Questions About Bacteria
Don’t we need exposure to bacteria in order to boost our immune system?
I’ve heard it said that household cleaning is over-exaggerated because human beings have lived with bacteria and dust for thousands of years and survived? Do you just want to survive or do you want to be healthy?
Living today versus living in the past is that we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors, which, unlike the outdoors, does not have the benefit of rain or wind to clean the environment. Indoor plants do have help to clean indoor air, but most of us don’t have many indoor plants. Therefore, in order to maintain a natural ecological equilibrium and healthy bodies, we need to clean our homes.
The Enviro Cloth, Dust Mitt, Mops, and Mattress Cleaner are a great starting point to approach this balance within our primary living space.
Yes, it is true there are good and bad bacteria and when we use only water to remove microorganisms, we encourage a more favorable environment for good bacterial growth. By helping to maintain a more favorable balance, we are not contributing to the “Super Bug” dilemma.
Questions About Norwex Microfiber
What makes Norwex microfiber different than other microfiber?
Oh, so many things!
1. Imagine a human hair split lengthwise 6 times, so that each of the 6 splits is a “grabber” that picks up dirt, debris and bacteria. That’s a microfiber cloth. Now imagine that same hair split lengthwise 100 times so that each of the 100 grabbers does the same. That’s a Norwex microfiber cloth. Norwex microfiber is superior to all others on the market, and can remove 99.9% of bacteria using only water. You can actually feel the microfiber grabbing at the surface as you wipe!
2. Norwex microfiber is the world’s only Antibac microfiber. It has a patent-pending silver agent woven into the cloth itself, enabling it to kill bacteria left in the cloth after rinsing within a few hours. No other microfiber can claim this feature.
3. A Norwex Antibac microfiber cloth still picks up 99.4% of bacteria after 500 washings!
3. Norwex microfiber can go in the dryer (no fabric softener or bleach). Most other microfiber cloths cannot go in the dryer, which means you have to remember to fish them out of the wash before drying your load. This may seem like a small thing, but functionally speaking, it’s a pretty handy feature!
4. All Norwex microfiber products have a full 2 year money-back guarantee. This means that if in that period of time your Norwex Antibac microfiber cloth degrades in some way with normal use and proper care, Norwex will replace it.
Does Norwex antimicrobial microfiber kill bacteria?
Yes. The first step is that the Norwex Antibac microfiber cloth (wet with just water) removes 99.9% of the bacteria from the wiped surface and into the cloth. Then, once you’ve rinsed the cloth thoroughly, the Antibac silver will actually break the cell wall of bacteria remaining in the cloth. This KILLS the remaining bacteria in the cloth!
If my chemical cleaner kills bacteria, why should I switch to Norwex microfiber?
Reason 1
When cleaning with Norwex Antibac microfiber, you remove 99.9% of bacteria, and then bacteria left in the cloth after rinsing is killed by the silver. The 0.01% of bacteria left on your surface after you wipe it is left undisturbed and is considered to be insignificant.
When you clean with chemicals, you are may kill 99.something percent of the bacteria, but there is a difference here! First, chemical cleaners kill the beneficial bacteria in our homes along with the harmful bacteria. On top of that, the tiny percentage of bad bacteria that are left behind are not left undisturbed. Rather, because they are exposed to but not killed by the chemical cleaner, the bacteria are given the opportunity to grow ever-stronger and more resistant.
The response to these super strains of bacteria is to develop ever-stronger chemical cleaners. This contributes to ever-more resistant bacteria, aptly named “Super Bugs”, that can not only make your family sick, but are extremely difficult to kill. This spells serious danger for human and animal health.
Reason 2
If Reason 1 doesn’t compel you to make the switch to non-chemical cleaning methods, think about this:
Every single capful of non-biodegradable chemical cleaner that goes down a drain anywhere in the world goes into our watershed. And stays there. Forever.
If we don’t make a change to non-chemical cleaners, will there even be such a thing as clean water for future generations?
So how can I sanitize things like change tables and cutting boards?
The best way to sanitize hard, smooth surfaces is to do a final wipe with a damp Antibac Enviro Cloth – which removes the bacteria (this will remove more than 99.9% of the bacteria, which is as good as, or better than sanitizing with any chemical. Furthermore, it does not result in any bacteria becoming resistant to chemicals, nor does it prevent good bacteria from coming back). For things like cutting boards or more porous surfaces – flood with straight white vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes, or rub with salt and ½ lemon for a couple of minutes.
If my Antibac cloth kills bacteria in the cloth, why does it sometimes get stinky?
The Antibac cloth kills the bacteria it picks up. But your cloth also picks up other things while you wipe – like food, for example. If there are minute bits of food decomposing in your cloth, it will get stinky! The best remedy is to rinse your cloth well after wiping, then wring it out thoroughly and hang it over your sink to dry. If it does get that funky smell, boiling it in a pot of water (with a slosh of white vinegar) for 5-10 minutes will have it smelling like new again! You may also want to occasionally wash it on the hottest setting available on your washing machine.
Is it true that I can wipe my toilet with an Antibac cloth and then wipe my kitchen counter?
No! It’s true that the Antibac cloth kills bacteria remaining in the cloth after you’ve rinsed it, but the effect happens over the course of 2-3 hours. It is not immediate, and you could contaminate your work surface if you wipe it with the same cloth you just used to clean your bathroom.
Many people purchase the Rainbow Pack of Antibac cloths so that they can use one color for the kitchen, another for the bathroom, etc.
But even if you only have one Antibac cloth, please wash it regularly and keep in mind that the bacteria in the cloth is not killed on contact!
Questions About the Magnet Ball
How and why does the Magnet Ball work?
Hard water is water containing a high level of calcium, magnesium and other minerals. Hard water reduces the cleansing power of soap and produces scale in hot water lines and appliances.
The idea of the Magnet Ball is that by passing water through a magnetic field, the calcium and magnesium ions are altered in such a way that they lose their ability to cause scale. Although the water is not technically soft, it has the useful properties of soft water, which has a number of benefits; it won’t reduce the effectiveness of your laundry soap, or dishwasher detergent, and is effective in reducing scale buildup in your pipes,which improves energy efficiency and reduces cost. The Magnet Ball tricks your hard water into thinking it’s soft!
Doug Greene from Magnetizer Industrial Technologies, Inc. says:
“I would agree that ion exchange reduces hardness from a chemical standpoint and magnetic water treatment does not remove hardness; however, magnets reduce the impact of the hardness minerals which is why magnetic water “acts” like soft water, since the negative effects of the minerals are controlled.
The fact remains that salt softening brine discharge has been banned in many areas due to the negative environmental impact and more and more plumbers are offering magnetic treatment systems as an environmentally sensitive alternative.”
Here is a partial transcript from the Radio National Science Show “Sensors & Magnets” Broadcast Saturday 30/09/00
Robyn Williams: Before I let you go Michael Coey, last year I interviewed you about the magnetic cleaning well of water systems which are clogged full of all that calcium carbonate scale. What’s been the progress on that?
Michael Coey: Well I learned one interesting thing a few months ago when I was in Poland. They had found an electrical power station and they installed one complete heat exchanger through which they ran water on an industrial scale which was being magnetically treated and they had another one in parallel which was using untreated water. They ran the experiment for four months and they found that there was an absolutely spectacular difference. I mean there was a factor of 20 perhaps in the amount of the deposit and the chemical nature of the deposit was quite different. So that was satisfying because you can get results.
Guest on this program:
Professor J.M.D. (Michael) Coey
Professor of Experimental Physics
Trinity College
University of Dublin
Dublin 2 Ireland
Can I use the Magnet Ball in a front loading washing machine?
Magnet Balls are NOT recommended for front load washing machines for a couple of reasons…
1. They actually aren’t necessary as front load washers already require such a small amount of soap.
2. There is some concern that because of the way the water circulates in a front loader, that they could possibly damage the inside of the drum OR the glass on the door.
Are there any other places that I can use the Magnet Ball besides my washing machine?
The Magnet Ball can also be used in dishwashers (on the top shelf), toilet tanks (to reduce hard water build up in your toilet bowl), and I have even heard of some people who use them in their tub while drawing a bath!
Do I need to clean my Magnet Ball?
Yes, it is a good idea to periodically clean the inside of your Magnet Ball. This is especially important if any member of your family works in an industrial setting, where they may get metal filings in or on their clothes (ie. welders). The Magnet Ball will draw these out of the water and into it’s center, and unless the ball is cleaned out, these metal filings will rust. To clean your Magnet Ball, simply run a microfiber cloth through the center hole of the ball a number of times, until you notice it is coming out clean.
Questions About Skin Care
Does Norwex have a skin care line?
Yes! Norwex’s skin care cleaning system consists not of skin cleaners and toners, but rather a simple microfiber cloth. The Antibac Body Pack microfiber facecloth removes makeup and even mascara with just water. Because the Norwex Body Pack cloth removes 99.9% of bacteria on the skin and also exfoliates, it’s a great alternative for people with acne or sensitive skin.
Norwex also carries a wonderful line of Organic Personal Care Products: organic day and night cream, organic shampoo and conditioner, organic shea butter, body lotions and much more. The product line is certified by ECOCERT® – a company which is based in Europe and is responsible for governing the criteria for the organic industry.
How is the Body Pack Microfiber Facecloth Different From The Envirocloth?
The Body Pack is a very different weave than the Envirocloth – much looser and gentler on the skin.
Why Is It Important To Reduce the Number of Dust Mites In Our Homes?
Dust mites are microscopic. About 50 of them can fit on the head of a pin. Dust mites eat the fungus that grows from dead skin cells and animal dander. The average adult sheds about 15 lbs of skin cells per year; 80% of that is shed in bed.
One dust mite produces, on average, approximately 50 fecal pellets daily. Their fecal matter is the most common cause of dust -related allergies. Approximately 80% of asthma sufferers are allergic to dust mites. What you may not know is that it’s not the Dust Mites causing the allergies; it’s the feces they leave behind.
There are millions of dust mites in your home, which live in your furniture, carpet, bed, bedding, and even your child’s stuffed toys. To help prevent and treat asthma it is important to get rid of them!
How Does Norwex Mattress Cleaner Work to Get Rid of Dust Mites?
The Mattress Cleaner has live, non-pathogenic (not disease causing) bacterial organisms in it, which use “enzymes” to rid the mattress of debris. The enzymes feed on the dead dust mites, dust mite feces, pet dander and dead skin cells, yeast and fungi. These enzymes are like a protein that feed on all the above and will continue to until all are eradicated. The end product is carbon dioxide and water – completely safe. Once there is no longer anything left for the enzymes to feed on they disintegrate.
There is a misconception that the Mattress Spray kills dust mites; the truth is that the mattress spray doesn’t actually KILL anything! It works by eating up organic waste such as dead dust mites and all of their accumulated fecal matter…as well as eating up all of the stuff the dust mites want to eat; i.e., it eats their food too…so dramatically limits their growth – a process microbiologists refer to as competitive inhibition!
HOW TO USE
•Use 2-3 times per year. 10 sprays does a twin mattress, 15 sprays does a queen-size mattress. (Use every 2 -3 months in asthmatic homes)
•Must be sprayed directly on the mattress (no need to flip), pillows, stuffed animals, furniture or carpet.
Is the Mattress Spray safe to use around children and pets?
The spray is perfectly safe for kids and pets because it is nothing different from what is around you on a daily basis. All around us is a micro world of bacteria and enzymes that keep each other in balance. What the makers of the Norwex mattress spray have managed to do is bottle up the good guys to eat up the bad guys!
So what is in the bottle, is really no different that what they are putting in their mouths all day long anyway! In fact, we have this same micro world in our mouths, on our skin, and throughout our body. The point of the mattress spray is to add more of the good micro-organisms to eradicate the bad ones.
Questions About Norwex Products & Allergies
Could someone who is allergic to peanuts also be allergic to shea butter?
This is possible. Norwex has not tested its shea butter products for people with peanut allergies and makes no claims of safety in this regard. Please know that there is research to indicate that people with peanut allergies are also sometimes allergic to tree nuts. The shea nut is a tree nut. As always when dealing with possible nut allergies, please use caution and common sense.
Will the silver agent in some Norwex products affect people with silver allergies?
The silver in Norwex products is a silver particle metal. It does not contain nickel. This silver does not leach, and therefore does not come out of or off of the products containing it. Silver is actually considered to be hypoallergenic. Most often, people with an allergy to silver in jewellery are actually allergic to an alloy.
Is this toothbrush worth the money?
To answer your question in a nutshell, I have included a recent article published in the Winnipeg Free Press
Dangers Lurking in Lowly Toothbrush
Tue Apr 17 2007
THAT ubiquitous bathroom standby — the lowly toothbrush — is likely giving houseroom to some pretty nasty inhabitants.
We’re taking germs here, folks. Microscopic bacteria, viruses and fungi — and you’re putting them daily into your mouth.
“We have millions and millions of bugs,” says Dr. Tom Glass, a professor of forensic sciences, pathology and dental medicine at OklahomaStateUniversity in Tulsa . “A toothbrush has everything a bug needs: it has food, it has water. And most people put it in a place where it’s warm and damp, like the bathroom, so the bugs just go wild.”
Rinsing a toothbrush under even the hottest water from the tap won’t put a dent in all the germs lodged in the bristles and head, nor will antiseptic mouthwashes or putting the brush in the dishwasher, maintains Glass.
In part, that’s because the bristles that make up the brush head are made of materials that allow the bugs to snuggle in and multiply.
“The problem is that while the bristles look smooth, they are very, very porous and the organisms get lodged down in there,” explains Glass, who advises replacing toothbrushes every two weeks.
“Our studies have shown that after two weeks the bristles that were smooth and end-rounded, at least two-thirds of those bristles are sharp and jagged. And therefore when you brush you have a way of getting them into the tissue, into the body.”
One of those studies involved using toothbrushes to clean the teeth of dogs under tightly controlled conditions. During the first month, the scientists used new, sterilized brushes each day on the animals’ teeth. Even so, those new brushes caused trauma to the soft tissues in the animals’ mouths.
The second month, the brushes were sterilized daily, then contaminated with the bacteria that cause cavities or periodontal disease. Not only did the canines get a number of oral infections, “but also we began to see an occasional organism in the blood,” says Glass.
During the third month, each dog had its teeth cleaned with its own toothbrush without sterilization, “just like you’ve been doing with your toothbrush,” he said.
“Cut to the chase: this was the worst-case scenario by far. We got many, many more lesions in the oral cavity, on the tongue … to the point we had one dog, she was so sick, we had to take her off the study and get her well.”
Glass says research has shown that toothbrushes can retain viruses like influenza and herpes for up a week, and he suggests any time someone is sick, they should not keep using the same old toothbrush.
“We recommend that people change their toothbrush at the beginning of an illness, when they first start feeling better and when they’re well, otherwise they’re going to recontaminate themselves.”
For some, such precautions may seem a little extreme.
Dr. Wayne Halstrom, president of the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), says he’s not aware of any evidence that people can contaminate themselves with bacteria from toothbrushes or reinfect themselves with cold or other viruses.
“Essentially the issue is that you don’t want to cross-contaminate,” says Halstrom, who practises in Vancouver . “It’s something like shared needles. You wouldn’t want to share a needle, well you certainly wouldn’t want to share a toothbrush with somebody because the bacteria that we find on an individual toothbrush are very specific to you or I that use them.”
Both the CDA and the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association advise that toothbrushes should be replaced about every three months. After brushing, the brush should be rinsed thoroughly, then stored upright to dry in the open air. — Canadian Press
© 2007 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved. |
NOTE: This article has been properly credited and is included here under the Fair Use act to educate the reader.
Is the Silvercare Toothbrush safe for young children to use?
Norwex has issued a statement regarding this question:
“Hazard Identified
As a result of the investigation into complaint received on February 6, 2008 where the improper use of the toothbrush led to the swallowing of the removable head. A health hazards evaluation determined that the device may pose a possible choking or swallowing hazard to children under three or individuals that would normally require supervision or assistance while brushing their teeth. Norwex has determined that a warning should be added to prevent reoccurrence of such an incident. The warning label will read
This product is not intended for individuals requiring assistance brushing their teeth. Not recommended for children under 3.”
Questions About the Effects of Chemical Exposure
What’s so bad about fabric softener?
Fabric softeners are EXTREMELY toxic! They contain chemicals (like chloroform, benzyl acetate and pentane) that are known to cause cancer and/or damage to lungs, brain, and nerves. These chemicals are even more dangerous when heated in clothes dryers.
Fabric softener chemicals are made to stay in clothes fibers and slowly release for a very long time. That slow release of chemicals into the air affects the health of those wearing the clothes and of people around them.
Some symptoms caused by fabric softener fumes are tiredness that is not cured by resting, difficulty breathing, nervousness for no known reason, difficulty concentrating and remembering, dizziness, headaches, sick stomach, feeling faint, rashes and/or difficulty controlling body movements.
FYI - Did you know that if a dryer sheet has not yet been used, it must be taken to a Toxic Roundup station and disposed of as toxic waste? After it has been used (and the toxic waste has been rubbed all over your clothes), it can be recycled with your regular paper garbage – Scary!
How much chemical exposure do we really get indoors?
DO YOU SUFFER FROM ANY OF THE FOLLOWING?
- allergies
- respiratory problems
- eczema
- recurring headaches with no known source
If you answered yes to any of these questions, your body may be showing the effects of a toxic environment. The National Cancer Society strongly suggests that one of the best ways to prevent cancer is by removing indoor toxins.
Exposure to toxic household hazardous chemicals from ingestion, inhalation or skin contact can produce acute (immediate) or chronic (long term) health effects such as:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Allergic Reactions
- Chemical Sensitivity
- Cardiac Damage
- Burning Eyes
- Skin Rashes
- Runny Nose
- Cancer
- Respiratory Tract Irritant
The air in our homes is filled with fumes from petrochemical solvents that have been added to cleaners to dissolve dirt. The average household contains anywhere from 3-25 gallons of toxic materials, most of which are in cleaners. No law requires manufacturers of cleaning products to list ingredients on their labels or to test their products for safety.
Questions About the Smell of Clean
If I use only water and a cloth to clean my house, won’t I really miss the clean smell of my home after I clean it with my usual chemical cleaners?
We need to redefine our idea of what clean smells like. The smell left behind by your chemical cleaners and laundry detergents is NOT the smell of clean. Clean does not smell like chemical cleaners – clean smells like NOTHING!
Here is an excerpt from Fragrances in Cleaning Products, Fabric Softeners and Laundry Detergents by Pamela Lundquist, Children’s Health Environmental Coalition
| “What does clean smell like? Many of us would say, lemony or pine-scented or floral. These are the scents used by manufacturers to make their cleaners smell pleasant rather than like their chemical ingredients. Fabric softeners and laundry detergents are among the most highly scented products, imparting fragrance to clothing and other laundry. But nearly all other cleaners, including dishwashing liquids, floor cleaners, furniture polish and bathroom cleaners, typically contain fragrance, too.
While these scents may seem natural, in most cases they are created using complex blends of chemicals that can cause health effects. During use, fragrance and other chemicals can “volatize,” or become airborne and are easily inhaled. What’s more, residues from laundry products remain on clothing and linens after washing. These residues can be inhaled or can irritate skin.
For most people, fragrances in many products are unlikely to cause symptoms when used alone or in a well-ventilated area, but using a product excessively or many products together can cause the chemicals to concentrate in the air to levels that become bothersome, especially to children because their airways are more sensitive than those of adults.
Limonene, a lemon or orange scent used in many cleaning products, as well as other aromatic compounds found in pine and other essential oils can cause difficulty breathing. Solvents used in cleaners, such as ethanol and styrene, can cause headaches, fatigue and dizziness. Styrene is a possible human carcinogen. Phthalates, used to lengthen the duration of a scent, are suspected hormone disruptors.
Because manufacturers are not required to list ingredients on the labels of cleaners, it is difficult to determine which chemicals may be used in any given product for scent. In most cases, you will see no more than the word “fragrance”.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the only agency that has any regulatory power over household cleaners, except when they contain antimicrobial agents. (Antimicrobials, such as disinfectants, are considered pesticides and are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.) CPSC regulates household cleaners based on the following “hazard categories”: toxic, flammable, caustic, irritant, sensitizer, carcinogen, nerve or reproductive toxin. And though many fragrance ingredients fit one or more of these categories, CPSC does not consider fragrance ingredients specifically when determining a cleaner’s hazard level, nor is the agency concerned with the multiple and cumulative exposures of fragrances that occur in most homes due to the use of numerous cleaning products.*
The government also does not regulate the term “fragrance-free”, according to a CPSC spokesperson. It is purely an industry invention. Many companies offer so-called “fragrance-free” products as an alternative to consumers who object to scent. However, the label is misleading. A product labeled “fragrance-free” may still contain fragrance ingredients, even if the scent cannot be easily detected. That’s because fragrance may be needed to mask the unpleasant odor of some chemical ingredients.
To reduce the fragrance overload in your home, try switching to mild cleaners that don’t have a heavy scent, such as those that are environmentally friendly or are made for the chemically sensitive.” |
Are all of Norwex products “safe”?
Comments like “Norwex products are completely safe – you could drink them” and “Norwex products contain nothing harmful for children” allow for personal liability and are actually incorrect.
“Completely pure” and “natural” are quite different than “safe for consumption.”
Our products follow Environmental Safety Standards for biodegradability. We are in accordance with European and North American standards and laws. Too much of anything is bad – this includes things considered safe.
Technically speaking soap can be dangerous and all soaps should have a warning label on them. We choose to have the warning to seek medical attention because ingested soap of any kind can lead to suffocation at the cellular level. This means that oxygen and nutrients can’t be passed to a cell and that is a dangerous situation. Soap surrounds the cell and has no way of ridding itself of the filmy layer so medical intervention is usually required if very large amounts of soap are ingested. All detergents and soaps should have the warning on their labels but most companies choose not inform, afraid it will concern consumers. Our company’s first concern is our clientele and education so they took the initiative to advise particularly because our soaps are concentrated with no fillers.
Technically our enzyme products can also be dangerous. The Sportzyme, Odor Eliminator and Mattress Cleaner can cause problems to the very few who are sensitive to them. Most consumers will never have a problem with any of these products, but those that do can have some pretty nasty symptoms. Again liability is the concern.
Shea butter is 100% pure so again those very few who may have problems will certainly know quickly they cannot tolerate the butter. Most will love this amazing emollient and repeatedly purchase but advising that it will be great for everyone is not the advice we suggest you give.
Just because something is pure, natural, low or no chemical does not imply that it is safe for everyone. Safe in the sense of environmentally friendly does not mean it may not cause problems if ingested.
Making general statements implying that every item we sell is absolutely safe is not always accurate. More accurate comments would be ones like the following:
- “Norwex products are environmentally-friendly and biodegrade quickly in the environment. We are proud that our products comply with our company Mission statement to reduce the use of chemicals in personal care and cleaning products.”
- “When compared to commercially available products, our customers can be assured that Norwex provides carefully selected products with the highest quality that follow our mission on reducing chemicals in homes and caring for the environment. We comply with strict environmental standards and take pride in the fact that we are offering unique products that allow customers to make better, healthier choices Worldwide.”
How much Norwex Laundry Detergent should I use per load?
The recommended amount of detergent per load depends on 2 factors; Do you have hard or soft water, and are you using a top or front load washing machine? Below are the general recommended quantities.
- Top Load with Hard Water – 2 Tbsp of detergent
- Top Load with Soft Water – 1 Tbsp of detergent
- Front Load with Hard Water – 1/2 – 1 tsp of detergent
- Front Load with Soft Water – 1/4 – 1/2 tsp of detergent
What are the fillers in other laundry detergents?
While it’s become difficult to find direct listings of ingredients used as fillers in detergents (just references to soaps with ‘no fillers’), the general consensus seems to be that ingredients such as lime stone, chalk and animal bones are all used because they are calcium based. Calcium works along with phosphates to increase suds in the water, and make you feel that your laundry is clean. Fillers also add bulk to the product. These fillers, however, leave clothes dingy and contribute to itching, allergic reactions, and pre-mature fading and wear of fabrics. Norwex laundry detergent contains no fillers, perfumes, or dyes.
of the dust mitt, and you said “I know people that like to use one on each hand when they clean” and I thought to myself..whatever, she just wants to sell each of us 2 