Saving money and helping the environment through home-made detergent at Grand Forks AFB

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  
Base library officials helped local residents save money - while keeping an eye on the environment - through a do-it-yourself laundry detergent class.

Shawnte Cole, programming technician at the library, came up with the idea for the March 29 class, according to Stacie Collins, senior library technician and class instructor.

"She knew that I make detergent and she thought it would be fun; and everyone needs it," Collins said. They decided to call the class, "Let's make our own laundry detergent."

About a dozen children and adults attended the free event. They were asked to bring their own containers, such as mason jars, to bring home their detergent.

Only common household kitchen equipment and ingredients were used, meaning that the families could recreate the task at home.

Collins highlighted several benefits in creating your own detergent.

"You not only know what is going into the creation of the detergent, but you also know that you are saving your family money," Collins said.

She said one batch of her detergent makes 12 bottles for under $10. Given that most people would spend about $60 for the same amount of detergent, they were offered a way to save $50.

The money-saving tip piqued the interest of some of the attendees at the event.

"I home school my daughter and we are very frugal in my family, so this is something I know we'll be doing later on at home," said Rena Hebling.

Hebling also plans to teach the recipe to others.

"I'm a project leader for K-KOTS (Keep Kids Off The Street), one of the 4H clubs here on base, and I think I will be incorporating this into the home skills activities we teach in the program," Hebling said.

Collins also talked about the benefits creating your own laundry detergent provides the environment.

"Air Force Earth Day 2013 is scheduled for April 22, and this year's theme is, 'Conserve Today - Secure Tomorrow,'" said Collins. "Making your own laundry detergent is a great way to celebrate or observe this year's Earth Day. I teach people to use ingredients or products that are friendlier to the environment and (that) reduces the number of plastic containers that a person throws away and ends up taking space at a landfill."

For more information about do-it-yourself events or to suggest an idea yourself, visit the Grand Forks AFB Library Facebook page at the link provided below.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/GrandForksAFBLibrary