How effective is our microfiber at removing bacteria?
Independent tests and studies have been conducted in Norway, Sweden and Japan hospitals and surgical clinics to prove that the microfibers in Norwex products pick up bacteria and microscopic contaminants. The Norwex microfibres are so small that they can collect particles that would be impossible for any other cloth to detect and remove. The purpose of the studies was to demonstrate the efficacy of the Norwex cloths in removing microbiological contaminants on various surface types.
The RESULT
The cloths removed an average of 99.94% of all m icro-organisms from smooth surfaces throughout the test period. Only the conventional cloth with a chemical disinfectant, that had to remain wet on the surface for 30 seconds, performed better. The effectiveness of the Norwex cloths was not reduced even after 10 surfaces in succession as demonstrated by the absorption test data. The tests also demonstrated that after a contaminated (dirty) area had been cleaned with a Norwex cloth, the contamination was held inside the fibre of the cloth and was not transferred to another surface.
The mops out performed traditional mops. Traditional mops actually left more bacteria on the test surface after cleaning than before. Therefore, the repeat use of a conventional mop, even with disinfectant, actually adds bacteria to the surface being cleaned.
Lastly, lab tests showed that washing the cloths in a standard washing machine on the hottest cycle was as effective in removing bacteria from the cloth as boiling.
(All studies are available for viewing).
Why do I have to wash my cloths if there’s silver in it?
Bacteria doesn't grow in the cloth, but dirt still smells, and organic material will still decay. Antibac is great because if your cloth stays wet for too long, bacteria doesn't grow in it. Also, the dirt washes out of the cloth very easily.
Why would someone's windows be streaky using the window cloth and an enviro cloth?
Her window cloth may have residue from cleaners that were on the window before she began using norwex, or, if its her demo set, she may have some butter in the window cloth. Either way, she can boil it too. Word to the wise, boil these items seperately, as the colours will run when boiling. Be sure she knows to wash windows with the enviro cloth first and then dry them with the window cloth. When you skip the enviro part, dirt sometimes gets trapped in the window cloth and can build up leaving streaks.
How do we wash the cloths?
To obtain good quality of cleaning, all products have to be kept clean. They have excellent durability and can be washed hundreds of times. To save the environment and reduce the use of detergents, we suggest that slightly dirty cloths be hand washed in warm water with any brand dish or laundry soap (do not use hand soap as it contains oil). Rinse well, and air dry. For more soiled-looking cloths, simply wash in any temperature cycle with any detergent in the washing machine, and ONLY with lint-free laundry (no terry towels). Then dry in a dryer with temperatures up to 90-degrees or simply air.
DO NOT USE bleach, abrasive solutions, fabric softener or dryer softener sheets, these destroy the products ability to clean. DO NOT iron. DO NOT USE with paints or inks.
If fabric softener or chemicals were used with the cloths, or they are heavily soiled, boil in water on stovetop for 15 minutes or place wet cloth within a plastic bag and microwave on high for 1 minute – this disinfects and allows the microfibers to swell and release the substances.
What Makes Norwex Microfiber Different Than Other Microfiber?
Imagine a human hair split lengthwise 6 times, so that each of the 6 splits 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 splits 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.
Additionally, Norwex microfiber has a patent-pending silver agent woven into the cloth itself, enabling it to kill bacteria within a few hours. No other microfiber can claim this feature.
Quality is the biggest difference. Norwex Microfiber is the perfect blend of polyester and polyamide. The fibers are 1/100th the size of a strand of human hair, and 2.9 million meters of microfiber is used to make one small Enviro Cloth. When this high quality Microfiber is combined with the right knitting process, it creates an extremely effective cleaning cloth that has the ability to hold up to seven times its weight in water. Unlike many other types of cloths that smear dirt across the surface being cleaned, our Microfiber cloths act like bionic sponges, removing the dirt and bacteria to leave a clean, highly-polished surface.
A comparative example is the thread count of bed sheets - a thread count of 180 is a nice set of sheets; however, 600-thread count sheets are higher quality, feel softer and last longer than sheets with a lower thread count. A good test for the amount of microfiber in a cloth, and consequently the cloth quality, is a stretch test – the easier a microfiber cloth stretches the less actual microfiber in the cloth. Norwex cloths have very little stretch.
Another advantage to Norwex Microfiber is the antibacterial properties that make our cloths one of the most innovative products in the industry! The unique technology imbeds a silver-based agent inside each microfiber strand that results in germ-killing, ionic activity. In independent testing, Norwex Antibac Microfiber has been proven to be effective against strains of pathogenic bacteria, yeast and viruses.
How is the Body Pak Microfber Facecloth Different From The Envirocloth?
While it is made with the same microfiber as the envirocloth, the Body Pak is dermatologically approved for all skin types. It is a very different weave than the Envirocloth - much looser and gentler on the skin.
How does the silver agent in the microfiber work?
Norwex Antibacterial Microfiber is a new microfiber (patent-pending) that contains an environmentally friendly antibacterial agent that has passed both FDA and EPA approval.
Norwex developed a unique technology that combines an antimicrobial agent with microfiber. The Antibacterial agent is embedded inside tiny microfibers the size of 0.3 Denier or smaller.
The new Antibacterial cloths will make the surface we clean antimicrobial or “disinfected” by removing microorganisms like before, but the benefit of our antibacterial fibers will be preventing the growth of microorganisms, specifically bacterial and fungal growth, within the cloths after cleaning.
Silver is unique among anti-microbial agents. It has been claimed to kill some 650 different disease organisms. And unlike antibiotics, Silver is an 'equal opportunity destroyer' - it doesn't discriminate, but effectively kills germs of all major types: gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, spore-forming bacteria, fungus/yeasts, viruses and protozoal parasites.
Does Norwex microfiber kill bacteria on surfaces?
These cloths are designed to REMOVE bacteria as opposed to KILLING it...When you clean with chemicals you are killing the bacteria but leaving a food source (residue) behind for the bacteria to use to grow back. Eventually, the bacteria becomes immune to these cleaners and that is why they are always having to come out with NEW AND IMPROVED products.
Our micro fiber cloths are designed to remove bacteria from surfaces, and keep it locked in the fibers until you wash out your cloth with soap. This cloth effectively removes 99.94% of bacteria from all smooth surfaces. The silver in the cloth, prevents bacteria from growing in the cloth, and doesn't affect surfaces or skin in contact with it.
Why can't I use soap to clean surfaces, but I have to use soap to wash my cloth.
Soap inhibits the cloths ability to sanitize surfaces because it binds the fibers together, and keeps them from getting between the tiny cracks and crevices where bacteria hide. Soap also encapsulates the dirt in the cloth, and whisks it away, leaving it clean. Without washing your cloth with soap, it will not be truly clean. Even though the silver inhibits the growth of bacteria in the cloth, dirt still smells, and if you don't wash your cloth with soap, it will get smelly.
What are the fillers in other laundry soaps?
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.
Our laundry detergent contains no perfumes, phosphates or dyes.
Put a teaspoon of liquid tide in a cup of water (in a clear glass) and see how cloudy it gets. Same fillers, just suspended in liquid.
When customers are skeptical I always tell them that this is why Norwex has a 60 day satisfaction guarantee. They know that these products are so amazing that it's hard to believe sometimes. Let them know that if they are unhappy for any reason they can return the product (even if half the bag of detergent is used) for a full refund.
What's so bad about fabric softener?
Fabric softeners are some of the most toxic products made for daily household use. 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.
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.
Read the following Article
How and why does the Magnet Ball work?
 The minerals in water are typically rough and jagged, and clumped together in groups. They catch on machines, in clothes and in pipes and tubes, creating build up. They wear out clothing more quickly, contribute to static cling, eat up about half of your laundry detergent-rendering it ineffective, and can cause many problems for washing machines.
When you place a magnetic charge in the water, such as our magnet ball, this changes the magnetic charge on these minerals, causing them to individualize and separate. This allows them to pass freely through the fibers of your clothes and out your machine without catching on anything. The bonus to this is that your static is reduced, and you can use half the amount of detergent you would normally need without a magnet ball
What's the difference between disinfect and sanitize?
To disinfect is a technical term meaning to kill 99% or more bacteria on a surface. Because we do not use chemicals to kill germs on a surface, we do not use the term disinfect. We do however remove 99.94 of bacteria, so we do leave it germ free and sanitized. Once the germs are in the cloth, it can take up to 24 hours for all bacterium and viral strains to be killed off by the silver agent in the cloth. This is a complement to regular cleaning practices.
X Product is available in Stores at a lower price, what should I tell my customers?
You may encounter some customers saying that they have found similar or identical products in stores. While this may b the case, it's important to bear in mind that we are a home party company who's aim is to educate people on the hazards of cleaning with chemicals. Stores will lack the knowledge and the time to explain to cutomers why we should not be using fabric softeners or why we should avoid anti- perspirents. Inexpensive microfiber products don't claim to remove bacteria because they can't. Our products come with warranties, 60 satisfaction guarantee, and unparalleled quality. Plus, we teach our customers how properly to use and care for our products. All of this is added value, and our customers prefer quality.
What is our Mission Statement?
The Norwex Mission is to improve human life by radically reducing the use of chemicals in personal care and cleaning.
Are our products regulated by Health Canada?
ALL PRODUCTS NORWEX SELLS are approved by HEALTH CANADA. This means the ingredients and MSDS are reviewed and approved for use by Health Canada. Norwex also carries a Medical License for items that may be considered medicinal in nature – for example the Shea butter, deodorant, toothbrush. Commercial products may not submit their product for approval unless there is a complaint in regards to the product. For example – Swiffer wet pads were not regulated until the issue about the alcohol that was causing problems for pets came to light. The product was reviewed and found to contain an alcohol very close to antifreeze and was dangerous – they were then required to change the formulations.
The difference is that all Norwex products are regulated, not all consumer products are. Remember if the products are not used in work places there is not need for MSDS so a lot of companies take advantage of this. Fantastic, Mr Clean, Swiffer – are all their products regulated? Definitely not.
Does the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser contain harmful chemicals?
Mr. Clean contains a Formaldehyde-Melamine-Sodium Bisulfate Copolymer. Formaldehyde kills most bacteria, and so a solution of formaldehyde in water is commonly used as a disinfectant. The formaldehyde is used as a disinfectant in this case along with the melamine which is the physical cleaner. It will kill bacteria, disinfect and clean.
Norwex Micro pad, contains Melamine resin only and the middle layer is Polyurethane foam (to hold it together). Our product will simply clean, not disinfect. Use our enviro cloths to remove the germs that may be left behind - there is no need for the formaldehyde. This is why we say ours is like the Mr. Clean Eraser but without any harmful chemicals. Remember this product is biodegradable so only wet a bit of the pad at a time to do your scrubbing; I cut my pad into quarters to save the pad. Do not wring, squeeze the pad to get the water out. Norwex Micro Pad is made in Ireland.
Are all of our 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. May I suggest you make more appropriate comments?
• “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.”
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.
What is the difference between the mattress spray, the sportzyme and the the odour eliminator?
The amount of cultures found in each bottle is as follows.
These amounts are stated on the msd data sheets.
Odour eliminator is 5-10% full concentration.
Mattress spray is 7-15%
Sportzyme is 60-100%
These % are bacterial cultures/viable cultures or live, dormant bacteria.
These stay dormant until sprayed and once a food source (sweat, dust mite feces) is available they become active and biodegrade the matter into CO2 and water.
The manufacturers of these products tested the type of culture under specific circumstances.
Odour Eliminator:
The odour eliminator is used diluted to take away odours. Once diluted the amount of concentration is reduced from the
5 - 10% by what amount, this is unknown as it depends on how much water/solution one uses. MSD sheets are required for what is actually in the bottle in full concentration. No MSDS will be provided for the diluted solution.
It is to be used to deodorize the smell of a room, sprayed in garbage cans, put into a washing machine to take out odours in fabrics. Many people have used it to get the smell out of hockey equipment etc. It does work at making the smell go away.
Was it intended to kill the bacteria (food source) on the equipment, no it wasn't. The end result is it biodegrades most if not all the bacteria that causes bad odours.
Advise your customers that it deodorizes it does not disinfect. It is NOT designed to use on kitchen counters or in bathrooms to clean/disinfect.
The new label on the odour eliminator indicates not to get it on skin, eyes or clothing. It is Canadian law that ensures we put this label on the bottle.
The company is protecting themselves by adding clothing. If someone was to spray a silk outfit would it be the water or solution that damages the garment?
Who knows!
People have been putting it in the washing machine and it is effective at making the clothes smell fresh. Put it in the rinse cycle of your washing machine, this way the smell is not rinsed away during the wash cycle.
Mattress spray:
The culture found in the mattress spray was tested on biodegrading Dust mites, carcasses and fecal matter.
It does a great job in doing this. Does it kill other types of bacteria? Possibly.
If a child urinates on a bed, should one use the mattress spray to kill the bacteria?
It was not designed to kill this type of bacteria. However the culture is higher then the odour eliminator and because of this it may be effective.
Sportzyme:
This spray has the highest concentration of cultures. It was tested to biodegrade the bacteria found on hockey equipment, gym bags, shoe fungi etc.
It is beneficial in eliminating fungal residues i.e. athletes foot.
It is not designed to clean toilets, it is not to be considered a disinfectant or used like a disinfectant etc.
For surfaces that can be cleaned with the enviro cloth - these should be used to clean – remove microorganisms.
Cleaning with the enviro cloth will clean the surface Please advocate for this use.
The three solutions listed are really for eliminating odours not for disinfecting surfaces.
If a cat was to spray on property;
This smell is probably one of the toughest to get rid of. Due to the high concentration of cultures in sportezyme I would recommend this solution.
When a dog urinates on a carpet.
Try the odour eliminator first as it deodorizes, if this does not get the smell out try the mattress spray and then the sportzyme.
The above products are not a cure all and should not be advertised as such. They are for specific areas however there is nothing stating that you cannot use the sportezyme over the odour eliminator to solve a problem.
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 feast on the fun gus 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.
On average, one dust mite produces 50 fecal pellets daily .These droppings are the most common cause of dust -related allergies. Approximately 80% of asthmatics are allergic to dust mites.Guess what? 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 children's stuffed toys. Did you know that 10% of the average pillow’s weight is dust mite feces?
Will the silver agent in some Norwex products affect people with silver allergies?
The silver in Norwex toothbrushes is a silver particle metal. It does not contain nickle. This silver does not leach at all, and therefore does not come out of or off of the products containing it (eg toothbrush, floss, enviro cloth). Silver is actually considered to be hypoallergenic. Most often, people with an allergy to silver in jewellery are actually allergic to an alloy.
Will Norwex Hand Disinfectant Protect Against Peanut Allergies?
No. This product is not effective against peanuts. Peanut allergies are not caused by germs - they are a systemic reaction to the peanut residue.
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.
Do Norwex Deodorants contain aluminum?
They contain alum, which is a compound formed by the combination of the mineral salt version of aluminum plus the mineral salt ammonium. Together they form a totally new compound called alum.
The alum molecule has a chemical structure too large to be absorbed into the pores of the skin and is therefore completely topical and safe.
Again our deodorants are safe because they do not contain aluminum. They contain Ammonium alum whose molecules have a negative ionic charge and are structurally too large to pass through cell walls.
Because Alum cannot be absorbed by the body it is a safe, more natural alternative to chemically-based antiperspirants and conventional deodorants.
What is the difference between antiperspirants and deodorants?
Many people don't realize that deodorants and antiperspirants have two entirely different functions.
• Deodorants are a preparation that destroy unpleasant odors, still allowing glands to sweat.
• Antiperspirants are agents that stop sweating.
• Some Conventional Deodorants today can be classified as a cosmetic because they are formulated to fight odor using antiseptic and « antibacterial ingredients. They often contain synthetic fragrances - added to mask residual odor. Most conventional deodorant products » contain the active ingredient triclosan, a broad-spectrum antibacterial. Triclosan can cause allergic contact dermatitis, a problem for sensitive users as well as anyone who shaves their armpits.
• The typical antiperspirant contains a variety of aluminum compounds. Although aluminum can effectively reduce perspiration by as much as 50%, studies have linked the cumulative effects of this metal with Alzheimer's disease. Norwex Deodorants
• The Norwex Deodorant Stone is made from crystallized natural mineral salts which kill odor causing bacteria, Norwex Deodorants contain no harmful chemicals, oils, perfumes or emulsifiers. They are just pure and natural!
How can we in good conscience sell our Deodorant Stick at the price we do, when the Drug store is selling one with the same ingredients (100% Alum) for $6.99?
First, many customers have reported that they've used other crystal deodorants in the past, and found they didn't control odours. They are often surprised to find that the Norwex stick works as well as it does. Same ingredients can be combined and/or processed any number of ways. Some with more quality and better results than others.
Secondly, we are a home party company. The beauty of this is that our products come with satisfaction guarantees, and education. Our clients may never have the opportunity to learn that a crystal deodorant is better for their general health and longevity if not for our education at the party, or they may be unwilling to risk smelling bad without a satisfaction guarantee.
Finally, while we can't know about every other brand out there, our crystal deodorant is made in Thailand. We are a fair trade company. This means that every person who works for the manufacturer, gets paid a fair wage. While this may drive prices up a little, I'm sure you'll agree that it's worth the peace of mind that comes with it. There has actually been a forest named after Norwex in Thailand, as we've made a such a positive impact on the economy there with our purchases of crystal deodorant. This has been particularly helpful since the Tsunami.
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