Did you know the air inside a building is usually 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air and can contain up to 100 times more pollutants than the air that's outside? Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is a major concern for commercial office buildings and the health and wellness of its occupants, which becomes a major concern for building owners and managers.
Indoor air pollution can cause a wide variety of health problems including red, itchy eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, and skin rashes. It can even reduce a person's ability to perform mental tasks that require high levels of concentration, memory skills or calculations. Poor IAQ can be attributed to headaches, fatigue, and other common discomforts.
According to the EPA; indoor pollution due to the lack of ventilation or the presence of pollution sources affects a person's ability to perform their work duties. “Estimates of performance losses from poor indoor air quality for all buildings suggest a 2-4% loss on average.”
Improve indoor air quality using green cleanings best practices
‘Green Cleaning' best practices lead to a healthier work environment for a building's employees, visitors, tenants, as well as the cleaning crew. Using green cleaning chemicals and methods means less exposure to hazardous chemicals and toxins, cleaner air, and a healthier workplace. It also means higher productivity and quality of work, decrease in the number of sick days, and overall greater employee satisfaction. A reduction in workplace related injuries and illnesses due to the use of toxic chemicals by cleaning technicians also means lower worker's compensation costs for cleaning companies.
Poor indoor air quality comes from various sources, some of which is beyond our control, such as building design or poor ventilation. But there are many things that a Building Service Contractor (BSC) and the cleaning staff does have control over that can help to improve indoor air quality.
Steps to improve indoor air quality
- Begin by focusing on entryway mats (inside and outside). Many pollutants including dust, dirt, and salt enter the building carried in on people's shoes. Mats will help to trap and remove dirt before it's carried throughout the building. Mats must be vacuumed frequently to remain effective at trapping soil and debris.
Tip: The Cleaning Management Institute recommends that buildings have sufficient matting to allow a minimum of 6 steps prior to walking on building floors, regardless of floor type. A 12 – 15 foot length of matting will ensure that the majority of soil is removed from the soles of shoes. - Use chemicals properly. Chemicals that are misted onto surfaces become airborne and can then be inhaled. Rather than spraying the surface to be cleaned, pray a small amount of chemical directly onto the cloth or applicator.
Tip: adjust your spray bottles setting to a more of a stream rather than a fine mist. - Switch to microfibers cloths and flat mops (as opposed to feather dusters and traditional mops). Microfiber tools trap soil instead of spreading it around where it can become airborne.
- Keep restrooms, kitchens and break rooms properly cleaned. Standing water allows mold, microbes and bacteria to grow and become airborne. Food that is left out (including crumbs) attracts bugs and pests, which increases the need for toxic pest control measures.
- Vacuum often with the right equipment. Vacuuming frequently helps to keep dust and soil from spreading around the building and becoming embedded into carpeting. Using vacuums with hepa filters keeps dust and soil from becoming airborne.
When cleaning carpet use efficient equipment and drying methods. Equipment manufacturers have machines that work more efficiently than in years past, so upgrade your equipment as necessary. Carpets that do not dry quickly after cleaning become a host for moisture problems and mold growth. Be sure to take measures to ensure carpet dries quickly.
A "greener" work environment means a healthier atmosphere for a building's occupants, visitors and janitorial workers. Using green cleaning techniques and chemicals helps to reduce the potential for spills, accidents and potential liability claims that can occur when using more hazardous chemicals. A study done by the EPA at a Washington DC elementary school found that after the cleaning company switched to green cleaning chemicals and procedures, airborne dust inside the building decreased by 52%, volatile organic chemical (VOC) concentrations decreased by 49%, bacteria decreased by 40%, and fungi colony-forming units deceased by 61%.
Today there are green products available for nearly every cleaning application and situation. Green products are not only less toxic than traditional cleaning chemicals, in most cases, just as effective. The majority are biodegradable and free of heavy metals and VOC's (volatile organic compounds).
The sooner you make the switch to green cleaning, the sooner you'll help to improve the building's indoor air quality as well as the health and wellness of building employees, visitors, tenants and cleaning technicians.
Want to truly understand the full scope of just what it means to "clean green". Become a leading authority on green cleaning in your community. It's only a matter of time before your customers will be demanding that you use green cleaning products and procedures. So get a jump-start NOW and let your customers know that you're ready to convert their facility to green cleaning today!
Copyright The Janitorial Store. All Rights Reserved
In 2021, thejanitorialstore.com was part of an acquisition by Armando Bello, Ricardo Regalado, John Disselkamp, Michael Dahlke, Saul Marchan, and Juan Padilla. Comrades in the cleaning industry. Their goal is to continue to expand on the resources accessible to its members, provide a personalized roadmap for sustainable growth, and make a positive impact in the cleaning industry. About Us -Vision - Mission - Story
Green Cleaning Training Program
Everything You Need to Know About Providing Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Services