Busy bees can now get on with the housework, safe in the knowledge they can do so in an environmentally-friendly manner, thanks to the products of a new Caithness business.
Kristin Douglas has set up Wax Nostalgic Ltd, based at her home in Halkirk, through which she will produce a range of handmade, environmentally-friendly, products for use around the home, available from her website at http://www.waxnostalgic.co.uk
The range will include furniture polish, leather and wood care products, antibacterial and antifungal and general cleaning sprays, all made with a very high content of natural materials such as bees wax, organic and non-organic essential oils, pure vegetable oils and resins.
Products include the curiously named 'Bitter and Twisted Nourishing Spray for Wood and Leather', which includes cider and citrus among its ingredients, a glass and tile cleaner called 'The Vodka Cleantini', and natural rodent repellents made up in cute little fabric creations called 'Mouse Pouches'.
Kristin believes there is a gap in the market as consumers are becoming more environmentally aware and looking for safer, healthier alternatives to mass produced chemical cleaning products. She feels her range will also appeal to consumers who enjoy natural scents, have allergies or sensitive skin, or who seek a gentler, but just as effective, alternative product.
Kristin said: "There is ever increasing media coverage regarding the dangers that come from prolonged exposure to standard household aerosols and sprays. As I researched and created my own products, I realised just how much went into items we use on a daily basis that really did not have to be there and some of them aren't even good for the surfaces for which they're intended.
"My hope is people will begin to see that products which are eco-sensitive are not necessarily spartan, but in fact can be quite luxurious and enjoyable to use, pleasing the senses as well as performing the tasks for which they are formulated.
"Many of my products provide some benefits for the skin, and none of them are caustic or solvent-based. I work bare-handed when I formulate every product I make, this is how much I trust my recipes - if it's not gentle enough for my skin it's not gentle enough for anyone else's.
"Our product line is fairly small at present because my standards for ingredients are so high that I will not create a product until I find a way to do it that is as safe, effective and pleasant as possible. However, I can say that I do have a non-scratching ceramic scrub and an organic hand balm in the works. I hope to put them online within the next few months."
Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) assisted Kristen to set up Wax Nostalgic Ltd with a business start-up grant of £3,600, which is paid in 12 monthly instalments. Business start-up grants provide new businesses with support and financial assistance by providing a regular income over the first 12 months of trading - traditionally the hardest time for a fledgling company.
According to Ian Thomson, development manager at CASE: "Kirsten has both excellent IT and communication skills which enabled her to start the business and will be a major strength towards the success of her venture. The use of the internet opens up a global market for her products."