PaperlessKitchen Blog

Paperless Kitchen Tested: Bambooee Sweeps Review

Here at Paperless Kitchen, we've carried Bambooee paper towels since we opened our store, and they've always been one of our best selling products. Now, Bambooee has released something brand new--Bambooee Sweeps. I got my hands on a roll and decided to take them for a test drive. Here's what happened:

The Basics: 

Bambooee Sweeps are alternatives to disposable cleaning cloths used on dry sweepers like the Swiffer. Each sheet can supposedly take the place of 100 of the disposable sheets, and they can be laundered in the washing machine between uses. The sheets come in a roll of 15, and they are made from organic bamboo.

The Inspection:

To test out the Bambooee Sweeps, I put one on my Swiffer and got ready to clean the kitchen floor. I was impressed by the feel of the pads. Swiffer pads feel like dryer sheets. They're flimsy, and I've had them tear before I even put one on the head of the sweeper. The Bambooee Sweeps are much thicker. I even tried to tear one, and I couldn't get the rip started. I was also struck by the scrubbing dots on the pads, which really gave the Sweeps a unique texture.

The Cleaning:

It was pretty easy to get the pad onto my Swiffer. I generally think they're a pain to get set up, and the Bambooee pads weren't any harder to put on. In fact, because they are thicker, it seemed to be slightly easier. I was really impressed with how the pad worked. I could feel it creating friction on my hardwood floors, and the pad had way more dirt on it than I expected.

The Wash:

After cleaning, I went ahead and laundered by Bambooee Sweeps pad, following the instructions, which say not to use fabric softener. The pad came out wrinkled but still in great condition, and it went right back onto the Swiffer with ease.  

The Takeaway:

I don't clean with my Swiffer often because I don't like the idea of using the disposable sheets, but the Bambooee Sweeps may change that. They definitely work well and are probably the next best thing to a full mop down. The pads can be used wet as well and can clean up spills because they're absorbent like a paper towel.

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A Paperless Kitchen Review of the ChicoBag Produce Stand Starter Set

As a follow-up to my review of the ChicoBag Original Boysenberry Bag, I did a test of the ChicoBag Produce Stand Starter Set. These bags are designed to be used at the grocery store in place of the throwaway plastic bags in the produce section, but you can easily take them to a farmer's market or with you for other kinds of shopping.

Here's a rundown on my impressions of the set:

- The Produce Stand Hemp Cotton Bag is the one designed for bulk foods that don't need to breathe as much as other types of produce. The company recommends that you use it for nuts, grains and the like. The hemp is very soft, and it held up well to washing. It's easy to close and you can fill it very full because the fabric has some give.

- The Produce Stand Mesh Bag is the piece in the trio for more perishable produce. The bag lets air circulate, so it's good for apples, potatoes, oranges and similar foods. This one doesn't have as much give, but it's plenty big, so it's possible to get a large load of produce at once.

- The Produce Stand rePETe Bag locks in air and moisture, and it's design for broccoli, squash, carrots and similar vegetables. For some reason, this one was the easiest for me to close, and I also think it looked the best when it came out of the washing machine.

- The Apple Holder - The idea behind the apple holder is cute. You can roll up the bags and then put them inside and attach the holder to a bag with the included carabiner. The concept is great, but I had a hard time putting it into practice. I could fit two bags in easily, but the third one was a tight fit. I was worried they were going to fall out. In the end, I decided to just put the apple and the bags inside of the pouch for the ChicoBag Hobo. Problem solved!

In conclusion, the problem with the Apple Holder didn't limit my ability to benefit from the Produce Starter Set. Despite this small shortcoming, I would definitely recommend the bags. You can also purchase three-packs of each bag in the set if you'd prefer to stock up on one particular kind.

A Paperless Kitchen Review of the ChicoBag Boysenberry Hobo Bag

We recently added the ChicoBag collection to Paperless Kitchen, and I picked up a couple of samples to take for a test drive. I decided to try out the Hobo ChicoBag in Boysenberry for my first test. The bag is folded up in its pouch when it arrives, so I unfolded it and took a look. It was pretty wrinkled, of course, but I could tell it really had a lot of space inside.

I folded it back up into the pouch very easily and took it with me to the grocery store. The pouch was a little bulky, but I was able to fit it easily into my purse. When it came time to check out, I unfolded my ChicoBag while I waited in line.

The guy who was bagging groceries oggled by bag, and I told him I wanted to see how much would fit inside. He obliged me, and we loaded it up. You can see from the photograph how much the bag held. I ended up with one plastic shopping bag and one ChicoBag and headed home.

Needless to say, the ChicoBag was much easier to carry and more comfortable. I didn't have the worry about the bag breaking like I had with its plastic counterpart. My favorite part about the bag is the magnetic closure pocket. Unlike other magnetic bags I've tried in the past, it actually seals the bag very tightly.

The ChicoBag is definitely something I'll use again when I shop. To completely be bag free, I'll need to buy two, which will carry the equivalent of a full shopping basket.

Paperless Kitchen Tested: A Vapamore MR-100 Primo Steam Cleaner Review

I've read about the benefits of steam cleaning over vacuuming and using chemical based upholstery and rug cleaners, but I have never had the opportunity to try out a system for myself. That's why I was so excited to get the opportunity to test drive the Vapamore MR-100 Primo and report my findings to our community. I wondered if it would really simplify cleaning and produce professional results at home. Read on to learn about what I experienced.

The Basics:    

The Vapamore MR-100 Primo is a steam cleaner that comes with a variety of attachments for cleaning everything from hard surfaces to carpeting to upholstery. I was impressed with how light in weight the steamer was and how easy it was to fill using the instructions provided. The only thing that disappointed me during my initial inspection and review of the product was that there weren't a lot of instructions about how to actually use the steamer for various cleaning jobs. I wasn't sure if I should be moving quickly or slowly, so I had to do some trial and error during my tests.

The Stain:

My white carpeting has seen better days and has a lot of very noticeable stains. I decided to tackle them with the cleaner. One thing that concerned me was that there wasn't a separate tank for cleaning up the water, which is what I've seen with steamers that you rent and use at home. I was worried that this would diminish the cleaning benefits. Once I figured out a good pace at which to move the steamer, those fears were alleviated. I could see the dirt dissolving from the carpet and it instantly looked brighter. The stains lightened, but didn't disappear completely; however, when I got down on the carpet and brushed the pile with a scrub brush, more of the soiling disappeared. Now, the stains are barely visible and the entire carpet is much brighter.

The Sofa:

I have a cat, and sadly, I also have an allergy to cats. My kitty likes to sleep on one spot on the sofa, and it seems that no matter how many times I vacuum it, if I sit in the spot, I quickly develop itchy eyes and begin to sneeze. Since Vapamore says that the steamer eliminates allergens, I decided to try and use it on my cat's sleeping spot. The couch dried quickly and looked a lot cleaner when I was finished. Once it dried, I popped in a movie and sat right in the dreaded spot. I didn't sneeze or sniffle once, and the sofa seemed much fresher and cleaner.

The Summary:

Based on the results of my two tests, I would highly recommend the Vapamore MR-100 Primo. You may want to spend some time watching videos on YouTube before taking on specific cleaning tasks because as I explained, the steamer's instruction manual is not very detailed in the actual operation of the device. Still, the steamer is an excellent investment, and I was able to clean my carpeting and my sofa on just one full reservoir of water.

Paperless Kitchen Tested: MyDrap Cotton Bundles Review

Recently, we added MyDrap Cotton Bundles to our collection of paper napkin alternatives and unpaper towels. I decided to put a bundle to the test to see how these paper replacements worked in a real kitchen. I was curious to see what they felt like and how well they held up from use to use.

The Basics

The MyDrap Cotton Bundle is a pack of 20, 8-inch by 8-inch napkins made from 100 percent cotton. They have a very unique texture that you notice right away. The napkins feel much more durable than paper but they don't feel as soft as ordinary fabric napkins either. It's somewhere in between the two. If you used these for entertaining, guests would know for sure that you hadn't put out paper. The color I tested was Lipstick Red, which has attractive white contrast stitching along the edges.

The Size and Use Test

I picked up a small package of paper napkins to compared a MyDrap cotton napkin to the disposable kind. As you can see from the pictures, when folded, the MyDrap napkin is smaller than the paper napkin, but when unfolded, it's bigger in size. I used the MyDrap napkin while I was eating dinner and I was impressed by how absorbent it was. It's definitely softer against the skin than paper, and it just feels fancier.

 The Wash Test

One of the things that is the most unique about MyDrap Napkins is that although they are disposable, they can still be laundered up to six times. I tossed mine in the washing machine to see what would happen. Sure enough, the napkin came out in good condition. The red didn't fade, and it didn't bleed onto the white. I hung it up and allowed it to dry. It did wrinkle, as you can see from the photo, so I decided to go over it with my iron on the lowest setting. The wrinkles were easy to press out. The napkin looked like new again and could easily have been used for entertaining. If I was just going to dine on my own, I would have easily been able to use it wrinkled, too.

The Takeaway

The MyDrap Cotton Bundle is definitely a product I would purchase to use on a regular basis. Although they are more expensive than most paper napkins, being able to reuse them partly offsets the price, and for me, the fact that they don't waste paper and feel so much better makes up for the rest. I would highly recommend these both for everyday use and for entertaining.                                       

Paperless Kitchen Tested: thinkBaby Bento Box

Recently, I reviewed the thinkBaby Kids Cup, a product that we recently added as a part of our Back to School collection. I'm back this time with the thinkBaby Bento Box to see how it fares in my kitchen road test.

The Basics

The thinkBaby Bento Box is a BPA-free polypropylene snack container with a BPA-free stainless steel liner. I was sort of surprised by how small it is. I was envisioning something that I could put a sandwich in, but it's really more of a snack container. Even though Bento boxes are normally compartmentalized, this one does not have any dividers.

The Test

Although I was disappointed by the size of the bento box, I did find that it was the perfect size for carrots and apple slices. I packed up my box and put it in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Then, I left it out for 2 hours to simulate being at school. The metal inside of the bento box was still a little cold to the touch, and my veggies and fruit were still delicious. The apple hadn't even browned that much the way it would in a plastic bag.

The Wash

The bento box was simple to clean in the dishwasher. I put it on the top rack, and it came out looking as good as new.

The Takeaway

The thinkBaby bento box is definitely made for little ones because of its size, but an adult could use it for snacks, especially for ones that you' like to keep cold. The lid is very easy to open, but it's also easy to lock in place. I imagine a child would have an easy time with it, and after turning it over, I can tell you that it doesn't leak when the lid is on as well as when one of the four flaps on the lid wasn't turned over. The only thing I don't like about the bento box is that the stainless steel has a bad smell that is more metallic than my cup. It seems to have diminished some since the first wash. I hope it continues to fade.

Paperless Kitchen Tested: thinkBaby BPA Free Kids Cup

As a part of introducing our Back to School collection on Paperless Kitchen, I've spent some time investigating some of our newer products. First up is the thinkBaby BPA Free Kids Cup.

The Basics

The thinkBaby BPA Free Kids Cup is a BPA-free drinking cup intended for children. It is outfitted with a removable stainless steel liner and has an orange plastic exterior with a handle. The cup holds about 9 ounces of fluid. When I first opened the package, I was struck by how heavy the cup is. You can tell that it's really solidly crafted. It doesn't have that chinsy, flimsy feeling in the handle that you find in a lot of plastic cups.

The Drink

Since I know of only one way to test a cup, I filled it up with some coffee. Even though the cup doesn't have a lid, I felt like my drink stayed a lot hotter than it did in an ordinary coffee cup. The cup also didn't feel hot to the touch, so it was easy to drink from. I was worried that the liner would move when I sipped because it lifts out really easily, but I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't move at all.

The Wash

I decided to give the cup a wash up in the sink and wash it in the dishwasher for my road test. It was really easy to clean both ways and looked good as new after washing it in the bottom rack of the dishwasher.

The Takeaway

I know this cup is for kids, but I intend to keep using it. It just says "Think" on the front, so I think I can get away with it. Even if I can't, it's too good of a cup to care.

Four Eco-Friendly and Socially-Conscious Coasters for Summer Drinks

Summer means tall drinks filled with ice as well as drippy glasses that leave rings on tables. Coasters are a must-have accessory for the patio and the deck, but when you're comparing the products available in stores, you'll soon see that few are eco-friendly. Many coasters are made out of plastic, which is created from petrochemicals. Metal coasters that use nonrenewable resources are the second-most common variety. 

Toockies coasters are the eco-friendly alternative to ordinary coasters, as they are made from 100 percent organic cloth fibers. The cloth absorbs moisture that drips down from glasses, reducing the amount of mess there is to clean. Best of all, Toockies coasters are made in India by women who are paid fair wages, making them better able to support their families.

Our organic coasters from Toockies are all sold in packs of four. There are four styles available.

- Awaken Coasters - These are made from 100 percent organic cotton and have an attractive circular weave. 

- Hummingbird Coasters - Also made of cotton, this style has an almost floral look. 

- Spirited Coasters - The Spirited style is fashioned out of organic cotton and has an almost braided appearance.

- Sun Coasters - Made from 100 percent organic jute, these coasters have an eye-catching sunburst pattern. They are not quite as absorbent as the cotton coasters, but they provide ample insulation for hot beverages and are sturdier.

Have you tried our Toockies Coasters yet? Tell us what you think in the "Comments" section.

Introducing Our New e-Cloth Products

Recently, we had the opportunity to expand our product lineup and add some new great green cleaning cloths to our inventory. These new cloths are all part of the e-Cloth collection, a line of microfiber cloths with a unique nanofiber weave. With millions of microscopic fibers in every inch of the e-Cloths, the cleaning cloths are able to remove dirt, debris and up to 99 percent of bacteria by cleaning with just plain water.

Some of the new e-Cloth products that we've added to our site include:

- Two new colors of the e-Cloth Glass & Polishing Cloth for metal and glass. Check them out in Violet and Mint Green

- e-Cloth High Performance Window Mitt - This green cleaning cloth is designed for oversized glass surfaces, such as dining room tabletops and sliding glass doors. 

- e-Cloth Kitchen Towel - This ultra absorbent towel is made from a blend of microfiber and cotton, making it perfect for cleaning and drying. The towel is sold in green and blue.

- e-Cloth Non-Scratch Scouring Cloth - A microfiber green cleaning cloth with a textured surface, this scouring cloth can be used for very difficult cleaning tasks like removing burned-on food from around the stove, but is also gentle enough to wash fruits and vegetables. 

- e-Cloth High Performance Dusting & Cleaning Cloth - If you or someone in your family has allergies, the High Performance Dusting & Cleaning Cloth is the perfect choice. In addition to capturing debris and microbes, the cloth also traps things like pet dander and pollen in its microfiber weave.

- e-Cloth Granite Pack - This e-Cloth 2-pack is an ideal replacement for paper towels when it comes time for cleaning granite, marble, ceramic and stainless steel surfaces. One cloth is used for getting these types of hard surfaces spotless, while the other buffs and shines the surfaces until they look gleaming-ly clean.

Which of our new e-Cloth products is your favorite? Tell us in the "Comments" section.

Introducing New Full Circle Sponges!

Earlier this month, we introduced you to our new green cleaning cloths and towels and our new scrub brushes in the Paperless Kitchen collection. As we've expanded our Full Circle range, we've also had the opportunity to feature some new sponges for green cleaning in the kitchen, the bathroom and beyond.

Full Circle Walnut Scrubber - This unique sponge greatly simplifies cleanup after preparing a meal, as it's meant to handle everything from dish-washing to scouring the top of your stove. The design includes a cellulose sponge on one side, and can be used for cleaning everything from china and crystal to your counter tops. The reverse side of the scrubber has a coarse texture that comes from the husks of real walnuts. This abrasive surface can very easily lift away baked on food from pots and pans and around burners.

Full Circle Suds Up Dish Sponge - Along with the new Earth Green color of the Suds Up Dish Brush, we've also added an Earth Green Dish Sponge. Like the brush, the sponge has a bamboo handle that doubles as a soap dispenser. The head is a 100 percent cellulose sponge, which is compostable and biodegradable, and the plastic detailing is crafted from plant-based Bonterra.

Full Circle Flip Loofah - The Flip is a combination loofah scrubber and sponge that can be used to clean the kitchen counters, the bathroom and even your car. The natural loofah surface produces the perfect amount of friction to loosen debris, but won't scratch delicate surfaces or damage nonstick cookware. The 100 percent cellulose sponge side is highly absorbent, and the entire sponge is biodegradable and compostable.

Share your opinions on our new Full Circle sponges in the "Comments" section!