When cleaning a space, there are steps you can take to reduce the amount of energy, water, and chemicals used on the job. These seven “green,” eco-friendly strategies protect the health of the cleaner as well as the environment. Many of them will also save you money so you can go green and spend less green in the process.
- Vacuum frequently.
About 80% of all soils in carpets are dry, such as dust and dirt. These particles can often be effectively cleaned with a vacuum that uses a HEPA or another similar filtration system. Besides cleaning the floors, the high filtration system helps increase indoor air quality.
- Employ low-flow technologies.
Switching to low-moisture and low-flow extractors can help reduce the amount of water used while cleaning. Systems that use less water allow floors to dry faster and the accelerated drying rate prevents mold and mildew from developing.
- Use environmentally sustainable cleaning agents.
Many manufactures today produce green-certified carpet cleaning products. These products work as effectively, if not more, than the performance of conventional carpet cleaning chemicals.
- Practice interim carpet cleaning.
The traditional extraction method used for cleaning carpets uses a lot of chemicals and water, sometimes as much as two gallons of water a minute. Cleaning carpets on an interim basis with shampoo, bonnet, and other dry carpet cleaning products can reduce the amount of resources needed. The reduced usage of cleaning products has a beneficiary effect on the environment and can help one save money as well.
- Prioritize carpet cleaning.
Rather than spending an equal amount of time cleaning all of the carpets in a facility, determine which ones get soiled most often and which ones remain clean for longer periods of time. Practice green carpet cleaning by cleaning the areas that get dirty often while cleaning the areas that remain clean less frequently.
- Use cold water to clean carpet.
While this approach may be uncommon, most soils can be completely removed using cold water. Using cold water eliminates the large amount of energy required to heat up water whenever a portable extractor is used. Additionally, using cold water prevents harmful fumes from being produced. This protects the user and the environment.
- Maintain the equipment and replace when necessary.
Old machines tend to break down often. They also require large quantities of water to clean, use great amounts of energy to work, and need high concentrations of chemical solutions. Sometimes, one of the best things you can do for the environment and for your wallet is to purchase a new machine. This will help you save on many resources while achieving a better cleaning job.
Sustainable cleaning.
Sustainable cleaning can be defined as one’s attempts to utilize less water, artificial chemicals, and less energy. It also means using natural and/or sustainable cleaning products. Every step you take to practice green cleaning helps to ensure the protection of the user, the people in the surrounding area, and the environment.
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