Planet People Cleaning Product Review and Giveaway

Saturday, September 25, 2010

As much as I love writing reviews about cool and innovative products, there is very little that gets me more excited than reviewing cool and innovative products that are derived from Nature's finest. Throw in reusable packaging, a reduction in plastic consumption and a dash of recyclable refill bottles and you have a recipe for the perfect sustainable green cleaning solution. Enter iQ, the smarter cleaner.

iQ Cleaner, the newest in household cleaning products from Canadian manufacturer Planet People, has designed a line of truly eco-friendly household cleaners. Their cleaning solutions are made using plant-based formulas and are free from toxins and chemicals. But what makes iQ stand out from all the other green products on the market is their unique eco-packaging. By creating a re-usable spray bottle with specially designed refill cartridges, iQ has reinvented the 3 R's and provided consumers with a way to save the planet one bottle at a time.

When you buy a bottle of iQ cleaner, it comes with a small refill cartridge full of high-performance cleaning concentrate. Once you've used up the bottle, simply refill the bottle with your own tap water, insert the refill cartridge and replace the sprayer head to release the concentrate. In a matter of seconds, you have a new bottle of natural cleaning solution and you never even had to leave your house. In fact, by using iQ cleaners, you will help reduce waste, the number of trucks on the road and carbon footprint all the while providing a truly cleaner and greener environment in your home for your family and saving money in the process. You can store several refill cartridges in place of a single full bottle in your cleaning cupboards which means you can buy in bulk and save trips to the store. And by using your own tap water, your contributing to a drastic reduction in plastic waste by 80% when compared to conventional spray bottles.

And who knew that something that stands a mere 3.5" tall could pack such a punch? For this review, I was able to test each of their cleaners including the iQ All-Purpose Cleaner in a Green Tea scent. I like to keep this in the kitchen to wipe down countertops and my stainless steel appliances. I shared some bottles with my mother, who happens to be a cleaning lady and takes pride in keeping things clean, and she really liked the all-purpose cleaner the best. Then there's my my son who just loves touching our mirrored closet door and smooshing his face against all of our windows. For this reason, I take great relief in knowing that the iQ Glass Cleaner is toxin-free. It also leaves a nicer streak-free shine when compared to a couple of other green glass cleaners I have tried in the past. It comes in a Bamboo Berry scent which smells quite nice, too. In addition to the iQ Bathroom Cleaner in Nectarine Plum, I have also tried the iQ Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner and find it works quite nicely on our ceramic tiles in our bathroom floor and our laminate floors. This one comes in a tropical Papaya Mango scent! All in all, I am very happy with the results of the iQ cleaners and really like that it's so easy to make a new bottle of cleaning solution. No water-to-concentrate ratios to worry about. Bonus!

Planet People also sent me some samples to try from their Gloves Off product line along with a bottle of Concrobium, "The Cure for the Common Mold". These products are both non-toxic and DfE - Designed for Environment approved. Our house is over 60 years old and we have a problem with mold on the north-facing wall in our basement. I'm always hesitant to buy any mold remover because I would imagine the chemicals in it would be very harsh. With Concrobium, I know that there is no bleach, ammonia or VOCs. I tried it out and I'm happy to say so far, so good.

The other product that I really like is the Gloves Off Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover which has done wonders in my bathroom. I often get a red ring around the drains and in the toilet bowl. Gloves Off gets rid of it easily. It's a non-corrosive, biodegradable blend of purified water and all natural ingredients. It works just as effectively as the Gloves Off Tough Stain (and Paint) Remover, which also happens to be my new best friend. Not only did it remove spots of paint from the metal door from when we first painted the house (ourselves), it also did wonders on the upholstery in our dining table set. When we first bought it, I warned my husband that white cushioned seats won't last long if we planned to have kids, and I was right. We have already had them professionally steam cleaned once and it didn't last very long. Especially the one with the booster seat. I am embarrassed to share this picture but I will anyway because it demonstrates the difference Gloves Off has made in my life. You will notice that the right side is clean compared to it's previous darkened, horrific state as can be seen on the left side. Yay!

So before I climb the mountain tops and praise the miraculous powers of Gloves Off, I must head to our freshly painted powder room and use my new stain remover to clean off all the paint my husband got all over the floor.

iQ cleaners are available at natural food stores such as Whole Foods Markets (including both the Toronto and Oakville locations!), Planet Organic and Ambrosia Natural Foods, to name a few. To view a growing list of retailers that carry iQ cleaners, visit the iQclean Where to Buy web page. The iQ Starter Kits, which include a spray bottle full of solution and a refill cartridge, retails for approximately $6.49 while the refill cartridges can be purchased for roughly $2.79. You can also save $2 off Gloves Off Carpet Care or Tough Stain Remover by visiting GlovesOffClean.com.

One incredibly lucky Toronto Teacher Mom reader will win a box full of eco-friendly goodness. Here is what will be included in the awesome Planet People prize pack (ARV $55):

3 bottles of iQ All Purpose Cleaner
2 bottles of iQ Floor Cleaner
2 bottles of iQ Bathroom Cleaner
2 bottles of iQ Glass Cleaner
1 bottle of Gloves Off Stain Remover
1 bottle of Gloves Off Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover
1 bottle of Gloves Off Disinfectant
1 bottle of Concrobium

For your main entry, which is mandatory, visit iQclean.com and tell me something you learned, like how much waste iQ products reduce or other retailers that carry the line, etc. Leave a comment on this post along with a way to contact you if you win.

For additional entries, you may choose to do any or all of the following:

Become a follower of Planet People on Twitter.
Become a fan of the iQ Cleaner Facebook Page and leave a comment saying Toronto Teacher Mom sent you.
Add my blog button to your site. Copy code is located on the right sidebar. (Worth 2 entries. Please be sure to leave two separate comments.)
Become a follower of Toronto Teacher Mom using Google Friend Connect.
Become a fan of the new Toronto Teacher Mom Facebook fan page.
Update your Facebook status telling about the giveaway and link to both fan pages by typing @ in front of Toronto Teacher Mom and @ in front of iQ Cleaner. (This must be done through Facebook. A list will pop up after you type @ followed by a letter.) This is worth 3 entries! Please leave three separate comments.
Become a follower of Toronto Teacher Mom on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Tweet daily for additional entries. Feel free to use the following tweet:

Win an awesome @PlanetPeopleco prize pack full of fabulous eco-friendly household cleaners @TeacherMomOfTwo http://ht.ly/2JOGd

Contest ends October 18 at 10pm EST. Open to US and Canadian residents. Winner will be selected using Random.org and must reply to the notification email within 3 days or a new winner will be drawn.

Disclosure: I received a supply of Planet People cleaning products as listed above for the purpose of this review. I was not compensated in any other way. The thoughts and views expressed in this review are strictly my own honest opinions.