NOW CLOSED: Kleenex Balsam Feedback thread

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the 65 Mumsnetters trying out the Kleenex Balsam tissue range.

All testers were sent one of each of the following products from the range:

~ Balsam tissues in regular, man-size and pocket pack formats
~ Balsam Fresh tissue in regular & pocket pack formats
~ Kleenex Balsam Nose and Lip Balm

Please add your feedback to the thread below, everyone who does so will be entered into a prize draw for John Lewis vouchers where one lucky MNer will win £100 of vouchers AND two runners up will each receive £50 of vouchers.

Please note Kleenex may well use quotes from the feedback on the Kleenex hub on Mumsnet - along with your MN name E.g. AnnMumsnet said "xxx". If Kleenex want to use one of your comments anywhere other than on the Kleenex MN pages (for example, in press ads, on the Kleenex website and Facebook pages) they will also want to include your name and location (e.g. Sally of Norwich said "xxx"). If your comment is selected, we will contact you beforehand to confirm these details and for your permission, and you can decline if you wish. The Kleenex team may also want testers to act as case studies and again if so, you will be contacted by Mumsnet.

Kleenex just have a couple of questions for you. Though you are welcome to add any other comments you may have also.

So, which product did you like the best from the range? Why?

How did you and your family use the products in the range? Can you give some examples of how you all used them - for example did any pocket packs go in school bags, does the lip balm live in your handbag or car? Where did you keep the boxes?

Thanks, MNHQ

For all of us who contracted flu heavy colds when the box arrived, here are some Islay malt toddies purely for medicinal purposes.
Excuse mug but you get more necked benefit.

Thank you! I am genuinely excited about the number of tissues I now own, brilliant!
So, which product did you like the best from the range? Why?
I liked the fresh smelling ones best, although I have to say I was a bit scared of them and the lip balm as I had a very sore nose and was worried it would sting. Ah no, blissful noseblowing, if thats possible!

How did you and your family use the products in the range? Can you give some examples of how you all used them - for example did any pocket packs go in school bags, does the lip balm live in your handbag or car? Where did you keep the boxes?
Well the mansize ones have gone in the car as I'm not keen of the huge box, they are incredibly useful in the car being so big. DD has used most of them already also having the lurgy and free reign of soft tissues. The pocket packs went into my handbag and DDs school bag. I gave some of the menthol tissues to a sobbing friend who commented on their pleasant fragrance. DD used all hers in one day but didn't have a sore nose which is a first for her. The lip balm is also in my handbag and though it is effective I don't like sticking my finger into it having just been on public transport, its makes me feel icky. I think a tube would be better. Having said that it is very effective on sore lips and noses and not too greasy.
The standard tissues are being used the slowest but still better than any other tissues for not hurting your nose.

The big boxes lived on the window sill in the lounge and were a welcome break from a bit of loo roll. The little packets were very quickly coveted by the children and my DH. It was handy to keep in school bags, coat pockets, my handbag etc. We all really liked the 'fresh' variety - even with a blocked nose the smell was lovely. We found all varieties very soft on the snozzle and didn't get the usual sore nose from using them. We all loved the balm - especially my little 2 year old who was suffering from sore nose, lips and chin and the balm really helped - she kept asking for more 'nose cream'. Overall, we loved the products and will be buying again especially the 'fresh' tissues. thanks again for the samples.

So, which product did you like the best from the range? Why?

I love the balsam fresh tissues. The scent really is fresh and does what I presume it is intended for which is clearing the nasal passages. I have taken to just wrapping my nose in a tissue and sniffing as the balsam seems to unblock the sinuses. All the tissues are lovely and soft and very strong but I will be buying the balsam fresh rather than the regular balsam.

How did you and your family use the products in the range? Can you give some examples of how you all used them - for example did any pocket packs go in school bags, does the lip balm live in your handbag or car? Where did you keep the boxes?

DD and I are carrying the small packs in our pockets/school bag/handbag. I have the medium sized balsam fresh on my bedside table and DD has claimed the medium sized regular balsam for her dressing table. The huge box we haven't opened yet but that is on the side in the kitchen at the moment and will come in handy for emergency use before leaving the house. The nose and lip balsam I found easy enough to open but the product itself is rather 'heavy', it's not as soft as Vaseline, I had to warm it a little with the hairdryer in order to use it. I do like that it isn't too greasy though and it will be great for sore nose and lips.

Love the products and will definitely be buying. Thank you for the opportunity to test

How did you and your family use the products in the range?

We have tried them all and loved the Balsam Fresh ones, they were soft yet strong, didn't 'chafe' at all, my poor runny nose isn't nearly as red raw as it would be if we have used our usual brand. My two teen girls put the pocket packs in their bags and have used them all. Mostly for their noses but also to mop up spilt lemonade (worked v well!)

Can you give some examples of how you all used them - for example did any pocket packs go in school bags, does the lip balm live in your handbag or car?

My girls had the pocket packs in their bags, they've gone now and they are asking for more. I have the lip balm in my bag but have to hide it from the girls asthey are desperate to get their hands on it. Depending on the price I may buy them one each (wouldn't be prepared to pay more than I pay for their mini pots of vasaline)

Where did you keep the boxes?

The mansize box is in our bedroom and the family size ones are on the coffee table in the livingroom. The tissues are great and brilliant quality but I would prefer a less 'medicinal' looking box, I usually buy boxes which blend in with our decor and these didn't look as 'nice'. I would buy them again but probable continue to buy a nicer looking box for our coffee table.

Thank you for letting me test these products. I don't have a cold but am at the end of my pregnancy & seem to go from being bunged up to having a runny nose each day.
My favourite product was the fresh tissues, when I felt all stuffy they helped me breath easily. All of the tissues were great though as they feel so soft & didn't make my nose sore as other brands have done before.
I put the pocket packs in my handbag & coat pocket for when I'm out & about & have the big boxes in my bedroom & living room. I have popped the mansize box in my hospital bag for when I go in to have baby next week as it is quite flat & fitted well. The balsam is in my handbag too & has been great for keeping my lips & nose soft. The size of the tin is perfect. My daughter keeps trying to claim it for herself but it is mine, all mine

I was delighted to be given the opportunity to test these tissues as my husband and (grown-up) daughter have the drippiest noses in the kingdom even when cold-free, and DD obligingly developed an actual cold too just in time for the testing period.

Which product did you like the best from the range? Why?

DD: "the Balsam Fresh - as they were very soft and I liked the novelty of the menthol."
DH: "The normal Balsam (non-Fresh) in Regular - the size of the tissue and the size of the box suit me best."

How did you and your family use the products in the range? Can you give some examples of how you all used them - for example did any pocket packs go in school bags, does the lip balm live in your handbag or car? Where did you keep the boxes?

DD: "I kept the pocket ones in my handbag.
Balsam Fresh - one box taken between bed, TV and computer - you can see I really liked these as I carried them round with me!
Balsam regular - by TV and computer (one box mansize, the other normal).
The lip balm - carried around in my pocket or bag whilst I had a cold, but has now taken up residence in my ice-skating bag for taking to the rink, where the air is quite cold and drying."

DH: "I keep a box of tissues by my armchair, on my desk, in the kitchen and by the bed. However, not in the car as I am usually driving and could not cope with a box one handed."

General comments:

Positive: Everyone really liked these tissues, and they were far preferable to our normal (Value) brand.
DD "I really loved the Fresh. I found them exceptionally soft - much easier on the nose than our usual brand. Perhaps the magic balm working...? I loved the lip-balm too."

Not-so positive: DH: "I feel that the three-ply tissue is rather wasteful and unecological compared with cheaper two-ply brands.

The polythene inset in the box does not seem to have solved the problem of the first few tissues emerging incorrectly interleaved.

When the pack has been opened, the branding is not easy to see ? surely not good for marketing, especially if the tissues end up on Very Important Desks."

First of all, thank you for allowing me to be part of the test.

I loved the menthol tissues the best, they really helped with my constantly stuffy nose. I keep these in the kitchen out of reach of little hands!

The mansized tissues were fab, really soft on the toddlers and school childrens noses (I am a childminder and use a lot of tissues) - infact they were finished in the matter of days a big thumbs up from the minded kids! My baby mindee did not mind so much having his constantly running nose wiped with these tissues, I will be buying them again so worth the money if they dont hurt the little ones noses! Oh, these were kept in the living room for all to use.

I kept the pocket pack in my handbag along with the balm which I found to be nice and soothing on my chapped and dry lips.

I'm very suspicious as I went down with a rotten cold the day after the tissues arrived... did you send a virus in the post?

I thought that MotherPanda. Come on Kleenex, cough up (like what I did there?) did you send us all the cold virus?

Seriously though...

So, which product did you like the best from the range? Why?
The pocket packs. My parents were staying when the tissues arrived so one packet went in mum's coat pocket, another in dad's, another in my handbag, one in DP's golf bag, one in LO's change bag... you get the picture! I like the fact that you can take them anywhere and, when LO's nose is running or DP suddenly has one of those ginormous man sneezes I don't have to scramble around trying to find a bit of tatty toilet roll; there's just a nice neat tissue ready and waiting.

How did you and your family use the products in the range? Can you give some examples of how you all used them - for example did any pocket packs go in school bags, does the lip balm live in your handbag or car? Where did you keep the boxes?

The man-size boz was sniped by DP as soon as I opening the envelope ("mine") and has disappeared into his office. He works from home so I've heard him sneezing all week, but not seen any evidence of a red nose - the balsam must be working well

The plain packet went in the top of LO's cot so that I could grab it to wipe his nose or blow mine in the night. It was finished quickly thanks to the super strength cold virus that Kleenex sent us but the box is still there. LO thinks it's the best toy he's ever had. Much better than all those presents we spent money on at Christmas. Hmph.

The fresh pack went on the living room table and was much admired by our visitors. I liked the smell and, as others have said, the fact that it didn't sting your nose.

Randomly, the balm is on LO's changing table. He HATES having his nose wiped (sorry Kleenex, but even your super soft tissues don't get the seal of approval from him) so we've been smothering him in the balm as it seems to make the nose wiping scenario slightly less unbearable for him. Leaving it on the change table means we remember to put it on regularly. I've been having sneaky goes on it too though, I like it. It's lighter and less 'sticky' than, um, other similar looking brands.

Thank you for letting us take part in the trial. We've really appreciated having so many high quality tissues around as we battled this nasty cold

Ha! Did kleenex put a virus in the parcel? Within one day I started with a cold and now it would appear I have a sinus infection.

Too blardy ill to post on here properly.

The tissues are a godsend! SEND ME MORE!!!!

the lip balm is a screw top btw. last seen being squirrelled away by DS2 who is 5 and grateful for a lip balm in non girly colours.

Thank you for the product testing. Great timing as everyone has said! We are all full of cold here too!

Loved the smell of all the tissues. Think I'm converted. I liked the Balsalm Fresh ones best, the menthol smell was great. This kids all liked this one too.
The mansize box was swiped by DS (aged 7) which didn't bother me as the box is way too big for the kitchen windowledge! We have used his box upstairs which is fine. I also liked the balm too. My DD has used it quite a lot, and I have also used it on the baby's nose area to stop his nose getting sore from being wiped.

I always buy pocket packs of tissues anyway so they went straight in my handbag and changing bag.

Everyone in the house wants me to start buying these tissues now instead of my usual supermarket own brand type. I must admit, the luxury of them is great!

Thanks again

I liked the menthol tissues best. Reminded me of being a kid and having vicks on a tissue. Dd1 didn't like them at all , she has a very keen sense of smell and found them too strong. The dc took a pocket pack eachin their book bags to school. The mansize i have put in the car. Too big for home but should have thought of putting tissues in car before. They are very handy to have especially this size .
I used the fresh box at nursery , a nice change from cheapo tissues for the kids this week. I also used the balm there. Great for little noses. However not keen on the screw lid took me a while to work that out and too difficult for dd2 who would have retained that if she could open it. However it has been fine to use on her nose and she has very sensitive skin.
Thanks for choosing us to take part.

Thanks very much for sending me all of these to try - I hadnt expected to get so many. I've seen the range advertised on the tv but never bought them.
Favourite product is definitely the balsam fresh tissues - they are so very soft and perfect for my toddler who has a permanent snot dangle since starting at nursery. The balm is also excellent though I will stick to the under nose usage, not for lips. I wasnt so keen on the menthol tissues, but I dont like menthol anyway. DD said they were tingly and wouldnt use more than one. She has enjoyed having a mini pack in her school bag though and the other small pack has one into my workbag. The boxes are dotted around the house.
I am impressed with the range and will definitely buy the balsam in the future (certainly during the winter colds season). Thank you Kleenex, the Monstermuncher family can breathe a little easier!

Glad to hear other people suspect the products have been impregnated with rhinovirus!!

We all went down with a cold the day after they arrived, and the tissues have been a god send.

DS (2.4) loves the balm, although I do not like balms in pots - prefer tubes or sticks, as I hate using my fingers to apply the stuff. However, it was fab on his poor sore nose and upper lip, and he won't let the pot out of his sight now :o

the balsam tissues are fab - we haven't opened the man sized ones yet, but both the fresh and regular ones have been used, and the pocket sized packs were brilliant for the car - driving DS to and from nursery (and me to and from work) with runny noses, it was great having handy tissues rather than half a bog roll in the car with us!!

the fresh tissues are particularly good - I've used olbas oil ones before and these are obviously similar, but seem softer. Will buy them again if we all get blocked noses! I have found them useful too, as along with the cold, have been suffering from pregnancy rhinitis, and thus constantly blocked up, and these tissues are a gentle way to unblock my nose. Not sure how they'd fare against sinusitis, but for a regular cold/blocked nose, they were fine.

DH also liked the balsam and fresh tissues, but has been less snotty than DS and I, so hasn't tested them as much as we have!

thanks :)

Thanks for sending the tissues.

My daughters, 7 and 10 , asked for the pocket packets to take to school. They were really pleased to have them.

I really like the smell of the fresh tissues and have been using them a lot. The man size tissues are perfect for morning when I'm really bunged up. Have also been using then on DS who is 3 and they haven't made his nose sore as they are so soft. I haven't really found a proper home for the tissue boxes, they are in a pile in the kitchen!

The balm was good, expected it to be fragranced but was lovely that it wasn't.

Thanks again

So, which product did you like the best from the range? Why?

We really liked the balm ones - they were so soft and the noses didn't get sore with the constant blowing.

How did you and your family use the products in the range? Can you give some examples of how you all used them - for example did any pocket packs go in school bags, does the lip balm live in your handbag or car? Where did you keep the boxes?
The mansize and the menthol ones are both in the living room at opposite ends. The pocket pack along with the balm went into my handbag :)

Thank you very much for letting me test these products. Another one here whose whole household was suffering from colds and runny noses upon their arrival!

So, which product did you like the best from the range? Why?
The product I liked best were the Balsam tissues. Pocket pack size are always really handy to have and came in very useful when I was out and about. But, for me the best by far was the man-size tissues.
I don't think I've ever bought man-size before, and I have to say I was really impressed. They felt strong, I liked the size and the balsam in them smelt lovely. I didn't find the smell too strong at all.

How did you and your family use the products in the range?
One pocket pack went in the changing bag, found them handy to use out and about. And DP took the other packet, as he was suffering with man flu. (A cold).
The balm is in my handbag. I didn't really love it as a lip balm, it didn't feel rich enough. However, I used it on DD's delicate nose and was happy with the results. She has very sensitive skin and would certainly continue using it on her.
Man-size box is on the kitchen table, where it's been used by everyone. And, also been used for spillages - mainly when DD has been flinging her food around!
Fresh box is in the bathroom.

Overall, impressed with all the products.

So, which product did you like the best from the range? Why?

I liked the Fresh Tissues best - so did my teenage daughter who has sneaked the box into her room. Would buy these during a cold. My ds (ASD) hasn't objected to the scent. Tissues are very soft and really good quality.

Close second is the balm - even after coffee I could feel the balm on my lips but it had no taste and wasnt heavy or greasy. Will continue to buy this product. Agree that the container isnt the easiest to use - closing more than opening I find.

How did you and your family use the products in the range? Can you give some examples of how you all used them - for example did any pocket packs go in school bags, does the lip balm live in your handbag or car? Where did you keep the boxes?

Pocket packs went in both dc school bags, I had a packet for my handbag and a packet for my locker at work and in the glovebox of my car.
The fresh box started in the sitting room but was aquired by my teenage dd who think they are "cool" so the balm tissues are now in the sitting room. The man sized pack are in the cloakroom cuboard, unopened. The box is really big and I would only get them out if someone had a bad cold. The standard size tissues, because of their quality are all we need.

It is odd, I always buy premium toilet paper as I think even own brand premium just isnt as good - yet with tissues I used to grab mid range products. Trying the Kleenex products, especially the fresh tissues, has changed my mind. When i'm are feeling low with a cold and have a sore, blocked nose its exactly the time I want the extra comfort and luxury. I don't really believe the lemsip type products really help with a cold - but they are a comfort, the kleenex products I rate it the same way. They may not make me well but they make me feel better.

Thank you Kleenex for letting my try your range.

So, which product did you like the best from the range? Why?

I liked them all. I have never really given tissue-buying much thought to be honest. I usually get whatever is cheapest although I did once buy Disney Princess ones for DD. The balsam tissues are so soft they don't feel like they are tearing the skin off my poor sensitive coldy nose when ever I reach for a tissue to sneeze.

How did you and your family use the products in the range? Can you give some examples of how you all used them - for example did any pocket packs go in school bags, does the lip balm live in your handbag or car? Where did you keep the boxes?

The pocket size packs were taken by the girls for their school bags as soon as I had opened the package. The did have a little fight over the menthol ones. Their feedback was that they were better than the cheapo ones I usually buy (bargain unbranded from Dunelm last time).

I liked the balm but for myself it wasn't really as effective as my usual lipbalm, it didn't feel like it was doing much. This said, it was really effective today for the girls- we walked the dog on the beach in the wind and often come back with chapped lips but not this time as they had smothered their lips before leaving the car.

DD managed to get through nearly all of the man-sized tissues in one sitting- she had a slight cold and was playing on it a bit. The puppy enjoyed shredding them all over the house too.

The menthol ones are nice but I think they could be stronger.

I am now a Kleenex Balsam convert. Thanks for letting us try them. :)

So, my first question to Kleenex is... Did you send germs in that jiffy bag as well as tissues??? There I was, delighted to receive them, especially the balm (clever idea) but had to put them away on a high shelf due to very noticable Lack Of Demand. And then within a week of their arrival, we all mysteriously have colds Germ warfare...Like you approach to increasing sales

So far the balm has been fab when outdoors. Regardless of the colds, we made everyone go for a three mile walk in the countryside yesterday, and I believe there were no whinges at all about stingy noses. We did forget the tissues but the balm plus toilet roll got us through.

The big box of balsam tissues is now next to the boys' bunk bed and being used appropriately. Faaaaar better than seeing them sniff, snort, rub on their sleeves, or use miiiles of toilet paper. One if them even said they liked how soft it is. There is hope yet of converting them to using 'proper' nose-wiping technique.

Wil send ds1 and dh out with a pocket size this morning as they will soend the morning exposed to wind and cold...high tissue demand time.

OMG that happened to us!

Many thanks for the chance to test these tissues.

So, which product did you like the best from the range? Why?

I really like the pocket tissues - I usually have a value pack of these in my handbag, the car, the pushchair and the changing bag. The Kleenex has stayed in my handbag but has been so useful. I have genuinely noticed the difference in quality between the value brand I usually buy (that fall apart quickly), and these ones. Each tissue goes a bit further!

How did you and your family use the products in the range?

We have the regular size box on the dining table. It has been used by everyone for noses, spills, laptop screen cleaning...(!) I have just done my DD's nails, and usually I'd use kitchen roll to remove the varnish, but as the tissues were 'there', I used them instead. I know that's not what they were supposed to be used for, but again, they came up trumps by not falling apart!

I have definitely noticed the difference on the noses which have been wiped by the kleenex tissues. Much more gentle, and less 'raw' by the end of the day.

I haven't used the balm yet.

Our family has all been suffering with Norovirus this week, so sniffles has been the 'least' of our clean up needs.

I do work in a community hospital, and am a big fan of 'catch it, kill it, bin it', so I encourage everyone in the family to use tissues and then wash hands or use alcogel swiped from work

I have honestly noticed the difference in what we usually buy, these are much more superior.

Hello and thank you for the tissues/balm

We also have ALL mysteriously needed the tissues so much this week due to having colds and DH his manflu

So, which product did you like the best from the range? Why?
My personal fave was the tin of balm, it has been in my handbag since its arrival and is mine, all mine. I use it as a lip-balm and think it is excellent. Absolutely love the little tin and the fact that it closes well .... have had no trouble opening or closing.

How did you and your family use the products in the range?Can you give some examples of how you all used them - for example did any pocket packs go in school bags, does the lip balm live in your handbag or car? Where did you keep the boxes?
As I said the balm has gone straight into my bag. DCs have had a pocket pack each in their school bags & they loved them. DDs friends (age 7) have already commented on her nice tissues and almost used them all!
The balsam box is being used in the Lounge and is almost empty already. The mansize box is in my kitchen - unopened at the moment. Our other box (the Fresh scented) are in the Dining Room and i love these too.

The tissues are really much softer than my usual brand ........ DH would have had a really red/sore nose usually but by using the Balsam tissues he has experienced no redness at all. He is very impressed with your product.
This is high praise indeed

I think that the Balsam tissues are lovely and personally prefer them to the Fresh scent.
Thanks again Kleenex, we are definite converts to your products.