It’s been proven that 96% of all dirt is removed just by putting a cleaning solution on a cloth and rubbing it around. So why take the risk of increasing that number from 96% to 98%, by using a solution that could cause you to get sick or create allergies? That doesn’t make a lot of sense at all, and isn’t good for you or your employees.
Some people think using a harsh solution that gets rid of odors means it’s working. The truth is that often all harsh solutions do is mask odors, not eliminate it, says John Pletz, CEO of ServiceMaster Clean by Pletz, based in Crystal Lake, Illinois. But replacing your cleaning with mild products is not enough. Green cleaning is more than that, it’s looking at your entire process of cleaning.
Risk of Developing Respiratory Problems
It’s been shown in numerous studies that people who use harsh cleaning products are more likely to have breathing problems and suffer from associated health problems such as nausea, lethargy and headaches. Coming up with ways that can measurably decrease microns or particular matter that you could be breathing is important for everyone’s health – and better for your business overall.
It’s a stewardship issue too. This world doesn’t belong to us: It belongs to our children. It’s all about sustainability. When we work together to make the switch to green cleaning and other green building practices, we can impact the environment as a whole.
Reap the Benefits - For You and Your Employees
The benefits of green cleaning are enormous, and include:
- improved indoor air quality
- reduced sick day absences
- ideal for individuals with allergic and chemical sensitivities
- helps eliminate smog contributors and toxins absorbed into the
- eco-system
- faster biodegradation rate
Helping Keep Employees Healthy
A study conducted in 2002 by the Indoor Environment Department at the Lawrence Berkley National Design Laboratory in California discovered that implementing green building materials, technologies and design lowered so-called “sick-building” symptoms on a measurable level – by 20% to 50%. Cold and flu symptoms are reduced by 9% to 20%, with allergies and asthma dropping by 8%.
If a person is exposed to asthma-causing irritants during a specific incident or incidents, then his risk of developing new-onset asthma was found to be three times higher than that of the general public. Such events as a fire, mixing together specific cleaning products or a spillage are all considered asthma-causing irritants.
As a whole, exposure to substances which are known to trigger occupational asthma raise the risk of an individual developing the condition by 60%, according to recent research. Using safe, natural substances in your cleaning products, therefore, is better for everyone. Let ServiceMaster Clean help you go green!
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
