Monday, March 1, 2010

Review and Giveaway: ecostore USA CLOSED



Since giving birth to my son 19 months ago, I've become more acutely aware of my impact on the environment, as well as the effects of products I've relied on regularly. Not only do I want my son's future to include clean water to drink and quality air to breathe, I want to ensure his skin and organs therein aren't compromised by the potentially harmful chemical agents found on nearly every retail shelf from bath wash to toys to household goods.

As I searched for safe, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, I was quite serendipitously contacted by ecostore USA with a review opportunity.

ecostore USA
actually began as a home-based business in a New Zealand village over 15 years ago. The synthetic ingredients from traditional cleaning products were clogging their local waterways so Malcolm and Melanie Rand devised a plan to eliminate these toxic chemicals. The result was a line of plant and mineral-based cleaners that would biodegrade quickly and safely, leaving their streams in a pristine state.

When their tagline says"No Nasty Chemicals", they mean it. All ecostore USA products are formulated without petrochemicals, phosphates, nitrates, chlorine, ammonia, enzymes, synthetic perfumes, coloring or dyes, optical whiteners/brighteners or chemical preservatives. Instead, they use sustainable ingredients from renewable resources that work just as well as the chemical stuff. Even the packaging is recyclable! ecostore USA does not test on animals and meets the highest environmental standards. Their products are also super concentrated so a little goes a long way, assuring you get more for your money.

For my review, I chose the Toilet Cleaner (ARV $8.00) and Auto Dishwashing Powder (ARV $12.00).



Our new home has well water, which can leave yellow mineral deposits in our sinks, tubs and toilets. It looks as if I they are always dirty, even though we always flush (no letting it mellow here!) and I scrub them every week. I was under the impression that nothing short of bleach would be able to remove the stains. But I am happy to say ecostore USA has proven me wrong! The plant-based toilet bowl cleaner was surprisingly effective. The thick gel clung to the bowl and required very little brushing to make my toilet shiny and guest-worthy. The smell was a light herbal, citrus-y scent, which was a nice change from the overpowering bleach products I've used previously. A+!



I typically use a liquid cleanser for my dishwasher so I was a bit scared to switch to a dishwashing powder. I was afraid I would find grains of powder stuck on my dishes. But I am quite pleased with the results. The palm and coconut-based cleaner rinsed away cleanly and left no residue or streaks on my pots, pans and glasses. There was no chemical smell - just a soft lemon scent. You only need to use 1 tablespoon of powder per load but since we have hard water, I used a little more for a pre-wash. You could also use plain vinegar as an eco-friendly rinse aid to complement the auto dishwashing powder.



Bottom line: I would highly recommend ecostore USA for your environmentally-friendly cleaning needs. Not only did product performance surpass my expectations but because they are concentrated, the cost per use is about equal to the genetically-engineered stuff. Good for the planet and my wallet? Me likey!

BUY IT: You can find ecostore USA cleaners at Meijer and Duane Reed stores, or online at www.ecostoreusa.com. The offer free shipping on all orders over $25. Be sure to check out their baby care line with safe, gentle shampoos, soap, balm and more!

WIN IT: ecostore USA is generously offering one lucky reader a $25 gift card to their store! (Note: if you've won an ecostore USA giveaway in the past 6 months or have reviewed their products in the past, you are not eligible to win. Sorry, but we have to share the goodness!)

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Take a look at what ecostore USA has to offer and tell me how you'd spend your gift certficate if you won. 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 ecostore USA 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: It's easy being green with @ecostoreusa! Enter to win a $25 gift certificate http://bit.ly/9emo0k Ends 3/16


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

3.) Become a fan of ecostore USA on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Sign up for the No Nasty Chemicals newsletter on the ecostore USA blog. (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 16, 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 the two cleaning products above at no charge from Maggie at ecostore USA to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and feelings expressed in this review are mine and mine alone. Your experience may differ.

87 comments:

Bethany said...

I would get two Front Loader Laundry Powder
bethanyg153@gmail.com

Bethany said...

I follow through google friend connect
bethanyg153@gmail.com

Bethany said...

email subscriber
bethanyg153@gmail.com

Bethany said...

signed up for the ecostore newsletter
bethanyg153@gmail.com

Bethany said...

facebook fan of ecostore usa
bethany garinger mclean
bethanyg153@gmail.com

Domestic Diva said...

I'd like to try the vanilla shampoo.

Benita said...

I'd buy Baby Wash and Baby Soap.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Email subscriber.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I would get the coconut soap, the dishwash liquid, and the Laundry Powder! Love ecostore!

Unknown said...

subscriber

Unknown said...

subscribe via reader

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/aitmama/status/9921580015

Unknown said...

fan of ecostore USA on Facebook

Unknown said...

Signed up for the No Nasty Chemicals newsletter

aledol said...

The laundry & dish soap

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/9938393291

aledol said...

EM

aledol said...

Eco FB

aledol said...

Eco news sub'er

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/9997834782

Amy said...

Without a doubt, I'd try the toilet cleaner.


loobyamy(at)yahoo(dot)com

Amy said...

I'm a follower


loobyamy(at)yahoo(dot)com

Amy said...

I get your email updates


loobyamy(at)yahoo(dot)com

Amy said...

Your button is on my site:

http://faithfulfinances.blogspot.com/

loobyamy(at)yahoo(dot)com

ms mel said...

i'd like to get their Herbal Fresh All Natural Shampoo and Hypoallergenic Shampoo pet products for my furbaby, and thank you for the chance!

ranmel(at)televar(dot)com

ms mel said...

i'm already signed up for the No Nasty Chemicals newsletter on the ecostore USA blog!

ranmel(at)televar(dot)com

Jolee said...

Love to try the baby wash. joleehamlin@comcast.net

Jolee said...

subscribe joleehamlin@comcast.net

4tmama said...

phone crash no comp twt @aleshamom4

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/10139663633

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

laundry powder for sure

Anonymous said...

I would buy the lemongrass bar soap.

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Following you and ecostore on Twitter and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/rhoneygee/status/10161020378

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Facebook Fan of Ecostore: Rebecca Honey Graham

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Andria said...

I would love to try the ear wash for dogs

llinda29 said...

I will buy Dishwash Liquid

llinda29 said...

Email Subscription Request
Your request has been accepted!

llinda29 said...

You are now following Goodie Goodie Gumdrops

Jennifer Wilson said...

I'd like to try the laundry powder.

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Jennifer Wilson said...

I follow google connect

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Katie said...

I would love to get the Coconut Soap and the Laundry Liquid!
catherder44 at yahoo dot com

Cynthya said...

I'd get the Citrus Spray Cleaner, the Lemongrass Soap and the Toilet Bowl Cleaner.

Wehaf said...

I would get the hypoallergenic pet shampoo and three bars of soap (I haven't decided which kind yet).

urchiken at gmail dot com

Judy B. said...

I would get laundry det. and dishwashing det.

Judy B. said...

Follow via GFC

Judy B. said...

Subscribe via Google Reader

Judy B. said...

Follow you and EcoStoreUSA on twitter as BBirdie2
and tweeted: http://twitter.com/BBirdie2/status/10214605982

Judy B. said...

FB fan of EcoStoreUSA as Judith Beach

Judy B. said...

Subscribe to Eco newsletter

sksweeps said...

I would go for the auto dish powder too! It's one of the areas I'm having a hard time finding a good green alternative!

Thanks!

Karen P said...

Pet Care > Herbal Fresh Shampoo

Laundry Liquid

Karen P said...

gfc follower

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/10261853087

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/10341950626

LittleEagle said...

I would get the Citrus Spray Cleaner, Cream Cleanser and the Manuka Honey and Kelp Soap. sharonaquilino at hotmail dot com

Karen said...

I would like to try the Citrus Spray Cleaner!
contact(at)inakidsworl(dot)com

Sarah said...

I'd get the toilet bowl cleaner and the Herbal Fresh pet shampoo.

ky2here said...

I'll stock up on the laundry liquid.

ky2here said...

Following both on twitter as ky2here1, here's my tweet: http://twitter.com/ky2here1/status/10445977521

Kimberly said...

I'd love to get the lemongrass soap.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com

Kimberly said...

I signed up for the no nasty chemicals newsletter.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com

Kimberly said...

I follow on twitter and tweeted. Thank you!
http://twitter.com/Aerated/status/10523699422
kirbycolby at gmail dot com

Hotsnotty2 said...

I'd love to try the vanilla shampoo and conditioner, thanks!

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

vegan4life said...

citrus spray cleaner ty.
vivianbl@olg.com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/10559041028

Ginger said...

I would like to try the Pet Ear Wash for my dog!
cyclona66(at) aol dot com

Kimberly said...

tweet!
http://twitter.com/Aerated/status/10567729777
kirbycolby at gmail dot com

mim said...

miriam dot nussbaum at gmail
i'd get Citrus Spray Cleaner,
Manuka Honey & Kelp Soap, vanilla soap....and something else too!

mim said...

miriam dot nussbaum at gmail
blog follower

mim said...

miriam dot nussbaum at gmail
ecostore newsletter subscriber

Happi Shopr said...

I would buy the Citrus Spray Cleaner, the Lemongrass Soap and the Toilet Bowl Cleaner. trinitygsd at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

How I'd spend my ecostore USA gift certficate if I won is: Pure Oxygen Whitener.

prizehound7@yahoo.com

susan1215 said...

I'd like to try the vanilla shampoo and conditioner

s2s2(at)comcast(dot)net

susan1215 said...

I'm a fan of EcostoreUSA on Facebook

Anonymous said...

I'd get the vanilla shampoo and conditioner.

hebert024 at aol dot com

liliesrnice said...

i'd choose the laundry liquid and a bar of coconut soap!

tina reynolds said...

dishwasher powder and laundry cleaner thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com

tina reynolds said...

i subscribe by email

tina reynolds said...

i am a fan of ecostore USA on Facebook (mrstinareynolds)

The Rantings of a Drama Queen's Mum said...

I would get the Citrus Spray Cleaner & the toilet bowl cleaner. dramaqueensmum@gmail.com

The Rantings of a Drama Queen's Mum said...

Follow you & Eco store on Twitter & tweeted. http://twitter.com/dramaqueensmum/status/10599609026

The Rantings of a Drama Queen's Mum said...

Subscribed by e mail. dramaqueensmum@gmail.com

helenlam said...

I would try the baby shampoo

cman said...

I'd get some dishwashing soap and vanilla soap :)

lilyk said...

I love the Manuka Honey and Kelp Soap!

lilyk said...

I became a fan of ecostore USA on Facebook.

lilyk said...

I signed up for the No Nasty Chemicals newsletter.

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