Detergent or Soap?

Many people are confused about the difference between soap and detergent. Soaps and detergents are not the same thing, although both are surfactants, or surface active agents, which basically means a
washing compound that mixes with grease and water.

Soaps are made of materials found in nature. Detergents are synthetic (although some of the ingredients are natural); they were developed during World War II when oils to make soap were scarce.

There is little doubt that soap is better for your health and the environment than detergents. Detergents are very toxic to fish and wildlife. Nonetheless, a big drawback of washing with soap is that the minerals in water react with those in soap, leaving an insoluble film. This can turn clothes grayish, and the film can leave a residue (such as is found on shower stalls, for example).

Detergents react less to minerals in water and for all practical purposes are the product of choice for laundry, unless you have very soft water. Those of you with hard water—which has a high mineral content—already know about this, I am sure. If you choose to wash your clothes with a detergent—or the dishes, or some of my recipes asking for a biodegradable soap or detergent—you can ensure the least possible damage to the environment by selecting the most biodegradable products.

Health food stores have a number of brands of detergent that are made with renewable materials instead of petroleum-based ingredients, and with natural essential oil fragrance and no dyes. They also sell liquid vegetable-oil soaps called castile soap.

Read more: Home, Green Home Decor, Non-Toxic Cleaning

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

KS G.

4:27AM PST on Jan 20, 2011

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Tina S.

12:07PM PDT on Nov 6, 2010

Excellent!

Carol C.

5:37PM PDT on Nov 4, 2010

Thanks.

Alberta G.

5:47AM PDT on Oct 31, 2010

Wow. I had no idea. thanks.

KrassiAWAY B.

4:42PM PDT on Oct 27, 2010

Soap is always better.

Mervi R.

4:57PM PDT on Sep 7, 2010

Thanks for the info!

Glenda J.

7:21AM PDT on Jul 27, 2009

Using Dr.Bonner (Pure Castile Soap) in the shower with 18-1 Hemp Eucalyptus or Peppermint fragrance..is one of the finest and purest of any soap made using in Laundry/Dishes/Bathing your body will feel vibrant from the smell to cleanliness squeaky clean. It last longer also being it's 100% pure you only need a small amount to do the job.

Caralien S.

10:47AM PST on Nov 24, 2008

Steve: Soap nuts are a berry (Chinese Soap Berries) which produce saponin. No chemicals, biodegradable, compostable. Maggie's Soap Nuts are the ones most commonly available at places like Whole Foods, but they can be found for a variety of prices on the internet.

I've found they work best when pre-ground in a coffee maker than loose in the (provided) cotton bags. They also work best when pre-dissolved in hot water.

Since they're dry, they don't cost as much to ship as liquids. They come from sustainable plants too: http://ezinearticles.com/?Soap-Nuts---Mother-Natures-Own-TRUE-Natural-Detergent&id=1649709

The packaging I've seen in stores and online for the berries have ranged from cotton bags to cardboard boxes. Now that there's a greater demand for ground or liquid forms, recyclable plastic is being used for those forms.

I have no doubt that Shaklee products are good--we used to use them when I was a child and I loved the chewable Vitamin C they used to have in the 1970's.

Soapberries/soapnuts, borax+baking soda, Eco Powder, and products from Seventh Generation are simply other options for those interested.

Past Member .

9:48PM PST on Feb 27, 2008

Hey Susan O-Soap nuts? Hmmm a new one to me. Ask yourself if it is important to give your money in exchange for products produced by companies that have no regard for co2 production or environmental integrity. Does this company plant trees? Anywhere? Does is use renewable energy? How much? (Shaklee uses 100% renewable energy.) Clorox is a great example. Shaklee makes a rapidly biodegradable product Basic-H introduced in 1960 that some very well respected people, organizations, magazines and newspapers all find great things to say about Shaklee's record in the environmental area. I have known children to drink it. Not recommended. I have personally used it(the concentrate undiluted) as a mosquito repellent-many many times.
www.shaklee.net/steve or if in Canada http://goshaklee.info/en/ password re20020

Susan O.

3:32PM PST on Feb 27, 2008

Has anyone heard of Soap Nuts? I have been using them for months now and love the product. Check it out.
http://www.betterlifegoods.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BLG%2DCAT21461