Environment for the Americas Conserving Birds by Connecting People Reducing Chemicals at Home Overview Participants learn about alternative chemicals that can be used at home for cleaning. Recommended Ages > 14 and up Activity Time Approximately 10 minutes Materials > View the directions for each suggested cleaner for a list of materials. > Copies of the cleaner recipes to take home. > Display information for using common household items for cleaning. Activity in Action Send us your pictures and comments on this activity to bday@birdday.org. The alarm sounded by Rachel Carson s book Silent Spring opened our eyes to the dangers of chemicals in our environment. Research estimates that almost 70 million birds die from exposure to pesticides each year. Chemicals may also impact their reproduction and behavior. We can help at home by using alternatives to chemicals that can be made or purchased. We can also help at home by disposing of home chemicals properly. Many areas have annual disposal times for hazardous products, contact your local landfill to learn the specific for your area. Activity 1. Display common lawn and household pesticides, herbicides, and cleaners (Be sure the containers are well sealed). 2. Display alternative cleaners, and a sink and/or window. Demonstrate how the cleaners work and/or allow visitors to try out the cleaners. 3. Print and cut out for a display the information on how each of the green alternatives can be used. 4. Consider asking a local club or person to talk about, sell, or demonstrate how to make homemade cleaners. Get Involved! Discover easy, fun ways to learn and connect with others while spreading bird conservation awareness join the EFTA Flock at BirdDay.org Have you registered your IMBD event? It s quick, easy, free, and an important way to measure IMBD success each year. To register, go to birdday.orr or send your even infomation to bday@birdday.org.
Display 4. Consider asking a local authority to come and talk about proper disposal of chemicals. Or find out when and what chemicals are disposed of by your town and print flyers for visitors. 5. Make copies of green cleaner recipes for visitors to take home. Earth friendly cleaner recipes are adapted with permission from the Action Guide from Kids for Saving Earth. 6. There is an amazing number of uses for the alternatives we suggest. Google anyone of these to see the full list. Display these Green Alternatives with Commonly Found and Used Toxic Cleaners Borax: (found in most grocery stores in laundry aisle). Borax can be a green alternative for most common toilet bowl cleaners, ant sprays, toxic mold cleaners, and laundry brighteners/stain remover products. White Vinegar: Green alternative for common window cleaners, counter top cleaners, and toxic drain cleaners. (Lots more ideas at vinegartips.com) Baking Soda: Green alternative for scouring cleaners, toxic drain cleaners, and stain removers. Lemon Juice: Green alternative for grease cleaners and kitchen deodorizers.
Use the information boxes on pages 3-6 to help create your information display. Put these Common Household Products to Work Cleaning for You! Borax Toilet bowl cleaner: Pour 1 cup in toilet bowl at night. In morning, clean with brush. Also, works on rust rings. Stain remover: add to laundry see Borax box for directions Improves cleaning power of soap Bait to control infestations of ants, cockroaches: sprinkle where seen. Mold Inhibitor: Make thick paste with water and spread on moldy area. Let dry, sweep up powder and rinse.
White Vinegar Clean stainless steel and copper cookware: mix a few tablespoons of vinegar with salt and scrub Window cleaner: Mix a 4 to 1 ration of water to vinegar. Removes mineral & lime deposits Cuts through grease and soap build-up Baking Soda Scouring Unblock drains - pour a handful of soda into drain, following with 1/2 cup of white vinegar, repeat as necessary. Removes coffee and pen stains: sprinkle and rub Tea Tree Oil Antibacterial Cleaner: add a few drops to water Disinfectant Antiseptic Cleaner for floors, bathroom, kitchen: add one capful to bucket of water Mould and mildew cleaner: 15 drops in cups of water
Use For Display Lemon Juice Stain remover on laminated surfaces and porcelain Grease remover Removes ink spots on clothing Clean microwave: boil 4 tbsp of juice with 1 cup of water, wipe clean Dissolves gunky build-up Deodorize cutting board Eucalyptus Oil Removes paint, grease, and ink from clothing Pleasant smelling antibacterial cleaner Disinfectant Deodorizer Solvent Antiseptic Moisquito repellent
Earth Friendly Cleaners: Take Home Recipes (Provided with permission from Action Guide from Kids for Saving Earth) Pest Spray for Plants 1 clove of garlic Chop garlic and onion mix with black pepper 1 small onion and cayenne pepper in water. 1 tsp black pepper 1 tbsp cayenne pepper Let stand for an hour, then add liquid soap. 1 qt. of water 1 tsp liquid soap Strain into a spray bottle. 1 spray bottle Warning: Although these ingredients are natural, they can still be dangerous. Use with care. Drain Cleanser Baking soda White vinegar To make an Earth-friendly drain cleanser, mix equal amounts of baking soda and warm, white vinegar. Be careful--it will foam! Pour down drain and let it stand for 15 minutes. Then flush the drain with boiling water. Adult supervisions is required. Provided with permission from Action Guide from Kids for Saving Earth.
Earth Friendly Cleaners: Take Home Recipes (Provided with permission from Action Guide from Kids for Saving Earth) Glass Cleaner 1 cup vinegar To make a great glass cleaner, mix one part 8 cups water vinegar with 8 parts water and put it in a 1 spray bottle reusable spray bottle. Spray windows and wipe dry with a reusable rag. Provided with permission from Action Guide from Kids for Saving Earth. Bathroom Cleaner Baking soda Sponge Use baking soda instead of powdered cleansers to clean toilets and sinks. Provided with permission from Action Guide from Kids for Saving Earth.