie Lapcevik, TPapi, Catzkill, Lordelo

The post 5 Ways to Wash and Freshen Your Clothes Without Chemicals appeared first on EcoSalon.