Our Green Clean Home

Norwex Enviro Cloth & Window Cloth Testimonials

2011-07-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

I purchased my first set of cloths, an Enviro and Window Cloth with much reluctance, as I am very skeptical. I was renovating a home and needed to clean all the windows. I dropped my children off at school and headed over to the home in February, it was -5C^o and sunny, not the optimal time to clean interior and exterior windows. I took with me a pack of paper towels, my window cleaner, vinegar and a bucket, because I was sure the cloths weren't going to work! I still bought them, so I thought I should try them. I started cleaning the windows and was blown away by how clean the windows were and how fast and easy the cloths were to use! No streaks and clear windows! I zipped throught the entire 2 story house and cleaned all the windows, including winter storm windows to a total of 54 surfaces. I was done and picked up my children for lunch. Needless to say, I was sold!!!

Carol K from Red Deer, AB CANADA
_________________________________________________________

I found bubble gum stuck on my shorts. I tried to cut it off and it wouldn't budge. I used an Enviro Cloth and it just rolled off.

Michelle B from Sherwood Park, AB CANADA
_________________________________________________________

I took the screens off my kitchen windows and cleaned the windows inside and out with the Enviro Cloth and Window Cloth. When my husband came home he thought I had the windows wide open – doesn’t this prove how clean those windows really were!

Kara H from Centuria, MN USA
_________________________________________________________

I did a show in a hair salon and we used an Enviro Cloth and the Window Cloth to take hairspray off the mirrors. It worked great. Everyone was impressed!

Jocelyn R from Rocky Mountain House, AB CANADA
_________________________________________________________

My sister loves using the Window Cloth after a damp Enviro Cloth to polish her granite countertops. This leaves the countertops shiny without the dull residue that used to be left behind from traditional cleaners. I also find the Window Cloth works great on stainless steel appliances.

My husband has patients who are farmers and recently, a farm wife complained to him that her husband "stole" her Window Cloths for his combine windows! He says they work great and now nothing "sticks" to his windshield!

We have a neighbour who works in the gold drilling business (in Alaska and Nevada) and he LOVES using a wet Enviro and the Window Cloth for his truck windows and inside the truck as their vehicles get very dirty from all the dust and dirt.

Kristina K from Parkers Prairie, MN USA

Norwex Car Cloth Reviews

2011-06-01T15:04:00.000-07:00

My neighbour got a car cloth from his wife and he is sceptical as his car is his baby, but decides to try it. He is in love! His car buff buddy comes over and my neighbour tells him, "You need to see this cloth my wife gave me. It works like a charm. It is best cloth I have ever used!" His buddy say, "No, I have the best cloth ever, I got it at a trade show." When my neighbour shows his buddy his Norwex Car Cloth, his buddy excitedly says, "Yes, that's the one!!!"

Christel S from Red Deer, AB CANADA
_________________________________________________________

My experience with the Car Cloth is the first time I used it to dry and polish my Navy Blue Van. My husband came home from work and the first thing he noticed was my shining new Chevy Van. His first question was "Did you wax your Van?" I just chuckled and said, "No silly that would have been too much work!! I used my new Norwex Car Cloth!!" Needless to say he was very impressed!!

Crystal B from Madelia, MN USA
_________________________________________________________

I gave my brother-in-law the car cloth along with the basic Enviro Cloth. Months later I asked him how he liked them. He liked them but would only use them inside the car. Because he felt they would scratch his car, he wouldn't use the Car Cloth on the exterior. After much discussion and prodding, he said he would try it, but I had to pay for any damages done by the cloth and I readily agreed to that. A few hours later I received a call from him and all he said was, "You're right." If you knew him as I do, you would know that was a big concession on his part!

Mary N from Niagara Falls ON, CANADA
_________________________________________________________

I have a motorcycle and so do friends of mine and we love the Car Cloth. It is way better than other products out there as you don't have to wring it out as much and, when you do, it is so much easier to wring out. Even my male friends love this cloth! We even carry it in our bikes because it is very compact for traveling.

Lisa from Welland, ON CANADA

Norwex Dusting Mitt testimonials:

2011-05-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

"I love all my Norwex products, but I have to say your Dusting Mitt is unbelievable. Dusting is one of my least favorite household chores, but now-a-days, once I get started, I am looking for places that need to be gone over. Using the “Mitt” is so easy and quick, plus there are no streaks or dust particles left behind on surfaces. The area I really notice the difference is our glass top TV stand, as well as the flat screen TV. Before I found the Norwex Dusting Mitt, I would worry that the products I was using may cause some damage to the TV or the nice wood surfaces. I am never afraid to recommend this or any of your fabulous products to my friends and co workers."

Carol M., South Dakota
_________________________________________________________

I love using 2 Dusting Mitts at a time each time I dust! It's much faster and easier to pick up things with both hands like knick knacks, photo frames and you have no thumb print left behind! I have also found using one on each hand is an easier way to clean spindles on stair cases, dining chairs, ceiling fans, wooden blinds or plastic blinds, dusting lamp shades (especially those upside-down bowl shaped ones!); Using a Mitt on each hand is also a great way for gently dusting plant leaves!

The Dusting Mitt is great for electronics, TV’s, computer screens (which collect so much dust), dusting leather furniture or inside your vehicle, the dash board especially. The Dusting Mitt simply makes dusting easy!

Kristina from Minnesota, USA
_________________________________________________________

I love my Norwex Dusting Mitt! I use it on all three of my housecleaning jobs as well as in my own home. It is so easy, it's like I'm not even dusting!"

Lisa from Surrey, BC CANADA
_________________________________________________________

I have been told by a daycare provider that the little fingerprints all over her furniture used to be so difficult to remove: now she lightly mists the Dusting Mitt and the finger prints are removed with ease.
My sister actually puts it on her foot and dusts her baseboards!!!!

Chris H from Iowa, USA
_________________________________________________________

I LOVE the Norwex Dusting Mitt, especially for my wooden blinds. I dusted one set of blinds in my study with the Dusting Mitt 3 weeks ago, and left the other set of blinds so my party guests could see the amount of dust that was on the blinds. The blinds I dusted with the dusting mitt are still dust free after 3 weeks!! I love how easy the Dusting Mitt is to use and how the dust clings to the Mitt.

Connie J from Texas, USA
_________________________________________________________

"I live out near the country…we have fields on two sides and get lots of cottony, seedy type things in my screens. I don’t have to haul them to the tub or hose them off any longer. I just wipe the Norwex Dusting Mitt over both sides and they're clean again. LOVE it!"

Stephanie S from South Dakota, USA
_________________________________________________________

"I did a show a couple of months ago and wanted to show how the Dusting Mitt worked. The house had quite low ceilings so I stretched up to reach for the ceiling fan. The hostess started spinning in her chair, screaming - nooooo!! But, it was too late - I had already started dusting the fan. The guests all held their heads as they were expecting a ton of dust to drop down on their heads and the food…which of course it didn't; it all stayed on the mitt. It was quite funny to see their faces of horror first, and then the disbelief when it didn't all drizzle down on the food and their heads. Safe to say I sold a fair bit of Dusting Mitts that night! The hostess told me later she hadn't dusted there for over a year!!"

Cathrine H from Florida, USA
_________________________________________________________

I LOVE using the Dusting Mitt damp to clean window screens, and my leather furniture and vehicle seats. It works like a charm!!

Tiana from Iowa, USA
_________________________________________________________

Because of the capacity of the Dusting Mitt, I was able to dust a 4500 square foot home in its entirety without ever washing the Mitt. When one side filled up, I turned it over and kept going.

Laura L from New Mexico, USA

Norwex Lifting Serum Review

2011-03-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

This is an incredible testimonial featured in this month's

Ripple Effect Newsletter. It is worth sharing!

I have been known to a great many people as the “half and half Lady”, because of an experiment that I did with the Norwex Lifting Serum.

This is my story and how the Lifting Serum worked for me:

A couple of weeks prior to the 2009 Norwex Conference, I was discussing with another consultant (Sue) just how this serum works. We had received a sample but not a lot of information on the product. So we decided to do our usual facial care, adding in the Lifting Serum– but only on one side of our face. I did this without telling anyone, and the results, as you can see from the picture, where significant.

As the last new product was being introduced at conference, the Lifting Serum, I turned to the consultant beside me (Melanie) and asked her, “Can you tell which side of my face I have been using the lifting serum on?” She screamed, and then the entire table screamed as they could not believe the difference between the one side of my face and the other.

The sobering part of all this was as I came down from the stage a woman stopped me and said “I saw you in the corridor and thought you had Bell’s palsy.” Needless to say I wanted to rush home and put a truck load of the serum on the other side. Yes, if you are wondering,both sides are again equal!

I refer to my bottle of lifting serum as “Botox in a bottle”.

Here is my Norwex Facial Regimen:

I begin by cleansing and exfoliating, using only water, with one of the Norwex Body Pack cloths (these cloths even remove water proof mascara with just water).
I apply the Norwex Face & Neck Gel - which tones, hydrates and softens my skin with a rejuvenating composition. It is also awesome used on sun burns and my husband loves it as an aftershave.
I then gently apply the Norwex Lifting Serum (all over my face) minimizing my wrinkles, promoting elasticity and skin vitality. I let the serum sit for a few minutes before moving to the next step.
For day time – I then apply the Norwex Day Cream to add moisture and loads of anti-oxidants for healthy fresh looking skin. At night – I apply the Norwex Night Cream to add moisture and replenish the look and feel of my skin.

What I love most about these products is that a little goes a long way because they are very concentrated and I don’t have to worry about dangerous ingredients that can lead to many health problems.

Since introducing the lifting serum into my skin care routine I have had two facials done by an Esthetician and each time I was told “whatever it is that you are doing for your skin…Keep It Up”.

Marilyn L.

On The Go

2011-02-26T22:16:00.000-08:00

When you are on the go during the winter months it is important to take good care of yourself and your family in order to stay healthy. Winter is the time of the year when many people experience a drop in their moods and immunity and watch their waistlines increase. This is especially true if you are lacking sunshine. The following are some simple lifestyle changes you can adopt to stay healthy during this blustery season!

Sound Slumber for Sunnier Moods
While there’s generally no hesitation for spending extra time in bed, make sure you’re getting quality sleep and enough of it, as loss of sleep can dramatically impact mood. In addition, try to adjust your wake time to be in alignment with the sun to help the body’s Circadian rhythms, as research shows that a disrupted body clock causes depression and lethargy.

Get Physical
While you may or may not reap the benefits from outdoor exercise during the winter depending on your location, you don’t have to abandon a workout regimen completely. More and more research suggests that moderate, regular exercise supports a strong immune system, not to mention how this combats stress. Some ideas to keep you moving and fit are to hit the gym, watch an exercise DVD in your living room or invest in equipment you can use at home such as free weights or a treadmill.

Watch What You Eat
It’s not your imagination… you are hungrier in the winter! The body’s natural response to cold weather is to constrict the skin’s pores and superficial connective tissue to help deter heat loss, which redirects body heat into the core, including the stomach. To fill up without adding extra calories, choose nutritious and satisfying foods such as low sodium soups, stews, steamed vegetables, and oatmeal. Try eating a little more lean protein to stay full longer, such as eggs, beans, chicken and fish.

Thoughts on being a PROsumer vs. CONsumer

2011-02-16T22:57:00.000-08:00

Norwex products contain organic ingredients that are purer and safer for the environment, and gentle on your skin. We choose ingredients that promote a better quality of life, and reduce the damaging effects of toxins.
We offer innovative products with ECOCERT® certified organic ingredients to revolutionize skin care. ECOCERT® is a highly credible organization in Europe setting the standards for natural and organic cosmetics for consumers. We are proud to be a North America company marketing organic personal care ECOCERT® certified products! Read more about the ECOCERT® standard here: http://cosmetics.ecocert.com
Being ECOCERT® certified means that Norwex organic personal care products are free from:
• mineral oil and silicon
• emulsifiers such as PEG (polyethylene glycol)
• viscosity controlling agents such as carbomer
• preservatives such as phenoxyethanol, parabens or
formaldehyde releasers
• synthetic perfumes
• synthetic dyes
• synthetic solvent such as propylene glycol
All Swiss Alpine plants used by our producer in Israel are approved and certified by Bio Suisse.

Kid Chores Teach Responsibility

2011-02-11T16:17:00.000-08:00

There are many things that parents can do to encourage their children to do household chores. Here are some suggestions:

*Start early. Parents should start giving their children household responsibilities when they are young. Most toddlers love to help their parents. Parents should take advantage of this desire and give their children small and simple tasks. As children get older, they should then be given more challenging tasks.

*Show how to do the chore. Children need to know exactly what's expected of them. Therefore, it is a good idea for parents to make sure their children know exactly what their duties are. Parents should thoroughly go over the duties required, and should actually show their children how to do the chore at hand. It might also be a good idea to write down and post all duties that make up a single chore for children's reference. At first, parents should monitor their children to make sure things are going well. Parents can reduce monitoring once children know how to do the chore.

*Teach one chore at a time. It is probably a good idea for parents to thoroughly teach their children how to do one chore, and then to make sure that they are consistently doing it correctly before moving on to other chores. Young children can become confused when they are required to learn too much at one time.

*Break down the chore into small parts. When teaching chores, parents should break each one down into small parts. For example, instead of telling a child to clean his bedroom and leaving it at that, parents should list all of the things that make up the chore of cleaning the bedroom, for example, changing the sheets, picking up toys and putting them away, dusting the dresser, and vacuuming. Parents should then show their children how to do each part of the chore correctly.

*Explain. Children need to know why pitching in and helping is important. Parents should explain that doing chores benefits the whole family, and that every person must do his or her part to keep things going smoothly.

*Change the nature of chores as children grow. As children grow, they can be given more and more challenging chores. Most parents have a good idea of what their children are and are not able to do. Therefore, parents should make sure that the chores they give their children are appropriate to their children's ages and abilities.

*Monitor at first. At first, parents should make sure they are available to answer questions and give guidance should their children need it. At first, parents can inspect their children's work to make sure the job is being done correctly. The younger children are, the more supervision they will need. After children have become accustomed to their new duties, parents can cut back on monitoring and inspecting. Older children can be given complete responsibility for completion of chores.

*Set up a reward system or a chart system. If parents have trouble getting their children to do their chores or to do them correctly, a reward/chart system can be set up to encourage cooperation. The general guidelines include making a list of the criteria for successful completion of the chore. Then, a chart should be posted in a prominent location in the home. Parents, or children, if they're old enough, should make a mark on the chart for each completed chore. Parents can either award points that can be traded in for a desired reward, or they can simply give a desired reward in exchange for the completion of agreed-upon chores. Finally, parents and children should decide on the reward to be awarded. Instead of material rewards like candy or toys, it is better if rewards are non-material, such as a trip to the park with Mom and Dad, or being allowed to stay up a half hour past bedtime. Prizes can be awarded daily or weekly. For younger children, it is probably best to have daily rewards. For older children, rewards can be given weekly.
Written by Kristen Zolten, M.A. and Nicholas Long, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

WATER WISDOM

2011-02-09T16:51:00.000-08:00

Our bodies are at least 60% water and it contributes to blood, lymph, digestive juices, urine, tears, and sweat.
Water requirements vary greatly from person to person. High physical activity that makes you sweat, your diet and hot climates can all increase your needs considerably. With regards to diet, fresh fruits and veggies are high in water whereas a diet high in sodium (1000g/day), fiber (25g/day) and protein increases your need for water.

How many cups of water per day should you drink? Try this equation: take your weight in pounds and divide by 2. Divide that number by 8 and you will have how many cups of water you need per day.

Spring, reverse osmosis, and distilled water, herbal teas and diluted juices (½ and ½) all count. Be aware that caffeine (in the forms of coffee, black, white or green teas, colas, chocolate and hot chocolate) and alcohol drain your body of water. If you drink these products, add 1 cup of water for every cup (8 oz) you consume in a day.

Is there a difference between waters? Yes, because of chlorine, fluoride, mineral content, etc. Although there is much debate about each of these, tap water is relatively safe and clean in North America. Taste is probably the deciding factor. I believe that reverse osmosis is the healthiest form of water for most people, however, if cost is a factor, drink what you can. Water is such an important component of nutrition, be sure to include enough water in your daily diet.

Sarah-Dash Arbuckle BA (Hon), ND, CH
Registered Naturopathic Doctor
For education and empowerment in natural medicine

Specializing in Pediatrics and Women's health

1-888-563-1045
www.drdash.ca

Norwex Sanira Toilet Brush System Review

2011-02-06T18:43:00.000-08:00

Norwex Dryer Balls Review

2010-12-15T21:32:00.000-08:00

I thought the dryer balls I bought years ago at a dollar store would be comparable to the Norwex version. They are not.

The round, blue, knobby baseballs I have been using have dented my dryer, and are so noisy, I couldn't use my dryer if someone was sleeping. But that is the cost of "going green"... right?

Now that I know better, I have to ask myself, "Has not every single Norwex product you have tried been an improvement to what you were using before?" It has.

Norwex Dryer Balls are soft, and oval shapped, to roll with the rotation of the dryer, not pinball inside the drum. They do what they were designed to do - soften fabrics naturally - and they do it better then the cheaper alternatives.

Now, I realize there are some of you out there who still use fabric softener and dryer sheets...

Here's why I made the switch:

Common dryer sheets greatly reduce the flame retardency of children's clothing
They create toxic fumes when released with heat
Warranties on some new dryer models can be negated because of their use
Their inert ingredients can cause cancer, liver disease, Alzheimer's, and many other chronic disorders
Common dryer sheets can cause allergic reactions on your skin
They create a clogging residue on your lint screen that can cause the heating element to burn out

I didn't believe the last one till I tried to rinse my dryer screen, and the water beaded, collected and would not run through till I scrubbed it with a brush!

I no longer use the full-of-frangrance-to-mask-the-chemical-smell fabric softener, nor the single use, landfill destined dryer sheet alternatives. I just wish that when I made the switch, I landed in the middle of the road with Norwex Dryer Balls, rather then making do with the bargain basement version!

Join My Team!

2010-11-16T09:54:00.000-08:00

I was sharing with a friend that I am done working for the month. She looked at me quizzically, since it was only the 15th of the month. I explained that I had already reached my goals for the month by selling at 2 parties. I earned $600, in about 6 hours. So I can take the rest of the month off!

She is also in direct sales, and we discussed how you can become a consultant for a product you love for 3 different reasons; to cover the cost of your own product, to share it with friends and family on a part time basis, or to dedicate your full time efforts to growing a home based business. But because my consultant commission is almost double what she earns, I am able to meet my goals with a lot less work!

Everyone will find their own reason for joining Norwex - whether it is to combine family with a career, earn extra income, build a nest egg, or simply to find a productive outlet for their talents and energy. Norwex offers you an outstanding business opportunity!

Join my team and you will be the one who decides how to sell Norwex products: whether it is by using a one-to-one approach, organizing home presentations, trade shows, or through catalogue sales.

Review of Norwex Makeup Remover Clothes

2010-11-06T23:09:00.000-07:00

I was listening to a Norwex Sales Leader the other day, discussing how we, as consultants, sometimes forget about "life before Norwex".
She pointed out that once you convert to green cleaning with Norwex it becomes second nature.
I had a reminder recently of how awesome these products are at doing what they claim to do.

I used the Makeup Remover clothes.
And once again, I am amazed at how effective and safe these products are.
I like mineral makeup, eyeliner and mascara. I can wash my face clean with just water and the cloths. It is gentle and simple. Because they come in a package of three, I have one in both bathrooms, and one in my travel toiletries bag.
No more excuses for going to bed with my makeup on!

The Reason I Do What I Do...

2010-09-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

A Wake-Up Story from Healthy Child Healthy World on Vimeo.

Hellmanns Commercial (THINK ABOUT THIS CANADA!!!)

2010-09-12T18:44:00.000-07:00

History of Silver - old becomes new again

2010-09-04T22:45:00.000-07:00

Throughout history, people
have taken advantage of the
antimicrobial properties of silver.

The Greeks and Romans stored
water in silver as it was believed this
kept the liquids fresh.

During the plagues in Europe, wealthy families ate from silver plates and utensils, in the hope that silver might protect them from the disease that was claiming their neighbours’ lives.

The expression ‘born with a silver spoon in the mouth’ had a dual meaning. Not only did it refer to wealth, it also referred to health. People were eating off silver spoons because they knew that an infection couldn’t survive on silver. People were taking advantage of the natural ANTIMICROBIAL properties of silver.

Today many products are produced using silver to give antibacterial properties to that surface. Silver yoga clothing, silver soap , silver-lined curtains in hospitals, silver-lined bandages, silver-lined bandaids, silver toothbrushes etc.

Norwex Antibac products use the proven effectiveness of silver to kill the microbes lurking in your home. Combat new bacteria, with the most reliable technology!

How to use Microfiber Cloths

2010-08-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

How to use Microfiber Cloths
• Fold the cloth in half. Fold it again. You now have a total of 8 clean sides to work with. For the Window and Car cloth, fold it again and you have 16 sides.
• Place your whole hand on the cloth and wipe with even strokes. The cloth should be flat against the cleaning surface.
• On less dirty surfaces, spray water on the surface and lightly polish with a microfiber cloth. For dirty surfaces, clean the surface with a wet Enviro Cloth first, then use the Window or Car cloth to dry and polish

Microfiber Washing Instructions
To save the environment and reduce the use of detergents, we suggest that cloths and mops which are slightly dirty, or embedded with grease, be washed with a little dish detergent under warm running water and used again before laundering. You DO NOT have to wash with soap after each use if not dirty, but you should always rinse under warm to hot running water. Launder microfiber cloths in hot water with other lint-free laundry using Norwex laundry detergent (or other environmentally friendly detergent). Do not use bleach or fabric softener as this will destroy the product’s ability to clean effectively.

To deep clean, remove stubborn stains or odours from smelly cloths, Norwex microfiber can be boiled for 10 minutes to allow fibers to swell and release the debris. Use our Rubber Brush to remove dirt and debris from the mops between launderings.

News from the International Conference!

2010-08-22T17:08:00.000-07:00

Woohoo! I'm just back from the Norwex International Conference. It was an incredible experience.

Debbie Bolton, President of Norwex North America, and Bjorn Nicholiasen, Chairman of Norwex International both addressed us.

I was really impressed with the focus of their presentation. They encouraged us to strive for our best, by applying the companies core values to our business practice.
Norwex's core values include integrity, honesty, trust, and respect.

I'm feeling really positive about working with a company whose goal is to improve quality of life in an ethically and morally upright manner.

Another exciting part of the weekend was the preview of the new item's being launched for Fall 2010.

I will be emailing an update with the new products soon! Here's a little hint - you know how kids like to mimic what we do, and Norwex has recreated some of their best sellers in smaller sizes!

So fun! I can't wait to hear your response!

Pick safer school supplies with EWG’s back-to-school guide | Environmental Working Group

2010-08-17T06:13:00.000-07:00

Pick safer school supplies with EWG’s back-to-school guide | Environmental Working Group

What Exactly Is Microfiber?

2010-08-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

Norwex Microfiber uses capillary action to pull dirt and grease
within the fibers and away from the surface.

One of the most important technological developments in recent years has been the ability to produce extremely fine fibers. These “micro-fibers” are of an even finer quality than natural fibers such as silk. In many products it is the luxurious feel and look of the fabrics, which makes the microfiber so special. In others it is their unique physical and mechanical performance which makes this fabric unique.

With Norwex microfiber, we focus on the physical and mechanical performance in our product line.

Textile fibers are measured in grams per 10,000 meters (dtex). For a fiber to be considered a microfiber it must be 1 dtex or finer. This means a single thread of 10,000 meters must weigh less than 1 gram.

Norwex’s microfiber has a dtex of 0.13. One gram of Norwex microfiber will span over 70,000 meters. In each Norwex Enviro Cloth there is approximately 2.9 million meters of microfiber.

Used dry these fibers produce an electrostatic charge which attracts and holds dust particles.
When wet the fibers use capillary vacuum force to pull moisture and grease from the surface up into the fibers.

Using Household Chemicals and Disinfectants

2010-08-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

After use, most cleaning chemicals end up making the journey from our homes down the sink, toilet and drains into our environment via the sewer or waterways. Many of these chemicals can have harmful effects, not just to our environment but also on other life forms dependent on it.

If many of these chemicals are not good for our environment should they really be used in our homes or around our bodies?

With the Norwex chemical-free antibacterial microfiber system you don’t breathe, touch or ingest chemicals. Dirt, dust, grease and bacteria are removed instead of spread around your home, creating a cleaner indoor climate, and reducing allergens.

Germs grow in damp cleaning cloths, full of chemicals and grime. This is why we need a cloth that not only picks up dirt and grime without releasing it onto other surfaces, but a cloth that inhibits bacterial growth.

Clean Doesn’t Smell

2010-08-07T18:22:00.000-07:00

True cleanliness does not smell.

It might be difficult to accept that fact, since we have been taught that clean smells like "pine", or "lemon", or "fresh linen".
But these are simulated chemical scents, added to cover up the smell of the cleaning chemicals.

Besides ingesting these chemicals (skin absorbs, and smelling something means molecules are entering your respiratory system), there are other health concerns.

The traditional method of cleaning with chemicals and cotton cloths results in breaking down dirt and grime and spreading it over the entire surface.

This may provide a visual appearance of clean. However it can actually cause your surface to be hygienically more contaminated at a microscopic microbial level.

Bottom line, after cleaning with microfiber and water, there is no smell.

The Dirt On Dirt

2010-08-06T21:15:00.000-07:00

If you are like me, you have been subjected to years and years of advertising aimed at convincing us that chemicals are the only option for cleaning our homes and our bodies.

When I discovered Norwex Enviro Products, the consumer in me said it was too good to be true, but my training as a nurse made me look deeper.

The next few entries are directed at exploring the basic science behind Norwex Enviro Products, as explained in the product manual.

Your comments and personal experiences are most welcome!

The Dirt On Dirt

Residuals attract dirt

When surfaces are left moist and wet after cleaning, only the water component of your cleaning solution evaporates leaving broken down dirt, grime and chemicals to dry on the surface.

The definition of CLEAN is to remove all forms of contaminants from a surface leaving it in as original condition as possible.

This means that in order to leave surfaces CLEAN we cannot leave residuals behind on them.

Residuals determine the frequency of needed cleaning.

The fewer residuals left behind on a surface the better, as residuals determine how often that surface should be cleaned.

Rant - The latest, basest, in false advertizing

2010-07-23T20:55:00.000-07:00

I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

Every time I check my email, there is an advertisement at the top of the page stating "You babyproof everything else... Why not your floors?"

It's an add for Swiffer WetJet.
It also states "Swiffer WetJet can kill 99.9% of bacteria".

Now I'm not saying that it doesn't do that. But if they expect me to believe that the chemical soup they call cleaner and want me to smear all over my floors is baby proofing... well... I have to take issue with that.

1. Man made chemicals are not healthy for my baby to ingest, which is exactly what is happening every time he touches, tastes and smells chemical cleaner.

2. Bacteria becomes resistant to chemicals. Ever heard of Superbugs? As a registered nurse, and I encounter them everyday. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, so if bad bacteria is exposed to a chemical that does not kill it, the bacteria can develop resistance. Precisely why chemical cleaners regularly need to be "New and Improved" (read "Stronger and Deadlier).

3. Not all bacteria is bad. Immunity is built by being exposed to a small dose of bad bacteria that our bodies were created to defend against. Good bacteria helps defend our body.

4. Read the fine print. The ad clearly (in very tiny font) states that you must use as directed to ensure these results. That includes allowing the chemical to sit on the surface you have cleaned for 10 minutes. Unless you saturate the floor, I suspect it dries faster, therefore not killing 99.9% of bacteria.

So, I like to think that if you are going to criticize something, you had better offer up a better idea.

Norwex Enviro Products are the answer to my strong desire to clean my home and keep my family safe - without chemicals.

1. Norwex microfibers use just water to clean 99.9% of bacteria from surfaces.

2. Norwex Antibac Microbifer contains antibacterial silver embedded into the microfiber. Bacteria do not become resistant to the silver, because the action disables the bacteria from reproducing.

3. Microfiber picks up good and bad bacteria from the surface you clean, but leaves no residue behind, therefore leaving a surface more suited for good bacteria to return to.

4. Norwex Antibac Microfiber has some fine print too... All Norwex microfiber products have a full 2 year money-back guarantee. This means that if in that period of time your Norwex Antibac microfiber cloth degrades, Norwex will replace it.

To learn more about this safer option, click here.

Rave Review - Norwex Descaler

2010-07-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

I am shocked and amazed - and so happy to share this:
We have very hard water, and honestly, due to my refusal to use conventional chemical cleaners, I have learned to live with hard water spots and mineral build up.

I was not expecting this kind of result.

I have added some instructions below, but I (read them after the fact) sprayed it on to the dry glass, left it about 8 minutes, then cleaned it off with a damp Enviro Cloth, and polished with my Window Cloth.
See for yourself...

Norwex DeScaler is entirely natural, made of ingredients that are formed from bacteria found in our very own bodies, as well as orange extract.

There are no synthetic colours or dyes. This means that it is more biodegradable and is better for our long-term health and the health of the environment.

It also means that it isn’t that attractive to look at, but it sure does an amazing job!

The trick to using the new DeScaler is to mist it on (it may spread better if the surface is slightly damp first), and wipe it with a damp Enviro Cloth within 5 minutes (1 to 2 minutes is likely enough) – it does not need any more time to work, and if left on the surface for too long, can dry to or even temporarily stain the surface – to fix this, just spray more on, wait a few seconds, then wipe away.
You may use far less of this product than our previous version.

Please note that although this product is natural, yet some people may still be sensitive to it.

Paradigm Shift - a Review of Norwex Enviro and Window Cloths

2010-07-14T21:38:00.000-07:00

My dear husband and I have very different views when it comes to using household chemicals. For the most part, these matters fall into my jurisdiction, therefore I get to make the call.

But last month we went away camping.

Preparing to leave, my DH announced that he was going to dump the old gasoline for the boat in "the back 40", since we and the pets would be away for a week. I was horrified, and assured him there must be some way to deal with this waste other then poisoning our backyard!

Long story short, the gasoline came on holidays with us, and home again.

Any suggestions???

My triumph came later in the week, when I beat DH to cleaning the boat. He had somehow managed to slip some "Marine Spray Nine" into our cart last shopping trip, dazzled by the claims that it "Kills Viruses". It also cost $16 for the bottle.
I reminded him that he could use an Enviro cloth to do the job, if he wanted to actually kill viruses without harming the other living creatures coming into contact with the boat (like, say, his family, for example). He stated he didn't want to ruin the cloth. I suspected that I could do the job, with lots of remaining life left in the cloth, but hey, we're going on holidays. Pick your battles, I reminded myself.

I had the inspiration to clean half the boat with my Enviro cloth, just to see if it did as effective a job as the spray. But I couldn't stop at half. The years of grimy dirt were literally wiping away with just water. And the glass was coming so clean with my Window cloth, I really got excited about getting the boat in the water. I cleaned the whole boat. And no, the cloths are not ruined. Stained maybe, cause dirt is dirty.

DH was so thankful, he didn't even regret not getting to use his chemicals.

At least I know our local toxic roundup will take the spray.
Sigh...

The Genesis of Rants, Raves and Reviews

2010-07-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

I'm sure there is a name for it.
I'm not sure I want to know what it is...

There is something in me that stops me from doing a thing if there is any doubt in my mind that I will be able to complete it, exactly as I envisioned.

It effects everything from writing this first blog (it has to be witty and insightful),
to cleaning house (I must do it from top to bottom, eco-wise),
to sending thank you cards (I have to make it from scratch, including a clever note or photo),
to calling someone just because I'm thinking of them (it might be too early, or late).

But now that my curiosity is piqued, I just had to look. And here's what I found:

neurotic perfectionists are "unable to feel satisfaction because in their own eyes they never seem to do things [well] enough to warrant that feeling of satisfaction"

Reminds me of the old adage "Good intentions pave the road to Hell".

This blog is to be my rebellion.

My intent is to write with thoughtful abandon, on many topics, hopefully many that you will connect with.

Here goes nothing.