Today’s world is filled with toxins and pollutants. Few of us have or want the option of living in a bubble. We go out to work, drive our cars to the supermarket, take the kids to practice, and are on the go almost daily. One place we can create a relatively environmentally safe haven is our home. We can use environmentally safe cleaners, and if we are not physically able or too busy to do our cleaning, we can hire a green cleaning service. “In fact, if we go the conventional route when choosing our household cleaners or cleaning services, our home could be one of the most toxic places we encounter,” said Susan’s Green Cleaning.
Dangers of Conventional Household Cleaners:
• Immediate health concerns- chemicals in cleaners formulated to clean the toilet, oven, or drain can cause respiratory irritation, chemical burns to the skin, or watery eyes.
• Allergies- especially products with fragrances and softeners such as detergents, dryer sheets, and fabric softeners can cause immediate allergic reactions or contribute to developing allergies.
• Hormonal imbalance- sudsing agents and deodorizers can contribute to increased estrogen levels that may lead to breast or testicular cancer.
• Environmental concerns-once disposed of, our used cleaning solutions eventually make it to the waterways depleting the oceans of oxygen and killing aquatic life. Additionally plastic bottles complete with toxic chemicals also find their way into landfills and bodies of water.
So, it does make sense to go green when purchasing products or services to clean our homes, both for the health of our families and the planet. However, there are things to consider before hiring a green cleaning service.
Important Facts about Cleaning Services
1. Your cleaning service is not necessarily using green products that are nontoxic. Little federal regulation prevents a manufacturer of a toxic product from putting the word green on the label. Watch out of words like, warning, poison, corrosive, and flammable. A few of the trusted manufactures are Method, 7th Generation, Clorox Green Works, and ECOS. A reputable cleaning service should be willing and able to tell you what products they use.
2. Your cleaning service may be using containers that are harmful to the environment. In the world of cleaning products, it is not just what’s inside that matters. Make sure you or your cleaning service use products with biodegradable containers that are recycled or disposed of properly.
3. To help cover higher overhead costs, your cleaning service may be paying its employees a lower wage. The company may be charging you more but may also making up for it in lower wages. It is reasonable to ask about this, or you may choose to compensate the workers yourself through a higher gratuity.
4. Heavier equipment requiring HEPA filters etc. may cause more physical stress on employees. Make sure the person cleaning your home is physically capable of doing the job and has access to decent healthcare.
It is important to do your homework before purchasing green cleaning products or a green cleaning service.
Sources:
http://www.epa.gov/greenerproducts
https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/how-toxic-are-your-household-cleaning-supplies
http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/green-cleaning-product-myths-and-facts
