As described by the Green Cleaning Network,
"Green Cleaning is cleaning to protect health without harming the environment. A Green Cleaning program goes beyond chemical and equipment choices. It includes policies, procedures, training and shared responsibility efforts that minimize the impact of cleaning materials on the health of building occupants and protect the environment as a whole.
Current products, processes and procedures aren’t necessarily bad, but newer technologies and processes make it possible to clean effectively, efficiently, and with less impact on health and the environment. And to be clear, green cleaning is more than switching a few products; it’s about effective cleaning to create healthier buildings and at the same time reduce environmental impacts."
- Clean Design
- Don't Track in Toxins
- Improve Air Quality
- Employ Green Cleaning Products
- Stay Away From Antibacterial Cleaners
- Toss Toxic Cleaners With Caution
- Hire A Green Cleaning Service
Designing homes, schools, offices and other buildings with cleanability in mind to create spaces that are cleaner, healthier, and require fewer substances to maintain. In larger buildings, easy cleanability can also be a big money-saver as cleaning costs can often add up to as much as half of a building's total energy costs.
Imagine what's on your shoes at the end of the day. Bringing that oil, antifreeze, animal waste, particulate pollution, pollen, and who knows what else into the building is not good news, especially for kids and other critters that spend time on floor level. Keep the sidewalk out of your space with a good doormat or a shoeless policy. Many green buildings now include entryway track-off systems as a means of maintaining a healthy interior environment. Less dirt also means less sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming, which means less work, water, energy, and fewer chemicals.
It is not uncommon for the air inside an office to be more toxic than the air outside. This is because of the presence of toxic materials and substances and the fact that homes and buildings are better insulated than ever before (which is a good thing from an energy standpoint). Designing to high standards of mechanical ventilation and/or utilizing natural ventilation, if designed properly, allows fresh air in and keeps toxins flowing out.
As the health and environmental impacts of conventional cleaning products become more thoroughly understood, more and more brands of healthy, green, and effective cleaning products have started hitting the market and competing for that coveted place of honor under your sink. Many of these products are non-toxic, biodegradable, and made from renewable resources (not petroleum).
The antibacterial and antimicrobial 'cleaners' that many people think are necessary, especially during cold season, don't clean hands better than soap and water, and also add to the risk of breeding "super germs," bacteria that survive the chemical onslaught and have resistant offspring. The FDA has found that antibacterial soaps and hand cleansers do not work better than regular soap and water, and should be avoided.
When replacing your cleaning products, don't just throw the old ones in the trash. If they're too toxic for your office or school, they won't be good for the drain or the landfill either. Many communities hold toxics and electronics recycling days and will take all of these off your hands. Throwing chemicals in the trash or down the drain means they might end up back in your water supply and come back to haunt you.
Procure an experienced green cleaning service and work with the team to implement a green cleaning program and procurement policy.