Marcal: Taking Small Steps To a Greener Earth Giveaway Closed



Winner - #95 - mamawjcn
I feel like I clean up messes all day long!  I will get one mess done to only turn around and find another.  How this happens I will never know.  My mother-in-law is staying with me and this is something that just amazes her.  She has washed more dishes and cleaned up more spills than she ever thought possible!

I don't always use paper towels because of their cost and they are not great for our environment.  When I was introduced to Marcal Small Steps I was intrigued.  I was also very skeptical - they are the cheapest brand names on the market so I felt that it really wouldn't do the job.  I tend to be a brand name kind of girl and normally find one I really like and stick with it.  I am a VIVA paper towels person so I wasn't sure I would like the Marcal Small Steps brand.


I found that while it was hard to compare Marcal Small Steps against the Viva Towels, I found that Marcal did an excellent job.  I would not use the Marcal Small Steps paper towels as baby wipes (which I do with Viva Towels) but for the cleanup and spills, Marcal held up remarkablely well.  I like that they don't waste ink or dyes trying to make the paper towel pretty.  With Marcal, you get what you see and it does the job.

I was also able to try their napkins and found that I really like them a lot.  They are less expensive than other brands and did the job just as well.  I loved this about them and will definitely be buying Marcal brand over others.  I did also like their dinner napkins very much.  They looked nice and were perfect to make the table looked nice for an event when paper napkins are better than cloth.


I also tried the Marcal toilet paper and found that it did the job.  It is not the softest toilet paper in the world and is only one-ply but it actually worked better than others that I have tried.  My parents were big one-ply toilet paper buyers when all of us kids lived with them because it was cheaper.  Marcal would have been a good brand for them to put to use.

Last, I tried their tissue paper.  I have to admit I struggled with using the tissue paper.  It wasn't very soft and if you had to use it over and over with a cold - it really was more irritating.  If I needed to send tissues with my daughter for school use - I would purchase these.  If I needed these for an actual cold where I would use them several times a day - I would go with a different brand.

The number 1 and best thing about Marcal is not just that they are an inexpensive alternative to paper product use in your home but they are also all made of recycled materials.  I loved this about them because not only am I saving money but I am doing my best to be green at the same time.  I also love that
Marcal's products are hypoallergenic, virtually lint free, and whitened without chlorine bleaching.  This is so important for my little boy and his allergies.

Marcal helps you take Small Steps toward going green in what you use in your home without making you give up everything you do use.

The last time, I purchased napkins and paper towels I purchased Marcal brand because it was the most inexpensive and did the job without sacrificing quality for price. 




Marcal has generously offered to help one reader take "Small Steps" towards going green by giving them a Marcal Small Steps Starter Kit  (100% recycled paper towels, napkins, toilet paper and facial tissue).

1. Tell me one way that you and your family are going green.  Please leave me your name and email address also in a comment so I know you did so. Do this one first!!!

Extra Entries:

2. Sign up for Marcal's newsletter. Leave me a comment letting me know you did so. This will be verified.

3. Become a follower of this blog. Leave me a comment letting me know you follow. This will be verified.

4. Subscribe to this blog by email. Leave me a comment letting me know you did so. This will be verified.

5. Head over to the Keeper at Home's Holiday Gift Guide and tell me one gift that would make a great addition to your holiday gift list.  (If you have done this other giveaways, please pick something different.)

6. Follow me and Marcal on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Please leave a comment with your twitter name letting me know you did so.

7. Become a fan of Money Saving Tips for a Keeper at Home and Marcal on Facebook. Please leave a comment along with your facebook name letting me know you did so.


This giveaway ends December 17, 2009 and is open to US residents only. Make sure that you leave your email address in each comment. Leave a separate comment for every entry that you make so that these will count for you! Have fun and I look forward to announcing the winners of this great giveaway!


Disclosure: This review is based on my own honest unbiased opinion of Marcal paper products. You may or may not agree with my opinion. I was sent product free of charge to review. No one from the Marcal was involved in the writing of this post. I was not paid to write this review.

144 comments:

Jess said...

To go green we are buying LED Christmas lights for our Christmas Tree and Decorations.

Jessica P.
bubba61182@yahoo.com

Jess said...

I follow your blog.

Jessica P.
bubba61182@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I take my own reusable bags when I go shopping.
Thanks!
1bmore @ gmail . com

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

solar outdoor lights as well as other light saving- unplugging items not used

Anonymous said...

I no longer use the plastic or paper bags.

luvnlife00@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

i subscribed to the newsletter

luvnlife00@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

i subscribe

Anonymous said...

i follow your blog

Anonymous said...

follow you and marcal on twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/luvnlifeOO/status/6323561234

Anonymous said...

LOVE the pish posh mommy carryall

luvnlife00@gmail.com

Leslie said...

I switched to cold water for almost all of my laundry and I haven't noticed a difference.

Leslie said...

I'm following you with Friend Connect.

Leslie said...

From your gift guide, KindNotes would be the perfect gift for my long distance sweetheart.

JRG said...

We recycle everything we can.

Tracey said...

We recycle aluminum, plastic and paper. We also switched to CFL lightbulbs.
traymona[at]aol.com

Nanette said...

We are going green by composting for our garden.
nanoarta1 at gmail dot com

cmcathiem02@gmail.com said...

We have always had a garden but this past year-we really amped it up. Still had tomatoes/peppers at Halloween. Still have some fresh herbs/arugula now.

Steph said...

We are air-drying our clothes.

ms0812(at)zoominternet(dot)net

Steph said...

Following you and Marcal on Twitter. (1day1dollar)

ms0812(at)zoominternet(dot)net

clynsg said...

We recycle whatever is possible in this area--not too easy since the main site we used closed down this year.

clynsg at yahoo.com

Sarah said...

We recycle all we can, and reuse when we can't, if possible. Also using a natural kitty litter now.

A said...

We recycle everything and try to conserve water and energy!


jkalstrup@unomaha.edu

A said...

Subscribed via e-mail




jennifer.kalstrup@gmail.com

A said...

Subscribed to Marcal newsletter


jkalstrup@unomaha.edu

A said...

Pish Posh Mommy diaper bag for holiday gift guide



jkalstrup@unomaha.edu

Jen said...

We have made a lot of small changes to try and be a more green household. We are more careful to ensure we recyle or reuse more, we have switched all the lightbulb in our home, and we are driving our cars less.

footejennier at hotmail.com

Jen said...

I signed up for the Marcal Small Steps newsletter.

footejennifer at hotmail.com

Jen said...

I like the KindNotes from your Holiday Guide.

footejennifer at hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

dt
http://twitter.com/luvnlifeOO/status/6357063998

llinda29 said...

We are buying more green products than before

JC said...

Just to name one :We always use our own shopping totes.

JC said...

I signed up for Marcal's newsletter
tcarolinep at gmail dot com

JC said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JC said...

I'm a follower.

JC said...

I'm a subscriber.

JC said...

KindNotes is a very neat idea, love it!

JC said...

Follow you and Marcal on Twitter@tcarolinep
http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/6359116239

JC said...

Fan of Money Saving Tips for a Keeper at Home and Marcal on Facebook@tcarolinep JessieKatie S.

Missybeez said...

We try not to waste water. We use a Pur Pitcher, no more water bottles!


honeybeez80@yahoo.com

Missa said...

We use reusable grocery bags (which also save us 5 cents per bag at Stop & Shop!) and reusable water bottles.

Melissa E.
sweetmissa at gmail dot com

Missa said...

I follow your blog

Missa said...

I subscribe to your blog via e-mail.

clc408 said...

I recycle everything possible and send very little to the landfill. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

dt http://twitter.com/luvnlifeOO/status/6387425132

Anonymous said...

dt
http://twitter.com/luvnlifeOO/status/6421437721

Jaime said...

we no longer buy bottled water, we use re fillable stainless steel ones. We also bring our own shopping bags every time we shop
copperllama at yahoo dot com

Jaime said...

follow blog
copperllama at yahoo dot com

Jaime said...

email subscriber
copperllama at yahoo dot com

Jaime said...

the girls would love the Terri Lee Play Dolls
copperllama at yahoo dot com

Jaime said...

a fan of Money Saving Tips for a Keeper at Home and Marcal on Facebook.
copperllama at yahoo dot com

mscoffee77 said...

We recyle when possible.

mscoffee77(AT)juno(DOT)com

Nancy said...

We are recycling, composting, trying to remember to use our own reusable grocery bags and trying to minimize our use of plastic drink bottles.

Nancy said...

I am signed up for the Marcal's newsletter.

Tamara B. said...

I carry reuseable totes everywhere and we recycle any and everything we can.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

Tamara B. said...

I am a subscriber to Marcal's newsletter.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

Tamara B. said...

I am a fan of Money Saving Tips for a Keeper at Home and Marcal on Facebook (Tamara Bennington).
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

Tamara B. said...

From The Gift Guide the KindNotes would a nice present to have on the list.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

We are tring to recycle and use less paper towels

Jessica
jessiuf@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I Subcribe

Jessica
jessiuf@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

dt
http://twitter.com/luvnlifeOO/status/6451621105

Anonymous said...

We make our life greener by regularly recycling everything possible. We also use CFLs, Energy Star appliances, and reusable shopping bags. We combine driving trips to save mileage -- and turn things like lights off when not in use. *Thanks* for the giveaway!
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Signed up for Marcal's newsletter
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Following with Google Friend Connect
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Subscribed by email
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

KindNotes would make a great addition to my holiday gift list
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Following you and Marcal on Twitter and Tweeted {TheLuckyLadybug}
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Money Saving Tips for a Keeper at Home and Marcal Facebook fan {Cheryl Free}
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

dt http://twitter.com/luvnlifeOO/status/6483892757

Chadzgirl said...

we use the reusable grocery bags. at first i always forgot them but i made it a point to remember them. and they are so handy! my husband loves when i use them they sit so nice in are van and are easy to carry our groceries in.
chadzgirlz@yahoo.com
ashley t

Chadzgirl said...

i signed up for their emails.
chadzgirlz@yahoo.com
ashley t

Chadzgirl said...

i follow your blog
chadzgirlz@yahoo.com
ashley t

Chadzgirl said...

i subscribed to your emails
chadzgirlz@yahoo.com
ashley t

Chadzgirl said...

i think the terri lee doll is adorable. kami would love her.
chadzgirlz@yahoo.com
ashley t

Chadzgirl said...

I follow you both on twitter and tweet your giveaway.
chadzgirl is my user name
chadzgirlz@yahoo.com
ashley t

mindy said...

we re use re cycle and re furbish the three r's thanks minsthins at optonline dot net

Anonymous said...

dt http://twitter.com/luvnlifeOO/status/6518508005

Anonymous said...

dt http://twitter.com/luvnlifeOO/status/6551297059

Erica C. said...

Besides recycling, we have replaced all of our light bulbs. Thanks!

Mamawj's Moment Away said...

main entry: we have changed over to money saving light bulbs completly throughout our home.
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com

Mamawj's Moment Away said...

I subscribe via email
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com

Mamawj's Moment Away said...

I follow you on google>julie cutshaw
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com

Mamawj's Moment Away said...

I follow you & marcal on twitter & tweeted the giveaway
http://twitter.com/itsallnew2me/status/6575629540
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com

Mamawj's Moment Away said...

I am a face book fan of you & marcal >julie cutshaw
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com

Mamawj's Moment Away said...

I still sing the praizes of your KindNotes as a gift to give, such a wonderful concept which will give everlasting results and precious memories to pass on, wonderful gift and you inspired me to do the same for my family after I saw that gift choice, thanks
sewitupjulie at gmail dot come

Anonymous said...

dt http://twitter.com/luvnlifeOO/status/6582582378

Anonymous said...

dt http://twitter.com/luvnlifeOO/status/6620408075

scottsgal said...

we recycle and use as many green cleaning products as possible

msboatgal at aol.com

Deb K said...

We recycle everything here~It goes out every Tuesday for the recycle people to pick up :-)


deb5106(at)gmail(dot)com

Deb K said...

I Signed up for Marcal's newsletter

deb5106(at)gmail(dot)com

Deb K said...

I follow you{Deb K}

deb5106(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

dt http://twitter.com/luvnlifeOO/status/6683720859

Unknown said...

we have stopped buying bottled water!


Thanks for entering me! Great Contest!

Janna Johnson
janna@FeedYourPigBlog.com
jannajanna@hotmail.com
www.FeedYourPigBlog.com

msrodeobrat said...

we started hanging out all our clothes to air dry

Joseph said...

Our family just replaced 2 freezers (30 years old & 45 years old) with 1 energy star rated freezer. Saving both space on our backporch and money using less electricity.

Joseph said...

Extra entry:

Signed up for Marcal's newsletter

heaventrees said...

We keep the thermometer down in winter and use a small heater in the rooms we are in most.

Emmy Coffee said...

Two ways:
1. We are trying to switch to cloth napkins and
2. We are trying to use totes instead of getting plastic bags everywhere we go

Anonymous said...

We are using cloth grocery bags at the store, greener detergents (sam's club) anf other green products

Melodic Mom said...

We recycle and we switched from bottled water to using a Brita.

Melodic Mom said...

I follow you both & tweeted: http://twitter.com/MelodicMom/statuses/6741283418

Melodic Mom said...

I think the KindNotes would be such a sweet holiday gift idea.

Hotsnotty2 said...

We recycle and switched to more energy efficient light bulbs, thanks!

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

dt http://twitter.com/luvnlifeOO/status/6749608643

chlorinebrain said...

we do not use paper towels anymore & we have switched to energy efficient light bulbs

Storm, The Psychotic Housewife said...

We recycle as much as we can, and use cloth bags for our groceries.

stormraven at gmail dot com

Christy said...

We recycle paper, plastic and aluminum cans. We also use cloth grocery bags and replaced most of our light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs.

safety_chick@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

We are using energy efficient light bulbs. Thanks!

Unknown said...

I follow your blog.

Unknown said...

I like the Bead Trends idea.

CDStardust said...

We recycle, we conserve water, we reuse, but the most important thing we do is teach our 5 year old son how to do these things, and he really enjoys doing it! Thanks for the giveaway!

checkers said...

we re-use and re-purpose things and recycle also
skyskyaa11(at)gmail.com

checkers said...

Signed up for Marcal's newsletter.

checkers said...

Following your blog

checkers said...

Midnight Bali Timepiece
skyskyaa11(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

We are going green by recycling and reusing stuff. We are tryign to cut down on wastefulness.

jesskaufman@Hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I follow your blog.
jesskaufman at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

I like the Bead Trend bracelets. My mom would love them

jesskaufman at hotmail dot com

skytoucher said...

my grandmother, Rose, taught me to compost when I was still a youngster.

Maja said...

i take my own bags to the store

Maja said...

subscriber

Maja said...

follower

Maja said...

i like bead trend bracelets. pretty

Anonymous said...

dt http://twitter.com/luvnlifeOO/status/6783396659

seaside44 said...

We are recycling all the time now. The kids will not let us throw anything away without checking to see if we can recycle it.

dvice12 said...

We go green by recycling all we can

Nancy S. said...

I use canvas bags for all my shopping now.
ncschools at yahoo dot com

Nancy S. said...

I follow your blog.
ncschools at yahoo dot com

Charity S said...

Charity

We will recycle a lot more.


charisscharity at yahoo dot com

Charity S said...

following your blog.


ccboobooy/charity

Charity S said...

A gift card from the Boy's Store would make a perfect gift.

Charity S said...

fan of both on facebook.


charity/ccboobooy


charisscharity at yahoo dot com

Brian E. said...

Thanks for the giveaway...We wash our dishes by hand about 95% of the time and use the "grey water" to water plants outside, especially during the summertime; our dishwasher is only used for large dinner parties & big family occasions i.e. Thanksgiving, Xmas, etc.

senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

Brian E. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Brian E. said...

..subscribed Marcal's newsletter.


senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

Brian E. said...

Following you and Marcal on Twitter: @brianpiero

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/brianpiero/status/6788666513

senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

Jinxy and Me said...

We try to reuse things as much as we can and if we can't then we recycle them.

Chrysa

nest a 67 {at} live dot com

Jinxy and Me said...

I'm following your blog in Google Friend Connect.

Jinxy and Me said...

I'm a subscriber

Charlene Kuser said...

One way we are going green is by
using all energy saver CF light
bulbs all through the house

CharlieGurl57@aol.com

Charlene Kuser said...

Signed up for Marcal's newsletter

CharlieGurl57@aol.com

Charlene Kuser said...

Following your blog (Charlene)

CharlieGurl57@aol.com

Charlene Kuser said...

I am a subscriber via email

CharlieGurl57@aol.com

cman said...

I grow my own fruit, veggies and herbs :)

Unknown said...

We are replacing our bulbs with energy saving ones. garrrettsambo@aol.com