Is It Worth It - Carol Stream,IL

Frankly, I never head of it. I shop every weekend looking for new and evironmental supplies. I wouldn't spend the high price of new products when for half price you can get Green clean from Walmart. It works beautifully. My bathrooms are more sanitary and sparkling than anyone else I know. Sometimes you end up paying more for different scents or advertising packaging etc. Try not to get caught up in that stuff. Those things don't change the product inside any more than the more reasonable brands.

Some of the products are really great (but really only a few), but it's hard to meet the monthly quota of "points" basically around $60-$80 a month on their products. For me, we just didn't need that much stuff, and there weren't enough products that were great enough to add up to that each month. I tried to do the sell it thing so that I could get the discounted price, but I'm not a salesperson in the least so that didn't really work out either.
So my two cents...no they're not really worth the extra money! Especially nowadays with so much available in the stores.

Hi J.,

I became a Melaleuca customer almost 3 years ago and love their products. I use the majority of the cleaning products, but do buy Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl cleaner. All of my other cleaners are Melaleuca. I also love their Renew body lotion for myself and kids. You also won't find any vitamins that even compare to Melaleuca. If you become a customer, you will not be disappointed. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me. Good luck!!

A.

I agree with a previous poster- I use white vinegar and water (sometimes with a drop of essential oil for scent) and for scrubbing I use baking soda and sometimes Magic Erasers.

White vinegar even works in place of fabric softener, and leaves no scent on your clothes (even though it seems like it would.)

I have never used any Melaleuca products though, but why spend the $$ when a gallon of vinegar is soooo cheap!!??

M.

I've been a customer of Melaleuca for well over a year. Not only do I love using their products, my family is healthier now that I have all of the chemicals out of my home. We rarely get sick and my daughter's asthma is a non issue now. I use everything from bath products, to the cleaning products, and I even switched to Nicole Miller cosmetics. As far as cost, if i were to buy the same high quality, safer for you soaps, toothpastes, cleaning products, etc. I would be spending so much more. I've price compared and I'm sticking with Melaleuca.

Hi J.,
I am a Shaklee rep and all I know about Melaleuca is that a lot of people don't like having to buy every month. I've had a lot of people switch over to Shaklee since we have no such policy, and my customers like our products better as well. Shaklee created one of the very first biodegradable cleaning products back in 1960, so while it's admirable that companies are finally starting to jump on the green bandwagon, Shaklee has been a leader in the green movement which is something I'm proud to give my "green dollar" to. I can also tell you that a lot of those products aren't as green as they claim to be. For example, Simple Green is not green at all!

Our products are also super concentrated so they last a long time. My Basic H which I got in July of '07 is not even halfway used yet since it is a concentrate. I use this for dusting, cleaning my glass and windows, all purpose cleaning, degreasing and full strength for a ton of things.

I don't have to worry about running out of that for a long time. Things like laundry detergent that I go through just a tad more frequently I just buy another one to have one onhand.

K.

Absolutely, you need to look at the cost per use not the cost per bottle. All of Melaleuca's products are highly concentrated, containing no fillers or water. Would you rather spend $29.99 for 192 loads of laundry or $53.94 for the same amount of Tide. How about window cleaners?,the 16 oz. bottle costs $5.24 which is equivalent to 3 bottles of Windex at $10.17. The choice is clear. Not to mention the benefits to your home environment by removing all the harsh chemicals found in supermarket brands. Did you know that non of the cleaning products have child proof caps? I am a devoted Melaleuca customer. You should try for yourself, all the products are guaranteed for 60 days so there is no risk.
Good luck.

ABSOLUTELY!!!

With Melaleuca products, you may pay more PER BOTTLE, but are definately more econmical PER USE! If you are looking for a Melaleuca contact, please click here:

http://www.livetotalwellness.com/bevk

I'll be glad to discuss it more with you! If you have already had a contact, then do yourself and your family a BIG favor and join them!

I have been dedicated to Melaleuca for five years and will be for life!

I have recently transitioned to almost all of the Melaleuca home cleaning products. They are actually cheaper than those in the stores because they are so highly concentrated. So far, I have been very pleased with all of their products. There are some other products (health and beauty) that are out of my reach though I would love to use all non-toxic products. :D

Let me know if you have any more questions regarding Melaleuca. :D

Many times the products from Melaleuca and Shaklee maybe more expensive up front but are highly concentrated and when used properly come out to cost about the same price.
The Shaklee kitchen paste is just the greatest. It cleans my sink and stove top like nothing else I have ever found. Would never change that but when it comes to toilet products I don't care for shaklee. As far a laundry, I love the Amway powder but don't ask me to give up my scoop of Oxyclean in each load. Oxyclean is #1 for so many jobs around the house.
I think it is worth the money if it works for you because you know you are getting a good safe product that works. If it does not do the job it needs to do, buy something that does do the job. Clean is better than dirty any day.

S.

J. -

I can say proof-positive that Melaleuca cleaning supplies are LESS expensive than going to the store. Almost all of the cleaners are 4X concentrated. That means each bottle really makes 4 bottles. Their laundry detergent is 6X concentrated. Their other products are also more concentrated and less is needed than what you'd typically use in a store-bought brand. You save even more if you buy a pantry pack or another value pack.

Yes, I am a customer, and would like to refer people to the company, but I wouldn't do so unless it was beneficial for them. You can always try it out and get a refund if you're not happy with it. They have a fantastic special on their cleaners that lasts until the end of this month.

You DO pay for shipping, but it's reasonable, and you save in terms of the other benefits a membership offers (including free products,) fewer trips to the store, and for me, lugging detergent and large bottles of vinegar from the car to the house with a 10-month old either screaming in her playyard or hanging on my arm. I also no longer have to do the dance of going to 4 different stores to get the best deal in a given week (better for the environment). One other thing my mom pointed out to me is that because you're not spending as much time at your local superstore, you're cutting WAY down on your impulse buys, most of which are highly caloric, which is a huge savings right there!

Not only that, but these products are MADE IN THE USA and are very effective. Just one example - my MIL used the tub & tile on the rust/iron stains in her shower. She said not only did she not have to scrub at all, but it left a nice shine to the tub as well!

Just a very passionate and satisfied customer!

I use vinegar for my wood floors, mirrors and stainless applicances. I like method products for my granite counters. As for the bathroom, i still am not "green" because i use lysol on the toilets.
I agree with the PPs. Why spend all the money on certain products when vinegar is cheap and safe. Good luck!

I've never used them, but I did buy Greenworks (I think by Windex) and I liked it alot. They have an all-purpose concentrated cleaner. It's like $3 and you pour a few capfuls into a spray bottle and add water and it goes a long way. They also have toilet bowl cleaners and other products. I like using Shaklee on my floors, but not crazy about it on my windows & countertops. It might be psychological, but I like how my house "smells clean" after I use the Greenworks products. With vinegar, it just smells like vinegar and with Shaklee, there is no odor.

Good luck!

Yes it is worth it. I buy more than cleaning supplies from Melaleuca. I know for some moms Melaleuca didn't work, but I think it didn't work because Melaleuca does require everybody to buy between $50 - $70/ month (including shipping). Believe me or not I used to spend this amount of money before at Walmart. Who doesn't? Everybody needs shampoo, toothpaste, laundry detergent and everything that Melaleuca has.
If you want to buy just cleaning supplies from Melaleuca, then I think it might not work for you, but if you are planning to try more products then I would strongly encourage you to try them.
I buy all my products from Melaleuca, so for me it works great.

Let me know if you have any other questions or if you would like to try Melaleuca's products. You can always cancel if you don't like it.

I have not tried these products but I do know that Amway cleaning products are both economical and "green". They work great and if you don't like them you can get your money back so you can't beat that. What I love about this company is that you an order on line.

I'm a grandma of two,Liam who will be 5 yrs. and Lily 3yrs. Both kids are on Amway vitamins and Brainums.

I agree that lemon juice and baking soda are great! I tried vinegar, but it is too stinky for me! I like MRs. Meyers or Seventh Generation, sold at my local grocery. I don't know about Melaleuca. I just went on-line to learn about their products, but their website was more a marketing pitch and how to sell from home. That turned me off right there. I tried Shaklee in the past, but I don't like having to purchase a membership in order to buy someone's products. Plus, it is not convenient if I run out and have to wait to have more shipped or call the person who distributed them to me and have to explain that I really don't want make-up or vitamins, just some floor cleaner. It is awkward to have friends market products to you. Or at least it is for me!

I have never heard of Malaleuca products, but I am a Shaklee user. I have found that those products work the best for me. I think the biggest thing for me is that I am going green using products from a COMPANY that is also GREEN. They produce their products in a way that does not harm the environment. In many cases these products are concentrated, so I would advise you to break it down into how many uses you get per the price. I would also tell you that there are some Shaklee products that I would not want to live without. Most of them are multi-use and are safe so you can try them on almost anything and see what kind of results you get. I had a Brighton bracelet that I jumped into a pool with, 3 years ago. It has sat in my drawer that long and I just decided to try the Shaklee Scour Off paste on it and my bracelet came clean. I had already tried everything else. As far as these products coming from multi-level marketers, if you can get past that, they are great products! When people find something they love, they like to share it.

I agree that vinegar is great for a lot of things. Before I started using Basic H, I cleaned my wood floors exclusively with vinegar and water. I would suggest you do as I do and try some products to see what you like and what works best. I love that my 4 old can help me clean and I have no worries for her safety. We are doing a little something for the environment, as well. Good luck to you. : )

Hi J., Melaleucas cleaning products will save you money, they are all sent concentrated. You are not spending any new money out of youre budget, your just switching stores. Its a wonderful concept, to have safe produts and save money doing it! its all about switch, shop, and save! take care! L.

Absolutely! They are actually cheaper, since most of the products are concentrated. For example, the Tub & Tile (one of my favorites) makes four spray bottles from one bottle of concentrate. The products work and they are completely safe. And the vitamins are the best - if you haven't seen a presentation, do that to get all the information. And, no, I do not sell this stuff...I just really like it :)

J.:
Most products made here in the US are not comparable to the ones made in Europe or Australia. Why? Because America is in to making profit - see what it did to our economy. Nor does the FDA care about our health. I use products from a Swiss based company that doesn't test on animals like Melaleuca does. They don't require me to put in a minimum order every month b/c as you can see - highly concentrated products last longer and if they are botanically based, will definitely be much safer for your long term health. I buy my cleaning products from Whole Foods or Trader Joes but my personal care, cosmetics, weightloss, vitamins, detox and other products I use from this company. I'd be more than happy to provide you with pictures, testimonials, doctor recommendations etc. You don't have to spend a fortune, but the bottom in your health and the long term health of your children. Email me your information and I will be happy to provide you with things to make an educated decision. Here's to your health!
K.

be very wary- I was going to do the Melaluca thing and found out that they are nearly a cult... remember Amway? Same concept. They will take money out of your account even if you don't order anything...if you don't make their "points" for the month. Just do your research beforehand to see if you really want to get involved with them. Do a search in google "melaluca complaints" or melaluca scam" You will find out more than you want to know.. What sucks, is that I really like their products. They have to screw it up by being creeps.

Never heard of Melaleuca, I am guessing it is expensive since it is a "green" product. Maybe it is comparable to Meyer's which can be found at Whole Foods & sometimes Marshall's!! I love Meyers because it makes my house smell sooo fresh without the chemical smells. And it is highly concentrated, so bottles last quite a long time. After reading all the posts about vinegar though, I will be picking up a gallon next time I'm at the store ;) I always thought my house would reak of vinegar, but it sounds like the opposite. Thanks for the post!!

I was a melaleuca client for 8 or 9 years or so. A friend who used melaleuca as a business venture signed me up. I agree that the products were good, but because they are so concentrated, I found that I couldn't go through them quick enough to spend the $50 per month required for membership status. Plus, when I had my first child, I cut down to part-time employment and I couldn't really afford $50 per month for just cleaning supplies and toothpaste, soap, etc. and would end up just stockpiling products just to meet the minimum purchase. I STILL have Tough and Tender and I quit Melaleuca 4 years ago. When I started buying melaleuca in the mid 90s there were hardly any green options out there. Now there are soooo many, i don't think buying into the melaleuca membership is worth it anymore.

It might be worth it if you use all their products. The cleaning supplies are concentrated so you get four bottles out of the one they send you. How much cleaning do you do? I was a member for a few months to check it out. The catch is to be a member you have to spend a certain amount of "points". Well, for the products I was buying, it cost me about $60-$70 a month with shipping to get those points. Shipping was usually around $8 because they use UPS and not the postal service. I now have a house full of melalueca cleaning supplies and vitamins. I didn't realize this at first, but the vites are the ones you take three times a day and not just once. Try it if you like, you can always cancel by mailing in a letter to the company. They just didn't work for me.

Hi J., I don't know what Melaleuca cleaning supplies are but will look it up afterwards. I am answering in two parts here. Since I met my husband I have learned all sorts of way to clean, like scrubbing with lemon juice and salt to get the gunkie stuff out of the refrigerator and mixing equal parts of powdered dishwasher detergent, detergent for whites, and a splash of bleach to whiten socks, I use Fabuloso for floors, etc. and hydrogen peroxide to clean counters. But the point is anything that keeps your home clean is worth it if we use it because it takes care of our families and keeps us healthy. So if you have extra money enjoy it on cleaning and health supplies. I myself await a long weekend on the beach...ah, probably didn't help but there are a lot of ways to clean and I can't wait to hear from the other moms too!

I am a green person who also sells Shaklee. Thanks everyone for the great testimonials! I'm writing to tell you that ANYTHING you can do is better than nothing.

A great book is Green Goes with Everything by Sloan Barnett. She is married to the owner of Shaklee, but she lists many alternatives like using vinegar and other green products you can find at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.

Also, Healthy Child Healthy World by Christopher Gavigan gives lots of information about removing harmful chemicals from your home and making it a clean, yet safe place for your family.

As everyone else mentioned, there are many alternatives out there that don't cost lots of extra money. It's a little harder to figure out on your own instead of having someone tell you what to do, but there's lots of information out there.

I think they are probably good products, but you can natural product at a discount store like fruitful yield for much cheaper or make your own for a very cheap price and very simple!

Just a few extra points- I see you already have a lot of comments!

I recently spoke to a flooring company that said don't use vinegar on wood. I know many many people do.

Shaklee is awesome- I don't sell it, just use it. It's 19.99 for lifetime to join, no minimums per month, you can order whenever you want. The scour off paste is awesome, I don't like anything better than their basic h window cleaner, and their diswasher detergent is amazing.

my mom and dad liked melaluca products, but quit because they got sick of being forced to order a minimum per month.

I also use barkeepers friend a lot.

hope that helps!

If you have the extra money to spend every month on stuff that you know you will use up, then yes it's worth it. I was a member but it was to expensive. I still have most of the cleaning products left. I clean on a regular basis but not enough to spend that kind of money every month. The products that I would continue to buy would be the kid's toothpaste and the toothbrushes. Some of their food products are good but, again, to expensive.
It's a good company but the products can be found at the store.
T.