So, I presume you’re all done with your spring cleaning right? Wait… No?
Well if you haven’t started (and we’re almost mid way through Spring) then don’t feel bad. Neither have I, which is strange because I love cleaning… when I’m in the mood. I think maybe it is because I haven’t had the right goodies in my hands and I’m not up for making my own cleaning products quite yet. I’m trying my hand at making things slowly, and well… I’m sure I’ll get to the bicarb of soda/lemon juice/vinegar mix soon enough, but for now I’m going with local, trusted well known brands, such as Better Earth, a homegrown family company based in Muizenberg.
A while back I read a post by Wellness Mama stating that our homes are often our most toxic environments. It stuck with me.
Two experts Leslie Reichert, author of “Joy of Green Cleaning,” and Sara Snow, author of “Sara Snow’s Fresh Living,” share the reasons why people should make the switch to green cleaning products.
1. Healthier Home
If you go green, “No longer will there be chemicals absorbed into the skin or breathed in by the person cleaning,” Reichert says. Health benefits extend to family members who are no longer breathing in cleaners lingering in the air and sitting on surfaces. Studies have shown that using a household cleaning spray, even as little as once a week, raises the risk of developing asthma. Snow says that using green cleaning products can reduce the chances of developing asthma, which “today is the most common chronic illness and the leading cause of school absences due to chronic illness across the country.”
2. Purer Environment
When you use many cleaning products, “harmful chemicals are being released into the environment,” says Reichert. Not great for you and the people around you to breathe in. Changing to greener methods, “helps reduce pollution to our waterways and the air and it minimizes your impact on ozone depletion and global climate change with fewer smog-producing chemicals,” advises Snow. Many green products also use recyclable packaging which minimizes waste.
3. Safer Products
Conventional cleaning products pose risks such as chemical burns to the cleaner’s skin and eyes. Green cleaners aren’t corrosive and meet strict standards regarding inhalation toxicity, combustibility and skin absorption.
4. Better Air Quality
As with most people, Snow can’t stand the “stench of strong chemical odours.” Many green cleaning products — including store bought and ones you can make at home — include pleasant natural essential oils. Reichert even refers to cleaning with these products as her “aromatherapy.”
5. Less Expensive
“For home cleaning, vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, etc. can do the trick for pennies on the dollar, compared to buying conventional cleaning products,” Snow says. Why go out and buy products when you can use things you already have in your pantry?
As I said previously, I’m not at the point of making my own cleaning goodies yet (and I know many of you feel the same way) and I have zero conviction about it because there are a number of really good brands on the shelves that are not bank-breaking and which work really well.
Kerry, the brains behind Better Earth is a lover of all things natural – including what is safest for ourselves and our environment. “I’m passionate about making sure that what we use in our homes for cleaning has the least possible effect on water and the environment down the line.” Better Earth’s products are free of ethoxylated ingredients, sulphated surfactants, parabens, animal products, colourants and synthetic fragrance. The products are kept simple while still being effective, and are never tested on animals. Music to my ears.
Recently I tried out three of her popular products, the Better Earth Laundry Gel with Fabric Conditioner (Fairlady Consumer Awards Finalist 2012), Better Earth Bathroom and Toilet Cleaner (Fairlady Consumer Awards Finalist 2011) and the Better Earth Natural Cleaning Spray (a fantastic gentle cleaner you can use on just about anything).
I loved using these products. They smell amazing, are fresh, they look great and simply put – they are a fantastic (and necessary) addition to my home. I love that I can be confident knowing my kids can lick the syrup off the floor, suck the bovril drops off their clothing and that my now toilet-trained-toddler (can I hear an AMEN!) can safely touch, climb on and wiggle all over the toilet.
Keen to try these products in your home? I thought so. Well lucky for you, Better Earth and Our Greenish Life are giving each of them to one lucky reader! This prize is valued at over R200!
Enter here:
- Like Our Greenish Life on Facebook
- Share the competition on Facebook
- Tell us in the comments below: If you chose to go green with one cleaning product, which one would it be? (i.e Toilet and Bathroom/Dishashing Liquid etc.)
- Tag a friend for an extra entry.
Thanks for entering. Good Luck!
Contact Better Earth
Tel: +27 (0)72 662 2107
Fax: +27 (0)86 612 6911
email: info@betterearth.co.za
Terms and Conditions
The competition runs from Saturday 17 October – Monday 26 October 2015.
This competition is open to Cape Town residents only.
The winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via email.
Winner will be announced on the Our Greenish Life website and social media channels on Monday 26 October.
Featured Pic Credit: imgkid.com
THIS COMPETITION IS CLOSED. Congrats to Valerie Duffield Anderson who won this awesome compo.
Definitely the better earth, natural cleaning spray, sounds nice and versatile! Xx
All products!! Toilet cleaner is next on my list as i replace products one by one
I would use toilet cleaner to replace the current one I use
Dishwasher liquid as we eat off the crockery we clean with it!! 🙂
This is just what I’ve been looking for! I’d pick an All-Purpose Cleaning Spray 🙂
Definitely the cleaning spray, i have used it before and love it!!!!
What a great competition! I’d definitely start off with the dishwashing liquid – no more chemically residue!