You know that feeling when you’ve just finished cleaning the windows? You step back and think, “Wow, they actually look amazing!”
Then right on cue your toddler comes racing in like a mini tornado. They run straight to the shiny glass, press their grubby little hands all over it, and maybe even squish their face against it to make you laugh.
Please tell me it’s not just my kid who does that!
But one day, I stopped and thought about what was actually on those windows. My kids were touching the glass I just sprayed with cleaner… and then they were putting their fingers in their mouths!
If you’re like most families in Australia (about 10.7 million households), you’ve probably used some kind of window cleaner too. It’s what we’ve all been told to use, right?
But here’s the thing — when we spray those cleaners, we’re not just wiping away dirt. We’re also leaving behind chemicals that our kids can touch, breathe in, and sometimes even taste when their little fingers go straight into their mouths.
What’s Really in Common Glass Cleaners
Many window sprays—like the ones you grab off the supermarket shelf—use a mix of harsh chemicals. For example:
- Butyl Cellosolve (also called 2-butoxyethanol) – a solvent that helps dissolve grease and grime.
- Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate – a cleaning agent that helps foam and lift dirt.
- Ammonium hydroxide (often called ammonia) – added to boost cleaning power.
They also include artificial colours and fragrances to make them look and smell nice.
To be honest, I can’t even pronounce half of those.
And if I can’t pronounce them, I don’t really want them on my kids’ hands or in the air we breathe. When you spray these products, the mist doesn’t just stay on the glass — it floats in the air, and we all end up breathing it in.
Research shows that Butyl Cellosolve can be absorbed through the skin and that high exposure may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and affect the liver and kidneys (CDC & Australian Industrial Chemicals).
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) also reports that ammonia can trigger breathing problems and allergic reactions in some people.
And after all that? My windows still weren’t streak-free!
The Research That Made Me Re-Think Cleaning
As I started researching more, I found that many common cleaning products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) airborne chemicals that can affect indoor air quality and potentially cause headaches, irritation, or worse over time.
That’s when I knew I needed a better, safer option — especially with young kids in the house.
My Switch to Natural, Chemical-Free Cleaning
A friend introduced me to the Norwex EnviroCloths and Window Cloths, and honestly, they changed the way I clean.
Now I just use water — that’s it.
I wipe away fingerprints, bacteria, dust and dirt with a damp EnviroCloth, then polish with the Window Cloth for a clear, streak-free shine.
No sprays. No smells. No sticky residue.
I’ve been using these cloths for over nine years, and I still love them just as much as the day I started. They make cleaning simple, safe, and actually kind of satisfying!
The Benefits I’ve Noticed After 9 Years
After using Norwex cloths for almost a decade, here’s what I’ve found:
- Cheaper long-term – I haven’t had to buy chemical cleaners for years.
- Streak-free finish – my windows have never looked better.
- Healthier family – the kids don’t breathe in or touch any chemical residue.
- Cleaner indoor air – no strong smells or artificial fragrances.
- Eco-friendly – no plastic bottles or waste going into landfill.
- Durable and reliable – some of my cloths are still going strong after nine years!
Final Thoughts
Switching to Norwex cloths has been one of the simplest and healthiest changes I’ve made for my family. My windows are sparkling, my home smells fresh, and my kids aren’t exposed to unnecessary chemicals.
If you’re looking for streak-free windows, a chemical-free home, and a healthier lifestyle overall, these cloths are absolutely worth trying.
Norwex Cloths – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do Norwex microfiber cloths really remove bacteria?
Yes, Norwex cloths remove bacteria through physical cleaning, not chemicals. The ultra-fine fibers (1/200th the thickness of a human hair) are tightly woven, allowing the cloth to grab and trap bacteria, dust, and dirt instead of just pushing it around. When used with water, they can remove up to 99% of bacteria from surfaces.
Q: What does the silver in the cloth do?
The silver doesn’t clean the surface — it keeps the cloth itself clean. The silver ions stop bacteria from growing inside the cloth as it dries, making it self-purifying and preventing that “sour” smell that can happen with regular cloths.
Q: Do I need to use cleaning sprays with Norwex cloths?
No. Norwex cloths are designed to work with just water, making cleaning simple, safe, and chemical-free.
Q: How do I used the clothes to clean my windows?
Start with a damp EnviroCloth™, then finish with the Window Cloth, wiping in the same direction as the grain. It is really that simple.
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