22 - Friday, May 17, 199t - North Shore News Washing soda makes a great cleaner IF ALL began with an in- nocent-looking, brown- paper-wrapped parcel that landed on my desk bearing an Ontario postmark. Peggy Trendell-Whittaker ECOINFO Shipped from the public rela- tions gang at the Arm & Hammer company, it contained a very dirty ceramic trivet, some washing soda, and an invitation to test out the cleaning power of the latter on the former, which they had liber- ally doused with what appeared to be the leavings from one of their wilder dinner parties. I am nothing if not a good sport. So after a rousing night at the North Shore Recycling Pro- gram volunteer meeting (about which more later), 1 dutifully returned home, hauled out the supplied washing soda and a sponge, and went at it. Well. As I’m sure the Arm & Hammer crew anticipated, the washing soda cut through the month-old (so they told me) gunk in scant moments. I was impress- ed. . My attention was further caiight by washing soda’s multitude of uses, which were listed in an ac- comipanying press release. Dropping everything, my heart rate increasing, I made the deci- sion then and there to damn the late hour and tackle my shower curtain with the help of my new- found ally. Here I must bare all and con- fess that my clear plastic shower curtain has been allowed to take on definite shades of green during its days with me. After all, reasoned I, I could probably serve the world more constructively than by spending my time unhooking shower cur- tains and scrubbing them down for hours with stiff-bristled brushes and getting water all over the floor. But once I approached the task with the confidence garnered from my trivet and washing soda expe- rience, I found that it was in fact easy to sponge clean the shower curtain in a matter of minutes. For this 1 waited (I'm so embar- rassed) a whole year? But the highlight of my late- night cleauing extravaganza had to be the washing .soda and alumi- num foil trick, the likes of which I Change of command set A CHANGE of command cere- mony of the 103 Thunderbird Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets will be held May 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Col. J.P. Feli Armoury, 1513 Forbes Avenue in North Vancouver. The ceremony, which will see command cf the squadron trans- ferred from Capt. M.D. Ferg to 2nd Lieut. P.L. Mulhall, will also include the 1991 annual inspection and display. have seen only once before in my life. Put your tarnished silver on a piece of aluminum foil in a plastic tub, add a gallon of hot water and “% cup of washing soda and, behold, the silver is cleaned up in seconds right before your awestruck eyes. In just a minute, my baby mug was as new, as was a silver brace- let that followed it into the bath a moment later. Washing soda, iike baking soda, softens water and removes odors, However, it is much more alkaline and is therefore an excellent grease cutter whether dissolved in water or used full strength on a sponge. It's recommended as an en- vironmental cleaner because it contains no phosphates, which boost algae growth in our water- ways and upset the natural ecosystem. Found in the laundry aisle of the supermarket and sold for about $3 for a 1.5 kg box, it is an excellent detergent booster and bleach replacement. It shouldn’t be used on alumi- num because it might discolor the surface, but ‘4 cup of washing soda in one litre of warm water makes a good cleaner for ranges, ceramic bathroom fixtures, shower curtains and doors, walls, lino- leum, tile and vinyl siding. One quarter cup of dissolved soda poured down your drain weekly and followed by hot water will keep your drains open. and a solution of washing soda and water will help you remove the mildew from your wooden decks or fences, If you use it often, you may wish to don a pair of gloves first — it can dry your hands. This last, however, is a small price to pay for the hours of en- vironmentally friendly fun that washing soda will bring to your home cleaning regimen. Good luck. eon Thank you to the several readers who attended the Tuesday night information meeting at the North Shore Recycling Program. People who weren't there miss- ed quality refreshments, an in- formative environmental update and — this will really sting — an appearance by me in my touted Biue Box costume. The NSRP has a number of in- teresting projects in the planning stages that will require volunteers for a diverse range of tasks — you could even become a Curbside Crusader in your neighborhood, ora Transfer Station tour guide. If you missed the meeting but would like to be kept abreast of SELECTED WOMEN’S FASHIONS AND LINGERIE Don't miss this outstanding opportunity to pick up volunteer possibilities, please call 984-9730 and let them know. HOW MANY CANADIANS VOLUNTEER To PROTECT some beautiful, summer fashions while the sun's shining! Separates, co-ordinates, robes, camisoles and half slips. There’s so much to choose from! All Personal Shopping Only, so hurry in for best selection. Misses, Petites, Size Shop, Signature, Number One Shop, Careers, Juniors and Lingerie. FATON'S Goods Satisfactory or Money Refunded