There sure is a lot of talk about “Green Cleaning” these days. But what is it really? As cited from Wikipedia: “green cleaning refers to using cleaning methods and products with environmentally friendly ingredients and procedures which are designed to preserve human health and environmental quality. Green cleaning techniques and products avoid the use of products which contain toxic chemicals, some of which emit volatile organic compounds causing respiratory, dermatological and other conditions. Green cleaning also describes the way residential and industrial cleaning products are manufactured, packaged, and distributed. If the manufacturing process is environmentally friendly and the products are biodegradable, then the term “green” or “eco-friendly” may apply.
Using green chemicals and procedures will have an immediate significant positive impact on indoor air quality. If your janitorial service provider is not using green chemicals and procedures, ask them why. It is important to the health of everyone entering your facility to adopt “more green in your clean”.
Benefits to Green Cleaning
When people think about green cleaning, they think about eco-friendly or green seal certified products used to clean. The green seal certification is used for products or services which have a reduced effect on human health and environment when compared to other products or services that serve the same purpose. Green Seal certified cleaning products improve indoor air quality versus traditional bleach and other harsh chemicals. But the use of standardized green chemicals in the cleaning routine is just part of the story. Read on for other key areas that also help to reduce waste and toxicity, and potential exposure to custodial staff and building occupants:
Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle – The Three R’s
One of the best ways to reduce waste is to use a recycling program. If you are considering a recycling program or already have one, then talk to your janitorial service provider or find one who can provide green cleaning services in Phoenix, AZ area. This will help to make these important three R’s a reality for your facility.
Microfiber Mops and Wipes
The beauty of microfiber mops and wipes in a cleaning routine is their effectiveness with minimal chemicals. This material does not need to be saturated with water or cleaning solvent to be effective – simple dampness works fine for many situations. This is not just a benefit during actual cleaning – because they use far less water and chemicals than conventional mops and cloths, they help to conserve a natural resource. Over time and in volume, these savings become considerable and really benefit the environment.
Microfiber cleaning cloths are typically made of polyester and polyamide fibers which have a diameter smaller than a single human hair. This accounts for the ‘micro’ part of the name. Since their introduction as cleaning tools a couple of decades ago, they have revolutionized the cleaning industry, because they are so vastly superior to traditional cleaning cloths. Here is a quick run-down on the advantages microfiber has over their traditional counterparts:
Microfiber cloths are exceptionally light cloths that work great for many other tasks besides cleaning up spills and shining surfaces. Use them for dusting, cleaning glass and mirrors, polishing bathroom surfaces and removing grime. Their versatility even goes as far as drying dishes as they come out of the dishwasher!
One of the biggest advantages of using a microfiber cleaning cloth is that its tiny fibers attract and hold even the smallest particles of dirt and dander. Conventional cloths lack the microstructure and are less effective in removing the smaller dust particles from the surface. The affinity between one microfiber and one particle of dust is so effective because there are many microfibers in the construction of one cleaning cloth.
The result is a magnetic attraction between the microfiber cloth and dirt particles making it a super effective cleaning tool. This same construction allows microfiber cloths to get into tiny nooks and crannies that bulkier cloths simply cannot get to. This design is another reason they are the superior choice over traditional cleaning cloths.
Efficient Cleaning Equipment
One of the most important equipment items for efficient cleaning is the HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter backpack vacuum. These vacuums save time for cleaning and are more effective at removing dirt and dander from a building. Over time indoor air quality improves dramatically with these machines compared to conventional vacuums. Pollution is often a problem we consider as an “outdoors” issue. But air pollution exists in indoor environments as well.
Considering the amount of time many people spend working indoors, clean air inside is critical to a healthy work environment. Traditional vacuums will “look and sound” like they’re getting the job done. But often-times they just pick up the larger particles. They leave behind the smaller more problematic particulates to recirculate in the air. The HEPA filter vacuums fix this problem! The specialized filtration system removes and isolates allergens and bacteria particles that float around in the air or on the floor surfaces of your facility. This includes dust mites, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, and even tobacco smoke. This makes these machines particularly useful in any indoor environment where people are sensitive to allergens. The traditional vacuum filters don’t come close to this performance
The ability of HEPA filter vacuums to clear pollutants from the air is so great that they are the trusted means for cleaning in places like hospitals, nuclear facilities, pharmaceutical and many other institutions where clean air is mandatory. Trust them for your office for the same high standard.
Additional equipment such as double-sided mop buckets not only require less water and chemicals, but they are also more effective in cleaning floors by using a clean water reservoir after each mop ringing. When used in conjunction with microfiber flat mops the results are superior to conventional mopping systems.
Cleaning for Health
If you need a cleaning service, find one that utilizes green cleaning services as one of their primary specialties. Square Feat understands just how important it is to clean to protect indoor air quality and prevent unnecessary exposure to building occupants and cleaning crew members. The winning combination of team cleaning used in conjunction with efficient equipment and green chemicals is the winning formula. This formula will help promote the longevity of the assets of your business and the health of all building occupants. Our services will help you to create a more productive work environment for the individuals who work in the building.
Square Feat is Here to Handle all your GREEN cleaning Janitorial Needs!
Your janitorial cleaning company should always handle any service issues immediately and proficiently. If this is not the case, it might be time to look for another janitorial service. Does your cleaning service get back to you in a timely fashion if not the same day? They should be.
Square Feat has been serving commercial clients in the Phoenix metropolitan area for more than two decades with basic janitorial services, carpet cleaning, floor refinishing and other specialized services. Square Feat is recognized as a top full-service janitorial provider by the Phoenix Business Journal and Arizona Business Magazine.
Please, visit this page to learn more about the cleaning services they provide or to obtain a free no obligation quote for your facility. Contact Square Feat here or call us at 480-777-0605 to schedule an appointment to survey your facility.
