Monday, March 8, 2010

Review and Giveaway: Better Life CLOSED



We all strive to be better. Better children. Better siblings. Better spouses or partners. Better parents. Better employees. We all want to make better choices today for tomorrow. This doesn't just mean dropping those pennies into your piggy bank. This also applies to the behavioral shift of going green. Consumers are growing more and more aware of safety and environmental concerns, and are constantly searching for a better way to make the world a better place.

One company fully understands our pursuit for a Better Life. So much so that they made it the name of their company.

Better Life is the brainchild of two dads (one of whom is a chemist) who grew tired of the toxic residue that coated their household surfaces from top to bottom. They wanted something that would make cleaning easy without compromising the health of their families, pets and planet. So, together they developed the safest, most powerful and genuinely green household cleaning products on the market today.

What makes Better Life...well...better? Believe it or not, even "green" cleaning products can contain questionable ingredients. Stuff like sulfates, exhoxylates, fragrances, dyes or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as glycol ethers and alcohols can trigger respiratory problems, nausea, headache, skin irritation and more. Better Life uses highly specialized surfactants made from sugar, starch and amino acids - all completely safe with none of the aforementioned side effects. They only choose ingredients that have the fastest, most complete biodegradability profiles and their formulas have absolutely no aquatic or terrestrial toxicity. Over 99% of Better Life ingredients are natural or derived from renewable resources.

Just check out this comparison chart, which shows how Better Life stacks up against other green brands:



3/4 of the brands listed here were ones I reviewed this very week! Yikes! Definitely things I'll want to look for on the ingredients list from now on.

Better Life generously sent me their Starter Kit to review. This kit includes:
  • Simply Floored! Green Floor Cleaner
  • What-Ever! Green All-Purpose Cleaner
  • I Can See Clearly, WOW! Green Window and Glass Cleaner
  • Even the Kitchen Sink Green Gentle Scrubber
  • Twist Euro Sponge
  • Twist Loofah Sponge (2-pack)
  • Collapsible Six-Compartment Cleaning Caddy
It was love at first sight the moment I opened my package. The design was super cute and the storage caddy was awesome. I'm forever bungling over myself trying to carry multiple, bulky products up and down the stairs. Now I can do it all with one hand while holding Nate in the other! The compartments keep the weight of the products evenly distributed and prevent them from falling over on each other. It's altogether wonderful!

The first product I tried was the Simply Floored floor cleaner. We have vinyl flooring in our kitchen and I typically use my Swiffer WetJet for once-overs. But seeing as Nate often plays on the floor with the pots and pans (who needs toys?!) and scrambles for bits of fallen food around the base of his highchair, I wanted a more kid-friendly cleaner topping my floor. This cleaner really fit the bill. It had a minty fresh scent that was just irresistible and it really picked up the dirt and left my floor shiny, not sticky. I would totally buy this product again.



While I was at it in the kitchen, I used the I Can See Clearly, WOW window cleaner on my back sliders and the scrubber on my sink. The window cleaner made my windows sparkle, both inside and out, and left no streaks behind. Everything I expect from a window cleaner.



The Even the Kitchen Sink gentle scrubber was probably my second favorite (after the Simply Floored). It goes on like a cream cleanser but rinses away clean, with no chemical smell like Ajax or other scrubbers. It really got the ground-in food and dirt from around my disposal, and it also worked wonders on the hard water stains in Nate's tub. Nate has taken to pooping in the tub as of late (gross, I know!) so I love that I have this eco-friendly scrubber on hand to freshen things back up, as if nothing ever happened. Now if only it could scrub my brain of the memory! It also worked great as a natural alternative to Goo Be Gone. I had sticker residue on the lid of my new washing machine and it just wouldn't budge with any of my other cleaners. Even the Kitchen Sink wasn't even phased! I didn't even have to use elbow grease - it just came right up.



The Twist loofah sponge was a great compliment to this cleaner. I haven't yet tried the Euro sponge, as I've been using my Skoy cloths regularly, but sometimes you need a little more "umph" to rub out the tough spots. These loofahs have my back in those instances. They were especially useful in the bathroom with those nasty hard water stains. I love their whole natural look and feel. You can even turn the packaging into a bird feeder - how great is that?!



The What-Ever All-Purpose Cleaner rounded out the bunch as another winner. It polished my surfaces and took care of the mild to moderate messes I tried it on. The citrus smell was *almost* as good as my beloved Mrs. Meyers. Almost. But then again it is more environmentally-friendly so that is something to consider.

After receiving my starter kit, I don't think my kitchen has looked this good since the day we did our walk-through! The only disadvantage I can think of is the cost. The average Better Life product costs about $7 so it is slightly more than I am used to paying. I do feel they are worth the cost, considering the environmental benefits and performance. But as a one-income family, it may be tough to replace all of our cleaners with Better Life.

Bottom line: I would highly recommend Better Life cleaning products. I like that they have the health of my family in mind. Their products are effective and I certainly feel safe using them. While I may not be able to trade all of my cleaning products in just yet (due to other brand loyalties and cost), I do plan to purchase more in the future. I appreciate that Better Life puts it all out there with full disclosure of their ingredients. This information is power in the hands of the consumer and makes it easier to make an informed decision about your household products.

BUY IT: You can purchase the Better Life Starter Kit (ARV $35.55) or individual Better Life products online at www.cleanhappens.com. You can also use their handy dandy store locator to find another e-tailer or retailer most local to you!

WIN IT: Better Life is generously offering one lucky reader their very own starter kit - just like I received!



MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit Better Life and tell me either something you learned NOT mentioned in my review or which product you'd most like to try. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Better Life on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the tweet below or come up with one of your own:

RT @kris10chumley: Dirt happens. Clean your home with a "greenbreaking" Starter Kit from Better Life! @cleanhappens http://bit.ly/9XLNQW


Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry
max per day)

3.) Become a fan of Better Life on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Sign up for the Better Life newsletter. (1 entry)

5.) Add my blog button and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on March 22, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a full Starter Kit from Emily at Better Life to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and feelings expressed in this review are solely mine. Your experience may differ.

100 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd most like to try Simply Floored! :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Following @kris10chumley and @CleanHappens on Twitter and Tweeted
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Better Life Facebook fan
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Signed up for the Better Life newsletter
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Nadi said...

I'd most like to try the What-Ever! Green All-Purpose Cleaner. Thanks for the chance!

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

I subscribe via email.

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

I follow this blog.

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Terra Heck said...

I learned you can sign up for their newsletter for a chance to win an iPod Nano. I'd most like to try the Green Gentle Scrubber. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

email subscriber
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

I'd really like to try the What-Ever! Green All-Purpose Cleaner!

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

I subscribe via email. melissaaggie98@att.net

Family-Friendly Product Reviews said...

I'm a FB fan of Better Life. (Melissa Johnson Cleaver)

Kim said...

love to try-- I Can See Clearly, WOW

Kim said...

follow blog

Kim said...

subscriber

Kim said...

tweet http://twitter.com/kgail11/status/10218346284

Unknown said...

I would most like to try the I can See Clearly, WOW for my windows!
gerrie DOT shaeffer AT yahoo DOT com

Unknown said...

twitter follower and tweeted http://twitter.com/shaeffermom/status/10222093493
gerrie DOT shaeffer AT yahoo DOT com

Unknown said...

Facebook fan
gerrie DOT shaeffer AT yahoo DOT com

billie the girl said...

I've got a small child and another baby on the way so I'd most like to try the 2am miracle spray. :)

billie the girl said...

I follow you on GFC.

billie the girl said...

I'm following better life on facebook.

Benita said...

I'd like to try the 2AM Miracle.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I signed up for the Better Life Newsletter.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

aledol said...

What-ever! sounds neat to me!!

aledol said...

G rd/fd

aledol said...

GFC

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/10242770082

aledol said...

BL FB

aledol said...

BL news

lovelyritaann said...

I would love to try WhatEVER, I can see clearly, WOW, and 2am Miracle. Although, every product sounds amazing... I'd love to try them all!

lovelyritaann@sbcglobal.net

lovelyritaann said...

I follow you and Better Life on Twitter and I tweeted...

http://twitter.com/lovelyritaann/status/10249336090

ritaoneal@sbcglobal.net

lovelyritaann said...

I became a fan of Better Life on facebook.

ritaoneal@sbcglobal.net

lovelyritaann said...

Your button is on my blog...

http://lovelyrita.weebly.com

ritaoneal@sbcglobal.net

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/10261864032

Kim said...

tweet http://twitter.com/kgail11/status/10269474851

Rebecca said...

I liked the example they used that because something is natural and biodegrades it doesn't necessarily mean that it is safe for people - ie. poison ivy is natural and biodegrades, but you wouldn't want to clean your counters with it! ha. Always on the lookout for green cleaning products adn would love to have a chance to try these out! thanks

Bebemiqui said...

I'd love to try the 2AM Miracle cleaner!
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lo said...

I'd love to try the 2am nursery cleaner.

Lo said...

Here's my tweet: http://twitter.com/prizealert/status/10295677232

Katie said...

The "I Can See Clearly, Wow!" cleaner looks great!
katiekarr at gmail dot com

makeetis said...

I would like to try the whatever in the citrus scent.
brewerchickey78@yahoo.com

Kim said...

tweet http://twitter.com/kgail11/status/10336914131

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/10341941653

Jolee said...

email subscriber. joleehamlin@comcast.net

Jolee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jolee said...

I learned that no one carries the products locally. We need to change that! joleehamlin@comcast.net :-)

Kim said...

tweet http://twitter.com/kgail11/status/10420635978

Jennifer T. said...

I learned that Better Life products do not contain sulfates, ethoxylates, fragrances, dyes, or VOCs.

Jennifer T. said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber.

Jennifer T. said...

I'm a facebook fan of Better Life under username Jennie Tilson.

Unknown said...

Loose the gloves. No caustic ingredients in this formula which means no burns...no more eye, skin, throat, respiratory tract irritation.

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/misaacmom/status/10500544804

Judy B. said...

The BL website states that their products remove dirt and bacteria better than traditional brands.

Judy B. said...

I am following BL on twitter as BBirdie2

Judy B. said...

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/BBirdie2/status/10527097770

Judy B. said...

I am a FB fan of BL as Judith Beach

Judy B. said...

I subscribed to the BL newsletter.

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/10559041639

mim said...

miriam dot nussbaum at gmail
besides this kit, i would love to try 2am Miracle

carmen said...

They also have a "2am Green Nursery Cleaner" that sounds great for anyone with small children!

carmen said...

Following on Google Friend Connect

carmen said...

Subscribe via RSS feed through Google Reader

carmen said...

Became a Facebook fan of Better Life

ecky said...

the 2am miracle spray sounds like just what we need!!!

elkesten at yahoo dot com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/10647619304

Nelle said...

I think I'd try the 2AM Miracle, or the What-Ever Cleanser- I wonder what the difference is, besides the scent...

Nelle said...

I subscribe via Google reader

Nelle said...

I'm a FB Fan of Better Life

Nelle said...

I follow both on Twitter: Tweet!

http://twitter.com/nellelaughs/status/10683925227

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/10696160704

Rachel McGuire said...

am a follower from google friend connect

Rachel McGuire said...

am following via twitter @amomsrantings you and Better life

Rachel McGuire said...

http://twitter.com/amomsrantings/status/10740121192 tweeted the giveaway here

Rachel McGuire said...

Fan of better life on facebook

Rachel McGuire said...

signed up for better life newsletter via amomsrantings at gmail dot com

Judy B. said...

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/BBirdie2/status/10751998002

Judy B. said...

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/BBirdie2/status/10837804846

tree said...

i learned that There are no stores within your area, or within 30 miles of me that carry Better Life products. i guess i have to buy online. :) thanks for the chance!

enchantedtree(at)hotmail.com

tree said...

i follow you and Better Life on twitter and tweeted!

http://twitter.com/patchouligirl91/status/10849763994

enchantedtree(at)hotmail.com

tree said...

i'm a fan of Better Life on facebook!
tree tiemeyer

enchantedtree(at)hotmail.com

tree said...

i signed up for the Better Life newsletter.

enchantedtree(at)hotmail.com

Susan said...

I'd most like to try what-EVER. My 2 year old grandson seems to be allergic to a lot of the scents that most store bought cleaners have so this would be great to use.

susan56bft at gmail dot com

Susan said...

Goodie Goodie Gumdrops follower via Google

susan56bft at gmail dot com

Susan said...

Goodie Goodie Gumdrops email subscriber

susan56bft at gmail dot com

tree said...

tweet 3/22

http://twitter.com/patchouligirl91/status/10867969299

enchantedtree(at)hotmail.com

Tylerpants said...

I'd love to try 2am Miracle, this would be wonderful to use in my son's bedroom and playroom! tylerpants(at)gmail.com

Tylerpants said...

I'm an email subscriber. tylerpants(at)gmail.com

Tylerpants said...

I'm a Better Life newsletter subscriber. tylerpants(at)gmail.com

trixx said...

I learned all Better Life green cleaning products far exceed both U.S. and European biodegradability standards!

trixx said...

I signed up for Better Life's newsletter! :)

trixx said...

I subscribe via email.

Judy B. said...

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/BBirdie2/status/10897050410

tina reynolds said...

I would love to try the What-Ever! Green All-Purpose Cleaner thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com

tina reynolds said...

I Become a fan of Better Life on Facebook (mrstinareynolds)

tina reynolds said...

I signed up for the better life newsletter

Ginny said...

I really want to try the what-EVER, that stuff looks great. Even the kitchen sink looks great as well. I love the fun names!

Ginny said...

Following on google connect

Ginny said...

Subscribed in rss

Ginny said...

facebook fan

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