Parsley Power!

I thought my luck was in... after the Big Green Bus's inaugural outing to the Bradford Green Fair, I was given the job of caretaking a large box full of demonstration lotions, potions and cleaning products including some very tempting free samples.

However, they say there's no such thing as a free lunch and in my case there's no such thing as a free sample - our newsletter editor Jo, never one to miss an opportunity, suggested that this would be an ideal opportunity for me to write lots of product reviews. Well I could hardly say no, could I?

This afternoon seemed as good a time as any to make a start, so I debated where to begin. The organic sun tan lotion? One glance out the window suggested this was a silly idea. The kissable lip balm? No one on hand to kiss apart from the cat. The exotic body lotion? Mmmmm...

Unfortunately, however, while I was away for the weekend to attend the Green Fair the house was left in charge of my two teenagers. Therefore there was really only one contender... the Parsley Plus All Surface Cleaner from Earth Friendly Products.

The ingredient list of Parsley Plus is surprisingly short - simply purified water, biodegradable coconut based surfactant and parsley essence. Despite this, it was surprisingly effective and made short work on the grubby fingerprints on the cream-painted cupboards (not the most practical colour choice, in retrospect). The mould in the fridge doorseals (please don't say I'm the only one to have mould in my fridge floor seals) took a bit more elbow grease, but personally I'd rather use the occasional bit of elbow grease than harsh chemicals in the kitchen. A little goes a long way as I found out when I used far more than needed on my stainless steeI hob and ended up with a few too many bubbles! It's suitable for worktops, appliances, microwave ovens, floors, ceramic tiles and any other surface not harmed by water.

What I really love about this product is the smell. Parsley may seem like an odd choice of aroma but it really is a lovely fresh clean herby (obviously) smell. It's not overpowering but is quite distinctive and makes a lovely change to the usual citrussy smells that so many of us use in the kitchen. I may even get carried away and try it on the kitchen floor to make the room smell even lovelier!

In the meantime, though, I'm off to try out the bath oils, exotic body lotions, face creams...!

by Judy