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How To Make Your Office Greener & Cleaner

October 9, 2014 - Posted By Livia Valpassos

Hiring a high quality and green focused cleaning service is always the first step to ensuring that your facility is green and clean but there are also some steps that you can take to bring this to the next level. The following eight tips from CleanLink will help bring your facility to the next level:

  1. Avoid air fresheners and fabric protection sprays as they contain chemicals linked to endocrine system issues, like reproductive problems.
  2. Stay away from carpet if you are opening a new facility.
  3. Beware of Old Furniture - In recent years, laws have been created to rid the furniture market of PBDE’s - fire retardants that break down into dangerous metabolites linked to cancer. Old furniture may be putting your office at risk.
  4. Carefully Inspect Cleaning Product Labels - Even though only 7 percent of cleaning products adequately disclose their list of ingredients, some do reveal dangerous chemicals on the bottle. Make sure to avoid cleaning products that contain dangerous chemicals like phthalates, formaldehyde, and “chemical surfactants.”
  5. Make Air Quality a High Priority - A recent EPA study concluded that toxic chemicals in household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air. Additionally, consistent exposure to other dangerous elements (like asbestos) has been linked to cancer and mesothelioma. Make sure your internal and/or external cleaning team has the resources to check HVAC/ventilation systems and control air quality.
  6. Go Green - It’s important to make sure that the cleaning crew who maintains your building is LEED certified. The US Green Building Council ensures LEED certified facility management teams are up to speed on best practices regarding green cleaning. Help the environment while keeping your staff healthy.
  7. Don’t Skimp on Cleaning Technology - Commercial cleaning experts are investing considerable time, money and resources to improve health and quality.   Technological advancements, like sprayer nozzles that reduce chemical releases, are making a big difference. Invest in modernized cleaning equipment to take advantage.
  8. Establish a Cleaning Policy with Employees - All of the changes you make as an employer will be compromised if your staff neglects to follow suit. Educate your employees on the damaging effects of cleaning products and create a policy that restricts and/or bans their use.

For more information on a green and clean janitorial service click here.

For more information on the CleanLink article click here.

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