Archive for the 'Reviews' Category

February 29, 2008 | Reviews, Broom Hugged, Cleaning products

We wrote a post about GreenWorks when it was first released, and most of our readers commented that they love it. We did have one complaint about the All-purpose cleaner, but the reader didn’t tell us how she used it or why she was disappointed. The word on the street is that it’s an awesome product - people seem to love it.

So, as promised I bought a bottle of it. And isn’t it pretty? (more…)

February 17, 2008 | Reviews, Company news, Broom Hugged, Cleaning products

There are so many great companies out there who make non-toxic, safe, environmentally-friendly cleaners. As a company, it’s always hard to weigh the pros and cons of each and make an informed decision about what to use. Until now we’ve been using Organic Excellence (whoops! There goes a trade secret), and we were quite happy with it. In fact, we’re still happy with it. It does a great job, it’s fully biodegradable, Green Seal approved, and it’s highly concentrated. All around, it’s a great product. But it lacks a ’sexy’ quality. And well, we are Broom Huggers, aren’t we? We want something affectionate. Something hot. And to meet that need, we found Shaklee!

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January 24, 2008 | Reviews, Cleaning products, Shopping, News

SC Johnson has come up with a new ‘green’ rating system for their own products. Just days after Clorox rolled out their GreenWorks line, SC Johnson is responding with their “Greenlist.” Some of their products, including Windex, Pledge, Fantastik Orange Action, and Toilet Duck will have the Greenlist label slapped on the front. (more…)

January 17, 2008 | Reviews, Broom Hugged, Cleaning products

Clorox, the famed makers of bleach and 17% of the cleaning chemicals listed as “most toxic” by Women’s Voices for the Earth (an environmental health and justice organization), just released their “Green Works” brand.

This is the first product launch of this type by a major consumer brand, and it’s Clorox’s first new brand launch in 20 years. They’re doing it right though.

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January 2, 2008 | Reviews, Laundry, Cleaning tips

It’s been a month or two since I’ve participated in this, but I’m back to doing the weekly Works For Me Wednesday bloggy tip of the week, hosted at Rocks in My Dryer. If you’re not familiar with this, I encourage you to go over and check out the Mr. Linky posted there - you’ll find some awesome tips from the bloggy world!

Are you sick of those darn dryer sheets? The chemicals, the unnecessary scents (aren’t even the unscented ones slightly scented? Or maybe I’m buying the wrong brand…), the continuous expense of replacing box after box… And they all end up in the landfill anyway.

Well, dryer sheets begone! I got some of these for Christmas, and I love them! Goodbye dryer sheets! Forever!

They’re reusable. They soften my clothes. They get rid of static cling. They reduce drying time, making your dryer more efficient. The reduce wrinkles so your clothes are easier to iron. They’re chemical free! They’re hypoallergenic! What could be better?

You can get a pair here for $19.99 (plus S&H) - think, no more dryer sheets to buy - ever! Better yet, search for “dryer balls” at Amazon. You’ll get several varieties, all with reviews, and priced considerably lower than Nellie’s. I’m all for frugal, but even more for Christmas gifting!

I don’t know why anyone would want to stick with dryer sheets when these are out there! I’ll never go back to dryer sheets. That’s what works for me. Head over to Shannon’s place for more helpful tips.

December 20, 2007 | Reviews, Broom Hugged, Health, Cleaning products

I was so excited when earlier this month I walked into Target and saw that Method had their new holiday scents out! I use a lot of Method products at my house so already knowing what the company stands stands for I grabbed up my favorite holiday scent, cinnamon bark, and waltzed out with dreams of a beautifully clean and fragrant household. (more…)

November 17, 2007 | Reviews, Bathroom, Cleaning products

The Green Guide, published by National Geographic, has a guide to bathroom cleaners in their weekly edition. It’s highly worthwhile reading, rating a variety of greener cleaners and also giving information about worst offenders in terms of ingredients.

So if you’re in the market, or just wanting a good starting place for more information, go check it out.

October 22, 2007 | Reviews, Broom Hugged, Cleaning products

The great people over at Barefoot Home Essentials sent us an introduction set of products to try out. Try we did, and love we do. They have all-natural all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, disinfecting spray, and room freshener. How do we love thee? Let me count the ways…

The all-purpose cleaner has something we’ve never found in any other cleaner: cinnamon! The scent is amazing. It makes me want to clean more. And more. And more. Somebody stop me. It really is an all-purpose go-to cleaner. I’ve used it to remove scuffs from my tile, dried on food from the wood table (thanks to toddler food-painting), washable crayon off the wall, and clean the toilets and countertops too. The one thing it couldn’t handle was the soap scum on the shower door, but I wouldn’t typically use an all-purpose for that anyway (vinegar and salt work best on soap scum).

The glass cleaner makes my mirrors shine, streak-free, and smells lovely. I’ve also used it as an all-purpose in a pinch, and it does a great job on the counters and stainless sink.

But let me tell you, the disinfectant spray makes my dreams come true, especially this time of year. My family has been passing some awful germs around, including bronchitis and pneumonia. The disinfectant spray is gentle enough to use on the toys in the playroom, and helps me rid our home of germy-germs. I spray it on the light switches, door knobs, playroom, kids’ rooms, faucets - and no wiping necessary. I love this stuff.

And the lavender room spray is just what I need before guests arrive. Yes, I just wrote a post against perfumes for your home, but this is different. This is lavender. It eases headaches and stress. It disinfects. It stimulates your immune system. It relaxes. It’s all-natural. It’s heaven in a bottle.

Do you know what I like best about this company? Barefoot Home Essentials is family-run. And their priorities and values are much the same as mine. They promote health. They build their business around their family, not vice versa. They believe in safe, all-natural products that are family friendly. They stand behind their product.

So. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Go straight to Barefoot Home Essentials and get yourself some of this stuff! You will not be disappointed. I promise.

And, the folks over there are just so wonderful. They’re offering - to Broom Huggers readers alone - buy 3 get 1 free! Just mention Broom Huggers sent you. You can’t beat that! Go ahead, buy yourself a full set. Your home deserves it. And international readers? They ship international too! Of course you’ll have to pay a wee extra for the all the extra miles it’s going to travel, but when you’re buying 3 and getting 1 free, it’s so worth it. Do you realize that’s 25% off? Wow, people!

September 11, 2007 | Reviews, Broom Hugged, Cleaning products, Shopping

We had a recent question emailed to us about microfiber cloths that I want to share.

Q: I noticed that Method has 4 different types of microfiber cloths. Are they actually specialized or can you just get one and be done with it?

A: In fact, you can find those same 4 microfiber cloths branded by several different company in different places, and so far the prices I’ve seen at Target for them are the best.

I can’t give you the scientific lowdown on it, but the one for glass is most definitely worth it. You can upkeep your mirrors and windows without any spray (unless there’s toothpaste or something) - spray will make it easier if there are a lot of spots, but the glass cloth is most certainly worth its weight in gold. And none of the others do the same job on glass.

The one for dusting does a better job at dusting than the others. It has a different weave on one side, and it catches the dust well. With a little furniture polish it gives a nice finish.

As for the other two, one is for kitchen and bath, and I don’t remember what the other is for, but I found them to be virtually interchangeable.

In short, the 4 are different, and the glass alone makes it worthwhile. I end up washing the kitchen and bath one most frequently, because when cleaning the kitchen and bath the cloth needs to be washed after (you can imagine why). But the one for dusting is probably my most frequently used - daily, or at least every other day to dust something or other.

September 7, 2007 | Reviews, Broom Hugged, Cleaning products

2 well known mild abrasives. Both natural. In my mind, they do about the same job of cleaning up. Sure, Bar Keeper’s Friend cuts grease a bit better, but Bon Ami rinses easier and leaves less residue. Otherwise, they’re pretty close when it comes to performance. But what about health? After all, here at Broom Huggers we’re all about health. That’s the whole focus of our green and natural maid service. So here’s the lowdown.

Bar Keeper’s Friend’s active ingredient is Oxalic Acid. It’s found in nature all over the place (in small quantities) and even occurs naturally in some foods we eat, like nuts, chocolate, rhubarb, poppy seeds, and more. In trace amounts in food, it’s harmless to healthy people. When processed for use in cleaning products, it can be related to breathing difficulties, skin irritation and skin burn, severe eye irritation (don’t use it to clean your contacts), and convulsions, nausea, and shock if ingested. If you compare it to something like Comet, Bar Keeper’s Friend is pretty darn friendly.

The problem is, compare it to Bon Ami and Bar Keepers Friend comes up short. Bon Ami’s active ingredients are Feldspar, Calcium Carbonate, and Sodium Carbonate. All of these occur naturally, and none of them are associate with any severe health irritation. Sure, if you take a bath in it your skin won’t be too happy. And if you decide to use it as flour in your next batch of bread you’ll probably end up with a tummy ache. But all in all, it’s safer than Bar Keeper’s Friend.

You’ll find Bon Ami under my sink, though I wouldn’t be opposed to using Bar Keeper’s Friend in a pinch.