Microfiber Towels from Method
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 08.17.06
We first discovered and wrote about method a while back; we loved their product's design and low impact on the planet, with a commitment to non-toxicity and no animal testing. We're glad to see they've been diligently working to add new products since; they're latest innovation encourages us to "throw in the towel." They've introduced new four new microfiber towels designed to stem the flood of paper towels into the waste stream; each microfiber is finer than a human hair and is sliced 16 times, resulting in millions of microscopic hooks in each cloth to capture dirt, dust and even six times their weight in water. Reusing the towels only makes them stronger, too -- using the cloths splits fibers, creating more surface area. The towels come in four varities, specifically designed for a particular medium: glass, granite, stainless steel and wood. There are a multitude of other new products since we've last seen method, and they're now available in the UK as well as the US and Canada. Buy online or at Target, Office Depot, Linens-N-Things and more. ::method
Method does have great design, no doubt about that. However, I have contacted them twice in the past year about listing their ingedients, and twice I was told that the information was forthcoming...and it still is not available. Personally, I dont buy a product that I dont know what is in it...and Method is no different. They say they are good for the environment, but until they release their ingredient list, I wont be buying any of their products. There are plenty of products out there that will tell you what they have in them....Method needs to do the same if they want the full support of the "greens" around the world. Good design gets you places...but not everywhere.
I used Method detergent for a while, but my kids complained it made their clothes sticky so I now use Seventh Generation, a company and product I love. I do like the Method bathroom wipes and their leather cleaner wipes.
I don't like microfiber products because they cling to my fingers and I hate the feel of them...
I've been wanting to pick up some microfiber cleaning cloths because I heard they don't need any water or cleanser to clean.
However, is there anything different or more "green" about these Method microfiber cloths then any of the other microfiber cloths on the market? Are they made with organic fibers or use non-toxic dyes to color them? How is it different?
You can get an equally great micro fiber cloth at http://www.arenaturals.com in their natural cleaning section, thats a little easier on the pocket.
I've used several microfibers and nothing beats a product called ENJO. I was introduced to it last year when I visited my family in Australia. Has treehuggers ever looked into their products? It is a bit more costly than others but it lasts at least 2-3 years and I've seen them last 6 years and still going. The only thing you use is cold water and I am still amazed every time I use them. I was one of the first consultants to be trained in the United States. I am a mother and not a salesperson but I was so blown away by what they could do I felt I had to share them with others to stop the massive chemical usage in the United States.
No, there is nothing 'green' about these. They are still made from petrochemicals and dyed. Method has built a name for themselves and those that don't know better assume they are buying a green product since it has the Method name. This is just another example of a product where Method had an opportunity to do something in a more sustainable way, but passed it up to cut costs and appeal to the mass market. This company is all about packaging, not whats inside - and it has worked well for them so far. I hope consumers wise up.
No, there is nothing 'green' about these. They are still made from petrochemicals and dyed. Method has built a name for themselves and those that don't know better assume they are buying a green product since it has the Method name. This is just another example of a product where Method had an opportunity to do something in a more sustainable way, but passed it up to cut costs and appeal to the mass market. This company is all about packaging, not whats inside - and it has worked well for them so far. I hope consumers wise up.