January 26, 2005 - Green Cleaning Tips For Commercial Buildings From Enviro-Solutions

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Green Cleaning Tips
By Mike Sawchuk

Green Cleaning is all about cleaning to protect the health of cleaning workers, occupants and the users of buildings and facilities, as well as the environment. One of the most exciting side benefits of Green cleaning is that it is also elevating the role of the cleaning professional and the jansan industry. Never before has the connection between good health, cleaning, and our industry been clearer.

However, Green Cleaning is a system and includes more than just the use of certified-Green cleaning products. Below are a few tips for facility service providers (FSPs) on how to implement a Green Cleaning program into the facilities they clean:

Work from a plan. Cleaning should be based on a plan. How often are floors to be swept, mopped, buffed, or refinished? What chemicals and equipment are to be used? How often should carpets be extracted? All cleaning and maintenance services, especially Green cleaning programs, should be guided by a well-thought out plan that is written and followed.

Employ a matting system. As much as 90 percent of the dust and dirt entering a facility “walks-in” through the front door. A Green cleaning system includes matting systems at all major entries of at least 15 to 20 feet in length—inside and out, weather permitting. Mats should be cleaned and vacuumed regularly to remain effective.

Develop a green product selection strategy. There are more than 100,000 chemicals registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that may be used for cleaning. However only about 10 percent of them have been studied as to their health and environmental effects, of which only about 750 have been thoroughly tested for human health effects and far fewer have been evaluated by either Green Seal® or Canada’s comparable Environmental Choice Program™. Your strategy should include a process for evaluating and testing environmentally preferable cleaning products as to their:

• Proven protection of people and the environment
• Effectiveness and performance
• Cost per useable quart or gallon (based on performance and dilution rates for the specific facility where the product will be used as well as the cleaning applications)
• Certification

Use technologically advanced janitorial equipment. Vacuum cleaners should be true-HEPA, so that impurities cannot escape the machine and become airborne. Extractors should heat the cleaning solution to above 200° Fahrenheit to improve cleaning effectiveness and speed drying time. Hard floorcare equipment should employ dust control or “passive” vacuum systems to capture airborne particulates as the machine is operating.

Involve and educate. Everyone using a facility should understand why Green cleaning products are being used and what Green cleaning practices are being employed to protect their health. They should be taught steps they can take to help “Green” their work areas, such as not eating at their desks because it can attract pests and bacteria. Major stakeholders—building managers, tenants, and FSPs—should meet regularly to evaluate current Green cleaning strategies and practices.