GreenEarth Cleaning

Gifting season is upon us, and it is even easier to go green this season!   When searching for gift ideas that support our love for sustainable and environmentally friendly products and best practices, we were thrilled to find so many fun and unique ideas. From clothing made from coffee to reusable paper towels, we found a little something for everyone!   Let’s jump right in!   Coalatree Eco-Minded Goods. https://coalatree.com/ A love for the great outdoors is a common thread shared by many. Whether you live in the city and are destined for weekend adventures or enjoy a lifestyle in mountainous terrain, Coalatree has gear for all outdoor enthusiasts. You will find an eco-friendly product line offering clothing for men and women, hammocks, blankets, and accessories, all with rave reviews!    However, we found one product fascinating and, quite frankly, just super cool. Clothing made from Coffee! You read that right. Not only can you enjoy a hot cup of joe each morning, but you can also sport clothing made of coffee. Sipping coffee while wearing coffee! It’s a thing!    Each year coffee consumption creates millions of tons of waste. How do we reduce that waste? One way is to recycle coffee grounds into usable fabric. Infusing yarn with coffee saves landfills from coffee waste, lowers carbon emissions, provides properties similar to synthetic performance clothing, and more. You will enjoy an odor-resistant fabric that is anti-bacterial, moisture-wicking, offers UV protection, and keeps you cool… AND is good for the environment.      Bearaby Napper https://bearaby.com/ The gift of rest is surely something everyone can appreciate. Whether it is a cozy afternoon nap or a long night’s rest, you can give the gift of relaxing slumber to everyone on your list. Your loved ones can snuggle up under a weighted blanket crafted with your choice of buttery-soft cotton, silky-smooth moisture-wicking TENCEL, or eco-friendly velvet in soothing colors like asteroid grey, evening rose, or terracotta, just to name a few. Self-care without compromise is the mission behind Bearaby products, and we think they nailed it. The products are made with eco-friendly materials, sourced ethically, manufactured responsibly, and oh so snuggly! They did not stop at blankets either. Be sure and search their sensory pillows and the cutest little stocking stuffer, the Hugget. Even your littlest of loves can have their own, youth-size, blanket and sensory pillow set.     Munjoi – The All-Dai Shoe https://munjoi.com/ The All-Dai shoe is like gifting four pairs of shoes in one! By removing the insole and collapsing down the desired toe or heel portions, you can have a sandal, a slide, a mule, or a sneaker – all in one. The All-Dai shoe is made from almost entirely plant-based materials (cotton, hemp, algae, and sugar cane). In sticking true to the mission of simplicity and less consumption, the color choices are classic neutrals – Black Sea, Sedona, or Neutral.      Homeostasis Living – REusable Collections https://www.homeostasisliving.com/ This season give the gift that keeps on giving, reusable paper towels. Replacing a one-time-use product in your home is a beautiful way to support a healthier planet. We found these adorable reusable paper towels in patterns that complement any décor. Made with organic cotton and natural eco-friendly dyes, you will enjoy their durable design and long-lasting construction. Each set of 12 or 24 comes with an organic cotton wash bag. Add a bamboo paper towel holder for a complete look.     One of the highlights of researching this article was seeing the passion and heart around creating sustainable, environmentally friendly resources that mirror our founding principle at GreenEarth Cleaning – “doing business without doing harm”. Our mission is a kinder clean. We seek to take better care of fabrics, the people who wear them, and the planet where we live.                  

As we progress through the Fall and Winter seasons, the more we’ll need to stay warm.  There’s now more of a tendency to add a layer of clothing as energy prices continue to increase. One of the best and most sustainable fabrics to help stay warm is wool. Whether it’s your clothing or blankets! There are lots of different types of wool, including Merino, Angora, Alpaca and Cashmere. All the different types of wool can be found in items such as bedspreads, coats, suits and sweaters. The great thing about wool is that it will keep you warm, but it is also a classic fibre that is very much representative of ‘Slow Fashion’.  Over the years, more manufactured and synthetic fibers have been used as an alternative to wool, but what cost to the planet in the era of ‘Fast Fashion’? Well, wool is coming back into favor, and it has many supporters from pop stars to royalty. King Charles III of the United Kingdom (who proudly boasts that he still wears a wool suit that dates back to the 1970s), is the patron of ‘Campaign for wool’ and even took part in an experiment, which involved burying both a synthetic and wool garment for 4 months. Then Alex James (member of Brit Pop Band Blur) dug up both items. The wool item had degraded significantly, where the synthetic item had not, and in fact had solidified, showing that it would never degrade. Imagine then, a landfill site full of synthetic items. Alex also conducted an experiment on the show ‘Slowing Down Fast Fashion’, setting fire to a wool item and a synthetic item with a blow torch.  The blow torch did burn a hole in the woollen item, but it did not catch fire. The synthetic item did catch fire, and in his words, “That smells really toxic, and it’s really sticky… that’s like an oil slick burning.” So, as well as environmental concerns, there are also safety concerns. Wool is also being used in innovative ways too. Armadillo Merino, create clothing made of wool for astronauts to wear on their missions, helping to reduce odour in confined spaces – something that is not considered to be an obvious requirement to us non-astronauts! And these are not heavy-duty sweaters, but t-shirts, long johns, balaclavas and socks! It’s great that they don’t have to consider after care when on a mission, but back on terra firma, GreenEarth Affiliates and their customers can rely on the gentle and effective properties of our pure liquid silicone.  Whether it’s heavy duty wool or something more delicate like cashmere, these items can be cleaned time and time again, without losing color and shape, plus they will keep their original soft feel – also, customers don’t have to worry about drying items flat, when they entrust their wool items in the experienced hands of our collective affiliate network!

Get A Mask, Give A Mask “We want our customers and their families to feel safe, along with those on the front lines in many nursing and group homes and other non-profit agencies” is what Paul Billoni, GreenEarth Affiliate and President of Colvin Cleaners in Kenmore, NY explains to Buffalo’s Channel 7 News during a recent interview discussing their new “Get A Mask, Give A Mask” program. With essential workers in New York required to wear masks, Colvin Cleaners has heard the call and stepped up employing their seamstresses, who would typically be working on prom gowns during this time of year, to produce over 200 masks per day. These masks are being given for free to their customers, essential workers, and non-profit organizations. Chris Billoni, Vice President of Colvin Cleaners shares their expectations for more mask orders in the coming weeks and opens up the mask-making work to volunteers within their community who want to help, stating “WNY is an incredible place, people are always looking to help out, so we’re trying to do our part and if people want to help as well, they can do it online,” Paul and Chris Billoni are always finding ways to support their community and we’re proud to have them as apart of the GreenEarth Family.   Loads of Love Vice President Ken Sandy and the Dryy Garment Care team spread a bit of much-needed community cheer with their Loads of Love campaign. The Washington DC-based GreenEarth Affiliate delivered gift cards, hand sanitizers, and non-perishables to other essential retail businesses within the neighborhoods they serve. Watching their Instagram video, you can clearly see the gratitude and joy in every person’s face Sandy interacts with. It’s such a simple gesture but the kind of gesture that’s so needed right now. At the end of the video, Sandy states, “We hope that what we did today in the community—in multiple communities—had some sort of touchpoint for you that was inspiring, but most importantly, that you at all times know that we here at Dryy Garment Care are thinking of you and we’re here for you.” We’d say they definitely achieved that.     More Than Making Masks Great American Cleaners is continuing their efforts to make masks for the community. They have provided these masks as donations, like the hundred they gave to the El Cerrito Police Department, and are also selling them to customers. Customers can donate on their behalf to local hospitals, senior centers, and first responders. Making these masks is seen as a community effort – a way to spread positivity and hope as well as safety. This message continues when you visit Great American Cleaners’ website to purchase a mask, scrolling down to find meditation-videos before you make your order.

Lightening the Burden The folks at Hollyway Cleaners kept hearing all the desperate pleas by doctors and nurses for vital PPE mate.  As Los Angles, CA was heading into another critical week, the need for face masks for all had become even more acute.   Using the resources Amin Amersi and his team had, they did what they could to fill the demand and help protect the most vulnerable among us.  Guided by the simple idea that “no one is useless in the world who lightens the burdens of others in need” they joined with an organization called “Quilt From Heart” to make vitally needed masks for St Jude Hospitals, LAPD, and assisted living facilities throughout the Southland.   Dry cleaning and sanitizing in Greenearth all the fabric and materials, pressing all the materials,  and then using guidelines from the CDC for their tailors to make masks.  They’ve obtained special filters that are placed and sewn very carefully without permeating the membrane of the fabric.  These special masks are used for cancer patients who are children and are some of the most vulnerable in our population. Loads Of Hope We’re giving loads of props to Tide Cleaners for their Loads of Hope initiative. Taking place at select participating locations, the franchise group is putting first responders and their families first by providing free laundry and dry cleaning all of April and into the month of May. These are challenging days for everyone, but the healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters, etc., within our communities are experiencing this all on the front lines, risking the health and safety of both themselves and their loved ones. Tide’s gesture to “help lighten the load” for these heroes is some definite #MondayMotivation as we make our way through this unprecedented time together. We appreciate the work the folks at Tide Cleaners have put into this campaign and are excited to see the response it’s getting. Long time Affiliate, Kyle Nesbit, was able to provide us with some awesome images of smiling faces taking part in the Load of Hope initiative. We were also excited to see a GreenEarth Affiliate’s commercial on National T.V. during 60 Minutes last night. Here is that T.V. spot for your viewing pleasure.   Protecting First Responders  NextGen Cleaners & Alterations has their thoughts on first responders during this time as well. The San Jose, California-based Affiliate is now offering free dry cleaning for all emergency personnel uniforms.  The attire these folks wear is exposed to any number of things day in and day out as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses. As we’ve reported in our previous communication, the GreenEarth System’s use of higher-than-normal temperatures has proven to inactivate most bacteria and viruses. NextGen is doing an impactful job not only providing a free service but also giving front line men and women added peace of mind. Way to go, Emil and team!

We could all use a little good news in our lives right about now, wouldn’t you agree? With the airwaves being consumed with doom and gloom, we wanted to share these heartwarming stories we’ve heard over the last week of Members of the GreenEarth Network stepping up in these troubling times, bringing us that warm fuzzy feeling of hope and inspiration. Helping One Mask At A Time The folks at Door to Door Cleaner/The Wedding Gown Specialists in Los Angeles, CA have dedicated their valuable time to making face masks for medical professionals in the LA area. The masks are being donated to various local hospitals and they’re being made by repurposing the muslin/linen cloth that is used to preserve their customer’s wedding gowns. What an innovative and resourceful way for Sajid Veera and his staff to step up to the plate using supplies on hand to give back and make a positive impact on your community in a time it’s needed most!   Pay What You Can Pricing Snedicor’s Cleaners in Brighton, MI, recognizing so many of their neighbors struggling, has offered a helping hand with a “Pay What You Can” pricing concept. Jim Gilligan and his team are extending the offer to anyone affected by the current circumstance. Not only is it applicable to the hardworking healthcare professionals, first responders, and others on the front line, but Snedicor’s has taken it a step further, offering this generous payment concept to anyone who is struggling to get through these times. A real “you take care of us, so we’ll take care of you” sentiment. The community surely will remember the good deed when this is all a thing of the past.   Our U.K. Family Offering Relief   By now most of us have seen the images making their way around the social media world of nurses after working 12-hour shifts, or longer, with marks and bruises left on their faces from the masks they must wear while caring for those in need during this pandemic. It’s a sad image that leaves an impression, but also leaves most of us feeling helpless. Well, we couldn’t be more proud to see a Member of the GreenEarth Family in the U.K. working, even in a time when their doors are closed for business, to provide a solution, relieving some stress and bringing some comfort to those that need it most. Will Lankston of GreenEarth Affiliate, Jeeves of Belgravia tweeted out yesterday, “Whilst isolating, our amazing tailoring team have decided to put their skills to good use by making headbands for the NHS. The button allows the wearer to hook face-masks on without causing sores behind the ears.”

We could all use a little good news in our lives right about now, wouldn’t you agree? With the airwaves being consumed with doom and gloom, we wanted to share these heartwarming stories we’ve heard over the last week of Members of the GreenEarth Network stepping up in these troubling times, bringing us that warm fuzzy feeling of hope and inspiration. Helping One Mask At A Time The folks at Door to Door Cleaner/The Wedding Gown Specialists in Los Angeles, CA have dedicated their valuable time to making face masks for medical professionals in the LA area. The masks are being donated to various local hospitals and they’re being made by repurposing the muslin/linen cloth that is used to preserve their customer’s wedding gowns. What an innovative and resourceful way for Sajid Veera and his staff to step up to the plate using supplies on hand to give back and make a positive impact on your community in a time it’s needed most!   Pay What You Can Pricing Snedicor’s Cleaners in Brighton, MI, recognizing so many of their neighbors struggling, has offered a helping hand with a “Pay What You Can” pricing concept. Jim Gilligan and his team are extending the offer to anyone affected by the current circumstance. Not only is it applicable to the hardworking healthcare professionals, first responders, and others on the front line, but Snedicor’s has taken it a step further, offering this generous payment concept to anyone who is struggling to get through these times. A real “you take care of us, so we’ll take care of you” sentiment. The community surely will remember the good deed when this is all a thing of the past.   Our U.K. Family Offering Relief   By now most of us have seen the images making their way around the social media world of nurses after working 12-hour shifts, or longer, with marks and bruises left on their faces from the masks they must wear while caring for those in need during this pandemic. It’s a sad image that leaves an impression, but also leaves most of us feeling helpless. Well, we couldn’t be more proud to see a Member of the GreenEarth Family in the U.K. working, even in a time when their doors are closed for business, to provide a solution, relieving some stress and bringing some comfort to those that need it most. Will Lankston of GreenEarth Affiliate, Jeeves of Belgravia tweeted out yesterday, “Whilst isolating, our amazing tailoring team have decided to put their skills to good use by making headbands for the NHS. The button allows the wearer to hook face-masks on without causing sores behind the ears.”

Polyester, nylon, and acrylic are essential in the fashion industry; more than half of your clothes are made up of such materials. Without them, clothing would lack elasticity, strength, and comfort. Consumers would stop purchasing if their clothes didn’t have these important elements. But these, and similar materials, are not environmentally friendly due to their constructed make up. Particles used to produce polyester, nylon, and acrylic are not fundamentally harmful to living things; however, once clothing apparel starts to break down (during washing and drying cycles), the microfibers that shed from the clothing’s fabric can trigger an alarming series of effects. For starters, a single washing cycle can produce an unhealthy amount of microfibers. Such tiny shreds of plastic can travel and ultimately poison popular water ways and cause problems in the food chain. So, what should you know about microfibers and their effect on the planet? Basic microfiber production Washing your clothes regularly is a normal thing to do. Many of us designate one day a week to complete the dreadful chore known as laundry. Even at that rate, our clothing breakdown ratio increases drastically. On average, approximate 4,500 microfibers can be released per gram of clothing per wash cycle. That’s insane. And, even though microfibers are technically less than 5 milliliters in length, that doesn’t lessen the damage these little threads of plastic can do. If you look into materials a little further, you’ll find that acrylic is the worst offender of them all. Clocking in at approximately 730,000 synthetic particles per wash, acrylic sheds 5x more microfibers than polyester-cotton, and 1.5x more microfibers than polyester. What happens when you put your clothes through the washing cycle? Microfibers begin their travels after the washing cycle is complete. These tiny plastic particles travel directly to the wastewater treatment plants nearby, to then get trapped or released. If released, the microfibers continue their travels to rivers and lakes, and eventually hit oceans. But the amount of microfibers that make their way to the wastewater treatment plants always differs. That’s probably because every washing cycle differs. Can microfiber pollution be calculated? Emissions are effected by a series of antagonists, including the length of time you wash your clothes, the filter designs that your washer inherently has, and the spin speeds you set your wash to. It’s very difficult to calculate an exact amount of plastic pollution when considering the following: Clothes construction Material selection Water temperature per load Detergent type selection Fabric softener selection How full the washing machine is Why should we care about microfiber pollution? Research has been conducted and new studies have been found directly stating why microfiber pollution is not good for our planet, and it’s simple; the plastic fibers in our clothes are potentially, and likely, poisoning our waterways and food chain altogether. Researchers have shown the public that microfibers can, and potentially are, contaminating the food we eat (e.g. fish, crabs, etc.). By freely floating around in lakes, rivers, and oceans, these plastic particles are getting into animals’ digestive tracts without them even knowing and noticing. In some studies, animals’ digestive tracts have changed over time, drastically affecting wildlife, specifically crabs. And, measuring in at under 5 milliliters gives these fibers the opportunity to sneak their way into fish, too. Contamination of our food leads to our own unknowing personal consumption of microfibers. What’s more, is that these plastic particles begin to act as sponges the second they hit the ocean – they almost immediately start to attract pesticides, industrial chemicals, and motor oil. The fibers are being found in coastal, marine, and freshwater; this gives the small plastic pieces an advantage for contamination and a disadvantage to all living animals/people. And the effects won’t go away overnight; plastic takes hundreds and hundreds of years to degrade. What are we doing about it? The general planet population looks at the big picture – cutting out plastic cups and shopping bags is beginning to reverse the effects of plastic pollution. Even banning plastic straws in certain areas has proven to be a positive effect. However, there are many other areas of plastic pollution that need to be addressed before we can claim that we are moving in the right direction. For starters, we can’t ban microfibers like we can ban plastic straws; microfibers are a byproduct of washing clothes, it’s not that easy to get rid of them. A few probable solutions have surfaced over the years, though. Waterless washing machines  Colorado-based Tersus Solutions may be on their way to finding a viable solution by using pressurized carbon dioxide as a way to wash clothes Cutting out fast fashion  Cheaper fabrics shed fibers easily, and when clothes are made cheaply, the fibers aren’t as long and do not take as much effort to release Purchase better quality clothing  Applying anti-shred treatments to cheap clothing may help the situation Potential inventions  A device or additive could capture plastic fibers before they get to the wastewater pipeline What can we do to potentially make the microfiber pollution problem subside? It’s hard to believe that, after knowing all of this microfiber pollution information, we can make a difference to sustain the environment. But every little bit helps. As an individual trying to make a difference, you can do all of the following to lessen your microfiber release rate: Wash your clothes only when necessary Use colder wash settings – high temperatures release more microfibers Wash full loads of laundry at a time – it causes less friction between clothes Use laundry soap, not laundry powder Purchase clothing made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, and linen Remember, microfiber pollution is harmful to the environment as a whole. It does not pick and choose its victims. And if we continue to ignore it, the effects may become more severe and catastrophic years down the road. Let’s do our best to beat this and lessen the ‘side effects’ now opposed to later. Originally posted by Honest

The 2019 GreenEarth Workshop in Kansas City, Missouri was an excellent demonstration of some of the best-in-class dry cleaners from around the country coming together to share their knowledge and learn from one another. No shortage of fun was had both Friday and Saturday night, but without a doubt, the conversations taking place amongst Affiliates in attendance is what it is all about. When presentations are regularly breaking out into open conversations, you know the audience is truly engaged. It’s exciting for us each time we host a workshop to hear back from our Affiliates and what initiatives they are implementing into their businesses to grow sales and improve operations. Some of the best discussions we’ve had to date took place over the course of this workshop and we could not be more happy with the group who attended. Our Affiliates are all rock stars in the industry! The GreenEarth Workshop was held Sept. 21 at the GreenEarth home office in Kansas City, Missouri, where topics spanning technical, marketing, sustainable fashion, building a team, and more were discussed. The evening prior, all attendees were invited to a meet and greet at the AC Hotel in the trendy Westport neighborhood. We also followed up the full day of learning with a good ol’ fashioned Kansas City BBQ feast and photo booth at local favorite Char Bar! We’re already missing our GreenEarth Family and are looking forward to getting prepared for the next workshop! Check out more pics from the weekend here.