Cleanliness and Godliness: New resources from NCC Eco-Justice ProgramsTwo National Council of Churches Eco-Justice resources, "Cleanliness and Godliness: A Gathering Guide for Green Cleaning" and the "Cleanliness and Godliness Toolkit," are available as free downloads.
Although cleaning our homes and churches is part of keeping them pleasant and attractive, the primary reason to clean is one of health. It is a cruel irony, then, that many commercial cleaning products are astoundingly toxic to those who use them, manufacture them, or inhabit the spaces where they are used.
The downloads are available here.
This toxicity refutes the proverb that says that "cleanliness is next to godliness." Because cleaning with toxic chemicals endangers our health, rather than protecting it, it is the opposite of taking good care of vulnerable populations (Matthew 24:40) and practicing hospitality (Romans 12:13, 1 Timothy 5:10, and 1 Peter 4:9).
Children are particularly vulnerable to health damage from cleaning products, which include skin, eye, and respiratory irritations, asthma, dizziness, reproductive damage, and cancer. These chemicals are eventually released into the wider environment where they may persist, damaging Creation's living systems.
"Cleanliness and Godliness: A Gathering Guide for Green Cleaning" is a thorough step-by-step guide for hosting an adult education event in your church about safe alternative cleaning methods, materials, and recipes. The suggestions, checklist, and resources listed will enable interested individuals to offer an informative, solution-oriented session on reducing exposure to toxic household products.
For those who want to get started eliminating toxics from their own homes right away, the "Cleanliness and Godliness Toolkit" is also available as a free download. The toolkit offers an overview of chemicals to avoid, safer alternatives, and simple recipes for making inexpensive, safe, effective, and environmentally responsible cleaning products for any household task.
As people of faith, we are concerned with care for Creation and human health. Help your community come together to learn more and to employ positive, practical solutions by downloading the "Cleanliness and Godliness: A Gathering Guide for Green Cleaning" and the "Cleanliness and Godliness Toolkit" now.
NCC News contact: Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228 (office), 646-853-4212 (cell) , pjenks@ncccusa.org