bag the bag

I think this is going to become my calling. - Banning plastic bags. I talk about it a lot here on method lust, and have yet to take one plastic bag this year when making a store purchase. Ok, well, I'm going to admit something. For some reason, when it comes to groceries or retail stores (Target, etc.) I'm spot on. - Not one bag taken this year. But fast food restaurants (yes yes, I know...) are another thing all together. It's funny, you are so focused on one area of something, you completely lapse on another. And so last night I came home with some KFC sitting right in a plastic bag, and didn't even have a clue until I pulled the food out, and went D'OH! (It could have had something to do with the fact that all I wanted was a piece of chicken one side and a biscuit. Oh they have that, but it's a meal and you have to take the drink with it. What if I didn't want the drink? Well they could substitute it for another side. But I didn't want another side. Oh ok, I'll take the corn on the cob. Oh that's a dollar extra. What? Why in the world, I can get the corn cut OFF the cob (more work) for the substitution, but if I want it ON the cob, it costs more? Uh, ok. Oh I give up just give me the drink. Do you still have sweet tea, I don't see any out here. Oh no we poured it out for the night. Ugh. Ok, hmm, what nasty soda am I going to get? Oh sir I have to get that in the back for you I just remembered, because I took all the nozzles off the soda machine. UH huh, ok can I just get another biscuit INSTEAD of the drink and call it a night? Sure. Thanks... And then I didn't eat the second biscuit. Sigh. Ok, so I could have been slightly high maintenance there; but really, why can't you just remove the drink from the cost of the meal. But I digress, and I'm not about to use the KFC employee as my excuse for cluelessly taking a plastic bag.)

Ok, so that was a long story. Sorry about that one, I think they make medication for that type of thing. I'll look into it... So today was rather interesting. I went to my local Big Lots, and purchased two boxes of tissues, and some razor refills (the heads, not those big bags of disposable razors! I hate those things! So bad... I realize the razor head refills aren't much better, but at least they aren't AS bad.) Ok, so I was at the register, and the woman rings up the razors, and drops them in the plastic bag. I'm usually right on the moment I get to the register with my reusable bag (which was in my back pocket.) But if it's only a couple things, I'll just carry them out bagless. So I immediately say:

"Oh, I don't need a bag, but thank you." I always say that. I go up to the counter, and say "Hi, how are you. I don't need a bag but thank you very much." That way you aren't attacking them, you're thanking them for the offer, and all is well.

And she sort of looks into the bag (with one tiny pack of razors in it) and turns, rings up the first tissue box, throws it in the plastic bag with the razors and says:

"Oh well, I've already started one now."

What the Heck?! You did NOT just say that? Ha ha. So I actually say bluntly (which is not usually my style):

"NO, I will not take it." and then proceed to "but thanks" her one more time to smooth it over as she gruffly huffs. Fortunately for me (which is the case a lot of times if I have this issue.) her co-worker standing next to her turns to me and says:

"That's a great idea! I wish more people would do that." to which I respond loudly to the woman ringing me up (as she's pretty much ignoring me now) and so the people behind me in line can hear:

"Yeah, I have a reusable bag right in my bag pocket (and pull it out to show her) but I didn't need it for this purchase. Everyone will have to do this sooner or later, plastic bags will be banned. But people are just too stubborn to change."

And with that, I walked out with two boxes of tissues and a pack of razor head refills, in my arms. Plastic bag-less.

Take that, lady.

method profiles - sarah homeijer

I was shuffling around some papers on my desk this morning, and you'll never guess what I found! method profiles! Yay! Look for this special feature on days that start with the letter 'T'. Ok? (And yes, I'm serious.)

Today we have Sarah Homeijer! Otherwise known as The Great Sarah! (Ya know, sorta like the Great And Powerful Oz, but all nice and cool and rockin'! Without that big fiery head to scare you away. Ya know?) Sarah holds a special place in my heart (not that kind of special!? She's married with a wee one! Plus hello, my train don't run down those tracks! So stop it!) I mean she's been so very great to me, and she's just such a wonderful person, and method is lucky to have her! Oh yes they are! That's why she gets the special "black background" photo image you see above. (Well that, and her photo came with a black background, but it sounds much more special when you tell people she got it in a fancy way, and not just because it was probably dark outside. Right?) In fact I got a phone call from her earlier this week, and was like WHA?!? It was sort of like getting a cold call from Madonna! I think there was some shrieking around like a little girl, but I won't actually confess to any of it. Ok? So anyway. Thanks for everything Sarah! Onward we go!

1+ Your name, please? And do you have a nickname at method?
Sarah Homeijer. Oh, I’ve got lots of them, and most of them stem from the unfortunate last name: Hobag (or simply Ho for short – super endearing, no?), Shorty, Pollock, Ghetto Troll, Speedy, and the list goes on and on.

2+ What was your first method lust?
Ooooh gosh, this is a tough one. I dug a bunch of the earlier products, especially the “flame” Dish Soap in Mint, Bamboo Kitchen Cleaner and then I went totally mental for the Spiced Pear Hand Wash when it came out a couple of years ago. Now, I’ve got an entire arsenal of faves, and my latest obsession is the Baby Milk + Mallow Lotion… I think I might eat it.

3+ What brought you to method, the company? (How did you become interested in a career with method?)
I’m an old timer, so when I started back in 2003, we were literally in something like -3 stores. The brand was still super small – we had a few spray cleaners and dish soap at the time – but there was an energy about the people and vision that was infective. method has since become my passion, and I revel in the idea that there’s an opportunity here for real positive change through simple, uncompromising choices.

4+ What is your title/dept. at method, and what is it you do there? How long have you been with method?
Village Voice. I started the Advocacy program here and now manage the Advocacy Response Team, which handles all of the incoming calls/emails we get from folks, as well as run the VIP Advocacy (all of the fun Advocacy mailings, in-home parties… that’s my bag). I get to rap with lovelies like Nathan all day – how much fun do I have?

5+ What is the biggest thing you are currently doing, besides using method products, to help out the environment?
Confession: I’m a closet hippie. I have a worm farm at home and compost just about anything I can, NEVER accept plastic bags and always, always, always carry my own (oh, and throw rocks at people who walk out of the grocery store with 19 plastic bags all double-bagged… okay, no I don’t, but that would be kind of maniacally funny), only buy organic (and local if possible) produce, am a certified member of the Slow Food Movement, help support a sustainable permaculture farm in Nicaragua - Project Bona Fide – check it out, these guys rock, and I just bought a fish named Maximus. Hmmm, that’s not really environmentally beneficial, but he’s one cool fish.

6+ Who's the last person you've turned onto method?
My mother actually. She was in town from France, and I ended up stuffing a bunch of products in her suitcase before she left. My mama crazy… now, she method crazy… the good kind.

7+ Which one best describes you as a person? Pink Grapefruit, French Lavender, Cucumber, or Go Naked?
French Lavender rocks. Point blank. No explanation needed… just try it; you just might fall in love!

Thanks! She got to use Bamboo Kitchen cleaner?! That's like, crazy! I wanna know what it smelled like Sarah! So post a comment, ok? Oh, and PS - I wish my mother lived in France. That would be so awesome! You listenin', mama?

Check back on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next method profile!

Our previous method profiles:
Drummond Lawson
Sangita Forth
Colleen Reilly
Danny Alexander
Melissa Sheehan

life worth living

Over on life worth living, another method advocate has been born! Check it out:

"a couple of my friends have posted about what they love... here is what i love right now - I LOVE METHOD!

a while ago i posted about trying to rid my house of all the bad cleaning supplies and so far i have replaced all my surface cleaners, hand soaps and window cleaning. it has made all the difference in the world. i no longer have headaches and stuffy head for a whole day after i clean. i would literally feel like my head was going to explode from the headaches i would get. now i clean and i have no after effects, it has truly been amazing. i am obviously very sensitive to chemicals... i cannot walk down the garden aisles at lowes because the chemicals drive me crazy. when thad is doing something in the yard with fertilizer... i stay in the house. (ps-don't know if i have convinced him to check out organic fertilizer yet... maybe i will tell him i will help him do lawn work if he buys it {wink wink})

So over the past few months i have been investing in new organic cleaners, going phosphate free, voc free, antibacterial free, all types of bad stuff free. what i have not used of my old cleaners i am going to haul out to the toxic dump site, along with old paint cans, etc. on earth day i was reading a few blogs and came across this great new book that method had written about detoxing your home... i am half way thru it and have already made some other new changes. did you know that 4 trillion plastic bags are made each year... we have gotten into plastic bag rehab here... we own reusables and we recycle any plastic bags that accidently come home.

my next new purchase is one i am dying to go buy today (the method omop) (but won't because i am good). then i can get rid of all my floor cleaning supplies....bring on the 5 second rule. nothing bad in this here cleaner... pure organic goodness. my kids could eat off the floor with this bad boy! ha ha. well maybe not, cuz of the dog, but you know what i mean.

i am not advocating that method is the only organic cleaner... but with a smell that yummy... what are you waiting for... go forth and clean mothers, in an organic way! and check out this site, if you want some method lusting news, visit method lust!"

for the love of the ocean

Who loves method sea minerals hand wash? Here's who:

"I love Method products. Since my friend Katy introduced me to the company a few years ago, Method soaps, dish liquids, and laundry products have been a staple in my household.

Method's slogan is "people against dirty" and they aim to make quality cleaning products without the harsh chemicals commonly found in the leading brands.

While stocking up at methodhome.com recently, Sea Minerals Hand Wash caught my eye. Method Hand Wash comes in a 12 oz teardrop-shaped clear plastic bottle with a pump. When you're ready to use the soap, simply twist the pump according to the arrows and it will unlock.

I absolutely adore the Sea Minerals scent. It smells fresh and heavenly. I don't think it necessarily smells like the sea; truth be told, I find the sea to actually be kind of stinky. I've lived on the Gulf Coast, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Puget Sound, and each beach shares a common fragrance: a semi-fishy, salty, seaweed-esque smell. Sea Minerals Hand Wash doesn't smell salty or fishy or seaweed-like, though. It's hard to describe the scent with words other than "fresh" and "clean", but I truly love the way this soap smells and it makes me look forward to washing my hands!

Looking at the ingredient list, I think "Sea Minerals" is just the name for the fragrance rather than a special ingredient, unless they are counting sodium chloride as the "Sea Mineral." Nonetheless, I buy this product for the scent and not for any benefits I may or may not be getting from said minerals.

Method Hand Wash is not antibacterial, thank goodness! I'm one who believes that antibacterial products are way overused in homes with healthy inhabitants, and I try to avoid them unless absolutely necessary.

While Method Hand Wash is not a moisturizing hand soap, I find it to be less drying than typical soaps. I was using a Bath & Body Works Moisturizing Hand Soap previously, and it made my skin feel very dry compared to the Method soap. I still have to use a hand cream a few times a week, but I do think that Method Hand Wash's ingredients are gentler on my sensitive skin.

Method produces plenty of bubbles, but the suds seem to be softer and larger than the foam produced by the average soap. The lather isn't as dense, but that's ok: I feel like it stays on my hands rather than sliding right down the drain.

Unfortunately, the amazing Sea Minerals scent does not linger on my hands.

Hand Washes from this company are reasonably priced at around $4 and available in several scents including Pink Grapefruit, Cucumber, Green Tea & Aloe, Sweetwater, and Lavender. Method also offers a Foaming Hand Soap.

I love Method Hand Wash, and Sea Minerals is a fresh unisex scent that most people would enjoy. Highly recommended!
- carlyoof"

I definitely agree with the unisex statement! In fact, I feel this scent is more masculine than many of method's previous fragrances! So now guys who are afraid of pink grapefruit (it's your friend, feel the pink! Be one with the pink!) can feel free to pick up more method hand soap!

our first ever poll finale!

Why it's just like American Idol! Uhm, except there are no crazy judges, over the top performances, or closeted secrets! (I took care of that last one years ago. Ha ha!) So really, it's nothing like American Idol! But hey, it's method lust's first ever poll finale! You voted, I post, method listens! (Well, we can hope. Nah, they're great listeners! Nothing like that last guy you dated, who went on and on and on about himself, never shutting up; and when at the very last moment you realized you could fit in one sentence and went to blurt out "I'm having a heart attack, I need medical attention..." he would cut you off calling you rude and continuing on about his previous career as an off-broadway go-go dancer. Right? Right.) So anyway, on to the finish line!

Do you currently purchase method products?
YES - 211 votes
NO - 10 votes
STARTING TODAY - 9 votes

Nine people went out and started purchasing method products simply by coming to method lust and learning all about how great method is! That makes me feel rather wonderful! You know what they say, if you reach just one person, it was worth it! And we reached nine!

What would you love to see next from method?
HAIR CARE - 87 votes
DISH CUBES - 65 votes
TOILET BOWL TABLETS - 62 votes
CARPET CLEANER - 58 votes
BUBBLE BATH - 26 votes

Wow! Hair care wins out big time! And you know, I'm thinking we may get our wish when the new Marine Naturals personal care line debuts in August. Simply because hair care has shown up in the baby + kids line, so it can't be that far behind for the adults, right? I'll bet you! Dish cubes came in second (we all want those back method, are ya' listening? Is this thing on? Tap, tap... Please!) A close third were toilet bowl tablets; but honestly I had placed these on the list before realizing they were debuting lil' bowl blu. So while they're not toilet tablets, I think we may have gotten our wish there! Surprisingly, carpet cleaner comes in fourth, which I think a lot of people want this (especially me. I have two messy cats! And I uh, need this. And right now I gotta say I have the not so nice to the environment version, and would love a method variety. Rumors have swirled around that method has been working on this for a while!), and finally (What!?!) Bubble Bath comes in fifth. Bubble bath! Come on, bubbly bath rocks! I'm gonna grab my rice milk + mallow baby bubbly bath and squeeze it like crazy and play in all my glorious bubbles! So there! I want bubble bath please, is that too much to ask? Adults like bubbles too.

What scent would you like to see return?
ROSEMARY MINT - 70 votes
SPICED PEAR - 55 votes
LEMONGRASS - 37 votes
FIG - 20 votes

Wow! Rosemary mint blows everything else away! Who would have guessed?! Spiced Pear is definitely still loved (and I can still find a couple candles at my local Big Lots! Yum!) Poor Fig and Lemongrass, probably two of my all-time method scent favorites, relegated to the end. And I get SO many comments from people demanding the return of Fig to the line, permanently! (I join them! My house would be fig all the time, if method did this!) So I was shocked at the poll results.

And there we have it! Our first ever method lust poll results! I'll let everyone know as soon as the new method Rosemary Mint dish cubes make their way into stores! (Joking, joking! But that would rock, right?!) Check back really soon for a brand new line up of poll questions! And don't forget to vote! Thanks to everyone for participating!

more poppin' ups!

I took special note on Sunday noticing that Desperate Housewives once again featured method cleaning products! And Steve over at Squeaky Clean + Green noticed, too! He's keeping tabs on when method products show up on our favorite tv shows! Hey Steve, if you get any shots from the Ugly Betty show a few seasons back, let me know and I'll post that as well!

Go Gabrielle, with your sassy (lavender, or was it mint window wash? Since she was cleaning the countertops we'll go with lavender) method cleaning spray! (And she's pretty sassy herself, if you've seen the show!)

UPDATE Now with Ugly Betty goodness! Thanks Steve! Check out those cute method dish soap bottles in the lower right corner. In another scene during this episode, you can see rows and rows of method teardrop hand wash bottles!

last chance - over!

UPDATE Looks like they're GONE! I went to two Targets yesterday, and it appears all of the bloq body care line has been boxed up and shipped out. I'm thinking they'll be appearing at closeout retailers soon (such as Big Lots, etc.) Our two Targets still had tons of the body wash available on 50% clearance; I was waiting to see if it made it to 75%, but no go. You know, excluding the Holiday line, I don't know if I've ever seen method hit 75% off. I think it always goes to closeout retailers. So I'm hoping to find them at my local Big Lots in a few months! I did pick up six bloq body washes (in green mint!) so that will actually hold me til the new Marine Naturals line in August, but still...! So just thought I'd let everyone know.

Previously
Target currently has the method bloq body wash on clearance for $2.98 each! - 50% off! They also have the method bloq bar soaps for I think $2.48 a box. The body lotion was discontinued months before the entire line went to clearance; so it's no longer available. (Though happily, all are still currently available on the method home site!)

spa treatment for your hands!

Here's a wonderful review on method's amazing creamy hand washes! (And remember, they just released their new moisturizing body wash line to compliment the creamy hand wash line, in the same scents and packaging style!)

"method Creamy Hand Wash:
It's almost a spa treatment for your hands

While I have fallen in love with method's household cleaning supplies, I cannot say the same about their recent foray into personal care. I've tried their body wash, hand soap, and hand sanitizer and decided that I could live without all three. It was okay, I thought, this particular company produces some wonderful cleaning products. Beauty items just weren't their thing...

and then I spied with my little eye method Creamy Hand Wash. Despite my consistent disappointment in the past, I knew that I would have to buy one and check it out.

To be honest, it was the unique bottle that drew my eye to the shelf. The 10 fluid ounce bottle is made of translucent white plastic and is in the shape of a cube. Each side has nine smaller cubes imprinted on it which gives the bottle a fun, retro look. The top has a pump-style dispenser that can be turns to move it between "on" and "off" positions. The bottle is coded for recycling and method encourages you to recycle if you can.

This product is available in three fragrances: Almond Flower, Olive Leaf, and White Tea. I smelled all three fragrances before making my decision. I really liked the White Tea fragrance but in the end I chose the Almond Flower because I am a huge fan of almond scents.

The Almond Flower fragrance is a blend of almond and floral scents, possibly with a touch of clover or grass. I do not normally enjoy floral fragrances but it is only a small part of the overall scent and it is very light. The Almond Flower fragrance is strong while you are washing your hands and it lingers on your skin for about a half hour after use. I really like this scent but I'm also looking forward to trying out the White Tea next time.

They certainly named it correctly. method Creamy Hand Wash is a semi-thick and very smooth liquid that feels almost like lotion in your hands. It spreads evenly and produces a nice lather as you rub hands together. Rinsing this cleanser from your hands does take a few extra seconds more than typical products but, in my opinion, it is absolutely worth it. After you've rinsed your hands, you will notice that they feel soft, smooth, and as if you just applied moisturizer to them.

The suggested retail price for method Creamy Hand Wash is $5.00 and I paid about that: $4.79. I thought that the price was a little high for such a small bottle of cleanser but I simply cannot resist new method products.

I've been pleasantly surprised by just how much I like method Creamy Hand Wash. It is thick, produces a nice lather, and leaves hands truly feeling moisturized after use. I have used it several times a day as I go through my home and clean out nasty messes like the bottom of my birds cages, the litter boxes, etc and have only noticed an improvement in the condition of the skin on my hands. The fragrance is pleasant and lingers for awhile after use. It looks like method has finally worked out the way to manufacture beauty products!

This cleanser is not antibacterial which is a good thing in my book. I'm not a Chemical Commando and have no desire to promote the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Those who feel the need to spray down their homes with Clorox every day probably will not be happy with this product.

This product has earned a permanent place next to the sinks in my kitchen, bathroom, and classroom. I look forward to trying out the other available scents but I have a feeling that I'll always have a bottle of Almond Flower around somewhere.
- njchicaa"