Going green is more than just a trend – it’s a lifestyle. Investing in a commercial cleaning company that utilizes eco-friendly techniques is an excellent way to reduce your environmental impact and support sustainable practices. Not only does green cleaning help protect the planet, it also helps protect the health of everyone in the building. Eco-friendly cleaning companies use products and methods that are safer for the environment and less harsh on the skin, making them a healthier choice for all. They also use less water, energy, and chemicals, leading to significant savings in utility and supply costs. Furthermore, green cleaning services often come with an array of additional benefits, such as certification programs, specialized training, and even discounts on green cleaning products. With all these benefits, it’s no wonder why so many businesses are making the switch to green.
What is green cleaning?
Green cleaning is the use of eco-friendly products and methods to clean your building. This means that green cleaning services reduce the use of chemicals, minimize water usage, and use energy more efficiently, leading to significant savings in both utility costs and cleaning supplies. As a result, green cleaning services are safer for the environment and better for the health of everyone in the building. Green cleaning is different from environmentally friendly cleaning. Environmental friendly cleaning involves the use of cleaning practices that have reduced impact on the environment. This can include the use of cleaning products that are less toxic to humans and the use of cleaning methods that reduce the use of water. Whereas green cleaning services are aimed at reducing the use of chemicals and water in cleaning.
Benefits of green cleaning
Safer for everyone – Green cleaning services utilize safer products and methods that are less harsh on the skin, making them a healthier choice for everyone.
Better for the environment – Green cleaning services use significantly fewer chemicals, less water, and less energy, leading to significant savings in utility and supply costs.
Better for your wallet – Green cleaning services are often cheaper because they use less energy and chemicals, enabling them to help lower your energy bills.
Sustainable certification – Many eco-friendly cleaning companies offer certification, allowing them to prove their commitment to sustainable practices.
Fewer headaches – Green cleaning services are safer for everyone, which means fewer headaches for you.
Increased employee engagement – Studies show that green cleaning has a positive impact on employee engagement. Employees who work in a building cleaned with green cleaning services have higher morale and engagement.
Improved customer relations – Customers are more likely to do business with a company that has a sustainable approach. Green cleaning services prove to be an excellent way to set yourself apart and establish a positive image with customers.
Different green cleaning techniques
Water-based – A water-based cleaning method uses water as the primary cleaning solvent, with surfactants and solvents added to improve cleaning performance. This is one of the most environmentally friendly cleaning techniques because it does not use petroleum-based solvents that are toxic to the environment. Instead, water-based cleaners are biodegradable and non-toxic. However, they are less effective at lifting heavy dirt and grime compared to solvent-based cleaners.
Solvent-based – Solvent-based cleaners contain petroleum-based solvents, such as benzene or toluene, which are extremely effective at lifting heavy dirt and grime. However, these chemicals are highly toxic to humans, which means that the method is not sustainable.
Biological cleaning – Biological cleaning methods involve the use of microorganisms, such as bacteria, to clean up dirt and grime. Biological cleaning is often used on food service equipment or other items that are in direct contact with food, such as kitchen equipment or serving trays. While biological cleaning is an excellent way to clean up dirt and grime without chemicals, it is typically not used to clean entire buildings because it is not as effective at lifting heavy dirt and grime.
Finding an eco-friendly commercial cleaning company
There are a number of things to consider when hiring a commercial cleaning company, including the level of experience, reputation, and cost. However, it’s also important to consider the company’s eco-friendliness. There are a number of ways to evaluate a company’s green cleaning practices, including:
Look for eco-friendly certifications – Many eco-friendly cleaning companies are certified by green cleaning certification organizations. Examples include Green Seal, EcoLogo, and CARB.
Ask about the company’s green cleaning practices – A good cleaning company will be happy to tell you about their sustainable practices.
Check for green cleaning reviews – Reviews can help you learn about any existing issues with the company, as well as discover valuable information about the company’s green cleaning practices.
Look for a company with a sustainable approach – Sustainable companies use eco-friendly cleaning practices to help protect the environment.
Consider the scale of the company – Large cleaning companies often have a significant impact on the environment, while smaller cleaning companies may only offer sustainable practices on a smaller scale.
Additional benefits of green cleaning services
Reduced cost – The significant reduction in utility and supply costs associated with green cleaning services make it an excellent way to reduce operating costs.
Better health – Green cleaning services are significantly better for the health of everyone in the building, reducing the risk of allergies and health issues.
Stronger brand image – Customers are more likely to do business with a company with a strong brand image, which makes green cleaning an excellent way to strengthen your brand.
Stronger environmental image – Customers appreciate companies that have a strong environmental image, making green cleaning an excellent way to improve your environmental image.
Enhanced employee engagement – Green cleaning has a positive impact on employee engagement, improving morale and productivity.
Reduced risk of litigation – Employees have a lower risk of developing health issues due to green cleaning.
Better employee retention – Employees are less likely to leave their job when working in a green building thanks to the improved air quality and lower risk of allergies.
Enhanced customer relations – Customers appreciate a company that has a strong environmental image, making green cleaning an excellent way to improve customer relations.
Challenges of green cleaning
Higher upfront cost – The upfront cost of green cleaning services may be higher due to the use of more expensive cleaning supplies.
Additional training – Employees may need to be trained in the use of more complicated cleaning supplies, which means you may need to dedicate additional training time.
Lack of standardization – Because green cleaning methods are often customized, it can be difficult to standardize them across the board, leading to inconsistency.
Higher maintenance requirements – Green cleaning requires more maintenance, including the regular replacement of cleaning supplies. This can be challenging for large buildings that have limited cleaning staff.
Lack of awareness – Some cleaning companies may not be aware of the benefits of eco-friendly cleaning, making it difficult to find a company that offers green cleaning services.
Tips for switching to green cleaning
Get involved – Be an advocate for green cleaning in your organization, working to educate your employees about the benefits of eco-friendly cleaning.
Participate in a green cleaning awareness event – Hosting an awareness event, such as a green cleaning day, is an excellent way to engage your employees and educate them about the benefits of green cleaning.
Choose the right cleaning products – While some cleaning products are inherently green, others can be made more eco-friendly with a few simple changes.
Communicate with your cleaning company – Not only can you help reduce your environmental impact, you can also help your cleaning company do the same, leading to even greater benefits for everyone.
Conclusion
With the growing focus on preserving the planet and reducing our carbon footprint, more businesses are embracing green cleaning services. Investing in a green cleaning company can have several benefits, such as reducing the amount of chemicals and water used, promoting a healthier work environment, and reducing energy costs – leading to significant savings. Choosing to invest in a green cleaning company can be a good way to reduce the harmful chemicals used in your facility and reduce your carbon footprint. Overall, investing in a green cleaning company can be a good idea for many businesses.