Cleaning Healthy…Cleaning Green

15 MINUTE

OHCE LEADER LESSON

Introduction

People spend an average of 90 percent of their time indoors

Levels of organic pollutants 2 to 5 times higher inside

Sources include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from household cleaning products

Green tip 1: Simplicity

Simplify your life and make cleaning easier

Use fewer products

Select multi-use products

Focus on basic cleaning ingredients

Green tip 2: Economics

Homemade glass cleaner

1/4 c. white vinegar

32 oz @ $2 1 tbsp. cornstarch

1 qt. warm water

Standard glass cleaner

32 oz. @ $2.50

Green glass cleaner

32 oz. @ $5.00

Homemade cleaning products cost less than commercial or over-the-counter cleaners

Green tip 3: Environment

Why go “green”?

Health reasons: Improving your home environment by reducing volatile organic compounds that may cause respiratory problems

Environmentally responsible choice: Choosing to use practices today that reduce the use of natural resources so they will be there for future generations

Greenwashing!

• Greenwashing: Misleading or false claims

• Learn to separate true eco-friendly products from the greenwashers

• For example, look for EPA Design for the Environment or the private-sector program “Green Seal”

How safe are your products?

No cleaning product is 100% safe

Natural and green do not imply that the product is nontoxic

All cleaning products should be used with caution

Hands-on activity

Let’s make some cleaners!

When making cleaners:

Mix only what you need or no more than a month supply

Use new containers: DO NOT store homemade cleaners in previously used or food storage containers

Label with date, ingredients, and product name

Mix in a well-ventilated area

Let’s make…

All-purpose cleaner #1

3 tbsp. white vinegar

1⁄2 tsp. washing soda

1⁄2 tsp. vegetable oil based liquid soap

2 cups hot water

Fragrant kitchen cleanser

2 tbsp. white vinegar

2 pints water

4 drops essential oil (lavender, tea tree oil, lemon, lemongrass, or rosemary)

No-streak glass cleaner

¼ c. white vinegar

1 tbsp. cornstarch

1 quart warm water

Thank you!Questions?Comments?

Note: This program was developed by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension (Sharon M. S. Gibson, Multi-Cultural Specialist. Pamela R. Turner, Associate Professor & Extension Housing Specialist). This shorter version was developed by G. Peek. Source: Gibson, S. M. S., & Turner, P. R. (2008). Cleaning healthy, cleaning green (HACE-E-73-2). Athens, GA: University of Georgia.