There are a lot of facilities that could benefit from green cleaning programs but aren’t taking advantage of the service. This could be due to thinking an eco-friendly cleaning program is too expensive or just not understanding the benefits. Some might even be concerned that green products aren’t strong enough to properly disinfect surfaces to the standards they require.
However, for many facilities, this isn’t the case, and a little bit of research can show just how much they can benefit from going green.
What is a Green Cleaning Program?
A green cleaning program is a professional cleaning program that uses eco-friendly products instead of more traditional cleaning chemicals. It’s an environmentally friendly alternative that can get your facilities clean without the harmful side effects of regular chemicals.
What are the Major Benefits?
For starters, green cleaning programs are a major benefit to the environment. Climate change is a big talking point these days, and everyone, from households to businesses, are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Considering the volume of cleaning products most businesses and facilities use, cutting down on the amount of chemicals that get released into the air is essential to reducing their net emissions.
Then, of course, there’s the health benefit to the people inside your facility, whether it’s employees, clients, or visitors. According to the EPA, “Volatile organic compounds (VOC) in cleaning products can affect indoor air quality and also contribute to smog formation in outdoor air.” Poor indoor air quality can have negative health effects in the long-term and can damage productivity and morale in employees.
Green cleaning has also become more affordable as eco-friendly products become more abundant on the market. So the concerns about replacing standard cleaning products with green ones have become drastically reduced. This gives every business, both big and small, the opportunity and incentive to do right by their employees and the environment by scheduling a green cleaning program from S.J. Services.
What Facilities Can Benefit?
It’s important to discuss with your professional cleaning service whether or not green cleaning products are the best choice for your facilities. Some facilities can’t switch over to green products due to strict sanitation guidelines. However, there are several that can benefit from going green.
Offices
Generally, office workers are expected to spend 40 hours a week in their workplace. While working from home has become increasingly more common, many companies still have their employees come into the office 5 days a week. Because of this, it’s important that offices have good air quality and are properly cleaned so your workforce is in top shape.
Green cleaning programs help with this through reducing the amount of harsh chemicals we breathe in on a daily basis. The improved air quality will greatly improve productivity and employee health in the long run. By improving your office’s air quality with green cleaning products, your employees can work more efficiently which is great for business.
Healthcare Facilities
The health of patients and doctors alike is important for a healthcare facility like a hospital or dental office. You might assume that green cleaning products wouldn’t be effective enough for healthcare facilities. You’d be incorrect, and in fact, many green products are better for a doctor’s office than traditional products.
Take mops for example. Microfiber mops are a greener alternative to traditional mops and actually keep a facility healthier. Studies have shown that extremely fine microfiber can remove up to 98% of bacteria and 93% of viruses with only water.
Another health benefit that doctors offices can’t afford to neglect is that green cleaning products can reduce the risk of allergic reactions, asthma attacks, skin irritations, and respiratory infections compared to chemical cleaning products. When your patients are already sick or have a compromised immune system, everything that can be done to make their stay more comfortable should be done.
Schools
Schools are probably one of the facilities that benefit the most from a green cleaning program. With allergens, germs, and dirt in abundance being brought into the building, it’s vital to keep up on cleaning. However, that requires a lot of cleaning products every day, which means your school’s carbon footprint will be huge.
By using green cleaning products, your janitorial staff will be reducing the amount of harmful chemicals released into the air, water, and soil. As many schools teach their students the value of recycling and doing their part to protect the environment, it’s important for the administration to lead by example.
On top of that, the lack of harsh and harmful chemicals in the air is better for the developing lungs of students. One of the most common risks of inhaling toxic fumes, especially those from cleaning chemicals, over a long period of time is developing respiratory issues like asthma. This is even more prevalent when someone is exposed to them at a young age. Most of all, students learn better when they aren’t getting sick from germs or chemicals, so by going green, you’re creating a better, healthier learning environment for kids.
Green cleaning might not be for every industry, but there are a surprising number of facilities that can truly benefit from going green. It can improve the health and safety of workers and clients, reduce their carbon footprint, and be even more effective in cleaning and sanitizing than traditional chemical cleaners.