Ecostore USA

There are many eco-friendly cleaners on the market, but how many of them were born on a true eco village? Because that's where Ecostore began.

I learned on their website that "all of the families that lived in the farm based eco village shared a commitment to organic growing and healthy living, making this an ideal environment in which a young, environmentally conscious business could thrive. Each household in the village was responsible for their own waste water, which quickly highlighted the problems caused by using regular supermarket cleaning products that relied heavily on cheap, petroleum-based, synthetic ingredients."

I recently had the opportunity to try their Body Wash and Baby Moisturizer with my kids (and myself) and was really happy with them! They are very concentrated which is lovely since many eco cleaners are expensive...it's so nice to know a little goes a l-o-n-g way!

In addition to the baby cleansers and moisturizers, there are household cleansers as well for counters, dishes, and laundry...and a few products for us parents as well. And this review wouldn't be complete without mentioning how wonderful these products smell. Clean and bright!

Visit ecostoreusa.com to learn more and to purchase.

Johnson's Natural

I was shopping at Target last week and roaming around like I usually do, providing opportunity for all of the things I didn't intend to purchase to end up in the cart. A pastime my husband despises. And I'm pleased to say that a few new Johnson's Natural products are now in my home. And I've had no buyer's remorse. Unlike a few other Target impulse purchases.

I've never purchased Johnson's products before, so I was a bit hesitant, but I'm very happy with them! They are all made without parabens, pthalates, essential oils, or dyes. So they're safe. But they also work very well...and smell divine! Not in an overpowering way...but in a subtle, naturally clean way. But wait, there's more...they're priced so reasonably!

If you're like my family and are looking to cut some costs, but still purchase eco-friendly and safe products, give Johnson's Natural products a try! They're available in major retailers. And you can learn more at johnsonsbaby.com.

Jackson Reece

Wipes are handy to have around the house and car...and not only for diaper changes. I have wipes on hand in the kitchen for wiping faces and hands when a dry napkin doesn't cut it...like this morning when Hazel had oatmeal. I also keep some stashed in the car for ice cream outings, popsicles after soccer games, and all of the other messes that come along with having children.

When wipes are being used so often, it's nice to know there is a biodegradable, compostable and organic option like Jackson Reece.

These herbal wipes smell great and are organic which makes them suitable for children with eczema and sensitive skin. They're free of alcohol, cholorine, parabens and phthalates. And they're safe for the environment too because not only are the wipes biodegradable, but even the package is!

Jackson Reece Herbal Baby Wipes just landed in the US from the UK and will be available widely soon. For now, I've found them located online at activeforever.com for $4.99. You can also sign in at amazon.com and ask to be notified when they're in stock.

Berry Ball

Intimate apparel is not cheap. Because it's pricey, I don't dare throw mine in with my regular laundry. But as you parents know, time is short and hand-washing isn't always done in a timely manner. This is why I was happy to discover Berry Ball.

Berry Ball is a complete bra and panty cleaning set...although I plan to use mine with bathing suits as well.

This set is designed to maintain shape and support all while providing your delicates with hand washing results. Berry Ball is available in two sizes to accommodate all bra sizes and also comes in purple, blue and pink.

Available online at n-fini.com for $13.99.

Soak

My family and I ventured to the pool this weekend when it was 87 degrees (which seems like a dream considering today's high is 66!) and when we came home, the last thing I wanted to do was hand-wash our bathing suits! But I remembered that I had recently received some Soak, a rinse-free cleanser for delicate items.

And so, I unpacked our pool bags and added our bathing suits to the sink with some Soak...swished them around in the lovely scented water, rung them out a bit, and then draped them over our tub to dry. Couldn't have been easier!

This morning, my daughter Martha and I are going to give her lovie a bath in the sink with Soak. There will be no need to rinse, making the stuffed animal safe for her to snuggle up close to tonight in bed!

Soak would also be great for lingerie, baby clothes or hand-sewn craft projects you don't want to get ruffled! And isn't the packaging lovely?

Available at soakwash.com in a variety of lovely scents, along with scentless!

Better Life Cleaners

There are so many cleaners on the market claiming to be green. But what kind of green are they talking about? The kind that makes some green profit for their company? Or the kind of green that provides the safest, most eco-friendly products on the market? Without government standards on the terms green and eco-friendly, it's difficult to differentiate these days. But there is surely one clear green company: Better Life! If a company goes so far as to have their website solar-powered, you know they're the real deal!

Oh, and their products really work too...we can't forget that important fact! I've used their 2am Miracle cleaner all around my home and never thought, "This isn't doing such a good job on the maple syrup on the table, but I need to remember that it's good for the environment so I guess I'll squirt and wipe a few extra times." Nope, you squirt, you wipe, and it's gone! And smells wonderfully! I also used that cleaners on a few of August and Marthas' baby items I had stored in a closet before passing them down to baby Hazel and it worked like a charm...I felt confident the items were clean and that they were safe for her to put her mouth on!

Better Life cleaning products are for a better life for our kids, pets, us parents, and the planet! Learn more, including purchase locations, at cleanhappens.com.

Better Life GiveAway

I have three new bottles of Better Life cleaning products to give away to one lucky winner! Included in this giveaway are full-size bottles of the following great products:

• I Can See Clearly, WOW! glass cleaner
• Simply Floored floor cleaner
• what-EVER all purpose cleaner

To enter, simply click here to fill in your contact information and answer a few other short questions (if you haven't entered an Ugga Mugga survey in the past).

Entries must be received by the end of day Monday, May 18. The winner will be announced the morning of Tuesday, May 19. Best of luck!

Bare Organics

My go-to product for the last couple of weeks has been the Organic All-in-One Cleanser from Bare Organics. I've used it for washing hands, paintbrushes, pacifiers, and even spills on my children's clothes...and it's been very effective.

There are reviews on Bare Organic's site from users saying it's cleared up their acne and another who love this product for their child's eczema. I haven't used it on my face or as a bath soap simply because I have trusted products for those areas, but it appears this really is a versatile cleanser which can meet all sorts of needs!

In addition to the castile Organic All-in-One Cleanser, Bare Organics also have an amazing Baby Balm that I've been using on my lips and my kids cheeks (the Spring wind is strong here). I love the subtle scent of it and the way it feels....and of course the end results!

There are a handful of other great products on their site...too many to mention. If you have areas where you're on the market for new skincare products, you should spend a few moments on bareorganics.ca.

Eco-Me

Eco-Me is a company which specializes in cleaning kits...kits for your home, your body, your baby, your dog, and your cat. Their kits include their great packaging, essential oils, brushes, instructions, etc. And to them you add your own baking soda, vinegar, sugar, olive oil, water, and other necessary items.

For example, I received a sample of the Home Scrub Cleanser to which you add baking soda and vinegar. My friend Alexandra (and her handsome three boys) helped me test it out and had the following thoughts:

"My kids and I mixed up the solution: it was so fun for all of us to do it together, and the surprising thing is that they wanted to clean with it after we mixed it. So, I got my bathtub cleaned and it was fun for them. I didn't have to worry about chemicals. And it left my bathtub shiny, and left no residue. ...I love that you can reuse and refill again and again. Awesome concept."

She also helped me test out the Body Scrub to which you add sugar and olive oil. She said that the olive oil made it way too slippery for her in the shower...that it would be more of a bath product. And since I have a hard enough time finding a few minutes for a quick shower with three children under the age of five, I'm so glad I have such a wonderful friend to help me pass along the great tip!

Eco-Me cleaning kits are available at eco-me.com.

Dapple

Dapple is a new producer of natural-based, safe cleaning products. Their dish detergents specialize in removing milk residue out of your baby's bottles and cups...but is suggested to clean anything your baby will put into their mouth...which is everything in your house!

The smell of Dapple dish liquid is divine...a natural smelling clean due to the pure lavender essential oil used. I love that is is now possible to associate smells other than bleach with clean! And this dish detergent is made with only biodegradable, environmentally safe ingredients and is SLES-free and dye-free.

Cases of 12 are available from $57.00-$68.00 at dapplebaby.com. For individual containers, visit diapers.com ($4.99-$5.99). Next up from Dapple will be a spray cleaner that's perfect for wiping any hard surface...I can hardly wait!

Elsie's Original

I'm a germaphobe...especially when it comes to my children. My poor neglected children have never had the experience of riding in a grocery cart with a car on the front and I can count on one hand the number of times one of them has sat in a restaurant booster chair. And although I probably won't be budging on those two germ-ridden areas, Elsie's Original products may open them up to a few more dirty experiences.

Elsie's Original products are all handmade and packaged to order. They are made using only the finest organic essential oils and natural ingredients such as lavender, chamomile, Vitamin E and Tea Tree oil...a great alternative to most cleaning wipes and sprays on the market containing alcohol and chloride...and they smell great! It's no wonder stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Heidi Klum, Michelle Williams and Sarah Jessica Parker are all fans!

I'm stocking up on Elsie's Original wipes and sprays as the brisk weather and an increase in cold and flu germs roll into Wisconsin this fall/winter. And with a baby coming who will be placing everything in her mouth, I'll feel much better wiping her dropped pacifiers and toys with natural ingredients than any alternative.

Visit elsiesoriginal.com to read more about their line of products and for purchasing information.

Nellie's Laundry Products

I've been sampling some of Nellie's Laundry products and wanted to share my experience with all of you. I will start by stating that my husband, children and I are really sensitive to scents and have to use detergents made for sensitive skin. So it is no surprise to me that I am taken with Nellie's All Natural Laundry Soap.

Nellie's Laundry Soap is available in two forms: the pre-measured nuggets seen here and your traditional laundry powder. I've used both and like them equally...the nuggets for my full loads and the soap for quick washes or small loads. I have experienced no residue, fragrance or complaint of any sort...just fresh, clean laundry! The soap is hypoallergenic, and super-duper concentrated, so only one tablespoon per wash is needed...even on full loads!

Another great product from Nellie's is their Dryer Balls. They lift and separate fabrics while relaxing fibers. The result is less lint and wrinkles, softer clothes, more absorbent towels and a reduced drying time of up to 25%...which saves you money! They are also toxic-free, environmentally friendly, and guaranteed to last up to 2 years. That's a lot cheaper and better for the environment than dryer sheets!

I have an LG washer and dryer set which I LOVE. A typical load of wash takes 55 minutes due to the gentle nature of the machine's movements and the extreme spin cycle...my clothes are significantly dry when removed from the washer. And drying an average size load of laundry therefore takes only 25 minutes. I didn't know if I would see a result when using the dryer balls...but I did! I forwent the dryer sheets and my clothes came out soft at an even faster time!

Nellie's Laundry Soap and Nuggets start at $8.95 and the Dryer Balls are $19.99 for two. Visit nelliesallnatural.comto order.

Produce Cleaner

Above you saw a list of produce where organic options are the best. Now if you can't buy organic produce, you need to make sure you wash it thoroughly. Below you will find a recipe to make a spray that ensures your fruits and vegetables are squeaky clean. This is from Sophie Uliano's book Gorgeously Green. Here is how to make her wash:

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. baking soda
• 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract*

Combine all ingredients in a large container. Then, transfer to a spray bottle with a pump. Spray mixture on produce, and rinse thoroughly after 5 to 10 minutes.

*grapefruit seed extract if available at your local health food store.

Squeaky Green

Squeaky Green: The Method Guide to Detoxing Your Home is a spiral-bound resource that is great for families! This book takes you room-by-room and shows you hidden ways nasty things can be hiding in your home.

Although some of the information is hard to swallow, this book does provide you with easy, affordable ways to get rid of the dirt and create a happier, healthier home. And isn't that what we all want?!

Visit amazon.com to purchase Squeaky Green: The Method Guide to Detoxing Your Home where it is currently on sale for $11.53.

Shaklee Cleaning Products

I've read a lot about Shaklee cleaning products lately and wanted to share what information I've gathered and bring their eco-centered cleaning attitude to your attention. Please know that I haven't tried any of their products yet but hope to soon. And when I do, I'll add another post to the site with my review information. Until then, here's what I know about their company, their philosophy and their products thus far:

Back in 1960, Shaklee made one of the first biodegradable household cleaners. As they say, they were doing it "back when green was just a color and biodegradable was barely a word." Shaklee was the first company in the world to obtain Climate Neutral certification and totally offset their CO₂ emissions, resulting in zero impact on the environment! Now that's impressive!

Their headquarters in California is a tribute to their beliefs: wood used is harvested from certified sustainable forests, motion-censored lights are in place to conserve energy, their carpet and chairs are made from recycled materials and their grounds are carefully landscaped with herbs to represent their natural products.

So that's a lot of positives about their company, but what about their products? Well, I've been reading many positive reviews in that area too. I've read repeatedly that there is no smell to their products, and no toxins such as chlorine, ammonia, phosphates and formaldehyde. I say they're worth trying...and that's what I plan to do. And when that happens, you all will be the first to know my thoughts!

To view their product line or read more about them, visit shaklee.com.