If you have been around here for long, you know that I love simplicity, multi-purposing, and natural living all-in-one. I love finding items that will help simplify my homemaking to help preserve time and energy, but also good for our health and the environment as much as possible, on top of accomplishing these things without breaking the bank. It is a tall order. So you would imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon Enviro Cloth…and it appears to be the ultimate in meeting these criteria.
The Enviro Cloth is produced by Norwex, a company committed to preserving quality of life while reducing chemical expose in the home and on the body. It is made out of microfiber cloth with an innovative design that uses anti-bacterial silver particles integrated into the synthetic microfiber, ensure (according to their website):
• Single-celled micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses cannot survive or adapt in silver exposure
• Surface-to-surface cross-contamination is eliminated
• Rapidly drying cloths prevent bacteria growth in the cloth itself
This material can hold up to 7x its weight in water. Unlike many other types of cloth that smear dirt across the surface you are trying to clean, the MicroFiber cloths act like bionic sponges removing dirt and bacteria, to leave a highly polished and clean surface. And all this can be accomplished with just the simple use of water. You don’t need any other all-purpose sprays, window cleaners, etc. Sound too good to be true? It sure did to me. According to the company, Laboratory tests have proven that Norwex antibacterial microfiber reduced bacteria by 99.99% in 24 hours! With this simple tool, which can be used dry or damp, you can clean walls, tiles, bathtubs, counters, metal surfaces, car interiors and more. Dry for dusting and damp for all other uses.
I purchased the Basic Cleaning Package which included one Enviro Cloth and one Window Cloth (pictured left). I have used the Enviro Cloth for all my basic cleaning. I even had success spot cleaning carpets with it. I have loved it! The Window Cloth (which is smoother in texture to the Enviro Cloth) especially blew my husband and I away. It produced a beautiful lint-free and clean window with just water!To clean, simply spray a little water on the surface and polish with a dry window cloth. I found it most effective to wipe down a surface with the damp Enviro Cloth and then dry and polish it with the Window Cloth, especially for windows, mirrors, stainless steel appliances, etc. I never imagined I could get such clean polished streak-free windows. There is absolutely no residue remaining. We have used it successfully for all our windows, mirrors, laptop screens, piano surface, and windows in the car. Pretty impressive for one little cloth. So these basic clothes can replace practically all your cleaning supplies. Simplicity in action! I loved just taking one damp Enviro Cloth and wiping down all our household surfaces so easily and know that they were clean. The only thing I need beyond these closes is a toilet brush and some oxygen bleach for the toilet bowl.
How to clean them?
Clean these cloths by simply wringing them out and hanging to dry. Very fast drying. For slightly dirty cloths, hand wash with a little dish detergent under warm running water. Wring and hang to dry. They also may be laundered with other lint-free laundry. Washing with other items will destroy their lint-free properties.
Where to Buy?
Norwex is a multi-level company, so unfortunately they can not be purchased in store, so you have to purchase through independent consultants. I recommend purchasing through The Urban Homemaker, a Christian family run business.
At just $14.50 per cloth that can be reused indefinitely, this cleaning tool could save you a lot of money! Norwex offers many other cleaning solutions from mopping, to innovative toilet cleaning tool, in addition to natural body care products. Check it out! All their products come with a 60 day money back guarantee and have a two year warranty. I’m tempted to host a party to see more of these products in action.
Any one else tried these clothes yet?
Lindsay,
As a new Norwex consultant I have to say your blog post is fabulous extolling the virtues of the Norwex microfiber cloths. And the information you presented about the Norwex products is still true, three years later. This company is strong and continues to grow due to the strength of their products and committment to quality.
If you haven’t been able to locate a Norwex consultant to provide a demonstration I’d love to do that for you, virtually! I love to conduct Facebook Norwex parties where I can provide all kinds of information about Norwex products, answer questions, and provide videos officially sanctioned by the company, Norwex.
Feel free to contact me via email ([email protected]) or on my website, http://www.PattiStauss.norwex.biz. Thanks!
i always use cleaning products that are organic, we have some organic cleaning fluids at home and in our office.`
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After doing a TON of research I have actually chosen to buy ENJO cleaning products. This is a chemical free product with amazing results made in Austria. Norwex and the e-cloths show amazing results as well but it is unfortunate that they use silver…it helps clean but it is a non-renuable and endangered resource. If we want to take the step to clean “naturally” then why not take the extra step to clean “friendly” as well. ENJO is quite expensive and I’m mennonite so that was a hard plunge to take but I saved some money and bought it guilt free knowing my family will be healthier and then environment unaffected!
I’m a current Norwex consultant. I too had thought Norwex was really expensive when I went to my first party. I bought an enviro cloth just to test the waters. I fell in love with Norwex and its purpose. So much that I became a consultant. I’m part of what the call “the dream team”. When we do shows just to prove the the cloths do infact clean your surfaces we do a chicken protein test where we smear raw chicken on to a plate take a protein swan swab the plate, the solution will then turn purple for the prescense of protein. We then wipe down the plate with the cloth then swab again and it will turn green as in no presence of protein! I love doing this!
Heather, I know your Dream Team leader well… you made an excellent choice of Norwex teams to join. You could not ask for better support in a leader. What I wanted to say is that consultants are not scientists – and yet hey seem to believe, without any real proof of understanding, that the removal of protein on a surface is essentially the same as the removal of bacteria. In fact, these functions are not the same, and the complete removal of protein with a swab should not be being used at parties to imply the complete removal of bacteria. This is dangerous practice – it creates an impression that is not necessarily correct. Norwex used to publish studies on bacteria removal. Do they still? I haven’t seen one in a few years – they seem to have been pulled.
Oh funny! How do you know her? I believe in this test to show customers that it does clean. Its not just smearing everything all over. Nothing however is 100%. I think people need to understand that also. I love my N orwex and truely believe that it is the best quality you can get. I don’t know about the studies though. I may have to look into that.
Hi! You said you purchased only two cloths. A window and enviro. Do you use the same cloth on your toilet that you use on your kitchen counter top? I’m trying to decide if I should buy for multiple rooms or if literally one window and one enviro is all I need. Thanks
Yesiree. It is anti-bacterial so I don’t think there is any real concern.
Certainly, you can start with one cleaning cloth and one window cloth. What you will find over time though is that you will convert your entire house to Norwex and will need more, simply because you have several rooms and at times the cloths will be in the laundry and you will not want to be without them !
As a former Norwex consultant (4 years!) I used to get asked quite often about whether or not you could literally clean your toilet and then clean your kitchen counter (because of the lack of cross-contamination. The cross-contamination is not zero. It is .01. I would never use the same cloth to do a toilet and then a countertop.
One commenter said she didn’t have the budget for Norwex. Norwex is so expensive because it’s a direct sales company that has to pay out to consultant downlines etc. E-cloth (real ones, not knock-off supermarket ones) are a great alternative to Norwex. They are essentially the same microfiber – in fact are very slightly higher in quality because the denier is slightly finer – and way less money. I have written a post about the differences here: http://www.buyecloth.com/e-cloth-vs-norwex/.
Thanks for this post promoting Norwex – the more people that know that you can clean with just water and a cloth, the better for all of us!
A friend of mine sells Norwex and just gave me a cloth and a polishing cloth to see how i liked them…OMG…my patio door is sparkling in under a minute with nothing but a damp cloth…amazing!! I am sold!!
I’ve been using both Norwex for 3 years and have been trying e-cloths for the past year as well. My e-cloth wore out much faster and the 3 year old Norwex cloths are still great. I think it’s worth the extra few dollars. I have not had to buy ANY cleaning products for 3 years so I appreciate this post and agree totally. I have 6 young children and even my one year old loves to dust and clean with the cloths. And as someone else mentioned, the silver in Norwex cloths is micro silver, a quality of the fiber, and irreversible (it would be like trying to separate cream from coffee after mixing)- it cannot be washed out were as other cloths with silver use nano-silver which can be washed into the water systems- acting more as a biohazard. Silver is perfectly safe when contained. I cannot say enough great things about Norwex.
Just wondering if anyone has any comments on the e cloth microfiber cloths? I have never used either Norwex or e cloth, but after reading this I did some looking around online and found many people who liked both, but e cloth was cheaper. Any insights?
Both Ecloth and Norwex are great! If you go to the e-cloth page on Facebook, you can get a big discount on your order. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/E-Cloth-Best-Natural-Cleaning-Product/147002948671778
I love love my norwex. I’ve been using it for almost three years now and not only is it better for the environment it’s so cost effective. I used to go through a bottle of multi-purpose cleaner and one roll of papertowel a month. Now I buy one package of paper towel per year and I rarely use any sprays or chemicals. And I really love the window cloth as well. And of course the mop…what can I say…I love everything.
yes! i love love love mine!
Oh, those look fabulous! I think I may need to look into them a bit more…
Have been reading your blog for some time, but have not commented before.
I also loved Norwex so much that I signed up to be a consultant here in Canada. I like the products, I like what the company stands for and I like that I get to educate people about the dangers of the chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis and then help them make better choices for their families. Norwex is what got me on the path to a healthier lifestyle for our family.
Love, love, love my Norwex products! Face cloths are one of my favorites. The mop is also exceptional, making mopping a breeze. I also love that I can give my little ones a damp cloth and they can help me clean the bathrooms! And I can even get the shower cleaned while I’m showering. Every so often I boil my cloths to get rid of any smell and it makes them almost like brand new. Great products!
I love Norwex, but don’t have the budget for it. I had a small party with a few outside orders, and was able to earn $250 worth of free product! I think I wrote my consultant a check for around $7 when all was said and done! That’s the way to go if you’re on a budget. God bless!
Last Spring, my husband wanted to clean the interior of my vehicle–very icky after a Minnesota winter (would you want to clean it when it is 20-30 degrees below 0? ). He was very irritated when all I had to give him was a Norwex cloth and a bucket of water. After using it, he was a believer! It cleaned everything…as our vehicle is very old, that says a great deal. I love using it to clean everything in my kitchen and the mop speeds up cleaning our wood floors.
I’ve been using mine for 2 years and there is no sour smell at all. I’ve never used anything but water for cleaning and I have never let it dry while dirty. Initially, I thought it was over priced so I bought some cheaper versions of the anti-bac cloth and glass cleaning cloth for comparison. Norwex is much better, worth every cent–even for my penny pinching self!
I am using Norwex cloths for the first time and really appreciating them-TRULY less elbow grease required for all the cleaning!!! However, I DO have the sour cloth smell, which I was promised would not happen
Ugg. So, I am on a search to figure out what the deal is with that. Any ideas?
We use many norwex products and love them. Our consultant suggested boiling the cloths every so often to help with the smell and getting the extra gunk out that regular washing doesn’t get out. They seem like an expense upfront but if you consider I haven’t bought any cleaning products in the 2 years I have used them seems like a money saver to me (have a party and you get tons of free stuff!). Plus just using water saves time! They work great on glass top stoves and their spirisponges are great for cleaning pots/pans burnt spills on stovetops. I launder them with my normal wash. One suggestion I heard wash to put them in a lingerie bag along with your normal wash. I was also told by my consultant that cleaning with vinegar leaves a residue behind (not sure her source to back that up)?
Anyway We love them!
I read on Dr. Mercola’s website that microfiber clothes with silver in them lose the silver ions over the course of a few washes. According to studies they only work a few times then you have to use some type of natural cleaner like vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. It is too bad!! I went to a Norwex party last summer and spent a lot of money. My cloths get stinky even though I rinsed them out carefully and only used vinegar or water to clean them with. Kinda disappointing!
I honestly take everything Dr. Mercola says with a grain of salt. He doesn’t have the best reputation. Kitchen Kop and other have had some very interesting problems with him. I think you should contact Norwex if you are having problems. They have a solid warranty and I am sure could offer suggestions or replace your products. I think you are supposed to use a light detergent without fabric softeners for a reason. Maybe vinegar is just not doing the job or damaging them in some way.
Hi Jessica,
I am a Norwex consultant and just wanted you to know that your Norwex cloths have a two year warranty and should not be smelly. I’m assuming you have not used fabric softener with them or bleach or put them in a dryer that has been used with a dryer sheet. Try boiling your cloths for 10 min. and if they still smell, return them to your Norwex consultant and ask for a new set – try again. I’ve been using Norwex for over 2.5 years and selling the product to hundreds of very satisfied customers. See my website http://www.garcie.com and check the blog for information and care instructions.
The silver in the Norwex cloths are part of the microfibre and will not wash out.
If you have found your Norwex cloths getting stinky, just boil them for about 10 minutes with a teaspoon of vinegar or the Norwex Ultra Power Laundry detergent. They have gunked up fibers and because of that, the micro silver agent can’t keep up with the bacteria killing….this boiling will let the fiber open up and release all the gunk and your cloths should be good as new!! (check out the water when your finished…ewww gross!!) If not, there is a 2 year warranty on them…
I would have to assume that Dr.Mercola was referring to “nano” silver technology, of which there is great concern over it leaching into our water system and becoming a nightmare of a problem to our ecosystem. Norwex cloths use “micro” technology … much larger than “nano” particles, the silver will not leach out and the antibacterial properties will last the “lifetime” of your cloth. (What a “lifetime” is will depend of course on how often you use your cloth, and for what kind of cleaning tasks, of course, but our cloths are warrantied for 2 years or 500 launderings.)
Norwex cloths have demonstrated the ability to not only remove 99.9 percent of bacteria, yeast, fungi, and virus from surfaces using only water, but because of the silver agent embedded in the fiber, they also demonstrate a reduction of 99.9% of bateria within the cloth over a 24 hour drying period. What does this mean? Cleaner cloths! It means that you don’t need to toss a cloth into your laundry basket under the sink after only one use! Any other cloth will breed (on average) 14,000 new bacteria as it is drying … and then transfer these to the surfaces that you “clean” with it next! After using a Norwex Enviro cloth, simply rinse well, using a bit of clear dish liquid if needed to remove any grease/dirt, and hang to dry under your sink. Launder “as needed” … again, depending on how dirty your cleaning jobs have been and how often your use your cloths.
Norwex does have a superior Warranty Policy and stands behind it’s products 100%, so if you ever have any concerns that your products are not living up to your expectations, I encourage your to contact your Norwex Consultant!
I am an Independent Sales Consultant and Sales Leader in BC, Canada.
It isn’t true that the silver washes out. It’s not an ion. It’s actually woven into the make-up of the cloth and (real) research on the cloths demonstrates that the silver still does the same job after 500 washings. Dr. Mercola is… well.. a quack. Google Dr. Mercola quack and you will find this to be the case.
As a former longtime Norwex consultant, I used to get asked all the time about stinky cloths and how to fix them (you have to boil them in a pot with lots of detergent, then rinse them through in your washing machine). People think the silver is what cleans their surfaces, and that’s not the case. It’s the microfiber itself that does that. The silver is meant to inhibit bacterial growth in the cloth after you’ve used it and rinsed it. All sorts of things can interfere with this: food particles stuck in the cloth, dish soap (it acts as a barrier between the silver and the bacteria, build-up of laundry detergent, etc.
I am really not convinced that the silver cloths are all that useful for household cleaning. The silver may be good if you’re not regularly washing your cloths, but it doesn’t get things any cleaner than the same cloth without the silver would do. The silver cloths are very expensive to produce, and that’s why they cost so much (that and the fact that Norwex is an MLM company who has to pay out consultants for downline team sales).
I still use the Norwex enzyme products (love, love, love the Descaler) but I have moved from using Norwex microfiber to using E-cloth. Here’s a comparison: http://www.buyecloth.com/e-cloth-vs-norwex/.
No matter which you choose: Norwex or E-cloth or any other microfiber, it’s great to stop cleaning with chemicals. Happy green cleaning!
I’ve tried a few Norwex products: the window cloth and an all-purpose cloth. I’ve had great success using both, especially the window cloth(my most disliked cleaning job had previously been windows). My plan is to purchase the mop set as I’ve heard great reviews from friends. I already use non-toxic products, but so far enjoy the simplicity of Norwex.
Hi! First I want to say that I really enjoy reading your blog! I am trying to use more whole foods and natural products so I love reading about what you are doing in your home.
I have been using microfiber cloths for over a year in our home, although not the brand you blogged about. I’m not sure about the benefit of the added silver, since studies on plain-ol’ regular microfiber cloths show that they remove 99% of bacteria from hard surfaces without the addition of the silver. You can buy high-quality microfiber cloths very inexpensively in the automotive department. I bought a set of 36 split-fiber microfiber cloths on Amazon for $20 (Zwipes microfiber cloths). I cut some in half so I have two sizes, and use them every day to wipe down my kitchen counters,table, stovetop, etc. I use one wet and one dry each day and put the used ones in a little laundry basket under my sink. They do a remarkable job of getting messes scrubbed up and I only have to use water. The nice thing about microfiber is that it traps the bacteria in the fibers until it is washed out, so you aren’t just smearing bacteria all over your counters when you wipe. I think they are fantastic and are a good option for those who don’t want to spend $15 on a single cloth, or have reservations about using a product with added silver.
It sounds good, but I don’t think they are “frugal” enough for me! I like to just use rags and old cloth prefolds for our cleaning…washes out in the wash…and I think that those, plus homemade vinegar cleaners, are wayyyy cheaper and effective enough than the $14 a cloth noted above. Especially since I don’t even have much of a cleaning budget…it just isn’t something I would purchase above and beyond my normal expenditures.
Lindsay, I’ve seen similar cloths at the grocery store, but these look thicker. Other than than, how do they differ from the standard microfiber cloth? Do they all have these same characteristics or do the common store brands lack some of these?
Also, I’ve been looking for an alternative to comet for cleaning the toilet bowl. You mentioned oxygen bleach… can you tell me more?
Yes, these are definitely different from the microfiber clothes on the market. They have a unique design with the silver particles that make them more effective in cleaning and absorbing the bacteria and such. That is how I understand it (read more here). Yes, I use oxygen bleach which is a natural chlorine bleach alternative. I discussed it in more detail here.
The difference between Norwex microfiber and other retail microfiber products is simply quality. All microfiber is graded based on the number of times each fiber is split.
Your retail cloths, the fibers are split usually 6-9, maybe as many as 15 times. Norwex microfibers are split a minimum of 100 times which is why they are so much more “grabby” and work WAY better than all other versions of microfiber cleaning cloths.
Hope this helps!
Brandy Burge
Sales Manager
http://www.Norwex101.com
http://www.NorwexGreenTeam.com
http://www.NorwexWebsites.com
You mentioned these cloths can be used “indefinitely”. Does that mean they never need to be replaced? I can’t imagine they would never wear out?!? Also, you mentioned oxygen bleach for cleaning toilets. Are your referring to Oxyfresh? If not, what, and where would I find it? Thanks, Lindsay! Your site has become my “one stop shopping” resource.
All Norwex microfiber has a two-year warranty with an expected life span of 7-10 years…so I guess indefinitely is not quite the right word. I just meant they will last you a long time.
I talk about oxygen bleach here.
I’ve been using Norwex cloths for a few years but actually just chuck’em in with my towels as they get used on such a regular basis for all windows/mirrors but also for bathroom wipedowns and dusting. It is true that I get a tiny bit of lint on mirrors but it doesn’t remain. They still work like a charm. I realized that if they were to be a staple in my home they’d have to be real easy. I don’t think you mentioned that they shouldn’t be washed or dried with any fabric softener. We use Norwex dryer balls in the winter and line dry (mostly) in the summer. A great choice!
Also, my cloths do not have any silver in them. I think you can still buy these if you have concerns about the silver.
I use both clothes and also love them, but I miss the smell of a freshly clean bathroom or kitchen. I know, I know….that smell is from toxic chemicals but Mrs. Meyers has some great products that are natural and smell fabulous, but I suppose you can’t beat water.
The window cloth is my favorite. I love cleaning our sliding glass doors with it. Very quick and the results are great. You should mention that people have to be careful with washing them, b/c I know that will determine how well they perform.
Mrs. Meyers is not all natural. They use synthetic fragrances. Most synthetic fragrance is toxic chemicals. Just thought you’d want to know.
I’ve read some pretty awful things about the nano-silver particles – once you wash the garment they go into the water supply. They’re unnaturally tiny so it’s not certain exactly what will happen from there. I’m much more afraid of the nano-silver than I am of germs!
Norwex silver is at the micro level not nano therefore it will not wash out over time. It has been embedded into the fiber of the cloth and is guaranteed for 2 years.
I also love Norwex products. I started using them a year ago and am amazed what you can do with just water and not chemicals.
I LOVE Norwex products!! I love them so much that I decided to become a Norwex consultant! Like you mentioned above, I can pretty much clean my whole house with just the enviro cloth! Cleaning is now super easy and quick! And my kids can help me clean. There is NO danger of inhaling, touching, or ingesting any cleaning chemical. This one cloth also removes 99.9% microorganisms from smooth surfaces! I’ve also found that from time to time, I like to boil my cloths in water for about 10 min. to get them really clean.
I also use my cloth for things outside my home like when I go grocery shopping – I wipe off the cart handle and around the child seat, as my daughter likes to bite the handle… And I take a damp one with me whenever we leave the house and when we all get in the van, I wipe off all of our hands. It also cleans off white boards and chalk boards really well too. (Make sure to give it a good rinse afterward!) We don’t even have paper towels in our kitchen anymore because I just use the enviro cloth to wipe up any and all spills.
I could go on and on about these cloths. If you love the enviro cloth, you’ll also love the Norwex body pack cloths. They gently clean and exfoliate your skin with ONLY water! They remove ALL make-up and really cleanse your face! This ONE cloth will replace all make-up remover, facial cleansers & soaps, as well as body soap if you’d like. The cloth cleans really well and is softer than the enviro cloth.
Lindsay, thanks for sharing this post!
Thank you for this review- I’ve seen similar cloths advertised but if one believes all the ad hype you could spend a fortune on useless stuff, so I tend to only try out new things which have been recommended by a ‘real’ person! If you see what I mean!
Anytime that anyone would like to see a Norwex product in action, just go to http://www.norwex.ca and go to “Find a Consultant”. When you enter your postal code it will give you the consultant closest to you and you could contact them to show you a few demos of the various Norwex products. That way you would be seeing them from a “real” person!! No obligation to buy but the demos are very informative and really cool!!