Local couple promotes earth-friendly practices at three businesses

By DAN HEATH
Staff Writer

October 26, 2008 04:00 am

— PLATTSBURGH -- A local laundromat's new washing machines are just part of its owners' efforts to be environmentally responsible.
Michael and Isabel Racine, owners of the WashLand laundry-mat, recently installed 20 new Maytag front-loading washing machines at the 10 Weed St. business. They use 13 gallons of water per load, compared to 40 gallons for the former top-load machines.
"The biggest reason I bought them is because they are green-friendly," he said.
It was a big investment, Michael said, about $28,000.
"The old washers still had 10 to 15 years of life expectancy. I wanted to put in new technology," he said.
Michael said the new machines also save electricity and clean clothes better. That's because clothes are lifted and then tumble back into the water, rather than simply spinning around an agitator.
"These are a much better design for washing," he said.
The high spin rates of the machines remove more water in the spin cycle, so customers can also save money with shorter drying times, Michael said.
He will be able to hold his prices steady because the new machines are so efficient.
Every Wednesday is Wacky Wednesday, where washing machine prices drop from $2 to $1.
"I use it as a loss leader, so people can come in and give us a try." Michael said.
The promotion is in effect every day through the end of October, to promote the new machines.
Michael bought the laundromat in 1987, and eventually rebuilt the old, run-down plywood building. That was destroyed by fire in February 1996.
That allowed him the chance to build a new, state-of-the-art facility.
"I studied laundromats all over the United States," he said.
The laundromat is clean and bright, at least partly due to compact fluorescent light bulbs Michael installed. The blue walls are decorated with painted clouds and palm trees, all done by Isabel.
Free wireless Internet service is also available, so customers can use their computers while they wait for the wash.
Michael said his father, Roland Racine, 79, has been his inspiration to have his own business. He's currently fighting strongly against lung cancer, Michael said.
"Every day he goes to the laundromat. He talks with the customers, gives them a little piece of candy and fills the soap machine for me," Michael said. "He keeps things in line. If a machine is broken, sometimes he can fix them."
Isabel claimed credit for leading Michael to environmentally sound practices.
"I am the one who made this guy go green," she said.
Isabel and Michael also partner as independent distributors for Shaklee products. The California-based company offers a full line of non-toxic, environmentally friendly and economical cleaning products as well as a line of natural dietary, nutritional and health supplements.
It features Omega Guard, to promote cardiovascular health; Vitalizer, an 80 nutrient dietary supplement; EZ-Gest, a multi-enzyme digestive aid; and VitalMag, for those who don't get enough magnesium, and many more.
Isabel said one bottle of the company's Get Clean Basic H2 window cleaner and a reusable spray bottle can be used to make the equivalent of 5,824 16-ounce bottles of Windex.
Isabel said she got involved with Shaklee because other products affected her asthma. Those symptoms cleared up when she switched to Shaklee products.
"Then, I decided I can't keep it to myself. I have to spread the word to anyone I can," she said.
Michael said traditional cleaning products are a major health concern in households with young children.
Shaklee states its products are non-toxic, don't pollute, leave no harmful residues, are biodegradeable, use less packaging and outperform many leading brands.
Michael said he's even using the products in his laundromat.
"Before, you could smell the other products," he said.
The Racines would like to bring the Shaklee line of cleaning products into local schools.
"It would be cheaper for the taxpayers and more healthy for the children," Michael said. "There would be less waste in the landfill."
The company is committed to helping the environment. Isabel said Shaklee plants five trees for every kit of cleaning supplies sold.
"The goal is to plant 1 million trees," she said.
The Racines plan to have a "green day" at the laundromat every Tuesday, with Shaklee products on display. They will provide free samples of the cleaning products.
"It's so we can explain to people how important it is to change to greener products," Isabel said.
Michael said the cleaning products can help people be healthier. The people who try them will also realize they really work, he said.
That is also true for its line of dietary supplements and health-care products, Isabel said.
The couple sell Shaklee products from a small office they have at WashLand car wash, 310 Margaret St. The car wash has one automatic, touchless, drive-through wash, four self-service bays and four vacuum systems.
It was built in 2005.
"It was a 25-year dream to build this car wash. I've wanted to build a car wash since I was 16," Michael said.
The car wash features Blue Coral Beyond Green wash detergent, Rain-X glass treatments and Black Magic car-care products.
"These are the best cleaning products on the market," he said. "They do a lot of research and development."
All are products of Minnesota-based Ecolab Vehicle Care. The company is focused on providing environment friendly yet powerful cleaning products.
The car wash also features a Wacky Wednesday promotion. It offers its $12 top-of-the-line car wash for only $8.
WashLand car wash also offers wash cards. Customers receive $140 worth of car washes for $100.
"We have more than a 1,000 customers who use these," he said. "You can make it worth $210 of washes if you use it all for Wacky Wednesdays."
dheath@pressrepublican.com

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