Having your home or office cleaned without the use of harsh chemicals removes harmful allergens from the space and creates a better overall air quality in your home or office. Many businesses are jumping on the “ecofriendly” or “green” bandwagon, and though it is extremely important to take note of the benefits to the environment and your health in hiring a green cleaning service, it is also important to look for certain qualities that will separate a truly green company from one who is just utilizing the terms for marketing purposes. Here is a list of qualities to look for to make sure you are considering a truly green company:
Certifications and/or Training: Find out if the company is certified of has any special training for eco-friendly cleaning.
Avoid “greenwashing”: Greenwashing is when a company claims to be environmentally friendly, but in fact is not. To ensure that the company you are considering is not greenwashing, ask about their material safety data sheets (MSDS). Cleaning professionals are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to have MSDS information on all products that they utilize in providing their services. The MSDS sheet should not contain toxins if they are using truly environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
Avoid products that contain phosphates and any furniture polishes or PVC products that include phthalates. Also avoid any air fresheners or harsh fragrances, which also often contain phthalates, carcinogens and allergens.
Another thing to look for is the type of vacuum used. A green cleaning service will use vacuums that are recognized by the American Lung Association as promoting good indoor air quality. These types of vacuums remove common allergy and asthma triggers, in addition to dirt.
The bottom line is to be informed, so that you are able to ask the right questions. Whether you are hiring someone to clean your home or office, you should always conduct a thorough interview to see how long a company has been in business, how employees are trained, what types of products are used, and what types of tools are used in performing the tasks.
