Here in paradise, just like we wear SPF to shield us from the scorching sun, it’s smart to use bug repellents that protect us from insects invading our cozy homes and bodies. At the grocery store, there’s an abundance of bug spray labels to choose from, ranging from militarized bug defense, to family friendly.
One mosquito repellent boasts a fragrance called “Tropical Fresh®.” I gave it a spritz and was assaulted with the “chemically” scent of DEET, a common bug repellent, dressed up in a fragrance that could be described as coconut, but has likely never been in the same room as the fruit. Luckily for me, there’s a better bug spray in town, and it’s one of several Naturally Green Products by Amy Mandel and Lauren Englander.
A Message in Every Bottle
Every product I bring into my home is an invitation into my body as well. A bug repellent I put on my skin, a pest control product I use in my house are all going to at some point come into contact with my hands, face, food and nervous system. Beyond this, every ingredient I use ultimately runs back through the sewers and landfills and into our ground and water. This means that anytime one of us sprays a concoction with DEET, the chemicals end up in our shared environment.
Knowing this, Naturally Green Products started working with cities like Jacksonville that need products strong enough to clean stadium parking lots and sidewalks, but won’t wreak toxic havoc in the sewers. Amy and Lauren have scaled those bulk products into green solutions like the No More Bugs! repellent that is available online, on the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and at the local Refillery on 30th Ave. N.
What Does Green Actually Mean?
Green is about putting purpose over profit by only using ingredients and packaging that is essential. Naturally Green Products takes out the synthetic fragrances and dyes for a more authentic product. Green means making more versatile and sustainable products. For Amy and Lauren, this means doing all of the above, in order to keep the world clean.
Instead of potent chemicals, one smells a subtle, comforting base of cedarwood in their No More Bugs! spray. I’ve since learned that the Ancient Egyptians actually imported and used it to preserve mummies from infestation. Developed with a local organic chemist, Naturally Green’s blend is non-toxic, DEET-free, and is certified as ‘BioPreferred’ by the United States Department of Agriculture. This one product can be used on skin, your plants, your pets, and in your home!
They’ve even added No More Bugs! Bamboo Towelettes in a refillable container to their line. These wipes are 100% biodegradable, unlike most others on the market.
“We make it easy to change.”
– Lauren Englander, Naturally Green Products
What led Amy and Lauren to be so green? They’ve always loved living in beautiful Florida and looking out for others. Both are USF graduates and have been friends for over thirty years. Amy helped establish Equality Florida in 1997, which is a civil rights organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ community. Lauren left the corporate world after losing both of her parents to cancer. Now through Naturally Green Products she’s able to help others understand the environmental factors that may cause diseases.
Give No More Bugs! a try. When you use the code GREENBENCH, you’ll get $5 off at www.natgreenproducts.com. Call 1-800-860-4733 and you’ll likely reach owners Amy or Lauren who can answer any questions you have. They’re people just like you and me who want to keep our bodies, our homes and the entire world clean and safe from hazardous chemicals. Let’s go green!
