Soapnuts are a natural cleaner that grow wild in the Himalayas and have been used for centuries in India, China and Nepal. They have become very popular in Europe as a chemical free laundry detergent but can also be used as a hand/body/face wash, general purpose cleaner, car wash, pet wash, vegetable wash, carpet or upholstery cleaner.

Soapnuts are the outside of a macadamia-sized berry, which is cracked open and dried in the sun, producing a dark golden shell. These shells, known as 'soapnuts',  'washnuts' or 'soapberries' can be placed into your washing machine instead of detergent and fabric softener. The shells contain a very high percentage of saponins, a surfectant, which removes dirt and oils from fabric when dispensed in water. 

For laundry: place 2-6 nuts in the wash bag and throw it in with your washing. You'll need more shells for large loads or heavy soiling.

As a cleanser: simmer 100g of soapnuts in 3 litres of water for an hour. Strain into a bottle and use in place of liquid soap, surface cleaner or cleanser.

The products are picked, cracked and dried in Nepal, providing income for local communities, and packed (in biodegradable bags) in Australia.

Some online reviews of soapnuts are on these blogs:

http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/2007/05/30/natural-soap-nuts/

http://exeterra.blogspot.com/2007/05/soap-nuts-review.html