4. Vents are extremely difficult to clean
unless they are done so frequently, but
the task can be made simpler by spraying
with diluted 500X EM solution while the
fan is in motion.
the time. EM solution can help here as well.
Effective Microorganisms
(EM)
5. Refrigerators sometimes give off a
mouldy smell. Spray the insides with
500X diluted solution occasionally. Spray
on the food items will not affect the food
or vegetables.
1. Spray the balcony with 500X diluted solution
to get rid of unwanted odours. Spray with 1000X
diluted EM solution outside the entrance: this will
keep it clean.
2. Plants are the beauty of our gardens. Spray them
with 1000X diluted solution. This will promote better growth.
INTRODUCTION
6. Spray kitchen drains with 500X diluted
EM solution. This will help in reducing the
smell and in treating the wastewater. It will
also reduce the slime so that clogging is
no longer a problem.
3. EM (500X) in water tanks and swimming pools will
inhibit greening.
4. Spray pets with 500X diluted EM solution. This
will reduce the smells commonly associated with
pets and thus virtually eliminate the need for them
to be given a bath. The glow of their coat will also
improve.
7. Spray kitchen net containers with 500X
diluted EM solution. The smell of garbage 5. Cars can also be cleaned using EM. Open the hood
and spray the area with 500X diluted solution. Oil and
as well as slime is easily removed.
grease is removed and the running condition of the
car is improved. Spray the car interior with 1000X diBalcony, pets, cars and offices
luted EM solution to eliminate all unwanted smells.
The front doors and balcony are important
sites to welcome our friends and guests. EM in composting operations:
We want them to be kept clean and tidy all Garbage is one of the major problems that most of us
face. Most of us burn it. Household garbage contains
a large quantity of moisture; thus it is difficult to burn.
Burning also leads to pollution and endangers the
preparation of various dilutions natural ecosystem. But if we segregate all waste into
FROM EXTENDED OR SECONDARY EM biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, then
ONLY
Dilution Volume of Volume of
ration water
EM
50X
100 ml 2 ml
100X 100 ml
1 ml
500X
500 ml
1 ml
1000X
1000 ml
1 ml
Domestic Measures
One Plastic Bucket = 15Lts
Cap of EM Bottle =
One Table spoon
=
One Tea spoon =
STOCK SOLUTION
The secret of EM use lies in its scientific dilution.
The stock solution purchased from the supplier
or distributor cannot be used as it is. It has to be
activated first before it can be used. The activated
EM is then to be further diluted for a wide range of
hygienic and environmental uses. (Activated EM is
also called secondary EM.)
MAKING ACTIVATED EM FROM STOCK SOLUTION
Here’s how you “activate” a standard 1 litre EM stock
bottle
EM availabe at:
Green Goa Works
Socolwaddo, Assagao, Bardez, Goa. Phone: 3122609
10 ml
5 ml
2.5 ml
EM stands for “effective microorganisms”. It comes
marketed in the form of a “stock” solution: a brownish
liquid suspension containing the select organisms in
a highly concentrated condition. The microorganisms
are of various beneficial kinds including naturally
occurring organisms found in yeast (used in bread)
and lactic acid (used in curd). The bacteria in EM
bottles are not genetically engineered. The stock
solution is therefore absolutely harmless. No harm
will result even if EM is accidentally put in the
mouth.
Green Goa Works
Shop No. E1G7, Maria Julia Complex, Next to
Fatorda Stadium, Margao, Tel.: 9850452080.
For further information, or for EM, contact:
The Goa Foundation /
Green Goa Works
G/8, St. Britto’s Apartment,
Feira Alta. Mapusa, Goa
You can call us at:
Phone: 2256479/2263305.
Mobile: 9326122609/9326151534
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Materials required: 1 litre EM stock bottle, 1 kg
jaggery, 20 litres chlorine free water (well water is
best).
Procedure: Take 20 litres of clean, chlorine free water
in a clean plastic container (the container should not
exceed 21 litres). Add one kg of jaggery (dissolved in
warm water and cooled). Add one litre of EM stock
solution and mix well. Close the container and make
sure it is airtight. Keep the container airtight for 5–7
days. After 2 days, open the lid slightly daily to release
the accumulated gas and then close tightly again.
After 5–7 days, you will get 21 litres of “extended” or
activated EM ready for use.
How to use activated EM: Activated EM is diluted
100 times (X) or 500X or 1000X, depending upon
the purpose for which it is being used. While you
can store activated EM for more than a month, EM
that is further diluted for actual use every day should
not be allowed to remain for the next day. Therefore,
to prevent wastage, dilute only small quantities of
extended EM as and when you want to use it.
Different places at home where activated
EM solution can be used
no longer is soiled with grime. Use only Henko
detergents. Some people soak their clothes with EM
solution every night and run the clothes without
any detergent through the washing machine the
following day!
Toilets
Indoors
The toilet is an area which every family member
uses. At times it becomes very difficult to maintain
a very clean toilet even after using the most expensive cleaning agents (almost all of which damage
the environment). EM is a cheap, effective and ecofriendly cleaning agent. You can stop using phenyl
(an extremely toxic chemical) forever.
1. For a house subject to dust, or pet and smoke
odour, spray the area with 1000X diluted solution.
This will neutralise the dust and refresh the air.
1. EM diluted 100X is sprayed inside and outside
the toilet bowls occasionally. This helps to reduce
unpleasant odours as well as keeps the toilet bowls
clean.
2. The toilet room itself (including walls) is sprayed
with 500X diluted solution twice a week. This helps
in reducing the general foul odour as well as possible
slime and mould formation.
3. Pour about 20–30 ml of EM activated solution in
the flush tank (cistern) every day. This will result in less
grime and eliminate any foul odour. It will also help in
improving the micro flora in the septic tank. Another
advantage is that it detoxifies the wastewater.
Bathrooms
1. When your bathroom drain gets clogged with hair,
accumulates slime and gives out a bad odour, spray it
with 500X diluted EM solution before you go to bed.
The odour will go.
2. If your buckets have a soiled appearance, spray
them with 500X diluted solution and wipe clean.
3. Areas of the bathroom that generate slime or
black mould can be sprayed with 500X diluted solution. The slime is easily wiped off and the mould will
disappear.
4. Spray the bathroom with 1000X diluted EM
solution occasionally to get rid of any unpleasant
odours.
5. Washing machine dryers are sprayed occasionally with 1000X diluted solution. Lint is less likely
to collect.
6. Add about 20–30 ml of the activated EM to the
washing machine along with the detergent every
time you wash. If you do so, you need to add only
half the detergent you normally use. The laundering effects are enhanced and the washing machine
EM has many applications for the rest of the house
as well.
2. Spray your carpet with 1000X diluted EM solution
till it is damp. The carpet softens when the solution
dries. Ticks will disappear.
3. Spray EM solution (1000X) on curtains and lampshades. It will reduce dust accumulation.
5. Foul odour from used footwear is eliminated by
spraying 1000X diluted EM solution. Spray 500X on
shoes increases their shine. Monsoon fungus (white
mould) is also eliminated with 500X dilution.
6. Spray laundry before ironing with 1000X diluted
solution. The finish will be nice and the clothes will
remain in good condition.
7. Spray the air conditioner with 1000X diluted solution while it is in operation. Any unwanted odour
will be eliminated.
8. Spray glass doors with 1000X diluted solution: the
grime is easily cleaned and future dust adherence
will be reduced.
9. Spray clothes cupboards with 1000X diluted solution. This prevents any future mould, keeps the air
fresh and makes the cloths comfortable to wear.
Kitchen
EM is safe to use in the kitchen because even if it
comes into contact with food, there is no danger
to health.
1. The wall near the oven usually tends to get sticky
with oil. Spray 500X diluted EM solution and the wipe
it off with a clean cloth. Similarly, the tile joints are
cleaned easily.
2. Spray the oven with 500X diluted EM solution.
Wait for a few minutes and then wipe it with a clean
cloth. The microwave can also be cleaned in the
same manner.
3. Slime and mould often form on both wooden and
plastic cutting boards. Spray them with 500X diluted
EM solution. The slime will disappear.