Soapberries!

I picked up a bag of Soap Nuts at the health food store a short time ago. They are the dried nuts from the Soapberry tree. You place 3-4 nuts in a cloth mesh bag & toss it in your washing machine. The laundry comes out clean, fresh smelling & there is no need for softener. You can re-use the same nuts 4-5 times.
After all the laundry detergents & softeners with umpteen surfactants, foaming agents, toxins, etc. & they do not seem to work any better than the humble little Soap Nuts.
I am so excited about this - a natural alternative to the laundry that actually works. There are recipes for making shampoo, skin soap, floor cleaners, etc from the nuts as well. I have not tried using them for anything other than the laundry, but I just may try some recipes.
Here is where I just bought a larger box on eBay:
http://stores.ebay.com/Soapberry-Organization
There are a couple of other sellers, but this one is more reasonably priced. Search under "Soap nuts" or "Soapberry". I also see the seeds being offered for sale too, but I found that the growing zone was not consistent. I can't tell if it is hardy here. Or I might grow my own!
I hope someone else will take the chance too - What a great find!
Julie