While some companies like Seventh Generation create chemical formulas using “plant derived” cleaning agents specifically for sensitive skin, nature already created a natural detergent that works well to clean without irritating skin.

From Seventh Generation’s own site here is the list of ingredients in their “Free and Clear” Laundry Liquid.

Consider as you read through these ingredients that they (as is true on all ingredient lists listed from highest to lowest concentrations in the formula).

Free & Clear Natural 2X Concentrated Laundry Liquid

Aqua (water), sodium laureth sulfate, coconut alcohol ethoxylate & glycerin (plant-derived cleaning agents), sodium citrate (water softener), oleic acid & glyceryl oleate (plant-derived anti-foaming agents), sodium hydroxide (alkalinity builder), sodium borate (alkalinity builder and soil dispersant), amylase, cellulase & protease (enzyme soil removers), calcium chloride (cleaning enhancer), hexahydro-1,3,5-tris (2-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine (preservative)

Let’s see how safe, natural, or non-irritating some of these ingredients are.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient/706089/SODIUM_LAURETH_SULFATE as you scroll down the page warning flags will no doubt spring up in your mind. But keep scrolling and you’ll see that this ingredient has proven to cause skin irritations in rabbits, and guinea pigs. Are we to believe that it won’t cause them in humans, especially children or those with health issues already?

Another potential cause of itchy skin is excessive alkalinity. If you review the ingredients above your will see two alkalinity building ingredients. So this too could be a cause of laundry detergents causing itchy skin or irritating sensitive skin. One way to know for sure would be to take a PH testing kit to the formula and see how alkaline it is. However, few of us would want to have to do this every time we try a commerically produced laundry detergent.

Now let’s turn to why soap nuts are considered a good choice of a truly natural laundry detergent that is excellent for those suffering from sensitive skin.

First let’s look at the ingredient list for soap nuts. It’s short. There are not long names with further explanation of the why they are included needed. More importantly none them are plant derived through chemical processes. They are simple a part of a plant, specifically the berry of the Sapindus Mukorossi Tree.

Ingredient in a bag of soap nuts are soap nuts.

Now let’s look at how the soap nuts work and how they’ve been used historically for not only cleaning but treating sensitive skin problems like psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and itchiness of the skin and scalp.

The particular type of saponin in greatest quantity in soap nuts are triterpenoid saponins. Wikipedia has a long explanation of them however the part most important to why they work to clean is this portion.

Most triterpenoid compounds in adaptogenic plants are found as saponin glycosides which refers to the attachment of various sugar molecules to the triterpene unit. Saponin glycosides reduce surface tension of water with foaming and will break down lipids.

In Ayuevedic medicine the soap nuts are often used as an anti-inflammatory. That pretty much says it all they will NOT inflame (irritate) tissue.

Additionally soap nuts leave no residue on the clothes when properly used so unlike commercial chemically derived laundry detergents nothing is left in your clothing to irritate your skin.

That is the brief explanation of why soap nuts are an excellent natural laundry detergent for sensitive skin.

There are a several things you may want to know before you go digging into your bag of soap nuts searching for the treasure of a seed.

First, before you introduce any new kind of plant or tree into your garden or environment check with your local agricultural department about planting it. Just because it’s a live plant doesn’t mean it won’t cause havoc to your locally or regionally indigenous eco-system. Those of you who have seen torpedo grass in New Orleans, duck weed on pods across the US, and pitcher plants in Louisiana will understand that warning. These things overtook the areas where they were planted or scattered and they destroyed many local plants and even fish in ponds by altering the natural balance of the environment into which they were introduced. In part this was because they grew beyond expectations.

Second, it will take about ten years before your soap nut tree will begin to bear fruit for you to harvest.

Third, you will need to soak the seed to soften it for at least 24 hours. This will allow the sprout to break through as the seed germinates. If you’ve ever grown an avocado from a pit you can visualize what I mean.

Fourth, it can take from one to three months to get the seed to germinate and all seeds won’t necessarily germinate. Be patient.

Fifth, once you get the seed to germinate you will want to protect it from extreme weather conditions. Remember that although soap nut trees are drought resistant you should check to see how close your growing zone is to the natural zone for soap nut trees to know about exposure to cold, freezing temperatures, and sun.

Fourth, the soap nut trees grow to about 75 meters in height so once you get clearance to plant and you have a small tree you will want to be sure you have ample room for it to grow.

I have found a link with other details about growing your own soap nut tree, and even tracked down a source for the seeds.

Exeterra Blog – How To: Grow Soap Nut Trees

Seedman.com –  Soap Nut Tree Seeds