Simpler, safer, greener alternatives for cleaning

週三, 一月 20 2010LOHAS Square

Simpler, safer, cheaper & greener alternatives for cleaning

Come to clean your home by greener method!

No one should have to choose between keeping their home clean and being healthy, which is why LOHAS Square@Central highlights natural alternatives for cleaning in January and February 2010.  Compare to commercial cleaners that contain chemicals, the natural alternatives are not only safer, cheaper and simple to use, they also help us reduce CO₂ emission and reduce pollution.

In a recent survey, Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden (KFBG) reviewed 30 household cleaning products in the market and found there is lack of information about the chemical content. Idy Wong, KFBG Head of Sustainable Living and Agriculture Department said, ‘the labels generally use descriptive terms such as “surfactant", "solvent", "detergent" and "penetrating agent" that consumers cannot decipher what types of chemicals are used in manufacturing these products. Some labels claimed that just one squirt and wipe, the product may cut grease and kill germs dead, however, they do not tell you how the miracle cleaners make it happens. Behind the labels could be hazardous industrial chemicals like “fluorescent whitening agents”, “Triclosan”, “Sodium Laureth Sulphate“, “artificial fragrance & coloring”, “Diethanolamine “, “Methanal“, “Hydrocarbons “, “Sodium Hydroxide”, “Ammonia”, “Chlorine”, and many others - they may not make your home ‘cleaner’ and ‘safer’ as they claim.’ Please refer to Table 1 for a list of chemicals that are commonly used in manufacturing cleaning products and their potential hazards.

Wong added, ‘the simplest and cheapest way to cut out the chemicals is to make your own cleaning product with natural materials such as salt, vinegar, baking soda, camellia powder and even fruits. These materials are safe to use, easily available and inexpensive. Skipping the industrial process in manufacturing, packaging and distribution, it also means self-made cleaning products have much lower carbon footprint than those that are sold at market. Traditionally, Chinese uses to clean up their home to prepare for the Lunar New Year, we wish people adopt the natural means to create a healthier environment to celebrate the years to come.’ Please refer to Table 2 & 3 for a list of natural materials that are suitable for cleaning use their applications.

Green Lunar New Year is the theme of the LOHAS Square @ Central in January and February 2010 and the highlights include workshops featuring eco-household cleaning alternatives, DIY-New Year Deco by reusing waste, waste-to-treasure handicraft-making, One Tonne Challenge and energy saving display and the regular Organic Farmers’ Market which is operated by local organic farmers and charity to save fresh organic produces of low carbon mileage and other energy efficient products.

Table 1 - Chemicals that are commonly used in manufacturing cleaning products and their potential hazards.

Table 2 – Natural materials that are suitable for cleaning uses.

Table 3 – Methods for Making Natural Cleaning Products and the Applications