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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.