Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Ecostore USA review and GIVEAWAY

When I received an email from Ecostore USA giving me a chance to review their products, I must admit that I was initially suspicious.

My blog isn't anything big....I'm not a "real" blogger. I'd never heard of them. It must be spam, I thought.

So, skeptical me researched Ecostore USA before deleting or replying.

Turns out, Ecostore has been around for almost 20 years - in New Zealand. Just recently, however, a large chain of stores in the USA Midwest, Meijers, has begun carrying Ecostore products.

As you may have guessed from the name, Ecostore is a "green" company, focused on making products that are made from plant- and mineral- based ingredients, free of toxic chemicals.

Although I don't consider myself "green," I'm not opposed to using a product that uses less (or no) chemicals...as long as it works! So, I was willing to try out one or two of Ecostore's products.

Ecostore USA sent me their Citrus Spray Cleaner and Baby Moisturizer.

I put the citrus spray to work right away. Two small children = a long day filled with messes of all shapes, sizes, and degrees of stickiness.


The cleaner worked well and I didn't seem to have to use as much as my regular (quite toxic, I'm sure) cleaner. When I first read the ingredient list:

D-Limonene (zest of citrus peel), palm and coconut based non-ionic and anionic surfactants, etc....

Ahhh, I believed the smell would be divine. The drudgery of the actual cleaning chore would fade as the heavenly scent of oranges and tropical coconuts would transport me to exotic places. Cleaning wouldn't be so bad anymore...

**sound of needle scratching across record playing enchanting Hawaiian music**

Nope. I didn't think it smelled very pleasant. Certainly wasn't citrus-y or coconut-y.

True, most chemically toxic cleaners smell so strongly that your eyes water. I just thought this natural cleaner would smell better... Perhaps we can't have everything.

As for the Baby Moisturizer,

...my daughter wouldn't let me near her to apply the moisturizer. My son only stays still long enough to shovel Spaghetti-O's into his mouth. I didn't think it was wise to test moisturizer in the midst of his feeding session.

No problem, I had planned to try it out on myself.

My hands get very dry and I'm always looking for another lotion that might help them! I also knew that something made for baby would be gentle, whether I used it on myself or my children.

The moisturizer was not greasy and left my skin feeling very soft and smooth. The cream did help soothe the dry, cracked skin on my thumb, and I think if I used it faithfully for a week or more, I would definitely see a difference.

The smell...hm. What is it with the smell?? I do not like strong smelling anything. I really detest flowery perfumes. I am a light, fruity scented kind of gal.

Ecostore's Baby Moisturizer was neither flowery nor fruity. In all honesty, I thought it smelled a bit like bug spray. I would preferred it had no scent at all.

I would use it again...but, I couldn't imagine the sweet bundle of a baby smelling like that?

Now, lest you think I'm being negative. I'm not. Smell is very subjective. And, both the Citrus Cleaner and the Baby Moisturizer worked quite well.

If finding a company that is committed to providing you with green products is important to you, then I believe you would be quite happy with Ecostore USA. They offer everything from cleaning products to pet products to bath and body products.

Check out EcostoreUSA's blog and sign up for their "No Nasty Chemicals" newsletter! You can also find ecostoreusa on Twitter and Facebook!

Now, for a little blog giveaway!

Ecostore USA wants YOU to have a chance to try their products, too! Ecostore USA is giving away a $25 gift certificate to their store!

How to enter:
  • visit Ecostore USA and then leave a comment on this post, telling me which product(s) you'd buy with your $25 and why
For extra entries (you must leave the first comment to qualify for the extras, up to 2):
  • follow my blog (or subscribe via a feed or reader) and leave a comment telling me so
  • leave me a comment telling me why or why not "green" is important to you
  • blog about this giveaway, then leave me a link to your post
  • tweet or facebook Ecostore's giveaway, and leave me a comment letting me know you did
Be sure your email is included in your blog profile, or leave your email somewhere so I'll be able to contact the winner! Gift certificate will be emailed by Ecostore USA to the winner. Giveaway ends Sunday, August 2 at 11:59 PM. Winner will be announced later that week!

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10 comments:

Nancy Irby said...

Hi Steph. I went to the Ecostore website and would try the citrus spray cleaner and the cream cleanser. With Rebekah and and now 2 indoor pets, I would like to try "non-chemical" type cleaners.
Thank you for entering me in the giveaway :-)

Nancy Irby said...

Ok...going for the extras here...:-)
Going "green" is important to me because Rebekah is always wanting to "help" me with housework, but I don't let her use any chemicals. Having cleaners that are safe for the whole family would be great.

Nancy Irby said...

I blogged about your giveaway at http://excitingorboring.blogspot.com/

MaRiN said...

I've never heard of this company before. I can't say I'm "the greenest" person out there either. I really should look into using better products. Thanks for the info!

heaventrees said...

I really want to try Ecostore's Manuka Honey and Kelp soap.

Janelle said...

I would get the Citrus spray cleaner and the vanilla shampoo and conditioner. Their coconut soap is great, but I am UNimpressed (actually very upset) with the dishwasher soap - it chemically reacts with my pans and has ruined two of them! Thanks for the chance!!

Janelle said...

I think that green is important because there are so many people living in the world that someone has to help the environment! Everyone needs to do a little something to make a difference.

Janelle said...

I am now following!

DiPaola Momma said...

First off love, you ARE a "real" blogger! If you write things people find intresting, funny, informative.. or in the case of some meanies out there, annoying.. well then babe you ARE a blogger of the "real" variety!

I hadn't heard of the ECO Store either. I'm working on being more green. But with 4 kids, being a stay at home mom, we have to be budget friendly. Saddly a bulk of the "green" items are anything BUT budget freindly. I'd give that lotion you liked a try. I have such dry skin that in the summer I can hardly wear my wedding rings because I get raw skin from cleaning and dryness. I'd also give the Honey&Kelp soap a go. WAY back in the day, pre-kids and 50 pounds ago... I surfed as much as I could. We used to rub kelp on our boards to clean off old wax. I'll bet that stuff is GREAT at exfoliating!

DiPaola Momma said...

I'm following you because I like your honest approach. Lot's of "real" bloggers get gushy with giveaways. You were honest and I like that.. oh and I want to come back and see that Peony in the header! I can never get those puppies to grow in my cutting garden!!

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