method un-food fight

Ya gotta go to method's official people against dirty blog for all the details (including a contest! Ends August 27th!) It's cool, but I'm slightly nauseous, cause it's sorta gross, too!

o'no?

I decided to take a little strolly-stroll down my nearby Lowe's Hardware today, after lunch - just to see what was what in the method section, and if they still carried the lavender dish soap and eucalyptus mint tub + tile cleaner (the answers are double yes!) But while doing all that (and balancing a ball upon my head, just because you know I like to multi-task like nobody's business!) I came upon a possibly sad sight.

It looks like Lowe's is clearancing out the method Omop! Including the wood and all-floor microfiber cleaning cloths. The sweeper dusters are not on clearance however, but those could be used for multiple purposes (such as dusting cloths throughout the house, etc.) Now, this is just speculation for the time being, but I'm not feeling too good about the ole' Omop at this point. I know, I know, it hasn't been without it's kinks (or snaps, and breaks, mind you.) But what with Target having also clearanced that baby out, like a year or more ago, it leaves people's Omop options very limited - possibly only to the methodhome.com online store! (Does anyone else know if it's available in other retail stores? I haven't seen it anywhere, myself... And yes, I should know this. This is method lust, after all. But hey, I'm not the method God. Ok? I don't know all, as much as I pretend to let on that I do! Ha ha!)

In fact, over on their method Facebook page, an advocate recently asked:

"Do you still have the mop? I can't find refills at my Target anymore! Help!" to which they responded "Lowe's Hardware, or the method online store." So, I guess I might just be a method God after all!

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In fact, I'm noticing an interesting trend in method lately? Perhaps, just perhaps, they're slowly discontinuing all non-explicit cleaning products (is that the proper usage of explicit, if not, eh, you know what I'm trying to get at!) The microfiber cleaning cloths have slowly been disappearing from store shelves (you know, the ones that were for glass, granite, wood, etc.) In fact, you can't even order them on the methodhome.com site any longer. The aircare went bye-bye (and it had many non-cleaning components, such as the plug-in, and the ring, ceramic oil diffuser, glass bowls, etc.) Now (might) the Omop also be poised for method Heaven?

Have we reached a point where method is trying to simplify its product line to where if it isn't a liquid-based cleaning product, it's out? While this does sound more green-friendly, it also sends people to their competition (as people will have to buy swiffers, and other cleaning cloths, aircare products, etc.)

Do you think this would be a good, or a bad thing? Keep in mind the Omop thing is just speculation at this point (but again, as far as I'm concerned, it ain't lookin' too good.)

fishes love them, so do you

Go win some smarty dish cubes (courtesy of melissa ott design!)

clean sweeps

+ method lust has a spiffy new look! I decided it'd been all same-same for a while, so it was time for some blog cleaning! Now it smells all almond, eucalyptus mint, clementine, lavender, minty fresh! Whew! It's still sorta slightly in progress - I've got a few small issues to work the kinks out on, but thought I'd debut it for everyone anyway! Let me know what you think! (And here's a quiz! How many method products can you find in the new above title image? There are lots! - The answer is in the comments section.)

+ Are you a past or present method hand sanitizer fan (as they still sell it online, and at some Office Max/Office Depot, etc. stores)? Well, according to this latest blog piece over on Cool Mom Picks, they've let the cat out of the bag:

"I'm also happy about the new hand sanitizer pump in Method's trademark beautiful tear-shaped bottle, which I don't mind displaying one bit. I just can't wait until they're available on line in a few weeks!"

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I can proudly say I've seen these new pump bottles in person (old bottle shown above), and imagine method taking their hand wash tear drop bottles, and flattening them to half their size front to back (while still retaining their cute curvy sides!) Or, or, imagine the hand wash, on a Grapefruit diet! All successful and ready for it's swimsuit! They're cute, and will come in sea minerals and sweet water scents! This should be hitting store shelves in September (if not earlier.)

new product lust!

Now that the new products are (well, ok, in some places) starting to hit (Target) store shelves, as you have a chance to pick them up and give'em a try, what do you think? (Wow, that was one big run on sentence, wasn't it?)

I'm talking about anti-bac spearmint and lemon verbena spray cleaner, anti-bac lemon verbena wipes, fresh currant limited edition hand wash, fresh air fabric softener, sweet pea baby detergent, and sea minerals, clementine, and cucumber dish soap.

Throw us a review (you can email me one! And I'll post it here on methodlust!) Compare the new products with their old counterparts (ha ha, get it, counterparts. Oh yeah, I'm good!) Love the new scents/products? Hate the (ok, ok, mom always did say you should never hate something. How about greatly dislike?) the new scents/products? Lust everything! Let method lust know!

must reads

Just a quick announcement (cue loud tooting trumpets held why gentlemen in feather adorned pointy hats!) to let method lusters know that I've now added a section to the right sidebar called "method lust must reads"! It's teeny at the moment, but with time, patience, care, and three cans of flaky salmon dinner each day, it should grow into a nice big list!

Need to know why this wacky blog exists? Who and what exactly is method? How did it get its start? What happened to aircare (as everyone keeps asking this)? Want to learn about some old school method products? Well, head on down (Psst, it's right below the cute pic of method's co-founders) and you'll find this list!

So next time you're curious, check out the must reads! And yeah, uhm, if it's not there, do a search, ok? I can't do everything for you. Geesh. (But yeah, thanks for reading!)

flashback!

Lots of method advocates are still really sad over the apparent (because secretly we're still holding out hope that one day it will return) death of method aircare. In fact, it surprises me how many people will ask about it over on their Facebook page, given that the line has been gone for months and months now. But then again I suppose those advocates aren't quite as obsessed with all things method as I am, and roam down the cleaning aisles each and every time they hit their nearest Target, just to check in on their lil' cleaning buddies. (Yeah, let's not go there.)

Well, with that said, how about owning a piece of method aircare history! Right now over on ebay, you can purchase yourself an aroma capsule in freesia blossom scent (one of the first scents, and products in the aircare line!) - Think of it as an aroma ring, with batteries.

+ method aroma capsule - $10.99 + $4.99 shipping - Two available!

+ And also don't forget to check in on Rachel over at her ebay store, Better Bath and Beauty! She's always got a ton of method aircare (as well as other method goodies!) for sale, to slowly lull us through the seven stages of aircare grief. Sniff...

headin' out

Target has placed a couple more method items on the sad clearance list. I've noticed recently the pink grapefruit gel hand wash refill pouches have been clearanced, and method lust reader Jamison has let me know he saw the dilutable cleaner on clearance as well.

method is moving a bunch of new products onto Target's store shelves this month. But in true Target fashion, it seems that instead of adding to the method line in their stores, anytime method debuts a new product Target has to clearance one out to free up the shelf space. Which always irritates me to no end. But alas, what can you do?

So a quick run down on Target's method clearance list:

+ tub + tile bathroom cleaner (replaced with the new anti-bac bathroom spearmint cleaner? Not sure.)
+ dilutable cleaner
+ pink grapefruit gel hand wash refill
+ go naked gel hand wash
+ refresh mint foaming and gel hand wash (discontinued)
+ waterflower foaming and gel hand wash (discontinued)
+ creamy hand wash in coconut + honey and cucumber + aloe
+ all wipes in pouch packaging (go naked, lavender, and pink grapefruit - discontinued and replaced with the new anti-bac lemon verbena wipes)
+ dish soap in lavender and pink grapefruit scents (discontinued and replaced with the new dish soap line)
+ the peony 25-load laundry detergent (definitely not discontinued)
+ and I've also noticed Target doesn't seem to be carrying the rice milk + mallow baby line any longer. The baby products, and room for them are completely missing from the store shelves. Perhaps these are only being carried at Babies R' Us now?)

Whew! And I think that's it. If I didn't write discontinued next to the item, I'm not sure if it's just been clearanced by Target, or discontinued by method (I'm gonna ask method! Or hey, method, if you're reading this, feel free to leave a comment!) Many of these items have been replaced with new products (the dish soaps, new limited edition hand washes, waterfall scent now being placed in the permanent hand wash line, etc.) so for a lot of this stuff it's sorta an "upgrade/swap-out". Just a little 411 for ya!

fabric softener sneak peek!

method luster Stephen sent me in this photo of his Target discovery! Looks like the new laundry bottle/lighthouse fabric softener has started to hit the shelves! Here's a pic of their new fresh air 50-load fabric softener (which appears to be just as concentrated as the new laundry detergent! 4 pumps = 1 load/50 loads!! Let me know when you start seeing them at a Target near you! Thanks, Stephen!

new, new, new!

So I got a little confession to make. I adore Christmas. Oh that festive holiday season (hopefully) full of snow, brightly wrapped presents, and gleeful music! In fact, I have an obsession with Christmas music. Christmas records, to be exact. (Psst, I'll let you in on a little secret. I own one hundred and twenty seven Christmas records. Yes, I realize at this point I need an intervention. Feel free to stop by my house anytime, and start one. No, but really.) They're mainly from the 50's thru late 60's/early 70's. I love, love, lust, and lick them! (Ok, I don't really lick them, cause that would be real dirty like. So dirty in fact, I'm not even sure method could clean my tongue properly after that. So no, no licking. More imaginary licking. Ok?) And this week we've had our yearly Hospice Flea Market in town, and I've been stocking up on ho ho ho, Christmas records! And of course, when I get them, I have to play them to see what they sound like. So... it's sorta been Christmas in August for me. Actually, you could take that back to the last few weeks in July as well, cause I bought some at Goodwill, and those had to be played too. Just ask my dad, he was loving it (and no, not in the loving lusting licking way I was, trust me. More in the sarcastic not loving lusting or licking at all way.)

So walking into (here's the point! Whew!) Target today, it was like Christmas came early, what with all the music I've been listening to, and on top of that, when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but all new method products! They've arrived! Yay!

No, really, Nathan. You did that entire Christmas intro just to bring in the idea of finding method products like Christmas presents? You did all that, for this? My word, you need help... but you digress, third person voice, you digress...

Here's what you'll be finding (hopefully this week!) at your nearest Target! All the knowns - the new antibac line in spearmint, lemon verbana, and lemon verbana wipes (see photo above!) As well as the new dish soap in those laundry shaped bottles, in clementine, sea minerals and cucumber! And what's this, some surprises! A brand spankin' (Christmas colored! So there, ha, third person voice! I got you back!) new limited edition gel hand wash in fresh currant! (It's sorta a really light berry/cherry-ish scent, or at least that's what I got from sniffing the bottle.) And method luster Bradley was right, they've put out a 25 load laundry detergent in lavender cedar! And it smells really nice! Earthy, but with a little floral, I can't explain it, but I'm liking it! Not sure if this is a Target exclusive, or limited edition, or what, as it had no labeling as such.

I'm gonna hold off on any reviews of course, until I've had a chance to try out the products properly for myself. So the only thing I can give you right now is my first impressions/bottle sniff tests. The antibac line smells really... how do I say this properly? - Medicinal. It's just, it's made with thyme oil (which I think is a big part of what makes it antibacterial) and I think that's what is giving it this scent. I could barely smell lemon verbena or spearmint over that heavy medicinal smell. But, I haven't tried it, so perhaps it will come off differently when you actually spray and use the product! I will be picking up a bottle of the spearmint to give a try, even though I have my concerns over the use of antibacterial products, and see what I think.

The clementine scent is nice. I wish it were a bit stronger, and more fresh. It sorta reminds me of a generic orange scent at the moment. But again, I didn't like the scent of mandarin mango when it first came out, and I gave it a sniff test in the store. Then I purchased a bottle, and tried it out, and really liked the smell! So who knows, that's why I want to wait and give these all tries before I really get into any nitty-gritty.

So that's that! I'm so excited! And we can also expect to see the new fabric softeners showing up this month, very soon (in similar scents to the current laundry line.) And, if that wasn't enough, the new kitchen hand wash line comes out in September, along with the naturals dish soap line. And since Bradley got the lavender cedar perfect, I'm going to bet he's right on these two lines as well, scent wise. He says the hand wash line will carry basil and lemongrass (yum! yum! yum! Lemongrass!) and the naturals dish soap line will carry basil and ginger yuzu.

Let method lust know when you've seen these new items on your store shelves, and what you think of them! Initially, and after you give them a big ole' method try!

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While we're at it, method has released a press release on their new antibac line, to give everyone some more information into what makes it, well, do it's antibac thing! Via csrwire.com:

"Method, the leading innovator in premium, eco-friendly household and personal care products, introduces its first line of botanical household disinfectant sprays and wipes. The Method Antibac assortment of antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial products is registered by the Environmental Protection Agency and consists of two cleaning sprays, one formulated especially for the bathroom and the other for the kitchen, and all purpose cleaning and disinfecting wipes.

Method has partnered with CleanWell Company, makers of the thyme-based disinfecting technology, to create a patented botanical formula that kills 99.99 percent of household bacteria including E.coli, salmonella enterica, influenza A and H1N1 virus on hard, non-porous surfaces.

"In the past, we were unwilling to develop or promote antibacterial cleaners because we had not yet found a technology that met our strict ingredient standards and aligned with our principles," says Adam Lowry, Method co-founder and chief greenskeeper. "We recognize that some people prefer to use antibacterial cleaners for high-contact surfaces like toilets and sinks, and we're excited to offer a line of disinfecting cleaners that utilizes CleanWell's botanical technology."

The bathroom spray is optimized to target soap scum and hard water stains while the kitchen cleaner is designed to cut through grease and grime. Both of these products are effective at killing 99.99 percent of household germs on hard, non-porous surfaces throughout any room in the home.

With vibrantly colored bottles and nature-inspired scents of lemon verbena and spearmint, Method stays true to its unique design + fragrance differentiation with its antibac line, which starts appearing on U.S. store shelves this week at Target and other retailers across the country.

About CleanWell Company
CleanWell Company's mission was born over a decade ago from a family's need to find cleaning and disinfecting products that could be used around the founder’s severely immune compromised son. The CleanWell scientific team was the first to discover how to blend thyme oil to kill 99.99% of germs naturally. CleanWell is passionately committed to developing innovative solutions that offer consumers a way to clean and disinfect without compromise."

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PS - (Are you still with me?) I have a feeling this is why the tub + tile cleaner has been discontinued, as the new antibac line is formulated for bathroom (and kitchen). I would have preferred they just left them antibac without specifying an in-home area, but alas. I really liked the eucalyptus mint tub + tile cleaner, so I'm surprised it's gone (or at least gone from Target.)

And again, let me know what you think about all the new products! I can't wait to give them all a try! Ho, ho, ho, merry method (in August!) Yeah, I had to tie up the ending with the beginning. I realize it was a stretch, but come one, give me a little credit here, ok? Ok, well, maybe next time...

dishing the dirt!

method has recently announced their new dish soap and anti-bac line, and the news is BIG! So big in fact, the products will start hitting Target shelves today/this week! First, the new dish soap scents will be clementine, sea minerals, cucumber, and two "natural exclusive fragrances" (what that may mean exactly, I'm not sure. I think these will match up with their new upcoming kitchen hand wash line) in basil (yum!) and ginger yuzu.

In the anti-bacterial line (which states "Kills 99.9% of household germs botanically",) two all purpose spray cleaners in lemon verbena and spearmint (both, wow! Yum!) and all purpose wipes in lemon verbana. The dish soap will stay at $2.99 at Target locations, and the spray cleaner and wipes will also be $2.99. Look for the naturals (basil and ginger yuzu) dish soap to hit stores in September, when I would also place a big bet on the new kitchen hand wash line showing up.

Now for some mixed news. All the old dish soap has been discontinued. No more lavender or pink grapefruit. (I love the lavender, so I'm really disappointed; and I'm totally shocked they canned the pink grapefruit, since people seem to pee their pants over that scent. No really, someone told me once they peed their pants over that scent. You think I'd just make this stuff up? Never!)

The biggest, and possibly controversial news comes in the wipes area. All of their multi-purpose wipes (in go naked, lavender, and pink grapefruit - uhm, I think that's all the scents they come in) are being discontinued, and the new anti-bac wipes will replace these. So, if you want to use all purpose method wipes, you have to use the anti-bacterial variety now. I really, really want everyone's thoughts on this, since even though it's by method (and naturally derived) many people still have big concerns about anti-bacterial products.

So there you go! Now it's your turn! Thoughts, opinions? Rants, raves?

goombye

Looks like Target has started another round o' method clearances. This time around it's hand wash, hand wash, and oh yeah, hand wash. Like refresh mint or waterflower? Better head out and pick some up real quick like, because not only has the gel wash been phased out, but now the foaming is also on clearance (and for a fact, I know the gel will be discontinued by the end of the year from the method line; not sure if the foaming is now in the same boat. The body wash is safe, so no worries there!) The go naked gel hand wash had also been clearanced from Target a few weeks ago.

Along with those products, they're also kicking out the new creamy hand wash line (coconut + honey and cucumber + aloe.) I know method had some issues with their coconut + honey not being vegan, and they did at the time state they were going to reformulate it. So I'm not sure if this is the end for their creamy hand wash line once more, or if Target has just decided to drop it?

I believe this is all setting the stage for their upcoming kitchen hand wash line (announced in the New York Times!) which I think will be hitting shelves in September (if not earlier.)

Whew, and that's all the hand wash news I got at the moment! More information as I get it (or find it on the shelves!)

soap dish!

The New York Times has just ran a (very to the point) article both in print and online touting some of method's awesome new products (appearing soon at a store near you!):

"Method’s Single-Handed Soap Dispenser | By Tim McKeough

The cleaning-products company Method is updating its range, aiming to keep every corner of the home spotless — and equipped with sculptural bottles. The new line of dishwashing soap ($3) is notable. “We had been trying to crack dish soap for years,” said Eric Ryan, one of the company’s founders.

Method’s new pump bottle is designed to appeal to people who apply soap directly to a dish or sponge as well as to those who fill up the sink with suds. It has a beefy base and a pump with a wide top so it can be used with one hand, without being picked up.

Method is also introducing its first antibacterial products, with cleaning sprays and wipes ($3 per container) that the company said kill household germs with a patented botanical formula; another addition is kitchen soap that removes food odors from hands ($3)."

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look for the new products to start hitting Target shelves (hopefully) this weekend!

holiday in august?

Are you ready for the holidays? No, not yet? What are you talkin' about? It's only four months away! Whew! I'll let that one sink in for a bit...

Because method seems to have just announced their holiday 2010 line (via their Facebook page!) Sad face, I'm pretty sure all we're going to be seeing are hand washes this year, as last year was hand washes and candles. And uhm, aircare is dead. So, no holiday candles.

The news says that hollyberry, peppermint vanilla and cinnamon bark are making a return!

method advocate Lisa asked:

" I know it's August but I always look forward to the holiday hand soaps. Any sneak peeks on what this year's scents will be? I also miss the matching countertrop cleaner from a couple of years ago. Made my whole kitchen smell like Christmas."

and method responded:

"so here is what i know, hollyberry, cinnamon bark and peppermint vanilla gel hand (wash) are all making a comeback this year!"

Personally, I'm hoping they throw in a few additional scents (like frosted fir! It was delightfully Christmas in a bottle, people! Christmas. In. A. Bottle! But alas...) I'd also love to see spiced pear make a comeback. It's a huge hit for method every time, so I'm sorta surprised we're not seeing it this year. I've always loved how method used to switch out holiday scents each year, so you were never sure what you'd be getting that year; but usually knew your favorites would return a year or two down the line, and you'd get a new scent or two! Now it appears that method seems to have decided these are their best selling three holiday scents, so they're just sticking with tried and true.

What are your thoughts on this? Want to see new scents? Old ones return (and if so, which ones?) Or love this news? (Here's to hoping they have a few more holiday goodies up their sleeves! I sincerely miss all the dish soap, and spray cleaners.)

Commence comments! (Did you see what I just did there? Oh, I'm good.)

sleeping with the fishes

method has this adorable fish tank (from their San Fran office) live video feed going!

"we love clean dishes and happy fishes. our smarty dish dishwasher tablets give you sparkling clean dishes free of phosphates and chlorine bleach. phosphates in our water systems lead to algae blooms that kill our fish population. do your dishes (and the fishes) a favor."

More from their official blog, people against dirty:

"hi there. my name is mr.pickles and i speak for the fishes (or at least the fishes in the method office). say hi to heidi and pat finn too. hi! we live in a tank at method and this is our first time blogging.

method adopted us a few weeks ago to be the spokesfishes against dirty. they set us up in this tricked-out tank and are recording our every bubble (think real world for fish). we’re here to talk about the dirty ingredients in your dishwasher detergent that make their way to our rivers and lakes.

one of the dirtiest ingredients is called phosphates. it travels from dishwasher, through the city pipes, and empties into our water. it’s a fertilizer and it causes an overgrowth of algae blooms. the algae is not only hard to navigate but it also depletes the water of oxygen and without oxygen we can die.

so we’re broadcasting live 24/7 to get the word out about smarty dish. these dishwasher tablets leave your dishes sparkling clean but are free of phosphates and chlorine bleach. yippee!"

So whenever you need a break, just check in with the fish!

clean sweeps

+ UPDATED Seems the method limited edition waterfall scented hand wash might not be so limited anymore. I took a stroll into my local Target today, and found two bottles of the waterfall hand wash on the shelf, except one of these bottles did not have limited edition written across it (which is what happened to their mandarin mango hand wash!) So while method hasn't made a formal announcement, it looks like waterfall might is now a regular hand wash scent that will stick around!

+ There seems to be some confusion about this next item, but a method advocate recently let me know she saw the tub + tile cleaner on clearance at Target a few weeks ago. I asked method, and they said that it was indeed not going away, but to enjoy the sale! So I figured there must have been some confusion, and it was just a sale price. But then I ran into a Target on my return home from vacation, and indeed, they did have the tub + tile on clearance! At the same time, my local Targets have not put it on clearance, but you know how all Targets work independently of one another. So perhaps only select Targets will now carry the tub + tile, method is revamping it in some manner, or hey, who just knows? My guess is the product is sticking around, but Target has discontinued carrying it. That's not official yet, but I'll keep you updated as I know more info!

+ Also on clearance at Target is method's new 25 load peony blossom laundry detergent. Looks like Target will probably only carry the 50 load bottles down the line, but right now they do still carry the 25 load fresh air bottle. So pick yourself up some clearance peony blossom and tub + tile while you can get the deals!