Shaklee Products VS. Vinegar, Baking Soda and Dr. Bronners

[lovemyfamily6]

I have only used vinegar, baking soda and Dr. B's for the last couple years of cleaning. We started getting a produce basket each week starting yesterday, and the man that owns it dropped off a DVD about Shaklee products. He isn't the one that sells it. I haven't watched the DVD yet. Before I do (or if I do), is there anything that Shaklee does better than what I'm already using? If so, what do you love and why? Thanks!

[shoes]

I haven't used any of their products, but have looked through their catalog. They have dishwashing machine detergent and I know that's something that I've never found a decent DYI recipe for.

[lovemyfamily6]

They have something called H2 or something and I have a friend that told me this morning it's amazing. I looked around their website but can't find ingredients.

[Malva]

Isn't it some sort of pyramid-ish company? You have to order for a certain amount each month I think.

If you are used to vinegar, BS and DrB, I think the packaging alone is a reason not to use them.

[lovemyfamily6]

Originally Posted by Malva

If you are used to vinegar, BS and DrB, I think the packaging alone is a reason not to use them.

You're right. Before I was even a light shade of green, years ago, I could so easily be wooed by things in the cleaning aisle. I haven't perused that stuff in a long time and think I got a little excited about something new. But the vinegar and everything else is working GREAT, so why mess with a good thing. I wish I wasn't so easily influenced. Sometimes I really have to talk myself out of buying certain things.

[Zach'smom]

I read somewhere that the Shaklee all-purpose cleaner concentrate 16oz is equal to 178 bottles of Fantastic cleaner. Apparently you only mix a teaspoon or so with 16oz of water. I don't know how well iot works or what is in it though. It seems like less packaging then using vineger if it really works.

[Oh the Irony]

You don't have to buy a certain amount each month. It is MLM, meaning that distributors try to get people to sign up to sell. Some will pressure you, some won't.

I do like the cleaning products. Basic-G is a germicide that kills tons of different things. I don't use if often, but like to have it around.

The Basic-H is their multipurpose cleaner that you can use only a drop or two of in a spray bottle. Eh, it's okay. Prefer vinegar or just some good dishwashing liquid.

[mamaheids]

The products clean far better than BS and Vinegar. The laundry detergent is awesome for dipes and the dishwasher soap is the best I've used. I love love love all of the home care products. I am a distributer, though not I'm not very active. I am hoping to become more active in the fall when DD goes to preschool. I signed up just because I love the products so much. PM me if you have any questions- I'm not pushy!

[schreiberwriter]

Their scouring paste is THE BEST. It's all natural I believe and makes a shiny white bath tub, counter tops, etc. No temptations to use bleach!

[Baby Makes 4]

I love their products. I don't own any but I was given some samples and I look forward to using up all my current stuff so I can buy some Shaklee. Very little packaging, no phosphates, not tested on animals, no perfumes ... and they WORK!

[cj'smommy]

Originally Posted by schreiberwriter

Their scouring paste is THE BEST. It's all natural I believe and makes a shiny white bath tub, counter tops, etc. No temptations to use bleach!

- it got some greasy grime of my stove, I was amazed. It also smells good.

I like the Basic H, yes it's about a teaspoon or so for a spray bottle. I don't like the smell of vinegar so I like using this.

I think it's kind of expensive though, but so far it's been worth it.

[lovemyfamily6]

I ended up ordering some stuff tonight. Dh is pretty happy as he doesn't like the smell of vinegar. I've put EO's in it before but he says it smells like oranges soaked in vinegar. Anyway, it seems very economical (that one bottle of Basic H2 will make 48 gallons of cleaner!) and the company seems very ethical and green.


I'm excited to get my new stuff and clean!

[NatrlCatholicMama]

Bumping this a wee bit b/c I'm curious about the performance, as well as the environmental issues. I use vinegar, bs, & Dr. B. But my housekeeper, who cleans only w/ Shaklee (good for her!) says that vinegar (and also hydrogen peroxide) are BAD for the environment! That they are acidic and bad to get into the soil, and the way they're made is bad, etc.

Any ideas on this claim? Shaklee seems to work great, but so does my stuff, and it's cheaper and simpler, which appeal to me.

Is there any possibility that vinegar is bad for the environment? :

[Siennaflower]

Does Shaklee list all their ingredients? The way they operate reminds me of Melaleuca...which was far from natural.

[lovemyfamily6]

Originally Posted by NatrlCatholicMama

Bumping this a wee bit b/c I'm curious about the performance, as well as the environmental issues. I use vinegar, bs, & Dr. B. But my housekeeper, who cleans only w/ Shaklee (good for her!) says that vinegar (and also hydrogen peroxide) are BAD for the environment! That they are acidic and bad to get into the soil, and the way they're made is bad, etc.

Any ideas on this claim? Shaklee seems to work great, but so does my stuff, and it's cheaper and simpler, which appeal to me.

Is there any possibility that vinegar is bad for the environment? :

Hmm, I've never heard anything about vinegar being bad for the environment! I'm really happy with my Shaklee products. They work really well and dh is pleased with the absent vinegar smell. Oh, one thing that she may be referring to about how vinegar is made is that some companies do something with petroleum. Heinz vinegar doesn't, so that's the only kind I buy. I know that's not the most helpful explanation, but I can't remember the details.

Originally Posted by FlutterBee

Does Shaklee list all their ingredients? The way they operate reminds me of Melaleuca...which was far from natural.

I did find ingredients somewhere, but can't remember where. Gee, I'm helpful today, huh? You're absolutely right about Melaleuca not being nearly as natural as they claim. They still do animal testing too. From all I've heard, Shaklee is one company that talks the talk AND walks the walk when it comes to being environmentally friendly and natural.

[tracyhos]

Shaklee might seem expensive... but I've had the same bottle of the H2 concentrate since December and it's still probably 3/4 full. I bought their pretty bottles to dilute it out to the: degreaser, all purpose cleaner, and window/glass cleaner. The bottles = totally frivolous and not required-- they are just pretty. Regular spray bottles work fine too. But the pretty Shaklee ones to have the dilution written on them.

All that to say, it's an investment. I have made countless bottles ( of all 3 different cleaners) since December and it still is 3/4 full. So it's saved me a ton of $$.

[Ruthla]

So Shaklee sells good quality spray bottles? I'm constantly frustrated with my spray bottles of homemade cleaner (usually diluted dishsoap) falling apart, not spraying, spray part breaking off, etc. I have yet to find a source for sturdy spray bottles that won't clog up the landfills by being replaced every year.

[thefragile7393]

According to pinstripesandpolkadots.com, http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.co...tchoices.htm#S
their detergent isn't great for cloth diapers. Everything else I don't know about, but I do feel they are a great company, but their products are just too expensive. BS, Dr. B's, and vinegar are cheaper and clean well.

[tracyhos]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

So Shaklee sells good quality spray bottles? I'm constantly frustrated with my spray bottles of homemade cleaner (usually diluted dishsoap) falling apart, not spraying, spray part breaking off, etc. I have yet to find a source for sturdy spray bottles that won't clog up the landfills by being replaced every year.

So far, I'm loving them. I've gotten cheapy bottles from Target and they have stopped working too.

The Shaklee ones get used constantly, esp. the All Purpose one, I use that for pretty much everything.

[lovemyfamily6]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

So Shaklee sells good quality spray bottles? I'm constantly frustrated with my spray bottles of homemade cleaner (usually diluted dishsoap) falling apart, not spraying, spray part breaking off, etc. I have yet to find a source for sturdy spray bottles that won't clog up the landfills by being replaced every year.

The spray bottles are awesome! I actually think I'll order another set for my boys. They like to have spray bottles of water outside and I keep buying them for $1 at Target and they don't work for very long.

Originally Posted by thefragile7393

According to pinstripesandpolkadots.com, http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.co...tchoices.htm#S
their detergent isn't great for cloth diapers. Everything else I don't know about, but I do feel they are a great company, but their products are just too expensive. BS, Dr. B's, and vinegar are cheaper and clean well.

Actually, this is what I thought too, but Zach's Mom made a good point earlier in the thread when she brought up the packaging. Plus, I buy Heinz vinegar (no petroleum) at about $3 a gallon. I use a cup at a time mixed with an equal part of water. I think there are 16 cups in a gallon, which would fill 16 -16 ounce bottles of cleaner. To compare, 16 ounces of the Basic H2 cleaner makes 48 GALLONS of all purpose cleaner (you only need 1/4 teaspoon per 16 ounces of water). It's only $12 something full retail or a couple dollars cheaper as a member. So it's more cost effective but also saves a lot of packaging.