Soap Nuts are great to do your laundry with if you have a sensitive nose or allergies. They have no added chemicals, dyes, or perfumes. But, if you miss sweetly-scented laundry, here's a solution for you.

Love Soap Nuts, but get frustrated opening the laundry bag, and you don't want to make your own Soap Nuts Liquid?

Here's a tip:

Cut the string off the laundry bag, and sew a strip of hook-and-loop fasteners! Easy open, easy close. Problem solved!

Got another tip? Let us know!

Or do you have a question or problem? Be sure to ask, and I'll do my best to help you out.

Until next time... happy cleaning!

Or at least, better cleaning! :-)

Wondering what to do to help concerning West, Texas and surrounding area after the explosion yesterday? At the end of this quick post, I have reposted a Facebook message from a State-wide volunteer group, concerning the available opportunities to donate much-needed items.

To the list of items mentioned, I add that pre-paid credit cards are very helpful. Also, there have been requests for denture supplies and contact lens cleaners.

If you are able to help, there are drop off locations throughout Texas. To find the location nearest you, email TXVol@texasnationalist.com.

Also, this link may be helpful to some who are wanting to help out, or know someone who needs help:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u0D6J3hVdbetiy
__mhgCZgUl8Znh8Cq40_1IgwmzlFM/edit?pli=1

Another Big Reason to Love Soap Nuts: They Are Multi-taskers

A couple years back I decided to try washing other things with Soap Nuts, just to see how well it worked. I made a liquid from them and used that to wash the toilets, the sinks, the dishes. I made a scrub with baking soda and Soap Nuts liquid and scrubbed at my stove top. I even used the scrub in the shower and used it as an exfoliant. It worked great!

I also washed my hair by scrubbing my scalp with baking soda. Then I poured some Soap Nuts liquid on my hair, rubbed that in really well, gave myself a conditioning rinse with vinegar, and thoroughly rinsed with clear water (so I wouldn't smell like a pickle!).

(Read Part 1)

Another Reason I LOVE Using Soap Nuts: They Are All-Natural

I have always enjoyed doing things a little more naturally if at all possible. I just think there's something special about living life just the way God intended, close to His creation. If I have a choice between toxic, man-made chemicals or safe, natural chemicals, I'll go with natural every time, if it is reasonably priced.

That's putting it a bit simplistically, but I hope you get my point.

I first started using Soap Nuts to wash my laundry a few years back. I was very skeptical at first, but I was shocked at the results from my first load: the clothes were clean and they smelled so clean! I had been so used to sniffing at perfumed-laden laundry detergent, I didn't know what clean smelled like! Now I never want to go back!

The soap nuts I sell have been certified by ECOCERT and the USDA as being organic.

So what does that mean?

The soap nuts I sell are seedless. Which is a good thing, because first of all, the seeds - so I've heard - can stain your clothes if you wash with them. Second of all, soap nuts are packaged by weight; therefore, you get more for your money when you buy seedless soap nuts.

Out of the several bags I've used over the years, and the many others I've gone through to give out samples, I have found a couple of stray seeds, however. They are very easy to spot when you come across one, so don't be worried! I don't see how you can miss them!

What a fun time we had this week! We took a trip to the Texas State Capitol - a place that, sadly, we had never been before - and got a chance to see first hand not only our state government in action, but the beautiful architecture and history.

We brought rain with us, which made Austinites happy, and I came home sick, which did not make me happy, but it was well worth it! We had a great time, learned a lot, and spent precious time with one another and our extended family who lives in the area.

Here are some interesting pictures we took. I hope it inspires you to take a trip to your state capitol. Enjoy!