South Side Couple Creates Plant-Based Detergent, Launches Laundromat …

A South Side couple is working to help clean their community one laundry load at a time with help from their plant-based detergent.

Sylvia and Augie Emuwa created Dinobi detergent in 2019.

“We do have a plant-based formula and something that isn’t harmful to the water waste,” Sylvia Emuwa said. “We use essential oils and only plant-based derived ingredients.”

Dinobi means precious.

“When we thought about our product, we said people need something precious for their skin,” Augie Emuwa said.”

Fast forward to June 2023, and the Emuwas decided they needed a laundromat to showcase their product. Through a partnership with the University of Chicago, the Dirty Laundry pop-up in Hyde Park was born.

“This is a social and community asset,” Augie Emuwa said. “This neighborhood is 65% renters based in this area — lots of buildings with 40+ units with one laundry unit with two to three machines. This is about an equity push for the folks in the area.”

For a 25-cent…