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Archive for Reviews

A cloth for every purpose

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 [...]

Bar Keepers Friend vs. Bon Ami

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 [...]

Brand loyalty

This week’s theme for Works for Me Wednesday (hosted by Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer) is brand loyalty. The question is what products and brand could you not live without? And we’ve got a few.
Vacuums: Oreck. Only the best. Fantastic filtration, great functionality, and lightweight too! What could be better? Oreck, we’ll never leave [...]

My best friend: lambs’ wool duster

Some dusters create static energy. They take away the dust for a moment, but the static attracts it back even quicker than before. Other dusters just kick it up into the air. Sure, your furniture looks nice afterwards, but ::achoo:: your air quality suffers. Those microfiber cloths are nice, but more appropriate for flat surfaces. [...]

More on hand sanitizers

We’ve talked about the dangers of alcohol-based hand sanitizers for children. But we’ve also talked recently about back-to-school germs. In the midst of all this, Germ-X sent me a new product to try that’s just showing up on shelves at Wal Mart. It’s an alcohol-free sanitizer with moisturizer, and it’s so new I can’t even [...]

All about Borax

What is this borax stuff we keep mentioning here at Broom Huggers? Borax is hard to figure out if you’re a traditional bleach/formula 409/amonia (etc., etc.) user. But once you get it, you’ll never stop using it!
What is it? Borax is a mineral, derived from sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, and/or disodium tetraborate. It is a [...]

Clorox Hard surface anywhere spray? Maybe not.

Clorox Hard Surface anywhere spray has been advertising all over the children’s networks lately. Their main marketing point is that it’s ’safe enough for anywhere’ with a baby eating in a high chair or crawling all over the floor.
So I wondered, what’s it all about? Could something made by Clorox be safe enough for my [...]

First step to natural cleaning?

I’ve checked out every book my library system has on ‘green cleaning’ and ‘green living.’ Each had its pros and cons – useful for some things, not so useful for others. But I just came across Green Clean by Linda Mason Hunter and Mikki Halpin. It’s your go-to book for most situations, filled with a [...]

Refreshing surprise

After 9 long hours on the road coming home from Florida, I was greeted by a gratifyingly heavy white box with the familiar red and blue of Priority Mail. It was sitting on the front doorstep, welcoming me home in all it’s simplicity. The moment I saw it my heart soared – I knew perfectly [...]

Make time for thyme

Thyme is used in worldwide cuisine for its earthy, aromatic, and slightly nutty flavor. No self-respecting cook would make Thanksgiving stuffing without it (or its most appropriate friend, sage). But did you know that it has a host of medicinal uses too? Historically, thyme has been used as a disinfectant, as well as an immune [...]