4 Top Eco-Friendly Office Cleaning Practices
In a world full of germs and diseases (many of which have been brought under some control), as the recent pandemic showed, there are still some that we are just discovering. So, why are eco-friendly solutions still trending?
The environment is just as important as our personal health, as the former will have an impact on the latter. However, being eco-friendly doesn’t mean that the germ-fighting properties in cleaning products are any less powerful or non-existent.
Certain organic products have been used for centuries for their health benefits and cleaning power. Thus, it stands to reason that this should continue in today’s world.
The Breeding Ground
Any space where there are typically many people instantly becomes a breeding ground for germs. An office space is a prime example. Therefore, all measures need to be taken to reduce the spread of germs, sickness, and absence rates and improve the overall health of everyone inside the building.
Even with a sick-and-stay-home policy, many people will still come to work for many reasons. While you cannot force people to remain at home, you can promote hygiene and other cleaning practices to help reduce the risk of germ exposure to others.
What is eco-friendly cleaning?
The term “eco-friendly” refers to products and practices that are safe for the environment as well as the people using them.
The cleaning products are made from natural ingredients with little to no added artificial chemicals. The cleaning process itself is designed to reduce water, power, and overall waste, keeping items out of landfills and/or water treatment plants.
From the cleaning solutions to the wipes used, every step is taken to ensure that the impact on the environment is reduced as much as possible.
Why is eco-friendly cleaning important?
With recent medical advances, we are also seeing a rise in certain medical conditions. This is not to say that society is creating these problems. However, seemingly uncommon problems are becoming more prevalent as we learn more about them.
Breathing or respiratory conditions are a prime example. Asthma, in particular, is becoming more common, and is triggered by more things. Previously, it was thought that dust, pollen, or pet dander in the air could be a leading cause of an asthma attack. Now, though, we are seeing the effect that some scents and chemicals have when a person is exposed to them.
Even skin conditions and allergies are shown to be reactive to certain chemicals, even when only momentarily exposed. Reducing the potential exposure to these chemicals is becoming a health and safety concern, and eco-friendly products and methods are thus increasingly essential.
1. Proper waste disposal and recycling
Your new eco-clean process can start as easily as the introduction of the right receptacles for waste and recycling.
If everything is sent to a landfill, this not only compromises the integrity of the soil at the landfill site, but it also increases your company’s carbon footprint with the excessive travel and fuel it takes to move the garbage from your workplace to the dump.
Recycling not only prevents items from going to the landfill, but it can generate more income if empty drink containers are taken to bottle depots. Materials such as paper, plastic, and wood can be taken to a recycling centre and changed into new materials for other things.
This simple practice saves you money on fuel and contractor costs for hauling the waste away and reduces your carbon footprint.
2. No chemical smells
Eco-friendly products do not use harsh chemicals to clean and disinfect. As a result, they are usually scent-free or have a natural smell that is more subtle.
The majority of commercially made cleaning products have chemicals in them that react with sunlight, causing a chemical reaction that results in more vapours being released into the air. This has the potential to negatively impact the air quality and affect those with breathing issues.
To improve air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory events in staff who are sensitive to smell, eco-products do not contain chemicals, but instead rely on the natural scents produced by things such as citrus fruits. For cleaning services in Toronto, this is something that is taken seriously.
3. Waste efficiency
By not wasting any products, you can decrease your overall office waste, which in turn will reduce your cost. If you have any unused or almost empty cleaning products in your office, we advise you to use them and then properly dispose of the containers once they are empty.
Eco-friendly products are very efficient and, therefore, may not be used as often as chemical products. This means that they will last longer. So, even if they are a little more expensive to purchase, they will be cost-effective in the long run.
Less water is combined with the cleaning items, as the products are powerful and provide a better clean. This reduces your water bill, thus saving you more on costs.
4. Microfiber cleaning materials
Many people use microfiber cloths in their homes, and it’s easy to see why. Microfiber requires less water to aid in cleaning, and less cleaning products as well.
This means that when mopping the floor, using a microfiber mop head will require less water in the bucket and minimal cleaning products. Thus, you can still clean a larger surface area without changing anything.
The same goes for cloths used to wipe down surfaces and mirrors. Microfiber has the ability to remove more dirt and dust than regular materials, so you save time and money.
Contact RBC Clean and Help the Environment
With so many options on the market for eco-friendly products and cleaners, it can be hard to navigate and understand what is the best choice for your office needs.
Eco-friendly products are just as powerful (if not more so) than commercial items. Therefore, you can still achieve a more than satisfactory clean and deep disinfecting while saving money and the environment.
RBC Clean has an army of fully trained cleaners who understand the uses and power of these cleaning products, and we use them to provide an exceptional clean to any office space.
Call us today at 1-855-493-9259 or visit us online for a free quote, and see how our cleaning services in Toronto can reduce your carbon footprint while maintaining the standard of cleaning that you expect and require.