Children’s workshop at Sharjah International Book Fair inspires a greener tomorrow with lessons in making detergents and fabric softeners at home
The ongoing 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) championed sustainability and education with a hands-on workshop on Monday designed to educate young participants on the benefits of eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning solutions.
The interactive session, titled “Cleaning with Natural Ingredients”, offered schoolgoers a unique opportunity to make their own environmentally conscious cleaning products from simple, natural ingredients.
Workshop facilitator Ouiam Sellami of L’Atelier Bus, a company whose interactive approach to environmental education has been a hit among young audiences, elaborated on the workshop’s hands-on approach. “We taught the students how to make eco-friendly home detergents and fabric softeners using simple, natural ingredients that are readily available. To make the fabric softener, children mixed coconut conditioner with vinegar and water, then added a touch of dye to give it a nice colour, making it feel personalised and fun. For the detergent, they shredded soap and combined it with baking soda and a few drops of essential oil to obtain a chemical-free fresh fragrance.”
“We’re thrilled to bring eco-conscious learning into this year’s SIBF,” added the 31-year-old Swiss who founded her company two years ago to impart children ‘skills that last a lifetime’.
“Creating safe, effective cleaning solutions doesn’t require harmful chemicals or a big expense. It’s all about knowing the ingredients and feeling empowered to make healthier choices for themselves and the planet,” she further explained.
Young attendee Hamed Nawa shared his excitement.“I didn’t know you could make cleaning products at home! It’s cool to learn something that’s good for the earth,” said the eight-year-old Emirati.
Omani Al Jabr Abdallah said: “It’s fun to mix ingredients and make something safe for everyone to use, without any chemicals. I’m excited to try it at home with my family.”
The workshop emphasised awareness of environmental impacts, empowering the next generation with practical solutions for a cleaner, greener world