If there is one question on every mom’s mind when it comes to “green” cleaners, it’s “Does it really work?” I love baking soda and vinegar as much as the next gal, but in a pinch, knowing that I can pick up a reliable product that will get the job done without wreaking havoc on our health is a great find. So it was with great expedition, and trepidation, that I tried “The Essentials Kit” by BabyGanics.
First, I love the design. Strategically packed in a recyclable cardboard box, five separate cleaners come with no unnecessary plastic wrap. The colors, fonts and graphics are warm and inviting, and the background story of two founding fathers who are clean-freaks with wives, kids, dogs, cats (and picky mothers-in-law) gives the product an immediate air of familiarity. But will they work?
First, my favorites. The fragrance free all purpose household cleaner, The Grime Fighter, was an excellent addition to the playroom. With the inevitable string of spills, crayon marks, and craft mishaps, I appreciated knowing that my fast acting cleaner wasn’t leaving behind nasty toxins. The Dish Dazzler also did the trick, with two pumps supplying a nice foamy lather to clean the kids’ lunch plates in the sink. It’s especially important for us to get our dishes clean in a hurry since we have done away with our plethora of plastics and invested in a few durable, non-leaching camping plates and cups for indoor use. I loved that both products are fragrance free, helping to spread the wisdom that real clean does not have a smell
When you do want a subtle smell to lend a high traffic area a light fragrance, The Breathin’ Easy Lavender Vanilla non-aerosol pump spray can do the trick. It made a considerable difference in our potty training bathrooms without knocking us out with “perfume” smells. The resealable wipe packet was an easy addition to our out and about bag, although we are trying desperately to rid ourselves of these altogether. Especially since the plastic outer packaging is going to end up in the garbage. I would have been thrilled to find a reusable cotton wipe holder in the products’ muted green and orange design and info on how to purchase refills.
Now, to a personal gripe. The alcohol free hand sanitizer has Benzalkonium Chloride 0.1% which is a synthetic biocide – meaning, it’s not natural. And it is alcohol free, leaving me to wonder if my hands were really clean. A New York Times article covers the importance of needing alcohol to really disinfect so I’m left wondering if we’re all not just better off making a more concerted effort to seek out soap and water and skip the hand sanitizers altogether.
Love the cleaners. Like the fragrance and wipes. Could skip the hand sanitizer – across the board. For families looking for a good starter kit that is easy on the environment and the wallet – The Essential Kit retails for $19.99 – BabyGanics offers a strong package, without wasteful packaging.
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If there is one question on every mom’s mind when it comes to “green” cleaners, it’s “Does it really work?” I love baking soda and vinegar as much as the next gal, but in a pinch, knowing that I can pick up a reliable product that will get the job done without wreaking havoc on our health is a great find. So it was with great expedition, and trepidation, that I tried “The Essentials Kit” by BabyGanics. 
When you do want a subtle smell to lend a high traffic area a light fragrance, The Breathin’ Easy Lavender Vanilla non-aerosol pump spray can do the trick. It made a considerable difference in our potty training bathrooms without knocking us out with “perfume” smells. The resealable wipe packet was an easy addition to our out and about bag, although we are trying desperately to rid ourselves of these altogether. Especially since the plastic outer packaging is going to end up in the garbage. I would have been thrilled to find a reusable cotton wipe holder in the products’ muted green and orange design and info on how to purchase refills. 
