Hair stylists, in Baltimore and across the country, are sweeping up those tufts of clipped hair from the salon floor and sending them to a company that makes absorbent booms that can be used to soak up the oil that is heading toward the Gulf Coast from the recent massive spill.

“So far we’ve sent six huge boxes,” said Diane Wiczulis, office manager of Studio 1612 in Mount Washington. “It makes us feel good that we’re doing something to help.”

The north Baltimore salon has been sending the clipped hair to a California-based organization called  Matter of Trust.  The take the hair they are being sent from hair salons and dog groomers from around the world, and stuff it into nylon stockings and fashion these into booms to be sent to the Gulf.

How much difference can “hairmats” make when the oil spill you’re trying to soak up with them has formed a  blob  the size of Jamaica ?

Hard to say, but the 1612 folks say they’re happy to do what they can to help.

“It makes us feel good to know we’re at least doing something,” said Wiczulis, who said stylist Tracy  McKenzie has been their environmental conscience lately, organizing the “hair drive” and pushing them to recycle and such.

“We’re glad she did,” Wiczulis said. “It’s good for us to be more green.”