It doesn’t matter what sort of business you run, one thing is certain – cleaning is a necessity. It’s easy to have your team reach for industrial-style chemicals, but what effect is this having on you and your employees or clientele? And what would you say if there was another way?
If you’re worried about the effect that harmful chemicals can have on those you work with, it might be time to join the growing revolution of green cleaning for business.
Dangers of Commercial Cleaners
Commercial soaps, floor cleaners, and bleaches feature harmful chemicals including perchloroethylene, ammonia, chloride and many more, all which have been connected to serious illnesses. These chemicals could be doing untold harm on those that come into your office or work space. Chemical cleaners can lead to a range of issues from itchy skin and mild irritation to more serious respiratory problems and other serious health issues.
Just take a look at the label on your usual cleaners. A general rule is, if you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s probably not good for your health! It’s time to look for something else to replace this risk to your work space.
The Green Cleaning Revolution
Green cleaning products are made from all-natural, safe ingredients that can be used to clean workspace safely. The ingredients are readily available and affordable, including things like lemons, borax, baking soda and different vinegars.
By combining a few simple, natural ingredients, you can create an arsenal of cleaning products that are safe, effective and easy to use for a whole range of cleaning chores. They are cheap and easy to get hold of, and can rival the effectiveness of most commercial chemical cleaners, but pose none of the risk. They can also leave a fresh and inviting smell that is all natural and not simply a dangerous mix of chemical scents.
5 Steps to Introduce Green Cleaning into Your Business
1. Think About the Work Space You Have
How easy are the surfaces in your workplace to clean? How old are they? What material are they made from? These are considerations to take into account when thinking about introducing green cleaners into your workplace.
While green cleaners work as effectively as most over the counter chemical cleaners, they will work more quickly and effectively on surfaces that are difficult to stain in the first place. Stainless steel or tiles will clean much better than an absorbent surface. Similarly, carpet is something you should try to avoid, as this will hold on to allergens much more than hardwood or laminate floors.
2. Replace Old or Hard to Clean Objects
Investing in eco-friendly materials for your office is not only great for the environment, but also saves you money in the long-run. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune up front. Simple changes are just as effective.
By switching to LED lighting, you can cut energy consumption by up to 80% versus conventional lighting types. This adds up to huge savings. In fact, a US Department of Energy study found that LEDs installed in 2012 saved around $675 million in energy costs. As well as this, try to purchase eco-friendly office supplies such as staple-less staplers and pens that can be refilled repeatedly rather than sent to the landfill, and offer incentives for staff who reduce their paper waste.
3. Replace Chemical Cleaners with Green Cleaners
This one may seem obvious given the topic, but it is the most important. Get rid of those harmful cleaners safely and responsibly. Next, get in some green cleaning products, and begin the green revolution in your office or workplace. To get started, you can replace your commercial floor cleaner with a green natural alternative. Combining water, vinegar, borax and a touch of baby oil creates a natural, effective floor cleaner.
4. Train Staff to Use Green Cleaners
Commercial cleaning is a must-have in any office space. And as a necessity, most businesses are concerned with the bottom line when it comes to hiring a cleaning team. What you might be surprised to find though, is green cleaning companies can not only help your office become more eco-friendly, they can help you cut cleaning costs. For example, this green cleaning company put a few small changes in place which resulted in a 72% reduction in plastic bag use, and a 57% saving in the company’s consumables over a 12-month period.
These companies work with your specific needs to implement small changes that don’t cost a fortune and actually reduce your cleaning budget. Green cleaning companies are well worth the investment and you can expect a significant cost saving on your usual cleaning methods.
5. Introduce Air Purifying Plants
An easy way to make your office fresh and a little healthier is introducing plants around the space. Certain air purifying plants are able to absorb gases such as benzene and even formaldehyde through the pores on their leaves. Removing harmful chemicals from your office space and leaving it fresh. According to this study done by NASA, indoor plants have the potential to remove up to 70% of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in indoor air. Add just a few plants around the office to improve air quality and keep your whole staff breathing fresh, clean air.
It’s important that businesses begin to take initiatives to help reduce their carbon footprint and help save our environment, while also paying attention to the company’s bottom line. Implementing these simple, but incredibly effective, green cleaning solutions can reduce overall costs and save your business money. Better still, these steps are easy to implement and don’t require a vast upfront cost. Take these small steps today to join the green cleaning trend.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Author Bio:
Kelli is a lifestyle blogger at Groom & Style.
