WE BELIEVE IN CLEAN
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.
Living well is everyone’s right—free from harmful air pollution and chemicals in the products we use, wear and consume.
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.

Friday, May 30, 2014

Minnesota bans triclosan

Minnesota becomes first state to outlaw antibacterial products

http://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/blogs/minnesota-becomes-first-state-to-outlaw-antibacterial-products

"Minnesota's triclosan ban, the first of its kind in the US., would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017. The bill prohibits the sale of personal care and hygiene products that contain the controversial chemical compound which an estimated 75 percent of soaps and body washes boasting antibacterial properties do, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Triclosan can also be found in everything from toothpaste, deodorant, and, of course, hand sanitizers, along with cleaning products, dish and laundry soaps, and other household staples.

Although not technically considered as “hazardous" to human health, the synthetic chemical, which is widely believed by health officials to be not that much more effective at killing bacteria than regular old (non-antibacterial) soap and water, has been linked in animal studies to hormone disruption and other health-related red flags. In fact, triclosan-containing products, which the American Medical Association advises against using at home, have been shown to encourage bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Triclosan has also been found as a chemical pollutant in lakes, rivers, and other waterways where it's harmful to aquatic life."

Norwex helps you use products that do not contain triclosan.


This is an incredible first step towards eliminating toxic chemicals from our personal care products! Read more about the WHO report on antimicrobial resistance on my blog post here: http://www.fastgreenclean.com/2014/05/who-report-antimicrobial-resistance.html

Norwex offers Timeless Natural Hand Cleaner, an organic, triclosan-free and alcohol-free alternative to hand sanitizers. Learn more: http://www.fastgreenclean.com/2013/09/norwex-timeless-natural-hand-cleaner.html

Norwex also offers Peppermint Foaming Hand Wash, a triclosan-free and paraben-free alternative to antibacterial hand soap. Learn more: http://www.fastgreenclean.com/2014/02/peppermint-foaming-hand-wash.html

For further information, please visit the Environmental Working Group website: http://www.ewg.org/research/pesticide-soap-toothpaste-and-breast-milk-it-kid-safe and follow their tips:

Full size Triclosan guide http://www.ewg.org/sites/default/files/EWG_triclosanguide.pdf


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

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

WHO report: Antimicrobial Resistance

This blog post is in reference to the World Health Organization's 2014 report on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) found here: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/112642/1/9789241564748_eng.pdf?ua=1

I won't dissect the entire report. It focuses on resistance to antibacterial drugs in nine pathogens, including E. coli, MRSA, salmonella, S. pneumoniae, K. pneumoniae, and others. These select bacteria are causing some of the most common infections in different settings; in the community, in hospitals or transmitted through the food chain.

Here are some key points I pulled away from it. Please educate yourself and read it!

  • “A post-antibiotic era—in which common infections and minor injuries can kill—far from being an apocalyptic fantasy, is instead a very real possibility for the 21st century”
  • "Very high rates of resistance have been observed in bacteria that cause common health-care associated and community-acquired infections (e.g. urinary tract infection, pneumonia) in all WHO regions."
  • "Antimicrobial resistance has an impact on animal health, with potential adverse effects on food production. Microorganisms resistant to antimicrobials that emerge in animals may spread to human populations."
  • "Invasive candidiasis [a fungal infection caused by the yeast Candida] is a major problem in patients receiving intensive antibacterial therapy, such as those in intensive care or receiving immunosuppressive therapy." "Prior antibiotic use is one of the common risk factors for Candida infection because it leads to alteration of the normal microflora." "Invasive Candida infections have high morbidity and mortality rates."
  • "Data obtained for E. coli, K. pneumoniae and S. aureus showed that the proportion resistant to commonly used specified antibacterial drugs exceeded 50% in many settings."
  • "The evidence obtained shows that ABR has a significant adverse impact on clinical outcomes and leads to higher costs due to consumption of health-care resources."
  • "It is essential to take appropriate measures to preserve the efficacy of the existing drugs so that common and life-threatening infections can be cured."
In 2012, WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said "A post-antibiotic era means, in effect, an end to modern medicine as we know it. Things as common as strep throat or a child’s scratched knee could once again kill.” She also stated, "“Worldwide, the fact that greater quantities of antibiotics are used in healthy animals than in unhealthy humans is a cause for great concern,”



Furthermore, triclosan, the antibacterial chemical added to soaps and hand sanitizers, and other products like toothpastes, was found to encourage nasal colonization of staph. (Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/triclosan-aids-nasal-invasions-staph)

Additionally, while hand sanitizer may kill 99.99% of germs, alcohol-based products increase biofilm production and the pathogen potential of staph and is part of why we are facing bacterial resistance problems. (Source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196655308000928)

The American Academy of Pediatrics stated, “Canadian researchers reported in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine that the risk of harboring methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is threefold higher among children who took one or more antibiotics one to six months before they were diagnosed with the infection. The number of antibiotics taken was directly linked to the risk of infection, with those who got at least four prescriptions having an 18-fold increased risk for MRSA, the study of U.K. children found.”




Norwex offers Timeless Natural Hand Cleaner, an organic, triclosan-free and alcohol-free alternative to hand sanitizers. Learn more: http://www.fastgreenclean.com/2013/09/norwex-timeless-natural-hand-cleaner.html

Norwex also offers Peppermint Foaming Hand Wash, a triclosan-free and paraben-free alternative to antibacterial hand soap. Learn more: http://www.fastgreenclean.com/2014/02/peppermint-foaming-hand-wash.html




Learn more about how Norwex provides antibac benefits http://www.fastgreenclean.com/search/label/antibacterial





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

Friday, May 2, 2014

Norwex May 2014 Customer Specials and Host Specials

One of the things I love so very much about Norwex is the incredible rewards for inviting a few friends over to learn about greener methods of cleaning your home and reducing toxic chemicals in personal care and cleaning products. Contact me today to take advantage of these deals for May!

If you want to hold an in-home Creating a Cleaner Home demo in the Triad area of NC, or an online Creating a Cleaner Home class from anywhere in the US, just let me know! Email me blange17@gmail.com to secure your date or fill out the contact form here http://www.norwex.biz/pws/rebeccalange/tabs/contact.aspx and I'll be in touch ASAP.

Click here to see the May 2014 Norwex specials for Customers and Hosts in full size: http://www.norwex.biz/pws/rebeccalange/tabs/specials--sales.aspx

Norwex May 2014 Customer Specials

Norwex May 2014 Host Specials



Customer Specials

Body Pack & Towel Set (cu1MAY) (regular price $42.98) SALE PRICE $38.99
Let's Do Dishes! (cu2MAY) (regular price $46.96) SALE PRICE $41.99
Bathroom Basics (cu3MAY) (regular price $74.97) SALE PRICE $67.99
On the Go Travel Trio (cu4MAY) (regular price $52.97) SALE PRICE $47.99
Host Specials

* Remember, Qualified Party Total and a party booking determine which level of the monthly
Host special that your Host qualifies for.

$325 in customer sales and 1 booking
$500 in customer sales and 1 booking
$750 in customer sales and 1 booking
$1000 in customer sales and 1 booking
PLUS the Hosting Plan
 5 buying guests = 1 Enviro Cloth (antibac) $16.49
 8 buying guests = 1 Enviro Cloth (antibac), 1 Vintage Body Pack $36.48
10 buying guests = 1 Enviro Cloth (antibac), 1 Vintage Body Pack, 1 Car Cloth $62.47
13 buying guests = 1 Enviro Cloth (antibac), 1 Vintage Body Pack, 1 Car Cloth, 1 Dusting Mitt (antibac) $79.46
15 buying guests = 1 Enviro Cloth (antibac), 1 Vintage Body Pack, 1 Car Cloth, 1 Dusting Mitt (antibac), 1 Kitchen Scrub Cloth $93.45

8% of total customer sales in free products with sales up to $249.99
10% of total customer sales in free products with sales $250.00 - $749.99
12% of total customer sales in free products with sales $750.00 and above 

For each booking, the Host will receive a Window Cloth. Bookings must be  held within 45 days of the Party date to qualify for the Host gifts. 

To qualify for May specials: Sales must be received at Home Office after 12:00 PM CST (noon) on May 1st and before 12:00 PM CST (noon) on June 1st.


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