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For twenty-five years, Norwex has helped homes across the world become truly clean through our Mission of radically reducing chemicals.
Chemicals can do more harm than good. No one should have to choose between healthy products and products that work.
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Education inspires people to make healthy choices. When people know better, they can choose better.
A small, conscious choice can lead to real impact. We can show you a healthier way to clean, live and help protect our planet.
Never underestimate your power to make a difference. Good choices add up, and together, we can create a cleaner, healthier world for all families for generations to come.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Disinfecting Wipes...do what?

Have you ever read the label or MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for Clorox Disinfecting Wipes or Lysol Disinfecting Wipes? I hadn't either (I simply don't use those products) until my daughter's school supply list requested them. I was SHOCKED! Aside from all of the chemicals I can't pronounce (which is generally my tip-off that if I can't pronounce it, I shouldn't be touching or ingesting it), it is a hazard to humans and animals! Did you know you're supposed to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching one of the wipes? How many teachers have their students wear gloves to protect their hands, or send their students to wash hands after wiping the desk down with a Clorox wipe? If you'd like to read the Environmental Working Group's info on the actual ingredients in these wipes, please visit their page here:  http://www.ewg.org/

From the Clorox MSDS for Fresh Scent Disinfecting Wipes:

FIRST AID:
EYE CONTACT: Hold eye open and rinse slowly and gently with water for 15-20 minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present, after the first 5 minutes, then continue rinsing eye. If irritation persists, call a doctor.
SKIN CONTACT: Wash thoroughly with soap and water. If irritation persists, call a doctor.
INGESTION: Drink a glassful of water. Call a doctor or poison control center.
INHALATION: Move person to fresh air. If breathing problems develop, call a doctor.
Hygienic Practices: Wash hands after direct contact.
Engineering Controls: Use general ventilation to minimize exposure to product mist.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear safety glasses. Wear rubber or neoprene gloves for sensitive skin or if there is the potential for repeated or prolonged skin contact. In situations where exposure limits may be exceeded, a NIOSH-approved respirator is advised.
Avoid contamination of food. A potable water rinse is required for surfaces that may come into contact with food. Not for cleaning or sanitizing skin. Do not use as a diaper wipe or for personal cleansing. 

The MSDS is pretty much the same for all the other scents of disinfecting wipes. You can read all of the Clorox MSDS sheets here: http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/products/msds/

What about Lysol Disinfecting Wipes?
The MSDS is incredibly similar to the Clorox wipes MSDS - you can get your own copy by clicking here. Instead of repeating the same information, let's look at the Usage Instructions for the Lysol Disinfecting Wipes.
Usage Instructions:
To disinfect hard non-porous, non-food contact surface:
To Clean / Remove Allergens: Use fresh wipe on surface. Repeat for stubborn stains.
To Sanitize / Disinfect: Pre-clean surface. Use enough fresh wipes to thoroughly wet surface.
To Sanitize: Allow to remain wet for 30 seconds.
To Disinfect: Allow to remain wet for 10 minutes. Allow surface to air dry. Toss dirty wipe away.
For surfaces that come in contact with food: Use only on hard non-porous surfaces and rinse thoroughly with water.
To Prevent the Growth of Mold and Mildew and their odors: Pre-clean hard, non-porous surfaces. Wipe surface and allow to remain wet for 10 minutes. Allow surface to air dry. Repeat applications in weekly intervals or when mold and mildew growth appears.
Now, if you are a teacher, and you want to sanitize and disinfect a surface - say, a student's desk, do you wear gloves to handle the disinfecting wipe (or immediately wash your hands following contact with the wipe), allow the desk to remain wet for 10 minutes, and rinse thoroughly with water after it has air dried? This is the proper procedure for using these wipes, as stated on the label! Or worse, do the students do this themselves?

Wouldn't you rather use an Enviro Cloth, wet with only water, to achieve the same desired outcome? No harmful chemical exposure, no worries about "redness, edema, drying, defatting and cracking of the skin" from contact with the wipes (Lysol Disinfecting Wipes MSDS), and certainly no "Hazardous Chemical" classification.

The Norwex microfiber cloths are environmentally friendly. They may reduce the consumption of cleaning chemicals in your home up to 90% while at the same time reducing your exposure to toxic fumes. This can make a big difference for anyone with allergies and chemical sensitivities. Microfiber cloths are very durable and can withstand the rigors of everyday use.

Norwex microfiber is a blend of polyester and polyamide. This fiber is 1/200th the size of a strand of human hair. When this high-quality microfiber is combined with the right knitting process, it creates an extremely effective cleaning material. This material can hold up to seven times its weight in matter. Used dry the static effect created enhances the microfiber’s ability to attract dirt and dust particles. As you lightly wipe the surface, the microfiber attracts and draws up even the smallest particles of dust, trapping them in the fibers. Used wet the microfibers work together to give an excellent cleaning effect. Wet, wring and wipe away dirt and debris from all washable surfaces. For spot removing, spray water on the surface being cleaned. Norwex microfiber is backed with an exceptional Warranty of 2 years or 500 washings.

The Norwex antibacterial microfiber is one of the most innovative products in the industry! Norwex has developed a unique technology that combines an antibacterial silver-based agent with our microfiber. The antibacterial agent is actually embedded inside the tiny microfiber. The agent is solely designed to inhibit bacterial odor, mold, and/or mildew growth within the cloth.

Make the switch. Knowing better leads to doing better. Let's all do better for our children, and our future.

As always, feel free to contact me with questions regarding any Norwex product. You can shop online by clicking Shop Online above, or directly from my website at http://rebeccalange.norwex.biz. If you'd like to receive my newsletter with Norwex specials, please fill out the contact form here http://rebeccalange.norwex.biz/en_US/customer/subscribe-to-consultant-specials. If you would like to schedule a party, discuss career opportunities at Norwex, or have any questions about our products, I invite you to send me a message here http://rebeccalange.norwex.biz/en_US/customer/about-me

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