Natural Eco Trading

Matthew and Lois Clark founded Natural Eco Trading Ltd in 1999, launching their brand 'Earth Friendly Products.'

With a young family and an interest in organic living, the Clarks noticed that while people were cutting out chemicals in their food by eating organic, they were still cleaning their homes with a cocktail of harmful chemicals. They wanted to enable people to cut out the toxins found in conventional cleaners, so decided to set up a company to source and distribute the purest, greenest cleaning products and accessories. Their mission was to show that naturally derived cleaning products are just as effective, still offer value for money, yet without the environmental and health side-effects. They now work with two innovative and environmentally passionate companies - Earth Friendly Products and Michaels Originals. Natural Eco Trading has grown steadily throughout its 10 years in business and sales continue to grow, even in this uncertain economic enviroment.

Earth Friendly Products, now a leader in the green cleaning sector, has the unique combination of impeccable green credentials, unbeatable effectiveness, and value for money. EFP was founded in the US by Greek immigrant Van Vlahakis. He moved to Chicago from impoverished Crete in the 1950s and put himself through university, studying chemistry. In the 1960s he put his chemistry to good use by setting up a cleaning products business to supply janitorial companies. He used plant-based ingredients before they became as popular as they are today. His son John joined the company in the 1980s and together they launched a range of cleaning products for the home. The Earth Friendly range started with 4 products and was sold through independent grocery and health food stores. The range has since grown to over 30 products not counting fragrance variations. Earth Friendly is now a leader in green cleaning innovation, and the company is at the forefront of green working practices too. The philosophy of the brand is simple. Use replenishable (mainly plant-based) ingredients. No animal products and no testing on animals. Effective products that are value for money and environmentally responsible. Concentrated products, so a little goes a long way. Conduct business in a socially responsible manner that safeguards the Earth and all its inhabitants. The Earth Friendly Products range has a product for every household cleaning need, from laundry liquid, oxygen- based bleach, washing up and dishwasher liquid, through to furniture polish, window cleaner, shower cleaner and air fresheners. Fragranced with fabulous essential oils they make cleaning a pleasure.

The Clarks have also found luffas a simple but effective natural cleaning cloth, these were branded Michaels Originals.Preserving traditional skills and preventing environmental degradation is the mission of Michaels Originals, founded by Ben and Nancy on their family farm in the Philippines. They are creating an inspirational range of environmentally responsible, biodegradable, washing-up scourers, brushes, sponges and scrapers made from organically grown luffa, sago, coconut, and abaca plants and recycled materials. They offer a solution to the reliance on plastic cloths, brushes and scourers that end up in landfill. They employ 10 people on the farm in various roles. As a family venture, they decided to name the company after their son, Michael. Michaels Original Washing-Up Luffa Scourer was launched in September 2008 and became an instant bestseller. Exciting new products are being launched in 2009.