The latest laundry soaps My husband and I are engaged in what seems to be an endless laundry war. We try to sneak and do the laundry just to prevent the other from doing it. I complain that he puts my unmentionables in the dryer. He complains that my many green laundry detergents don't work. So I didn't even tell him about the newest batch of laundry products I've been trying.

Soap nuts aren't exactly new. In fact, the hard, nut-like fruit of the Sapindus mukorossi (or soapnut tree) has been used as a natural detergent for hundreds of years -- just not in this country. Now, however, they're becoming an alternative to manufactured soap among green-leaning Americans.

All you do is take a couple of soap nuts, place them in the small cotton sack that comes with the nuts and throw the whole thing in the wash. Soap nuts don't foam, but they seem to clean well enough for me. (Some online discussions suggested they do best in hot water.) They have a light scent and can be tossed in the composter after they've been used.

Your neighborhood co-op might carry soap nuts. If not, look online. Maggie's sells a 10-ounce box of soap nuts for $18.99 (www.maggiespureland.com). AlmaWin sells soap nut liquid detergent for $18.98 for 25 fluid ounces (search amazon.com).

Vaska Botanicals introduced two plant-based, residue-free laundry liquids (unscented and lavender, $13.99). Designed for sensitive skin and high-efficiency washing machines, they're notable for what they don't have: petroleum oil bases, phosphates, optical brighteners -- and foam. They seem to clean nicely, though. (Go to www.vaska products.com or call 1-510-644-2111.)

As for my husband? He's sticking with Tide.

CONNIE NELSON