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 $2  1 tbsp. cornstarch  1 qt. warm water Standard glass cleaner  32 $2.50 Green glass cleaner  32 $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.