Toxic chemicals wreak havoc on our workplaces and health. Inhaling harmful cleaning chemicals over a long time causes substantial damage to the respiratory system. When businesses choose to use toxic chemicals, they put their employees and the cleaning staff at risk.
In addition to the respiratory system, these chemicals can harm the skin, endocrine system, and nervous system. Exposures of harmful cleaning chemicals can result in burns and rashes. Some cleaners even contain compounds that can destroy brain cells.
When using harmful commercial cleaning chemicals, our bodies are not the only things at stake. These chemicals also harm the environment and can damage surfaces.
The health of your office staff is essential, and so is protecting the environment. Some people are skeptical of green commercial cleaning products because they don’t think they clean well enough. However, green cleaning products work just as well, if not better, than traditional cleaning products.
Not convinced? Here are more reasons why you need green commercial cleaning products.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Everyone deserves to breathe clean air. This is true for your team members, clients, and anyone who visits your commercial space. When the air is cleaner, it’s easier to breathe and focus.
Many commercial cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds cause headaches and can irritate the respiratory system.
When you use green products that don’t contain these harmful compounds, air quality is improved. Team members can complete their tasks without headaches or respiratory irritation and clients can breathe easily when they visit your space.
Protecting the Environment
On a grand scale, using green cleaning products can reduce water and air pollution, climate change, and ozone depletion. Green cleaning products avoid using chemicals that will permeate and harm the atmosphere.
Protecting the environment comes down to more than just the ingredients in the cleaning products. Many green cleaning product manufacturers also use less water and less packaging, selling products in a concentrated form. This cuts down on the fuel needed for transport. It’s easy to add cold water to the concentrated products, and they still do a great job of cleaning.
Most manufacturers also tend to be conscientious about recycling. Many will use all or partially recycled packaging and make it easy for consumers to recycle their packaging.
Protecting Animals
The chemicals that pose the most danger to our waterways are phosphorous, ammonia, and nitrogen. These are known as VOCs. When these chemicals go down the drain, they enter rivers, lakes, and oceans.
While waste treatment processes remove most pollutants, these chemicals are not removed. When large amounts of VOCs hit waterways, they trigger widespread algae growth, which impacts the amount of oxygen in the water. This is toxic to wildlife.
Transparency
Have you ever tried to read the ingredient list on your cleaning products? On traditional cleaning products, the ingredient lists are usually long and full of substances that are hard to pronounce. In addition, these companies may not fully disclose everything in their product.
Most green cleaning brands have nothing to hide and fully list their ingredients. The ingredients are usually easy to read and filled with familiar elements.
Cleaning is Easier
You can usually knock out several jobs with just one product when using green cleaning products. This means fewer products to store and carry while cleaning.
Using Green products also means there is less chance of cross-contamination. When cleaning with multiple toxic chemicals, mixing them can be bad news. These mixtures could lead to burns, corroded surfaces, and hazardous vapors.
Green Cleaning Tends to be Less Expensive
The cost of traditional cleaning products adds up fast. This is especially true when you need to buy specific formulas for certain jobs. Using an all-purpose, eco-friendly cleaner can cut back on required products.
In addition, you can make your own cleaning products with simple items you might already have around the office. Consider using vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, and liquid castile soap to take care of most of your cleaning needs.
Helping Your Community
Since green cleaning companies promote environmental change, most give back to the community. Many of these companies give percentages of their profits to worthy organizations on a similar mission. You can feel better about where your money is going.
How Can You Tell if a Commercial Cleaning Company Values Green Cleaning?
When screening potential cleaning companies, first look at their website. Most companies will advertise green cleaning practices. When you are ready to meet with companies and go on the walkthrough, talk about the company’s commitment to green cleaning practices. Here are a few topics to ask about:
- Do you educate your clients about the importance of commercial green cleaning?
- Do you follow standards on environmentally-friendly cleaning practices?
- Are you transparent with your cleaning processes?
- Do you use environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions?
- Do you go one step further and use Green Seal-certified products?
- Do you use food-grade cleaners?
Why Choose a Green Commercial Cleaning Company?
It’s crucial to utilize green cleaning practices at home and at the office. If you are looking to hire a commercial cleaning company, it’s essential to choose one that embraces the green mentality.
More businesses than ever realize how important this topic is. The science backs up green cleaning methods and their benefits to people, animals, and the Earth.
Your team members will thank you when you use green cleaning practices in your office. They will be able to breathe easier, not suffer from skin irritation, and be more productive.
In addition, your clients will be impressed that you care about the environment and are doing all you can to protect local waterways. Happy team members and happy clients are a winning combination for any business.
We are committed to green commercial cleaning at Zoë Facilities Services. Book your walkthrough today if you are looking for a cleaner, greener, safer facility in central Indiana.
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