Not soapy at all

Rustic Art, an entrepreneurial endeavour by an aunt-niece duo, advises you to drain water from the washing machine directly into your garden to water plants

Not soapy at all

Rustic Art, an entrepreneurial endeavour by an aunt-niece duo, advises you to drain water from the washing machine directly into your garden to water plants

With water scarcity across the country English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge's words, "Water water everywhere but not a drop to drink" in the poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner seems to be slowly coming true. Water wastage has bothered 24-year-old Swati Maheshwari for a long time.

Aloe Vera Gel Rs 150

The result is Rustic Art, a Pune-based set up that produces a range of laundry products along with bathing soaps, oils and gels among others.
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However, the laundry products, according to Swati, are the highlights of Rustic Art. "Our laundry range is made of neutralized detergents processed with lemon and vegetable extracts. It is completely natural and so once you wash your clothes, the residue water can be used to water plants.

That way, you don't need separate water for your garden. You can just drain water," explains Swati, who is also a freelance PR professional. She adds that no foaming agents and bleach are used in the laundry range. However, she clarifies that the soap water left after washing is not manure but can be used to water plants.

In November 2010, Swati along with her aunt Sunita Jaju, who works in the field of sustainable development, established Rustic Art with the sole aim of bringing in a range that would be truly natural and handmade. "This was how we thought we can make optimum use of natural resources.
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Swati Maheshwari

People don't realise how they use oodles of natural products," says Swati. As the name of the brand suggests, Rustic Art is as closest to nature as possible. She adds that none of the products contain SLS(sodium lauryl sulphate), one of the most poisonous elements used in soaps and shampoos by many brands.

All ingredients used in making these products are completely organic and certified by the United States Department of Agriculture.

At present, Rustic Art products are available in various organic and natural fragrances including turmeric, jasmine, geranium, algae, country rod. The handmade and handcut soaps are not only meant for skin care but act as mood enhancers as well. Also available are organic hair and body oil.
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The aloe vera gel promises to cure skin problems and can be used as an after-shave and for treating babies suffering from nappy rash. Rustic Art, at present, is available in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Amhedabad in select stores. But they can be couriered to you if you don't live in any ofu00a0 these cities.

However, Swati assures that soon Rustic products will be more accessible. "Next month we are exhibiting at Dubai. Also, soon products for children will hit the stores,"u00a0 signs off Swati.

Log onto www.rusticart.in
For Organic Bathing Soap :Rs 155
Aloe Vera Gel: Rs 150
Organic Hair Oil: Rs 140
Organic Massage Oil: Rs 125
Sulphate Free Shampoo: Rs 145
Laundry Bar: Rs 75
Power Laundry: Rs 140
Little Laundry: Rs 160