Frequently Asked Questions

Product Information - Frequently Asked Questions

Home Care Questions

The ingredients of your oven cleaner look the same as that of the dishwashing liquid. So is it the same stuff in a different bottle? I have the dishwashing liquid and like it. Could I dilute it and spray it into my oven and would that work in the same way as Mr Muscle oven cleaner (the foam type which does the work for you)? I am not being cynical, just need to know before I buy, or not buy.

Our oven cleaner is quite a lot different in formula compared to our dish washing liquid. Although the ingredients seem similar the quantities vary a lot between the two products. Our oven cleaner has more citrus acid in it; this helps to remove the grease and grime from your oven. Our dish liquid has a very low soap suds level, so you will not get the same affect as this foaming Mr Muscle cleaner you refer to. I have had great results with our oven cleaner and will never go back to the chemical ones!

Is the dish liquid concentrate septic tank friendly?

Yes, all Earthwise products are septic tank safe, as they are made from natural plant based and land based salts. All Earthwise products bio-degrade back into their natural state within 24 hours. So they are completely safe for you, your septic tank, animals and the environment.

How toxic/dangerous is your product when accidentally taken/eaten e.g. by a child?

Like all dish washing powders they are considered as caustic due to the NZ regulations. Our auto dish powder is made out of 100% natural ingredients. In fact it is just a mixture of salts and purer essential oils. The Ph level of this product is 11.5, which is within the recommended NZ rate. It is not recommend that a child consumes it as they could become ill. We have taken measures to prevent this from happening by placing a child safety cap on our 1kg containers.

I'd like to find out the PH levels of your products, in particular the automatic dishwashing powder, hand dishwashing liquid and the laundry detergent? We are currently using Melaleuca products which claim a PH level consistent with water which we are happy with, but we'd prefer to be using something that is locally produced.

Consumer magazine did an article on dishwasher powders early last year and our automatic dish washing powder came back within the recommended standards. The PH level was 11.5. Our dish washing liquid has a PH level between 9-10, so it is very neutral on the hands and skin.

Can you tell me why when I use the powder in my dishwasher my dishes are left with a powdery white residue on them? The glasses look frosted and are not clean!

This seems to be a common occurrence in dish washers that have had chemical brands used in them previously. Our Earthwise auto dish powder is a mixture of salts; they often break down any residue left behind by other brands. Thus, leaving a white powdery residue behind on your glasses. We recommend that you run your washer empty with our powder three times before including dishes.

Could you please tell me how much laundry liquid I should be using per wash when using the washing machine?

In a normal wash you would only need to use 3 squirts of the laundry liquid, which is about 20mls. If your load is larger you may need to add a few extra squirts.

Can the laundry powder be used in all types of washing machines?

Yes, our laundry powder is specifically designed for use in washing machines, both top and front loading machines. This product is completely natural and won't clog up your washing machine or septic tank. It is also safe for the environment and completely bio-degradable.

I would like to know if this laundry powder is safe for sports fabrics, such as dry tech, Gore-Tex and fleece etc.

Yes, our laundry powder is suitable for use on your sports fabrics. It has been used on equestrian clothing and other sports clothes with no problems.

Just wondering if the laundry powder is a 'low suds' powder that is ok to use with front loaders?

Yes, our laundry powder concentrate is low suds, so it would be suitable for your front loading washing machine as well as top loaders.

Hi, I am trying to find a laundry (and other) product that are soap based, not detergent. I have found a website linking some eczema problems with detergent use, possibly even the plant based surfactants in most eco products. They recommend trying products based on traditional "anionic" soap. Can you let me know if your products are soap or detergent based?

All of our products are manufactured are from natural foaming soaping agents. We use only plant derived ingredients that are 100% natural and completely bio-degradable. A customer had serious problems with eczema, but once he switched over to our laundry products and personal care products, he no longer had any further skin irritations. However, please bear in mind that everyone is slightly different. What I would suggest to start with is that you try our laundry liquid concentrate, and our lavender shower gel for the body.

Can nappy powder be used in the washing machine?

Yes, our nappy powder can be added directly into your normal machine washes, it can also be used as a soak to get rid of those really hard to remove stains. It has an added bonus though as there is no need to re-wash after soaking, just rinse and dry.

Hi, can the above product be used as a washing powder without soaking? As it is called 'Nappy Wash Powder' I thought I could use it for just washing nappies, not soaking them, so I bought some. I am using cloth nappies, but the washing instructions for the cloth nappies are to dry bucket them, not soak them, and just wash them in half the recommended amount of washing powder. So am wondering if I can just use this powder as a wash powder? If not, it seems that the title of the product is a little misleading, as it implies it can be used as a washing powder?

Yes, I can see how you have been frustrated by this. I often use this powder myself just as a wash in my machine, as I am not much of a soaking person either. I use about half a cup full per load and have found it fantastic for cleaning my stains from riding at horse shows of my clothing. I always add two squirts of laundry liquid just to give it the fresher lime fragrance that I love.

Personal Care Questions

I recently purchased some herbal selections shampoo and conditioner and I noticed that the bottle had no recycling symbol on the bottle. I live in an area where they are very strict on taking plastics; could you please advise me what type of plastic it is?

All Earthwise herbal selections shampoo and conditioner bottles are made out of HDPE which is a grade 2 plastic, so they are definitely suitable for recycling. You wll find it reflected on the label. At Earthwise we pride ourselves on using materials that are recyclable and cause little disturbance to the environment. We now print all of our own labels and use paper and inks that are more environmentally friendly and sourced from sustainable forests.

Hi, can you please give instructions for use of this product and frequency? I'm looking for something to apply to my vegetable garden, for established plants that need feeding. Is this product suitable for that, or do you think the 1kg Seaweed Powder would be better?

Earthwise seaweed liquid and powders are a great pick me up for both vegetables and plants that need just a little more of a boost. If you purchase the seaweed liquid you will need to dilute the product into water than apply to the desired plants, however if you purchase the powder all you need to do is sprinkle it around and hose it into the soil.

I am trying to find a spray safe for lettuce and herbs, especially parsley. Every year moths lay eggs that hatch and eat my parsley. I think they are army or cut worms. Is this safe for foods and herbs we eat?

Earthwise garlic and pyrethrum is one of our best selling products we manufacture. It is fantastic for getting rid of all types of insects on all types of plants, trees and vegetables and should be fine for your parsley plants. It is used by commercial growers all around and has one of the best natural kill rates offered on the NZ market - 98%! This product has been well trialed and tested and because it's natural, it is safe to use, leaves no residual on our plants and has no withholding period.

Animal Health Care Questions

I would like to get some diatomaceous earth for use in my chicken coop, would it be suitable?

The diatomaceous earth that we stock is similar to the filter grade they use at pool complexes and is not suitable for human or animal consumption. However, it will be fine to use around youre chicken coop. You could also use our garlic and pyrethrum, as that will do a great job of getting rid of any annoying pests as well.

Raw Material Questions

Can you please tell me where you source your palm oil for your products from? Is it from a sustainable source? I ask this with reference to the recent publicity on logging and the establishment of palm plantations for bio fuels.

We source our palm and coconut oils from Malaysia and Fuji where there palm and coconut trees are grown purely for the manufacturing of oils. In fact, the plantation in Malaysia has been operating since the 1930s. We would never source our materials from countries that are not growing sustainable forestry for production!

Have you listed all of the ingredients contained in this shampoo? I'm wondering what makes it lather. If there are any more ingredients not listed, please could you tell me what they are?

Yes, the ingredients on the site are all that is in our shampoos and conditioners. What makes it lather is the coconut & palm oils. They clash when they meet, and break the waters surface tension, causing lather.

I have used Herbal Selections shampoo for years, but now my dark hair is greying. Please could you let me know which shampoo I should be using now? My hair used to be oily, now I think it is normal to dry?

Its great to hear that you are an herbal selections fan. Our hair can change during our life for many different reasons whether it is due to our age, life’s stresses or a change in our living or working conditions. What ever the reason it’s always good to change the type of shampoo you use every now and than anyway. We have several shampoos that are normal to dry to any one of these will be fine for you to use.

Can you please tell me where the garlic and pyrethrum are sourced from?

The pyrethrum comes from Kenya and the garlic is from America. Both ingredients are organic but are not registered as organic certified. Despite this fact, Earthwise is completely happy with the growth, harvest and extraction procedures used in the supply of these and all of their outsourced ingredients and will still guarantee the safety and effectiveness of all their products.

Can you please tell me what the difference is between the shampoo and the conditioner is? For example the aloe vera shampoo and conditioner both have the exact same ingredients listed?

All of the shampoos and conditioners we manufacturer have the same base materials and ingredients. What make’s them unique is the herbal essences i.e. essential oils which are in each one. For example aloe vera and rosemary shampoo, it is the different essential oils which distinguish the two products from one another and give them that specific targeted hair type. As for the conditioners it is the amount of raw materials added to the mixture and the different grades of raw materials that make them different from each other.

Lifestyle, Garden and Orchard Care Questions

Could you please advise me of what the withholding period is for your organic insecticides sprays on edibles?

Our organic sprays are made out of completely natural raw plant materials and have no with holding period. Our garlic and pyrethrum and fungal sprays leave no residue on the actual plant. Just give your produce a good wash and you are away.

Could you please confirm that this diatomaceous earth is food grade? I want to use it directly on my dog and carpets for the control of fleas?

Earthwise diatomaceous earth is not food grade, so it would not be suitable for using directly on your dog. However, it is suitable to use on your carpets.

Can you tell me the difference between the food grade and the one you are selling? We bought some bantams home and they have infected the chicken house and the other bantams we have tract down that the mites have been coming from under the chicken house as they were dust bathing under there. We have blocked the area so they can't go under. We need something for under the house so we can get the mites that hatch out that come up so we and deal with the bantams them themselves so they don't keep getting re-infected. I have seen the diatomaceous earth on other sites but they don't say what type it is. I have been told this is the product to use to remove the mites form the house and the mites from the bantams and the baby bantams. Please help I want to get my girls (bantams) back to normal.

We currently stock filter grade diatomaceous earth, this type is the same brand that is used in commercial pool filters. The food grade DE is a type of powder that can be consumed by both humans and animals. The food grade type is very good for getting rid of worms. I have had a lot of people wanting this product for use on their chickens and most have purchased our filter grade type and had no problems.