Community Engagement

Going Green at 70 : Greener Cleaning

January 2, 2024    Email:           F: Going Green at 70 by Nancy MacRae

Happy New Year Green Beans!

I know we say this every New Year but hey – where did this year go?

I have never been one to make New Year’s Resolutions; mainly because they have always faded by February but this year, I am going to make it simpler. I am going to try to adopt one better habit every month. Here’s January’s:

Recently I was reading raves about microfiber cloths; and how they were the best dusters, cleaners, and a must-have for your home. Now the old me would have just gone out and bought them. Now, I try and get a bit more information. Turns out microfibers are actually small synthetic fibres, usually made from polyester and nylon. They are tiny pieces of plastic and they account for a huge portion of the pollution that ends up in our waterways

.When did we start buying specialty items just because we read about them – it’s not always the latest and greatest, sometimes it’s just a cash grab and we are the naïve consumer who falls for it. Instead of falling for the hype, reuse what you have. Can’t we just use old clothes like our mothers did? Before you put an old t-shirt in the give-away bag or throw it out – repurpose it as a cleaning cloth. You know when you finish the laundry, and you find that lone sock or you have one with a hole in it and you can’t darn – repurpose - socks make great dusters. If you do need to buy something to clean with, try J-clothes, they are environmentally friendly. All we need to do is make good choices. Sometimes we think it will be harder than it actually turns out to be – I haven’t used paper towels in over 2 years and honestly, I haven’t missed them, well – I haven’t missed them too much. I am also committed to using up my throw-away dusters and never buying the refills again.

Using better cleaning cloths is just one small thing you can do to reduce plastic. A much bigger topic would be the perils of synthetic clothes that shed tiny plastic fibers but that’s for another day.

Before I make a purchase - I am committed to doing my research, looking for better alternatives, and never falling for the advertising hype again! Bravo if you are already on board!

I think this quote is right on the month:

We get a larger life by asking larger questions and keeping those questions before us – not from settling for the available answers, which ultimately prove limiting. - James Hollis

Until next time – stay green!