As I've gotten older, I've begun to pay closer attention to labels, especially relative to chemicals and toxicity. There's so much crap in most products, and, quite frankly, it freaks me out. This is slightly problematic for me, because I'm a little bit of a germ-a-phobe. For example, after riding any sort of public transportation, I always change my clothing before sitting on my bed or couch. People tell me this is weird. I don't care. Subways are gross.
In our house, we like counters/tables/surfaces to be clear and clean whenever possible. Which brings me back to the discussion of products. I don't want to knowingly dump unnecessary chemicals into our living space. But, I also want to rest assured that it is sufficiently sanitary. Tiho has a very odd aversion to vinegar, or else that's probably what we'd use as a natural cleaner. Since that's not an option for us, I've made it my mission to scout for alternatives to the Lysol/Clorax crowd.
Enter J.R. Watkins. Initially, I was drawn in by the pretty packaging and then sold by the low price point ($4 for the pump soap on the left). I bought the orange citrus scent without any real expectation and proceeded to go through 3/4 of the bottle in less than two weeks. Cut to me running back to the store to hoard their stock. Over the weekend, I bought the all-purpose cleaner in the same scent for just $5 and have tested it on nearly every surface in my house. Verdict? Amazing.
It's natural, non-toxic, biodegradable, ammonia-free, animal testing-free, paraben-free, bleach-free, dye-free, phosphate-free and sodium lauryl sulfate-free. Hell, I don't even know what that last one means, but I'm just glad it's not all over my house. It's not perfect, but it fits my bill. Did I mention it smells delicious? And cleans like yo' momma cleans?
Because it does.
P.S. I found the line in my local RiteAid. Not sure what other retailers carry it, but you can order online right here. (By the way, this isn't a sponsored post, even though I'm sure it reads that way. I get overly enthusiastic when I find something I like).
And because I'm in a feisty mood right now, here's a picture of me snapped by T in the middle of my cleaning rampage last weekend. Sweaty hair, dish towel over my shoulder, and hot pink lips. That's how I roll.
