FYI: articles about Norwex products

Norwex Mop System

How effective is the Norwex Mop System at removing bacteria from floor surfaces that other reusable mops? How economical are they compared to mops requiring disposable pads? How do we reduce waste and save money every time we clean our floors?

The Norwex Mop System is an efficient and lightweight tool which makes quick work of cleaning floors, turning a previously heavy-duty, time consuming job into light and quick work! Forget those buckets of water to fill, lift and dump and no more heavy mops to wring out. Make quick work of prepping walls for paint or just to clean them faster and more easily. Similar in effort to using a disposable mop, the Norwex mop system is far more economical…and no chemicals are used! There is no greener way to clean floors!

The University of California Davis Medical Center found that the lifetime cost of using microfiber mops was 60% less than traditional ways. Chemical costs associated with mopping were reduced by 95% and 20% in work effort was saved each day of use. These tests also showed that microfiber was able to penetrate surface pores and remove dust better than traditional mops. Surface bacteria were reduced by 30% with traditional wet mops while microfiber reduced bacteria by 99.9%!(Source: Norwex Enviro Products)

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Silver Care Toothbrushes - soft is just fine!

The primary reason the Norwex Toothbrush is so effective is because of the silver-plating on the toothbrush head and not because of the bristles. It is the silver that is the major benefit. Lab testing conducted by the manufacturer and by independent labs has conclusively shown time and again, that the head of the Silver Care toothbrush carries a much reduced bacterial load because of the silver-plating. The difference in bacterial loads of the Silver Care brush and a regular brush is not too noteworthy after 3 hours, but between 3 – 6 hours, the microbial load on the Silver Care toothbrush drops dramatically – resulting in a much cleaner brush the next time it is used. This means that we can remove more of the bacteria from our mouths that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Because harder bristles are known to potentially damage tooth enamel and can be irritating/damaging for the gums, dentists and hygienists will always recommend a soft bristled brush. If people do choose the medium toothbrush, running it under hot water prior to use can help to soften the bristles somewhat.
o, being aware of what is in the products we use on our skin and hair is vital to our physical health. Information is power! With information we can make informed decisions that will affect our lives for years to come. (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)

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Winter Dry-Skin Blues

Winter and dry skin may seem inseparable…Humidity is down, you’re living in artificial indoor heat, and the harsh outdoor elements ravage your skin so it shows early signs of aging – even if you’re hardly ever outdoors.

How will you try to conquer winter’s dry skin this year?

If you’re like most people, you’ll slather on loads of hand, face, and body cream, and various other skin care products, in a valiant effort to moisturize your skin.

Five Tips to Make You Quit Singing the “Winter Dry-Skin Blues”Is smooth skin a hopeless goal for your winter? Not really. These five strategies can help…

• Hydrate your entire system with lots of water and high anti-oxidant green tea. During winter there’s a tendency not to drink as much due to cool temperatures. You may want to bring your water to room temperature to encourage drinking more.
• Eat a healthy diet of mostly raw foods, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids which produce a hydrating effect from the inside out, and antioxidants which help fight signs of aging.
• Take a revitalizing bath – in warm water, not hot! Enriched in Dead Sea salts, the Norwex Olive Oil Salt Scrub contains grains that remove dead skin cells, giving skin a smooth look and velvet touch. The essential oil inspires a lingering sense of ease and relaxation. Hot water is damaging to your skin, so stick with warm water.
• Wear gloves when you go outside. Sure, you’re ‘just’ running from your car to your office, but gloves will help protect your hands from winter’s ravages. It doesn’t take long to “freeze dry” your hands. Use the Norwex Enriched Hand Cream to sooth rough, chapped hands. If you need something stronger, try the Shea Butter which a superb moisturizer for the skin.
• Moisturize daily with non-clogging organic moisturizers such as Norwex’s Day and Night Cream and Body Lotion. These nourish your skin instead of clogging it, leaving your skin feeling velvety soft, and helping to maintain skin smoothness and elasticity.

It’s especially important to cleanse and moisturize before you go to bed at night, to remove impurities from your skin before your revitalizing sleep time. Just be sure your moisturizer isn’t tainted with toxins.
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Olive Oil Salt Scrub

Who would have thought that such a simple product could do so much?! With only Dead Sea salt, organic olive oil, organic orange peel oil, organic lemon oil and a tiny bit of vitamin E, this product really packs a punch! Note that most other products similar to this do not contain 100% Dead Sea salt. Many may also contain mineral oils and synthetic colors and fragrances.

The Norwex Olive Oil Salt Scrub provides effective, soothing relief for dry, rough skin on hands, elbows, knees and feet. It’s also useful when applied to the back of the arms, back, chest...or wherever dry, itchy skin needs relief, even for eczema and psoriasis. Add to bath water for a soothing soak. (Source: Norwex Science & Technical Advisor)
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Antibacterial Soaps

Did you know that it is not a good idea to use antibacterial soaps? Antibacterial agents, while not directly harmful to you, contribute to the growing problem we face when bacteria mutate to strains that are more drug-resistant.

The Norwex Antibacterial Cloths do not contribute to this problem, because they do not cause the bacteria to mutate into drug-resistant strains. Instead, the cloths pick up the bacteria, viruses etc. so you can rinse them down the drain. The silver agent present in the cloths suffocates any bacteria or viruses that remain in the cloths. (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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The Scoop on SLES

Sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) is a surfactant/detergent used in many products, including our foaming Hand Soap, Shampoo, Body Wash, Descaler, Sanira Solution etc. It is highly effective and highly biodegradable.

You should be aware that "The Web" is full of misinformation on this ingredient. There has been a lot of testing and the only validated issue with it is that it can be a skin irritant - although it is less irritating that its cousin SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate).

Norwex does use a relatively low concentration of SLES in our personal care products and on the upside we add wonderful skin-nourishing emollients such as shea butter and calendula - so our products result in less potential for a negative reaction. (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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Cold and Flu Season!

September is underway and the cold and flu season is here. What would it mean to you if you could protect your family from the germs and viruses flying around?

When you clean your home with the Norwex products, you effectively remove all viruses and bacteria from the surface being cleaned. No, this not will stop you from getting sick, but it will help reduce the spread of germs.  

When you use the Norwex cleaning system along with good nutrition, getting enough rest and hand washing, you do reduce your chances of getting ill. Hand washing with soap and water is one of the best defenses against illness, and you do not have to pay for the expensive antibacterial soaps either. 

If someone in your family does get sick, mix up a solution using the Sanira Toilet Brush Solution.

It is a vegetable based, non poisonous disinfectant, which you mix 1 part solution to 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Use on surfaces that are difficult to disinfect. (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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Bio Films Are Everywhere!

Bacteria are often thought of as solitary organisms, but in nature, the majority of microorganisms actually live together in larger numbers attached to a surface that is referred to as a “biofilm”. A mature bio film can be quite complex - have layers, clumps and ridges or micro colonies can be arranged into stalks or mushroom-like formations. The organisms in bio film may be a single species or there may be a diverse group of microbes distributed in various regions of the bio film. Surrounding them is a matrix made up of sugars, DNA, and proteins, which are often (scientifically) referred to as slime – this helps them adhere to the surface and also offers protection from environmental stressors.

Dental plaque is a bio film on our teeth (Norwex has the Silvercare Toothbrush). Bio film on our fruits and vegetables can be effectively removed with Norwex Fresh Wash. Simply soak in a dilution of 5 sprays/cup for a couple of minutes, and for maximum benefit, follow with a wipe of a microfiber cloth (TIP - choose one color from the Antibac Kitchen Pack for this purpose). (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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DeScaler

The Nowex DeScaler has been reformulated. It is now made entirely of natural ingredients, formed from bacteria found in our very own bodies. There are no synthetic colors or dyes, which means that it is more biodegradable and is better for our long-term health and the health of the environment. It does an amazing job even though it is not pretty to look at.

Use the new DeScaler by misting it on the damp surface and wiping it within 1 to 2 minutes with a damp Enviro Cloth. If more scrubbing is needed you may use a Spirisponge. Do not leave on the surface more than 5 minutes as it can dry or even temporarily stain the surface. To fix this, just spray more on, wait a few seconds and wipe. You will use much less of this version, which means the DeScaler will last longer.

In true Norwex fashion, we found product that is far more effective and one that is an even better choice for the environment.
Please remember that even if a product is natural, some people may still be sensitive to it. (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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Dryer Balls

Lately, a number of questions and concerns have been raised regarding the Dryer Balls. Most of these are related to the release of toxins during their use. To clarify, dioxins would only be released from the Dryer Balls if they were to catch fire, not an issue under regular use conditions. They are made of PVC plastic which contains phthalates. These ingredients added to plastics to soften them and they can leach out in water, especially under high heat. This is a problem if you are drinking the contaminated water. In the dryer, such leaching is unlikely to occur to any appreciable degree and certainly we are not drinking the water the dryer balls are contacting. The amount of residue, if any, they would leave on clothing is exceptionally small.

One study done on the absorption of phthalates into human skin found that, even when added as a concentrated liquid directly onto the skin, very little penetrated – the skin is largely impermeable to them. Certainly, Dryer Balls are dramatically better than other products used to soften clothing and reduce static, which leaves a lot of chemical residue in the fabric!

For those presently using dryer sheets or fabric softener, the Dryer Balls would dramatically reduce their exposure to chemicals that are far worse and more likely to affect them. In addition, the Dryer Balls reduce energy consumption. There is some environmental cost, as there is with all human activities, yet the cost of the manufacture and lifetime use of this product would be dramatically less than that of using fabric softener or dryer sheets. They have a thumbs-up on user and environmental friendliness over their lifetime. (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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Norwex Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent

Norwex Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent is a superior, stain-removing detergent that has many advantages besides being biodegradable.

Our laundry detergent dissolves easily in water, does not contain fillers and does not leave soap residue on clothing. Many laundry detergents contain fillers that are trapped in the fibers of your clothes, causing clothes to wear out faster. Excess soap residue attracts dirt more easily and can cause dirt buildup, sometimes making clothes harder to get clean.

Ultra Power Plus does not contain any perfumes, making it gentler to sensitive skin and safer for all ages, from newborn to the elderly.

Norwex Ultra Power Plus is also economical. A Canadian comparison done with store purchased detergent had the following results:
 Powdered Tide did 40 loads @ $.20 per load
 Liquid Tide did 30 loads @ $.27 per load
 Powdered Ultra Power Plus did 140 loads @ $.17 per load   (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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Mattress Spray

Norwex Mattress Spray contains the dormant or resting stage of live bacteria. When they find a food source, and other growing conditions are right, the bacteria become active, producing enzymes (a type of protein) that break down accumulated dist mites, dust mite fecal matter, pet dander, dead skin cells, or any organic matter, which causes unpleasant odors, allowing this matter to be consumed. They will continue to consume this material until all organic matter is removed, converting it into carbon dioxide and water. Once there is nothing left for them to feed on, the bacteria disintegrate.

The spray is safe for children and pets because there is nothing in it different from what is around us on a daily basis. We are surrounded by a micro-world of bacteria and other microbes that keep each other in balance, and this same micro world exists on our skin, in our mouth, and throughout our body.

Although the Mattress Spray does not contain acids, alkalis, or solvents, it is important to use this product correctly – 12 sprays for a queen size bed, 6 sprays for a twin, 1-2 sprays per pillow. Use between three times per year (non-allergic home) and 6 times per year (a home where dust mite allergies or asthma are present) – and leave to dry. If too much product is used (more than the mattress can absorb), it is possible that an allergy sensitive person will react.

The Mattress Cleaner has a two-year shelf life; and should be stored closed in a cool place. (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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Organic Skin Care

Why Choose Organic Skin Care?

The skin is our body's largest organ and protects us from the environment. While it is not true that everything we put on our skin enters into it, many things do. Here are some reasons why we should choose organic plant-based products for our skin:• There is evidence that a number of synthetic ingredients may be contaminated with carcinogens;

• Plant extracts obtained from plants not grown organically may be contaminated with pesticides;
• Many synthetics, especially various substances used for fragrance and preservatives can be irritating and allergenic;
• Many products are preserved with parabens – there is quite a bit of evidence indicating that parabens are absorbed through the skin and they were    found to accumulate in beast cancer tumors (this doesn't say the caused the cancer, but it really doesn't look very good for them!);
• If not preserved with parabens, the next greatest preservative agents used are formaldehyde releasers such at DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl     urea, diozolidinyl urea, quaternium -15, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol, tris (hydroxymethyl) nitromethane,and hydroxymethyl glycinate (personally, I hardly agree with preserving our bodies AFTER they are dead, so I am in no hurry to get a head start!);
• Organic cultivation protects not only the people using the product and the environment at the point of end use, but also protects the environment where the ingredients are grown and the people growing, harvesting and processing those ingredients;
• In many respects, using all natural ingredients also helps to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels-many synthetics are based on components derived from petroleum; and
• Many are simply of the opinion that nature does it best! (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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Chlorine

Chlorine levels in a common swimming pool range from about 1.5 to 1ppm. These levels were shown to affect lung capacity in athletes with no history of lung ailment, who were exercising within or near the pool. The incidence of respiratory trouble was just under 20% at 0.5 ppm, but was over 60% at 1 ppm.

Chlorine concentrations recommended for cleaning/disinfecting daycares are between 500 – 1000 ppm (approximately 1000 times higher than swimming pool water).

Bleach (chlorine as sodium hypochlorite) is so highly reactive, that it pretty much instantly react with substances that it comes into contact with. That is why it is so effective at killing absolutely everything. When it is combined with organic matter, it forms organochlorine substances – many of which can be carcinogenic.

A recent study (Odabasi, 2008) on products that contain bleach together with other ingredients, has revealed that bleach can react with soaps, fragrances or other ingredients within the bottle to produce high levels of carbon tetrachloride and chloroform and lesser amounts of 1,1-dichloroethene, 1.1-dichloroethane, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform.

The FDA has banned carbon tetrachloride in all residential products, as they find it to be so hazardous that no warning label could adequately protect the householder. Carbon tetrachloride is also a probable human carcinogen, an ozone depleting substance, and a powerful greenhouse gas.

Moral of the story - bleach should be avoided if possible and should NEVER be mixed with any products other than water.  (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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Possible nut oil allergies

NOTICE: Please be advised that the following new organic products contain Macadamia nut oil: Organic Day Cream, Organic Night Cream, Organic Lifting Serum and Organic Hand Cream, and that our Organic Body Lotion contains both Macadamia nut and Sweet almond oils.

Is this a problem? It MAY be a problem for those with peanut and/or tree nut allergies (approximately 1.1% of the population). These allergies can be quite severe and, while the majority of serious reactions are from eating nut products with high levels of nut protein, the organic unrefined oils in our products may still contain a little of the allergenic proteins and could therefore result in a reaction. Because people with peanut or tree nut allergies may become sensitized to other tree nuts, (such as macadamia or almond) we do not recommend these products for those with either peanut or tree nut allergies. However, for the remaining 99% of the population, we are offering them the finest skin care ingredients nature has to offer.

Why? These are incredible ingredients which work to soothe, nourish, and soften the skin. Macadamia nut oil is the richest natural plant source of palmitoleic acid, which very closely resembles our own sebum (the oil naturally produced by our skin for protection). Please note, people can be allergic to anything, and there are far more issues with synthetic cosmetic ingredients than there are with organic nut oil. Also note that ALL ingredients are listed on our products.  (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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The New Norwex Organic Line

There are many definitions and criteria used to define natural and organic products and the use of the term "organic" on personal care labels is not regulated in the same way as it is for foods. This can make it difficult for consumers to identify truly organic personal care products. This is one reason why all of our new personal care products are not simply labeled natural or organic, but are actually ECOCERT certified organic. ECOCERT is considered to be the most important organization in Europe in setting the criteria for natural and organic cosmetics – their requirements for an organic product are as follows:

• a minimum of 10% of the total ingredients must be certified organic;
• at least 95% of the ingredients must be of vegetable/plant origin; and
• while the product may contain a maximum of 5% synthetic ingredients, none of these must be included on the negative list.

ECOCERT's negative list includes:

• mineral oil and silicon
• synthetic emulsifiers like PEG (polyethylene glycol);
• viscosity controlling agents like carbomer;
• preservatives such as formaldehyde releasers, parabens, or phenoxyethanol;
• synthetic perfumes;
• synthetic dyes; and
• synthetic solvents like propylene glycol.,

In addition, the Swiss plant extracts used in our products are also certified organic by Bio Suisse. Bio Suisse is an association of more than 30 organic farming organizations and about 6300 farms engaging in organic production in Switzerland and Liechtenstein . The Bio Suisse quality seal is by far the most important seal for organic products in Switzerland and Bio Suisse requirements are far stricter than even those of the European Union.  (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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Aloe Vera

Legendary for thousands of years as the ultimate treatment for minor burns, cuts, scrapes, and sunburn, Aloe Vera provides the skin with countless benefits. Norwex uses only 100% stabilized pure Aloe Vera gel in our Face and Neck Gel. Some commercial products include the rind of the Aloe Vera leaf that has essentially no nutritional value and is little more than useless ‘filler’. Norwex Face and Neck Gel is also carefully packaged so that light and oxygen, (both of which break down the beneficial properties of Aloe Vera) are blocked from the aloe gel contents.

Our product is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and is fortified with the finest ingredients to provide optimum conditioning and glow. Our unique product has a well-known humectant and other moisturizing ingredients that condition the skin. The unique formula allows it to be used on hands, neck and face (can be used under makeup), and yet is still gentle enough for use around eyes. The penetrating power of Aloe Vera soothes dry, chapped, or damaged skin and helps keep or regain that soft, smooth skin you were born with!  (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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Difference Between Norwex Microfiber and Others

People often ask what the difference is between Norwex Microfiber Cloths and the ones you can by elsewhere for a fraction of the price. Quality is the biggest difference. Norwex Microfiber is the perfect blend of polyester and polyamide. The fibers are 1/100th the size of a strand of human hair, and 2.9 million meters of microfiber is used to make one small Enviro Cloth. When this high quality Microfiber is combined with the right knitting process, it creates an extremely effective cleaning cloth that has the ability to hold up to seven time its weight in water. Unlike many other cloths that smear dirt across the surface being cleaned, our Microfiber cloths act like bionic sponges, removing the dirt and bacteria to leave a clean, highly polished surface.

A comparative example is the thread count of bed sheets. A thread count of 180 is a nice set of sheets; however, 600 thread count sheets are higher quality, feeling softer and lasting longer than sheets with a lower thread count. A good test for the amount of microfiber in a cloth, and consequently the cloth quality, is a stretch test - the easier a microfiber cloth stretches the less the actual microfiber in the cloth. Norwex cloths have very little stretch.

Norwex Microfiber has antibacterial properties which makes our cloths one of the most innovative products in the industry! This unique technology imbeds a silver-based agent inside each microfiber strand that results in germ killing, ionic activity. In independent testing, Norwex Antibac Microfiber has been proven to be effective against strains of pathogenic bacteria, yeast and viruses. And, the Norwex Microfiber has a 2 year warranty. (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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Microfiber Fixes!

The silver-based agent used in our cloths is based on micro, not nano, technology. The agent is physically embedded into the cloth to prevent it from leaching out during repeated use or washing. When microbes come into contact with this agent they die quickly, and there is a measured 99.9% reduction in microbes after 24 hours (although the agent is working well before then to destroy bacteria) leaving the cloth fresh and clean after washing.

If ANY cloths, however, develop an odor, this could be due to a resistant group of organisms, or perhaps soap/oil residue preventing organisms from coming into direct contact with the silver agent. Either way, to further help remove embedded residue, the remedy is the same - boil the cloth in a pot on the stove for 10 minutes in enough water to cover. Add a little Norwex Dishwashing Liquid or Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent to the water, this will effectively deep clean the cloth, removing the residue (grease/dirt/microbes) that may be trapped within. You now have a "fresh" cloth that is ready for use.

When cleaning with Norwex cloths, do not use any oils or oil-based cleaners - water is REALLY all that it takes! (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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The Future is Green!

In many locations, residential pollution plays a significant role in the health of local water bodies. Many treatment plants are simply not equipped to handle the array of cleaning chemicals, personal care products, and drugs that we throw (or rather flush) on a daily basis. The good news is - because we are, at least in part, at the source of environmental problems, we have the power to really make a difference thorough our daily actions.

Doing the majority of our cleaning with Norwex cleaning products and using only water, is part of a pollution prevention strategy. Not only do we reduce the use of chemicals, which is much better for our health, and indoor air quality, and the environment, but we also help to reduce the production and disposal of single use chemical containers. While there are many existing and up-and-coming "green" cleaning products available, there can be no greener way to clean than using a highly durable and reusable product and water! (Source: Norwex Enviro Products)
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