The Trouble With Suds

While you may have been dazzled by a gizmo I showcased for washing machines, this is article is about two innovations that let you stay clean with water and zero chemicals. Good news is, you don’t need high school chemistry to grasp what I am about to share with you here - and no magnets this time (I promise). All you need is a very basic principle of primary school biology:

There’s always something out there that wants to eat [whatever you are referring to].

Yes, the world of microbes can be fascinating - or alarming - but I think we can all agree that bad bacteria stinks. Each and every time we tackle this involves lathering something up, scrubbing something else down, rinsing, and repeating, if necessary. We do this every day multiples times until things (including ourselves) look clean and don’t stink. Sometimes we go so far to add a layer to make it smell a certain way.

When I think back, I can still remember being six years old, standing on a stool in front of the kitchen sink washing dishes, pots, and pans with a small mountain of suds. I knew everything was clean when they were done and pulled the plug out at the bottom of the sink.

So when I tell you that the alternatives I am about to describe were incredibly shocking for me to use on a subconscious level the first couple times, well, I think that goes to show how deeply ingrained the image of suds is in our brains.

What if you could be clean without the suds?

Imagine all those chemical suds that wouldn’t have to go down the drain. Imagine all the money that wouldn’t have to go down the drain right along with it - but I digress.

Imagine some bacteria that could eat the bad bacteria on your dishes or on your body with some gentle wiping and the result would be cleanliness - a clean you and shiny dishes left behind. Yes, these are two different solutions that use the same basic technology by the same company, Norwex (a Norwegian company that has expanded into North America over the past 22 years). You have a wash cloth for you and an envirosponge for any dishes you cannot toss in the dishwasher.

First up, gotta lock in the bacteria that does the eating as well as any bad bacteria picked up. Check. Both the envirosponge and the wash cloth will gobble bad bacteria as you rub an item that has a damp/wet surface using BacLock technology. Anything it captures, you do NOT get back - so be sure you want to get rid of the smell you have accumulated before showering!

Second, gotta be compatible with water and ZERO soaps or detergents. Check. In fact, if any of that stuff gets on either the envirosponge or the wash cloth, the bacteria that does the cleaning work will die and you will be left with a non-magical, unimpressive household item. Completely unworthy of Hogwarts or this article.

Third, gotta be squeaky clean afterwards with nothing left behind. Check. You or your dishes will only come out smelling like roses if you add rose oil (or a nasty chemical that smells like roses). But then who wants to eat with a spoon dosed in rose oil chemicals? No need to worry about odd-tasting cereal or oatmeal with the envirosponge! Ditto for the wash cloth if you have skin that is sensitive to detergents.

The catch? There are only two: avoid using hot water and/or any chemicals with either product. Bacteria are temperature-sensitive and the ones in these applications will die in very hot water, which you do NOT want to have happen. Remember, they will eat the bad bacteria, so you don’t need super-heated water (which costs extra money) to kill all the bacteria in either product. Stick with warm water. Also, detergents and soap will likely kill the bacteria in both products - but why kill the bacteria that are doing the deep cleaning for you - not to mention saving on the cost of chemicals (both on your wallet and the planet)?

I have been using both the envirosponge and wash cloth for a few years now. Any dishes I hand wash are clean - I, my fiancee, and any guests have never had illnesses or bad digestive issues as a result. The only lather I need in the shower is for my hair and no one complains about my smell unless something causes me to sweat. In the future, I intend to try the wash cloth in a river the next time I go camping. It is ok for nature because there are no suds, remember?

So help your body and dishes by checking out these two Norwex products today (in English, French, or Spanish).

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Tips for users:

With the wash cloth, wash your face first. Your whole body will be cleaned, but no bad bacteria has yet been captured, so any possible smell from the first few wipes will be minimal as opposed to many wipes from all over your body. The bacteria are like you, they can’t eat a whole buffet in two seconds! But like I mentioned earlier, what is trapped will not be released back onto you if you do not remember this tip. Also, be mindful of not getting shampoo or conditioner of any type on it.

With the envirosponge, do not use to clean oils or grease. Those it cannot handle. So stick to detergents that go after oils and grease with a regular sponge or cloth when it comes to oily pans, greasy (stew) pots, and the like. Also, avoid splashing water with dish soap onto or rinsing a soap-filled regular sponge over the envirosponge.

Oh, and no one in my household caught Covid19. (mic drop)

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Integrity Disclaimer: I do not receive commissions from the Norwex links in this article.

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