arrivederci, aircare

I so called it. Sad face.

From method's official people against dirty blog:

"it’s time to come clean. today we say ‘bon voyage!’ to a good friend — air care.

our ‘people against dirty’ have been asking for a few months now, “what's happening with method aircare (i.e., air enhancers, aroma rings, plug ins, soy candles and aroma sticks)?” we're sorry we haven’t been able to give you the whole air care story until now.

as many of you have guessed, air care will no longer be part of the method line, but you'll still be able to find our air care products online and at a few retail partners. if you love our air care products, BUY THEM NOW because we don’t have any plans to reintroduce them.

it was a really, really tough decision to exit out of air care. after all, we’re the little guy who brought innovation and heavenly smells to a world of fake pine and aerosol orange. we’re so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together with our people against dirty in this space. given the size and budgets of bigger companies making similar products, with not-so similar ingredients, we’ve decided to focus on leading the home revolution in areas where we can continue to make a difference — under the counter, in the loo, on the floor, in the sink…well, you get the idea.

we’re really proud of all the air care products we made and are sorry if this news is disappointing. if you're one of the loyal people against dirty who love our air care products, the best places to find them are: methodhome.com, drugstore.com, amazon.com, lowes home improvement centers and duane reade (nyc).

feel free to share your favorite air care memories and scents in the comments below — mine was vanilla apple. thanks for hangin' in there with us."

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Thoughts? (I personally think this is a REALLY bad move on method's part. But I guess only time will tell.)

This is my favorite quote so far from over on the method Facebook page (where they also posted this news):

"I'm sorry but don't a TON of people make similar natural cleaning products while pretty much NOBODY makes natural air care products?" - I completely agree.

into thin air?

Fudge! I maybe, sorta, mighta been right (about something?! It's about time, but why oh why this!) It's pretty much official... the aircare line is history. At least at your local Target!

This weekend I noticed at one of my nearby Targets that the pill refills were not only sold out, but the stickers on the shelves had been removed and other aircare items had been placed there to take up the extra space. "Hmm..." I thought to myself, "not good! Not good at all!" I attempted another try at prying anymore information about the aircare line out of method's mouth (which aircare wise, has become the equivalent of Fort Knox. Seriously.) Their response was pretty much a "no comment." Ha ha! So, with that in mind, I just decided to wait and see. (But I'm so impatient! I must know now! I have no life, so throw me a bone here, ok? Or, I could just get a life. Eh, that's probably way too hard. Just throw me a bone. That'll do.)

Well, tonight I ran into Target (again?! Don't even go there) and upon entering the aircare line, my heart sunk. The ENTIRE line - clearanced. Well, almost the entire line. Oddly enough, the aroma rings were not clearanced. What the heck is that all about? I can't imagine they sell more aroma rings than every other aircare item to result in Target still carrying them?! Curiouser and curiouser...

So, it looks like I was right. The line is clearanced. Which at least in Target terms for this current version, is the same as discontinued. Lavender + lemongrass. Sweet water. Vanilla apple. - Run, buy, while they're still here! Meanwhile, here are my thoughts.

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There are three options here, as far as I can tell.

+ Option A. The line is done for. History. Over and out. Neither here, nor there. MIA4EVER. method has just decided to drop the aircare line and be done with it. But, here are the weird things. 1) Target didn't discontinue the aroma rings? Hmm, part of a new line? But why keep these particular scents in the aroma rings, when they didn't in the pills? 2) I'm gonna confess something, given what's happend here I think it's safe for me to do so now. Whenever I'd ask about the line at method, I'd get a "I'd stock up on my favorite aircare products if I were you!" Translation: discontinued! But wait, there's more...

+ Option B. A brand spankin' new aircare line is about to debut! Why not keep the pills then? Well, they want to sell the new scents (and here's hoping they still HAVE the pills, or I will cry scream yell and murder! Well, maybe not murder... but it'll be close!) so they're clearancing off the old ones. But wait... 1) Target isn't clearancing the aroma rings, in the same scents. Even if they came out in new scents, wouldn't they also clearance these current versions if they're doing it to the pills? Gah. And but 2) Many advocates who have called method and asked straight up about the aircare line were told "the aircare line is here to stay. No worries!" But wait, what? You told me to stock up? Is someone just lying? method doesn't lie! Lying is so ungreen! (Right?) Unless... stock up (on the old stuff) but don't worry about the line (cause there will be new stuff!) Whew! Or...

+ Option C. Target is only going to carry the aroma rings. And that's it. No new line. method will still maintain the aircare line, and you'll be able to buy small amounts of it in places like Lowe's (who currently carries them, though not to the extent that Target does.) You'll also be able to buy them on method's online store (though we all know that would cost us a small fortune, so poo poo on that one.)

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Now, what do YOU think? Will you miss the current aircare line? Do you think another one is on the way? My only other reasoning for thinking we MIGHT be seeing a new one is simply method's tight lips on this. I have never in all my years conversing with method felt so locked out of what was going on with a product line of theirs. I mean, what is the point? If you tell people it's being discontinued, it shouldn't hurt sales; in fact it might help them cause people will go and stock up before it's gone. And if you tell them there is a new line, people will still stock up on the old stuff AND be excited for the new stuff. But I'm thinking maybe, MAYBE we'll be seeing a new line and method's just being really hush hush about this one 'til the big debut!

Either way, we should know in mere weeks. Once Target finally pulls the remaining aircare product from the shelves, and puts them on the endcaps (like they always do).. and we find out just what they put in it's place? Hmm...

clean sweeps

A couple of quick method items I've noticed this past week!

+ Be sure to look out for the slightly redesigned method marine naturals bottles coming your way very soon! Oh the shape is still the same, but they've replaced the white stripe label design with a much simpler big white text printing on the bottle. While I do think it really designs down the look of the bottle (something method sorta keeps doing every time they update their bottle designs, if you ask me. Thoughts?) it IS at least really easy to read now!

+ Love your method vanilla apple aircare pills? Well, you might have to pay a bit more, compared to lavender lemongrass or sweet water lusters! (Which yes, makes no sense.) In the continuation of "WTFreak is going on with method's aircare line?" (It's still around, so my doom and gloom it's going away guess did not come to fruition. - Yet? Though I swear, I think it's about time method did a big ole' aircare shake up. I find the line just boring at this point. And there's NOTHING new going on with the thing. And now with the loss of the candles (which are currently only available on method's website, as far as I know) and no aroma ring refills (though the ring is still available?) and only three scents, eh, come on method, I love aircare. Can't live without it, honestly! But it's time for some cha-cha-changes! Make us proud, ok? Crosses fingers.)

OH, now where in the world was I? Yes, ok. method unfortunately has no control over the pricing Target puts on their products (to my understanding) so it's really weird that Target seems to be testing the waters with their aircare pricing. Right now if you purchase lavender lemongrass or sweet water pill refills, $7.99. Vanilla apple? $8.99 (which, is crazy. I think $7.99 is crazy, so $8.99 is just maddening.) Along with that, if you purchase the vanilla apple or sweet water aroma rings, $5.99. Lavender lemongrass? $6.49. See, see, I told you, it makes NO sense. But just a warning next time you head in to pick these items up. At least until Target figures out what it is they really want to do. (Aroma spray is still $3.99, and aroma sticks are also still $12.99.)

+ The holidays items have hit clearance. I've seen some soap here and there. Though not much, and usually only in peppermint vanilla. Only a mere 15% off right now, so you might want to wait a tad bit longer, unless you think you might miss out. Oh, and don't even think you'll find a candle, cause those things are like, history. They were history in November. Well, at least around my parts, that is.

spit n' polish?

I have a confession to make. Are you ready? Ok, here goes. I lust me some method aircare! Capital L. capital U. capital S. and oh yes, capital T. It's the greatest! And I feel a really important part of that whole cleaning process! (Plus it just makes the cleaning even more fun, as even though all our wonderful method cleaning products have amazing scents; they don't tend to linger very long once the cleaning is finished. But some spritzes around the house of aroma spray, or a slowly burning candle keeps their wonderful scents wafting throughout your home all day long!)

Personally (and I'd love to get your thoughts on this, as well!) I don't think of aircare as a "occasional/not necessary" cleaning item. As I just said, I can clean my house up all spic and span great, but uhm, cats (and kids if you've got them) and all that stuff, well, it can leave your house not so great smelling! And that's where aircare comes in! Once your house is looking all grand from some omop mopping, and some all-surface squeaky cleaning, it's really the aircare (in my humble opinion) that keeps the clean going! Like those awesome aroma pills and rings that make my house smell luscious, constantly! And then throw in some aroma spray for those quick scent disasters, and a candle to not only add atmosphere to your house, but great MMMs, and it all comes together perfectly!

And you know what else, I'm shocked that this line within the cleaning aisles is so limited to only a few companies. Glade, and to a degree Renuzit, pretty much OWN the aircare aisles! I've never really figured that one out, because really, most times their scents do not win me over. "Rain Covered Mountains", "Springtime Showers", "Fruit Feista" what kind of scents are thoses?! (Ok, well, ones I just made up, but usually their names are rather close!) I'll stick with my lavender lemongrass, or vanilla apple method aircare, thank you. At least you know what you're getting (lavender, and oh yeah, lemongrass!) and that it's also great for the environment, and you!

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But here's my question. Do you think it's time for some spit n' polish to the method aircare line? It seems to have been languishing for a bit, and I think it needs a slight shakeup! Honestly, within the last half year or so, the line has really slowly been restocked in my local Target stores for some reason; often times leaving big gaps in their aircare selections. And aircare used to feature four regular scents, along with (usually) a limited edition spring scent (and fall!) Now we've got three regular scents, and (at least this year) no limited edition spring.

Plus, and I can't believe I'm about to say this, as I LUST me some lavender lemongrass, but for the greater good of the line, I think it's time for a complete scent reinvention! Here's MY thoughts on improving the line:

+ Reduce. The aroma sticks have to go. I love them, don't get me wrong. But the price point is too high, we've all wanted method to provide sticks, oil, and a vase separately (which obviously they're never going to do. But OH, I saw that Target is now offering this in their candle aisle! Sticks, a little bottle of oil, and a vase; in different scents and shapes to choose from! Make your own aroma stick set! I love it! So it is possible, method! Ha ha!) Keep the aroma sticks as a holiday line item. That's where I think they work best.

+ The Trinity. I consider (and some of you lusters aren't going to like what I'm about to say) the Trinity of method aircare to be: candles, aroma spray, and pills. Like I mentioned above, the pills provide continuous scents to make your home smell great; the candles provide atmosphere and additional scent when you want it, and the aroma spray provides quick solutions to "disaster smells". LOL

+ But, I know lots of folks out there that love their aroma rings over pills, SO perhaps they should hold on to those as well (in bamboo? Better for the environment, and prettier!) Four items. Four scents.

+ Four new scents. I'm willing to sacrifice my favorite scents, if it means perhaps reinvigorating the aircare line by bringing in four new regular scents. These three they currently sell have been around forever! Ha ha! Time for something new! Imagine the possibilities!

+ Smooth sailing. The candles burn great once again! The aroma sprays work well (I'm still not completely sure about that o-ring; I lust that o-ring, and it's ease of carrying; but it just needs a small round notch cut out on the front bottom, because I'm always having to watch how I point the nozzle, or it'll hit that ring area attached to the bottle and run down the can; but whatevah...), and the pills have always rocked (especially the nightlite version!) And the aroma rings work way better than their original aroma capsules, so I think they've got a great line here. It's just time for some shimmy and shake!

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Whew! So, what do you think? Am I out of line here? Or could the aircare line use a little spit n' polish? Do you use the aircare line? Do you think it's an important part of your overall cleaning process/keeping the house feeling, and smelling fresh? Comment!

aircare extreme makeover!

Come on... the return of aroma enhancer sprays, new smarty dish cubes, marine naturals body wash and scrub, pomegranate tea and gingerbread + spice fall edition aircare scents, new squeaky green laundry detergent and dryer cloths... and more! Oh my word!

That's not enough, is it? Nah, not really. I mean, come on, it's method's eighth year birthday month! We're not playin' around here! Let's celebrate! How about a brand new aircare line makeover! SHO'nough!

Get ready, I just got some mind blowing news tonight about some amazing new aircare items and redesigns we'll be seeing very shortly in stores! Many lusters have already noticed the clearancing of the method aircare candles, and oddly, the lavender + lemongrass pill set, and more! What's going on here?! Well, never fear, it's great news! Are you ready? Are you sitting down. This news is so big, I had to release it over the weekend (and I never do that!) I'm so excited!

Alright...

+ First, method's candles are heading back to glass containers (I'm not sure if they'll retain their iconic Karim design/shape, we'll have to wait and see! I'd be surprised if method changed this, BUT I also know they like to constantly shake things up, so who knows!) They've decided to go back to glass (the candles originally came in glass, before redesigning the line, and using ceramic) since glass is actually recyclable, and ceramic unforunately is not (but they make great dessert cups!) So look for all your favorite candle scents back soon, in glass containers!

+ Method is doing a new test concept for their aroma rings! Specifically in the sweet water scent (are you ready for this??) the ring will be made out of bamboo! OH my word! I hear it simply rocks! And looks SWEET! Bamboo aroma rings! Not plastic! I can't wait! One more exclamation point! There you go.

+ And a biggie (a lot of people have been wanting this) they are re-releasing the lavender + lemongrass pill set (no, lavender + lemongrass is not being discontinued! Hallelujah! It's my favorite!) in a nightlite concept! HOW COOL is that! I can't wait! Oh, wait, I already said that!...

+ The aroma pills will now have single and twin refill packs. So you won't have to purchase two at one time, if you don't wish to! They used to be available in single; then went to only twin; and now they'll be available in both!

+ Look for aroma sticks (in their new streamlined vases!) to come in sweet water, lemongrass + lavender, and now vanilla apple.

+ The four main scents are: sweet water, lemongrass + lavender, vanilla apple, and citrus cilantro.

+ The fall scents will come as follows:
Pomegranate Tea - single pill refill, air enhancer spray, candle, aroma ring refill
Gingerbread Spice - pill refill twin, air enhancer spray, candle


The candles, bamboo rings, and aroma air enhancer sprays are heading to stores as I type this! The rest will play catch up! How excited are you? I can't... no, I won't say it again. (psst, I can't wait!)

NO, I don't have pics at the moment, but as soon as I can get my grubby little hands on some, I'll post them pronto! You know I will. I take care of my own kind! Let method lust know if you start seeing any of these items hitting your very own store shelves!

spray away!

UPDATE I've gotten some word on the rings attached to the tops of the new aroma spray bottles. They are indeed put there for two reasons: one is to remove the need for a cap (and having to remove/put it back on); and the second is so the bottles can't accidentally be sprayed, since they (duh) now have no cap. I agree with method luster Steve, it seems an odd choice of design for method, but we'll see how it goes!


Well look here! method luster Steve has sent us a pic from his Super Target, and they just got the new method aroma sprays in! So they're already hitting the stores! YES!

About the ring? Steve says:

"um, it's a ring. no purpose whatsoever. method ignores it on the back of the label. I like the lidless idea, but method's solution seems a bit odd."

I'd agree. I was somehow hoping they'd redesign the trigger spray, make it a seamless part of the bottle (Febreze bottle style, and such) but huh? I'll have to check it out in person and see. Hopefully soon! I guess you can just use the ring to carry around the bottle?