Talk to me about Melaleuca

[Oceanwaveshimd]

I went to a 'presentation' of these products at a friends house today. They seem great, and pretty reasonable too. Does anyone use them on a regular basis? Pros/cons? and can you use the detergent on dipes? Any products you LOVE or any ones that arent' worth it? Thanks for the info...we are really trying to go as green as possible and this seems like a neat company (just wish you could send back the containters to be refilled, kwim?) TIA mamas!!!

[jessicap]

Hey there!

I have been using mela for over 6 years now and I love love love their products. My husband has had severe asthma, it is better now, and allergies and I have migraines that are quite often induced by smells and chemicals. It was always a huge struggle for us to find things that cleaned. And I was brought up in a home that bought the dollar store cleanign products because that was the kind that my mother's mother used and she is just fine today...lol:giggle: :banghead: So I was invited by a woman to a presentation when I had talked about TTC in the next year or so...I went and I was BLOWN away and really impressed with the knowledge that this woman had on chemicals and so forth in our products.

So I made the switch. I no longer have to change laundry detergent every few months...which I had to do before because DH would break out after using a detergent for so long...now this laundry cleaner is awesome and I have been using this since. I have been using it on my diapers for the last year and I have no problems with them at all. I looked it up online and they say that it will cause breakdown of the diapers absorbancy...but seriously I wash my diapers every day and I have no problem at all.

I have no more problems with getting a migraines after cleaning..I can go into my bathroom and deep clean my shower and bath tub and not get sick...I can actually climb into my tub barefoot and not worry about chemical burns.

DH's allergies and asthma are nonexistant in our home...he has no problems at all anymore. I can spray a mela product right there in the same room as him and this used to send him in a breathing fit if I used a commercial product, and he has not had a fit in the 6 years that we have been using their products.

The thing that I really respect about Mela is that they work with their customers..in the last 6 years I have only had 1 problem with the customer service department, which I think is pretty good considering how big the company is..and I made a complaint and it was taken care of. They offer more than just cleaning, home, health and beauty products as well...they have a healthcare discount card, phone service, internet service, there is a buying program taht you can take a part in where you sign up and they can locate significant discounts on things like when you go and buy a vehicle and such.

Frank Vandersloot the big wig of Mela is also making it a mission to help Melaleuca families by introducing them to the Dave Ramsey approach to getting out of debt. When you sign up for the program and you follow the steps of getting out of debt, he and his management team actually come to your home when you have reached the biggest step of paying off your mortgage and they have a mortgage burning party with you. It is an awesome thing!!! There are very little companies out there that really care whether or not their customers or employees are in debt or not....he really does.

If you have any other questions PM me...needless to say I heart Melaleuca.
edited to add
Oh and I use most of their products when it comes to the cleaning stuff...the things I don't use are the wood polish...I don't have any wood to polish..lol The dishwasher detergent, bc no dishwasher....

I have never tried any of their candles...I know my son loves their vitamins for kids, we use the antibacterial hand wash for body soap and love it, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the hand santizer...I was in teh NICU with both of my boys and they would make us wash our hands a trajillion times a day and it was awful on my hands...they agreed that once I was in the NICU every other time I needed to wash my hands they would allow me to use hand santizer...I was using the hossy's and it was wicked on my skin...Mela's has an alcohol that does not dry your skin that way...and it is fabulous!!! I mean it did not burn and my hands started to heal. I don't like the deoderant/antipersiperant for women, just does not seem to work great. My DH loves the Alloy Men's line. My kids use the bath products and they like it a lot and it smells good. I love the shampoo...We also get every month an order of Sustain...it is an electrolyte mix for your water. It is great bc it is a huge difference in sugar than gatorade and those things for when we are not feeling well or are at teh gym....There is only 8 grams of sugar to a 16oz bottle....vs the 33 or something like that of gatorade.

The products are all concentrated as well..

[Oceanwaveshimd]

Jess, thanks so much for replying!

The more I think about it, the more I think I want to do it. I wasn't going to do the Preferred customer thing but I *think* she said you can cancel in 3-4 months if you find you aren't using it. Something like that. I was thinking gosh I don't use $50 a month in cleaning products but if you factor in vitamins, soap, shampoo and conditioner Im sure I do.

I emailed the rep to ask her some more questions. There were a bunch of us moms there with toddlers today...so I tried to listen but somethings I was out of the room chasing Hayden around and didn't hear. LOL

[jessicap]

We spend on average about 70 dollars a month...that is bc DH is not on vitamins yet...I am working on this though...lol

I would totally sign up and utilize it.. there is an empty bottle policy I believe...there was when I signed up at least, where if you use the product, and use it all...return it within their time frame and you will get a full refund...you don't HAVE to use it all..but you could. I have done this in the past with a hair styling product that just did not work out in my hair.

And you can cancel like you said....there is no risk then.

My husband and I in the 6 years that we have used mela, we actually quit for about 6 months buying from them, we cancelled our membership bc we thought it was so expensive...but I was buying all of our products from the Whole Foods Coop and I was spending WAY more there then I was with Mela and I liked Mela's stuff better for the most part.

[MomsHelpingMoms]

I'm a rep for mela. If you need help or would like to pm me for q&a, I'd me happy to answer it all for you.

[Oceanwaveshimd]

We spend on average about 70 dollars a month...that is bc DH is not on vitamins yet...I am working on this though...lol

I would totally sign up and utilize it.. there is an empty bottle policy I believe...there was when I signed up at least, where if you use the product, and use it all...return it within their time frame and you will get a full refund...you don't HAVE to use it all..but you could. I have done this in the past with a hair styling product that just did not work out in my hair.

And you can cancel like you said....there is no risk then.

My husband and I in the 6 years that we have used mela, we actually quit for about 6 months buying from them, we cancelled our membership bc we thought it was so expensive...but I was buying all of our products from the Whole Foods Coop and I was spending WAY more there then I was with Mela and I liked Mela's stuff better for the most part.



I was just going to jump in and then hubby came home and we talked LOL
He is a skeptic, he doesn't like the fact that they are not listing the ingredients (which I agree with) and also he's the kind that thinks "hey, cleaning products haven't really killed anyone, they are pretty safe":banghead: Im so trying to get him to see the light about this...that they ARE killing people and that there are alternatives. He's also not keen about me putting the money out..I made up a list and it was over $200 LOL

[Oceanwaveshimd]

I'm a rep for mela. If you need help or would like to pm me for q&a, I'd me happy to answer it all for you.

Thanks! Im trying to get straight answers out of the rep. I met yesterday but I emailed her and she's only answered part of my questions. LOL I mean I know she's trying to sign me up for the Preferred Customer and I know it going to save money BUT sometimes there is a month where I just don't have $50 extra to spend on cleaning products, etc. and I wouldn't want it automatically charged to me, kwim?
I was trying to find out what is the fee per year if I didn't want to be a preferred customer, but she didn't answer that LOL

[thestafs]

I have been finding out about Shaklee recently and they may be somethign to look at too. You don't have to buy a certain amt at all...

[Oceanwaveshimd]

I have been finding out about Shaklee recently and they may be somethign to look at too. You don't have to buy a certain amt at all...

oh gosh I remember those..my best friend (in like 1st grade) mom used to sell those...I just remember these organge tasting vitamins:giggle: Ill have to check them out too, thanks!!!

[sparkygirl74]

Two of my sisters sell Melaleuca and I was a preferred customer for awhile but I found that I couldn't use all of the cleaning products I was ordering. I mean I just couldn't clean enough or take that many vitamins, lol. I had a linen closet full of unused products. Now one of my sisters just orders for me, pays with my credit card and has it shipped to my house. I still get the preferred prices but don't have to make the big orders.

[Kestlyn]

One of my best friends sells this, and my Mom uses it so these are my outsider's thoughts...:goodvibes:

My 3 concerns are: 1) they don't list all ingredients ( I know they're proprietary but we are intelligent people now who WANT to know what's in our products and it bothers me a bit that Sellers doing the presentaions don't know either...they just have what the "book" tells them - a general idea), and 2) not all of their products are totally non-toxic. There are colors and frangrances that are NOT natural in some of the products, and 3) they are on the PETA list of companies who do animal testing.

That said, my Mother LOVES their laundry products and I LOVE their kids hair, body, teeth, and viatamin products (my Mom gets me those things because she never needs her monthly requirement, but she hasn't switched over her personal care products...just her cleaning and laundry).

personal note: if you sell it please don't tell others to put undiluted Tee tree oil on their kids! I know a lot about Essential oils and the only ones safe enough are lavendar and chammomile, and even those it's better to dilute!

Found this site which lists the safety of Melaleuca for dipes:
http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html

[faith11]

:2cents: - IF you're buying products, great. Stay away from someone trying to sell you a system of success...i.e., books, tapes, seminars...etc. Bad deal, personal experience with another MLM. Just do a google search and you'll see...

[hunterNkarter]

I use to be a Mela rep....we couldn't afford the monthly min and still (a year after quitting) have tons of dishwasher detergent and cleaning supplies left. Plus I got 2 people to sign up and within 3 months they quit too as they couldn't afford the mins either

I get almost everything that mela sells from other organic vendors---


I do love the automatic dishwasher detergent--we have hard water and this is the only thing that has ever gotten our dishes clean--spotless clean-- The green sanitizer spray makes me sick every time it's used in the house...don't know why but it does. (even before I was pregnant it would make me sick--now that I'm pregnant I threw it all out I didn't even want it used) The mela power (floor cleaner) works great on bathroom tile...but on our floors it left a weird coating and I'd slip on it.

Do not use the laundry soap on diapers unless you rinse really well---both my boys got burns after washing diapers in this. Never did wash again to find out if I just didn't rinse it or whatever--I only used the Mela laundry on our clothing from then on out.


Sorry for my jumbled reply--I'm having a slow day of thinking today

[jessicap]

I use to be a Mela rep....we couldn't afford the monthly min and still (a year after quitting) have tons of dishwasher detergent and cleaning supplies left. Plus I got 2 people to sign up and within 3 months they quit too as they couldn't afford the mins either

I get almost everything that mela sells from other organic vendors---


I do love the automatic dishwasher detergent--we have hard water and this is the only thing that has ever gotten our dishes clean--spotless clean-- The green sanitizer spray makes me sick every time it's used in the house...don't know why but it does. (even before I was pregnant it would make me sick--now that I'm pregnant I threw it all out I didn't even want it used) The mela power (floor cleaner) works great on bathroom tile...but on our floors it left a weird coating and I'd slip on it.

Do not use the laundry soap on diapers unless you rinse really well---both my boys got burns after washing diapers in this. Never did wash again to find out if I just didn't rinse it or whatever--I only used the Mela laundry on our clothing from then on out.


Sorry for my jumbled reply--I'm having a slow day of thinking today

I have been using the laundry soap on the diapers for a year now and do not do any extra rinses and use the Eco cycle to conserve on water and have no issues at all...

[jessicap]

And what I was told as far as the PETA list goes the testing on animals is because they sell animal products, such as dog/cat shampoo and one of their vitamins is given to dogs as well for muscular strength...

[Oceanwaveshimd]

I guess the biggest thing that doesn't sit well with me is that they don't list their ingredients. I know they say its propriety, BUT if other companies wanted to know...they would just take a sample and take it to the lab. Dh and I keep going back and forth on this, I can't make up my mind LOL
If there was a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's around I would probably nix it, BUT the nearest any of the two are is 45 min away:-(

[mommybliss]

I love the laundry products from Melaleuca! they work great!

[JediMom]

One concern of mine in the minimums. I talked to a Mela rep for a good long while - and after having sold for an MLM company already, I know there are a lot of ways to get these kinds of products without having to join a program.

You May want to look into Seventh Generation products now being sold in Grocery Stores and other places. Like a PP said, Mela is great for those who have problems with chemical asthma, allergies, migraines, etc. But ALL airborne cleaners, whether they are "natural" or not can cause you problems. For people who use any airborne cleaners (sprays, aerosols) and air fresheners, they are 100-200% MORE LIKELY to suffer from asthma.

I tried some of the Seventh Gen. Bathroom spray. All I can figure is that it is hydrogen peroxide and lemon. It didn't clean the mildew off my shower tile like I wanted and I STILL had problems breathing around it (I have a chemical asthma). I could pour it just fine, though - just not spray it. As for Mela - or Shaklee - I just don't know if any of their cleaners can CLEAN the way bleach can. Or disinfect the way bleach can. I've been told they can - but I just don't believe or - and from what I've seen of these cleaners, they can't.

So, figure out what you want out of it all - Wanting to be more natural with your family? There are MANY CHEAPERS alternatives out there. Think about all the things you can do with salt, lemon, vinegar, etc. IMO - for cleaning - they are no less effective than a Mela/Shaklee product.

For other products, you can still find products on the shelf that are greener and don't cost you a monthly min.

Just my 20 cents!!! ;)

[naivete]

I just try to find green products which don't need a set amount spent each month. I always loved the melaleuca products but hated that it's set so you need a subscription basically, because what happens if one month we get hit hard and don't have the 70$ to spend on cleaning products that month. Honestly I think I'd groove more with melaleuca if they just set up a store.

[MomsHelpingMoms]

To be a direct customer, not a prefered customer, it is $25 for the first year. You don't get any commissions (even when you don't personally enroll, you will end up with people under you that you can get paid from), You pay way too much for the product because you pay retail and your family doesn't get all of the benefits of Melaleuca (great products, phone rates, health insurance, etc.)

Here it is in a nutshell, if you don't spend at least $70 a month (after shipping and tax, that is what it works out to) on all of these products-that is about $17 a week, than it isn't for you. Melaleuca is not a half way decision. If you find that you are still buying even the smallest of things like toothpaste or handwash from Walmart or anywhere else, you will NOT make 35 points a month. It is easy when you shop for everything from Melaleuca. I never have to look for things to purchase and I never have extra product just lying around the house. People who claim to have too much product or not use 35 points a month don't truly get everything from Melaleuca. It certainly isn't for everyone, but for our family, we wouldn't have it any other way. You don't buy cleaning products every month. My orders one month would be like our personal care products, attain shake, vitamins. Next month would be cleaning products and laundry (I buy the big laundry pack. It is cheaper than buying a big box of Tide and you get 4 products). Next month I am back to needing personal care stuff, maybe some first aid things and make up.

Another thing to think about is our products are paid for. Even before I decided to become a marketing executive (I do not sell products), I had my products paid for because my enroller put people under me and I also had some referals that she called.

Advantage dollars are incentives where you get money back on each order placed-10% if the order is placed by the 16th of the month. I look at this as a rebate and it pretty much covers any shipping and tax that my order accumulated. I don't even get so much as a coupon when I used to shop at Target or Walmart so I appreciate that.

Speaking of Target, we have conglomerated with a lot of local retail businesses to get you money back on purchases made online from those stores as well, Target, Barnes & Noble, Sears just to name a few.

Like I said, if you have any questions, pm me. I always give people the upfront answers. And about the ingredients, you can look online and most products have a product label scanned where you can see all of the ingredients if not most. Not all of the ingredients are propietary. You just need to know where to look.HTH

[Oceanwaveshimd]

To be a direct customer, not a prefered customer, it is $25 for the first year. You don't get any commissions (even when you don't personally enroll, you will end up with people under you that you can get paid from), You pay way too much for the product because you pay retail and your family doesn't get all of the benefits of Melaleuca (great products, phone rates, health insurance, etc.)

Here it is in a nutshell, if you don't spend at least $70 a month (after shipping and tax, that is what it works out to) on all of these products-that is about $17 a week, than it isn't for you. Melaleuca is not a half way decision. If you find that you are still buying even the smallest of things like toothpaste or handwash from Walmart or anywhere else, you will NOT make 35 points a month. It is easy when you shop for everything from Melaleuca. I never have to look for things to purchase and I never have extra product just lying around the house. People who claim to have too much product or not use 35 points a month don't truly get everything from Melaleuca. It certainly isn't for everyone, but for our family, we wouldn't have it any other way. You don't buy cleaning products every month. My orders one month would be like our personal care products, attain shake, vitamins. Next month would be cleaning products and laundry (I buy the big laundry pack. It is cheaper than buying a big box of Tide and you get 4 products). Next month I am back to needing personal care stuff, maybe some first aid things and make up.

Another thing to think about is our products are paid for. Even before I decided to become a marketing executive (I do not sell products), I had my products paid for because my enroller put people under me and I also had some referals that she called.

Advantage dollars are incentives where you get money back on each order placed-10% if the order is placed by the 16th of the month. I look at this as a rebate and it pretty much covers any shipping and tax that my order accumulated. I don't even get so much as a coupon when I used to shop at Target or Walmart so I appreciate that.

Speaking of Target, we have conglomerated with a lot of local retail businesses to get you money back on purchases made online from those stores as well, Target, Barnes & Noble, Sears just to name a few.

Like I said, if you have any questions, pm me. I always give people the upfront answers. And about the ingredients, you can look online and most products have a product label scanned where you can see all of the ingredients if not most. Not all of the ingredients are propietary. You just need to know where to look.HTH

WOW thanks so much, that was a wealth of information and EXACTLY what I needed to know. I think dh and I really have to sit down and discuss this throughly. If we want ALL our products to be from melaleuca (not just cleaning products) or what. It does sound like something we need to be committed to. Again..thank you so much for your knowledge:yourock:

[bugaboo]

My DH used to sell it. I could not stand the stuff. I personally did not think it worked well at all. The laundry detergent cant be used on CD. Obviously I am the only one that does not like the stuff from the few post that I read. I personally found better stuff out there that worked and it was just as green.

It is not easy to make money as a distributor...some people are lucky and do well but most dont. My DH made nothing because the people who said they would buy something bought one thing and never bought it again.

Just my 2cents.

[mommaduck]

Bugaboo, you're not the only one. I used to be signed up and was disappointed. Some of their items were nasty (toothpaste) and quite a few of their items STILL had ingredients that we were trying to avoid (carcinogens and irritants...yes, I called the company and they didn't give a flip). Funny thing was, the people that signed us up were touting it as "anti-cancer". Of course, the disclaimers were that the testamonies were from people signed up and not from the company itself.

Like stated by others: there are other places to acquire healthier, greener products and at your own pace. Otherwise, I just see Melaleuca as another Amway...fine if you have the funds to dump into it to make it worth your while and really enjoy the products. But for us, it wasn't what it was stated to be and not something we could stay with when we were on a tight budget.

[JediMom]

For those who are Mela reps - or those who want to become Mela reps - I have to say something. Please don't be that person that hounds others to be a rep.

Now, I used to sell with an MLM company. I know the networking and marketing strategies (ploys and brainwashing, IMO) that happen. Some of these MLM companies work really well for some, but most of they time they don't work well for everyone. That's life.

But the other day a Mela rep emailed me this long thing about thier products, etc. I asked her not to send the email to my biz account - to send it to my personal email account. She asked me when was a good time to talk to me about signing up. I told her since the last time we spoke I become pregnant with twins and I just don't have the money to devote to their products. She then congratulated me on my twins, then told me that NOW would be the perfect time because of their prenatals where I can get this huge discount and a $100 savings thing-a-ma-jigg. Now tell me - why would THAT talk me into signing up? A 30 days supply for $15 (give or take) plus the min. I have to order each month, etc? I replied and told her that not only do I have a two month supply of prenatals (free from my doc) but they had DHA/Omega 3 and I didn't see DHA in their Prenatals. PLUS my copay on pill is between $5-15 already - why would I PAY for THEIRS that don't have DHA in them?

I don't know - I am just really bothered by people that don't stop hounding when you've made it clear that you are not interested at this time???

[angelnavywife]

I feel like I can make my own cleaning products that work better for almost no $, so there is no point ordering.

[rebyell]

My DH used to sell it. I could not stand the stuff. I personally did not think it worked well at all. The laundry detergent cant be used on CD. Obviously I am the only one that does not like the stuff from the few post that I read. I personally found better stuff out there that worked and it was just as green.

It is not easy to make money as a distributor...some people are lucky and do well but most dont. My DH made nothing because the people who said they would buy something bought one thing and never bought it again.

Just my 2cents.

I don't think you can "sell" their products? I think you can only help people sign up to be a preferred customer.


I've used their laundry detergent on our CDs for over 2 years and never had a problem wth stink or had to "strip". I don't do any extra rinses or anything.

[bugaboo]

I don't think you can "sell" their products? I think you can only help people sign up to be a preferred customer.


I've used their laundry detergent on our CDs for over 2 years and never had a problem wth stink or had to "strip". I don't do any extra rinses or anything.

Preferred customer or try to sell the product....to me it means the same thing...he got other to purchase the product.

As for using with CD...MelaPower contains brighteners and enzymes that do not go well with many types of CD. I am glad that you have not had any issues with your cloth diapers yet.

[kalebnlillismomma]

Before we moved I was a rep and LOVED their products. the laundry detergent smelled great and our clothes were always super clean. They have great cleaning products as well. The only thing that bothered me was that I am a very sensitive to smells, so some of them were a bit overwhelming.

[mclaybrook]

I LOVE all of the cleaning products (especially the sol-u-mel and the sol-u-guard). I also regularly order the toothpaste, mouthwash, tea tree oil shampoo, and a few of the kids products. I've had no problem buying 35 points worth each month.. and we don't use the vitamins or the beauty products. :thumbsup:

[Jewelgurl137]

I absolutely love the cleaning products. I mainly use just the cleaning, laundry, and deoderant yet have no issues buying enough. LOL! (I love their deoderant/antipersperant...I now gag if I try to wear one that I buy at the store. LOL!)

ETA: Some months I do realize that I'm buying some stuff I don't "need" at the time, but that is just when I "stock up" on like laundry detergent and etc. since I absolutely couldn't live without it. :laugh: I use to really dislike my laundry detergent, but this stuff is great and even my DH says it makes his clothes smell and feel so nice and clean. :)

Oh and the dishwasher detergent is amazing! I hated the smell and taste of dishes after they were washed in a dishwasher before, so I never used mine. Now I LOVE it, because my dishes are so clean, have no funky taste, and plus I don't have to keep that nasty bleach dishwashing liquid around. :)

[AmandaHW]

I've tried a couple of their products, and, truth be told, did not think they were that much better than 7th generation or some of the other more natural products out there.

I also hate how it is touted as a work at home business... I hated how people kept saying "you don't have to sell our products to have your own business" OK, you don't have to sell the products but you do have to in essence sell a membership to buy these products so isn't that pretty much the same thing?:headscratch: Like they think people are too stupid to make that connection?

[bugaboo]

I also hate how it is touted as a work at home business... I hated how people kept saying "you don't have to sell our products to have your own business" OK, you don't have to sell the products but you do have to in essence sell a membership to buy these products so isn't that pretty much the same thing?:headscratch: Like they think people are too stupid to make that connection?

:yeahthat: That is what I was trying to say.

[youmb00]

I would never buy from them. in fact, I know a lot of people who boycott them specifically. I don't approve of the sneaky way a lot of their marketing is done.

I've also heard their product is not really as "green" as it sounds. -but I've never looked into that so I can't say for sure.

[Oceanwaveshimd]

I ended up telling her I don't think they are for me right now. I don't want to switch everything. I also went and looked at Method and 7th gen, and they seem to be up the same alley as Melaleuca. I could see myself using them *possibly* in the future when I go back to work and don't have the time to compare prices and shop the sales, etc, but for right now, they just aren't for us. I do appreciate all the thoughtful replies. You mamas are great!

[meadowsong]

I was just very miffed about a "training" that I was having on toxins. It turned out to be 15 minutes of talking about toxins, and 45 minutes talking about Melaluca products. I was not very happy.

I like the idea of Melaluca, but found the ingredient lists shady (much like I think Methods lists seem shady) and really didn't find a lot of the products as natural as they sold them to be. But that is just me.

The lady also had no idea of any of the other natural products out on the market. If you think your selling the best, please know what else is out there.

I had to pass, I can NOT spend $50 a month on cleaning products. I make my own for pennies. Good concept, but not for me at all.

[clm09]

I have been a loyal customer of Melaleuca for over a year now. My favorite product is their Renew lotion. My son has had excema from the time he was a baby and I always took him to the pediatrician and filled a $50 prescription for a tube of medicine. That was until I found Melaleuca. The Renew lotion completely cleared his excema! I LOVE their products!! In fact, I was so impressed with them that I decided to partner with them and build a business! My husband really likes their Gold Bar soap.

Melaleuca is a company dedicated to the production of environmentally safe, and non-toxic household and personal care products. All products are scientifically proven to have no side effects and have no risk of interactions with other products. If you know someone with arthritis, allergies, asthma, excema or another health related issue, you should at least try the products! Once you try them...you will be hooked!

[newmom_1989]

I love mela products! We have been costumers for a couple years and now I dont get headaches any more! I used to get them almost every single day and one day (couple months after switching all chemicals over to mela products) I came to my mom and said "hey, i dont get headaches any more" It was so wonderful! Now, i dont worry about where i spray the solumel, or the tub and tile, i know taht it isnt going to hurt any one around! I use the sol-u-guard on all things baby! (instead of bleach) You can disenfect toys and the floors and things without poisoning your baby! Its brilliant! :) We have been buying different shampoo and conditioner, and trying to spend less on things that we CAN get other places (do to financial issues) but I can testify that the products are of the highest quality, and the costumer service is the best around! if anything is missing from your order, they will ship you a whole new order, no questions asked!

[eclipchic]

tea tree oil the basis for most melaleuca products can affect the endocrine system. just do a search for "tea tree oil hormones" and its talks about boys having gynocomastia (breast tissue) after using tea tree oil products regularly
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/243478/lavender_and_tea_tree_oil_may_effect.html?cat=47

[elleystar]

I have a few things from Melaleuca that I like okay. Fortunately they last a long time, but I'm probably not going to buy more. Just tossed the Renew lotion in the trash though because I noticed it has parabens in it.

Their dishwasher soap is fantastic, but until I can see an ingredients list I can't justify buying it anymore.

[delphinium]

Isn't Melaleuca basically a pyramid scheme? I mean, you have to join and then if you are selling you have to recruit others? That is basically a pyramid scheme, isn't it? I once tried to get a person I know who reps it to tell me about it and she would not tell me anything unless I came to a presentation at her home! That is a crock. I would rather buy Biokleen products at the Coop.

[delphinium]

I would never buy from them. in fact, I know a lot of people who boycott them specifically. I don't approve of the sneaky way a lot of their marketing is done.

I've also heard their product is not really as "green" as it sounds. -but I've never looked into that so I can't say for sure.

They are not required to release their ingredients. Same as Clorox and any of the other home cleaning product companies. But Biokleen and 7th Gen and those others do list their ingredients and tout themselves as green AND they back their claims up with data. It is telling that Melaleuca does not.

[lizzy79]

I can NOT spend $50 a month on cleaning products. I make my own for pennies. Good concept, but not for me at all.

Exactly.

I just started another thread asking about Melaleuca before I found this one. A friend of mine keeps posting about how great it is on her facebook status, so I finally asked her about it. Instead of getting a straight answer, she just wants me to set up a time to call her so she can give me the low-down. I was also confused about why I couldn't find any straightforward info about it on the internet when I looked for it, but I guess its because they want you to talk to a rep.

I was skeptical about Mela, but I did want to give it a fair chance. But after finding this thread, I think my skepticism has been confirmed. First of all, I have never spent $50 a month on cleaning products--or toiletries for that matter. Mostly for cleaning I use baking soda and vinegar. If I have to buy a product, it is almost always 7th generation or Ecover. I don't see how stocking up on cleaning products from Mela could compete with the low expense and non-toxicity of baking soda and vinegar. So I guess for now I will just stick with my tried and true.

Thanks for all the info!

[marcimommi]

Melaleuca is just tea tree oil but they act like its the next big thing no one has heard of or that its not in any other product! Im not saying the products are not nice I am just saying that melaleuca oil is tea tree oil.

[vjbakke]

I won't use products unless i know everything that is in them! I think it is a shady thing for a company not to list everything! That bieng said i only buy from companies that do list or make them myself. IMO they are selling the same types of toxic home, health, and beauty products that you can buy at any big box store only they are selling them for a lot more and trying to make them look like a healthier option when they are not!

[lizzy79]

ok. i have a friend who is seemingly normal, i lived with her in college, she doesn't seem like the type who would get "brainwashed" or anything like that. anyway, i asked her once about her work with melaleuca and she has jumped all over the opportunity to tell me about it and how well she's done with it. and she wants me to call her so she go over everything with me. and i am just way too skeptical and am not really interested. but here is part of the email she sent me tonight:

As for the question about whether people can actually earn a decent income. Here's my story, and I will mention a few other people on my team:

I got started on November 22, 2006. By the end of the month, I had referred 5 people and earned a little over $100. The next month, I referred another 5 people and earned close to $300. The following month, I referred a few more and also helped a couple other people get started, and my check was $856, which was bigger than any checks I had gotten in my previous business which I had done for 3 years. In my first year with Melaleuca, I averaged $1,000 per month, and I was working it very part-time, because for 8 of those months I was still working my regular full-time job. Now, I am earning around $1000 residual, which means I can rely on that amount monthly, even if I don't really work my business. My checks are more if I do more or have bonuses, etc. For example, my last check was around $1700. My goal is to work around 15 hours a week, but for the first 6 months of the year, I was definitely doing more like 5-10.

In July, I helped another mom and friend of mine - she has 3 kids and also helps run her husband's construction business. In her first month, she got a $500 paycheck. Then we teamed up and helped her friend in August, also a mom of 4 young children and someone who has absolutely no background in any business/sales/etc, and she earned over $700 last month! It is so exciting for me to help others do this, even people that, on outward appearance, would not typically succeed at a home based business. In my support team, I have friends who are earning far more than I am, because they are putting in more time. Sheila earns $2000-3000 a month consistently, and Irma earns over $5000 per month, and Kindel earns over $10,000 per month. So yes, to answer your question, people can earn a decent income with this business - and the difference is, it is residual, which means it comes in month after month. We even have a weekly pay option now, which means that you can get started one week, and get paid the next.

when i hear other people say this kind of stuff, i totally tune them out. but its different when its coming from someone you know, and who you don't expect bs from. its piqued my interest...but i am sooooo not a sales person. and i still really think it sounds like MLM.

[delicatefade]

I was a preferred customer too for a while, but couldn't keep up with spending the amount each month that was required. Not to mention, I still got headaches from the cleaning products, and developed a sensitivity to Tea Tree Oil (which is what Melalueca is all about).

My thoughts were that while the products seemed to be more environmentally friendly, there were NOT more people friendly.

I very much prefer Shaklee. Their cleaner has no scent at all really, and though it isn't quite as tough as the Tub & Tile from Melaleuca, I'd rather scrub a little harder than get a migraine every time I clean. Shaklee is also far more concentrated than Melalueca. Not to mention, I use Microfiber cloths for most of my cleaning, which means I need way less cleaners to begin with!

[Suburban Tree Hugger]

I am a distributor for Shaklee (http://www.shaklee.net/suburbantreehugger). The cleaning products are great! Some last SOOOOO long compared to the store variety. You can join as a member for $19.95 and then you will get 15% off your purchases. If you just want to try it but don't want to become a member, you can simply pay the listed price (not the member price). Personally, I recommend that every family give Basic H a shot. One bottle of the concentrated cleaner will last you years if you use it properly. For example, to make up a window cleaner you would mix a drop or two of the concentration with 16 ounces of water. An all purpose cleaner would require 1/4 a teaspoon and a degreaser cleaner would need just 1.5 teaspoons of the concentrate per 16 oz of water. With tax and shipping, you are looking at about $14ish for a 16 oz bottle of Basic H Concentrate.

PM me if you have any questions. Our family started out using the cleaning products before I became a distributor. We are now slowly trying other products like vitamins and healthy and beauty products. The cleaning products though are why I became a distributor.

These are the cleaning products that my family uses:

Basic H2® Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate (http://www.shaklee.net/suburbantreehugger/product/00015)

Scour OffTM Heavy Duty Paste (http://www.shaklee.net/suburbantreehugger/product/00430)

Nature Bright® Laundry Booster and Stain Remover (http://www.shaklee.net/suburbantreehugger/product/00305)


Dish Wash Concentrate (Liquid) (http://www.shaklee.net/suburbantreehugger/product/00255)


Hand Wash Concentrate (http://www.shaklee.net/suburbantreehugger/product/00191)


Dish Wash Automatic Concentrate (Powder) (http://www.shaklee.net/suburbantreehugger/product/00295)

I do want to note that I have never tried Melaleuca products so I can't compare them. Shaklee was introduced to me first and it works so I am content to stay with Shaklee.

[elleystar]

I've heard so much about Shaklee and think I might like to give them a try. (Especially the automatic dishwasher powder.) I understand Shaklee shares its ingredients--where can I find them?

[Suburban Tree Hugger]

Most of their products have the ingredients on the label but not the Get Clean line. They do have a pdf that tells you what their cleaning products don't have in them and if any have food products that could cause an allergic reaction (coconut, soy) and several other points. PM me your email address if you would like me to email you the file. I will try to find it on their public site as well. The MSDS sheet is available for every Get Clean product. Again, let me see if those are on the public site (as opposed to the distributors site).

[wah4yourfamily]

I've been reading these posts and I can't understand why everyone thinks Shaklee is different than Melaleuca. I've done my fair share of research and I have found that yes both are wonderful products but if you are looking to build a business I think Shaklee's strategy and compensation plan is harder. No offense to shaklee at all...I think their products are awesome. But from what I read Shaklee commits you to 100 pts a month....granted this is for business builders but like Mela if you only want to be a customer you dont have to be a preferred customer and you arent committed to monthly point purchases.

Everyone needs to ask themselves why they want to switch. If you are looking for a business then you need to really compare the 2 companies properly. Because truthfully, the compensation plan Shaklee offers does not match Melaleuca. Melaleuca makes it so much simpler and easier to advance. The one thing I will say, if you are not looking to build a business then none of this matters and vinegar and baking soda is awesome. If you are looking for a business, vinegar and baking soda wont work to get you going in a home business.

I hope this helps...it's not just about being customers of any company, its about building your business.

Also I am in no way suggesting that you do not become customers of either company. I am just saying that you may want to be a customer today and a few months later decide to build a business os take the time to research which compensation plan will best compensate you.

Good Luck All.

PS....yesssss. Melaleuca uses tea tree oil in all their products. That is what the company is based on. Alot of companies like Paul Mitchell are now using tea tree oil in their products....and u can also buy tea tree oil in the drug store but the key difference is the quality and concentration level. The strength of the tea tree oil found in drug stores etc doesnt compare to what Melaleuca uses. Also a very well known fact is that tea tree oil (in general) is very therapeutic and a great antiseptic. So yes tea tree oil is special so when someone says "what's the big deal?".....well there really is a big deal.
Just wanted to share cause I've used all sorts of products with tea tree oil from different manufacturers and stores and I love it.

Hope this helps. I am not trying to preach on eithe company just trying to share what I have learned.
Good Luck All

[wah4yourfamily]

The other thing I wanted to comment on is that most manufacturers do not list all of their product ingredients. When was the last time anyone walked into the supermarket and read the Johnson and Johnson label and saw "formeldahyde" printed across the label. Of course not, they use fancy terms like quanternium 13 (???I think??) so the everyday mom and dad have no clue what that is.

My point here is NO ONE COMPANY is better than the next. Don't knock a company because you think they dont list their products because those that you think do list their products are just as dishonest because they dont tell the truth. The only real way to understand what is in the products is to read the labels and do research and find out what these chemicals really are.


just saying......dont think just because a label is printed that the company isnt trying to hide something.

I've done my fair share of research and while I dont favor one over the other I've learned alot. Its pretty scary to shop!!

[EcoGreenMomCEO]

None of us are supposed to sell the products as the only distributor is the company. I've been a customer for 9 years and I'd never quit, they are THE best! They manufacture hundreds of different products so it is super easy to shop for different items each month even for a single person household, that is the way it is designed. It's also a great way to earn income!

[elleystar]

The other thing I wanted to comment on is that most manufacturers do not list all of their product ingredients. When was the last time anyone walked into the supermarket and read the Johnson and Johnson label and saw "formeldahyde" printed across the label. Of course not, they use fancy terms like quanternium 13 (???I think??) so the everyday mom and dad have no clue what that is.

My point here is NO ONE COMPANY is better than the next. Don't knock a company because you think they dont list their products because those that you think do list their products are just as dishonest because they dont tell the truth. The only real way to understand what is in the products is to read the labels and do research and find out what these chemicals really are.


just saying......dont think just because a label is printed that the company isnt trying to hide something.

I've done my fair share of research and while I dont favor one over the other I've learned alot. Its pretty scary to shop!!

Really?! No one company is better than any other...so they are all ethically equal? Huh. I bet there are a lot of people who boycott Wal-Mart who would be really surprised to learn that. Golly, you would think choosing products would be a lot easier if this were true.

There are plenty of companies who have shady practices, and PLENTY of companies who don't. If a company won't even attempt to tell me what is in their bathroom cleaner, not even if it's done like your 'sneaky formaldehyde' example, then I am not going to buy the product, period.