February 10, 2025, Pickerington, OH - Jamie Carroll, a dedicated 3rd grade teacher at Toll Gate Elementary in Pickerington, has found a way to blend education, community service, and environmental stewardship into one remarkable initiative. The "Classy Suds" project has become an annual tradition in her classroom, capturing the hearts of students, parents, and the wider community.
Students have been equally enthusiastic about participating in the “Classy Suds” project. Whitley Saul, a 3rd grader, shared,
“I’m really excited to do this project because we get to help people in need and learn math at the same time!”
"I absolutely love leading service-learning projects in my classroom," said Carroll. "In the last few years, I have found one that benefits student learning, our community, and our planet...and my students absolutely love it!"
This is the third year of the "Classy Suds" project involving Carroll's math students making laundry detergent to be donated to the local food pantry. Throughout the year, teachers and families at Toll Gate Elementary donate empty laundry detergent containers. The students then follow a simple recipe to create an effective and eco-friendly detergent. They measure, fill the donated and recycled containers, and label the products for distribution in the food pantry.
Because the donated containers vary in size from small to very large, Carroll and her students try to measure their donations by gallons as a more standard measurement.
"Conventional laundry detergent is expensive," Carroll explained. "An average bottle of detergent costs over $15-20 per gallon. Our 'Classy Suds' detergent costs only pennies per gallon to make. To be exact, it costs about 4 cents per gallon. We are able to make about 100 gallons of detergent for the food pantry every time we do this project."
The benefits of the project extend beyond economics. It strengthens students' multiplication, division, and measurement skills, and encourages them to consider the costs of everyday goods and services. It also teaches important lessons about recycling and reducing consumption. But, perhaps most importantly, it instills in students a sense of gratitude and service. Since 2022-2023, Carroll’s classes have donated over 300 gallons and plan for 100 more this spring.
"This project is so rewarding in so many ways," Carroll said. "But all these benefits pale in comparison to the lessons it teaches students about gratitude and service. It gives children a means of directly serving their community. They beam with pride at the contribution they create."
Reflecting on the project’s impact, Saylor Oakes, another 3rd grader, expressed,
“I think this project is a good idea because kids get to help people, and we use the containers again and again,” she added. “I think it’s cool that my brother got to do this project in 3rd grade, and now I do too.”
Carroll hopes that the "Classy Suds" project can be replicated on a larger scale by community groups and other schools. "There are so many food pantries in need," she noted. "Understandably, many are not able to accept homemade food donations due to allergies and safety. But, some are able to accept homemade cleaning products."
Carroll's vision is clear: "Classy Suds laundry detergent may not save the world. But, my students and I believe it's a great place to start."
If you’d like to learn more about donating your used laundry detergent containers or if you’re a teacher or community group who wants to explore this as a service-learning project, please email Jaime Carroll at Jaime_Carroll@PLSD.US. Note: The containers do not need to be clean or rinsed—the class will accept them as is. Ms. Carroll is more than happy to assist with any inquiries or support needed for service projects like this one.
