Spring has officially sprung, so  we wanted to provide you with the latest products and innovations in one of this year’s hottest topics, “going green.” As with many trends, going green can be applied to so many different areas, (i.e. environmentally friendly packaging, all-natural foods, holistic health, etc.) For our business in particular, however; we focus on trends in natural cleaning products, services, and techniques. Part of our job as experts in the commercial cleaning industry is to find new ways to better service clients,  like using eco-friendly, natural products to cut down on toxic substances.

In a study done by the ECRHS (European Community Respiratory Health Survey), researchers found that regular use of toxic cleaning products was as damaging as smoking 20 cigarettes daily for 10 to 20 years. This fact alone makes a compelling case for consumers to start paying attention to the ingredients in their at-home products. The U.S. EPA is working diligently to refine its standards for green cleaning products and supplies and cutting back on selling products using VOCs or volatile organic compounds. According to research, the items listed below are considered “safe” for natural cleaning:

White vinegar, baking soda, liquid castile soap, natural salt, lemons, hydrogen peroxide,

All-purpose cleaner formula: Combine ½ cup white vinegar with ¼ cup baking soda into a ½ gallon of water.

Wood cleaners: Mix 1 cup water with 1 cup white vinegar with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Grill cleanings: Fill white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray directly onto grill grates.

Carpet cleaners: Mix white vinegar with water in a spray bottle and use directly on carpet.

There are also many variations for green cleaning. If you’re looking to go 100% natural and even create your own cleaning solutions, try stocking your kitchen with baking soda, rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and essential oils such as lemon, lavender, peppermint, tea tree and eucalyptus. Undiluted white vinegar can be used to disinfect and deodorize bathroom surfaces. Additionally, you can use baking soda to clean toilet bowls but be sure to let it soak for 10-15 minutes before flushing. The most important element in green cleaning is that the ingredients should be simple and perform the same without any of its counterpart’s toxicity.

There are other ways to keep your home naturally clean this season, including keeping your humidity levels between 40% – 50%  which will help decrease dust mite growth and oust any dust created by static electricity (which is developed from low humidity levels). As commercial cleaning experts suggest, using multicolored microfiber cloths can be instrumental in preventing any germs from spreading, while keeping your home looking and feeling fresh. Lastly, it is important to throw out any old cleaning supplies, including old rags, mop heads, buckets and dust pads. Over a few months, these items can harvest bacteria that can spread on to surfaces, which negates any spring cleaning efforts.

Anago’s Green Cleaning initiative is a systematic-research driven process that wades through the greenwash of cleaning solutions and methods to find real ways to affect change in the commercial cleaning industry. Our environmentally responsible efforts provide a greener workplace for our clients and a healthier/more-productive place to work with a lighter ecological footprint. If you’re interested in learning more about Anago’s Green Cleaning Initiative or have a question regarding Anago’s superior franchising opportunities, please contact Judy Walker (judy@anagocleaning.com)