Watkins Gourmet and Home Products
Information Site

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Everyday choices effect the health of our families and our environment. Household products are one of the largest contributors of health problems in our homes. Cleaners containing ammonia, chlorine and other chemical ingredients have been known to cause respiratory irritation. In North America, one in three people suffer from allergies, asthma, sinusitis or bronchitis.* Minimize your family’s exposure to these harmful toxins with Watkins Premium Natural Cleaning Line!

J.R. Watkins Natural Cleaning Products feature non-toxic plant-based formulas that are both biodegradable and phosphate free. These ultra concentrated cleaners are naturally derived so they are easy on the environment, your home and your loved ones.

* US National Center for Health Statistics

Essential Oils & Fragrances

J.R Watkins Natural Cleaning Line features four clean fresh scents. These plant based formulas are fragranced with natural lemon, lavender, rosemary and orange oil as well as extracts from palm and coconut. These natural aromas will leave your home smelling fresh and sparkling clean…naturally.

Premium Natural Formulas

J.R. Watkins Natural Home Care products are also environmentally friendly, 100% naturally derived and readily biodegradable.

17 Plant-Based Products

9/19/07

Just in time for spring - Watkins Great Outdoors Insect Repellant Lotion now available in the US

This product has been a hot seller in Canada for several years, but due to high cost of EPA registration it has just now become available for US consumers. It is greatly prized by the Canadian police and military personnel who spend most of their time outdoors. 

Proven to repel mosquitoes that may carry the West Nile Virus or potentially deadly strains of encephalitis, and because it also repels deer ticks, it can prevent the very serious threat of Lyme Disease. Got biting flies, chiggers, gnats, or fleas? It takes care of those too!

Disease-carrying mosquitoes are no longer just a pest, they're a real threat! According to the Centers for Disease Control, the most effective repellents for protection against West Nile Virus and encephalitis-carrying mosquitoes are those that contain DEET. DEET does not kill mosquitoes, it repels them, making the person unattractive for a feeding frenzy.

In a test conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine, non-DEET products offered little or no protection, while DEET-containing products provided full protection for several hours. According to these researchers, DEET has a remarkable safety record after 40 years of use.

Non-DEET products analyzed in the New England Journal of Medicine study offered little or no protection, including the following:

• Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus protected for less than 23 minutes.

• Plant-derived repellents, including citronella, lasted less than 20 minutes.

• Avon Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil worked for less than 10 minutes.

• Three wristbands—two with DEET and one with citronella, provided NO protection, which indicates that DEET must be in contact with skin and/or clothing to provide protection.

In other studies, wristbands, vitamin B, and ultrasonic devices were not effective in preventing mosquito bites.

Researchers recommend an insect repellent that contains 20 to 30% DEET; repellents with more than 30% DEET offer no added protection. Watkins Great Outdoors Insect Repellent Spray and Lotion contain 23.75% to 29.55% DEET for effective, long-lasting protection for up to 6 hours.

*Note: Watkins Insect Repellents are not available in Hawaii, Delaware or New Hampshire.

4/5/05

Watkins makes cameo in new Oprah film

Watkins products fill the shelves of a 1920s general store in Oprah Winfrey Presents: Their Eyes Were Watching God, which premieres on ABC television Sunday, March 6. The movie is based upon the 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Harlem renaissance author Zora Neale Hurston. Halle Berry stars as the beautiful and resilient Janie Crawford in the story of one woman's quest for love and spiritual fulfillment despite society's—and her lovers'—expectations of a woman of color in America in the late 1920s.

Clearly, Oprah has chosen the best actors, writers and directors for this project, so it's no coincidence that Oprah's production staff came to Watkins to help stock their shelves with retro-looking products. Watkins gladly filled their wish list with our current products: White Cream Liniment, Menthol Camphor Ointment, Petro-Carbo Salve, Bay Rum Tonic, Mouthwash Concentrate, Cinnamon, Pepper, Vanilla, Baking Powder, Baking Cocoa, and several 6 oz. extracts. While the products served as props, we wouldn't be surprised if Halle Berry, or any other member of the cast and crew, didn't employ a little White Cream Liniment to help ease the aches from a tough day on the set.

Oprah Winfrey Presents: Their Eyes Were Watching God premieres on ABC Sunday, March 6, 9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CST.

3/3/05

“Orange” you glad it’s back?

Mandarin Orange Orange Fruit Dip Unlike that horrendous pun of a headline, this popular product from the past will leave a great taste in your mouth. Watkins Mandarin Orange Fruit Dip Mix is back for a limited time! Just mix it according to package directions and enjoy a deliciously creamy orange-flavored dip for dunking apple or pear wedges, pretzels or vanilla wafers…use your imagination! Add it to whipped topping; it also makes a great bagel spread when mixed with soft cream cheese. It’s a delightfully fresh flavor for spring, but hurry—it won’t be around for long! Available in large size only.

2/15/05

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