By Julia Howard
About 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children suffer allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Karie Pastore, one of the Saratoga Farmers’ Market’s newest vendors, is among them.
Pastore owns Wash Green and Clean, a line of all natural, allergen friendly home and body care products. She started her line in 2014, and currently sells four types of laundry detergents, eco-friendly cleaning products, pet products, and all-natural insect repellents and remedies.
“I started to make these products because I have so many allergies to so many products,” Pastore said, adding that the opportunity to sell her products at farmers’ markets and other outlets gives her the chance to help people understand “what ‘all natural’ really means.”
“So many products are labeled “natural” and still contain toxins and fragrance grade scents which can trigger allergic reactions.” Pastore said.
Wash Green and Clean uses no surfactants, phosphates, or sodium lauryl sulfates in its formulas. Its detergents are completely biodegradable, and all scents come from pure essential oils.
Pastore makes the products in a studio in her home in Ballston Spa. She sells through stores in Potsdam, Saratoga, Clifton Park, Glens Falls, and Albany, and is a vendor at three area farmers’ markets, including the Saratoga Farmers’ Market on Saturdays.
Pastore particularly enjoys selling at the farmers’ market because it gives her an opportunity to interact with people one-on-one.
“I love making and sharing products that I truly believe in,” she said. “Farmers’ markets provide me with the perfect outlet to communicate the simplicity and effectiveness of my all natural products and farmers’ markets have a reputations for encouraging healthful foods, products, and practices.”
Pastore is particularly fond of her laundry detergent. It is not only an all-natural product but also a cost-efficient one. “The detergents use only 1 teaspoon in a high efficiency washers and 1 tablespoon in a regular washer,” she said.
She also recommends REPEL, a natural bug spray, and BITTEN.
To drive home the eco-friendly commitment, Pastore also offers customers a discount for returning empty containers of Wash Green and Clean products for recycling. She also accepts pre-orders, special orders, and requests for party favors and gift baskets. For these services, contact Pastore at at kariep.cherishnaturalsoaps@gmail.com or (518) 764-0212. You also can visit her Facebook page.
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market takes place 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays May through October at High Rock Park.
Room Deodorizing Spray
Enhance your environment with this easy room spray recipe courtesy of Wash Green and Clean.
Ingredients
*Ingredients available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market
• Lemon tea (try Saratoga Apple’s Lemon Verbena)*
• Pine essential Oil*
Directions
Boil 8 ounces of water in a pan. Add in some lemon tea. Let cool to room temperature. Then add in 20-30 drops of pine essential oil and bottle. You will have an amazing pine scented room spray perfect for your summer camp and campouts.
