Eco friendly cleaning is a key topic for any facilities or office manager. Keeping your building and office clean and hygienic is vital: but so are the methods you use to clean it.
Switching to a more environmentally conscious cleaning framework can be a great way to improve the sustainability footprint of your business. With ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) metrics often tracked and targeted by employers, there has never been a better time to switch to a more environmentally and cleaning system focused around an eco friendly cleaning system and eco friendly cleaning products
You might be seeking to make dramatic changes to your estate of large office buildings, or want to take some steps to upgrade your rented office room. Whatever your requirements, this article lays out the case for a more eco friendly cleaning approach.
Negative Impacts of Conventional Cleaning Chemicals
Conventional highly processed chemical cleaners can often have negative side effects on both the environment and employees. Those with breathing-related conditions, such as asthma, are at risk from conventional chemical cleaners. The fumes, vapors and fine droplets found in sprays and cleaning fluids irritate the airways.
This is especially true because many conventional cleaners are artificially scented to give a ‘clean’ smell, giving the perception that everything is sterile. These kinds of punchy air fresheners also have the potential to cause headaches in those susceptible.
Therefore, your staff could be suffering in the workplace due a combination of conventional cleaning products and poor ventilation. In fact, many schools have actually banned these products, as children can be particularly vulnerable to their side effects.
Aside from the negative impact on your employees, many of these cleaners also have environmental issues. For instance, it is well known that aerosols contain hydrocarbons and compressed gases. These chemicals are directly linked to the erosion of the ozone layer and contribute to climate change. Wastewater from cleaning will also end up in public water systems, and the less nasty chemicals dumped down the drain, the better for everyone.
Benefits of Using Eco Friendly Cleaning Products
Some facility managers may be dubious about making a change to more natural, environmentally and eco friendly cleaning products, being sceptical of their cleaning power and efficacy.
There is a common misconception that you need harsh chemicals to effectively clean and achieve hygienic, shiny surfaces. But more natural cleaning systems can achieve exactly this. For instance Vinegar is a totally eco friendly cleaning product, is easily available, entirely natural and can easily remove limescale, grease and odours. Lemon juice likewise can be great at removing mineral deposits or soap residue in the bathroom.
When it comes to off-the-shelf environmentally friendly cleaning products, the kind you’ll be using to do more heavy-duty cleaning, you may need to use a little more of them, or a bit more elbow grease. But you can still get the same great results as chemical cleaners with fewer downsides.
Eco Friendly Cleaning Techniques
Some facility managers may be dubious about making a change to more natural, environmentally and eco friendly cleaning products, being sceptical of their cleaning power and efficacy.
There is a common misconception that you need harsh chemicals to effectively clean and achieve hygienic, shiny surfaces. But more natural cleaning systems can achieve exactly this. For instance, vinegar is easily available, entirely natural and can easily remove limescale, grease and odours. Lemon juice likewise can be great at removing mineral deposits or soap residue in the bathroom.
When it comes to off-the-shelf eco friendly cleaning products, the kind you’ll be using to do more heavy-duty cleaning, you may need to use a little more of them, or a bit more elbow grease. But you can still get the same great results as chemical cleaners with fewer downsides.
Regular, Not Reactive Cleaning
Ultimately the best way to ensue high quality environmentally-friendly cleaning in your office if by making sure cleans are regular, planned and methodical. You want your cleaning to follow a clear specification, using products you have all the information about, and with an understanding of what is being cleaned when.
This is far superior to reactively doing massive cleans once problems have built up. These kinds of intensive cleans can often involve powerful chemicals, expensive specialist cleaning systems and even closing the office so the deep clean can take place. This can lead to significant disruption, as well as the aforementioned environmental and health issues from the use of powerful chemicals.
Instead, doing cleaning regularly and often, using effective, environmentally and eco friendly cleaning products is much more effective and sustainable (both for your business and environment).