Earth Day is THE Norwex holiday! At the heart of everything Norwex does is the company’s mission to radically reduce the number of chemicals in the environment and in our homes. It is what brought me to Norwex eight years ago when I was recovering from cancer treatment and was looking for ways to make my home a safe haven for my family, free of dangerous chemicals. At the time, I loved Norwex’s message that all you really need to get most of your cleaning done is a Norwex microfiber cloth and water.
I still love that message, and over the years, as I’ve learned more about the health risks associated with many common household products (see my writing about toothpaste, hidden pesticides and phthalates, for example), sharing the benefits of Norwex and helping others create their own safe havens has become a personal passion for me.
Earth Day is a fantastic time to celebrate that more than 2.7 million homes have already ditched the chemicals and switched to Norwex. It’s also a great time to reevaluate how green your home really is.
Do you have a safe haven? Here are some questions to ask yourself based on Norwex’s Eco Quiz:
- Do you drink bottled water?
Approximately 1,500 bottles end up in landfills and the ocean – every second. Reducing your use of plastic bottles can help!
- Do you have typical cleaning products like all-purpose cleaners, window/glass cleaner, dishwashing liquid, or scouring paste under your kitchen or bathroom sinks?
Most household cleaning products contain toxic chemicals. Ditch them, along with the ammonia, bleach, etc., in favor of a Norwex Envirocloth, Window Cloth and good old H20 for your chemical-free cleaning needs. For stubborn stains and grime, Norwex offers products with ingredients that work but won’t harm you and the environment. Try our Blue Diamond All-in-One Bathroom Cleaner, Descaler or Cleaning Paste. Also, don’t forget that vinegar and baking soda are great non-toxic alternatives for cleaning anything from floors to grease stains on clothing!
- Do you use nonstick cookware?
Nonstick cookware may contain chemicals such as PFOAs and PTFEs. Both of these kinds of chemicals are used for stick and stain resistance, but they come at a price to your health. Choose cast-iron, stainless steel or glass/ceramic pans instead.
- Got canned goods in your pantry?
Most canned foods (including liquid baby formula) use a liner that contains BPA, a toxic chemical that can leach into the food. Use fresh or frozen whenever possible – no BPA, plus more nutrients!
- Do you use aerosol sprays and/or scented candles to freshen the air in your home?
Don’t. They may contain toxic chemicals like phthalates at very high levels. Use plants to filter your air, ventilate by opening a window, or use essential oils for natural fragrance. Enzyme-based Norwex Odor Eliminator is also a great way to freshen the air, naturally.
- Do you use name brand personal care products?
Check the ingredients in your body wash, toothpaste and shampoo for these big no-nos: parabens, phthalates, sulfates, triclosan, synthetic fragrances and synthetic dyes. Switch to greener formulas like Norwex Shower Gel, Body Lotion and Hand Cream.
- Do you use common laundry detergent?
Most well-known laundry detergent brands contain a lot of unnecessary fillers and fragrance. Look for biodegradable detergents free of fragrance and fillers, like Norwex Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent.
- What about dryer sheets?
Dryer sheets may contain some of the highest levels of phthalates of any product in your home — chemicals you and your family do not need to wear! Plus, after just one use they get thrown away to fill up the landfill. A better alternative is dryer balls. Norwex Fluff and Tumble Dryer Balls soften fabric, reduce static and drying time by up to 25 percent, plus you can add essential oils to them to fragrance your laundry naturally!
- Do you use bleach?
Bleach is highly toxic and because chlorine is a gas at room temperature, it’s also easy to inhale. Try making your own stain lifter or use Norwex Stain Remover — it’s biodegradable, non-toxic, and free of phosphates and other harsh chemicals.
- Is dusting your least favorite, and sometimes most neglected, chore?
Dust is more than a nuisance; it can be a health hazard. Dust attaches to the chemical particles found in your home. Take dusting to the next level by using the Norwex Dusting Mitt to safely and effectively lift dust off all surfaces. The Norwex Mop System safely and quickly removes dust and dirt from the floor, where babies and toddlers spend a lot of time. Also, consider putting an air purifier in your bedrooms to help ensure restful, chemical-free sleep.
- Do you use wet wipes?
The chemicals in some wet wipes can trigger skin allergies and other health problems. And flushing them down the toilet can clog pipes and sewers, creating tons of harmful waste. Opt for Norwex Travel Pack or Baby Body Pack along with our Reusable Wet Wipes bag instead.
If you answered “yes” to any of these Eco Quiz questions, you have the opportunity to celebrate this Earth Day by making some easy, green changes.
My best advice is to take it one step at a time:
- Look over the quiz questions, and choose a couple of habits to change right away.
- On Earth Day, make a pledge to ditch all of your harmful household products within a year. Here is a look at how you could fully “Norwex your home.” This month, we’re also celebrating Earth Day with a Pitch the Plastic special you shouldn’t miss.
- Plan now for Earth Day 2018, when you get to celebrate that you created a safe haven for your family by going green — with Norwex this year.
If you have already made the commitment to become more eco-friendly, Earth Day is a great time to take it a step further by joining Norwex as a consultant and helping others create their safe havens! Here are 10 reasons to join Norwex now — and some information about why my Go Green Team sales team is one of the best in the world.
To earn this gift, sign up with your Party Starter Kit and make $250 in sales by noon CDT on May 1.
The number one way that my family has reduced our waste (and chemical use!) is by switching to Norwex. By simply exchanging glass cleaner and paper towels with the EnviroCloth and Window Cloth, I have cut our paper towel use by 80% and have eliminated the need to clean with potentially toxic (and expensive) chemicals. The bonus? Norwex microfiber is so efficient at cleaning that I never miss my old products.
These are great tips, Pam! Thank you 🙂
I got a few of the norvex and the mirrors do not get clean they streak and leave a film you clean your sinks and kitchen ,then turn around and then clean your toilet and I have used the mop but doesn’t it need to be wet and wrinced out I am not sold on this product,i did go to a party and they just couldn’t convience me,i have afew ladies that want me to use the products and when I get done I do not feel the house is clean especially the floors, don’t know what to do sharon