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About Norwex Microfiber

NORWEX Microfiber FAQ

What exactly is Microfiber?

The incredible quality fibers and highly advanced fabrication of a Norwex Microfiber Cloth enables a cleaning performance that is unmatched. It’s a combination of two basic fibers, Polyester and Polyamide (a nylon by-product).

These fibers are split and formed into a fabric of 70% Polyester (the scrubbing and cleaning fiber), and 30% Polyamide (the absorbing and quick drying fiber).
These threads are very small in diameter, making them ideal for cleaning because they possess far more cleaning edges to pick up dirt than any other fabric in the world.
Rated in denier (the unit for measuring fineness of fabric) a strand of cotton has a rating of 200. A human hair has a denier of 20 and a strand of silk has a denier of 8. The average microfiber has a denier of 1.0. NORWEX fiber has a denier of 0.13pr
Each fiber is 1/100^th the width of a human hair, resulting in an an extraordinary 2.9 million meters of fiber in every small (35x35cm) Norwex Enviro Cloth!
Unlike conventional cloths, as you draw a Norwex Microfiber cloth across a surface, the fibers clean by breaking up, trapping and absorbing dirt, grease, oil, and grime bacrom all hard surfaces, rather than just spreading it around.
Can reach into the tiniest crevices (even those in surfaces which appear smooth to the human eye) and scoop out hidden dirt.
Has a natural static charge that acts like a magnet to attract even the tiniest particles of dirt

Commonly Asked Questions

What are the benefits of cleaning with microfiber?
What makes Norwex Antibac microfiber different from other microfiber?
How do I take care of my Norwex Microfiber?
How do I dust with microfiber?
What are some kitchen and bathroom uses for microfiber?
Where else can a microfiber cloth be used?

What are the benefits of cleaning with microfiber?

Microfiber cleaning...

is environmentally friendly
improves the indoor environment by achieving a cleaner result
is extremely cost efficient when you choose high quality, long lasting products
is loved by the cleaner because it makes cleaning easy

Microfiber cloths can reduce the consumption of cleaning chemicals in your home up to 90% while at the same time cutting down your exposure to toxic fumes. This can make a big difference for anyone with allergies and chemical sensitivities.

In all areas of our home, including bathrooms and kitchens, microfiber cloths removes dirt and grime from surfaces, resulting in a cleaner, healthier environment.

High quality microfiber cloths are very durable. They are widely used in commercial cleaning environments and can withstand the rigors of everyday usage.

What makes Norwex Antibac microfiber different from other microfiber?

A great number of things!

2. A Norwex Antibac microfiber cloth is still effective after 500 washings!

3. 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.

4. Norwex microfiber can go in the dryer (no fabric softener or bleach). Most other microfiber cloths cannot go in the dryer!

How do I take care of my Norwex Microfiber?

Washing Instructions for Norwex Microfiber

To save the environment and reduce the use of detergents, we suggest that slightly dirty cloths and mop pads be washed with a little dish detergent under war running water and used again before laundering.

Use our Rubber Brush to remove dirt and debris from the mop pads between launderings
Launder Microfiber cloths with other lint-free laundry
Do Not use bleach or fabric softener on microfiber. Bleach and fabric softeners destroy the product's ability to clean effectively
Use only detergent without bleach additives to clean Norwex microfiber products. We recommend the Norwex Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent or another laundry detergent that is biodegradeable and environmentally friendly.
For heavily soiled cloths it is recommended that they be boiled in water for up to 5 min and then laundered as usual. This will help release grease and other organic material that is set deep into the cloths.
Do Not Microwave the cloths. Silver is a metal it is highly recommended that anything metalic NOT be put into the microwave.

With proper care of your Norwex cloths they will last far beyond the 2 year warranty.

How do I dust with microfiber?

Microfiber removes dust from your home rather than spreading it back through the air.

For dusting, use your microfiber cloth or dusting mitt dry rather than wet. Dry microfiber is staticky and attract dirt and dust particles. As you lightly wipe the surface, the microfiber traps even the smallest particles of dust so that they stay in one place instead of flying around.

Norwex microfiber can be washed and dried in your machines using any detergent. Just don't use fabric softener, dryer sheets or bleach.

What are some kitchen and bathroom uses for microfiber?

The tiny fibers in a Norwex microfiber cloth pick up more dir, grease and food residue than other cloths, which makes it perfect for kitchen and bathroom use. You can use your Norwex microfiber anywhere in the kitchen or bathroom, but here are a few ideas to get you started:

Norwex Antibac Microfiber Cloths:

Clean and shine the insides and outsides of your appliances - works GREAT on stainless steel!
Clean and shine your toaster, blender, coffee maker, etc.
Clean and shine your taps and sinks made of any material.
Get your stove top made of any material shiny and clean.
Wash dishes in the sink.
Remove the dirt and grease from window blinds without removing them.
Get your windows, mirrors and glass sparkling clean.
Remove dust and grease from cabinet fronts, insides and tops.
Clean and shine your counter tops - works GREAT on granite and other shiny surfaces!
Clean the insides and outsides of your toilet, sink, tiles, bathtub and shower - works GREAT to remove soap scum!
Prevent build-up on bathtubs, shower stalls and glass doors.
Remove stuck-on bathroom gunk like toothpaste, shaving cream, hair gel and hairspray, soap scum, etc.
Clean and shine your bathroom accessories (toothbrush holder, soap dispenser, etc.)
Hand wash or spot wipe your floors made of any material.
Wipe down your walls - get those fingerprints and splashes off!
Wipe down your kitchen table and chairs made of any material including fabric
Spot-clean area rugs

TIP: The Rainbow Pack has 4 Antibac cloths, each in a different color so you can color-code your cloths to the cleaning job. For example, you could use red in the kitchen, and green in the bathroom!

Norwex Antibac Wet Mop with Telescoping Handle

walls, windows, shower stalls, plant shelves and other hard-to-reach places (when you use the bracket attachment)
wood floors
linoleum or marmoleum floors
tile floors
laminate floors

The Norwex microfiber mop has a flat-surfaced, easy-to-remove microfiber head. Instead of rinsing a bulky mop head in a bucket, the microfiber

head can be removed from the mop handle, rinsed it in a small amount of warm water, and replaced on the handle to continue the job. Because it’s so easy, mop heads can be rinsed more frequently using very little water. A microfiber mop head can be wrung out well, so that mopping is done with a damp mop, not a soaking wet one dripping water all over the floor. Floors dry faster because there is less water left on them. The same mop handle and a dry mop pad can be used to dust floors. Microfiber makes for a revolution in mop technology.

Where else can a microfiber cloth be used?

Oh, lots of places! Norwex microfiber is safe for use anywhere. How about...

On your Car, Truck or Minivan?

dashboard and other hard surfaces
chrome trim
windshield and windows- Remove condensation, kids’ hand prints, dog nose prints, ice cream smears and other dirt.
alloy wheels
fabric or leather upholstery carpeting

On your Recreational Vehicle?

airplanes
boats & SeaDoos
Skidoos
quads
motorhomes
motorcycles & motocross bikes
bicycles
farm equipment & machinery

On your Tools & Equipment?

gardening tools
ski equipment
fishing gear
hiking, camping & climbing equipment
golf clubs and spikes - when used with the spirisponge or spirinettes, it removes dried on mud and rust from golf clubs.

Tags: norwex, microfiber, chemical free cleaning, green cleaning

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Norwex Product FAQ

Questions About Bacteria

Don't we need exposure to bacteria in order to boost our immune system?

Questions About Norwex Microfiber

If my chemical cleaner kills bacteria, why should I switch to Norwex microfiber?
So how can I sanitize things like change tables and cutting boards?
Why does my Antibac cloth sometimes get stinky?
Is it true that I can wipe my toilet with an Antibac cloth and then wipe my kitchen counter?

Questions About the Magnet Ball

How and why does the Magnet Ball work?
Can I use the Magnet Ball in a front loading washing machine?
Are there any other places that I can use the Magnet Ball besides my washing machine?
Do I need to clean my Magnet Ball?

Questions About Cleaning Wood Surfaces

What Norwex product is best for cleaning wood?

Questions About Skin Care

Does Norwex have a skin care line?
How is the Body Pack Microfiber Facecloth Different From The Envirocloth?

Questions About the Mattress Cleaner

Why Is It Important To Reduce the Number of Dust Mites In Our Homes?
How Does Norwex Mattress Cleaner Work to Get Rid of Dust Mites?
Is the Mattress Spray safe to use around children and pets?

Questions About Biodegradability of Products

How long does it take Norwex products to biodegrade?

Questions About Norwex Products & Allergies

Could someone who is allergic to peanuts also be allergic to shea butter?
Will the silver agent in some Norwex products affect people with silver allergies?

Questions About the Effects of Chemical Exposure

What's so bad about fabric softener?
How much chemical exposure do we really get indoors?

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?

General Questions about Norwex

Why is Norwex microfiber made in China?
Are Norwex products regulated by Health Canada?
Are all of Norwex products "safe"?

Questions About Norwex Laudry Detergent

How much Norwex Laundry Detergent should I use per load?
What are the fillers in other laundry soaps?
Does the Norwex Laundry Detergent contain phosphate?

Questions About Bacteria

Don't we need exposure to bacteria in order to boost our immune system?

Have you ever heard the argument that the necessity for household cleaning is over-exaggerated because human beings have lived with bacteria and dust for thousands of years and survived?

What is different about our lives today versus 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. Most of us probably do not have enough plants in our home to encourage a fresh supply of oxygen. 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.

It is true that most bacteria are good. We get sick when the good bacteria do not keep the bad bacteria in check. Because cleaning with chemicals kills a broad spectrum of good and bad bacteria, 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.

Answer by: By Jennifer Rodriguez-Allen, B.Sc. and Kerri Errington, MRT.

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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 and debris. 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 clean using only water. You can actually feel the microfiber grabbing at the surface as you wipe!

2. A Norwex Antibac microfiber cloth still is effective 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.

If my chemical cleaner kills bacteria, why should I switch to Norwex microfiber?

Reason 1

When you clean with Norwex Antibac microfiber, you are doing an excellent job of cleaning the surface of items in your home.

When you clean with chemicals, you are likewise killing 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 is scary and 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 capfull 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 spray of water and a damp Antibac Enviro Cloth - (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.

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Why does my Antibac cloth sometimes get stinky?

The Antibac cloth may pick 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! 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 inactivated on contact!

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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 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 Cleaning Wood

What Norwex product is best for cleaning wood?

The Norwex Dusting Mitt can replace Pledge and a cloth for dusting. If you like to use wood oil, you can use about 1/3 of your usual amount in conjunction with the Envirotowel.

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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 cleans 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 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.

Questions About the Mattress Spray

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.

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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 the Biodegradability of Products

How long does it take Norwex products to biodegrade?

Shampoo biodegrability (OECD standard 301 A- F) - approximately 90 % in 6 days

Toilet brush lifetime : there are refills for brushes older than 10 years.

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.

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Will the silver agent in some Norwex products affect people with silver allergies?

The silver in Norwex products 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.

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."

General Questions About Norwex

Why is Norwex microfiber made in China?

We have quality control measures in place. In fact the document is titled “Norwex Product Requirements Specification.”

This controls everything from the raw material requirements, conformance levels and each production run is evaluated strictly; according to our standards. The facility in China is a Norwex facility, so we control everything from the hiring of staff to the production and testing of our products.

Furthermore, China was chosen for the expertise in textiles. You can get a Ph.D. in textile engineering in China, and when that plant began operation, they were soon able to double the amount of microfiber that was in our cloths – making our product even more superior than anything else on the market. At that time we went from 1.5 to 2.9 million meters of microfiber in each cloth!

Norwex only manufactures microfiber – all other products come to us from other manufacturers and we simply market these products. We import from approximately 13 different countries – we find the best and put them all in one place. I know our Cleaning Paste is made in Austria, our Silvercare Toothbrushes are made in Italy, our rubber products (rubber static brush, magnet ball) and Spirinetts are made in Germany, we have many products made in Denmark, Norway, and Canada etc.

Free trade is a trade of goods and services between countries that flows unhindered by government-imposed restrictions such as the North American free trade agreement.

Fair trade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for workers in the developing world.

Norwex only deals with factories and manufacturers that comply with these practices. Debbie Bolton travels to our factory in China and we also have a Norwegian managing director living in China that makes sure all fair trade practices are followed.

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. Too much canned Tuna is not a good idea for instance.

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, Odour 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."

Questions About the Norwex Laundry Detergent

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.

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Does the Norwex Laundry Detergent contain phosphate?

The answer is yes, but only a VERY small amount (less than 3% phosphate in the laundry soap). The new (store-brand) phosphate-free laundry soap has a new synthetic replacement for the phosphate and it has not been studied for it's long term environmental effect. Norwex says that when adequate studies have been done on this chemical they will consider a switch, but until then they will stick with a very small amount of phosphate, whose effect is well understood.

Suzanne's Norwex provides excellent service to the following areas and around the world:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee , Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming