Eco-Friendly Office Cleaning Tips

Many of us are working towards a greener life at home, but what happens at the office? Toxic household cleaning chemicals are well documented, along with the damage they cause to the environment. Ethical shoppers are spending more time shopping, choosing eco-friendly cleaning products, but is the same care being taken in cleaning the office?

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If you’re in charge of the office cleaning contract, you should be adding environmental targets to your contract process for Industrial Cleaning Services. Whether you work in a small office, or a large commercial building, you can use these office cleaning tips to make your office cleaner, greener, and healthier. 

Steam Is A Superhero

When you book a cleaner for the annual carpet clean or a bathroom deep clean, make sure they use the power of steam. Steam cleaning is one the safest and most eco-friendly ways to clean. It also removes the need for abrasive, toxic chemicals which pollute water systems and can damage your health. 

Cleaning Chemical Check

If your office has a cleaner, it’s unlikely that you have taken the time to notice what cleaning chemicals they’re using. Find out exactly what they’re using. You need to understand what chemicals are being brought into your workplace. Smart marketing and buzzwords like ‘all natural’ or ‘eco-friendly’ can fool you and don’t actually always mean that the cleaning product is safe to use. Do a search or an approved body, like Green Seal in the USA or GECA in Australia. This means you’ll know the products are safe and your cleaner isn’t being exposed to dangerous chemicals either. 

People Power

Seek out an office cleaner who cares about green cleaning as much as you do. Any cleaner can promise you the earth and tell you what you want to hear when they’re pitching for business, but a little bit of research can help you find the truth. Ask for references and ask about green practices. Check to see if the company is accredited and can give evidence of eco-friendly cleaning. Staff ought to be trained with the environment in mind, and the chemicals and equipment they use reflect what they promise. 

Cut Back Office Waste

Reducing the amount of waste that accumulates on desks and heads to landfill will benefit your office in lots of ways. Ban the use of single-use plastics from your office, and change plastic water bottles for filtered water taps and jugs for meetings. Purchase reusable cups for your daily coffee and encourage people to switch throwaway plastic food containers for reusable ones. 

As you reduce what gets thrown out, work with your cleaner on separating and recycling what you can. 

Furniture For The Future

Old commercial office furniture and distinct finishes need extra care and chemical treatment to clean. As you upgrade and update your office furniture, choose products that have been ethically sourced and manufactured, and only need a damp microfiber cloth to clean. You can create a comfortable workspace without the need for cleaning sprays, gels, and polishes.

Engage With Education

Engage your co-workers in your efforts to make your cleaning practices greener, and ask your team to come up with their own ideas and initiatives on how to reduce waste in the office. Get their ideas on how best to clean and maintain an office in an eco-friendly way. If people feel engaged and as though they are part of the process, they are more likely to take an interest in it and want to be involved. If your efforts are going well, don’t forget to share your hard work with your customers too. It’s a great way to showcase your eco-friendly values and you might even get a few new customers from promoting your eco-friendly stance. 

Air Quality Affects Cleaning

Check your office air conditioner and windows. Are they a magnet for dust particles always being churned around the office? Clean, fresh air is important for the health and wellbeing of your staff. Cleaning and regular maintenance is essential. Clogged air vents can spread unpleasant smells around your office and increase the power you need to keep the air turning. Taking care of your office airflow reduces your power bills and lets you breathe fresher, cleaner, greener air in your office. 

Adding plants around the office may not clean your surfaces, but they do absolutely help to clean the air around you, and bring a new feeling of general health and wellbeing. Plants also make your office greener…literally! Add some plants.

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