Review and Giveaway: Simple Green Naturals

August 30, 2010 64 Comments

My green cleaning power overflowith.

Thanks to Simple Green Naturals my home is not only clean, but in an earth-friendly way.  Simple Green’s newest line of cleaners, Naturals, are “100% naturally derived, with ingredients originating from nature: chicory, coconut, corn, palm, naturally occurring minerals, salt and sugar, and water. Nothing else.”

And they clean just as well, if not better, than the Simple Green original cleaner we know and love.

Simple Green Naturals provided me with 7 different products: Carpet Care, Multi-Surface Care, Bathroom Cleaner, Glass and Surface Care, Floor Care, Dish Washing Liquid, and Liquid Hand Soap.   They were all great!!  Many have a “foam” setting on the spray nozzle, too!



Naturals are safer, effective products that offer:
• 100% natural ingredient sources
• Biodegradable formulations
• Full ingredient disclosure
• International scientifically-accepted ingredient names
• Naturals scents are IFRA compliant and made of 100% natural essential oils & plant extracts.
• 100% recyclable PETE plastic bottles with 25%+ post-consumer content, printed with soy inks
• Natural Versus Naturally Derived
• No animal testing
• Non-toxic formulations

You can win Simple Green naturals!
What you will win:
A Simple Green Naturals Kit including 7 full-sized cleaning products 
(pictured above.)

Here’s how to enter the giveaway:
Mandatory Entry:  Comment below telling me why you want to win Simple Green Naturals Cleaners.
(**You must do the first entry first to qualify for bonus entries. Please leave a comment for each entry! If it says 3 entries then leave 3 entries! You must be 18 years old! No PO Box addresses will be accepted! Please make sure you leave an e-mail address or have it in your profile! If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask!** )
Bonus Entries
1. Follow my blog publicly with Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
2. Like me on Facebook (1 entry)
3. Subscribe by email located on left sidebar to my blog (1 entry)
4. Add my button to your blog or add me to your blogroll (2 entries each)
5. Blog about this giveaway. Leave me link. (3 entries)
6. Follow @CrowndVic* on Twitter and tweet** this giveaway (1 entry/tweet)
*Tweets protected.  I will approve you as long as you’re not a bot.
**Anything appropriate w/URL or something like:  “I want to clean green with @SimpleGreenNews and @CrowndVic #giveaway http://ow.ly/2wCNB “
7. Follow @SimpleGreenNews on Twitter (1 entry)
8. Like Simple Green on Facebook  (1 entry)
9.  Vote for this blog*** (Crowning Victoria) for Weddzilla’s Blog Guru award! (1 entry)
***Must be a new vote if voted previously.  Scroll through pages to find my button. Click arrow to vote.


Giveaway will end on 9/24/10 (my birthday!) at 11 PM EST.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be e-mailed. The winner has 48 hrs. to respond to my e-mail or another winner will be chosen. I will announce the winner on my blog.
Open to US only.
{photo 1: Yours Truly, Me}   {photo 2: source}
Disclaimer: These opinions are 100% my own.  Simple Green provided me with full-sized bottles of their products for the purpose of this review and giveaway.
Filed Under: GiveAway, green, review

Green Bride Review: Organic Excellence

August 8, 2010 Leave a Comment

Did you know that chemical companies are not required to conduct safety tests for toxicity?  Did you know that many of these chemicals are including in our everyday products?

Daily we expose our bodies to chemicals in the environment surrounding us.  While avoiding car exhaust and trace amounts of pollutants in tap water might not be totally possible, you can avoid absorbing parabens, petrochemicals, and phthalates by choosing the right body care product from Organic Excellence.  Your skin is your body’s largest organ, absorbing many chemicals into the bloodstream simply by the products we place on it.

According to Organic Excellence’s site:

“The Environmental Protection Agency has identified hundreds of chemical ingredients in personal care products alone. Over 51 commonly used chemicals have been determined to be “endocrine disruptors.” Also known as Xenohormones, these synthetic and natural compounds mimic hormones in the endocrine systems of both humans and animals.” 
You can avoid placing unknown and unnecessary chemicals into your body by simply reading the label.   Take Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate for example, a harsh, toxic sudsing agent.  One purpose is to provide the lather and the soapy quality we expect when using shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.  However, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate is a corrosive agent containing low levels of carcinogens. {source} While the FDA monitors the use and effects of Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate in individual bottles/uses, imagine having this chemical in every body care product you own.
I’ll stop scaring you now. 
Organic Excellence‘s products boast 100% chemical free products.  
I received full-sized bottles (16oz) of Organic Excellence’s Wild Mint Shampoo and Wild Mint Conditioner to review.
“The ingredients in these products are formulated to add body and luster while preventing split ends and hair loss, and promoting growth.  Special ingredients also help to protect from sun damage and environmental pollution.” 
Let me tell you, both the shampoo and conditioner are LOVELY!  The mint scent really perks your senses and gets you going in the morning.  At first I was skeptical about the lack of sudsing, but then remembered this is because there are no sodium laurel sulftaes.  The shampoo still does get foamy, just not super sudsy.  It works well and does a great job, leaving your  hair clean and chemical free.  The conditioner works just as well – and the scent is the same.  After a week of using both products my hair feels great.  There’s no waxy build up and they both rinse clean, easily.   I cannot tell a difference between my previous shampoo/conditioner and Organic Excellence, aside from my hair actually feeling lighter.
For only $15.95 each, this price compares well with other “salon quality” hair care products!
I’m sold!
Organic Excellence also sent me sample sizes of their shampoo and conditioner, as well as their Spearmint Bodywash.  Again, the light mint scent graces this product as it cleans without chemicals.  I was also lucky  to receive sample sizes of their Joint Pain Therapy and Inflamation Relief Therapy, which I used on my neck just yesterday.  These are lovely because they don’t wreak of chemicals or metals, and work to soothe muscles and joints.  Samples of their Skin Renewal Therapy and Anti-Aging Therapy were lovely treats for my face!

I highly recommend Organic Excellence’s products to you.  Their high quality and competitive price are mere details next to the steps taken towards protecting your body.  

“Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a licensed medical doctor. Organic Excellence does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have or suspect a mental or physical health condition, please see your healthcare provider.”

 Disclaimer:  These opinions are 100% honest and my own.  Organic Excellence provided me with samples of their products for the purpose of this review.

 
Filed Under: green, review

Review and Giveaway: Green Nest

July 27, 2010 24 Comments

Today we have our first catering tasting.  I’m nervous because I always mess up business deals.  As a good friend suggested, I need to keep food in my mouth so I don’t say anything I’ll regret! :)

Moving right along…
My “Green Soapbox” is overflowing with soap alternatives, thanks to many supporters.

Green Nest sent me a great eco-friendly product: Green Nest All Purpose Cleaner.

It comes in a concentrated formula (see 4 oz smaller bottle) that you pour into another container (such as the spray bottle they supplied) and add water, according to your cleaning needs.

Green Nest cleaner is a simple formula that requires water to activate it’s goodness, that then breaks down completely into water and carbon dioxide in 27 Days.


At first I though I better get cleaning – no fair watching the grime collect! I must use it all in 27 days! (Let’s be fair though, I wipe down the counters daily.)  But there’s no need to use the concentrated formula all at once.  Their site contains dilutions for use of the cleaner on different items.

Important Features about All Purpose Cleaner from GreenNest.com:

* Is environmentally safe.
* Is 100% readily biodegradable.
* Is non-carcinogen/non-corrosive.
* Is Water Based.
* Has a Neutral pH Factor 9.5+/-0.4
* Is odorless and colorless.
* Is economical.
* Saves time and labor.
* Is safe on any washable surface.
* Will remove oil stains from driveways.
* Will not attack wax or paint.
* Requires no rinsing.

Each 4 ounce bottle of concentrate will make 2 gallons or 8 quarts of all purpose cleaner.  The average retail cost per quart is $1.13
I feel good about my experience with Green Nest cleaner:  it cleans well,  it lacks a chemically-gross smell, and makes me feel good about not killing the fishies in the sea.

And you too can have all of the above!  
Buy it:   for $15.95 you can purchase your own from GreenNest.com
or Win It here!  One lucky winner will get a 4oz bottle of concentrated Green Nest All Purpose Cleaner, a spray bottle, and a $10 gift card to GreenNest.com (which has many other lovely products to choose!)
To Enter:  Follow me publicly with Google Friends Connect (left side bar) and comment telling me you are a follower. This is mandatory before you do any other entries.  
(Friends who already follow with GFC must comment telling me they are a current, public follower to enter.) Please ensure your email address is somewhere — in profile or listed.
*Additional entries (leave a separate comment for each):
Sign up for my RSS feed or Email subscription (1 entry)
All entries must be in by 11:59 EST on August 4th.  Winner will be drawn using www.random.org on August 5th.  Open to the US only, please.
Disclosure: Green Nest sent me my own 4oz bottle of concentrated cleaner, spray bottle, and $10 gift card to GreenNest.com to facilitate this review. All opinions about the cleaning product are 100% honest and my own.
Filed Under: GiveAway, green, review

Green Bride Review: EO products

July 20, 2010 1 Comment

I reached out to EO Products for the opportunity to explore a more “green” approach in life. In looked to reduce my carbon footprint, I want a product (or even a whole line of products) which take an environmentally safe approach from beginning to end.  Also, please don’t test any part of your product (partial or finished) on animals.  I know poor little bunnies don’t enjoy getting things stuck in their eyes to see if it hurts.  Of course that hurts!

Here’s a little info from EO’s site about their product vision:

  • We manufacture consistently excellent essential oil formulations that are efficacious, safe and made from natural, sustainable botanical sources.
  • We create products for our customers that allow them to treat or relieve specific needs and to maintain overall good health through the benefits of therapeutic botanicals.
  • The continued and ongoing development of new and innovative products that meet our stringent formulation criteria.
  • Innovation without compromise: Personal care must perform. We pledge to continue to research new natural ingredients that can provide function and benefit without compromising our natural integrity or product performance.
  • We develop innovative formulas based on researched herbal and aromatherapy knowledge.
  • We know that the formulation of beneficial herbs, essential oils and natural ingredients is truly an art form.
  • We work continuously to source natural and organic ingredients with uniquely therapeutic properties.
  • We also choose not to include synthetic colors, fragrances or harsh chemicals in our products.
  • EO® products must perform given the expectations of our customers.

So I asked EO Products to share the love and allow me to experience their line.  And share they did!

I received samples of French Lavender Everyday Shampoo & French Lavender Everyday Conditioner, French Lavender Shower Gel and French Lavender Body Lotion, full sized bottle of Vanilla and Coconut Bubble Bath, full sized bottle French Lavender Liquid Hand Soap, Lavender Hand Sanitizing Spray, travel pack of Lavender Hand Cleansing Wipes, and a full sized bottle of All Purpose Soap.
It was like Hannukah in July!

I absolutely love lavender scented items and enjoyed the pleasant fragrances in each product.  The bath products were soothing and easy on my sensitive skin.  The hand soap is stationed next to our kitchen sink and I honestly look forward to washing my hands!  Using the hand cleansing wipes on the go made public transportation a breeze.  But by far, my favorite product that will become a staple in my life is the sanitizing spray.  It smells amazing!
Oh, and who knew you could clean anything with their all purpose soap? Anything!

So the next time you’re out at Whole Paycheck (you know the grocery store I’m talking about) look for EO products and know that it’s money well spent on a wholesome, earth-friendly, animal-friendly, wonderfully smelling and very effective product!

EO: Love Life. Live Clean.

[EDIT] Disclaimer: These opinions are 100% honest, and my own.  Aside from receiving these products to review, I was not compensated in any way.

Filed Under: green, review

Green Bride Review: Pure Ayre Odor Eliminator

July 7, 2010 4 Comments

You all know the moment when you swear an odor is not-so-secretly squatting in your home and a floral freshener simply masks those stinky smells.  You might even try to bleach it out.
The real challenge comes not only in removing said foulness, but doing so in an environmentally friendly way.  Many aerosols, while free of CFCs, are made with non-biodegradable ingredients and chemicals, or worse are not safe for accidental inhalation by Fluffy, Fido, or Frank/Francesca. 

I found the solution: Pure Ayre Odor Eliminator.
(Yes, another amazing eco-friendly product that does AMAZING things in mysterious ways!)

Here’s some info from Pure Ayre’s site:

“PureAyre is composed of plant-derived enzymes, purified water and essential oils. It is the first and only food-grade odor eliminator. That’s why it’s safe. And PureAyre is the only product with enzymes specifically targeted to break the bonds of all odor-causing compounds found in nature. That’s why it’s strong.”
To really test this product I went to the smelliest place in my humble abode: THE LITTER BOX!
Pure Ayre can be used to treat, but is not limited to: “etroleum products (like gasoline and diesel), sulfides (like rotten eggs and skunk), ammonia (like urine) and aldehydes.”  It can even remove stains.

While the litter box contained nothing, this “clean” cat toilet still emanates a funk.

I sprayed Pure Ayre all over the closet where the LB lives (it’s safe on all fabrics, but test an inconspicuous spot first) and directly on/in the litter box.
Instead of some fake, overwhelming floral or allergic reaction inducing fragrance I smelled a faint mint scent.  The scent is so faint I struggled to smell it at all – which is when I realized that in a matter of moments the funk disppeared.
Fast forward to 10 minutes later and I think the cats are still trying to find their litter box.

Pure Ayre is a great, effective, and environmentally product that I happily recommend to all.
How can you get it?
But it now online, or look here for an index of stores and a store locator!


Note: I received no compensation, other than a sample of Pure Ayre, for this review.  It is 100% honest and all opinions are my own.
Also, for what it’s worth, I pre-wrote this post before my trip to Texas!
Filed Under: green, review

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