Hi Yuan, thank you for your question.

To me “Green Cleaning” means cleaning to reduce the health and environmental impacts as compared to traditional cleaning. Keeping that in mind will help you make decisions. I would look at micro fiber, CRI Green Label Certified vacuums, CRI Seal of Approval for Extraction Cleaners as well as Green Seal and EPA Design for the Environment cleaners. ISSA has their Cleaning and Industry Management Standard that has a Green Building Section. Remember that when we say “green” we really mean sustainable – which means balancing the environmental, economic and social aspects of all we do. That means it can’t cost significantly more and be sustainable. The big stumbling block here is how we look at costs. The true cost of something is not its price but what it costs to acquire, use and dispose of the item.

There is no Third Party Certification for Cleaning equipment. Look for equipment that will reduce your labor costs, your energy costs, your water costs and your chemical costs.

Look for supplies that reduce the environmental impact. Recycled content paper. Replacing folded towels with Hard Roll Towels. Cleaners that carry a third party certification (Green Seal, EPA dFE, Eco Logo). Using a multipurpose green cleaner to do many jobs (floors, windows, general cleaning). Sizing your trash can liners correctly (you’d be surprised how many incorrect liners are in place today and standardizing the receptacle size), the correct use of floor mats at entrances (keeping the dirt from entering the building means you don’t have to work to remove it).

I would look to ISSA, IFMA, BOMA, Green Seal (GS-42), US Green Building Council’s LEED program for organizations that can help you with your Green Cleaning journey.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to ask any follow up questions.

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