Offering Green Cleaning Services Requires the Use of Sustainable Green Cleaning Equipment
Providing green cleaning services to your customers requires more than just using green chemicals, it also requires the use of sustainable green cleaning equipment. Following the guidelines established by various independent organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council, that meet the green requirements for chemicals and equipment should be included as part of your green cleaning program.
Why green cleaning equipment? Using sustainable green cleaning equipment in your green cleaning program will improve indoor air quality (IAQ), reduce labor requirements, promote building longevity, and lessen the impact on the environment by reducing water and chemical usage. All this creates a more eco-friendly environment and building for your employees and the building occupants.
Here are some key points to consider when choosing sustainable green cleaning equipment:
Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuum cleaners should meet the requirements of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Green Label Testing Program and shall operate at a sound level of less than 70 dBA.
Carpet Extraction Equipment
Carpet extraction equipment shall be certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute's (CRI's) Seal of Approval Testing Program for deep cleaning extractors.
High-Speed Powered Floor Maintenance Equipment
High-speed powered floor maintenance equipment, including electric and battery-powered floor buffers and burnishers, shall be equipped with vacuums, guards and/or other devices for capturing fine particulates and operate with a sound level of 70dBA or less.
Propane-Powered Floor Equipment
Propane-powered floor equipment shall operate with a sound level of 90dBA or less, and have high-efficiency, low-emissions engines with catalytic converters and mufflers that meet the standards for the specific engine size as set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Automated Scrubbing Machines
Automated scrubbing machines shall be equipped with variable-speed feed pumps and on-board chemical metering, or be equipped with variable-speed feed pumps and use dilution control systems for refilling, or use only water and no added chemical cleaning products. Low-flow dispensing will minimize chemical and water use and allow for water-only cleaning and the use of green-certified chemicals
Battery-Powered Equipment
Battery-powered equipment shall be equipped with environmentally preferable sealed batteries such as Lithium-Ion, absorbed glass mat or gel cell batteries.
Other Sustainable Green Cleaning Equipment Considerations:
Floor maintenance equipment should be designed to minimize energy and chemical use, operate quietly and maximize the life of floor surfaces.
Multi-purpose cleaning equipment such as a sweeper-scrubber combo can help reduce the environmental impact by replacing two machines with only one.
Sweepers that provide dust control will help maintain healthy levels of indoor air quality (IAQ) for your employees and the building occupants.
Outdoor cleaning machines that re-claim water can reduce water consumption considerably during outdoor cleaning and support EPA storm water runoff compliance.
Green cleaning equipment should be ergonomically designed to minimize vibration, noise and user fatigue.
Green cleaning equipment should include safeguards, such as rubber bumpers and rollers, to reduce possible damage to the building surfaces and fixtures.
All green cleaning equipment information should be kept in a log. The log information should include the date of purchase, maintenance and repair undertakings, and any manufacturer or vendor specification manuals or sheets.
 |
EBOOK
This Ebook explains what green cleaning is, what you need to know about indoor air quality, the truth behind those green cleaning myths, and how to develop your own green cleaning program. There are a lot of steps when switching from traditional cleaning to a green cleaning program and this Ebook walks you through the process of developing a green cleaning program specific to each building that you clean. For details and to purchase Green Cleaning EBOOK download visit our store. |
Visit our Store for Certification Training Programs
