At one point or another, you’ve likely heard mention of the term “eco-friendly” especially in relation to cleaning.  What exactly does this mean?

First off, eco-friendly simply means it is not harmful to the environment.  In the cleaning industry, this often refers to the specific products used during the process and sometimes techniques utilized to get the job done.  Called green cleaning, the ingredients and strategies utilized are purposefully designed to protect the environment and our own health.  Other terms used in eco-friendly cleaning are “natural” and “non-toxic”.

Green, or eco-friendly, cleaning products often avoid artificial colors and fragrances as well as chlorine and phosphates.  It all comes down to the ingredients in the chemicals and how they interact with each other.  Toxic chemicals can pose significant health risks to pets, people and release into the air, harming our planet.  The Environmental Protection Agency has even go as far as to label which products have little to no concentration of volatile organic compounds in them.  Some of the ingredients in eco-friendly cleaning products are biodegradable, grown organically or made using safe, sustainable farming practices.

When it comes to sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces and materials, modern green cleaners are just as effective as their harsh counterparts.  Citric acid, peroxide and lactic acid have been found to be incredible, safe sanitizing agents.

While the cleaning solutions themselves are the main focus, most natural products have reusable (such as boxes and tins) or recyclable packaging so there is not a glut of plastic left behind.  Eco-friendly cleaning companies, such as DM Industrial, also extend the green label to the very practices and procedures they follow as well.  This can mean using less electricity or less water but cleaning more efficiently to reduce waste and save on costs to the client.

VIP Tip:  Do your research and ask questions.  Just because a product is labeled “green” or “natural” doesn’t mean it protects the environment, isn’t wasteful or is made cruelty-free.  If you are purchasing your own products, read the ingredients carefully – 70% or more of them should be natural.  When hiring a professional, eco-friendly cleaner – ask them about the extent of their process.  Do they truly use safe cleaners or did they simply cut back on water waste?  It’s important to know what’s being used in your home or office, how it impacts the world around you and how safe it truly is for those who work or reside there.

For your home – green cleaning is a great way to keep your home free of germs without compromising the respiratory, skin or general health of your family or pets.  No toxic chemicals means no release into the air you breathe and it won’t escape into the atmosphere to effect our weather, nature and ozone layer.

For the office – eco-friendly cleaning is a great way to reduce rampant illness spreading among co-workers without decreasing the air quality.  Healthier workers are happier and more productive overall.  Again, you will be helping the environment and also keeping plastics and non-biodegradable materials from clogging up our landfills and saturating the planet.  Green offices are even beginning to receive tax incentives and other benefits for making the switch.