Fairfield University environmentalists host the "More Green Cleaners Party" | Press Releases

Many popular household cleaners sitting under your kitchen or bathroom sink contain a nasty cocktail of chemical-based toxic ingredients. They can be harmful to the touch, pollute ground water and put a big dent in your pocketbook.

As part of its Earth Week celebration, Fairfield University will host the "More Green Cleaners Party," a free event to educate the public on why it's a healthy and smart move to whip up eco-friendly homemade cleansers using benign components, such as olive oil and castile soap. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 21, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., in Bannow 319, on the Fairfield campus. It's sponsored by the University's Student Environmental Association (SEA), Program on the Environment, the Environmental Steering Committee, "The Reluctant Environmentalist" blog, and Women's Voices for the Earth, a national organization striving to reduce environmental pollutants.

The "More Green Cleaners Party" is a follow-up event to two well-attended parties that the groups hosted in January. "We decided to do some old favorites and some new recipes, so people who came to the first party could learn more by coming to the second," said Mariann S. Regan, Ph., D., also known as the University's 'Reluctant Environmentalist' blogger and retired professor of English.

Expert volunteers from the community will demonstrate how to make ordinary household cleaners from safe, non-toxic ingredients, unlike most of the cleaners you find at the store. Dr. Regan added, "We'll present the many uses of vinegar; both powder and gel laundry detergents; and our favorite all-purpose 'fantastic cleaner.' These will be made from safe, common materials such as baking soda, castile soap, and essential-oil fragrances like lemon and lavender."

Campus environmentalists were inspired in part by Women's Voices for the Earth, which is a strong proponent of green cleaning awareness. It is also working to reduce and ultimately eliminate environmental pollutants that cause health problems for women, their families and communities. It has numerous members who are Fairfield residents.

Ingredients and containers will be on hand, so people attending can make and take home their creations. A limited number of spots are available. To reserve a spot, please RSVP msregan@fairfield.edu .