An observation:
Most of the cleaning compounds mentioned are toxic. You absorb the stuff
through your skin and breath in the fumes.
I know they are what the great majority use regularly and what is
commonly offered in our markets but it is at a cost of our health and
the quality of our world over time.
Using antimicrobials such as bleach can eventually contribute to the
development of resistant strains of microbes. Most health and medical
professionals advise against the use of hand sanitizers and recommend
washing with soap and water.
The manufacture and packaging of these products contributes to pollution
of air and water; uses energy resources lavishly; and when discarded the
packaging and thrown away product add a lot of material to landfills
that in most cases continue to poison the earth and water.
Other alternatives such as soap, water, and cloth rags may take more
time and effort. But I think about our health now and what the world we
leave behind will be like for our young.
Mary Freed
Richmond Montessori School
Richmond VA
mfreed@richmont.org
Deborah Stafford wrote:
>My original question concerned; items that were not really developed for the
>library but people have found to be especially useful in the library. For
>example, I have a shoe bag on my
>office door with staplers, rulers, colored pencils etc. So, what kids of
>things like this do you find really useful?
>
>Cleaning supplies
> The portable "Clorox" wipes are great for quickly wiping desktops,
>computer keyboards, etc. because they don't leave a lot of moisture but do
>clean up during those winter months when viruses are present.
> The same is true for the portable packages of Pledge "multiwipes" which
>can be used on electronics---I clean computer screens and other dusty areas
>that need a shine throughout the year.
> The instant hand-cleaner (no-soap) is a great way to keep your hands
>clean between groups of kids and no time for (or no access to) the bathroom
>in between classes.
> The "Swiffer Carpet Flick" is an inexpensive carpet cleaner that can be
>used to clean up small areas where a vaccuum is needed but none is
>available. Just running it over the carpet helps to pick up those tiny
>pieces of paper after creative projects, small loose dirt tracks, etc.
>between cleanings.
> I bought swiffers, pledge dusting cloths, 3 electrostatic long handled
>dusters to reach to the ceiling and the tops of bookshelves, some yellow
>duster cloths for computers and electronics, liquid air, velcro ties for
>cords, murphy's oil soap, hand sanitizer, and clorox wipes.
> Rubbing alcohol is a great product to keep on hand for computer mouse
>ball cleaning, simple clean-ups around computer keyboards, etc. because it
>dries fast and picks up the graphite. (And don't forget the cotton
>swabs---not cotton balls, they'll leave some fibers---just the swabs, for
>wiping areas around the computer.)
> I've also used the spray carpet stain removers to immediately catch
>serious stains on the carpet before they are cleaned professionally---
>coffee spills, wet dirt, etc. can be sprayed and then left for the
>custodians----however, check with your school's custodians to see if they
>have something available to help you help them with these types of stains
>because it can really save your carpet if you catch these types of problems
>early AND the custodians don't mind you helping using the product.
> Now with that being said...I also realize that most schools won't allow
>you to have / access these products because of the students' accessibility
>to them also....but in many of the schools I've worked in, these are not a
>problem because we have them under lock and key within our department
>closet. We just have to report owning them and where they're stored.
> Mr. Clean magic erasers, and baby wipes for cleaning books
> Wouldn't want to run my library without Goo-Gone or Un-do for removing
>sticky labels and other gunk.
> You'll probably get this tip from others but if not, babywipes are the
>best way to clean dirty books. I just learned that from recently retired
>librarian extraordinaire Beth Prosser.
> I have recently discovered Mr. Clean's Magic Sponges for cleaning books.
>These things really are 'magic'!
> I have lamb's wool dusters (on a stick) for quick shelf touch ups - when
>we don't have time to remove the books from a shelf and just want to quickly
>get the ends with no books. My students aides don't seem to mind dusting to
>much - as long as I promise not to tell their mothers they dust for me :-)
> I understand that hairspray is also good for removing marks.
>
>"Sticky stuff" removers
> The "Goo Gone" or sticky-stuff remover (by any other name) has been a
>great product to remove labels or other tape-based products from surfaces.
>There are two things I really love that I have ordered from DEMCO and
>although they are library items, I could not do without them. One is a
>label peeler and the other is the Un-du disposable wipes.
> I use WD-40 and Goo Gone a lot.
>
>Tools
> I have a tool box with hammer, screwdriver, scraper, etc for little jobs.
>But the most useful tool is my long-nose plyers. I use them when disks get
>stuck in the disk drive!
> A hammer. Love to tell the kids that I fix books with a hammer. They
>look at me like I've finally gone over the top. I take a heavy-duty
>stapler, staple a paperback with most of the pages coming out, three times
>along the spine. Then I turn the book over and flatten the backside of the
>staples, sometimes which are sticking up, sharp. Pound them down and add
>some book tape. Smooth. The parent volunteer who works on this with me,
>she and I sing, "If I had a
>hammer....".
>
>Storage
> I purchase the teacher cardboard file / paper boxes
>http://www.abcstuff.com/storage.php
>to put files, papers, and pieces of equipment that don't fit anywhere else
>(computer earphones, computer microphones, etc.)
> This may not qualify, it is very "office-y". The stacking desk holder
>things. I put stacks of various papers the kids need for a project. At the
>end of the year they are full of puzzles, word games and drawing paper.
>
>Others
> I also use ziploc bags to give to the kids to carry their books in...the
>2.5 gallon size doesn't come in an economy pack yet but the gallon size I
>buy in bulk at Sam's club. This goes along with the lessons on book care
>and all the kids leave the library with their books in a bag every week and
>must return them the same way. It prevented a lot of damage this year.
>For some of the supplies I have multiples because I utilize volunteers to do
>odd jobs and often the children only have 10-15 minutes and having more
>dusters means more hands can do work in short order.
> I also have another "odd" supply...I make pizza boxes into flannel boards
>for our Jr. Kindergarteners. So I buy sandpaper in bulk to attach to the
>back of their pieces since it's a lot easier for them to remove than velcro.
> A laser pointer to point out sections of the bookshelves when it is not
>convenient to get up and walk a child to the right area (we are a K-2
>school).
> I have one of those "magic hand" banks that run with a battery (you put a
>coin on the slot, the lid opens, and a hand reaches out and grabs the coin).
>The students WANT to pay their overdue fines!
> On one of my listservs, someone recommended using a laser pointer to
>identify the location of an item for a patron in those instances where you
>can't leave the circ desk. I thought it was a great idea and intend to get
>one for next year
>
>
>
>Deborah Stafford
>Gen. H.H. Arnold High School
>Wiesbaden, Germany
>deborah.stafford@t-online.de
>
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