Norwex microfiber cloths are not like your run-of-the-mill cleaning cloth, cleaning rags, or even the crocheted dishcloths your grandma loves to make. So because they are different, they require a little extra special care. ❤️ Norwex microfiber is an efficient and amazing way to clean your home without compromising your health by inhaling, ingesting or absorbing chemicals from traditional cleaners. Keep reading to find out what makes Norwex different and how to take care of them.
What makes Norwex Microfiber Cloths Different?
EnviroCloths are a multipurpose cloth that can be used wet or dry to clean most hard surfaces.
Norwex microfiber is 1/200th the width of a human hair… if the cloth was unwound it would reach from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico (3 million meters). These microfibers have innovative cleaning power.
Because Norwex microfiber is so ‘micro,’ it has the ability to remove up to 99% of bacteria from a surface when following the proper care and use instructions.
It replaces the need for chemical cleaners, like window cleaners, dusting sprays and multipurpose sprays, and just requires water… saving you money!
Eliminates the need for paper towel… reducing your paper waste and paper dust in your home.
Eliminates residue from traditional cleaners, that are often left behind, leaving your home cleaner.
Embedded with Baclock™ – Norwex’s exclusive micro silver antibacterial agent – goes to work to self-purify the and inhibit odours from bacteria, mold and mildew growth within the cloth within 24 hours so that is ready to use again.
Available in 7 colours… allowing you to colour-code your cloths for different jobs.
When you flat fold the cloth, it has 8 cleaning surfaces to use… reducing cleaning time up to 75%!
Norwex works hard to protect the environment. In fact, Norwex uses 2 – 5 plastic bottles in the construction of their cloths and they have a recycling program to recycle old, retired Norwex cloths.
The first 3 instructions are a must for caring for your Norwex investment:
Launder in the washer & dryer. Although you should avoid the soapy dish sink with your Norwex cloths, it is important to launder them in your washer to clean them. The rinse and spin cycles in your washer work to remove all the soap from the cloth. It is important to dry your cloth in the dryer because Norwex cloths employ the power of static electricity. In the dryer, the spokes of the microfiber get ‘perked’ up and make the cloth ready to clean again.
Lint freeload. Launder your Norwex Microfiber with lint-free fabrics only. Lint from other fabrics gets caught in the spaces between the microfibers, reducing the effectiveness of the cloth.
No bleach or fabric softener. These products will break down and coat the microfibers reducing its ability to clean a surface and will ruin the cloth.
The last 3 care instructions are a suggestion to get the most out of your Norwex cloths:
Unscented detergent is best. Unscented laundry detergent cleans without leaving lingering fragrances and residue that might damage the microfiber. I would recommend either of the Norwex laundry detergents. What do you prefer? Powder or Liquid, we have both and the ingredient lists are extremely CLEAN!! Personally I use the Liquid Laundry Detergent. It is biodegradable, enzyme-based, ultra-concentrated (one bottle cleans 215 HE loads or 107 Standard Loads), effective in hard water and comes in a small, recyclable, pump dispensing style bottle. It is free from: Phosphates, Chlorine, Fragrances, Optical brighteners, Ammonia, Sulfates, Dyes, Fillers, Phthalates and Bleach.
Deep Clean when needed. This is always a shocking experience. If you have any older cloths – I highly recommend this!! Every 4-6 months, your cloths will benefit from being deep cleaned. Use the Norwex Laundry Booster! It is the perfect product to deep clean your cloths. Simply dissolve 1 scoopful of enzyme charged powder into a gallon of hot water and soak for 30 minutes. Repeat this step until the water is clean. Then launder in the washer with Norwex Laundry Detergent or Liquid Laundry Detergent. WOW!!! This product also cleans; hockey equipment, exercise gear, bras, footwear, bed sheets (say goodbye to head stained pillowcases), etc… I call this the POWER POWDER, this enzyme works like a charm!!
Avoid soapy water. Norwex microfiber works (and has the ability to remove up to 99% of bacteria from a surface when following the proper care and use instructions.) when the microfibers spokes are perked up and have space to absorb all the dirt, debris and bacteria. The danger of submerging Norwex microfiber into soapy water, is that the soap will leave residue behind, making the microfiber less effective.
How Long Can I Use my Microfiber Cloths?
Norwex offers a 2 – year warranty on their microfiber cloths… outside of normal wear and tear. If you want to know for sure that your microfiber cloth is removing up to 99% of bacteria from your surface (like raw chicken on your counter!!!) ensure your cloth is less than two years old. I recommend that you use a sharpie to write the purchase date on the tag of the cloth and after two years, cut the tag and use the cloth as a rag (like cleaning the patio furniture or cleaning the oven or bbq… dirty jobs).
Norwex Microfiber Investment
Norwex products are not a luxury – they are a necessity. Everyone is cleaning with something. Every home incorporates “cleaning supplies” into their annual budget. The wipes, sprays, gels and scrubs get tossed in the cart without a thought. Norwex is choosing to live your life intentionally to protect your health and the environment. These products are an investment… not only a financial investment but also an investment in your health. Seeing as it is an investment, it only makes sense to take care of it to ensure you get the most out of your Norwex microfiber cloths. You will love how they clean your home, quick and easy… with just water. What an investment!!!
What Norwex cloths are on your wish list? Have you tried the Window Cloth or the Body Pack Cloths? Which ones are your favourite?
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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.
Norwex has a fabulous collection of cleaning cloths! Did you know? Norwex Microfiber has the ability to remove up to 99% of bacteria from a surface when following the proper care and use instructions. All Norwex cloths are constructed with superior microfiber. Lots of them have the exclusive Baclock™ in the cloth that goes to work to self-purify and inhibit odors from bacteria, mold and mildew growth in the cloth; some of them have different types of fibers woven with the microfiber for extra scrubbing power. Some are super-soft for delicate surfaces, while others are textured to deal with tough kitchen messes. The Norwex line of microfiber cloths are expertly designed to tackle every job you face in your homes without using chemicals.
Have you ever wondered if you are using the best Norwex cloth for the job?
Let me remove the guessing game and give you the scoop on what cloth is best for what job. Let this post be your quick reference guide when you find yourself wondering if you are choosing the best cloth.
The Norwex Counter Cloths are so new that they are not on the comparison chart. But they are so fantastic, I wanted to include them in this post :).
Did you know that most of your Norwex cloths should NOT be used with soap?
Norwex microfiber cloths only require water to do their job effectively. The reason soap is not advised is because the microfiber is designed to absorb 7 times it’s weight (in water, dirt, debris, grease) but it will absorb soap as well. This happens because there are open spaces in the fibers created by the splitting process (during manufacturing) that enable the cloths to lift away dust and dirt and absorb several times its own weight. The absorbed soap will coat and clog the pores in the microfibers, making them ineffective and deep cleaning will be required to restore the cloth. But like most things in life, there are a few exceptions. These exceptions are designed to be used with or without dish soap (ideally Norwex Dishwashing Liquid). They include:
Norwex’s superior microfiber is guaranteed for 2 years of service. Norwex microfiber cloths work hard and have the ability to remove up to 99% of bacteria from a surface when following the proper care and use instructions. The microfiber is so ‘micro’ that if unwound, the fibers would stretch 3 million meters. After two years, they are no longer guaranteed as a chemical replacement. This doesn’t mean you should throw them away… it just means they should be demoted to jobs that don’t required 99% of bacteria removal. There are lots of jobs like that! For example: garage jobs, the outside windows, cleaning patio furniture, etc. I do suggest you replace the cloths you use to maintain your kitchen, bathroom, toilet, and any other cloths you use on surfaces that would normally require chemicals, every 2 years! That way it is guaranteed clean.
Here’s my little riddle to help you remember:
Ever wondered if you are following the ‘proper care and use instructions’ for your Norwex cloths?
Caring for your cloths is simple. To maximize the use of your cloths, ensure that you are removing up to 99% of bacteria from the surfaces in your home and prevent your cloths from getting stinky, just follow the instructions below.
I recommend that every 6 months, you deep clean your cloths. This is the best and most simple way to care for and maximize the life of your Norwex cloths. Read How to Deep Clean your Norwex Microfiber Cloths for all the details.
Norwex’s way of cleaning is radically different! Because of this, you may need to radically change how you think about cleaning. Hopefully this post will equip you with the information needed to sort out any confusion between the cloths and help you make the most of your cloths, inform you when it is time to replace your old cloths and teach you about proper care instructions for your cloths.
Do you still have questions? Feel free to leave a comment if you are still wondering about how to make the most of your Norwex cloths.
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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.
So you made a great decision to invest in Norwex! I call it an investment because they will change the way you clean your home… eco-friendly, non-toxic, environmentally-friendly, quick and easy cleaning methods. They are also an investment because they can seem expensive when starting your collection. I’m Dutch… I know. Lastly, they are an investment because they last for a LONG time… so you want to protect them!
An important part of my job is to teach you how to use and care for your product properly, so that they clean the way they are intended and so that the products will last as long as possible. The number one way you can protect your Norwex investment is to launder them properly! Let me share the strategies I have discovered through my years of using Norwex products to maximize your enjoyment of your Norwex products for many years to come!
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It is important to launder them in the washer and dryer on a regular basis. The agitation cycle in the washer agitates the cloth which releases the dirt, grime and grease that has collected in the cloth when cleaning. The dryer works to “perk up” the spokes in the microfibers and allows them to be statically charged to clean dry or wet.
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Wash in the washing machine weekly, ideally the Hot/Cold, Wash/Rinse option. Hot water relaxes the microfibers allowing them to release the dirt that has been collected in the cloth and does a better job cleaning the cloth. By using scent-free detergent, you ensure that the microfibers in the cloth will not be coated by the fragrances or chemicals that are often found in regular detergent. Norwex has two great scent-free laundry detergents to choose from: Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent and a Liquid Laundry Detergent. I also add one cap full of the Norwex Odour Eliminator as well, to every load (not just Norwex) we launder at our home.
Washing with only lint-free fabrics is important to maintain the integrity of the microfibers. If you wash your Norwex cloths with your favourite fluffy beach towels, the microfibers will collect all the lint from the towel and clog the microfibers… making the cloth unable to collect dirt and debris the next time you use it to clean. Think of the fibers as spokes on a bicycle wheel… they collect debris… but if there are loose towel fibers within reach, they will collect those too, clogging the cloths ability clean.
If you use fabric softeners, dryer sheets or bleach with your Norwex cloths, you will coat all the microfibers making them unable to their job. Fabric softeners and dryer sheets work to reduce static because they coat the fibers in our clothes, but they are full of chemicals and fragrances as well as being hard on the environment. Because they are designed to coat fibers, they destroy Norwex microfiber cloths. Use Norwex Dryer Balls or Fluff and Tumble Dryer Balls to create space between your cloths in the dryer to allow the microfibers to “perk up” and be able to clean the surfaces in your home. Wondering why there are two different of types of dryer balls and which one you should buy? Read Norwex Dryer Balls FAQ.
A Few Notes:
Avoid Submerging your Cloths into Soapy Water. I’m referring to the soapy water in your kitchen sink. I am often asked… “If the cloths can’t go in soapy water… do I launder them without detergent in my machine?” You want to use laundry detergent in your washing machine, that is an important part of cleaning your cloths. Your washer’s spin cycle ensures all the soap is removed.
Change your Cloths Regularly. If you are accustom to using your kitchen cloth (whether it is Grandma’s croqueted cloth or a cotton rag) until it is smelly…. you don’t want to do that with your Norwex cloths! People also often think, well Norwex has Baclock™ the micro silver antibacterial agent that goes to work to self-purify and inhibit odors from bacteria, mold and mildew growth within the cloth, so I rarely have to switch out my cloth. The Baclock™ agent does not have magical powers, Norwex cloths can get oversaturated with bacteria. What you are smelling is the growth of bacteria in your cloth. Don’t wait until it is smelly! Have a regular laundering routine.
I have followed Delores’ laundering instructions since 2006 and my cloths have always smelled fresh and clean. No smelly cloths at my house. ~ Michelle Kool, Edmonton, Alberta
Here is what I suggest:
Enviro & Kitchen Cloths: 1 cloth, every 2-3 days… hang to dry and launder
Body Pack Cloths (used for face or body): 1 cloth for 2 days… a three pack is to last one person for a week.
Everything Else: Launder once per week. I literally walk around my house and collect cloths from the bathrooms, kitchen, garage, our four hair turbans and spa wraps, face cloths, chenille hand towels, kitchen cloths and towels, the bath mats and hand towels, Bentley’s (our dog) mitts and towel… everything and launder them once a week.
Colour Code your Cloths. The EnviroCloth comes in four different colours.In my house, I colour codes our EnviroCloths for different jobs. It works like a dream.
Grey EnviroCloth: Kitchen jobs.
Blue EnviroCloth: For “blue” jobs. The jobs that will stain the cloth get done with the blue cloth. I don’t want all my cloths stained so I colour code. These jobs include: cleaning the bbq, outside furniture and windows and anything in the garage.
Pink EnviroCloth: For the Toilets. Think ‘Pink is for Pee’. I literally hang them on the plumbing under the sink so they are handy if need be … like when young nephews come to visit 🙂
Green EnviroCloth: Bathroom jobs, like: wiping down the shower, tub, sinks and counters.
For Best Results use Norwex Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent or Norwex Liquid Laundry Detergent. I often remind my clients that when you buy a good pair of leather boots, they always ask you if you have spray to protect your new footwear (your investment)? The same is true for Norwex Microfiber cloths. Do you have the laundry supplies required to protect your investment? Both of Norwex’s laundry soaps are fantastic… both require very little, UPP is powder, the Liquid detergent is enzyme-powered to help remove odor and stains.
So, let’s say… your Norwex cloths smell… they were used for too long or they weren’t laundered frequently… now what? Read this blog “How to Deep Clean your Microfiber Cloths” for all the details.
Norwex products are an investment! They are going to reduce the chemicals in your home, while providing a superior way to clean. Please leave a comment to let me know how these tips helped you get the most out of your Norwex cloths.
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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.
With spring comes new life, warm windows, sunshine, tulips, green grass and buds on the trees. If your backyard has poplar trees, you know what I am talking about. Most buds are welcome… but the poplar buds are sticky and abundant and like to attach themselves to whoever gets close. A couple days ago, I was out in my backyard with my sweet dog, Bentley, and it only took a few minutes for his paws to covered in these sticky poplar buds. It’s not just Bentley… these sticky buds get stuck to the bottom of my girls’ feet too and leave sticky residue and a yellow stain that can be carried all over the house. I have heard of all sorts of remedies that ‘sort of work’ or require chemical-laden products, I even talked to a women who CUT the sticky buds out of her dog’s fur! But look no further… Norwex’s Timeless Natural Hand Cleaner quickly removes the sticky buds and its yellow residue quickly, with natural ingredients that leave your dog’s paws or your kids’ feet soft.
When your dog wants back inside, just squirt a dab into the palm of your hand and massage it into yours dog’s paws to remove the sticky buds. Don’t worry if your dog licks his paws as you clean them, it is a NATURAL cleaner that won’t harm him… it will only leave the pads of his feet soft and clean. If your kids love to run outside without their shoes… maybe 20 trips to and from the trampoline or to practice their backflips and cartwheels, I recommend leaving a Natural Hand Cleaner by the backdoor. When they come in, they can quickly remove the yellow stains and sticky buds from the feet and hands before they literally STICK to your floor.
I love it when there is a natural, chemical-free solution to real-life issues. Sticky paws and feet due to spring-time popular buds are easily resolved by Norwex’s amazing Natural Hand Cleaner. Give it a squirt.
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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.
What about the carrot sticks or lettuce leaves that tumble from the colander into the sink? Surely the sink, which is regularly doused with soap and water, must be cleaner than the floor, which is regularly defiled by the feet we use to stand at the sink — right?
“Wrong, wrong, 500 times wrong”, says Environmental Microbiologist Kelly Reynolds, Ph.D., an assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona. While the floor may be crawling with 1,000 bacteria per square inch, the sink typically hosts around 500,000 bacteria per square inch — and she’s seen sinks that had millions more than that. “The sink is a ready source of bacteria just from washing off hands as well as food, which may carry fecal bacteria.” The number of bacteria it takes to make us sick depends on the type, but Reynolds says that it takes between 100 and 1,000 bacteria to transmit salmonella, which is the most frequently reported cause of foodborne illness.
Reynolds says our kitchen sinks are often dirtier than the toilets of public bathrooms, which may be regularly scrubbed with powerful disinfectants. “If you dropped something in the toilet at the gas station, would you rinse it off and eat it? Use the same mentality for your sink.”
Our kitchen sinks are where we wash everything from our hands, to doing the dishes, rinsing out your kitchen cloth, to washing veggies & fruit, to cleaning the thanksgiving turkey and even soaking your Norwex EnviroCloths to deep clean them. The kitchen sink is a busy place. As it is harvest time… some of our sinks will be especially busy. Before you dump your beautiful harvest of carrots, potatoes, turnips, apples or cherries into your kitchen sink, consider how clean your sink really is and why it is important.
The World Health Organization (WHO) works with 150 countries to help them “ensure the highest attainable level of health for all people”. They are committed to combatting disease as well as ensuring food, air & water safety. They empower people to do their part in ensuring food safety in our homes…
So how do your keep your kitchen clean and safe? Norwex’s Global Mission is improving quality of life by radically reducing chemicals in our homes. Cleaning your kitchen sink properly and without chemicals is a simple way to improve our quality of life.
Seeing as the average kitchen sink can be 500 times dirtier than the average kitchen floor, let me give you a few Norwex tips on how to ensure your sink it really clean. Did you know that Norwex not only provides clean solutions, but their solutions are time-saving, effective, chemical-free, environmentally friendly? That is awesome!
Rinse your sink with hot water.
Wet a Norwex Spirisponge and dab with Cleaning Paste. Cleaning Paste has only 3 active natural ingredients (marble flour, natural soap, coconut oil). The Cleaning Paste will remove stains and bacteria, while leaving your sink shiny.
In a circular motion, clean the entire sink from top to drain. Spend a little extra time cleaning the ridges of your drain to remove any build up.
Rinse with hot water.
Wipe dry with flat-folded EnviroCloth. EnviroCloths will remove unto 99% of bacteria from a surface when used properly.
Repeat as needed.
This should take you no longer than 90 seconds from start to finish and the end result is a clean, food-safe sink!
Watch this:
I love Norwex’s quick, simple, affordable, effective and environmentally-friendly solutions for our day-to-day cleaning needs. With all the research revealing how dirty our sinks are and how it can negatively effect our health, Norwex offers a good solution!
Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.
“Soft, like a baby’s bottom”… This saying only tells part of the story about babies’ skin. Of course baby skin is soft — it is the best!!! — but it is also delicate, fragile and needs to be protected from chemicals in our environment.
Skin is a very important multifunctional organ that provides our bodies with a barrier function, mechanical protection, thermoregulation, immune surveillance and it prevents the loss of body fluids. Healthy skin plays a role in keeping babies alive. It was previously thought that the skin barrier function reached its maturity at about 34 weeks gestation (still in the womb). However, recent data shows that newborn skin goes through a gradual process of maturity in its environment and continues to develop until 12 months after birth —that is all the way until their first birthday!!! Skin care is important during a baby’s first years of life as studies show that baby’s (6-13 months old) and toddler’s (17-24 months old) skin has higher skin reactivity and absorption than adults.
The newborn’s skin is very naturally sensitive, thin and fragile. The skin of the premature newborn is even thinner, therefore highly permeable. This increases the risk of toxicity from the absorption of chemicals. This skin is also more easily attacked mechanically. For example, a baby’s bottom is in constant contact with diapers and being wiped with baby wipes which can cause repeated removal of top layer of skin cells. This increases the permeability of the skin and chance of skin rashes and infections. The health of a newborn’s skin is so important to the overall health of the child.
Norwex’s Global Mission is to: “Improve quality of life by radically reducing chemicals in our homes.” This mission does not only apply to how we care for our homes but how we care for our bodies. The shelves at the supermarkets and drug stores are lined with chemical-filled baby products. Even with the knowledge of cancer-causing agents, these can still be found in some of the most “trusted” companies baby products. Isn’t it wonderful that Norwex provides alternative skin care products. Here are a few chemical-free products that will keep your babies clean and safe.
Baby Hooded Towel Set: It is the perfect size for babies and toddlers; it is super absorbent, super soft and super cozy, just what their sensitive skin needs. It is constructed with microfiber and has Norwex’s exclusive Baclock™ agent to inhibit odors from bacteria. It also comes with a matching face cloth.
Baby Body Pack: It comes with three baby-sized face or body cloths. They are super soft and gentle on your baby’s skin. They are constructed with microfiber and has Norwex’s exclusive Baclock™ agent to inhibit odors from bacteria growth.
Bubble Bath: All kids love bubbles at bath time!!! Norwex’s bubble bath is made from 3 natural ingredients — water, caprylyl/capryl glucoside (a natural foamer) & natural wild cherry fruit extract. It is non-allergenic, biodegradable and a gentle cleansing agent. Plus, it is FUN!!!
Body Lotion: This chemical-free lotion is good for the whole family and is certified by BDIH and NaTrue for its organic and natural properties. It smells wonderful and is loaded with a variety of natural botanicals like coconut oil, grape seed oil, aloe vera, sweet almond oil shea butter and vitamin E.
Take the time with your sweet baby to massage this wonderful lotion into their skin… they will feel loved & comforted, their circulatory system will be stimulated and you will be at ease knowing that there are no chemicals being absorbed into their perfect skin.
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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.
EnviroCloths are a multipurpose cloth that can be used wet or dry to clean most hard surfaces.
