Norwex Microfiber uses capillary action to pull dirt and grease within the fibers and away from the surface.

One of the most important technological developments in recent years has been the ability to produce extremely fine fibers. These “micro-fibers” are of an even finer quality than natural fibers such as silk. In many products it is the luxurious feel and look of the fabrics, which makes the microfiber so special. In others it is their unique physical and mechanical performance which makes this fabric unique.

With Norwex microfiber, we focus on the physical and mechanical performance in our product line.

Textile fibers are measured in grams per 10,000 meters (dtex). For a fiber to be considered a microfiber it must be 1 dtex or finer. This means a single thread of 10,000 meters must weigh less than 1 gram.

Norwex’s microfiber has a dtex of 0.13. One gram of Norwex microfiber will span over 70,000 meters. In each Norwex Enviro Cloth there is approximately 2.9 million meters of microfiber.

Used dry these fibers produce an electrostatic charge which attracts and holds dust particles.
When wet the fibers use capillary vacuum force to pull moisture and grease from the surface up into the fibers.

After use, most cleaning chemicals end up making the journey from our homes down the sink, toilet and drains into our environment via the sewer or waterways. Many of these chemicals can have harmful effects, not just to our environment but also on other life forms dependent on it.

If many of these chemicals are not good for our environment should they really be used in our homes or around our bodies?

With the Norwex chemical-free antibacterial microfiber system you don’t breathe, touch or ingest chemicals. Dirt, dust, grease and bacteria are removed instead of spread around your home, creating a cleaner indoor climate, and reducing allergens.

Germs grow in damp cleaning cloths, full of chemicals and grime. This is why we need a cloth that not only picks up dirt and grime without releasing it onto other surfaces, but a cloth that inhibits bacterial growth.

True cleanliness does not smell.

It might be difficult to accept that fact, since we have been taught that clean smells like "pine", or "lemon", or "fresh linen".
But these are simulated chemical scents, added to cover up the smell of the cleaning chemicals.

Besides ingesting these chemicals (skin absorbs, and smelling something means molecules are entering your respiratory system), there are other health concerns.

The traditional method of cleaning with chemicals and cotton cloths results in breaking down dirt and grime and spreading it over the entire surface.

This may provide a visual appearance of clean. However it can actually cause your surface to be hygienically more contaminated at a microscopic microbial level.

Bottom line, after cleaning with microfiber and water, there is no smell.

If you are like me, you have been subjected to years and years of advertising aimed at convincing us that chemicals are the only option for cleaning our homes and our bodies.

When I discovered Norwex Enviro Products, the consumer in me said it was too good to be true, but my training as a nurse made me look deeper.

The next few entries are directed at exploring the basic science behind Norwex Enviro Products, as explained in the product manual.

Your comments and personal experiences are most welcome!

The Dirt On Dirt


Residuals attract dirt

When surfaces are left moist and wet after cleaning, only the water component of your cleaning solution evaporates leaving broken down dirt, grime and chemicals to dry on the surface.

The definition of CLEAN is to remove all forms of contaminants from a surface leaving it in as original condition as possible.

This means that in order to leave surfaces CLEAN we cannot leave residuals behind on them.

Residuals determine the frequency of needed cleaning.

The fewer residuals left behind on a surface the better, as residuals determine how often that surface should be cleaned.

I am shocked and amazed - and so happy to share this:
We have very hard water, and honestly, due to my refusal to use conventional chemical cleaners, I have learned to live with hard water spots and mineral build up.

I was not expecting this kind of result.

I have added some instructions below, but I (read them after the fact) sprayed it on to the dry glass, left it about 8 minutes, then cleaned it off with a damp Enviro Cloth, and polished with my Window Cloth.
See for yourself...





Norwex DeScaler is entirely natural, made of ingredients that are formed from bacteria found in our very own bodies, as well as orange extract.

There are no synthetic colours or dyes. This means that it is more biodegradable and is better for our long-term health and the health of the environment.

It also means that it isn’t that attractive to look at, but it sure does an amazing job!

The trick to using the new DeScaler is to mist it on (it may spread better if the surface is slightly damp first), and wipe it with a damp Enviro Cloth within 5 minutes (1 to 2 minutes is likely enough) – it does not need any more time to work, and if left on the surface for too long, can dry to or even temporarily stain the surface – to fix this, just spray more on, wait a few seconds, then wipe away.
You may use far less of this product than our previous version.

Please note that although this product is natural, yet some people may still be sensitive to it.

My dear husband and I have very different views when it comes to using household chemicals. For the most part, these matters fall into my jurisdiction, therefore I get to make the call.

But last month we went away camping.

Preparing to leave, my DH announced that he was going to dump the old gasoline for the boat in "the back 40", since we and the pets would be away for a week. I was horrified, and assured him there must be some way to deal with this waste other then poisoning our backyard!

Long story short, the gasoline came on holidays with us, and home again.

Any suggestions???

My triumph came later in the week, when I beat DH to cleaning the boat. He had somehow managed to slip some "Marine Spray Nine" into our cart last shopping trip, dazzled by the claims that it "Kills Viruses". It also cost $16 for the bottle.
I reminded him that he could use an Enviro cloth to do the job, if he wanted to actually kill viruses without harming the other living creatures coming into contact with the boat (like, say, his family, for example). He stated he didn't want to ruin the cloth. I suspected that I could do the job, with lots of remaining life left in the cloth, but hey, we're going on holidays. Pick your battles, I reminded myself.

I had the inspiration to clean half the boat with my Enviro cloth, just to see if it did as effective a job as the spray. But I couldn't stop at half. The years of grimy dirt were literally wiping away with just water. And the glass was coming so clean with my Window cloth, I really got excited about getting the boat in the water. I cleaned the whole boat. And no, the cloths are not ruined. Stained maybe, cause dirt is dirty.

DH was so thankful, he didn't even regret not getting to use his chemicals.

At least I know our local toxic roundup will take the spray.
Sigh...

I'm sure there is a name for it.
I'm not sure I want to know what it is...

There is something in me that stops me from doing a thing if there is any doubt in my mind that I will be able to complete it, exactly as I envisioned.

It effects everything from writing this first blog (it has to be witty and insightful),
to cleaning house (I must do it from top to bottom, eco-wise),
to sending thank you cards (I have to make it from scratch, including a clever note or photo),
to calling someone just because I'm thinking of them (it might be too early, or late).

But now that my curiosity is piqued, I just had to look. And here's what I found:

neurotic perfectionists are "unable to feel satisfaction because in their own eyes they never seem to do things [well] enough to warrant that feeling of satisfaction"

Reminds me of the old adage "Good intentions pave the road to Hell".

This blog is to be my rebellion.

My intent is to write with thoughtful abandon, on many topics, hopefully many that you will connect with.

Here goes nothing.