GUEST REVIEW: Bon Ami Polishing Cleaner (This Little Chick is My Friend)
by Jenni Simmons

I enjoy being a wife, but I don’t always enjoy cleaning house. My theory is: the easier and more non-toxic, the better. For example, I love a clean sink, but I don’t want to scrub all that hard or whiff vile fumes. So it’s a good thing I discovered Bon Ami Polishing Cleanser on a Whole Foods shelf. I splash my sinks with water, sprinkle Bon Ami, and gently scrub the surface with a wet sponge or cloth. It is that simple to make my sinks look clean as a whistle. But wait, Bon Ami can make more than a kitchen sink sparkle - just look at this long list! Even my husband can use Bon Ami on our outdoor grill– sweet.

I don’t wrinkle my nose at a scent while scrubbing because Bon Ami doesn’t contain chlorine, perfume, or dye. The can bears the claim “Earth Friendly” and this is the honest to God truth. The only ingredients that Bon Ami does contain are calcite & feldspar mineral abrasives, and biodegradable detergent. It will polish your sink clean, but it will not scratch, much like the cute yellow chick on the label. Bon Ami’s history page reads: “A newly hatched chick will not scratch the ground for food for two or three days after it comes out of the shell because it is still living off the nutrients of the yolk.” Isn’t that charming? I also love a company that still carries the original product from 1886 - the Formula Cleaning Powder - and the updated Polishing Cleanser that is equally pure and effective.

While you’re musing on Bon Ami’s place in American history, why don’t you play “Guess the Year of the Vintage Ad“! I am totally one of those people who wanders an antique store, picking up old medicine and cleaning product bottles to study the labels. Bon Ami offers the online version of such nostalgia; my favorite ads are from the 1940’s, FYI.

One of these days I’ll think sharp and save my shopping receipts, but I recall my purchase of Bon Ami from Whole Foods to be very inexpensive - like $2.00. I think it should be easy to locate Bon Ami at other stores as well, but if not, take heart because you can order it online (though those prices are higher than I paid). Back to product safety, this handy cleansing powder is perfect for those of you with allergies and/or chemical sensitivities since it does not contain a fragrance or dangerous chemicals like chlorine. It is also kind to our planet both in the manufacturing process and as it swirls down your drain. I may not like to clean house, but when I get off my butt to do so, I’m pleased to use such a safe product. By the way, Bon Ami means “good friend” in French, and I’d recommend this cleaning agent to any of my fellow sustainable housewives.