I’ve been procrastinating — but it’s mid-August, and I can’t put off back-to-school shopping any longer.
Each summer, my kids’ schools send home a long list of what they’ll need for the year ahead. In addition to paper, pencils and PE gear, it always includes classroom clean-up supplies. I am never happy when I see the chemicals the schools want us to bring into the classroom, and I actually cringe when invariably, every single year, hand sanitizers and bleach wipes make the list.
I don’t want my, or anyone else’s, children to be exposed to harmful chemicals, especially not when I know there’s a better way!
Often, I start out the school year by gently introducing my children’s teachers to the benefits of Norwex, helping them to understand that with only water, and NO bleach, our microfibers are able to quickly and easily get rid of 99 percent of bacteria on classroom surfaces. In my experience, teachers are really receptive to ideas that are about the health and wellbeing of their students. They also care about the environment and are happy if by making a change in their classroom, they can reduce the amount of waste created by paper towels and disposable wipes.
Your alternative back-to-school kit
Of course, it’s challenging to go against the flow by refusing to bring in hand sanitizers and bleach wipes, or paper towels, for that matter. You may consider packing an alternative back-to-school kit wi
th Norwex products for your child, and explaining each item to the teacher.
Here are some suggestions for your child’s customized back-to-school kit:
Travel Pack — Just like the full-size EnviroCloth, the Travel Pack’s smaller version cleans safely, quickly and thoroughly to save time, money and the environment using only water! Kids can use it to safely and easily clean desks or any other surface. The Kids EnviroCloth also is a smaller version of the EnviroCloth and is available in bright, kid-friendly blue.
Body Pack — The Body Cloths can be used wet or dry to clean skin gently or thoroughly. It’s perfect for grubby hands! For the younger kids consider the Baby Body Pack which provides the same benefits but is a great size for little hands.
Reusable Wet Wipes Bag — Convenient, cost-effective and eco-friendly, this water-resistant, two-pocket bag is your reusable, on-the-go solution to carry personal use Norwex Microfiber Cloths, dry or wet, any time, anywhere.
Optic Scarf — With an assortment of pleasing desing options, the Optic scarf is great for polishing not only glasses, but laptop, tablet and smart phone screens.
Timeless Natural Hand Cleaner – Consider packing the travel-size tube of this convenient, moisturizing, natural hand sanitizing cream. Organic lemon, rosemary and lavender extracts have natural astringent qualities to thoroughly clean hands. Organic aloe vera, olive oil and gluten-free wheat germ oil 
extract help hydrate, nourish and condition the skin.
Micro Cleaning Hand Pad – This is a great additional tool for stubborn cleaning problems like crayon, marker and scuff marks.
Sportzyme — This is a must for teen lockers, especially when you have athletes with sports shoes and equipment bags. Sportzyme’s special bioactive formula contains dormant, nonpathogenic, fast-acting microbes and enzymes that break down and eliminate organic residues that cause odors.
There are so many great Norwex products that could be used to build the best school kit for your child. I have shared other ideas about how to help kids develop healthy cleaning habits at home and school. I also invite you to check out my online shop for more ideas, and to contact me with questions.
