OpenWorks releases tips for greener, safer facility maintenance
January 28, 2015—
PHOENIX — Recently OpenWorks, the green facility services company, released the results found in a commercial cleaning case study performed by the company and developed 10 tips for a greener, safer workplace, according to the article.
The case study found, among other things, that 30 percent of cleaning products contain ingredients known to cause problems to human health or environment and that only seven percent of cleaning products properly disclose the full list of ingredients.
From its research, OpenWorks developed a list of the “Top Tips for a Greener, Cleaner, Safer and Healthier Workplace.” In the release, Roudi lists these as:
- A quick fix means danger— Avoid air fresheners and fabric protection sprays as they contain phthalates.
- Don’t treat carpet— A steam cleaner can do the same work as carpet cleaning chemicals with better results and keep the office much safer.
- Beware of old furniture— In recent years, laws have been created to rid the furniture market of PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), fire retardants that have been linked to thyroid problems and cancer in lab animals.
- Use home remedies in office spaces— Use standard household items to clean surfaces and handle tough odors. These include, but are not limited to, lemon, cooking oil, vinegar and baking soda.
- Carefully inspect cleaning product labels— Even though only sevenpercent of cleaning products adequately disclose their list of ingredients, some do reveal more dangerous chemicals on the bottle. Make sure to avoid cleaning products that contain things like formaldehyde.
- Make air quality a high priority— A recent EPA study found that toxic chemicals in household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air. Make sure your internal and/or external cleaning team has the resources to check HVAC/ventilation systems and control air quality.
- Go green with LEED-certified cleaners— It’s important to make sure the cleaning crew who maintains your building is LEED certified. The U.S. Green Building Council ensures LEED certified facility management teams are up to speed on best practices regarding green cleaning.
- Don’t skimp on cleaning technology— Commercial cleaning experts invest considerable time, money and resources to improve health and quality. Technological advancements, like sprayer nozzles that reduce chemical releases, are making a big difference. Invest in modernized cleaning equipment to take advantage.
- Establish an office cleaning policy— Educate office staff and employees on the damaging effects of caused by some cleaning products,and create a policy that restricts and/or bans their use.
- Hire a proven cleaning company that values health and open relationships— Usea commercial cleaning company who uses only safe, environmentally sound products and understands green cleaning techniques. Make sure they work with you to understand your specific needs.
For the full, original release by Roudi, please click here.