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What’s that expression about cleaning with kids at home? “Cleaning with kids in the house is like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos.” Do you feel that way? I do!
Unfortunately, I can’t wait for the kids to move out before I clean again.
I also don’t love buying expensive cleaning supplies that are probably not good for our health or the environment. I’ve wondered if there’s an alternative.
Have you heard about Norwex? Chemical-free cleaning that really works? Let me guess – you have a mom friend who sells it? Yeah, me too…
Norwex products seem great, but like most MLM items, their prices are outrageous. Thankfully, there are a lot of great MUCH CHEAPER alternatives to Norwex!
Best Cheaper Alternatives to Norwex
Product | Cheaper Alternative | E-cloth Link | Amazon Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Norwex Enviro Cloth | E-cloth Multipurpose cloth | ||
Norwex Window Cleaning Cloth | E-cloth window cleaning set | ||
Norwex Microfiber Mop | E-cloth deep clean mop | ||
Norwex Microfiber Mop | Generic microfiber mop (compatible with Norwex pads) | ||
Norwex Dusting Wand | OXO microfiber duster | ||
Norwex Dusting Mitt | E-cloth dusting glove | ||
Norwex Wool Dryer Balls | Woolzie dryer balls | ||
Norwex All Natural Laundry Detergent | ECOS Laundry detergent |
What is Norwex?
Norwex is an MLM (multi-level marketing) company that sells products for natural, chemical-free cleaning.
Their most popular item is the Enviro Cloth, which is a general-purpose microfiber cloth. The items are only sold through consultants, usually at home sales parties.
Is Norwex a Scam?
I believe the Norwex items are quality products. If you’ve read my blog for a while, you already know that I think you should avoid home sales parties if you want to protect your budget.
Like most MLM products, I think Norwex products are greatly overpriced. Is Norwex a scam? No, I don’t think it’s a scam, but I do think it’s way too expensive!
Do Norwex Cloths Kill Germs?
You may have heard that the silver in Norwex cloths makes them “self-cleaning”.
Some people even claim that you can wipe up something covered in germs and then just continue cleaning. Or a quick rinse is all that’s needed to wash away all the germs. Is this true?
I enjoyed reading these scientific results from a scientist turned stay-at-home mom. I’d encourage you to read the whole article, but if you don’t have time, here’s a summary of her findings:
- Norwex and similar high-quality microfiber cloths do a great job of picking up bacteria.
- If they’re only slightly dirty, they don’t transfer many of the germs back onto a surface. This means it’s ok to use them to clean up little kitchen messes with the same cloth throughout the day. The bacteria gets stuck in the cloth and doesn’t get rubbed back onto surfaces.
- Once bacteria are in the cloth, Norwex cloths do no better job killing germs than any other kind of cloth, including a basic cotton washcloth. They are definitely NOT “self-cleaning”.
- Simply rinsing the cloth does not remove all the bacteria. Even washing it in a washing machine doesn’t. The only way to completely sanitize the cloth is to boil for 10 minutes.
Bottom line: High-quality microfiber cloths can do a great job of cleaning, but there is nothing magical about Norwex cloths. Microfiber can pick up bacteria, but it doesn’t kill the germs.
TOP PICKS: Best Norwex Alternatives
Read on for all the details about the best alternatives to Norwex. First, here’s a quick summary of my top picks:
- High-quality microfiber cloth: E-cloth general purpose cloth (See at Amazon.com)
- Window cleaning cloth: E-cloth window cleaning set (See at Amazon.com)
- Microfiber mop: Professional microfiber mop (See at Amazon.com)
- Dusting wand: OXO microfiber duster (See at Amazon.com)
- Wool dryer balls: Woolzies dryer balls (See at Amazon.com)
- All natural laundry detergent: ECOS laundry detergent (See at Amazon.com)
Cheaper Alternatives to Norwex Enviro Cloth
E-Cloth Vs Norwex Enviro Cloth
If you’d like to try some high-quality microfiber cloths, there are certainly less expensive options than the $17.99 Norwex Enviro Cloths.
I’ve read a number of comparisons and reviews that state that E-Cloths are nearly identical to Norwex Enviro Cloths. Update: I’ve added a comprehensive E-cloth vs Norwex comparison.
The various specialty cloths that each company offers have pros and cons, but the quality is virtually identical.
The only difference is that Norwex cloths have silver in them and E-Cloths do not. Since the silver is there to act as a germ-killer and we know that Norwex cloths do not actually kill germs better than any other kind of cloth (*see above*), there is no need for the silver.
So what’s the difference between e cloths vs Norwex? Mainly price, as far as I can tell!
I bought some E-Clothes myself and I LOVED THEM! They clean very well. They are very high quality and I was amazed at what I could clean with just water.
If you want to give E-Cloths a try, Amazon is an official seller. The starter 5-pack comes with 4 multi-purpose cloths and 1 glass cloth and works out to be about one-third the price of Norwex cloths. Check out the E-cloth starter pack at Amazon.com.
Is E-Cloth a Norwex Knock-Off?
No, E-Cloth is not a Norwex knock-off. The two companies were founded around the same time, in the mid-1990’s.
E-Cloth is sold in retail stores and is popular in Europe. Norwex sells a very similar product through the MLM (multi-level marketing) system instead of retail stores.
Just because the products are very similar does not mean that E-Cloth is a Norwex knock-off. If you want to read more about my favorite (and least favorite) e-cloth products, check out my full e-cloth review.
Cheaper Alternative to Norwex Dusting Mitt
Norwex offers a dusting mitt for $19.49 and E-cloth has a comparable dusting glove that is similar in price.
E-cloth does offer a lower cost dusting cloth that might be a good alternative for a MUCH lower price. Check out the E-cloth dusting cloth at Amazon.com.
Cheaper Alternative to Norwex Enviro Wand
OXO Microfiber Duster Vs. Norwex Enviro Wand
Personally, I have the OXO Good Grips Microfiber Hand Duster and I LOVE IT. I have a dust allergy, so the process of dusting was pretty miserable for me.
With the OXO duster, I can pick up all the dust quickly without spreading it around the room (or into my nose!).
The OXO Good Grips Microfiber Hand Duster seems very similar to the Norwex Enviro Wand, but the OXO is 1/3 the cost. I haven’t tried the Norwex wand, but I seriously doubt it is 3x better! The OXO duster is great! Check out the OXO dusting wand at Amazon.com.
Cheaper Alternative to Norwex Window Cloth
Cleaning windows to a streak-free shine with no chemicals or paper towels sounds great, right? But for $19.99?! That’s just crazy. E-cloth offers a comparable product for about one-quarter of the price.
E-Cloth Window Cloth vs. Norwex Window Cloth
I bought an E-Cloth window cloth to try myself. A friend lent me her Norwex window cloth so I could compare. They both work really well, but they are a different style of fabric.
The E-Cloth window cloth is very thin and the Norwex window cloth is a thicker fabric. I preferred the thinner E-Cloth because it was easier to get into all the corners of my mirrors and windows.
If you’d like to try the E-Cloth window cloth, you can buy one with the starter kit, in a set with a window cleaning cloth, or by itself.
At first, I didn’t think the waffle-weave window washing cloth that comes in the window cleaning set (waffle weave cloth & polishing cloth) was worth the extra cost. After some time, I grew to really love it. Check out the Ecloth window set at Amazon.com.
If you’d like to save some cost, you could skip the window cleaning kit and just go with the starter kit (4 general purpose cloths & one polishing cloth). Check out the E-cloth starter pack at Amazon.com.
Over time, I did discover that I needed additional polishing cloths. When you’re washing a bunch of mirrors or windows, the polishing cloth will get wet and then be useless.
It’s convenient to have another to swap it out with so I would recommend ordering extra polishing cloths if you can. Check out the extra polishing cloths set at Amazon.com.
Cheaper Alternative to Norwex Mop
The Norwex mop system is similar in style to Swiffer mops, but with reusable microfiber pads instead of disposable pads. Many people love the mops but don’t love the price of over $100.
E-cloth had a nearly identical product, but recently replaced it with a new model. The new model still appears to be a sturdy design for about 1/3 the price. A difference appears to be that the Norwex pads are no longer interchangeable. Check out the Ecloth mop at Amazon.com.
There are also other brands available in the same price range. One of the most popular is a non-branding microfiber mopping system. This one is interchangeable with Norwex pads too, so you can mix and match if you already have some Norwex items. Check out the unbranded microfiber mop at Amazon.com.
Cheaper Alternative to Norwex Dryer Balls
Norwex sells wool dryer balls for $29.99 for a set of 3. I’m a big fan of dryer balls, as they help reduce drying time (and save energy).
They also help to soften and remove static from clothes without fabric softener. Compared to fabric softener they’re better for your skin, better for the environment (less waste and less energy), and less expensive. What’s not to like?
But $29.99 for 3 dryer balls is INSANE. I have Woolzies brand, which cost about 1/3 the price of Norwex per dryer ball. Check out Woolzies Dryer Balls at Amazon.com.
Cheaper Alternative to Norwex Laundry Detergent
I know that many readers are searching for cheaper alternatives to Norwex laundry detergent. Personally, I use and love Ecos all-natural laundry detergent. It has all-natural ingredients and is environmentally friendly. It’s also about half the cost of Norwex laundry detergent.
I feel like it also does a great job getting out clothes clean! I’m not alone in loving it – check out all the great reviews at Amazon.com!
I do also use this detergent to wash my e-cloths and they’ve held up very well. Check out Ecos Detergent at Amazon.com.
Cheaper Norwex Alternatives: My Personal Recommendations
As I mentioned above, I personally own and ABSOLUTELY LOVE and would recommend:
- E-Cloth Window Cleaning Pack E-Cloth Window Cleaning Pack, Microfiber Glass Scrubbing...
- E-Cloth Starter Pack (4 multi-purpose cloths & 1 window cloth) E-Cloth Starter Pack, Microfiber Cleaning Cloths, 5 Cloth...
- E-cloth polishing cloths E-Cloth Glass & Polishing Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, Alaskan...
- OXO Good Grips Microfiber Hand Duster OXO Good Grips Microfiber Hand Duster
- Woolzies Dryer Balls Wool Dryer Balls for use as Natural Fabric Softener
- Ecos Laundry Detergent ECOS® 2X Hypoallergenic Liquid Laundry Detergent,...
I LOVE my E-Cloths! I didn’t expect to like them this much, but I’m totally convinced! The window cloth is amazing on windows, mirrors, and shiny surfaces.
The multi-purpose cloths do such a great job of cleaning all kinds of surfaces. My kitchen faucet is cleaner than it’s ever been. The cloth even cleaned my stained Corian sink as well as a magic eraser.
When I first got them, I had so much fun walking around the house trying them out on different surfaces.
As I mentioned above, I eventually ordered extra polishing cloths. If they get wet while cleaning, they become useless and you need to swap them out.
I am constantly telling friends about e-cloths. It feels good that I’m not wasting money on unnecessary and unhealthy cleaning products and my house is sparkling!
If you’re looking for other healthy non-disposable cleaning options, be sure to check out my post reviewing Swedish dishcloths.
You can also find more money-saving ideas in other cheaper alternatives posts. You may enjoy this post about cheaper alternatives to Young Living & Doterra essential oils.
Have you tried any of the cheaper Norwex alternatives? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!
Cathie says
I have a mix of cleaning cloths but not because any are better than the others. I started off by getting some from a party with Norwex (I hosted), so I ended up with a ton for free (though I did buy a few things too). I liked the cloths so much that I went hunting for more. I used to cloth diaper and as anyone who has cloth diapered recently (in the last 10 years) can tell you, prints and colors are addictive. I found ecloth and bought some of their stuff, love it too of course, but that wasn’t enough. So I ended up finding the super cute prints in the cheap section at Target one season. They’re thinner and softer, and probably not as good, but they’re good for polishing stainless steel appliances, so that’s what I use them for (eCloth’s stainless steel cloth doesn’t work for me for some reason). Then we started camping and I wanted a set in my camper, and found Buff brand from Microfiber Wholesale. They’re thick and super nice. I buy a dozen of them for about $11. So I’m on the hunt for more because…cloth addiction is real. ?
Cindy says
Thanks for the thoughts! Sounds like you have found a bunch of good ones.
NIcole says
Thanks so much for doing the research and sharing this wonderful information that help us all who are interested Save Money! Thanks You!!!!!
Cindy Scott says
Glad I could help, Nicole!
Jenny says
Cloth addiction is real!
-former cloth diaper mama of 3 who now has to find a new way to feed this addiction since everyone is many many years past potty training!
Vicki says
I’d love to hear your thoughts after you’ve used the e-cloth for six (or ten) years — how it holds up, etc. Thanks for your info. (BTW, my understanding is that Norwex doesn’t claim to kill germs–it removes them, just as the e-cloth does; it’s the nature of microfiber — the main difference is that the e-cloth has 1200 miles of fiber and the Norwex cloth has 1890 miles — 50% more microfiber, meaning it’s denser for more cleaning and denser to likely last significantly longer.) But the e-cloth is a super alternative to chemical-based cleaning!
Cindy says
I have been using the ecloths for a few months and love them so far! I will update you in a few years. ?
Katie says
For me other great thing about Norwex is that they have a 60-day money-back guarantee and all of them microfiber has a two year warranty!
Cindy says
A warranty isn’t worth 3 times the price to me. ?
Cindy says
And ecloths also have a money back guarantee.
Nicole says
I’ll be honest, I’m an independent Norwex consultant and I had a hard time swallowing the Norwex price point in the beginning of my Norwex journey. I’m a very thrifty person and I hate sales parties (at least I did before Norwex came along). But I’ve come to realize that the extra cost of the Norwex cloths is what pays the consultant to share the good news of being able to clean using only water. Without sales consultants, very few people would know about a healthy and cheaper (in the long run) alternative to harsh chemicals. How many Clorox junkies are going to trust the e-cloth to clean up messes from raw meat just because the packaging says so? But, get a Norwex consultant to do the raw chicken demo with medical grade protein testers, and you get believers left and right! (There is a difference in the quality as well, but that’s another topic best left to the users to compare.) All that to say, the extra cost pays for the ability of Norwex to educate people on making healthier choices for their families and our planet.
Cindy says
I can understand that perspective, but my family has to do what’s best for us. A high-quality, less expensive product makes it easier for us to stick to our budget.
Shannon Reed says
I agree. Love supporting stay at home moms too.
Deb says
Dr. Annies Experiment site tested and both Norwex and E-Cloth picked up the bacteria in her raw chicken experiment, but it is the Silvertize brand cloth that had no bacteria on it after just rinsing and Norwex was filled with bacteria after 3 days of water-only, but Silvertize was nearly bacteria-free immediately after rinsing.
Plus, she tested washing machines and most of them don’t kill bacteria, so Norwex won’t get rid of their bacteria, except by boiling or sanitizing or using a high water level very hot water washing machine. So you HAVE TO sanitize them somehow either boil or dry them in a dryer and that can affect their fabric. Plus, Norwex still gets stained.
Silvertize wins when it is a germy surface and never needs washing unless you feel like it.
Rebecca says
Where do you buy Silvertize brands? I looked on Amazon and can’t seem to find that brand.
Margo Riedel says
It’s hard for me to get around the fact that you’re getting a kickback for your positive reviews of products other than Norwex. I imagine if Norwex allowed you to profit from recommending their products, you might have a different story to tell. I’ve tried many of these alternatives and they don’t hold a candle to the quality nd effectiveness of Norwex products, not even close!
Cindy says
You are correct that I get a commission from items I link to on Amazon… But Norwex products are also sold on Amazon and I could link to those too (and make higher commission because they cost so much more). I am only sharing my honest opinion in this post.
Liz says
Margo – the “kickback” she’s getting is from Amazon…not from E-Cloths….no one is paying her for a “positive” review…the money comes from consumers clicking the Amazon link and purchasing from Amazon. If she linked it to a Norwex product she’d still get paid, but again from Amazon and not from Norwex.
irene alvarez says
This was a fair answer. I am having a hard time bringing myself to spend 130 dollars on a mop. But the Norwex ecloth works so good that I am actually considering the purchase. I am now looking for alternatives and reviews before I dive in. I thank you for the time and opinion.
Cindy Scott says
I’m glad my post was helpful! Good luck with your decisions!
Donna Kelly says
I appreciate your reviews and just purchased e-cloths from the link you provided. I’m glad you get a commission. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience and recommendations.
Cindy Scott says
Thanks for your support! I hope you enjoy them!
Cindy says
A Norwex consultant wants to add to this discussion that Norwex is not allowed to be sold on Amazon and has no warranty if it is (and I will add that there is plenty of Norwex being sold on Amazon). I will not allow her actual comment because she included her Norwex business link.
Meri Haertel says
Hi! I came across your blogpost and wanted to give my perspective. I was the wife of a student for our first 10 years of marriage as my husband completed his Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD. I learned to be frugal. When we finished, we had 3 children and $0 debt and we actually had even saved enough that we could put a down payment on a home in the California Bay Area. I know what it means to live on a budget. I also hated MLM and direct sales parties. Things did seem overpriced to me. I only ever attended to socialize and to eat the food. ? But I also learned that buying cheaper isn’t always better. Sometimes it’s worth saving up for something to get better quality, because it’s just a fact that some things are made better and that’s why they cost more. Certain things may not be worth it, but some things definitely are. My friend invited me to her online Norwex party and it seriously pained me when I made my first Norwex purchase of almost $100 and heaven forbid even paid shipping! (I NEVER paid shipping for anything.) The 60 day money back guarantee and the things that I saw in this party, told me it was worth giving it a try. So I did, and man was I in LOVE! I told my sister in law about them and also being super frugal, she researched and came across the e-cloth. She purchased it and was really enjoying it. So since it was super cheap on Amazon, I decided to try it as well. I decided to test it against the Norwex cloth side-by-side on my mirrors, windows, bathtub, marker stains on carpet, etc. What I found was that it took 3 times as long with the e-cloth to clean everything. Also, because the e-cloths don’t have the microsilver (the self-proclaimed expert you mentioned above did not use the cloths as directed) you would want to invest in way more e-cloths because you would need to get a new one at least every day. After factoring the costs of that, plus factoring in my time, it was clear that the wise choice would be to INVEST in more Norwex cloths. Since I’m super frugal I decided to host a party to help fill my home with the Norwex I wanted. And I did! I spent $200 that year on Norwex, but I ran my financial reports from Quicken and found that I had saved $300 on cleaning supplies from the previous year. So if you are living on a budget, I would say that Norwex can definitely help cut costs! After this I decided I wanted everything in the catalog, so I signed up as a consultant to get the discount, another option for your readers. (My SIL has hosted 2 parties for me and LOVES her Norwex cloths much more than her e-cloths.) I think your readers would have been better served had you actually used the products they are trying to find a replacement for. If they know they are choosing to spend less money, but it will take them 3x as long to clean, maybe they would make a different choice or maybe they wouldn’t. I haven’t read your other posts, but I’m not inclined to trust anything you’ve written after reading this. If you would like to sample the Norwex cloths in order to properly review and compare, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I also am happy to share the independent testing Norwex had performed by an ISO lab (not a home kitchen).
Cindy says
Thanks for your perspective. I have never spent $300 on cleaning supplies in a year and I am quite happy with my ecloths. I did test some Norwex and I didn’t think they were in any way worth 3-4x the cost.
Liz says
Hmmmm…I don’t think it is fair to discredit the author’s experience and opinion because it doesn’t align with your own. She fully states that Norwex is a great and quality product; without a shadow of a doubt. BUT, there’s also no denying that Norwex is a pricy item and not everyone who wants to have a chemical free home can afford it. It may be difficult for diehard Norwex fans and consultants to believe that there are alternative products on the market that are almost equal the quality and a great option…but in reality there are. If Norwex is what you have your heart set on, and you can squeeze it into your budget, great!! If not, it’s equally great to know there’s other options out there. Thank you, Cindy, for taking the time to put this review together…it must be tough (and not fun) to be pulled through the ringer, on your own website, for your personal views.
Cindy Scott says
Thanks, Liz. 🙂
Lolita says
I attended a Norwex party recently and that is what the people there were talking about, the price. Although the demo were quite interesting and informative, many felt that the products were unaffordable, which is really a big concern when you are on a budget. What is wrong for a person wanting to find a good product that is affordable? I think that is all the author of this blog is doing here, directing people to similar products that is affordable to a vast amount of people today and if you do not like that she is doing that then why visit this site, you seem to be a Norwex employee, so why are you here. Really it is none of your business if a person wants to buy something else more affordable, I bet you do not buy every product that is offered you and I am quite sure that you feel some things are to pricey for you to buy, unless you are rich and do not care how you spend your money. I do not know of any company that do not have a budget and is not looking for ways to lower the cost of running their business,
Beth says
I have done E-cloth and Norwex. The only difference I see is the window cloth for Norwex is better. I need a new window cloth ( I clean houses so need a good cloth, no time to “double clean”) Other wise I see no reason to pay the extra for the other cloths . Wish I could find a cheaper cloth than Norwex that works as well.
Cindy says
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Lori Kemme says
The link to your mop heads is not from ecloth. Are the ones listed the ones you tested? I have the norwex mop system, but am looking for a cheaper solution to adding more mop pads to my lot (I currently only have one wet mop head). Will the ones listed above fit the Norwex system as you said the ecloth system does?
Thanks!
Cindy Scott says
Hi, Lori! Thanks for your question. Yes, ecloth mop heads fit Norwex mops. Here’s the link to the ecloth mop heads: https://amzn.to/2CFUYE3
Liz says
Have you heard of an alternative to Norwex’s Cleaning Paste? I have a consultant telling me that it will certainly get out some stains I have in my sink and bathtub, but $30 for the small container is hard to swallow. Unlike Norwex’s other products, this one won’t last years…it will run out the same as any other alternative.
Cindy Scott says
Well, e-cloth’s similar product is called “Universal Stone”. The per container price is about the same, but Universal Stone comes in a much bigger container. Norwex Paste is $29.99 for 6.7oz and Universal Stone is $29.95 on Amazon for 650g (22oz). So the cost per ounce is significantly lower. Here’s the link for Universal Stone: https://amzn.to/2D4kaoA.
It’s not an all-natural product, but I really like Bar Keeper’s Friend for the jobs that the e-cloths can’t handle. If you’re interested, here’s the link to that: https://amzn.to/2D2sqW0 (available in grocery stores too).
Shannon Terry says
I just got my first Norwex order and got the cleaning paste and love it. You really only need just a dab and I’m guessing unless you have a lot of deep cleaning to do on a regular basis it will last a very long time.
Sharon McKenna says
The people I know that have used the Norwex cleaning paste says it will last three to four years! You really do only need just a dab.
Carolyn says
Have you found any good alternatives to the baby cloths that norwex sells? Thanks!
Cindy Scott says
Hi Carolyn! I don’t know of any microfiber cloths specifically for babies. There are a few microfiber face towels on Amazon but I don’t think that’s really what you are looking for.
Michelle says
I have a friend who’s hooked on Norwex and sells the products to save money when buying for herself. I went to her first party so she could practice her presentation. I ended up with a free kitchen cloth which is great. I really like certain Norwex products because I can clean with water only. (I have allergies and sensitive skin.) BUT I agree, the company’s regular prices are just too high. (And who wants to splurge on cleaning supplies?!) So, I decided never to buy anything unless it was on sale or part of a “special” deal or if you get “free” items as part of a package. My friend also places several orders at a time and usually offers me free shipping.
My niece sells thirty-one, and I do the same with her. It’s got to be something I really want, and I never pay regular price or shipping.
I remember when Party-Lite candles were all the rage. A bunch of women at my church were selling that stuff and hosting party after party after party. I just kept saying “no” to all their invitations. Don’t get me started on Tupperware or Avon! 🙂
Cindy Scott says
Have you tried any of the ecloths? They really are great! Sounds like you have found some great deals on Norwex though!
Jordan says
Great stuff Cindy!
I think it’s important for people to use high quality microfiber cloths, but that it doesn’t necessarily have to be Norwex.
Do you have any rule of thumb to know when it is a high quality towel?
Thanks and keep up the great work 🙂
Jordan
Cindy Scott says
Hi Jordan. I wish I did have a good rule to tell if a cloth is good quality online, but I don’t. If you are checking it out in person, you can tell by feel. It should be thick, heavy, grippy (can feel it sticking to your fingers) and absorbent (if you can try it out).
Mary Telfer says
Thanks so much for this article! Do you know if there is an alternative for the Norwex Cleaning Paste and also the Entry Mat? Thanks again.
Tony says
I know that you aren’t supposed to wash microfiber rags with other laundry. But I’m not going to waste my time, energy, and detergent to wash 3 rags by themselves. So what happens when you do wash then with other laundry?
Cindy Scott says
Tony, what happens is that the cotton lint gets stuck to the microfiber and it makes them less effective. If you want to wash them with other things, I’d just try to avoid washing them with linty things like towels. If you could wash them with all polyester things, that would be best.
Tina says
Boil a pot of water. Turn off burner. Put cloths in w a sprinkle of Norwex laundry detergent. Let soak then rinse. Don’t let water get cold.
Connie Jarman says
I have some Norwex I ordered many years ago and that is how I clean them. Boil water, turn off burner, let soak then rinse. Just like new again.
Barb Van says
Don’t waste any money on the Norwex Leather Shine, at $34/150ml. You can get Belvoir or Effax for $22/500 ml, and the important ingredients are comparable if not better. Both can be found on Amazon.
Cindy Scott says
Thanks for the tip, Barb!
Ana says
Thank you so much for this information! I just spent a ton of money on a few Norwex items. Although I know they will be used, I’m a bit shell shocked by the bottom line! I was contemplating the mop and decided to look for alternative which is how i found your article. I found the information on the silver and self cleaning claims really valuable because I was questioning it. Getting ready to order some ecloth!
Cindy Scott says
I hope you enjoy your e-cloths as much as I do! Thanks for the comment!
Janie says
Do you still have the same ecoths and woolzies since writing this article a year ago?
Cindy Scott says
Yes I do! Still going strong and I still love them! I bought a few more polishing cloths and a few more general purpose ones because I wanted more… But the originals are still good!
Brandi says
Hi I was wondering if you have an alternative to Norwex body/face cloths? I love using them for cleaning make up off, but was hoping to find something cheaper that works just as well. TIA
Cindy Scott says
I am not sure but I will look into it!
Farmwife22 says
As a norwex consultant on her way out of the company due to lack of sales, I’m here looking for alternatives to buy in the future! Your blog was very informative and I’m happy to know that ecloths work well! I personally do think norwex items are priced far to high for most families, and also understand that that’s how consultants make their money 😝 I have been researching detergent alternatives and found that both eco and nellies detergent are about the same price per load, while being half the price of MY discounted price for norwex detergent!!! So Crazy! And… I have to say that the nellies detergent actually works better 🤭 I will say that norwex helped get me into natural cleaning so I’m very thankful for that! But there’s definitely a lot of things we are taught to say that are… less than honest/leave a lot of things out… 🤷🏽♀️ Ok that’s all! Thanks again ❤️
Cindy Scott says
Thank you so much for leaving a comment! I am glad you are finding some great alternatives. I have been enjoying my Eco detergent, but you have be wondering about Nellies. Have you compared the two?
Sandy Kreitzer says
Hello – after researching Norwex for a few weeks, I ran across your site comparing the products. Your blog + comments convinced me to try Ecloth products. I just ordered a few, hope I’m as excited as some of you. I have a question though, I wondered if you used the kitchen cloth with stripe scrubber product? I have a gas stove and really need help with it. I’ve tried a lot of products but not finding what cuts through some of the grime and grease. . Think this product will live up to the challenge? Thanks for your site and helpful comments!
Cindy Scott says
Hi Sandy! I have tried the kitchen scrubber cloth. It is helpful for some extra scrubbing power but I don’t know if it could handle the grime of a gas stove. I am sure you will enjoy the ecloths but I doubt they will be the answer to the stove issue (and I don’t know the solution either).
Lolita says
Hi Sandy, I was just commenting on the woman who was looking for an alternative to the Norwex body/face cloth to remove her makeup. I bought some microfiber cloths at about 6 months ago, but did not like them. So fast forward six months later my husband tells me that he just bought some washcloths from the dollar store and tells me how much he likes them, so I tried the cloth and was hooked as well. I use them to take makeup off without any soap or makeup remover just water, and I can wash them and the makeup comes off of the cloth like I have never used it for that purpose. I purposely left makeup on the cloth for about a week and washed it again and the cloth is like new. For makeup removal I would not pay a lot of money to do that. The cloths from the dollar store, Dollar Tree really worked for me and is very affordable, 50 cents a cloth, and it really removed all of my make up, also it leaves my skin feeling clean and rinses very well, surprisingly so, when I am bathing or taking a shower. Needless to say my husband and I have decided to stock up on these cloths and we have also decided to not buy the regular cotton washcloths anymore because they are hard to clean and stains very easily whereas the microfiber cloths is very resilient, honestly I was very impressed with those cloths, and from the dollar store? priceless
Lin says
What is the name of the Dollar Tree cloths?
Melody says
Hello i use Norwex cloths and love them. My windows and glass are so clean and clear you can’t tell there’s glass there. My glass stays clean longer. My dusting last for a long time also. I check to see if i need to dust and i say”not yet”. The laundry soap is awesone. 2 teaspoons for a large load no chemicals or perfumes. Sure it costs some but you save in the long run. The e- cloth in my opinion doesn’t come close to the effectiveness of a norwex cloth.. In anything, you get what you pay for. I spend my money wisely, Norwex is best.
Marcella Spitznagel says
I’d like to find an alternative to the Norwex cleaning paste. Any suggestions?
Kristen says
I would try Shaklee Scour off paste. It works great in my opinion and much cheaper
Melissa says
Re: ECOS detergent…. I thought Norwex states “no fabric softener” on cloths. ECOS detergent states on the bottle it has a built-in fabric softener. Please clarify. Thanks
Cindy Scott says
Definitely, you should not use fabric softeners (like Downy or Bounce) with microfiber. Those chemical softeners will build up in the microfiber and make them less effective over time. With the ECOS detergent, I’m looking at the bottle right now… It does say it “softens and freshens” fabrics, but there are no specific softener ingredients. The ingredient list is quite short and it only has water, surfactant (detergent), fragrance, and some preservatives. That’s it. I don’t see anything that should harm microfiber. Please let me know if I’m missing something.
Natalee says
Not sure if this feed is still active but…. as I was about to make my first Norwex purchase after hearing about it for so long, I decided to do another round of research because the concepts of the cloths/mechanical cleaning didn’t seem to be exclusive to norwex if the theory is correct. Which lead me to this article. Firstly, thank you for taking the time to research and share your findings. That said, what is your cleaning method with these cloths? For instance if I’m cleaning a bathroom sink, and the microfiber collects the majority of the bacteria, do I need to wash/boil the cloth directly after use? Can I use the same cloth on another sink without transferring those germs? If indeed the norwex silver-claim is false, I’m wondering how frequently these microfiber cloths in general need cleaning etc or if rinsing/drying and reusing another day is acceptable as norwex would claim? Sorry for all the questions! Just trying to make sense of it all before making any purchases be it E-cloth or Norwex
Cindy Scott says
Hi Natalee!
I got into more detail in this video: https://youtu.be/xOT4sRXN7h4
To answer your questions:
1. For basic cleaning, get the cloth wet (wring it out so it’s not soaking), fold it in quarters, and wipe the surface with as much microfiber touching the surface as possible.
2. You should be fine wiping a sink, rinsing it, and carrying on cleaning other things. It shouldn’t transfer bacteria. Personally, if I wipe something full of germs like a toilet, I would not use it anymore, though.
3. Rinsing them and drying them (any type of microfiber) isn’t terrible because microfiber doesn’t generally grow much bacteria. BUT it can grow SOME bacteria, and personally, I prefer to wash them in hot water at the end of the day of using them to make sure there’s no bacteria still in them.
I hope that helps!
Natalee says
Thanks for your response! I’ll check out the video
Alyssa says
Thank you for researching for and compiling this list. It is good to have some cheaper, and importantly non MLM, alternatives if friends or family bring it up
Cindy Scott says
Glad I could help!
Christina says
I just wanted to say thanks for your information. I usually do not partake in any kind of MLM sales but a FB friend hosted a Norwex workshop and I was intrigued. I a l m o s t bought some things and it was pricey but that nagging voice in my head sent me to research more online and I came across your review and many others that all say E Cloth is a more reasonable alternative. I’m be quarantined at home since March and cleaning has become, I dare say, a hobby. I’m about to make an Amazon purchase for E Cloth products at a fraction of the costs. Yay!
Cindy Scott says
Glad I could help!