Friday, June 18, 2010

Episencial Playful Foaming Wash & Pocket Charlies Review--And Eco Mom GC giveaway!

Since starting my green journey, my goal has been to find ways to incorporate a green lifestyle without making things overly complicated for my husband or me.  I may not be the greenest or healthiest person on the planet, but hey, Rome wasn't built in a day.  EcoMom's website says, "Healthy living doesn't have to be overwhelming.  Small steps matter, and make a big difference."  Suffice to say, I was intrigued almost immediately.  :)

The website goes on to state, "Founded to address the connection between the health of our environment & the health of our children, EcoMom is committed to making eco-conscious living easy, affordable, & rewarding with education, support, tools & products."  Sounds like a perfect match for me!

Recently EcoMom sent me Episencial Playful Foaming Wash and Pocket Charlies to review.  I was so excited to do my first product review, especially for a company that matched my ideals!...added bonus, EcoMom is giving away a $20 gift certificate to one of my readers!!

I was in the middle of making dinner one night when Squirmy spit up all over himself.  So I took his clothes off and continued making dinner.  Hubby comes in with the mail (and EcoMom's package).  I was excited to dig in, but had to finish dinner first.  Hubby went to pick up Squirmy to discover he was soaked in more spit up!  I mean soaked.  This kid NEVER spits up.  So Hubby is standing there hold him at arms length while I tear through the house collecting bath time stuff...good a time as any to try out new soap!!  Enter Episencial Playful Foaming Wash!

I was a little nervous trying a new product given everyone I know has only ever used the leading name brand baby wash...until this night, so had I.  But the product boasts a more natural formula:


  • Won't irritate eyes or sensitive places. Rinses off fast!
  • Gentle and hydrating cleanser using thyme oil and plant-based surfactants. Sulfate free!
  • Fragrance free. Organic orange extract is our mild and fresh scent.
  • Organic ginko biloba and calendula extract to sooth the skin
  • Organic aloe and soothing oat extract to moisturize naturally.


Sounded better to me!!  I like that it really was as sensitive as promised!  Squirmy didn't seem to notice a difference, which was great by my book.  The light orange scent was pleasant but not overwhelming.  I loved that it was way more natural and eco-friendly!

Classic Squirmy face as we got things started!


My little model posing for the camera.


Just being silly (but you can see the foaming aspect of the soap)

So I LOVE that it's eco friendly and infant safe and all sorts of wonderful!  I think the only "downside" is that he smells of a lovely, natural orange scent instead of the chemical, "clean baby" smell we've been acculturated into recognizing!  You can buy it for $8.99 which is about the same as it's popular, chemical counterpart.  So for me, why would I spend the $$ on chemicals when I can get this great product instead?!?

The next product EcoMom sent was Pocket Charlies.  I have to admit my stain fighting methods aren't exactly green nor economical: if it doesn't wash out after a few runs through the laundry, I cut my losses, toss it and replace it.  I know, I know...but I'm too impatient to try to get stains out.  So I was anxious to try Pocket Charlies.  My roommate helped me out with this one.  She'd recently nicked herself shaving (hate it when I do that) and had lovely brown stains on her yellow sheets to show for it.  The stain was certainly dry, but not terribly old.











She sprayed some Pocket Charlies on it,

rubbed it in, then tossed it in the wash.








We have a favorite hand towel that we got shortly after getting married with our name monogrammed below a Mickey Mouse design.  We got it to commemorate the annual passes Hubby got us as part of my wedding present.  Not exactly something I can toss and replace.  Because it's our favorite hand towel to put in our half bath (the only bath on the main level), it gets used A LOT!  The part where you dry your hands has gotten this nasty dirty tinge to it.  GROSS!!  EcoMom's description of Pocket Charlies says, "Give Charlie's Soap a little extra time as it was meant to gently remove stains - not blast them off."  I figured it was worth a shot.  I taped off half of the hand towel to see if I could notice a difference.
This is the before shot.  I sprayed to the right of the tape, rubbed it in, and tossed it in the wash.


This was the after shot.  It might be kind of hard to tell, but the right side is a bit lighter.

So not the whooping, dramatic difference I was hoping for, but definitely a difference.  It does say to give it time and there was a difference.  I'll spray it each time I wash it and hopefully it will turn white again :)

The biggest drawback to me was the scent.  It smells like you're spraying your laundry with windex/ammonia. NOT what I want my laundry to smell like.  I could smell it on my other clothes when I pulled this load out and put them in the dryer, but by the time the dryer was done the smell was almost gone.  Even with the scent set back, I'm all about using it to get stains out of my laundry from now on!!


So now that I'm sold on all these wonderful eco-friendly baby products from EcoMom I was starting to wonder about the cost and shipping and all of that.  Enter in the EcoPass!!  With the EcoPass you get 15% off all your orders, free shipping on all your orders (no matter how big or small), and get exclusive offers and promotions.  Bonus, if you order it before the end of the month (June 30), you'll get a $50 gift card to EcoMom.  The EcoPass is for a year and costs $99.  With all the Episencial products, Plum Organic foods, and everything else, that's a amazing deal.  Plus you never have to leave the house (which is always better for me since it's a production to get out of the door some days).

SOOOOO....Here's the part you've been waiting for....what's in it for you?!?

All readers get a 15% DISCOUNT on orders placed before July 30, 2010 when you use the code SBBL408.  So go grab all your Eco-friendly baby products at www.ecomom.com and save $$ in the process!!

********CLOSED********

*While these products were provided to me free of charge, I was not compensated for this review.  The opinions expressed here are honest and my own.

124 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like that you get free shipping! And I would buy some plum organics foods! I love that stuff!

Anonymous said...

follow EcoMomCEO on twitter: MamaBiehl

Anonymous said...

like EcoMom on fb

Anonymous said...

subscribe to ecomom's newsletter

Anonymous said...

tweet: http://twitter.com/MamaBiehl/statuses/16504726225

Lisa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lisa said...

I like that it offers free ground shipping on all orders, and I would buy a Melissa and Doug puzzle for my daughter.
lisar79 at msn dot com

Lisa said...

I follow EcoMomCEO on Twitter. @lisaro7

Lisa said...

I'm following you on Twitter. @lisaro7

Lisa said...

I subscribed to the EcoMom Newsletter.

Lisa said...

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/lisaro7/status/16506996629

MommyJessica said...

My favorite part of Eco Pass is the free shipping!

If I win I will buy the Boon Spoon attachment for the plum organics pouches :-)

MommyJessica said...

I follow Ecomomceo on twitter @moneysavingjess

MommyJessica said...

I "like" ecomom on Fb

opps I forgot to leave my email: suparstarz714 at aol.com

MommyJessica said...

I am subscribed to ecomom's newsletter

suparstarz714 at aol.com

MommyJessica said...

I have no idea how to get the "perma link" for my tweet, but I am moneysavingjess so you can verify I did tweet :-)

suparstarz714 at aol.com

One Southern Girl said...

I like that you get free ground shipping on all orders! I would get Kissaluvs Organic Cotton/Hemp Fitted Diaper!
follower
osggiveaways @ gmail.com

One Southern Girl said...

following ecomomceo on twitter @HappyReviews
osggiveaways at gmail dot com

One Southern Girl said...

like EcoMom on FB (Happily Southern)
osggiveaways at gmail dot com

One Southern Girl said...

subscribed to EcoMom's newsletter
osggiveaways at gmail dot com

One Southern Girl said...

following you on twitter @HappyReviews
osggiveaways at gmail dot com

One Southern Girl said...

tweet!
http://twitter.com/HappyReviews/statuses/16533863798
osggiveaways at gmail dot com

One Southern Girl said...

blogged!
http://happilysouthernreviews.blogspot.com/2010/06/20-gc-to-ecomom_19.html
osggiveaways cat gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I love product samples and free shipping..it's hard to pick which is the best feature! Probably shipping, because that seems like money down the drain...

I'd buy a Baby BeeHinds hemp diaper cover.

Unknown said...

I'm impressed with the EcoPass discounted prices on all products. I'd buy some Earth Angel Mama Baby Bottom Balm with the gift certificate
t_freckleton at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I Like EcoMom on Facebook
t_freckleton at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I already Subscribe to EcoMom's Newsletter
t_freckleton at yahoo dot com

Tara said...

follower. I like the free ground shipping - that's huge! I'd love to get the Kissaluvs Organic Cotton/Hemp Fitted Diaper!
taraz9 at excite dot com

Tara said...

Follow EcoMomCEO on Twitter (curious_kitty)
taraz9 at excite dot com

Tara said...

follow u on twitter (curious_kitty)
taraz9 at excite dot com

Tara said...

http://twitter.com/curious_kitty/status/16558963027
taraz9 at excite dot com

Lisa said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/lisaro7/status/16570121597

Jess and the boys said...

Ooooo! Free shipping! Sounds great!
And I would love to try a pair of the Under The Nile training pants for my little man!

Jess and the boys said...

I follow EcoMom on Twitter

Jess and the boys said...

I follow you on Twitter

Jess and the boys said...

I like EcoMom on Facebook

Jess and the boys said...

I am already subscribed to EcoMom's newsletter!

Jess and the boys said...

I tweeted this giveaway!
http://twitter.com/ThenWere4/status/16579986980

Ashley R said...

I like that the EcoPass is a one-time big expense, and you won't have to think about for a while---this is especially great if you buy a lot of baby things online! I would buy some revolution foods for sure!
reynoldsmommy at gmail dot com

Ashley R said...

I follow EcoMomCEO on twitter! (@reynoldsmom)
reynoldsmommy at gmail dot com

Ashley R said...

I follow you on twitter! (@reynoldsmom)
reynoldsmommy at gmail dot com

Ashley R said...

I get Ecomom's newletter!
reynoldsmommy at gmail dot com

Ashley R said...

I tweeted for 6/20!
http://twitter.com/reynoldsmom/status/16601666685
reynoldsmommy at gmail dot com

Lisa said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/lisaro7/status/16619727669
lisar79 at msn dot com

✿Heather S✿ said...

My favorite part is the blog!
I would get the Melissa and Doug rainbow stacker and the caterpillar toy

✿Heather S✿ said...

I follow EcoMomCEO on twitter! hell_0kity
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

✿Heather S✿ said...

I follow you on twitter!

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/16666932740

Ashley R said...

Tweet for 6/21!
http://twitter.com/reynoldsmom/status/16672230891

reynoldsmommy at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

tweet http://twitter.com/MamaBiehl/statuses/16686935587

Lisa said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/lisaro7/status/16698790267
lisar79 at msn dot com

fluttermama said...

I follow your blog via GFC
I like the free shipping and the limited time free 50 dollar gift card

fluttermama said...

I like ECOMOM on FB
Abbie N

fluttermama said...

I subscribed to EcoMoms newsletter

TheTreeHugginMomma said...

I would love free shipping if I had the eco pass!

Also, I LOVE the natural toys she carries

Heather
kaleidoscopejane at yahoo dot com

TheTreeHugginMomma said...

Following ecomomceo on Twitter

@treehugginmomma

Heather
kaleidoscopejane at yahoo dot com

TheTreeHugginMomma said...

Following you on Twitter

@Treehugginmomma

Heather
kaleidoscopejane at yahoo dot com

TheTreeHugginMomma said...

Like EcoMom on FB

Heather Moore

kaleidoscopejane at yahoo dot com

TheTreeHugginMomma said...

Subscribed to EcoMom's newsletter

Heather
kaleidoscopejane at yahoo dot com

TheTreeHugginMomma said...

Tweet!

http://twitter.com/treehugginmomma/status/16706791705

Heather
kaleidoscopejane at yahoo dot com

fluttermama said...

oops forgot to leave my email and what i would buy
I would love to try the kissaluvs diapers
flutterbyenature at yahoo dot ca

Tara said...

http://twitter.com/curious_kitty/status/16718747614
taraz9 at excite dot com

Hay Hay said...

I like the "free shipping" feature on the eco pass. I would definitely buy some meat training meals.

Hay Hay said...

I "like" EcoMom on facebook

Hay Hay said...

I subscribe to the EcoMom newsletter.

Ashley R said...

Tweet for 6/22! http://twitter.com/reynoldsmom/status/16749613971
reynoldsmommy at gmail dot com

Lisa said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/lisaro7/status/16777264241
lisar79 at msn dot com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/16784317447
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

tweet http://twitter.com/MamaBiehl/statuses/16812999566

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/16852577087
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

Lisa said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/lisaro7/status/16854316626
lisar79 at msn dot com

Unknown said...

I love the free ground shipping and I would get the boon spoon,ball and cup


mellanhead74 at hotmail.com

Unknown said...

follow Ecomom on twitter

mellanhead74 athotmail.com

Unknown said...

Like Ecomom on Fb

Unknown said...

subscribe to Ecomom newsletter

mellanhead74 at hotmail.com

Unknown said...

tweeted

http://twitter.com/mellanhead/status/16870658299

Lisa said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/lisaro7/status/16935279052
lisar79 at msn dot com

Nelsby said...

Regarding the EcoPass: I just love the free ground shipping on all orders. I would really like to try the Priti nail polish in either Dragons Arum or Lamstail Cactus.

Also, I am publicly following your blog on Google Friend Connect (username Nelsby).
Thanks!

Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

Nelsby said...

I am following you on Twitter (@Nelsby).
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

Nelsby said...

I *Like* EcoMom on Facebook (Aimee Waerhouse).
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

Nelsby said...

I subscribe to the EcoMom newsletter.
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

Nelsby said...

Tweet:
https://twitter.com/Nelsby/status/16962528930
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

Ashley R said...

Tweet! http://twitter.com/reynoldsmom/status/16992302136
reynoldsmommy at gmail dot com

Lisa said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/lisaro7/status/17022060672

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17022768262

mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

tweet http://twitter.com/MamaBiehl/statuses/17042695327

Bao said...

I love the free shipping & the already discounted prices! I'd like to try out the Baby BeeHinds boosters :)

giabao.ng @ gmail dot com

Bao said...

"Liked" EcoMom on FB!
giabao.ng @ gmail dot com

Bao said...

Signed up for the EcoMom newsletters.
giabao.ng @ gmail dot com

Nelsby said...

Daily Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Nelsby/status/17064063047
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17097666733
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

Lisa said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/lisaro7/status/17097996955
lisar79 at msn dot com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17166973971
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

Lisa said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/lisaro7/status/17201063082
lisar79 at msn dot com

Ashley R said...

daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/reynoldsmom/status/17234151687

reynoldsmommy at gmail dot com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17255032200
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

Eco-Friendly and Frugal said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Eco-Friendly and Frugal said...

The free ground shipping! That would probably save me money over a year right there! And I would get at least one Under the Nile teether for my nephew!

Thank you for linking up on Green Monday Giveaway!

ecofriendlyandfrugal(at)gmail(dot)com

Eco-Friendly and Frugal said...

I follow EcoMom on Twitter as EFandFrugal!



ecofriendlyandfrugal(at)gmail(dot)com

Eco-Friendly and Frugal said...

I like EcoMom on FB as Eco Frugal!

ecofriendlyandfrugal(at)gmail(dot)com

Eco-Friendly and Frugal said...

I subscibe to EcoMom's newsletter!

ecofriendlyandfrugal(at)gmail(dot)com

Eco-Friendly and Frugal said...

Tweet!

http://twitter.com/EFandFrugal/status/17264309373

ecofriendlyandfrugal(at)gmail(dot)com

Lisa said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/lisaro7/status/17277781982
lisar79 at msn dot com

Ashley R said...

Tweet! http://twitter.com/reynoldsmom/status/17316481146
reynoldsmommy at gmail dot com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17336542140
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

Nelsby said...

Daily Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Nelsby/status/17383685081
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

Ashley R said...

http://twitter.com/reynoldsmom/status/17398015771
reynoldsmommy at gmail dot com

Coupon Clippin Mommy said...

I like the •Free ground shipping on all orders

I would buy sammys for my Son.

couponclippinmommy at yahoo dot com

Coupon Clippin Mommy said...

I follow EcoMom on twitter
couponclippin

couponclippinmommy at yahoo dot com

Coupon Clippin Mommy said...

I like ecomom on fb

stephanie j

couponclippinmommy at yahoo dot com

Coupon Clippin Mommy said...

I follow you on twitter

couponclippin

couponclippinmommy at yahoo dot com

Coupon Clippin Mommy said...

twet
http://twitter.com/CouponClippin/status/17411046942


couponclippinmommy at yahoo dot com

TheTreeHugginMomma said...

Tweet!

http://twitter.com/treehugginmomma/status/17415492185

Heather
kaleidoscopejane at yahoo dot com

✿Heather S✿ said...

http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/17416370306
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com

Guggie Daly said...

That ecopass is cool! The $50 gc offer makes it a great buy!

I would also love to get the Under The Nile Grape teether!

My twitter, email and facebook names are all the same: Guggie Daly

Guggiedaly at gmail dot com

Guggie Daly said...

I'm following ecomom on twitter

My twitter, email and facebook names are all the same: Guggie Daly

Guggiedaly at gmail dot com

Guggie Daly said...

I'm following you on twitter

My twitter, email and facebook names are all the same: Guggie Daly

Guggiedaly at gmail dot com

Guggie Daly said...

I like ecomom on facebook


My twitter, email and facebook names are all the same: Guggie Daly

Guggiedaly at gmail dot com

Guggie Daly said...

I tweeted about the giveaway!

My twitter, email and facebook names are all the same: Guggie Daly

Guggiedaly at gmail dot com

Show Me Mama said...

I love that they offer Free shipping which is nice. I would definitely order the Eco-Kids Eco-Fingerpaint Tube Gluten Free. My daughter loves to paint!
showmemama @ymail dot com

Show Me Mama said...

Follow EcoMomCEO on Twitter

Show Me Mama said...

follow ecomom on facebook

Lisa said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/lisaro7/status/17445293870
lisar79 at msn dot com

Nelsby said...

Daily Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Nelsby/status/17445300493
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com