Local woman finds it IS easy being green
If you go
What: "Cleaning Green Around Your Home and Center" program offered by UW Extension Rock County
When: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, and noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 30.
Where: Rock County Courthouse, 51 S. Main St., Janesville, second-floor conference center.
Cost: $10 each. Register by calling (608) 757-5694.
For more information: Call Angela Flickinger at (608) 757-5689 or Cristina Parente at (608) 757-5693.
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Shana Leith mixes up a batch of glass cleaner using just three common household ingredients and a little water.
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Shana Leith of Janesville finds recipes on the internet and makes her own green cleaning products at home.
JANESVILLE — Shana Leith uses vinegar and water to wash windows and bleach and water to disinfect her countertops.
Three years ago, she tried making homemade laundry detergent from a bar soap, borax and washing soda she found in the laundry detergent aisle.
She's never gone back to store-bought laundry detergent.
"It's just as good as store-bought laundry detergent, something I can easily do at home and a great way to save money," the 39-year-old Janesville woman said.
Residents thinking about going green with household cleaning products can learn how this month during two UW Extension Family Living programs.
Angela Flickinger, family living educator, said the first-time program is intended to educate and change behaviors about cleaning green.
"We've been getting a lot more questions about canning, cleaning green and about things that are very basic, such as homemade foods. Our culture is shifting back to the basics," she said.
Flickinger said people don't clean with green cleaners because they think they're too busy.
"It's like menu planning and just taking that one hour to do it. It's a barrier," she said.
The 90-minute, hands-on program is intended to break down those barriers "for people to be prepared and confident that when they go home they can start (cleaning green) instantly," Flickinger said.
"It's a very simple process," she said.
The $10 program fee will pay for the ingredients and spray bottles for each person to make and take home a "green" all-purpose cleaner, window wash and air freshener, Flickinger said.
People clean green to save money, eliminate hazardous chemicals from their homes and decrease pollution, she said.
Leith agrees.
"I read on the Internet that by making your own green cleaning products you can save from 50 to 95 percent of what you have to spend to buy the product in a store. A lot of these, it's pennies the cost to make it yourself. It's a huge, huge money saver," she said.
Leith said she likes knowing what ingredients are in her cleaning products, and they work.
"I wouldn't continue if they didn't do a good job," she said.
Some friends tell me they don't have time for this, Leith said.
"I tell them it literally takes like two minutes to mix together a cleaner," she said.
"We all have time for that. I think for a lot of people, it probably sounds a lot harder than it is."
HOMEMADE CLEANERS
The Utah State University Cooperative Extension offers the following recipes for homemade cleaners:
All-purpose cleaner
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 gallon water
Directions: Mix and store and use with micro fiber cloths. Use for removal of water deposit stains or shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors.
Bathroom mold cleaner
One part hydrogen peroxide
Two parts water
Directions: Mix and pour into a spray bottle. Spray on areas with mold. Wait at least one hour then rise or use the shower.
Oven cleaner
3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup water
Directions: Mix to make thick a paste, moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water and spread paste throughout oven interior before letting it sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots.
Dry carpet shampoo
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 cups baking soda
4 to 5 crumbled bay leaves
1 tablespoon ground cloves
Directions: Mix and shake into carpet. Let sit for one hour and then vacuum.
Toilet cleaner
Sprinkle baking soda and lemon juice into toilet and let sit. Later scrub with a toilet brush.
Upholstery spot remover
Club soda
Furniture polish
1 part vegetable oil
1 part lemon juice
Apply, rub and wipe clean
Soft scrub for tubs/sinks
2 cups baking soda
1/2 cup liquid castile soap
4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
5 drops antibacterial essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, rosemary or any scent your prefer (optional).
May 5, 2012 at 7:52 a.m.
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@Sigma40 - "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." - Mark Twain
May 5, 2012 at 7:18 a.m.
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I would agree with SIGMA40 - your explanation is very good and I would do the same as you.
May 4, 2012 at 8:48 p.m.
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A good disinfecting cleaner is cheap vodka. Cheap as in "buy-it-by-the-gallon" cheap. Far less expensive per ounce than the commercial cleaners and it is odorless, it disinfects and it is biodegradable....and a wee nip actually puts you in the mood to clean. ;)
May 4, 2012 at 4:08 p.m.
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To answer chelleandlou:
Maybe you have trouble reading. The article states, "Three years ago, she tried making homemade laundry detergent . . ." The very next sentence says, "She's never gone back to store-bought laundry detergent."
May 4, 2012 at 3:08 p.m.
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"im a realist."
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No Sigma, you’re egocentric and thoughtless. A realist understands the hazards of using toxins and how it relates to air and water quality. A realist is sensible and realizes there is plenty of evidence that confirms even the proper use of household cleaners results in water and air pollution also taking into account the amount of toxins released as these chemicals are produced. The fact natural toxins exist in our environment is no justification for using them in our homes adding them to our already overburdened water treatment systems. Even those of average intelligence realize their actions, no matter how insignificant they may seem, really do matter. The excuse that it’s time consuming is weak. We all make time for what we believe to be important. The attitude that one individual can't make a difference comes in handy when avoiding responsibility and accountability. Congratulations, by your own admission you seem to be very proud of your laziness and apathy.
May 4, 2012 at 2:12 p.m.
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First to answer Sigma40;
1. I already go shopping,so it is not an extra trip as you implied.
2. Gas/transportation cost is a given for #1.
3. You can reuse containers from expensive cleaners if you do not want to buy new ones, just be sure to triple rinse. The dollar stores do carry inexpensive new ones though.
4. Mixing is only difficult if you have trouble measuring - you can always mark a line on the side of the container once you measure each ingredient, so you have a guide for the next time.
Going green is easy when it comes to cleaning. I grew up with my dad making home made cleaners, especially glass cleaner and then he used newspapers for a streak free shine. Vinegar is also great for deskunking a dog, just keep away from their eyes and rinse thoroughly. I saved a fortune making my own baby wipes too. Great article, would make for an interesting weekly read with new tips each time.
May 4, 2012 at 9:11 a.m.
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Im not negative, im a realist. This stuff this lady is doing I respect her for, thats great, but one person out of a billion isnt going to do anything. In reality what shes doing to try and change society for the better would be like trying to stop oxygen or shut off the sun....aint gonna happen. People like me who have a million things going on is not going shopping for supplies to make cleaning products with.
1. Time for shopping
2. Gas to go shopping
3. Extra containers to put it in
4. Mixing all the magic potions
Also, 1 bottle of cleaner, or several bottles of ingredients? hmmm. ya 1 bottle for me.
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All this would be so much easier if it were just steps 1&2. In the time it took me to mix the stuff up (and re-read how to mix it) I could be done cleaning. Also I wouldnt have to wait so long because the chemicals in the store baught stuff are much harsher and work faster. It sucks we live in a quick and easy society, im guilty, but most people feel the same.
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Take the truth as negative....thats your own perception.
May 4, 2012 at 7:45 a.m.
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And, like Jack Nicholson's character, R.P. McMurphy says in "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest", "AT LEAST I TRIED!"
May 4, 2012 at 7:41 a.m.
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Negative, defeatist, "nay-sayer" comments and attitudes by certain posters to this site have often made me think of the following saying:
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"It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can do only a little. Do what you can." Sydney Smith, Writer & Clergyman, 1771-1845.
May 3, 2012 at 10:21 p.m.
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I prefer the volatile stuff better. Im not going to sit around and wait for hours to clean.
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And this going green fad is just like the hippies from the 60's trying to get peace....ya that worked.
May 3, 2012 at 5:49 p.m.
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Neat but be careful not vinegar on granite or you will ruin it! It will pit. Any acid don't mix with granite and no bleach on granite either.
May 3, 2012 at 4:26 p.m.
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"Three years ago, she tried making homemade laundry detergent..." shouldn't the results of her attempt follow? I read the sentence three times and my interpretation was she tried but was unsucessful; however later in the article clearly that is not the case.
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