Ask Eartha Steward: Spring cleaning workshop Saturday

I am interested in weaning our family off conventional cleaners. Do you have green cleaning ingredients and recipes that are effective to cleanse our home for spring cleaning?
— Alyson Leighton, Breckenridge

It is nearing that time of year again — the time when, in between snowstorms, we can start focusing on cleaning out the mysterious cobwebs that have been spun in various corners of the home.

The time when, in between snowstorms, we can stop worrying so much about weather stripping and plastic on the windows, and open them up on sunny days to air out our homes.

And, finally the time when, in between snowstorms, we can gather non-toxic cleaning supplies to cleanse the hearth, and gather the outdated, so not cool toxic cleaners to be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection.

For those folks out there wondering what exactly green cleaning is, here’s my take on it: it’s the process of using non-toxic, naturally derived, biodegradable and organic ingredients to effectively clean one’s home.

Now, caveat emptor, the words used in the above sentence are not to be taken lightly. Non-toxic, naturally derived, biodegradable and organic are terms not regulated very specifically by the government, and some products throw the alluring terms around, even when weird, hard-to-pronounce chemicals are present in the product.

When I use the terms, non-toxic, naturally derived, biodegradable and organic, I am referring to using basic, truly non-toxic ingredients like baking soda, white vinegar, Bon Ami, plant-based clothes and dishwashing soaps, essential oils, isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, even lemons and salt, to sanitize and clean.

While I love all the ingredients mentioned, the two first are my favorites because they are versatile.

Did you know baking soda is a powerful, all purpose cleaner that deodorizes, neutralizes acids, softens hard water and can be used as a mild abrasive (it won’t scratch)? Or that white vinegar kills bacteria, mold mildew and germs; cuts grease, mineral deposits, and even wax; and costs about $3 per gallon?

Which brings me to another point. By using the ingredients listed since one of Eartha’s Angels taught me at a Green Cleaning Workshop two years ago I have saved a lot of money compared to buying conventional cleaning products.

Luckily, you have the chance to learn from the best, too, because one of Eartha’s Angels will be teaching the Green Cleaning Workshop this Saturday from 2-4 p.m. at the Frisco Recreation Building (110 S. 3rd, between Main and Granite).

The hands-on workshop is $10, which includes all materials; register, get details or directions by calling the High Country Conservation Center at (970) 668-5703.
At the Green Cleaning Workshop you’ll learn tricks of the trade to effectively clean anything from coffee and tea stains in mugs to that nasty toilet bowl that gets gross rust stains.

I have talked to many a people who wish to rid themselves of this yucky porcelain inflection and the way to do it is … oh wait, you’re just going to have to stop by the workshop to hear the exclusive tip.

But, really, you’ll also learn about toxic ingredients that all of Eartha’s Angels avoid, additionally, you can gather the information on how to rid your home of the lurking toxins, such as chlorine bleach which is listed on the 1990 Clean Air Act as a hazardous air pollutant.

Workplace exposure of chlorine bleach is also regulated by the federal government, but the chemical is not only an air pollutant. Chlorine bleach is used to whiten cotton to coffee filters; the EPA says that using bleached coffee filters can lead to a lifetime exposure of dioxins that “exceeds acceptable levels.”

Instead I recommend getting reusable, organic cotton coffee filters (available at the Ecoasis, (970) 547-0147), buying unbleached coffee filters, getting a coffeemaker with a reusable filters, or using a French press.

Additionally, if you find yourself with household cleaners you wish to get rid of — whatever you do — do not throw or dump them down the drain. The HHW collection is available by appointment only by calling (970) 468-9263.

So, you see, there are many reasons to attend the Green Cleaning Workshop this Saturday in Frisco. Because even though we still have a couple weeks until the official, glorious day of spring is granted, it is a smart thing to do for the health of your family and the health of the environment to switch to green cleaners as soon as possible.

The first step is to attend the Green Cleaning Workshop, after which you’ll be amazed at the money you can save, and the effectiveness of eco-chic green cleaning.

Eartha Steward is written by Carly Wier, Jennifer Kirkpatrick and Beth Orstad, consultants on all things eco and chic at the High Country Conservation Center, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to waste reduction and resource conservation in our mountain community. Eartha believes that you can walk gently on our planet, even if you’re wearing stylie shoes.

Submit questions to Eartha at eartha@highcountryconservation.org with Ask Eartha as the subject or to High Country Conservation Center, P.O. Box 4506, Frisco, CO 80443.