In 2020, the commercial cleaning industry found itself a key player at the centre of a global conversation about how to protect clients, customers and tenants from a deadly virus. As a result, there has been a huge increase in the manufacturing and distribution of products and tools for cleaning and disinfectants—everything from cleaners, disinfecting wipes, disposable gloves, and hand sanitizers.
As consumers, we’ve seen the impact simply by observing the amount of shelf space now given over to stores for an almost endless array of cleaning agents, products and tools. At one point during the past year, sales of hand sanitizer in Canada were up 345 percent (with no surprise to anyone).
A range of emerging disinfection technologies, including ATP testing and electrostatic sprayers, can bolster existing cleaning methods in institutional settings like health-care facilities and schools.
So, what does all of this increase in cleaning mean for the environment, and the safety of the air we breathe?
Increase in cleaning can mean increase in exposure to harmful chemicals
Without a doubt, the increased focus on cleaning and disinfecting has reminded us to be vigilant about the possibility of increased exposure to chemicals in cleaning products; more specifically, to the fumes and by-products created by the inappropriate combination of these products.
A study by the Public Health Agency in Canada published this January reported an overall increase in calls about exposure to select cleaning products and disinfectants, with percentage increases for selected products as high as 400% compared to the same period in the previous year.
All of this means that more than ever, those responsible for commercial cleaning need to ensure that it still is possible to make informed choices about the most effective products—and still ensure these are safe for those who breath in the air where they are being put to use.
How does your commercial cleaning service stack up? Maybe it’s time for a conversation.
Green Cleaners and Disinfectants are Effective and Safe for Tackling Viruses
A critical part of this conversation is the assurance that green cleaning products can effectively protect our health, in addition to promoting better indoor air environments and reducing the environmental footprint.
The good news is that proper cleaning and disinfecting has less to do with the harshness of a chemical, and more with the process used for proper application. Coronaviruses are relatively easy to kill on surfaces. The COVID-19 virus is surrounded by a protective lipid envelope, which can be easily broken apart by hand soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and many types of safe (not harsh) disinfectants.
It’s a two-step process: cleaning with one of the many non-toxic green cleaning products to removes the dirt from a surface, and then, strict adherence to disinfectant contact times. In most instances, for disinfection to occur, it is important for a product to keep the surface wet for the entire disinfection contact time as noted on the label.
Once cleaning and disinfecting is done, tools are used to make sure the job has been done right and that harmful virus’ have been eliminated. More and more, residents, tenants and clients are asking for quality control measures, such as ATP testing, to ensure that a surface doesn’t just look clean but actually eliminates harmful germs.
Cleaning without Harmful VOCs
Another area of concern is air quality. In our determination to kill off the germs, excessive use of chemical products can also threaten the safety of the air we breathe. Many cleaning and disinfectant products contain chemicals associated with eye, skin or respiratory irritation, asthma, and even cancer or reproductive harm. These products may also contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause eye, nose and throat irritations, and even lead to damage to vital organs.
VOCs are especially a grave risk for the 1-in-13 North Americans with asthma — a group that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified as high-risk for COVID-19.
The answer is to choose safer products that do not contain asthmagens or respiratory irritants. Once again, these are the safer, effective, cost-comparable products that meet the need of rigorous cleaning and disinfecting without using such toxic chemicals.
Secondly, even products with safer active ingredients can cause irritation if used at extremely high levels indoors, in particular, when sprayed. Some companies, for instance, fumigate entire rooms using fogging devices, which spread too much unwanted product into the air.
It all comes down to the technology chosen by a cleaning company (e.g., electrostatic sprayers instead of fogging devices) and how well cleaning staff are trained in application methods and processes.
Green cleaning products don’t have to cost more
A study done a few years ago on the “Real Costs of Institutional ‘Green’ Cleaning looked at the relative costs of environmentally preferable (“green”) cleaning products relative to conventional cleaning products. The study showed institutional-grade green cleaning products as cost competitive or slightly more expensive than their conventional counterparts. Research also showed that green cleaning practices offer opportunities for cost savings, for example, through reduced use of water.
Trust a Company Using Green Seal Products
For companies that provide cleaning services, there’s no reason to guess as to what products and tools should be used when cleaning and disinfecting.
Thirty years ago, the not-for-profit organization, Green Seal®, was launched to provide a trusted sources list for products certified to be better and safer for indoor air environments. Green Seal®, set out a plan to work with manufacturers’ raw material suppliers to track down every ingredient before making the decision to certify a product. At first, their work was a challenge, with only about 10 percent of available products being green. But times have changed, primarily driven by consumer demand. The availability of green products has been growing ever since.
The result is a comprehensive list of cleaning products certified by Green Seal®, that have lower rates of illness and a smaller environmental footprint—and are equally if not more effective. With a simple click, anyone can check out a product name, ingredient or company. In addition to “green products listed on the EPA’s “N’ list, and Health Canada, there is no excuse for not knowing what to use, and how to apply.
Millennials demand green cleaning products
Green products are flourishing today for another reason. An estimated 78 percent of Millennials prioritize sustainability and make purchasing choices accordingly — higher than any generation before them. Given that this group has now moved into the management and leadership positions in companies and organizations, this represents a trend that’s not going away.
Add this to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s not hard to see why keeping workplaces clean and safe will continue to be a collective challenge and priority. Protecting schools, workplaces, and communal spaces means not only guarding against the virus, but also ensuring that protective measures are in place to avoid the unintended consequences of toxic cleaning products that do not do any better of a job than those listed as green and sustainable.
In short, cleaning “green” is no longer a buzz word. It’s a reality that a responsible commercial cleaning partner can provide.
