Green Cleaning Career Day
I had the pleasure of being invited to participate in a “Career Day” at Gentry Middle School in Columbia, Missouri this past week. Every year the Columbia Chamber of Commerce sponsors this day at the area middle schools and looks to the chamber membership to participate. It was a great experience for me, and the 7th graders there were very much into the complete event. This was a chance for me to enlighten these young minds as to the true reason a custodian is in a school, to protect their health.
Gentry Middle School 7th Grade
During two different twenty minute sessions the class was able to look at what it takes to be a custodian of health in a school, we used an ATP meter to show the true results of cleaning and got a chance to work with Skype to London, England and chatted with Des Fulcher of NICE, LTD. We used the Activeion Ionator to show how you can use water and electricity to explode microbes in order to produce a surface which is safe to touch. During the presentation they were able to see the reduction of ATP from 238 to 8 using these modern cleaning devices and testing methods, both of which many individuals in the cleaning industry themselves have not seen. The teachers there were impressed as were the students.
Here at the Green Clean Institute we recognize that education is a continual issue, and while many in the cleaning industry do not believe education is necessary, we find it viable every day for all ages. This great class of 7th graders where very attentive and polite and had very good questions to ask. If you ever get the chance to explain what you do, why you do it and what effect you have; do it by going to your local school and participating. Remember, these youngsters just may be the ones taking care of you later in life!
This year, the GCI focus is all about YOU! You are the one who can make an impact on the community you live, work and play in. Are you doing your part? Thanks to the chamber, Gentry Middle School and these students, I enjoyed my first “Career Day” and am looking forward to the next one.
ThomKatt
Brent Williams -
Awesome Post! Great to see the kids so engaged.
Renata -
You really don’t have to buy ayhintng special to use green cleaners. In fact, some of the most green cleaners are not commercial cleaners at all. Baking soda, washing soda, vinegar, borax, toothpaste, and bar soaps (like Ivory), will all do a great job cleaning around the house. The idea that these things don’t work as well as the comercial cleaners, or at all for that matter, is simply deeply ingrained marketing. I have often been dumbfounded by how well these simple household things work, almost like magic.When I do buy a green cleaner, my favorite brand is Bi-O-Kleen. I’ve had great success with their laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaner. The best part about this brand is that most of their products are concentrated quite a bit (3x consentrated for both the laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaner), so there is less packaging and more product. As a bonus, a bottle of Bi-O-Kleen laundry detergent or all-purpose cleaner cost less than a bottle of their nonconcentrated traditional counterparts. I’ve used the laundry detergent exclusively for about two years, and my clothes are as clean as anyones. The all-purpose cleaner is truly all-purpose. I’ve used to to clean the everyday stuff like kitchen and bathroom, and nasty stuff like the oven and grill. We even use it when we rent a carpet cleaner in place of the expensive carpet cleaning solutions. Other brands I buy currently:Seventh Generation -Their products all work really well, but are pricey, so I don’t use them as often.Bon Ami Hands down the best scouring agent around, and it’s non-toxic. I’m not sure how green it is, but compared to Comet brand, it’s a step in the right direction.