Seventh Generation: Back to school review & giveaway!!

I love Seventh Generation products, and I think they do a superb job on cleaning... With kids back in school, it is a great time to promote the Seventh Generation products, once again. I am not a big fan of my son going to the school and picking up all those germs, then bringing them home to the younger kids on his hands, face, clothing, etc. I am a big fan of him washing his hands thoroughly when he gets home, to help minimize the germs that came home with him.
Taking an extra precaution, I am happy to be using the Seventh Generation products to keep my house clean, and for easy disinfecting of surfaces. I love that the Seventh Generation products are non-toxic, and no harsh fumes!
First of all, I love the Multi-Surface cleaner. I think this is a great kitchen cleaner, and is easy to use! I think it is great that Seventh Generation's products are Hypo-allergenic, too. My family has different allergies and sensitivities, and with using the Seventh Generation, I can see the difference in how our bodies don't negatively react to the cleaners. With the Seventh Generation Disinfecting wipes, I can easily wipe down the kid's toys, play surfaces, and ride-on toys. I think it is great that Seventh Generation made wipes for easy cleaning. I have also used the disinfecting wipes on door handles, faucets, and bathroom areas. The disinfecting wipes from Seventh Generation have a nice scent, and they are great controlling odors. I am amazed that the Disinfecting wipes will kill the Influenza A Virus, also killing 99% of household germs! It is so comforting to know that while I am wiping with the disinfecting wipe, I am getting rid of germs and the Influenza A virus!
With kids coming into the "cold season," I recommend the Seventh Generation tissues for their nose. Facial tissues, often times, will actually cause my allergies to flare up because of the dust and other things on them. I noticed that the Seventh Generation does not have that "dust" on their tissues, in fact, their tissues are Hypo-allergenic. The tissues are also whitened without chemicals containing chlorine, there are no added dyes or fragrances, which is a huge plus, especially if you are more into the natural ways. I give the tissues two thumbs up!
Seventh Generation has several products for cleaning, baby, laundry, household cleaners/paper and supplies, feminine care, dish washing and more. I have used several of the cleaning products, and I am planning on using the Seventh Generation products throughout my house. I think my next purchase will be the laundry products. :)
I believe in their products, they are safe to use, biodegradable, earth-friendly, no harsh chemicals and more.
Want to learn more? Check out the Seventh Generation blog HERE.

This is from their website:
About Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation is committed to becoming the world's most trusted brand of authentic, safe, and environmentally-responsible products for a healthy home. For 20 years, the closely held Burlington, Vermont-based company has been at the forefront of a cultural change in consumer behavior and business ethics.
The company derives its name from the Great Law of the Iroquois that states, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." Every time you use a Seventh Generation product you are making a difference by saving natural resources, reducing pollution, keeping toxic chemicals out of the environment and making the world a safer place for this and the next seven generations.
Seventh Generation provides information in several formats: on packaging, on this Web site, in 7Gen News (look in the upper right corner on any Seventh Generation web page to sign up) and in booklets and presentations by Chief Inspired Protagonist Jeffrey Hollender, company co-founder and Executive Chairperson as well as other members of our community.
A complete line of non-toxic household products
Seventh Generation brand-name products include: non-chlorine bleached, 100% recycled paper towels, bathroom and facial tissues, and napkins; non-toxic, phosphate-free cleaning, dish and laundry products; plastic trash bags made from recycled plastic; chlorine-free baby diapers, training pants, and baby wipes; and chlorine-free feminine care products, including organic cotton tampons.
Our donations program
We dedicate 10% of our profits to non-profit community, environmental, health, and responsible business organizations working for positive change.

**ENTER TO WIN**
You can enter to win the Back to School GIVEAWAY which includes a Seventh Generation “Back-to-School” kit that includes a Seventh Generation backpack, two canisters of Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes (one for home and one to donate to your child’s classroom), disinfecting multi-surface spray cleaner, facial tissue and paper towels.
To enter: Comment on this post about something you are taking steps to help keep kids healthier this school year. (required for initial entry). Contest ends Sepember 25th, 2010.
**For more extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about something you found out on the Seventh Generation's website! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

The Seventh Generation product, gift pack, and additional gift pack to give away were all given to you from Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark.

Seventh Generation works great & is SAFER!! (Review & Giveaway)

I am all for replacing harsh chemical cleaners with safe, non-toxic cleaners....that are not only safer for my family, but safer for the environment. Seventh Generation’s products are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, safe and they work fantastic! Leading the “responsible cleaning” charge for the past twenty years, Seventh Generation has tapped into the disinfecting power of the herb thyme, to introduce an EPA registered line of disinfecting sprays and wipes that kill germs naturally! The new line of botanical disinfectant cleaners includes a multi-surface cleaning spray, bathroom cleaning spray and wipes.
Seventh Generation’s disinfectants contain thymol, a component of the herb thyme, and can be used on hard surfaces including counter tops, plastic cutting boards, highchair trays as well as children’s toys. Best of all, they kill over 99.99 percent of germs naturally and are effective against the Influenza A Virus, including H1N1.
Seventh Generation has partnered with eco-lifestyle consultant and author, Alexandra Zissu, whose new book, The Conscious Kitchen, discusses what’s good for your health, what’s good for the planet and what tastes great, to share her tips on maintaining a healthy kitchen. Her tips include:
·Change is Good
Choosing cleaning products without indoor air pollutants like volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, is a simple and effective way to reduce your indoor air pollution. If you’re not prepared to switch everything overnight, start by swapping out the one product you use the most, and moving forward from there.
·Think before you spray
Residues from cleaning products can last on a surface for longer than we we’d like to know and travel to areas that we sometimes don’t intend them to. Don’t contaminate your food by prepping it on a surface that may contain harsh chemical residues - rinse cleaning products from food preparation surfaces carefully or use botanical disinfecting cleaners that do not require a rinse step.
·Home is Where the Clean Is
Your standard cleaners are good for removing soils and dirt from kitchen surfaces, but to tackle germs you need a cleaner that is effective against microbes like bacteria and viruses. Many cleaners contain ingredients that have antimicrobial properties such as vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, but the germ killing power of these is not necessarily guaranteed. To be sure you are killing germs, use an EPA registered disinfectant. Seventh Generation tapped into the disinfecting power of the common garden herb thyme to provide a disinfecting cleaner that kills germs* naturally.
·Make the Old New Again
Think twice about the items that you’re using to clean and dry your kitchen equipment and dishes. Use rags (like old t-shirts and washcloths) instead of paper towels. If you aren’t prepared to kick your paper towel addiction just yet, use only recycled versions that are unbleached or haven’t been whitened with chemicals containing chlorine and see how long you can make a roll last.
·The Writing is on the … Sponge
Be sure to read the fine print on sponges and only purchase those that do not contain antimicrobial pesticides. Remember to store sponges in a dry place and frequently clean them by zapping plastic sponges wet in a microwave for two minutes or boiling sponges for three minutes in water.
·Mom Was Right, Wash Your Hands
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after prepping food, and always before eating. So much of what can be potentially harmful in a kitchen can be reduced by this simple act that doesn’t require any harsh chemicals whatsoever.

I was sent the new disinfectant line from Seventh Generation cleaning products, including a disinfecting multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, wipes and 100% recycled, unbleached paper towels. I love the ease of the multi-surface cleaner! I like that with a few squirts of the cleaner, a quick wipe with the paper towels, and I have a clean surface free of germs. That is something to feel great over! I never really thought of paper towels having bleach in them, and why they have that. Really? Bleach to make them white? Is that necessary? So, when we wipe our face, or our children's face with other brand paper towels, are we essentially putting bleach on their face? Something to think about. I am much happier with the 100% recycled, non-bleached towels from Seventh Generation...even though they are brown.

The bathroom cleaner is great, too. The smell of the Seventh Generation is pleasant, and after using it, my bathroom sparkles. I simply cannot express how great it is knowing the germs are being killed with this cleaner, yet it is non-toxic and safer for the environment! The disinfecting wipes are great for a quick clean up, as well!
I recommend Seventh Generation to you, and I am happy to share this product with you. Seventh Generation has offered to sponsor a generous giveaway for my readers, as well!

****ENTER TO WIN****

You can enter to win the "Disinfection Cleaning Kit," which includes the multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, a roll of unbleached paper towels, wipes, and a cleaning caddy/bag to hold it all! To enter: Comment on this post about something YOU'VE done for the environment this year? (required for initial entry). Contest ends June10th, 2010.
**For more extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about something you found out on the Seventh Generation's website! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**
I was contacted directly from Seventh Generation to review and share information about their products. I received the “Disinfecting Cleaning Kit” for review to facilitate this review. Seventh Generation will be giving away the same kit to the winner on this post for a prize.

Enter to win a $5,000 green home makeover! ~ Seventh Generation Review & Giveaway!!

Seventh Generation, a product line of natural cleaning products, is hosting a "Search for Mother Nature contest" which you will have the opportunity to win a $5,000 green home makeover!!
The contest, which runs from now until May 31, asks you to nominate your “Mother Nature,” a person that has been inspirational to you by making their home, community and/or environment safer and healthier. The grand prize winner will be awarded a $5,000 green home makeover and both the nominated “Mother Nature” and the grand prize winner will receive a year's supply of Seventh Generation products. IN addition, a $2,500 donation will be made in our “Mother Nature's” name to an organization working to make the world a safer place. Six finalists will also receive a year's worth of Seventh Generation products to help them protect their planet home.
To enter the contest, visit SeventhGeneration.com/mothernature and write in 1000 characters or less about the person who’s inspired you to protect your own Planet Home. Share their story and how they’ve led by example and shown you the way to a safer family and healthier planet. Seventh Generation’s own Mother Nature inspiration, Ivette Melendez of Women’s Action to Gain Economic Security (WAGES), will be a judge of the contest.

Ivette Melendez has Five Golden Rules of Cleaning:
Rule 1: Go Top-to-Bottom. Whether it's a room or a bookcase, clean from the top to the bottom and you won't have to go back and pick up any stray dirt or errant dust that falls as you go.
Rule 2: Go Back to Front. Always clean from back to front for similar reasons. If it's a room, start in a rear corner and work toward the door. If it's a cabinet, begin in the back and clean out toward the edge.
Rule 3: Work Clockwise. Pick a starting spot and work in a steady clockwise direction. Working systematically in this way will ensure that you don’t forget anything and won’t have to spend any time thinking about it!
Rule 4: Don't Use or Do More Than You Need To. Always start with a small amount of cleaning product and use more as necessary for tough spots and other challenges. Using more than you need to start only creates more work when it's time to rinse everything off!
Rule 5: Look Before You Leap. If you're cleaning something you've never cleaned before and/or using a product for the first time, you'll save a lot of premature hair loss by always testing things first to make sure you won't cause any damage.
Five Cleaning Hot Spots
As a cleaning expert, Ivette knows how to handle the greatest challenges without harm. Here's how she protects the top five hot spots on Planet Home:
The Oven.

Oven cleaners are among the most hazardous available, and heat intensifies their toxicity. Make ovens sparkle by first wiping them down to remove loose material. Spray on Seventh Generation Natural All Purpose Cleaner and add a light sprinkling of baking soda if you've got serious baked-on grime. Wipe everything clean after a 5-minute soak, and use a final vinegar wipe to make it all gleam. Watch the expert at work! Plus, I love that Seventh Generation products don't have horrible smells, and their products are not toxic.
The Microwave. Toxic cleaner residues in the microwave can contaminate any foods that follow. Clean yours with Seventh Generation Natural All Purpose Cleaner and rinse with vinegar to keep these hazards off the menu. Watch the expert at work!
The Cutting Board. Wooden cutting boards often harbor dangerous bacteria, but did you know that they can also absorb the chemicals from conventional cleaning products? In order to keep toxic ingredients away from food surfaces, clean your cutting board naturally with Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid and follow up with a vinegar rinse.
Stainless Steel. Skip the specialized products and clean stainless steel surfaces by applying Seventh Generation Natural All-Purpose Cleaner to a microfiber cloth. Use the cloth to scrub then wipe with the grain in one steady direction. Watch the expert at work!
Windows. Make short work of this housekeeping headache by first removing spots, grease, and stickers (moisten with Seventh Generation Natural All-Purpose Cleaner and scrape off stickers with a spatula). When dry, spray on Seventh Generation Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner. Wipe in one direction only with a rag, microfiber cloth or recycled paper towel—not newspaper (it's better to recycle the newspaper!). Watch the expert at work!
Ivette’s Cleaning Solutions
1. Suave: a multipurpose cleaner. Mix 12 ounces of water with 5 drops of Seventh Generation natural dish liquid
2. Fuerte: for heavy duty jobs. Mix 12 ounces of water with 15 drops of Seventh Generation natural dish liquid
Here are three of Ivette’s favorite tools:
1) Let vinegar become your elixir of happiness. Mix 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water.
a. Shine a hardwood floor. For large areas, dip your mop. For smaller surfaces, apply from a spray bottle.
b. Bring shine to wood furniture. Spray a cotton or microfiber cloth and rub along the grain. For occasional conditioning try a mineral or olive oil rub.
c. Remove smudges from glass. Spray the mixture onto a cloth. Wipe in just one direction. Cloth-dry for extra shine.
2) Get a grip on your flat head screwdriver.
a. Get into appliance crevices. Cover the tip with a cloth. Slide in one direction.
b. Reach nooks and crannies of shower frames or fridge seals. Cover the tip with a cloth. Inch the cloth to a clean spot after each wipe.
c. Remove faucets and light switch panels. For a deep cleaning, use the screwdriver to remove small fixtures. Always keep the screwdriver dry.
d. Lift gum or stickers. Wet what’s stuck. With even strokes, carefully scrape one direction using a spatula or screwdriver. Uneven pressure may result in scratches.
3) Let your baking soda do the talking.
a. Maintain troublesome drains weekly. Remove hair or blockages. Pour in 1 cup baking soda. Add 1 cup vinegar. Watch for happy bubbles. Rinse with hot water. Repeat if necessary.
b. Clean the oven. Wipe out loose detritus. Lightly dampen the entire area with a soapy water spray (if it’s too wet, it won’t work). Lightly sprinkle the entire surface with baking soda. Leave for 7 minutes. Scrape with a metal spatula from side to side. Then scrub soap and water using a plastic scouring pad or brush. For a clean smell and a nice shine, wipe the oven with the 1:3 vinegar solution.
c. Rub out rust. Make a paste of soda with a few drops of soap and leave for a few minutes. Apply it to a dry rusty spot. Rub in small circles with a wet pumice stone. Repeat if necessary.

I was so surprised at some of these tips~ how easy they are and how naturally we can clean our homes! I was really excited to get this information from Seventh Generation, and share them with my readers. I think that using more natural products to clean our home is not only safer but more economical! Seventh Generation products are natural, and safe to our health!
I am also hosting a giveaway through this blog posting!! Seventh Generation sent me a kit of their products to test out some of Ivette's cleaning tips.
I got some great products to get me started, and these include:
-Ivette’s top three cleaning tools (pocket scraper, microfiber rag and scouring pad)
-Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes
-Seventh Generation Natural all-purpose spray
-Seventh Generation Natural dish liquid
-Seventh Generation Recycled paper towels
I can't wait to clean my oven. I don't know if other people let that appliance go a long time without cleaning it, but it does get neglected in our home. The main reason I don't clean it that often, is because the cleaner is so toxic smelling and I can't clean it with my children around. Well, using the Seventh Generation all-purpose spray, vinegar and baking soda will make my home a lot safer for breathing, and the chemicals are not harsh on my appliances. The Seventh Generation all-purpose spray is great for so many different surfaces and uses...it really is great all-over in general. I love the Seventh Generation paper towels, 100% recycled...and safe. I also really like the dish liquid from Seventh Generation, it cleans great, and it gentle on my sensitive skin. I like using the disinfecting wipes for cleaning off toys, chairs, tables, and surfaces. I like knowing I am wiping off germs and bacteria, and not leaving behind poisons.
ENTER TO WIN A SPECIAL SEVENTH GENERATION CLEANING KIT:
You can enter to win the kit that I got to review: Ivette's top cleaning tools, Seventh Generations: disinfecting wipes, all-purpose spray, dish liquid, and paper towels. To qualify, go to Seventh Generation's website, and enter to win the $5,000 green home makeover (and comment about it). This contest is open to non-bloggers and bloggers of the United States and will end on May 27th, 2010.
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about Seventh Generation and their awesome products! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

ABOUT SEVENTH GENERATION
Seventh Generation is committed to being the most trusted brand of household and personal-care products for your living home. Our products are healthy and safe for the air, the surfaces, the fabrics, the pets, and the people within your home -- and for the community and environment outside of it. Seventh Generation also offers products for baby that are safe for your children and the planet.
For information on Seventh Generation cleaning, paper, baby and feminine personal care products, to find store locations, and explore the company's website visit: SeventhGeneration.com.

I was contacted directly from Seventh Generation to do a product review of their select products. They sent me free product in return for a review and promotion. I was also able to host a giveaway for my readers, sponsored from Seventh Generation. I was not compensated for my time or written review.