Why Choose Green Cleaning
Going green with your home cleaning service is an excellent way to reduce your environmental impact. As I search for a green cleaning service, there are several factors I need to consider to ensure the company truly adheres to environmentally-friendly practices.
The main benefit of using green cleaning products and techniques is that they are much less toxic than traditional cleaners. Conventional cleaning solutions often contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, bleach, and formaldehyde. These substances can irritate eyes and airways, and some may even cause long-term health issues with repeated exposure.
In contrast, green cleaning solutions are made from natural, biodegradable ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, and plant-based detergents. These products are safer for human health, especially for children and individuals with chemical sensitivities. They also break down quickly to prevent pollution.
Beyond using eco-friendly products, green cleaning services follow environmentally-sustainable procedures. For example, they conserve energy and water, recycle materials, and use microfiber cloths and mops to cut down on waste. This comprehensive approach makes green cleaning ideal for the health-conscious homeowner.
What to Look For in a Green Cleaning Company
Eco-Friendly Products
The non-toxic cleaning solutions are the foundation of green cleaning. I should ask prospective companies what specific products they use. Some labels like Green Seal certified, EPA’s Safer Choice, and EWG Verified indicate a product is truly eco-friendly. I can request a list of all chemicals and ingredients ahead of time to check how natural and safe they are.
The best green cleaners will use plant-derived ingredients like citric acid or lactic acid for disinfecting and essential oils like lemon, rosemary, and tea tree for natural fragrance. For surface cleaning, look for plant-based surfactants made from coconut or corn oil. And baking soda and vinegar make excellent natural scouring and degreasing agents.
Proper Equipment
In addition to green solutions, equipment matters too. Here are some environmentally-friendly tools I should expect from a green cleaning service:
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Microfiber cloths and mops – Made from synthetic microfibers, these grab and trap dirt efficiently without chemicals. They also cut down on paper waste compared to traditional mops and rags.
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High-efficiency HEPA vacuums – HEPA filtration traps microscopic particles, while high-efficiency motors conserve energy.
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Ergonomic cotton and wood-handled tools – These durable options prevent waste from disposable plastic handles.
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Reusable spray bottles – These reduce plastic bottle waste significantly.
Sustainable Procedures
Eco-friendly products and equipment enable greener cleaning, but the procedures make an impact too. Some best practices I want potential services to implement are:
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Conserving water – For example, using microfiber mops that only need spray misting instead of soaking and wringing out conventional string mops.
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Recycling and repurposing – Such as recycling used bottles and containers, composting natural cleaners, and donating old linens and towels instead of throwing them away.
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Efficient scheduling – Grouping tasks room by room, working from top to bottom, and cleaning in a straight path to avoid excess travel and wasted time.
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Energy-saving measures – Turning off lights when leaving a room, using natural light when possible, and using Energy Star appliances.
Green Work Culture
Beyond green products and practices, I want to hire a service with an eco-conscious work culture. Some indicators to look for are:
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Employee education on green cleaning best practices.
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Active training on new sustainability measures.
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Incentives for employees to reduce waste, water, and energy on the job.
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Commitment to continuous improvement and adoption of greener techniques over time.
This internal focus on sustainability will lead to better results for clients like myself.
Certifications to Look For
Several organizations offer certifications for green cleaning services. While voluntary, these designations indicate a service adheres to strict eco-friendly standards and practices. Here are some of top ones:
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Green Seal GS-42 – One of the first and most respected green certification programs. Evaluation covers entire operation from products to procedures.
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EcoLogo CCD-110 – Shows compliance with sustainability standards from the Underwriters Laboratories.
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GREENGUARD Gold – Indicates products and processes meet guidelines for low emissions and indoor air quality.
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EPA Safer Choice program – Approves the use of Safer Choice-labeled products which contain the safest chemical ingredients.
I will ask potential cleaning companies if they hold any of these certifications. The logos can easily be verified on the certification organizations’ websites for authenticity.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
Once I’ve vetted a few promising green cleaning companies, I will interview each one further with questions like:
- Which specific eco-friendly products do you use? May I see the ingredient labels?
- What green certifications have you achieved? How long have you held each one?
- Do you train employees on new sustainability practices? How often?
- How do you reduce waste, water, and energy use during cleaning?
- How long have you been offering green cleaning services?
- Can you provide references from other green cleaning clients?
The company’s thoroughness and transparency in responding will help determine if they are truly committed to environmentally-friendly service.
In Summary
Going green with my home’s cleaning service can significantly reduce my environmental footprint. But I must carefully vet companies to ensure they use natural products and sustainable processes authentically. With the criteria above for eco-friendly ingredients, equipment, procedures, and certifications, I am well-prepared to select a service that aligns with my values while keeping my home fresh and healthy. A reputable green cleaner that satisfies my concerns will become a valued partner in maintaining my home sustainably for years to come.
