Cleaning Healthy…Cleaning Green
OHCE District Lessons
March 17: Coalgate, OK (Southeast)
March 24: Miami, OK (Northeast)
March 26: Fairview, OK (Northwest)
March 31: Chickasha, OK (Southwest)
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
Introduction
What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
Emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids
VOCs are emitted from thousands of products, including household products (ex: cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, hobby supplies)
Introduction
Increases in respiratory and allergic health effects among children in homes with higher concentrations of some VOCs
Improving indoor air quality (IAQ) by reducing the number of chemicals used indoors
Green tips
Simplicity
Economics
Environment
Green tip 1: Simplicity
Simplify your life and make cleaning easier
Use fewer products
Select multi-use products
Focus on basic cleaning ingredients
Basic cleaning ingredients
Abrasive
Alkali
Acid
Bleach/Disinfectant
Surfactants
Cleaning products: Abrasives
Purpose
Scour off dirt, grease, or particulate matter
Coarse abrasives
Steel wool, coarse sandpaper
Less scrubbing but may scratch surface
Finer abrasives
Silica or a nylon mesh scrubber
More scrubbing and less likely to scratch surfaces
Cleaning products: Alkalis
Uses
Removes oily dirt; cuts grease
Strengths
Mild: Baking soda
Moderate: Borax
Strong: Washing soda or sodium carbonate
Caution
Dust from cleaning products can irritate the throat
Cleaning products: Acids
Uses
Remove hard-water deposits, discoloration on metal surfaces, and rust stains
Strengths
Mild: White vinegar or lemon juice
Cautions
Prolonged exposure to an acid may irritate the respiratory tract
Cleaning products: Bleaches
Uses
Remove stains and disinfect surfaces
Chlorine bleach
May cause severe damage or irritation to eyes, skin and respiratory system
Oxygen or non-chlorine bleach
Contain hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate, or sodium percarbonate
Cleaning products: Disinfectants
Uses
Kill microorganisms on surfaces
Types
Quaternary ammonium chlorides, phenolic compounds, pine oil, and hydrogen peroxide
Caution
Avoid breathing the vapors from the cleaning products
Cleaning products: Surfactants
Uses
Primary ingredients in soaps and detergents
Used to cut grease and grab onto the dirt to help remove it from the surface
Petroleum-based versus plant-based surfactants
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
Improving your home environment: Dust reduction
What types of things are in dust?
Agricultural products and pesticides
Pollen Lead dust Cigarette ash
Dust mites and insect fragments
Dead skin cells Volatile organic
compounds Etc.
Improving your home environment: Dust reduction
Reduce dust brought inside Add doormats by
all outside entrances
Shoe should hit the mat four times (10-12 feet)
Improving your home environment: An ounce of prevention
Clean as you go
Wipe up spills immediately
Reduce the need to clean
Don’t put grease down the drain Install drain screens
Improving your home environment: An ounce of prevention
Capture the dirt
Consider moving from sweeping with a broom to damp mopping floors
Instead of dusting with a dry cloth, use a damp cloth
Improving home environment: Invest in good equipment
Doormats for all exterior doors
Grate in front of door
Vacuum with a HEPA filter
Microfiber mops and cleaning cloths
Mop bucket – two chamber
Improving home environment: Freshening the air
Air fresheners mask odors and do not improve the indoor air quality
Good options for freshening the air:
White vinegar
Cinnamon sticks or cloves
Opening the windows
Greenwashing!
• Greenwashing: Misleading or false claims about how environmentally friendly their products are when in fact they are not
• You can learn to separate true eco-friendly products from the greenwashers
Greenwashing
Buyers beware!
It is best to look for public and/or private labels, such as Design for the Environment and Green Seal, when identifying green products
Avoiding greenwashing
Design for the Environment (an EPA partnership Program)
Works in partnership with industry, environmental groups, and academia to reduce risk to people and the environment by finding ways to prevent pollution
Ex. Murphy’s Oil Soap
http://www2.epa.gov/saferchoice/learn-about-safer-choice-label
Avoiding greenwashing
Green Seal
Independent non-profit organization that certifies products using credible, science-based and transparent standards
Third party certification
Ex. Dial Basics
http://www.greenseal.org/
http://www.greenseal.org/FindGreenSealProductsandServices.aspx?vid=ViewProductDetail&cid=17
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
Start today and make one change in your cleaning
habits
You can clean healthier and greener
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 ExtensionSharon M. S. Gibson, Multi-Cultural Specialist Pamela R. Turner, Associate Professor & Extension Housing SpecialistGibson, S. M. S., & Turner, P. R. (2008). Cleaning healthy, cleaning green (HACE-E-73-2). Athens, GA: University of Georgia.
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