Community Corner
Green-ify Your Life, Locally
Patch went throughout Wayne to find eco-friendly products for you and your family.
There’s a lot of ways to be green in Wayne beyond just installing solar panels or recycling.
Patch visited a few businesses for a low down of which products and services you can use to help protect your family and the environment.
House Cleaning
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“We use a lot of vinegar, microfibers and water,” said Kathy Washburn, office manager of The Maids of New Jersey. “We don’t use polish. The only chemicals we use are in the kitchen to degrease things but all are environmentally friendly. None of our natural disinectnants hurt animals or babies.”
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The Maids of New Jersey services Wayne homes.
has a variety of products for Do It Yourself house cleaners:
Clorox Biodegradable Cleaning Wipes, Green Works: All-natural wipes, $5.99.
Seventh Generation Glass & Surface Cleaner: Natural and free of perfumes and dyes. This product is non-toxic and is hypo-allergenic. $4.99.
Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid: Hypoallergenic and non-toxic. $3.69.
Dry Cleaning
“Ever since we changed machines, we use hydrocarbons to clean clothes, which many other dry cleaners don’t use,” said Harry Ha, of Wayne Cleaners. “It takes some time but we use a natural salt as well that prevents allergies and saves electricity.”
Stop & Shop a variety of environmentally-friendly laundry products:
Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent: Hypoallergenic liquid detergent and it does not contain phosphates or optical brighteners. Non-toxic as well. $8.49.
Sun and Earth Laundry Detergent: All natural, hypoallergenic. Safe for babies and people with sensitive skin. Not tested on animals. $8.99.
Green Works Laundry Detergent: Made with 95 percent naturally-derived cleaning ingredients. Great product for people with sensitive skin. $7.99.
Baby products
Gerber Smart Food: Certified organic, nourishing food that has DHA Choline to support healthy brain and eye development. $1.59 each at Stop & Shop.
Simolac Organic Infant Formula: Made with organic milk, has DHA, ARA and calcium. $2.99.
Gentle Solutions: Uses all natural ingredients. Product line includes: dry skin cream, tummy soother and eczema wash. $6.99.
Seventh Generation Diapers: Hypoallergenic diapers that are free of chlorine processing, fragrances, latex and petroleum-based lotions. The improved design lessens its environmental footprint and provides for more absorption. $12.99.
Lawncare
“The reason to use organics is to be more consciouf of the environment,” said Craig Okken, a manager of Strawberry Blossom. “Most of these products are sold nation-wide, and it’s certified that they work. I’ve used many of them on my own lawn."
Fertilizer products:
“Organic fertilizers bring better nutrients to the soil than chemical fertilizers do,” Okken said. “Chemical fertilizers are a quick fix; organics help the plant continue to absorb nutrients for a longer period of time, and the plants will continue to feed.”
Milorganite Organic Fertilizer: This product is derived from sludge that has been sterilized and pelletized. $14.99; covers 2,500 square feet.
Ringer Lawn Restore: All ingredients in this fertilizer are organic, and it helps rejuvenate the lawn. This will be more useful later in the season, perhaps in September. $33.99; covers 2,500 square feet.
“Right now a lot of people have a lot of problems with lawn fungus. That’s the biggest problem this time of year," Okken said. "Humidity, heat and stress of grass causes the fungus.”
Serenade Garden Liquid Fungicide for Lawn: This product contains bacillus, a bacterial strain for fungicides. This is an organic way to rid your lawn and garden of fungus. $16.99; covers 5,600 square feet.
Milky Spore Bacillus Strain: This will kill grubs in the lawn, organically, the same way bacillus kills fungus. It will kill grubs right away, is effective for years, and very rarely does it require a second application. $39.99 at Strawberry Blossom; covers 7,000 square feet.
Pet items
Organic pet products aren’t really any more expensive than regular pet products, said Jen Schramm, an employee at .
“We sell higher-end foods and products that are better for your pets than what you’d see in a food store, like Kibbles N’ Bits,” Schramm said. “We do a lot of natural and holistic products.”
Get Naked Treats for dogs: All natural, low fat, low calorie. This product is wheat free, corn free. and soy free. $6.99.
Blue Bites Treats for dogs: Has glucosamine and chondroitin, which helps promote healthy joints. Contains taurine, which helps support heart health vitamins A, C and E. Helps support the immune system. $7.95.
Natural Planet Organics Dog Formula: Fresh, organic ingredients including chicken, select grains, fruits and vegetables. Even the bag is 100 percent compostable. $45.99.
Wellness Super5mix Healthy Weight: Natural food for dogs that helps them maintain a healthy weight. $12.99.
Tropiclean Shampoo/Conditioner: Natural, Green products that are soap-free. $9.99.
EcoGreen Cleaner Pet Stain and Odor Remover: Chemical-free way to remove stains. $18.99.
