Our Product Review - Bare Bones Bucket
Tools of the Trade
Brand Name: Norwex Enviro Products
Product Name: Spirisponge - antibacterial
Cost: $4.50 for 1 3x4 sponge pad
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Chemical-free Norwex
Tester: Patti and Tamey
Rating (out of 5): 4
Comments: Patti - OK – I have a tendency to burn things on the stove. It could be my multitasking nature or the distractions of 3 kids and dog while cooking dinner and thus I have gone through my share of pots. The famous SOS scouring pads are useful to help get charred bits off the pots but having tried this Spirisponge, I only use them now. I found it excellent for getting grit off pots, pans, countertops and the glass top stove. I plan to one to use in other parts of house.
Tamey - Great product. Use it in the kitchen for our glass top stove, works OK but like Patti food is always spilling! The Spirisponge also works really well in the sink - we have a stainless steel sink and at times there are rust marks and they come out very easily.
| Made of: “ pure 999 silver-coated sponge” |
Brand Name: Norwex Enviro Products
Product Name: Antibac Enviro Cloth
Cost: $15.50 for 1 cloth
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Chemical-free Norwex
Tester: Patti
Rating (out of 5): 4.0
Comments: Cleaning is a never ending chore and the concept of using a tool that didn't require any cleaning solutions was intriguing to me. The fabric technology is such that it lifts off dirt, grease and dust because the microfibers are formulated to penetrate and trap dirt. I ordered the red colour on so it wouldn't get lost amongst the grey colored rags in the rag box. I have used this cloth for mainly glass and found it does what it says – it cleans without any chemicals. Does it feel strange not spraying something first then wiping off to get that clean look - yes – but I'll get over it.
| Made of: “polyester and polyamide, spun into tiny wedge shaped strands, 100 times finer than a human hair.” |
Brand Name: US Jesco
Product Name: Micro Fiber Free Cloth
Cost: Came with the Micro Fiber Mop below
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Sears
Tester: Tamey
Rating (out of 5): 5.0
Comments: I love this cloth. I've been using it for over a year and it has changed the way I clean. Not that I don't use other products but the microfiber cloth is my staple. I use it to dust, clean the kitchen including the stainless steel fridge. It also cleans the bathroom and windows. The trick is to wet one end to clean and use the dry end after.
Brand Name: US Jesco
Product Name: Micro Fiber Mop
Cost: $40.00 (I think)
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Sears
Tester: Tamey
Rating (out of 5): 5.0
Comments: A wonderful product. With three kids 7 and under our floors always contain one surprise or another. The mop is easy to use and even cleans up caked on cereal when used wet. Can also be used as a floor duster.
Brand Name: Presidents Choice GREEN
Product Name: The Natural Vinegar
Cost: $2.49 for 4 litres
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it? Loblaws, Superstore
Tester: Patti
Rating (out of 5): 2.5 - for cleaning purposes
Comments: I was curious about the Green label on vinegar - and why it cost $1.00 more than the no-name brand. The label says that PC Green vinegar is "derived from grain spirits produced by the natural fermentation of sun-ripened grains". The vinegar is the diluted with natural spring water to an ideal strength (5% acetic acid) suitable for pickling, cooking or table use. Great, but I bought it for cleaning. Back to the plain old, no-name and cheaper vinegar for me - even if it is made from chemically synthesized spirits. Product of Canada.
| Ingredients: Ingredient: Acetic Acid (vinegar) |
Brand Name: President's Choice GREEN
Product Name: Baking Soda
Cost: $1.99 for 1 kg
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it? Loblaws, Superstore
Tester: Patti
Rating (out of 5): 5.0
Comments: It's a good scouring product for sure but not so sure if it's any different than regular baking soda. All kinds of baking soda are "green" in that it is a solid non-toxic choice and easy on the environment. Product of Canada.
| Ingredients: Ingredient: Sodium Bicarbonate |
Brand Name: Murphy's Oil Soap
Product Name: Pure Vegetable Oil All Purpose Cleaner
Cost: $4.49 for 950 ml
Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Hardware store, grocery stores
Tester: Patti
Rating (out of 5): 4.5
Comments: My mother has used this for years and years and it has been passed down to me. I like the fresh smell that is not too overpowering. We've used it for floors, woodwork, wood cabinets and other jobs. I don't mind the kids using this either, as it's not toxic. Although vegetable oil is one of the raw materials, it is processed into a natural soap.
Contains not ammonia, bleach and is non-abrasive.
| Ingredients: Water, Tall oil fatty acid, potassium, hydroxide, fragrance, cocamidopropyl hydroxysidtaine, triethanolamine, grain alcohol (denatured) fatty oil, D-Limonene (clear liquid from the peel of the orange), Five-fold Orange Oil & Biodegradable Surfactant (derived from coconut). |
