This post gives an honest, unbiased review for Norwex cleaning supplies from a naturally-minded mom. (Not a Norwex rep!)
I have spent at least eleventy billion hours cleaning my house thus far.
Okay, that’s a total lie. If that were true it would be a heck of a lot more sparkling clean around here. Half that number, then half it again, then – oh never mind.
Let’s just say that while I love a clean and sparkling house, the actual scrub-a-dub-dub doesn’t set my heart a-flutter. You feel me?
That’s why the cleaning tools that I use (when I use them, ahem) need to be top-notch. No messing around with sub-par stuff that takes longer and doesn’t work as well, thus requiring me to clean *more* often. Ain’t nobody got time for that amirite?!
Messy house whining aside, when it comes down to it – we all have to clean sooner or later. Some sooner, some later, but that’s beside the point. And you probably want to do it with as few toxic chemicals as possible. (Read more about the ingredients in conventional cleaning supplies here.)
Detoxing your cleaning supplies is one of the easiest baby steps to take toward a more natural, toxin-free lifestyle, and may I just say: Norwex is my ultimate favorite non-toxic cleaning product. I have happily used several Norwex products for nine years now, so writing this post was a total no-brainer.
Note: I’m not a Norwex rep, and have never been one. I’m just a satisfied customer and a naturally-minded mom who wants natural products that actually work. This was originally a review post that was sponsored by a Norwex rep friend, but she has since closed up shop, so I’ve added some amazon affiliate links for Norwex products below, as well as a few to a well-reviewed competitor so that you can check out both.
Why is Norwex Better?
After hours of research and many years of personal experience in using Norwex products – I believe Norwex is the best quality natural cleaning product on the market right now (with one possible competitor – see below).
Here are some key reasons I love my Norwex cleaning supplies with the fiery passion of a thousand lovers (or something along those lines…)
1. Norwex Products are Anti-Bacterial
The basic premise is that the incredible quality of the microfiber picks up even the tiniest particles and organisms when it’s wet, including germs, which are then rinsed down the drain when you rinse the cloth out. The cloth then disinfects itself naturally while it dries and awaits your next use.
There are two factors here that relate to the anti-bacterial claims.
A) Significantly Higher-Quality Microfibre
Average store-bought microfibre cloths are probably an average of around 1/16th the width of a human hair, whereas Norwex microfibre is 1/200th. This effectively means that Norwex cloths are far superior at grabbing up dirt and germs that you can’t even see – leaving the surface cleaner than the alternative.
B) Embedded Silver (aka “BacLock”)
Many Norwex products are also labeled “BacLock”, which means that they contain a silver-based agent embedded into the tiny microfibres of the cloth.
Silver is a naturally anti-bacterial agent. According to this study: “the antibacterial activity of silver has long been known and has found a variety of applications because its toxicity to human cells is considerably lower than to bacteria.”
Side note: I use colloidal silver on occasion for medicinal purposes, and have been very successful with it. I especially like the spray for sore throats. This study found that silver has antiviral properties.
The silver in the cloth is not meant to disinfect the surface (a common misconception) but rather it’s designed to inhibit bacterial growth, mold, and mildew in the cloth itself as it dries over a 24-hour period.
Note: It’s still recommended to launder it after especially heavy-duty uses, like raw meat juices on the counter, or cleaning the toilet, but for regular everyday use you can simply rinse it well and hang to dry. I love not having to throw my kitchen cloth in the wash every time I use it.
With regular cloths I only let them go about half a day before throwing them in the laundry. With my Norwex kitchen cloth, I wait more like 3-5 days.
2. Norwex Actually Cleans Better Than the Alternatives – Natural or Not!
This is perhaps the best part of all. Once I started using a norwex window cloth, I refused to use anything else on all of my stainless steel and glass. It’s absolutely incredible. I honestly wouldn’t have imagined the difference it would make, but it really, really does.
I clean my stainless steel faucet with a regular ol’ cloth + homemade cleaning spray… and it’s clean (with more scrubbing), but full of streaks and smudgy spots. The Norwex window cloth makes it as flawlessly shiny as when it was brand new. No kidding.
And since shiny things are my favorite, the window cloth is my BFF. It does the same for mirrors and other glass. It impresses the heck right outta me. Dare I say: it *almost* makes cleaning legitimately fun.
Check out this photo I posted on Instagram a while ago to show my glass shower, cleaned with my Norwex window cloth.
On the left = gross soap scum, and on the right = the CLOSED shower door that I had just cleaned with just my wet Norwex window cloth. Amazing, right?!
3. Norwex is Actually Cheaper in the Long Run
With Norwex, I would advise to prepare for sticker shock, but also – in my normally-very-frugal opinion, the Norwex cloths are actually worth the money because they last so long and are total workhorses in their efficiency.
You should also know that Norwex is no cheap dollar store microfiber. Cheaply made microfiber cannot compare – I’ve used them, and thrown it in the back of my closet never to see the light of day again. They’re a clearly superior product to anyone who tries them.
My enviro cloths and window cloth that I bought nine years ago (a 4-pack of the travel sized cloths in order to save money back then!) are still going strong, and I still favor them over all other cleaning supplies. I figure they’ve probably saved me a ton of time and money by now simply by being so much more efficient than other options, and lasting this long without wearing out. (I’ve since added a couple more cloths to my collection so that I can keep them in different spots in the house.)
Plus – think of all of the disposable cloths, towels, and sprays that people buy… I haven’t bought that stuff in years other than some toilet bowl cleaner!
4. Norwex Makes Cleaning Simple and Easy
Norwex products are completely free of harmful chemicals, yet you can use them with only water for maximum efficacy! In fact, soap can clog the fibers, so it’s recommended to stick with water.
Because they’re free of the toxic chemicals found in conventional (and some so-called “natural” or “organic”) cleaners (check out this article at the EWG for info on the lack of transparency in labeling on cleaning and personal care products), they are totally perfect for anyone that has allergies or chemical sensitivities. Or, you know, lungs.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t especially want to breathe in more toxic chemicals that what’s already around me in items I can’t avoid – like furniture, product packaging, and more. Also, in case you haven’t already – you can check out the safety rating on your favorite cleaning products at the Environmental Working Group’s database here.
I also LOVE that I can just wet it and go. No hauling out an assortment of cleaning scrubs and sprays – just wetting it provides enough ‘oomph’ to the cloth to clean almost any mess. (I do have one small jar of their cleaning paste that I use and love for tough jobs.)
And of course, the fact that I can clean pretty well my whole house with just a few cloths or scub mitts is pretty amazing. I love the simplicity of this system!
Which Norwex Products are Best?
In case I haven’t made myself clear yet: I honestly love Norwex.
- Enviro Cloth (I have several, and keep them in different rooms for quick usage!)
- Kitchen Cloth (I adore the thickness of this cloth, and the deep grooves that easily scrub away tough kitchen messes. I use it every day.)
- Dusting Mitt (absolutely perfect for my kids to use – they think it’s great fun, and it actually picks up dust amazingly well with ease.)
- Bathroom Scrub Mitt (cleaning the tub is so easy with this mitt. This thing has serious scrubbing power.
- Cleaning Paste (I use this stuff only when my regular Norwex cloths fail me… so, rarely. And it only takes a small bit. But it’s great to get the tough spots that you figure were a lost cause – like toddler art on your walls.)
Is Norwex an MLM?
Yes, Norwex’s business structure is that of a multi-level marketing company. This is not the same as a pyramid scheme – those are illegal. An MLM is a company like Tupperware or Pampered Chef (or hundreds of others) where the sales reps sell to you directly and get a commission (some MLM companies also allow you to buy directly from the website or amazon, but many do not), but they have the most earning potential by recruiting others under them to join as sales reps. Each rep tries to recruit more people, hence the “multi-level” marketing.
Lots of people have criticisms of the MLM model, and honestly – I agree with some of them. I think that the prices of most MLM products are inflated, and that’s usually because there are a lot of people needing to get paid in the pipeline. With non-MLM companies, you’re not paying a sales rep, so prices can be lower. MLMs will claim that their product is superior, but that’s not always true. Many MLMs offer an excellent product – like Norwex – but they’re not necessarily the only ones doing so. Which leads me to…
Are There Comparable Alternatives to Norwex?
Personally, I’m a huge fan of my Norwex products that I’ve been happily been using for years. I’ve raved about them to family and friends, and because they’re so well-made and durable, I haven’t had the opportunity/need to try any other brands (other than the dollar-store cloths, which were a mistake).
However – I did some research on alternatives to Norwex, and one brand was mentioned by numerous different sources as being comparable in quality, but lower in price, and it’s called eCloth.
I have not actually used any of their products, but based on their excellent reviews and comparable claims, I wanted to let you know about them. They’re a lower-priced option you might want to try if Norwex is out of your budget. If I ever try them myself (if my Norwex cloths ever wear out!) then I’ll be sure to come back here and update with my opinion.
Whatever you use to clean your home, consider investing in some good-quality tools to do it. You don’t need to spend extra time and frustration on cleaning. Clean less, enjoy life more!
Sources
1. Lansdown, Alan B G. “A pharmacological and toxicological profile of silver as an antimicrobial agent in medical devices.” Advances in pharmacological sciences vol. 2010 (2010): 910686. doi:10.1155/2010/910686
2. Chang, Te-Wen, Weinstein, Louis. “In Vitro Activity of Silver Sulfadiazine against Herpesvirus hominis.” The Journal of Infectious Diseases, vol. 132, Issue 1 (1975) doi.org/10.1093/infdis/132.1.79
Beth
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Patricia (Patsy) Wilson
atI am touched by the kindness and patience of my Norwex family! All the responses I have read amaze me that everyone is about giving helpful answers, encouraging users, suggesting helpful solutions…all caring and all good! Very admirable! Could there be something about Norwex that makes it easier to take criticism without feeling defensive or put upon? I learned a lot about caring for my Cloths from your responses! Thanks to all of you!
Laurie Convay
atHey! I had tried Norwex, but switched to ENJO for a number of reasons.
ENJO is made exclusively in Austria-there is no China about this company.
They have a fabric cleaning fibre (use only water to clean couches, shoes with salt stains, chair fabrics etc)
ENJO Cleans Pore Deep-absolutely no urine smell in my bathroom anymore-Norwex was trying to sell me a Deodorizer and a Neutralizer to get rid of the smell that got worse as the weeks went on.
I love that with ENJO, I’m not killing bacteria. When you kill bacteria, you kill the good bacteria too. You just wash it down the sink with warm soapy water which feeds our septic system. I couldn’t reach the bacteria with Norwex’s flat cloths but the ENJO technology goes pore deep to reach and pull up everything.
I also love that ENJO tests with a Lumitester which measures bacteria counts, not protein counts.
I would love for you to try ENJO to compare for yourself too.
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atOh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you, However I am encountering difficulties with your
RSS. I don’t know the reason why I amm unable to join it.
Is thhere anybokdy having identical RSS issues?
Anybody who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks!!
Tricia
atSince Norvex towels have silver in them, are they safe to dry your skin?
Melissann
atYes, they are very safe. In fact, Norwex also sells body cloths that allow you to clean your whole face and body with just water. I mostly use them to remove makeup and to exfoliate/wash my face. Some use on their whole body, no soap needed. The silver is NOT nano silver which leaches into skin and waterways but micro silver which is embedded into the cloth fibers and does not come out. It’s 100% safe. Not sure if that is clear so email me if not. Typing on phones should be easier for me by now. Right? 😉 My email is [email protected].
Angie
atMy problem with Norwex is that it is made in China. How well can they really control the manufacturing process?
Melinda Hanson
atNorwex owns their own factories in China and control the working conditions, wages etc. because China actually has the best textile trades in the world! Many consultants have visited the plants and loved what they saw both from a working condition and employee response! When you own the plant, you can control what happens there!
Carol Keating
atI just bought some items. Can I put my new Norwex EnviroSponge in my dishwasher with Finish and Jet dry like I did with my non Norwex sponges to disinfect them? I guess I won’t be able to put them in the microwave to kills germs tho.
Melissann
atI would not put it in the dishwasher but would toss in the washing machine. It’s up to you, though. Definitely don’t microwave. 🙂
Melinda Hanson
atI agree with Meissann! Put the Envirosponges in your laundry when you need to. The silver in the envirocloth side works to control the bacteria between uses too, just like it does on the Envirocloth!
Heather L
atI was very excited to try the Norwex cloths. My kitchen rags always get smelly very fast so I was super excited for something to combat that problem. I purchased the kitchen towel and rag set and the first month was great. Then the rag started having the same smell as all the rest. My consultant told me to boil the rag for 5 minutes and it will be as good as new. Not so. It now is just like all the rest. After a day of use it starts to smell and has to be washed. Very expensive for a product that does not work. I love the towels and how well they dry dishes but they too start to smell after a few uses. Will not be buying any more Norwex products. Overpriced and is not the miracle product it is touted to be. Very disappointed.
Ht
atWhat soap are you using with it or washing it in? I’ve been using for 3 years without smell issues.
Heather L
atI started out using the Norwex laundry detergent. They started smelling with that so I went back to my regular detergent and now I have gone back to washing all my towels and rags in bleach again. It is the only thing that keeps them from becoming stinky. I have not been impressed with the Norwex products and I have used many. There is not on single product that i have loved.
Andrea
atDo you possibly have hard water? If so, adding vinegar to the wash should fix the issue. Hard water and our laundry detergent don’t play well together. Norwex has also produced a laundry booster to aid in this issue, but it sold out in jus days. Currently working hard to get more available! I am a consultant and my VIP page is “Clean Green 2B Safe”. Please join and let me help
you enjoy the Norwex experience as it should be!!!
Debbie
atOh my such a surprise to me, I LOVE MY NORWEX CLOTHS. I have them all and it has cut my cleaning time in half. I’m not a dealer, it’s just so shocking to me.
Sandy
atI didn’t get mine yet but you said you didn’t wash it for a month? You are supposed to wash it once a week I think with organic laundry detergent or Norwex brand
Andrea
atSandy, our detergent or any Free and Clear Detergent. I wash my cloths once a week
with my sheets, as you should or wash with any fabric that has lint. I am a Norwex consultant and will be happy to help in any way. My VIP FACEBOOK page is “Clean Green 2B Safe”. Please join!
Kim
atThis should read to wash with fabrics that don’t have lint…
Mary
atI have been using norwex kitchen cloth and the counter cloth.About one month, I love them!!! Water only. Cleaned my microwave with a wet kitchen cloth. Good as new. I used to have to use a scratch pad and spray cleaner NO chemicals now.
To reuse my cloths, I run under water and rub fabric together, vigorously. Then wring out. Repeating if the water comes out dirty…Hang to dry. Do not fold up and let it sit. Always hang dry. No smelly rags here…
Andrea
atMaybe your consultant didn’t know or wasn’t clear, but you do not boil the cloths! At all, and for five minutes? The proper way to deep clean is to boil water, then POUR it over your cloths and agitatecwith a wooden spoon. I let mine soak for about 29 minutes and agitate a couple of times again. THEN, launder with Norwex detergent or any other Free and Clear detergent. Regular laundry detergent nor bleach should ever be used on Norwex cloths. Most likely, you are not having the very best results that you could be. The initial boiling may have ruined them. I am SO sorry! What cloths do you have?
Melissann
atThe boiling absolutely did not ruin the cloths. Norwex literally still lists boil for 10 minutes in their deep cleaning instructions. Multiple bleachings, on the other hand, absolutely destroys our products and voids a warranty. If a product is not living up to expectations, you can always contact your consultant. Cloths will be replaceable via warranty if there are genuine issues despite appropriate following of instructions.
To be clear, many consultants don’t advocate boiling, but Norwex definitely sees this as a good practice. I suggest following Andrea’s instructions but would add either detergent or our new microfiber cleaner powder. Just hot water is not nearly as effective. Bc some people hate this, Norwex came out with the microfiber cleaner powder which permits a deep clean in a washing machine. Deep cleans only need to be done 3-4 times a year. Feel free to email me at [email protected] with any questions.
Ann
atMine had started to smell as well so I soaked them in oxy clean (powder formula). I soak overnight then wash next day. Amazing what gets pulled out. Now every so often I’ll soak in oxy clean. Never have an issue with smell again.
Karen
atThat was bad advice. Microfiber is made from plastic and should not be boiled. Also, Norwex comes with 2 year warranties. I had a cloth that started stinking and no matter what I tried I could not get rid of the stink. They replaced it for free and I’ve not had a problem since. Sometimes you just get a defective cloth and they’ll make it 100% right. But it sounds like your problem is they never taught you how to care for it in the first place.
Lyn
atI agree. I am not impressed at all by their products. So many people have raved about them and I just don’t see it. Mine smells after 3 days. I think its all a scam. People rave to get you to buy them. If you have not tried them, don’t waste your money.
Beth
atHi Lyn. I don’t sell Norwex, and I’m the author of this post. I wasn’t raving to “get you to buy them”. I rave because I genuinely love the products. (Mostly the cloths.) I first got mine in 2011 (I think) and am still using them today.
Bonnie
atUnfortunately I bought the Norwex Cleaning Paste without having a chance to read the actual label. Basically it cleans everything that soapy dishwater will clean “chrome, plastic, ceramics, porcelain tiles and similar materials”. It doesn’t clean anything that gets too dirty to clean with soap and water “brushed stainless steel, nickel, pewter, aluminum, and wood.” I haven’t used a particle of it.
Melinda
atCleaning paste is meant to replace products like Bar Keeper’s Friend, Ajax, SoftScrub etc. and is the best glass top stove cleaner I have ever met! We use it for black marks inside coolers, scuff marks on doors etc. and my friend used it to remove the additional paint off her car fender when she got a little too close to her garage door! Sudsy dish detergent simply does not clean these kinds of items. I don’t see dates on these and just discovered this blog, but if you do not like any Norwex product that you purchase, there is a 60 day satisfaction guarantee. You just need to contact the consultant you purchased it through. You don’t get that kind of customer service when you purchase most other cleaning products!
Trevor
atHow can you have a honest opinion if you partnered with the consultant that is also your friend?
Kathy Shuman
atHi Heather I hope that you are able to get a hold of your Norwack‘s consultant it sounds like your cloths are full and may just need to do a deep clean on them. So many times I meet people who have lost track of their consultants don’t know if they’re still in the business or not which is pretty sad. Sometimes when we use our cloths at first we get the wrong instructions on the care of them.
Don’t feel bad and please don’t throw out your cloths. You can call customer care and Norwex if you can’t reach your consultant. We have a two year warranty on all of those microfiber cloths. They actually have no competition and with proper care they can last for years.
Sunny
atI had the same problem! I found out though from watch you tube videos how to clean them perfectly. I now place them I. The sink pour boiling water over them stir with a spoon or tongs. Man I have to do this 4 times at least they pick up everything and had so much junk in them. Smell all gone and towels very clean. I do this with regular towels also. Helps remove any oils.
Laurie
atI had this problem too. If you boil your clothes in 5-6 quarts of water with 1/4 cup baking soda it takes the raunchy smell out. You launder immediately after. If the are really, really bad then boil them in water with 1/4 cup vinegar immediately following the baking soda solution. Also you will need to launder after. Works every time. I only need to do this process about twice per year.
Carole Dobies
atI’m a brand new user, and my question is about how to clean the cloths after makeup, oils, fats,etc get on the cloth. How I to clean the cloth. Does it depend on which cloth it is? I have the kitchen sponge/scrapper and also wonder how to clean that each time i use it.
Mary
atI would buy the dish washing liquid, or detergent. Just put it in washer with regular load. Or use the dish washing liquid, put some on the cloth, rub vigorously and rinse. Wring out, hang dry. Always hang dry any of the cloths. Don’t fold up and sit .
The norwex soaps are Specifically made for the cloths, no chemicals. They will not break down the BacLoc which is in most of the cleaning cloths. That technology blocks bacteria from collecting in cloths.
I am told that you can use All natural soap or organic. As long as there are NO CHEMICALS..
Andrea
atFree and Clear detergents and soaps ONLY!
Melissann
atTo be clear, all detergents are comprised of chemicals–as is water. The goal is to find a biodegradable, filler-free detergent. Bc our detergent is filler free and naturally powerful, I can wash a large load with 1/2 tsp powder!!! Sometimes free and clear isn’t a sign of a great product. You can look online at ratings if you want an alternative to Norwex’s detergent. One bag seems huge but one bag lasts my family of three six months! I also make the best all-purpose spray with a little detergent and water. It’s the only thing that cleans my grout.
DEBORAH MILLER
atThey are called micro cleaning hand pads come in a 2 pack
Marnie brandow
atMy son has recently recovered from a serious case of ecoli (11 days in the hospital) and now has City. Different from the antibiotics. He wants to go to Bali for an extended stay this fall and we are concerned about bacteria. Would norwex products help, wiping down dishes flatware etc in restaurants?
Beth
atHi Marnie, while I know that the cloths are supposed to be able to clean bacteria quite effectively, I would not want to advise you on such a sensitive topic. I’d advise contacting Norwex directly and asking them!
Breanna Meadows
atThey absolutely would help! My daughter has asthma and i have a low immune system! We have not had to use inhalers and I’ve been off of immunosuppressants for 6 months and haven’t gotten sick!! I can help you get the perfect products for this as well! You can find me on Facebook and we can set it up!
Melissann
atI’m with Beth. It’s not responsible for us–and certainly not just to make a sale–to make medical claims. We are explicitly not allowed to do this either. I would say Norwex couldn’t hurt but this is a special circumstance. If you have any questions, email me at [email protected].
Kris
atLove this post! Norwex has been a game changer for my life as well!!
Stephanie
atJust went to my first party today and I’m hooked!
Dana McNeely
atI operate a construction cleaning business. I’m wondering if your cloths can cut Sheetrock dust and paint. Any suggestions?
Beth
atI’d totally use a norwex cloth for any kind of mess, honestly. I imagine it would get dirty fast when cleaning up sheetrock dust, etc. so you’d just need to rinse it out more frequently. I’m not sure about paint, though. That would likely stain the cloth, which would make the silver fibres in the cloth unable to work properly.
Barbara
atI just finished cleaning an entire newly-constructed home with water, two envirocloths, and one window polishing cloth! I used my oldest wet Norwex envirocloth for all the construction dust and chunky stuff, shook out the chunky stuff, and rinsed, rinsed, rinsed my way through the house. I used a newer Norwex envirocloth and polishing cloth for windows that were so dusty with stucco globs that it was difficult to see through them and, believe me, those windows sparkle with NO streaks. The contractor was impressed! The house has a lot of vinyl plank floors and it was a breeze to use the Norwex dust mop and wet mop. The Norwex brush does an impressive job cleaning the dust mop which had done an impressive job on the dust and grit. I’m 70 years old and the construction cleaning was a delightful experience!
I LOVE my Norwex cleaning system. It is a lifetime investment for me. I am very particular and love CLEAN, otherwise, I could have done the whole house with one envirocloth, but I want my cloths to look new forever. Dream on…but this month Norwex is offering a new product to deep clean those well-used cloths. It’s all good!
DANA M SCHUPP
atI use Lemon Essential oil from YL! I also use my Thieves cleaner(chemical free) along with my Norwex cloths. I will be happy to send you a sample of the cleaner or any YL product.
Jasmine Lee
atGood summary. Thanks for sharing.
PATRICIA BRAVO
atHellow
How can I buy Norwex products from Chile???
Regards
Patricia
Jessica Lamar
atI am also a Norwex consultant. These products truly are amazing!
Check out my website. You can order there and have it shipped directly to you!
https://jessicalamar.norwex.biz/
Guillermo
atPatricia, mándame un mensaje si todavía estás interesada en los productos. Yo, al igual que tú soy de Chile pero vivo en USA.