This blog is obviously about eating real food, but as I’ve mentioned before I also get a lot of questions about “clean” beauty and household products as well. It seems like once you get “back to the basics” in one area of your house you just want to move right on to the next! And one thing I did away with several months after cutting out processed food was my supply of super smelly, chemically laden cleaning products. I used to think the smell of those chemicals signified “clean,” but now I know better.
There are quite a few “natural” cleaning sprays out there, but I am often unsure which ones are REALLY natural and not just labeled as such on the front of the container. I am unable to decipher those ingredient labels like I am with food products. And that’s exactly why I love Norwex cleaning cloths…because no sprays or cleaning products are necessary! They certainly take the guesswork out of deciding which products to select, try, and spend money on since you can reuse the same cloth over and over again. Not that you want to solely rely on these cloths for scrubbing your toilets, but I’ve found that they are perfect (dry or wet) for cleaning counters, windows, and just about any other surface.
Now I am admittedly a little bit of a “germaphobe,” so when I first heard about these cloths I wondered how they could possibly get my surfaces clean – and most importantly – germ-free without using some sort of bright blue spray. But what I’ve learned is that the fibers in these “Antibac Enviro” cloths (which are 1/100th the diameter of a human hair) are highly absorbent and proven to remove 99.9% of germs and bacteria. They also have silver in them, which is apparently a natural antibacterial agent, so when germs enter the cloth the silver starts to kill them. That means the cloths literally clean themselves so this is why you can use them for 5 or so days before throwing them in the wash (with an all “natural” laundry detergent of course). Also, I have to tell you that these little microfiber cloths are so incredibly soft that my 4-year-old was eyeing one for a new blanky! LOL
I must thank one of my readers, Rachel Baxter who is a Norwex rep, for introducing me to these cloths. She so kindly shipped me a box of them a few months ago, and I am so glad she did. Check out her website if you are interested in trying one out yourself! Also, Rachel highly recommends the “starter pack,” which includes an enviro cloth, a window cloth and a dusting mitt…we of course have all three ourselves. :)
For more info about these cloths and how exactly their fibers work check out the first question & answer at the top of Rachel’s FAQ page on her website. If you have experience using Norwex or any other “natural” cleaning products I would love to hear about it in the comments below. All those cleaning solutions still confuse me!
Real Food Tips: Using Freezie Pop Molds
I want to reduce chemicals as much as I can while cleaning, this came as a saviour.
My mom is a Norwex lady too. I haven’t been in close touch with her in order to learn more, but seeing your recommendation here made me think about buying Norwex products. I have recently become interested in living more naturally. I have moderate to severe hand excema, and it’s a constant, painful battle. Perhaps cutting out the chemicals will help it, and so much more. I will certainly look into this.
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I have been making my own natural laundry soap for several years now, I am just wanting some advice on getting some natural bleach for whitening?
Hi Sherry. Maybe this link will help: http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/12/natural-bleach-alternatives.html. Lemon juice has a bleaching effect, as well.~Amy
Thank you for this tip. I have about 3 items from the comments and your post that I plan to try! If you have not found this blog- http://www.thankyoubody.com I think you will enjoy it. She actually has a cookbook of all natural recipes for cleaning and cosmetic products.
I have found amazing products that are truly all-natural and have been proven to kill germs and clean surfaces. They come from an award-winning company that has been in business since 1985 (before “going green” was even popular). Please visit http://www.ahealthcafe.com/ourgreenfuture to learn more. It will be worth your time!
I’ve been using Bon Ami. Here’s their website http://www.bonami.com/ I use it in my restroom it works as well as Ajax or Comet, but its all natural. :-)
I use the Norwex envirocloths and have used Basic H and Vinegar and bakeing soda as alternatives to chemicals. What i have found is that anything but water leaves a residue on the surfce you are cleaning. i prefer the Norwex cloths as they will pick up everything including bacteria without leaving a residue since you use just water to clean. The residue is what attracts the environmental hitchhikers like dust and grease to attach to it and make the surface dirty, when you have no residue to attach to the surface stays cleaner longer, make sense? i love Norwex!
So I don’t sell these but I use them as well and love them. I just wanted to recommend some of there other stuff you should try if you haven’t already. They have a toilet want you can buy that has the solution already in it. Then you just buy the refills for the solution. Of course all natural stuff. It’s awesome!!
Also they have face clothes that are AMAZING!! I just got my first set and can’t believe I’ve waited so long. I had been using the Kirkland make up wipes (from Costco) to remove my makeup but these rags removed my water proof mascara with just water!! How cool is that.
The dusting mitt and the bathroom scrub mitt is awesome!!
The mop is amazing too because again you just use water. I am obsessed with these products and loving that I am getting to throw out all my horrible household chemicals!!
Anyway, I would buy everything from there if I had the money too. But the best part is I just buy a few things a month and once I’ve got it I’m done. There are only a few things that ever run out. The rest of it you throw in the wash and use over and over therefore saving money!! Love it!
Sorry for the long comment. I just had to share my love for this stuff. I love knowing I’m keeping my family safe. Plus I clean my kids bathroom while they are bathing and know I am not hurting them! :)
Ok I am done.
P.S. I love your blog. We are slowly changing our eating habits a little at a time. over the past year we have made marvelous strides. No pop (which is a miracle for my husband), steel cut oats with agave and a banana every morning for breakfast, no fast food, whole wheat everything, including my husband losing 30 lbs and being 6 ft 1 in and weighing 155 lbs. He is in so much better health now! Thanks for all your great tips and all you do!
Thanks for sharing! :)
I use orange oil in our house. It is just the oil extracted from oranges. I was given this suggestion from our local co-op originally for an all natural insecticide because apparently most bugs don’t like the taste and/or smell. The lady who helped me also said she used it on everything to clean her house minus glass and mirrors. It is naturally antibacterial and comes in a concentrate form. One bottle lasted me nearly 3 years. I clean every surface in my house with it, including my furniture and wood floors, and my house smells wonderful!
..not too mention good old-fashioned elbow grease. I have even cleaned ovens with the right tools, elbow grease and NO chemicals. It can be done.
wow, these sound great. after finding my son playing with a windex bottle, I decided no more toxic products in my house. I was definitely in need of some suggestions since like you said some of the organic natural products have ingredients that I can’t figure out. Thanks for this post.
I have been using Norwex for four years and I simply can not imagine cleaning any other way. It is so simple and SO effective. It’s great if you can make your own cleaners but why waste your time and money, when you can clean your house with these cloths and just water? (Btw, google Borax, I have read negative things about this) These cloths have been tested in a hospital setting, so rest assured that they will remove undesirable things from your surfaces. They have been tested to be as effective as bleach and a cloth,without the negative health effects. Also, these cloths are super durable, and the antibacterial silver(micro- NOT nano) will never come out of cloth. Just my two cents.
I’ve tried Shaklee and Melaleuca but I was disappointed that their product lines weren’t very natural–and actually had a pretty significant reaction to the Melaleuca products.
I’ve been using Norwex for almost two years and am so thrilled with their products!
Recently I was at a large hospital and they were using the Norwex mop to clean the hallway! Studies have shown it is one of the most effective methods to eliminating c-Dif. (a truly nasty kind of bacteria). I don’t sell it, but I definitely tell everyone about Norwex.
I just have a question about inside the toilet bowl. I have found that all the natural(vinegar, baking soda, etc.) works for everything but what do I use inside the toilet bowl? We get orange/pink staining inside the toilet. Also, what do you use for the toilet itself. I am using Clorox Wipes but they are not environmentally friendly. I started using Bon Ami to clean my sinks and showers and that seems to work really well. I also have a steamer for my floors!
I’m a Shaklee girl too!! I tried EVERYTHING, including making my own….however, there is still no way I’m letting my kid help me clean with peroxide. Basic H saves me a TON of money, the Scour off is amazing and their laundry detergent is to die for. Check out my blog for various posts on how I’ve used the products :-)
I have a question, not exactly regarding natural cleaning, but cleaning in general. I am wondering if you would be willing to share some tips (do a whole post even) on keeping a busy kitchen (somewhat) clean. I know that in one of your posts you mentioned that efficiency is important to you, but it’s not one of my strong points. Keeping up with my kitchen cleaning is also not one of my strong points, and with my increased cooking/baking recently, it’s even more challenging. Of course, I do know that part of it is to just roll up my sleeves and do it, but if you have any tips to share from your experience, I would be very happy to hear them!
I will keep that topic suggestion in mind…thanks!
I have enjoyed all the comments and glad so many people are interested in reducing the chemicals in their homes and around the world.
I have been using Shaklee products for over 30 years and love them. They are really natural, that means no added scents etc, and cleans really great. They are economical too. A good example is the Basic H2. One bottle mixed with water equals 5,824 bottles of the leading window cleaner, or 48 gallons of powerful cleaner!
This book was essential when I started “greening” up my cleaning. We’ve cut out almost all chemicals based on her recommendations:
Organic Housekeeping: In Which the Non-Toxic Avenger Shows You How to Improve Your Health and That of Your Family, While You Save Time, Money, and, Perhaps, Your Sanity by Ellen Sandbeck.
I stopped using fabric softener a couple years ago and switched to dryer balls. They work great. In the summer I don’t have a problem with static but in the winter, the clothes come out electrified! I tried adding about 3/4 cup of vinegar to the final rinse and that has taken care of the static and it seems to make the clothes softer.