TREVOR SUFFIELD Enlarge Image

Mary Lawrence, left, and Bev Anderson say the time is right for environmentally safe products like Kaley’s Soap Nuts and organic hemp patient gowns.

When Mary Lawrence got sick with a mystery illness four years ago, her doctor thought she was beginning to develop ALS.

Her ill health forced the Charleswood resident to eventually sell her successful gown rental business to concentrate on improving her health.

"I just knew that something was desperately wrong and I just started researching and I soon started eliminating certain products," Lawrence says.

The products she removed included common household items like hair dye and laundry detergent, she says.

"They say your laundry room is the most toxic place in your house and I was working in one for many years," she says, adding she even had the silver fillings removed from her teeth.

Lawrence’s health started to improve once she decided to make her house chemical-free. While she’s not sure if the changes were connected to her improved health, but is now a firm believer in organic living.

The experience inspired Lawrence and friend Bev Anderson to launch Orgownic Inc. two years ago, a home-based company that specializes in earth-friendly products including the rental of organic patient gowns.

The gowns are made from hemp, which is chemical-free and soft to the touch, Lawrence says. Clinics in Canada and the United States are using the gowns, although none currently do in Winnipeg.

The environmentally-friendly gowns can be replaced on a daily or weekly schedule, depending on the customer’s needs, and are returned fully laundered, she says.

The partners plan to grow the business locally and eventually set up distributors in other parts of the country.

The organic gowns cost more than regular gowns so they aren’t targeting hospitals yet because they are used to buying in bulk, she says.

Anderson, who lives in North Kildonan, thinks it’s a good time to offer more environmentally friendly products as an increasing number of hospitals and health care professionals are eager to use them.

However, she admits that it’s been a tough sell with some people, mostly because of the price.

The business also offers Kaley’s Soap Nuts, which are imported from India and used instead of laundry detergent.

While the nuts are for sale in 28 stores in the city and all over Canada, Lawrence says some people are still reluctant to use them.

"I think it’s hard changing a mindset because you’re not pouring a liquid in and people like to see the suds, but there are no suds which are just chemicals to make it look like it’s cleaning the clothes," Lawrence says.

Anderson says that soap nuts are an environmentally safe and economical way to wash your clothes, even if its hurts her company’s bottom-line.

"That’s the best part (that they last long), but it’s a bad part for us because we realize one bag will last forever," she says.
For more information, call 888-6887 or visit www.orgownic.com.

trevor.suffield@canstarnews.com