Eco-Clean

Created by Danish scientist Jens Erik Hansen, Eco Clean products are made up of AEB (Active Eco Boost),a natural amino acid derivative. AEB breaks down dirt and keeps it suspended in the solution, enhancing the cleaning properties while minimizing skin irritations. AEB is included in all the following liquid Eco Clean products: All Purpose Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaner, Dish Wash, Glass Cleaner, Hand Wash and Kitchen Counter Top Cleaner.

What I love about Eco Clean is that the natural part of it comes from sugar based surfactants while the fragrances are derived from essential oils like mint, lavender and orange rosemary.  Non-toxic and biodegradable these cleaners are also allergy safe.  The option to have a foam spray relieves allergy sufferers from possible vapors that could irritate them further.  That is great for me and my sensitive sinuses.  It won't bother your skin if the cleaners come into contact with you either.  It is ideal when you have kids or pets in a household.

I received a bottle of the Kitchen Counter Top Cleaner (16.9 oz), Hand Wash (8.5) and Toilet Cleaner (16.9 oz).  Here is what I found.

The Kitchen Counter Top Cleaner has that wonderful foam spray option that shoots pretty far.  The orange rosemary scent is soft and not overpowering.  My house smelled fantastic after just cleaning my counter tops and kitchen table.  The cleaner took off grease spots with ease but I had to spray dried yogurt twice to get it off the kitchen table.  My counters were left clean, sweet smelling and with no trace of dirt or grime.  Love it!  I just wish it was in a larger size.  It tends to go pretty quick. 

The same goes for the Toilet Cleaner in cool mint scent.  The squeezable bottle is small and the cleaner comes out fast!  I went through a quarter of the bottle with just one toilet. That was disappointing.  After using it on all three of my toilets half the bottle was gone.  It smells fantastic and ultra clean.  It seems like it is part liquid and part gel in consistency and sticks to the basin of the toilet but not for a long period of time.  I am particularly careful about cleaning my toilets with natural cleaners as so much of it gets flushed down so many times a day.  I don't want to add more chemicals to the earth.  I swear the bowl looked whiter after a cleaning and it stayed cleaner longer too.  I just wish the bottle didn't pour out so much at once or had a leaking cap. 

The citrus scented Grapefruit Lemon hand wash is a nice generous size. It lasts for a very long time.  I love how clean it smells each time I use it while not drying out my hands.  It is easy to pump and my kids use it too.  I think it is a good find.

Paraben-free and not tested on animals Eco Clean products are available at on Soap.com, Amazon.com, Duane Reede, Drugstore.com and Alice.com  I love that all the products are $4.99 too. One price for all is nice. 

MPR Rating: Three Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  All products received are for review and test purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's only. 

No Wallflowers for Ford Just Butterflies

Here in the Washington metro area it is DC Auto Show Week.  Two weeks ago it was the Detroit Auto Show and while I cannot attend my own home town's show I did get to cruise around the auto show floor in Detroit, courtesy of the Ford Motor Company. 

The car and truck of the year were announced here and many automakers unveiled hybrids and other vehicles to woo and entice a green consumer.  From Lexus to Chevy and more everyone it seems was going green.  The Ford company was especially intent on this mission and it was equally clear that this Ford, One Ford, is not the same set of cars and trucks that we have known from the last few decades.  No, this is a fresh start for Ford and it is a good one.

A few months ago I reviewed the Ford Flex Titanium, a car I was determined to hate.  Instead, I fell in love and did not to hand over the keys.  The Flex contains EcoBoost, a technology that is designed to deliver power and torque that is consistent with larger displacement, naturally aspirated engines.  It gives about 20% better fuel efficiency and reduces the engines greenhouse emissions by about 15%.   Ford has loaded EcoBoost into its new Explorer as well. This by the way was the Truck of the Year.  It is roomy like the Flex and offers MyFord Touch and SYNC like the other new Ford vehicles do as well.  Did I mention that the new versions of these cars are chocked full of amazing technology?  They are loaded with integrated communication and entertainment systems that keep you connected and safe while you drive.  I found both very intuitive and not distracting.

Watch the video below for a real compact rundown of Ford's quest and implementation of One Ford and some butterflies.  Oooh, pretty butterflies...



In all, I was quite impressed with the strides Ford has made as a company.  They are no longer going to be pushed off the road or left idling.  Each car from the Explorer, Focus, Fiesta, Fusion and Escape Hybrid are streamlined, more luxurious, high tech and more solidly built than they have been in a long time.  Their global vision and mission to promote a brand that is in step with the consumer needs for a higher quality vehicle for their money, Hybrids and EV's, as well as better fuel efficiency is now in full effect.  Consider me stunned and converted.  For now.



Disclosure:  Ford Motor Company paid for my travel and accommodations at the 2-day Driving Green Technology event, I was not compensated in any other manner for my time.  My opinions posted here are my own. 

Image from uncrate.com