Caring for your bathroom sink!

Wiping your bathroom sink with a sponge after every use will prevent soap scum and lime or mineral deposits from building up. Clean bathroom sinks and counters with your favorite Watkins All Purpose Cleaner. Avoid abrasives on porcelain. Use a toothbrush and a strong natural cleaner to scrub grime that builds up around faucets. Rinse well.

Don't forget to clean your lint filter!

It's amazing how much lint clothing creates on a lint filter in the dryer, but even more amazing is how many people don't know the importance of cleaning their lint filters. Here are a few tips for keeping your dryer clean:

• Wipe down the exterior and interior of your dryer weekly with Watkins Dish Soap and water to remove lint from the outside and inside of your dryer.
• Clean your lint filter each time you use the dryer to provide the best results for drying clothes and keeping your home safe. Built up dryer lint can provide an environment for fire. It's a good idea to occasionally vacuum around the lint filter area to get loose particles.
• Do a seasonal check for buildup of lint in the hoses and around the dryer.

(Information taken from About.com Housekeeping, How to Clean a Dryer.)

Peppermint & Cleaning go hand in hand!

Here are some great ideas to help you go green while you clean with peppermint!

1. Freshen up your microwave by putting about a 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract on a damp cloth and wiping down the inside of you microwave.
   
2. Take a clean spray bottle and put in a tsp or 2 of peppermint extra, then fill with water. Then spray where needed as a "air freshener"
3. When done washing your kitchen cutting boards, give them a few sprays from your spray bottle to help deodorize and clean them.
   
4. As peppermint is a natural cleaning agent, use a damp rag with some peppermint extra on it to wipe down the baby's high chair or toys etc.
   

Yes, I enjoy washing dishes!

You are most likely saying "is she out of her mind?" I have always enjoyed doing the dishes. I find it relaxing and calming. I guess it is the water movement and the time I have to think about things as I doing the dishes. I usually take this time to think and reflect on certain things that are happening.

My dish washing experience has gotten even more relaxing and calming for me as I have discovered a little trick to help me enjoy it even more. I now add a few drops of my Watkins All Natural Peppermint Extract.

Moms Gain Clean-Conscience With Watkins’ Home Care

Mothers looking to clean their homes can now do so with a clean conscience with a new non-toxic plant-based product line called J.R. Watkins Natural Home Care.

Moms can breathe easier knowing that J.R. Watkins Natural Home Care products do not contain harsh chemicals such as ammonia, chlorine and others commonly found in many household cleaners. Household products are known to be one of the largest contributors of health problems in the home, including respiratory irritation¹. In the U.S., one in three people suffer from allergies, asthma, sinusitis or bronchitis². Watkins is committed to using only the finest natural ingredients and environmentally friendly processes so mothers can feel good knowing they are not adding chemicals and waste to the home or workplace.

• J.R. Watkins All-Purpose Cleaner — quickly removes grease and grime from most household surfaces. This easy to use spray and wipe formula is available in aloe and green tea and lemon fragrances.
• J.R. Watkins Liquid Dish Soap Concentrates — a small amount of these concentrated soaps leaves dishes beautifully clean and spotless while the scented suds provide a pleasant aroma. No phosphates, dyes or SLS and easy-to-use flip top containers avoid messy drips. Available in aloe and green tea and lemon scents.
• J.R. Watkins Window Cleaners — this powerful streak-free formula gently lifts grime, dust and fingerprints away to leave glass surfaces looking crystal clear. The gentle coconut-based formula is ideal for tinted windows. Available in aloe and green tea and lavender fragrances.
• J.R. Watkins Liquid Hand Soaps — naturally formulated with lavender, rosemary, coconut oils and palm leaf extracts, it leaves hands feeling soft and clean. These soaps are available in aloe and green tea and lemon.
• J.R. Watkins All-Purpose Cleaning Wipes — these biodegradable and durable all-purpose wipes allow the homeowner to easily wipe away dirt and grime with no water or rinsing required compared to most wipes. Available in compact packaging for easy travel with an aloe and green tea fragrance.
• J.R. Watkins Citrus Tub and Tile Cleaner — a light mist of this natural cleaner leaves the tub, tile and fixtures dirt and toxin free. It cleans away hard water stains and soap scum in an environmentally safe way that won’t harm your fixtures or septic system. Watkins recommends letting the product sit for 15 minutes for tough scum build up and then gently scrub away the stains. The cleaner is so gentle that rubber gloves are not needed.
• J.R. Watkins Lemon Toilet Bowl Cleanser — the cedar-based formula is one of the least acidic or caustic cleaners on the market, but it’s strong enough to wash away the toughest water stains and will decalcify toilets naturally without harsh chemical fumes.

The line is made from renewable, plentiful ingredients from the natural world and created at the original Watkins facility (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) since the late 1800s located on the bluffs of the Mississippi River overlooking the small town of Winona, Minn.

For more than 140 years, Watkins, Incorporated has been America’s pioneer in natural living, utilizing only the finest natural ingredients. Watkins provides quality brands to meet consumer’s needs for environmentally friendly and sustainable products — to help people feel better and live healthy lives.

Watkins Natural Home Care

Did you know one in three people suffer from allergies, asthma, sinusitis or bronchitis? And did you know household products are known to be one of the largest contributors of health problems in the home, including respiratory irritation? That makes decision-making tough when purchasing cleaning products for around the house. Committed to using only the finest all natural ingredients, Watkins’ natural cleaning line lets consumers feel good about choosing a home-cleaning product.

Having been in the natural home and beauty care business for more than 140 years, Watkins gets it when it comes to eco-friendly products. And now a new collection of refreshing fragrances available at Watkins Online.

Green it Up

Green living is a way of life that considers the consequences of ones actions on the environment .
Watkins is taking steps to preserve environmental quality in all of our product categories, but we want to spotlight how our natural home care line is a step ahead of the rest. Unlike food, the home care category has no governing agency defining ingredients that are natural. Watkins
wanted to make sure that when we called our cleaning products green, it really meant something. The definition we developed became our Natural Home Care Freedom Code. This code includes ingredients that are considered harmful to the environment, and you won’t find
these in our home care products. Some are non-renewable (petroleum), some can cause respiratory irritation (ammonia), while others are synthetic (dyes and colorants). Watkins has been working hard to set the industry standard for natural home care products, and we are
proud to say that no other natural cleaning brand holds themselves to a higher standard or a stricter freedom code than Watkins.

New Orange Citrus Scent Natural Home Care Line

Nothing uplifts and invigorates quite like the scent of fresh squeezed oranges. Clean your home and let the scent of fresh cut oranges energize your spirit. J.R. Watkins Natural Home Care products feature non-toxic, plant-based formulas that are both biodegradable and phosphate free. These ultra concentrated cleaners are naturally derived with coconut-based surfactants and natural palm oil, so they are easy on the environment, your home and your loved ones. No home should be without these products!

~Spray a small amount of J.R. Watkins Orange Citrus Natural All Purpose Cleaner on a soft cloth and gently rub over switch plates, counter tops, appliances, floors; anywhere you want to remove grime, smudges, fingerprints, you name it!

~To clean ceiling fans, use a long-handled brush dampened with J.R. Watkins Orange Citrus All Purpose Cleaner — wipe that dust away!

~J.R. Watkins Natural Orange Citrus Room Spray goes a long way — more than 600 sprays per container...that's less than 1¢ per spray! Not only is it economical, the non-aerosol pump is environmentally friendly too.

Quick, Natural Cleaning Tips

Behind every mess lies a beautiful clean surface, get there naturally with these tips.

Nooks and Crannies:

Get to grime lodged in hard to reach areas with a cotton swab dipped in your favorite scent of J.R. Watkins All Purpose Cleaner.

Refrigerators:

Shelves caked with last weeks leftovers can be quite a challenge to clean. Keep a pack of J.R. Watkins All Purpose Wipes in the fridge (yes, the fridge) to clean-up sticky spills when they happen. Trust us, you will never have to spend another Saturday scrubbing the fridge again.

Laundry Rooms:

Watkins has a natural solution for your laundry too — J.R. Watkins Lemon Liquid Laundry Concentrate. Not only will your high-efficiency washer thank you, the environment will too. With half the plastic of a standard 100 oz. bottle our detergent means less waste, and the formula contains a natural, soy-based fabric softener — softer clothes for your family!

Good and Green ~ Fall Cleaning!

What is Green?
Green living is a way of life that considers the consequences of ones actions on the environment. It is a way of conducting life in an effort to preserve environmental quality.

We typically think of spring cleaning when we think of cleaning up our homes, but what about fall cleaning. Fall is the perfect time to freshen up your home before you seal it up for the impending winter. Sweep those dust bunnies out from under the bed, give windows a good shine and breathe easier with these fall cleaning tips.

Windows
A thorough window cleaning will remove a huge amount of dirt and grime. It's also a good time to check the weather stripping and seals of your windows to make sure no repairs are needed.

Watkins Window Cleaners are coconut-based, so they won't break down the bonds of plastic window films. Watkins easy to use spray and wipe formula gently lifts away grime, dust and fingerprints from windows, mirrors, glass table tops, and other hard surfaces around your home.

Exterior Doors
Using your favorite scent of Watkins All Purpose Cleaner, wipe down the outside of your exterior doors seasonally to remove months worth of dirt. This periodic cleaning will keep your entrances looking fresh and clean, and prevent permanent staining on your doors.

Watkins All Purpose Cleaners are ideal for cleaning up messes in and out doors. You'll find hundreds of uses for these streak-free, earth-friendly cleaners!

Clutter Control
A seasonal closet overhaul is a great way to keep closet areas from overflowing with junk. Go through all of your closets and pantry to remove clutter and organize. Be sure seasonal clothing is being stored properly. Once your closet is well organized, eliminate any odors that might be lingering with Watkins Natural Room Fresheners. Our premium formulas eliminate orders and create a delightful long lasting atmosphere.

Here's the inside story…

Do you have sinus problems, headaches, or fatigue that just won't go away? If so, you may be homesick…that is, your home may be making you sick! Indoor air pollution is 2 to 1,000 times greater than outdoor air pollution, especially after exposure to household chemicals. Respiratory illness, liver problems and even cancer can show up years after chemical exposure. Indoor air pollution comes from many sources, including chemicals used to treat building materials, paint, furnishings and carpet, as well as household cleaning products. Mixing of fumes can create an even greater threat. The EPA recommends using less toxic household cleaners to reduce exposure to chemicals in your home and your environment. Watkins Organic Cleaner can replace dozens of cleaning products. This amazing biodegradable, phosphate-free formula is safe for your environment, yet effective for almost every household chore, from cleaning dishes, tile, floors and fine washables, to cars and boats!

Brenda Koth, MS, RD

Introducing J.R. Watkins Orange Citrus Line

Everyone loves our J.R. Watkins Orange Citrus Tub and Tile cleaner. Customers say the sweet sent of natural essential orange oil offers an unmatched clean scent. We've answered the call with our new J.R. Watkins Orange Citrus line. Our natural plant-based dish soap, hand soap, all-purpose cleaner, all-purpose cleaner concentrate and room spray will be available in this Orange Citrus scent! Enjoy the same great cleaning products you've come to love, but now in a fantastic new scent!

Look for these new products in the second half of 2008 in the Sales and Promotions catalogues.

Keeping House

Watkins Natural Home Care line will give you the hard working tools you need to clean and refresh your home with the soothing scents that make house cleaning almost pleasant. New to our line of cleaning products is a gentle cleansing Hand Soap. Keep a container with your favorite scent next to every sink in your home. They are easy for even the littlest hands to use. And when you’re done with cleaning, put the finishing touches on your home with the light fresh scents of J.R. Watkins new Room Sprays.

What is Green?

“Green” living is a way of life that considers the consequences of one’s actions on the environment. It is a way of conducting life in an effort to preserve environmental quality.

Watkins is taking steps in all of the product categories to preserve environmental quality. For this article, let’s focus on how Watkins natural home care line is a step ahead of the rest. Unlike food, the home care category has no governing
agency that defines what ingredients are and are not considered “natural.” Watkins wanted to make sure that when they called the cleaning products natural, it really meant something. So Watkins decided to set a new standard, and they set it high, calling it the “natural home care freedom
code.” This code includes ingredients that are considered harmful to the environment that you will not find in Watkins home care products. Some are simply nonrenewable like petroleum, some can cause respiratory irritation like ammonia, while others are just synthetics like dyes and colorants. Watkins has been working hard to set the industry standard for natural home care products and they are proud to say that there is no other natural cleaning brand in the country that holds themselves to a higher standard or a stricter freedom code than Watkins.

Now what does this freedom code mean to you and your customers? It means you get to use a product that truly is natural from a company committed to supplying you with natural products.

Another great reason why Watkins is the best!

J.R. Watkins Natural Home Care Featured On TreeHugger.com!

Wow! Watkins natural home care line is getting a lot of attention. The folks at TreeHugger.com enjoy the fresh, naturally biodegradable line of J.R. Watkins home care line. “J.R. Watkins’ new line of natural home care products brings the fresh-scented carefully crafted quality of their natural body care line to your cleaning routine.”

Green Clean Up

Here are a few simple tips to Green up your cleaning efforts using Watkins natural cleaning products. Not only will your home thank you... your family will thank you for leaving those harsh chemical concoctions at the store.

Living Rooms: Using J.R. Watkins Lemon Furniture Polish and a good microfiber cloth dust all the surfaces in your living room. This gentle polish is perfect for finished and unfinished wood, formica, particle board and vinyl. And because it is made from natural olive oil, it gently loosens and removes fingerprints, smudges and dirt. Here's a quick tip: Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. It sucks up dust particles and doesn't spit them back out, so you don't have to dust what you have already dusted!

Kitchen: Many dishwashing detergents have a dirty little secret — they contain phosphates. These agents find their way into our lakes and ponds where they endanger our fish. Have a phosphate intervention with your dishwasher, J.R. Watkins Automatic Lemon Dishwashing Detergent* can help. Its 100% phosphate free. The concentrated power will make your dishes and glasses sparkle without the need to overflow your dishwasher's detergent cups.

Bedrooms: We spend one third of our lives in bed. Make it time well spent with J.R. Watkins Liquid Laundry Detergent. Wash bed linens and small rugs with this ultra concentrated formula. It is gentle enough for baby clothes, so you know it won't irritate sensitive skin. Quick tip: Vacuum your mattress. The common mattress harbors dust mites, these critters feast on dander and dead skin and really like to hang around. Vacuuming won't eliminate them, but it will cut their population.

Bathrooms: Do you have to hold your breath when cleaning your shower? If you answered yes, it's time to ditch your cleaner and come to the greener side with J.R. Watkins Citrus Tub & Tile Cleaner. Just a light mist on your shower walls will drive away hard water stains and soap scum. And since it is naturally derived you can finally inhale when cleaning in small spaces. Simply spray, let sit and wipe. Quick tip: A small scrub or tooth brush will help clean grout and corner areas.

And one final tip we would like to mention that applies to your entire home.

Check dirt at the door. The soles of our shoes meet a lot of toxic pollutants throughout the day. Make it a habit for you and your family to check their shoes at the door. And when you find dirt has been tracked in, a quick sweep and mop with J.R. Watkins All-Purpose Cleaner will do the trick!

*Not available in Canada.

A Slippery Solution!

Did you know that a can of Watkins Cooking Spray in your cupboard has other uses you may have
never considered? You can spray it on measuring spoons before measuring sticky foods like molasses
and honey and they will easily slide off. You can also spray your knives before chopping dates or other
dried fruits. Also, it can be sprayed on cheese graters to prevent the cheese from sticking.

BLEACH…Yuck!

The common household disinfectant cleaner that many of us
have come to rely on can make us sick - who knew? The
fact is bleach can damage eyes, skin and lungs and is registered
with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as
an antimicrobial pesticide. That’s right, a pesticide. Not
only is bleach considered a pesticide, it also releases dioxins
and mercury into the environment during production of it.

Yuck! Research is showing that while bleach might whiten
whites, it doesn’t always disinfect surface areas like countertops
and fixtures. In fact, in order for bleach to disinfect
these areas, it needs to sit for 30 minutes, and if the area is
dirty or hasn’t been cleaned in advance those 30 minutes
you just wasted letting it sit are for nothing! Take into consideration
the recent uprising in bacteria that are anti-biotic
resistant (believed to be linked to the over use of bleach and
other anti-bacterial products) and the risks are simply not
worth it.

Bleach Alternatives

Disinfecting Surfaces
Minimize dirt on hard surfaces with frequent mini-cleanings
using a naturally derived cleaner, like Watkins Natural All-
Purpose Cleaner. Not only will you limit bacteria accumulation
and clean-up dirt, you will refresh your soul with the
natural scent of Lavender, Aloe & Green Tea or Lemon.
Here are some other ways to limit bacteria in your home -
beware of the sponge:
• Clean your cleaning tools: Regularly wash your kitchen
sponge in the dishwasher or zap it in the microwave for
about 10 seconds and let it dry.
• Drop the sponge: Use a clean micro fiber cloth to wipe
down countertops and other hard surfaces - using a
sponge will just redeposit the bacteria you are trying so
hard to clean-up.
• Keep it clean: Before and after you prepare food on a
hard surface, use a good all-purpose cleaner, like Watkins
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner, and a clean cloth to
wipe down the area.

Laundry
Remove stains, whiten whites and conserve the environment
at the same time with Watkins Lemon Liquid Laundry Detergent.
The three times concentrated power makes this detergent
a Green alternative to many major brand detergents
& bleaches and it reduces waste by using less than half the
plastic of traditional 100 oz. bottles.
• Pre-treat stains with Watkins Liquid Laundry Detergent.
• In the summer use Mother Nature to your advantage,
good old fashioned sun-light offers the same whitening
power as bleach and it’s free!

Clean & Fresh ~ Smells Like Lemons!

I just love cleaning with this product. It works like a charm and the fresh smell of lemons leaves my house smelling fantastic.

I cleaned the inside of my microwave the other day (hubby heated up some nachos~imagine the salsa and cheese spots). I didn't notice it right away so it was kinda a hard and stuck on. So I sprayed the inside with the lemon all purpose cleaner, closed the door for a few minutes. When back and it just wiped out so nicely. Plus it smelled wonderful to boot! Cleaning with this product is a breeze!

Living Green Tips

Dispose of filthy Cleaning Products!
The average family will spend $600 replacing their cleaning products this year alone. Why not replace them with Watkins Natural Home Care products, they are healthier for loved ones and the planet. And, with families replacing products every single week and using roughly 40 lbs. of cleaning agents a year, you can see how simply replacing harsh cleaners with environmentally friendly products could really make a positive impact on the earth!

Wash your Hands!
Clean up your hands without exposing yourself or family to harsh chemicals. The common ingredient in antibacterial soaps is Triclosan — believed to take the form of Dioxin when it mixes with plain old tap water. Not only that, this harsh chemical has been linked with drug resistant bacteria and weakened immune systems in humans. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control found there is no benefit to using antibacterial hand soaps over the old stand-by — soap and water.

Watkins Natural Liquid Hand Soaps clean your hands — naturally — while they refresh your spirit with the scents of Lavender, Aloe & Green Tea, and Lemon. And get this, they are Triclosan free!

Bag it!
Keep a tote bag in your vehicle for daily shopping stops. When you stop to purchase groceries and other goods, make sure you bring your tote in the store with you to carry them home. Better yet, you can advertise your Watkins business and protect the environment at the same time with a Watkins logo tote (work with a local screen printing shop to get your own Watkins tote). With over 36 billion plastic sacks being used in the U.S. alone, this one effort could save a lot of ozone depleting chemicals from being released into the atmosphere. If you find yourself without your tote, opt for a paper sack instead - this option has much less impact on the earth. Imagine the impact we all could make if every Watkins Associate took this one simple step!

Laundry Day!
Pick one day of the week to do your laundry. This one simple decision will not only save you money on your utility bill, it will help conserve energy by taking advantage of residual heat from your dryer. You can further your eco-friendly actions by washing your clothes in cold water and use Watkins Lemon Liquid Laundry Concentrate Soap. Because it takes only 1 oz. per load, we are able to reduce the packaging to half the size of a standard 100 oz. bottle — less waste and less impact on the environment! Not only that, it doesn't contain phosphates, like other laundry detergents, that can't be removed from water sources with current waste water treatments and end up in fresh water areas.