Non-Toxic Cleaning Series: Product Review & Giveaway
The non-toxic cleaning series continues, I’ve been busy testing a few homemade recipes for items like rug cleaners and mildew busters. When I first started the series I had a few different companies contact me about testing their products. I told Better Life I would because their products sounded great. I know many of you don’t necessarily want to be making your own cleaning products and would rather purchase a good non-toxic alternative. So I figured I’d test them out for those of you who do.
They sent me a box with 6 different cleaners. Last weekend, when we set off the clean the house in a jiffy for some potential buyers, I put these products to the test. I was fully ready to not like them as much as my homemade cleaners. Generally I find myself disappointed in purchased products, especially with the price! I was pleasantly surprised, however and really liked these.
The what-EVER cleaner was great for cleaning cabinets and other areas with greasy/oily buildup. After using them to clean my kitchen cabinets they looked amazing. This product really does clean very well, so well in fact that I’m thinking I’ll always have a bottle on hand for those tougher jobs that my homemade multi-purpose cleaner doesn’t work as well on.
The stainless steel cleaner EINSHINE working wonderfully on my appliances. Those of you who asked about cleaning stainless steel will be happy about this product as it can be difficult to find a product that cleans it well. I’ll definitely be keeping a bottle of this on hand for shining up that beautiful stove of mine.
SIMPLY FLOORED was another hit here at Chiot’s Run. Since the entire house is hardwood flooring, we use a mop for everything. I loved that this product has just a touch of sage scent, just barely enough to detect. One of the reasons I do not like store-bought cleaners is I find the heavy scent to be very offensive to my very sensitive nose. That’s one thing I appreciated about all the Better Life Products, no overpowering scents that scream “I JUST CLEANED MY HOUSE”.
The one product I wasn’t super excited about was the glass cleaner I CAN SEE CLEARLY. I didn’t find that it cleaned my windows any better than using the window cleaner or vinegar. I also received a bottle of granite cleaner which I haven’t used since I don’t have stone in my house. The wood polish was used, but I haven’t yet decided if I like it more than simply using my homemade multi-purpose cleaner.
Lucky for you, Better Life will be giving one lucky reader a You Pick 6 box. You can choose which 6 products you’d like to try; simply comment below for your chance to win. Here at Chiot’s Run I’ll be keeping some of the what-EVER cleaner on hand from now on, and I might try their Knock-Out clothes spot treatment as well.
Which cleaning product are you least likely to make yourself at home?
NON-TOXIC CLEANING SERIES
Stocking Your Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit
Learning to Love Castile Soap
Make Your Own: Foaming Soap
Make Your Own: Infused Vinegar
Make Your Own: Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Make Your Own: Color Safe Oxygen Bleach
Non-Toxic Bathroom Cleaning
Friday Favorite: Charlie’s Soap
Friday Favorite: Twist Sponges
Homemade Whitening Scrub
We have a winner:
Disclaimer – Better life sent me products to try to free, but I did not get paid to write this review or to talk about their products.
Filed under Around the House | Comments (89)
I would LOVE to try these products,they look amazing.I have been looking for a line like this…..
to Deborahjean's comment
Wow I could use a good green stainless steel cleaner as all my appliances are stainless.
to Canned Quilter's comment
Thanks for such a great review. I’m not ready to start making all of my cleaning supplies just yet but since I have asthma, I’m always looking for less toxic lower scent cleaners that do the job without irritating my airways or my sensitive skin.
I’m taking from your review that these don’t have strong smells that are likely to trigger asthma or allergy in those of us that are sensitive. Is that a fair conclusion?
to Dawnmarie's comment
Yes no strong smell at all – barely detectible as far as the scent in concerned. I have issues with scents causing headaches/migraines so scent (and lack of it) is very important to me.
to Susy's comment
The stainless steel cleaner would go a long way here. We have lots of stainless in the kitchen. I’m least likely to make window cleaner. I still use vinegar! Thanks for the chance.
to Lisa@The Cutting Edge of Ordinary's comment
I am probably would not make most of the cleaning products. I have made my own glass cleaner but that’s about it. I would love to receive and try out these products as I am trying to move my home towards being chemical free. Thanks for the opportunity.
to aruna's comment
Ooooo I really love their labels. Those are neat.
to Erin's comment
The Whatever and window cleaners would be great, for when I actually get around to doing a cleaning! When will that be?
to Joan's comment
I am always interested in trying new products. Especially ones that are better for the environment!
to Sherri's comment
Sounds great to me.
Erika
to erika's comment
I, too, have been trying to use more natural cleaners. My favorite is 1 cup white vinegar (warmed) added to 1 cup Dawn and mixed up in a spray bottle. I clean my shower and sinks with this and love the shine. Would love to try the wood floor cleaner as I am not happy with what I currently use. Where could you purchase these?
to Sue Fiorentini's comment
Natural cleaning products that I don’t have to make nor do I have to pay for?? Sign me up! :)
to Fawn's comment
The product names are great! I dig your blog!
to Brad's comment
I too use all my own home made cleaners simply because of the price of natural ones. But these are even packaged with beautiful labels—I love that!
to Tamar's comment
Well, I make most of my cleaning products cause I am allergic to so many of the ingredients in commercial ones, so I have to say I make everything I use. It would be nice to try some safe commercial cleaners, though
to Louisa's comment
I use vinegar on my windows and a steam mop with no cleaner on my wood floors, but I’m probably least likely to make any laundry soap or spot treatment.
to Miranda's comment
Honestly? Any of them. I was just thinking the other day that an excellent housewarming present would be a caddy like the one you use filled with bottles of pre-made homemade cleaners and including the recipes.
Really, I wish someone would just give ME one, but since I’m not moving, nor do I know anyone who makes their own, I would love to try some of these. I especially would appreciate the lack of strong scent. Can’t stand that.
to kristin @ going country's comment
I’m probably disqualified since i”m related to someone at this blog place – but I never heard of this product before. Sounds interesting. Maybe it’ll show up at the scratch and dent like Method products do with a $1.50 price tag on it and I can get it!!!
Good deal!
Wendy
to Wendy's comment
I would love to try these cleaners. I have made a some cleaners and vinegar does work well….but I don’t think I will ever get use to the smell *-*
to Jodi Tork's comment
I would like to try the stainless steel cleaner. I never seem to get my steel to sparkle.
to Navya's comment
Thanks for reviewing these products. They have a great image and I would love to give them a go. Take care!
to Ashley's comment
I make some cleaners on the spot when cleaning but have not prepared cleaning products before cleaning much. I did make the bleach alternative posted here and it works great, I would really like to try these products, especially if they are natural, many “natural” products do not live up to their name…
to amber jackson's comment
We’d probably use Einshine.
Amy
to goatpod2's comment
I make a lot of my cleaners, but have not come up with one for my hardwood floors or my granite counter tops.
to pam's comment
I’ve been making some of our products for a while now, but these look great. I would love a chance to try them out.
Thanks!
to Chas's comment
I do make a good deal of our cleaners but something that worked wonderfully on laminate floors which did not streak would greatly be appreciated! or the stainless steel cleaner to keep the dishwasher clean!!
to Peggy's comment
I use a lot of baking soda and vinegar in my cleaning routine, but I tend to rely on bulk spray cleaners that I buy.
to molly's comment
Would love to try these products and rid my home of store-bought cleaners.
to Lisa's comment
OoOooh! “Dish It Out” is yet another product I must try out! I’m on an endless search for a dish washing product that doesn’t destroy my poor boyfriend’s hands… Dr. Bronner’s/Sal Suds [your recipe!], Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, and even those major brands labeled as “for sensitive skin” all make his hands cry out with rage! I like how it’s Citrus/Sage scented! Love love love! ♥
to Donna B.'s comment
I’ve made laundry soap and general cleaners I’d love something to clean my stainless steel better.
to Erica A's comment
Dishwasher and laundry detergent are the things i’m least likely to make, as i don’t think they work as well when i’ve tried.
These products look fabulous. Thanks for the chance to share in the love.
to whit's comment
A good stainless cleaner would be nice because vinegar doesn’t seem to get the grime off of mine.
to Melissa's comment
I think these look great. I am a sucker for cute packaging and these really caught my eye. I also really liked your comment about the lack of smell. That is something we struggle with at our house. Perfume=migraines. Blech. Thanks for the great review.
to liz's comment
I’m glad to get your ‘scent review’ on these products. Strong scents give me headaches and a scratchy throat, so if these are low-scent, I’d like to try them too.
to DebbieB's comment
I am also someone who hates lots of smells, especially fake ones.
I am least likely to continue making my own laudry detergent and might try the Charlie’s brand you recommended recently.
to Andrea Duke's comment
Most of my cleaning is done with vinegar or Murphey’s Oil soap, but I could definitely use an all-natural degreaser!
to Songbirdtiff's comment
I’ve been using homemade cleaners (most of them your recipes) for a while but would love to try these. The floor cleaner and the one you used on your cabinets would be awesome in this house. Thank you for this giveaway.
to Gayle's comment
I make my own but would love to try a new brand!
to Emily's comment
I don’t tend to make products ahead of time, but often I’ll reach for the baking soda to scrub something (it did an amazing job of cleaning the outside of my toaster and toaster oven) or add vinegar to my mopping water. I can’t see myself making laundry detergent either. Instead, I just use way less than the recommended amount, and it works just as well. A large bottle of tide has lasted me almost a year and a half.
I would love to try the whatever cleaner. I have lots of icky, greasy, dusty, cat hair encrusted buildup on the tops of my kitchen cupboards, and I haven’t found anything that will get through it. Also my boyfriend comes home with really dirty/greasy hands from work and leaves fingerprints on the walls, and I’d like to try this on them.
to Jenny's comment
I try to use mostly all natural cleaners for my asthma and for the baby. Although I haven’t given up Clorox wipes. I would be least likely to try to make a wood cleaner as I’d be fearful of ruining any of the wood.
to Sasha's comment
I think I’d like the Whatever cleaner- sounds like the right one for
the most problems. Thanks for sharing. Love your site!
to cynthia's comment
Interesting review. I hadn’t heard of this particular brand before.
to Jessica's comment
We just purchased new stainless steel appliances and I would love to try their cleaners on them.
to brittney's comment
Awesome! We need a good stainless steel cleaner! I’d also like to try the all purpose cleaner, granite cleaner, the floor cleaner….
to janet's comment
Great giveaway and a great way to try products that I haven’t used before. I don’t think I could master stainless steel cleaner and the fridge so needs it.
to Pat L.'s comment
I would love to win the What-EVER….sounds like something I could really use around my home. Thank you for the review. That makes it so much easier to know about products….from someone who has tried it.
to Linda's comment
I would use the Take it for Granite & the Einshine for sure!
to Kathy L.'s comment
What a great review! I use mostly vinegar and baking soda to clean. It would be so much fun to try these!
to Patti's comment
Thanks so much for testing these products. They sound just like what I have been looking for. I want non-toxic cleaners, but am too lazy to make them myself.
to Lottie's comment
Very cool! Would love to try these out!
to Christy's comment
Smells are a big thing for me, too. Fake smells linger forever, and give me a headache. I’ve started making scented vinegar, which I use for cleaning all sorts of things! I’d like to try to make some laundry detergent, but for right now, I’m just couponing to keep my costs low.
How do these products’ prices compare to store-bought or homemade?
to Karen's comment