How we clean our homes has a profound impact on the environment, which can also effect our health and well being. Here's a brief interview with the founder of one company who is trying to make the world a little greener, and a whole lot healthier.

Eco-Me is an organization that believes in the necessity of green cleaning. This company sells kit sets of supplies with essential oils, cleaning rags, exact measurements, and containers for making your own products at home.

Another cool thing about this company is that they not only have products for cleaning your home. They offer a wide range of products - from baby, to pets, to body care. Each kit tells you exactly what you need to add and how much (vinegar, baking soda, or water). It's that easy. Even better, 10% of all their online orders go to benefit certain charitable organizations.

I caught up with Robin Levine for an interview to learn more about her company.

What inspired you to start Eco-Me?

In March of 2005 my 36-year-old sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. How does a healthy, athletic, spiritual and nutritionally organic young woman face the challenges of breast cancer?

With no family history of this disease nor a lifestyle to promote it, could my sister's breast cancer be linked to the pollutants in our environment or toxic chemicals in our homes? Is it possible that by simply cleaning your home you are creating a toxic environment? Could the chemicals in products that line our shelves lead to life threatening health risks? Why are we taking such risks in our homes and with our well-being?

These questions led us to an answer: Eco-Me. We created a line of cleaning kits to help people make their own natural, non-toxic, chemical-free products.

The need to remove unnecessary chemicals from our homes led our search for completely natural and chemical-free products. The only problem was finding the products. Most natural cleaners still use synthetic chemicals for colorants and add trace amounts of ammonia and harsh additives to their products. So we decided that if we wanted a truly natural product we would have to make it ourselves and a few months later, Eco-Me was born.

So far, in what areas have you seen the greatest growth in your business?

Eco-Me has managed to touch many areas for many people. We have five categories: Home, Body, Baby, Dog, and Cat. Our products are currently sold in the US and Canada, with a plan for expansion internationally in 2009. Spas, natural food stores, pet stores, gift shops, and hotel shops all enjoy Eco-Me products.

What is the strangest question you have ever received from a customer?

Most of our customers like to engage in a conversation and after reading our story want to share theirs. This is very rewarding. We are getting ready to launch a place on our website where customers can share their tips, stories, and product feedback in a forum.

One thing we have heard is: "So what is it that you're selling? The bottles are empty?" And our response has been, "We are selling a tool kit that educates and empowers people to make natural products."

What is your most popular product? Why do you think it's so popular?

Our Home Kit is the top product, since it's an alternative for items that have extremely harmful ingredients. This kit solves a massive problem unlike any store bought products.

How does it feel to be an emerging company in the world of social responsibility?

We like to think of Eco-Me as a Health and Wellness company that helps us focus on ourselves and our homes first. This is where change starts. The products we use in our homes effect our health and the environment. Pouring chemical-based products down the drain in fact pollutes our water, which pollutes our bodies when we eat. The cycle is almost unavoidable.

For More Information

If you'd like to ask Eco-Me some of your own questions, visit their site.

Between now and September 30, you can use coupon code CoolMomsCare08 to receive 10% off of your Eco-Me purchase!

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