Have you heard about soapberries, sometimes called soap nuts? They’re a natural cleanser, gentle enough for babies or people with sensitive skin but effective enough for the family laundry. Soapberries are the fruit of a tree (Sapindus mukorossi) native to sub-tropical Asia. They contain a substance called saponin that gives the dried berries their soap-like properties. Saponin is a natural surfactant, meaning it reduces the surface tension of water, creating lather. Soapberries are naturally antibacterial, antifungal, and hypoallergenic. Pretty cool, right?

For my review, Tree to Tub sent me their Soapberry Experience Set, which includes a travel size Relaxing Lavender scented Soapberry Hair Lather, a travel size Raw Unscented Soapberry Body Lather, and a muslin bag containing five soapberries (this set retails for $15). They also sent along an additional travel size Soapberry Body Lather in their Awakening Peppermint scent so I could try that, too. Overall, I’m very pleased with everything in the set. But before I describe my experience, let me tell you a little about Tree to Tub.

Tree to Tub originally began through a highly successful Kickstarter campaign under the name “Soapberri.” Its founders, Michael and Brian, set out with this goal: “We wanted to change the way people clean by replacing harsh chemicals with nature’s most gentle soap, the soapberry.” In doing that, they’re also helping to preserve the native eco-reserves in Taiwan where local people harvest and process the wild soapberries that grow there. So they’re helping both the environment and the local communities, sustaining traditions that have been handed down for generations.

Soapberries can be used in many ways, from gentle face and hand soap to laundry detergent. The dried berries are hard, so before using them as soap, they must be softened in boiling water, then stored in the refrigerator. Using them in the laundry is much simpler; just tie the muslin bag closed and toss it in the washing machine with the clothes, then dry the soapberries before using them again (five times or more).

Now let me tell you about my experience with the Soapberry Experience Set. The Raw Unscented Soapberry Body Lather is my favorite product from the set. A small amount on my shower pouf, washcloth, or between my palms made a nice lather that rinsed easily and left my skin feeling clean and soft. Likewise, the Soapberry Hair Lather’s mild lather rinsed out cleanly and left my hair shiny, bouncy, and smelling lightly of lavender. As for the bag of soapberries, I just added to my front-loading washing machine with a load of laundry and let it do its magic. I’ve used it twice so far, and both batches of laundry came out clean, with no soap residue. Nothing I washed was particularly dirty or stained; if it had been, I would have used a regular pre-treater on any stains.

What’s not to like about things that do what they’re intended to, while supporting local communities without harming the environment? I think they would make great gifts for new parents or for people with sensitive skin or who prefer eco-friendly cleaning products. Check out the Tree to Tub website for more information or to buy their products.

Reader’s Discount: The company would like to give the reader’s of Two Classy Chics a special discount! Get 50% off their organic body care set when you go through this special LINK. Super cool.

Disclaimer: A. Bailey received a complimentary product for review purposes & feature on The Classy Chics blog. No monetary compensation was received. A. Bailey’s thoughts, opinions and words are 100% her own. Your thoughts may differ.