Natural Home Cleaning Since 1886: New Bon Ami Products

One thing I love about Bon Ami is you can find it any grocery store. It is my green cleaning standby when I can't shop at a health food store. Now, the company that has been making natural home cleaning products since 1886 has released new products. The new formulas include a tangerine thyme scent:
Bon Ami Powder Cleanser:

Bon Ami still uses the trademark feldspar and limestone as gentle, effective abrasives, but now combines them with even more sustainable cleaning agents from renewable corn, coconut, and palm oils. Plus we've added a touch of baking soda to help absorb odors.

Dish Soap:

Bon Ami Dish Soap was created with the same emphasis on gentle effectiveness as the original powders. Read through the ingredients - right there on the bottle - and you'll see there is nothing in the Dish Soap that will harm the environment either inside or outside your home. The all-natural ingredients are tough on greasy dish soils, but gentle on the skin, and will never contain phosphates or chlorine.

All-Purpose Cleaner:

Bon Ami All Purpose Cleaner is available in a Free + Clear version that has no added scent. And now Bon Ami offers a version of the product scented with natural essential oils. This fragrance, Tangerine Thyme, is a delightful fusion of mandarin orange, tangerine, orange, thyme, and clove.

Liquid Cleanser:

New Bon Ami Liquid Cleanser has the same gentle effectiveness of the original powder, but is easier to apply to vertical surfaces such as shower tiles, tubs, sinks, and walls. Like the powder, it contains the simple ingredients that have made Bon Ami a household friend for more than a century.

Our great grandmothers knew how to clean naturally! Beside, Bon Ami products are much cheaper than most green cleaning products!

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Green Cleaning: New Earth Friendly Products

Earth Friendly Products was one of the first natural cleaning companies I discovered before going green was in vogue.

Our family began by making cleaners for industrial use before Corvettes had fins. When your grandmother was wearing a poodle skirt and drinking a float at the soda fountain, we were earning our first patents

Decades later, when Jimi Hendrix turned rock upside down and played guitar with his teeth, we started our own quiet rebellion. We decided: only cleaners that were plant-based. Only paper that was recycled. Only products not tested on animals, period.

Does it sound boring to say we're family owned and operated? Because what it means to us is that it's personal. We've been around, well - seems like forever. We know how to make cleaners that CLEAN, paper goods that work (with 80% post-consumer content, and that's good,) detergents that won't harm a fiber of your clothing, and a phosphate-free auto dish soap that won't etch anything. Ever.

Earth Friendly Products has introduced three new products we have tried:
Baby Liquid Laundry Soap, Organic Chamomile & Lavender:

Our new Baby Laundry Soap is a hypo-allergenic, everyday laundry soap containing only the highest quality ingredients. Gentle enough for baby's sensitive skin, Baby Laundry Soap rinses thoroughly, leaving baby's laundry clean and soft. As always, it is plant-based, non-toxic, and environmentally responsible. Baby Laundry Soap employs soothing chamomile and lavender essential oils, and is suitable for hand-washing wools, silks, and other fine washables.

Fruit and Vegetable Wash:

Helps remove pesticides, chemical, heavy metals, dirt, wax and bacteria from the surface of fruits and vegetables. Fruit & Vegetable Wash is tasteless and rinses away clean. Beacuse natural ingredients are used, color and body may vary.

DuoDish:

DuoDish™ is a revolutionary breakthrough in dishwashing. For the first time ever, you can handle your dishwashing needs with one detergent - DuoDish™. Have a few dishes to clean? Just hand wash to avoid waste. Is your sink cluttered? Use that same liquid for a full automatic machine load. Say bye, bye to etched dishes, glassware and utensils and hello to clean and clear dishwashing results with DuoDish™ Enjoy another "first" by Earth Friendly Products.

I love the baby liquid laundry soap, and I don't think it has to be just for babies! The use of organic essential oils is a bonus and a first that I do not recall encountering in laundry products. I don't use vegetable and fruit washes. I think that water and a little dish soap is all you need, but I don't even use soap usually, just a rinse in water. Of course, I only buy and grow organic produce, but I have never thought of the need to also remove bacteria when washing fruits and vegetables. The DuoDish is a great idea eliminating the need for two soap products in the kitchen. It also contains organic essential oils.

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Really Natural Cleaning: Wool Sea Sponges Are Not Just for Beauty

I recently purchased a natural sea wool sponge. I've used such sponges before in the bath; however, this sponge I bought for house cleaning, specifically outside window washing. Sea wool sponges are durable, soft (no worries about scratching windows), and they do an amazing job. My sea wool sponge has quickly become my favorite tool for cleaning all around the house. They are perfect for car washing too!

Non-Toxic Cleaning: PawSafe Cleaners Safe for Pets and Kids

It's long been a source of rumor and concern that common cleaning products are harmful to children and pets. Although many of these internet rumors have been proven false, the truth is most common cleaners do contain harmful ingredients for our health and environment. Snopes explains:

Western society likes its homes and its clothing clean, but satisfying that desire comes at a price -- to do so, consumers must place their faith in polysyllabic chemical concoctions vended by large corporations, entities they don't always trust to have their best interests at heart. Consequently, fears about noxious or dangerous substances being secreted in common cleaning products is a recurring theme in contemporary lore.

Pawsafe offers a non-toxic solution "Pet & Kid Safe".

The ASPCA lists household cleaners in the top 10 list of poison calls handled by their poison control center.

Most household cleaners on the market today use harsh chemicals to provide the cleaning power in their products. Unfortunately, many of these chemicals are toxic and remain in the environment long after use. These products can be safely used but pose a threat if a young child or pet gets into them. Just read the labels and see the ingredients, hazards and warnings that most cleaning products carry. Some cleaners can burn skin, cause blindness, and even death if ingested.

Why take risks when you don't have to.

PawSafe products are formulated using natural plant-based surfactants and citric acid that cut through grease and grime, limescale and soap scum without leaving a dangerous chemical residue.

PawSafe makes:

• Simple Solution Pawsafe Multi-Surface Cleaner


• Simple Solution Pawsafe Window Cleaner


• Simple Solution Pawsafe Toilet Cleaner


• Simple Solution Pawsafe Tub and Tile Cleaner


• Simple Solution Pawsafe Toy Cleaner


• Simple Solution Pawsafe Floor Cleaner Concentrate

I have to admit the vibrant colors scare me, as I do not associate them with natural cleaners. I am also concerned with the "vegetable derived surfactants", but here is the company's response:

Q: What are surfactants and are they safe?

A: The surfactants used in PawSafe products come from plants and are a natural wetting agent that helps water and oil mix. This is an important ingredient in helping clean up oils and grease, dirt and grime. All of the ingredients used in PawSafe products are generally safe and temporary exposure should not create problems for your pet or children. However, it is a good, safe practice to keep this and all cleaning products out of the reach of pets and children.

Q: What are emulsifiers and are they safe?

A: Emulsifiers keep the ingredients of PawSafe in suspension and prevents separation so you don't have to shake the bottle before using. Emulsifiers are generally not harmful to pets or children. However, it is a good, safe practice to keep this and all cleaning products out of the reach of pets and children.

The terms "generally not harmful" cause some concern, but anything can be harmful in excess.

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Ditch the Paper Towels: Cloth Reusable "Paper" Towels

Many of my friends have completely ditched paper towels, but I still keep a roll of brown recycled ones for really nasty clean up jobs I don't want to use my kitchen towels on. In fact, when my friend's father visited, he was pleased to see I was a paper towel user, as this was an issue between his daughter and him, and sent me a roll of super absorbent ones (he didn't like my brown paper towels).

Well, I have finally found a solution to paper towels: reusable paper towels! They aren't really made of paper, but they are cloth towels that can be used like a paper towel for those dirty jobs. They aren't quite as absorbent, but who cares when you are doing something that is better for the environment! They also come with a neat little bag you can hang from your cabinets to make them easy to dispense. The towels are made of "super absorbent birdseye diaper fabric", which got me thinking, why aren't I just using all those old cloth diapers I have from two children?

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Really Natural Kitchens: Odor-Free Stainless Steel Compost Pail

I have used the same funky plastic tupperware container for compost for over ten years. The plastic is stained and stinks, but I could never justify buying a new compost pail until I visited a herbalist friend of mine in Oregon. On her counter was a bright and shiny odor-free compost pail. I decided it was worth the expense.

The Odor-Free Countertop Compost Container has a replaceable filter in its lid. It is stylish and holds a lot of compost before having to make trips to the pile. It really classes up my kitchen counter, and I know it will last at least as long as my old tupperware.

Natural Home Cleaning: Bissell Little Green

I have an older car and live in the mountains, so the carpet inside takes quite a beating. I have tried carpet shampooers at car washes, but the smell of the cleaning products gags me, and it is inconvenient. When I saw the Bissell 1400-7 Little Green Multi-Purpose Compact Earth-Friendly Deep Cleaner, I wanted to try it.

What makes the Little Green environmentally-friendly? When I first saw it advertised as such, I suspected greenwashing. According to the manufacturer:

• A compact, multipurpose cleaner that has been redesigned with a 95 percent reduction in PVC.
• Manufactured with tanks made of polypropylene, a material that is more recycling-friendly.
• The brush block is made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic and the solution tank also contains parts made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.
• All Styrofoam has been eliminated from the Little Green's packaging, and the carton and inner packaging are made from a minimum of 75 percent recycled corrugated materials.
• The Little Green uses earth-friendly liquid cleaning formulas that do not contain any heavy metals, optical brighteners, phosphates, or dyes.

The Little Green does not heat the water, but you add hot water to its tank, which actually makes the unit more versatile for cold water applications. It worked very well at cleaning out my car upholstery, and even though it is not recommended by the manufacturer, I will use more natural clean products in the Little Green. 

Is it greenwashing? Probably not, and I am glad I purchased this product.  I only wish the cleaner it came with was truly natural.  

Anti-Allergen, Organic Cotton Eco-Friendly Bedding by Allergy Luxe

We spend a lot of time resting in our beds, so it only makes sense that we choose bedding products that are eco-friendly and better for our health. Exclusively made for Bed Bath & Beyond, Allergy Luxe Organic Pillowcases not only give you pesticide-free peace of mind, they also protect you from allergens like dust mites and pet dander.

This luxurious sheet set is made from certified pure organic cotton and promotes an eco-friendly lifestyle. The soft sheets are free of harmful chemicals and organic dyes, and has an anti-allergen barrier weave that protects the sheets against dust mite dander, pollen, pet dander and other allergens. 100% organic cotton with a 300 thread count.

This bedding is very soft, and at least part of the packaging is made from burlap rather than entirely plastic.

Disclosure: I was sent a free sample of this product to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

DIY Eco-Friendly Dual Flush Toilet Retrofit Kit

40% of indoor water use is consumed by toilets. You've probably experienced the need to double flush on a super low flow toilet or the rush of gallons of water on an older toilet model. Brondell has a solution: the PF100-W Perfect Flush, Eco-Friendly Dual Flush Toilet Retrofit Kit. This retrofit kit installs easily in about 30 minutes and gives you the option of using less water for flushing when needed, which occurs 80% of the time someone uses the toilet. No longer will the old adage "If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down" apply. Simply choose "half flush" or "full flush" depending on your needs.  This retrofit kit takes 4 AAA batteries that last for 20,000 flushes.  I have not personally tried this product, but I think it is a better solution for Americans than the Brondell bidet style Swash Ecoseat.

Natural Laundry Detergent Vaska Uses Herbs to Clean

Vaska Scent Free Laundry Detergent was created by fashion designer Julia Fry. Using "advanced botanical solutions" in a formula Julia calls "herbatergent", Vaska laundry detergent is safe for your skin and greywater/septic systems.

BENEFITS
Biodegradable: Won't contaminate septic tanks or groundwater.
Hypo allergenic: Perfect for people with skin and scent sensitivities.
Softer clothing: Laundry comes out really soft, no need for chemical additive fabric softeners.
Herbal ingredient: Herbal lavender extracts are naturally anti-bacterial and purify clothing.
No static cling Leaves clothing cling-free.
HE: Ecological and designed for modern high efficiency washing machines, doesn't corrode or clog plumbing.
Happier laundry room: Rich, sensual aroma enhances consumer's experience in the laundry room.
Concentrated: You won't have to carry a lot of heavy bottles or boxes home, and then to the recycling.

Vaska products have been "Recognized for Safer Chemistry by Design for the Environment, U.S. EPA."

I am always amazed how many young children I work with at school show signs of sensitivity to laundry detergent, especially in the winter. They complain of itchy skin and try to wiggle out of their clothes. Many parents underestimate the effect chemical detergents have on their children's skin.

Disclosure: I was sent a free sample of this product to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative

Fight and Prevent Mold Without Bleach, Ammonia, or VOCs

Concrobium Mold Control is a product that fights and prevents mold without using bleach or ammonia. It also does not contain any VOCs. I personally do not have a moldy spot to really try this product out, but I do get a little pink mold along the molding of my shower door that is hard to clean. I sprayed Concrobium Mold Control on this spot, and the pink mold did wipe away easier than with a sponge alone. I also sprayed the entire molding hoping that this product would prevent future mold growth. 

Traditionally, homeowners have tackled mold with bleach solutions, essentially poisoning the mold micro-organism. That leaves users and their families exposed to harmful chemicals.

And bleach only provides short term relief from mold. When the mold reappears, the toxic cleaning cycle begins again...

Concrobium Mold Control® is a revolutionary way to fight mold, with no bleach, ammonia or VOCs.

Unlike traditional "wet kill" products, Concrobium works as it dries - hardening over the moldy surface to form an invisible film that physically crushes the mold micro-organism underneath.

And Concrobium stays on surfaces to provide continual resistance against mold regrowth.

Concrobium Mold Control states their product is eco-friendly and a "100% natural solution", although full disclosure of the solution is not given other than stating "two other ingredients" are combined with baking soda to create a "patented tri-salt polymer". It certainly has to be better than bleach.

Disclosure: I was sent a quart of Concrobium Mold Control in order to complete this review. No positive or negative assurances were given prior to reviewing this product.

Green, Eco-Friendly Non-Stick, Non-Scratch Extreme Temperature Ceramic Cookware

Finally, there is a safe, green alternative in non-stick, non-scratch cookware. Cermacor's Xtrema cookware is amazing! From saucepans to tea kettles, "Xtrema is healthier than any other cookware and we have documented scientific and laboratory testing to prove it." There are many, many benefits to Xtrema, beside avoiding teflon or aluminum:

• Xtreme High Temperature: Cookware can withstand 2,700 F, Steel can melt at 2,200 F


• Xtremely Easy to Clean: Non-Scratch, Non-Toxic Ceramic Glaze Surface


• Xtremely Attractive: High Gloss Black Finish


• Xtremely Versatile: Oven, Stovetop, Broiler, Freezer, Barbeque Grill, Microwave Oven, Dishwasher and Dining Room Table


• Xtremely Healthy Cooking: No Trace Metals or Chemicals Leaching from the Cooking Surface


• Xtremely Practical: Reduces Cooking Time and Uses Less Energy, Foods Stay Hotter Longer


• Xtremely Tasty: Ceramic Far Infrared Cooking Enhances the Food Flavor and the Entire Cooking Experience


• Xtremely Durable: Cooking Surface can not be Scratched, even by Metal Utensils and Industrial Steel Wool

Extrema cookware is handcrafted in China, taking 22 days from start to finish:

The Chinese artisans have been handcrafting ceramics for over 5,000 years and we believe in providing the consumer with the very best in product quality and that is why we decided to have our product made where the finest ceramics in the world are made and that is in mainland China.

My family tested out a Three Piece 20 Oz Retro Tea Set and pie plate. We love Xtrema. It is the best green cookware on the market, and I highly recommend it! It's super easy to clean, and I am assured my family is not being poisoned by the very cookware our food is prepared in.

Disclosure: I was given the tea set and pie plate in order to test the products to write this review. There were no advance assurances given as to whether the review would be positive or negative.

World's Only Naturally Memory Foam Ergonomic Pillow by Essentia

Essentia makes the world's only natural memory foam and is a member of 1% for the Planet. Essentia products have zero toxic chemicals or emissions and uses glue and adhesive free technology.

Essentia is the only manufacturer of natural memory foam in the world. Our cutting-edge Natural mattresses deliver a level of comfort, performance, purity and durability never before seen in mattresses.

All eco-friendly mattress components, such as unbleached organic cotton covers, natural latex rubber, plant extracts and organic essential oils, only enhance the comfort provided by Essentia mattresses. Made from 100% natural latex, Essentia's natural memory foam has all the benefits of memory foam without the toxic ingredients.
Essentia memory foam mattresses and pillows are individually handmade using the finest raw materials to ensure the highest quality sleep product on the market.

We were sent an Essential Natural Memory Foam Ergonomic Pillow to test. This pillow is designed for back and side sleepers. It supports the head and neck superbly, and the natural memory foam is "80% more breathable than a synthetic memory foam pillow, thereby reducing heat and discomfort.". This is the kind of pillow you will fall in love with and want to take with you wherever you travel.

Naturally Eliminate Bathroom Odors Before They Occur with Poo-Pourri's Organic Nature's Call

Poo-Pourri Preventive Bathroom Odor Spray has just released an organic version of its all natural odor eliminating product. Nature's Call combines organic essential oils to trap "odors at its source". Before going, simply spray into the toilet bowel and let the "citrus fresh blend" do its magic.

Poo-Pourri Nature's Call is a natural blend of Organic essential oils that create a film on the surface of toilet water, trapping odor at its source and eliminating it, instead of masking it. A few sprays in the water before you go, and the essential oils in Nature's Call will create a physical barrier around odor to neutralize it before it reaches the air. This means no odor while using the bathroom or after. Nature's Call also does more than just improve air quality - it is environmentally friendly, safe for your septic tank and the planet. "The Poo-Pourri line has always been natural and environmentally friendly," said Suzy Batiz, Poo-Pourri's founder and creator. "However, we found that as consumers become greener, there is a greater demand for Organic products. This is what inspired me to create Nature's Call."

Now, if only I can get everyone in my family to remember to use the Poo-Pourri before they go!