The word “green” no longer translates literally to mean the color. Today, when someone uses “green” as an adjective in a description, they are probably talking about a product or service that is considered healthier for people, animals and the planet. “Green friendly” is a term that translates to mean environmentally safe.
In this post, learn what this means when it comes to green cleaning services and how to choose an environmentally safe cleaning service you can trust.
Green Cleaning Explained
As the name suggests, green cleaning refers to a business’s choice to use only safe, non-toxic cleaning products and processes. But green cleaning may go beyond just the choice of products to how the cleaning itself is done. For example, many traditional cleaning companies will use machines to do most of the cleaning, while green cleaning companies will often rely on old-fashioned sweat equity to get the job done.
When machines are brought in (such as vacuums or steam cleaners), a green cleaning service will typically choose HEPA filters to reduce environmental impact.
“Some green cleaning services will also take it a step or two further by ensuring the vehicles used by their staff have low carbon emissions and high gas efficiency, offering additional holistic services like houseplant maintenance or Feng Shui, donating to area eco-friendly organizations and recycling rather than disposing of used items whenever possible,” said Walburn’s Carpet Cleaning.
How to Choose a Green Cleaning Service
A company that provides green cleaning services may still also provide traditional cleaning services as well. So it is important to clarify that you are interested in the green cleaning product they offer.
In addition, just because a business says that it provides green cleaning services doesn’t mean you should take them at their word. There are certain hallmarks to look for that showcase how green-friendly a cleaning company is in relation to other companies.
Here are some things you can look for as indicators the cleaning service is legitimately green friendly:
– Non-toxic, safe cleaning products.
– No-rinse cleaning solutions.
– Ingredients like white vinegar, castile soap, baking soda, vegetable oil-based cleaners and essential oils for fragrance.
– Biodegradable products and supplies.
– Certified safe for infants and family pets.
– HEPA filters.
– No disposable materials such as towels.
– Proprietary branded cleaning products made in-house from scratch.
– Awards and honors that indicate the service provides excellent green cleaning.
– High ratings on nationally known sites such as Angie’s List and Better Business Bureau.
While you are doing your research, it is always wise to also check that the cleaning service staff is licensed, bonded and insured and that each staff member undergoes a background check prior to being hired.
Benefits of Choosing Green Cleaning Services
When you choose green cleaning for your home or workplace, you will realize many benefits, some of which may be more easily seen than others.
Here are some of the most commonly cited benefits:
– Your family and/or employees don’t complain about harsh odors, itchy eyes or respiratory symptoms after a cleaning.
– You may find you spend less for the same quality of cleaning services because green-friendly products and supplies cost less.
– You feel better about reducing your negative impact on the planet (and your company can add green cleaning to its environmentally-friendly community resume).
There are so many reasons to consider switching to green cleaning services. But one of the all-time best is simply the increased peace of mind you have about your health, the quality of the air and the safety of your loved ones.
