Natural Rug Cleaning

Facilities managers have double duty of keeping a clean, well-run facility and making sure the office environment is a healthy workplace. Rising awareness of “sick building syndrome” has added extra pressure to take steps to make sure the building is conducive to the wellbeing and productivity of their staff. Some offices have the option of using carpet & furniture that won’t off-gas formaldehyde, air & water purifiers, and no or low-VOC paint, but one of the most simple and cost-effective ways to reduce the toxins in your office environment day in and day out is to use environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Here are some tips for finding non-toxic, green cleaning products that don’t that have poisonous fumes and won’t leave harmful residues.

What To Avoid:

1. Volatile Organic Compounds - One of the things to avoid is something called Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs. What this means exactly is that toxic fumes are released from certain liquids and solids. The ratio of this release is consistently higher indoors (with the EPA noting this can be up to ten times higher) than outdoors. Many would be surprised to know that some of the most common and popular cleaning supplies, as well as the paint on the walls, plywood or pressed board used in walls, and paint and paint removers emit these fumes. Even more surprising would be that dry cleaned clothing and even air fresheners can prove toxic indoors. Greatly contributing to this is that the air inside buidlings does not provide good enough ventilation to disapaite the fumes.

Once one is aware of the emission of Volatile Organic Compounds in a work environment, further exploration reveals the harmful side effects of exposure. These effects can be short or long-term and include everything from the simple, such as dizziness, headaches, eye irritation, flu-like symptoms and asthma attacks, to cancer as the most detrimental. While you may be wondering your current exposure level, consider in the equation if your office uses kitchen and bathroom cleaners, glass cleaner, a multi-purpose cleaner, floor cleaners, and spot treatment for fabrics and carpeting. If your answer is yes and these products are not a non-toxic product, then you too are experiencing exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds. While everyone would benefit from less exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds, there are certain segments of the population who are particularly sensitive. These people would include the elderly, pregnant and nursing women, and those who suffer from some sort of immune system compromise.

You may think that if you are not in the immediate area where VOC-emitting cleaning products are used, then you are not being exposed. This is not true, unless your building uses an air purification or ventilation system that is constantly cleaning the air. Although your nose may become used to the smell, the actual fumes last for hours in the air. Even less known is that the fumes are present just from the bottles sitting in the area where they are stored.

2. Solvents - Solvents often contain corrosive chemical ingredients, such as alcohols, esters, Ethylene Glycol Ethers (EGEs), and Propylene Glycol Ethers (PGEs). These are carcinogenic and toxic to people & the environment. They would contribute to the VOCs in the air.

Things To Look For:

1. Neutral pH - What exactly is meant by the term “neutral pH”? There are three factors involved: the reaction of the cleaning product with the surfaced being cleaned, the reaction with the environment when interacting with the water system, and the reaction of the product with your skin. A neutral pH means that when the product touches a surface it is non-reactive. For example, a pH value over 7.0 is considered to be an alkali, such as bleach. Battery acid, unsurprisingly, is acidic with a pH under 7.0. A product is determined to be neutral if the pH is 7.0.

2. Biodegradable - We all know how important clean water is. There are whole industries dedicated to reclaiming water to meet growing needs. Considering the environment when choosing cleaning products is the planet-wise responsible decision to make. The most commonly used products are some of the biggest contributors to pollution, as they do not dissolve into non-toxic components. Washed down the drain they retain their harmful effects. You might be surprised to know that even among biodegradable products, there are different rates as to how quickly they reach full level. The EPA has standards for what truly constitutes biodegradable and you should look for products that do so with 28 days.

Easily damaged surfaces, such as marble, are unaffected by neutral pH cleaners. Even the most sensitive skin is unharmed by neutral pH products that exclude all harsh chemicals. No matter how often a neutral pH product is used, there is no harmful residue buildup on the surfaces that are cleaned, such as countertops, conference tables, desks, and carpets.

3. Plant-Based - These cleaners use Mother Nature’s best ingredients to clean naturally. There are some brands that are just as or even more effective than their synthetic chemical counterparts. Plant-based ingredients are less likely to contain harmful VOCs.

Managers of facilities and buildings have been given their position due to their level of experience and how they handle responsibility. Making the best decision for the health of the workers is easy when it comes to replacing toxic chemical cleaners with natural multipurpose cleaner. Healthier workers are more productive and using natural cleaning products can greatly contribute to this. Reducing the environmental impact is an added bonus that every smart manager can appreciate!