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Green cleaning for health is one of the latest movements to be accepted among reputable cleaning companies who wish to provide a quality cleaning service, while maintaining an active respect for the protection of the health of the cleaning crew, as well as the other occupants and users of the building. Moreover, green cleaning for health also makes efforts to protect and respect the environment.
While the most direct benefits - the health of both people and the environment - are easy to spot, there are some less-obvious, indirect benefits from green cleaning for health, which are just as attractive. These include the fact that green cleaning makes cleaning professionals much more attractive to many different businesses, organizations, and individuals, who may be seeking a greener alternative to the traditional, more "toxic" cleaning solution. No other cleaning program within the industry is as healthy and environmentally responsible as green cleaning for health.
However, green cleaning for health does carry some responsibility with the name. It isn't just a matter of saying that you respect the environment. Such a cleaning program involves an entire system, based upon - but certainly not limited to - the use of green cleaning products.
In addition to environmentally friendly cleaning products, other actions that are taken by green cleaning for health providers include:
1. Using an environmentally friendly cleaning system that considers how frequently the floors are vacuumed, swept, mopped, buffed, and refinished.
It also takes into consideration the chemicals and the equipment used for such processes. Furthermore, it looks at the frequency of carpet extraction.
2. Utilizing a matting system - as much as 90% of all of the dust and dirt that gets into any given building is a result of what is tracked in through the door. Therefore, to reduce the amount "large scale" cleaning to be done, a system of mats in the entryways, which are cleaned and vacuumed regularly, presents a much greener alternative.
3. Utilize cleaning equipment that is technologically advanced - this includes true-HEPA vacuum cleaners, and other such devices, so that impurities are not capable of being sucked into the cleaning device, and then blown out, becoming airborne. Any extractors should be certain to heat the cleaning solution to a minimum of 200ºF, in order to improved the drying time and the efficacy of the cleaning. Any cleaning equipment for hard floors should involve a dust control, or a vacuum system which provides "passive" suction in order to capture any airborne particles that may be swirled up as the machine operates.
4. Involvement and education - a truly effective green cleaning for health program shouldn't just involve the cleaning staff, but should include everyone using the building. This means that everyone using the facility should know why green cleaning products are being used, and the importance of the green cleaning practices that are being utilized in order to protect their health.
There is growing evidence showing that green cleaning provides benefits not only to cleaning staff, but also to building occupants. Across the country more building owners are switching to green cleaning products and techniques or are asking that their cleaning service provider use environmentally sound cleaning techniques.
What does green cleaning mean? The government defines green products as "environmentally preferable" products and services that "have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose."
What are the benefits of a green cleaning program?
*Using environmentally friendly cleaning products is healthier for cleaning staff and building occupants. Studies have shown that building occupants, visitors and janitorial staff experience fewer incidents of skin, eye and respiratory irritation, fewer multiple chemical sensitivities, less severe allergies and decreased headaches and nausea when cleaning contractors use green cleaning products. Healthier employees are happier employees and productivity increases. This also leads to higher employee morale, reduced absenteeism, and higher efficiency.
*Green cleaning helps to improve indoor air quality. Many traditional cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When cleaning, these VOC's are released into the air through evaporation and can affect indoor air quality. The use of traditional cleaning products can also contribute to water pollution. Waste water treatment plants typically remove chemicals found in cleaning products, however, inadequately treated water can contain chemicals that are toxic. Using green products lessens or eliminates the chemicals that need to be treated.
*Besides the health aspects of green cleaning, the process provides benefits to the building. Using green products and practices, such as proper chemical storage, use and disposal, lessens the likelihood of fires, spills and explosions. As the products used are less dangerous, if there is a spill or other incident, there is less risk to janitorial workers and other building staff.
*Green cleaning can give a boost to your profits! Green products have become more competitive with its traditional counterparts. Once you factor in the potential hazards, such as burns from a high alkaline cleaner and loss of productivity, you actually save money by using environmentally safe cleaning products. Using energy efficient equipment, such as vacuum cleaners with hepa filters, and focusing on preventive maintenance, will lower expenses and replacement costs.
If you have not incorporated green cleaning products and techniques into your business, now is the time to start. Projecting a "green image" is good for the environment, good for your employees and good for your bottom line.
