When is microfibre ‘green cleaning’ and when is it not?
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- Written by Bridget Gardner, Fresh Green Clean
chances are that the majority would nominate microfibre or chemical-free cleaning.
I will put this assumption under the microscope and explore how you can implement green cleaning effectively.
Reducing the chemical toxin load is definitely a big part of green cleaning. However, using microfibre equipment is not the only available option, nor is it necessarily the most environmentally sustainable solution in every situation. Moreover, if a cleaner doesn't think it works, the result may not be entirely chemical-free!
Perhaps the biggest reason to stick microfibre under the microscope, though, is that if perceived to be the best way to clean green, then any concerns about up-front costs, additional training, loss of hygiene or effectiveness, could easily deter a business manager from even considering going green.
What is green cleaning?
Due to the lack of recognised standards to define green cleaning, it's common to think in terms of single, product-focused solutions, like microfibre. However, when making a choice between it and a traditional cleaning product, the main concern is usually the bottom line and the idea will fail before it has begun.
In our consulting services, we define green cleaning as 'cleaning effectively with minimal risk of harm to health or the environment'. The first thing we do is identify the key ways in which your current cleaning products and practices could impact on the health of your cleaning staff, customers and the greater environment. Having done that, we determine how a green alternative cleaning method could minimise each of those risks if implemented effectively. Not only does this open up your options to other solutions, such as certified 'green' chemicals or ionized water, but it also allows you to measure their value according to benefits other than cost. It also allows you to align the initiative with the core vision and sustainability statements printed on your website!
Most importantly, green cleaning is taking a holistic viewpoint by considering the building environment within which the cleaning products are stored, used and maintained. If (when) teething problems arise or are envisaged, you will have more ways to overcome them.
Let's explore three key areas of health and environmental risk to see how well different green cleaning methods stack up.
Chemical exposure
Residual chemicals left on surfaces, such as the toilet seat or bed linen, or through poor handling practices, can expose your guests and cleaners to chemicals. There is growing concern about the potential risks from exposure to even very low doses of certain chemicals that may harm vulnerable populations or build up in our systems. Another key health risk is via chemical fumes such as volatile organic compounds found in fragrances and solvents.
Clearly, microfibre or an ionized water unit that requires no chemicals will simply and efficiently eliminate these risks. However, it is vitally important that you buy quality equipment and provide sufficient quantities of clean tools to cleaners or they will not be effective, or cost effective when you have to replace them every month.
Voluntary certification by an independent Eco-label such as GECA ensures the product contains no specific 'chemicals of concern'. Implementing accurate dispensing equipment or using in conjunction with microfibre to significantly reduce the volume required, are both valid ways of minimising the risk of chemical exposure.
Poor hygiene
Poor hygiene is a health issue as well as a care factor. Cleaning processes should effectively remove or kill germs while preventing cross-contamination from the cleaning tool to the surface or from one surface to another. If good hygiene practices are not applied, disinfectants can only create the illusion of hygiene as germs cannot be properly killed unless the surface is cleaned first and the disinfectant remains in contact for at least 10 minutes.
A quality microfibre brand should provide proof of efficacy (cleaning ability) as does an ionized water system. However it doesn't lie. There will be no chemical shine to disguise an unclean surface, fragrance to cover unclean odours, or bleach making the dirt invisible – but still there.
To a lesser degree green chemicals also suffer this distinction and can be blamed for not working. Therefore, a strong emphasis must be placed on training and systems, including the provision of sufficient quotas of clean tools, colour-coding for different areas, designated cleaning carts, daily laundering and effective tool handling.
To balance the inevitable expense, the results should be a better standard of hygiene and cleanliness, more professional cleaners, and your investment should pay for itself in staff retention and return guests.
Environmental impact
Finally, we explore the extensive impact cleaning has on the environment. The first issue is chemicals that persist in the environment, that cause an imbalance such as phosphate loading, or that are toxic to aquatic organisms. Less understood is the enormous burden caused by natural resource depletion and pollution released via manufacturing, transportation and packaging.
Any chemical-free method that reduces this impact by being re-usable, long-lasting with minimal packaging, is a green solution. Unfortunately, although microfibre may fit perfectly, if transported to a commercial laundry that uses detergents with QATS (that ruins the fibres) or NPEs (causes endocrine disruption in fish), the environmental benefits start to unravel. Managing your laundering on-site can reduce this impact considerably.
Green chemicals can be renewably sourced, readily biodegradable, concentrated to reduce waste, and contain no environmental toxins (if supported by proof of claims). But as chemicals and cleaning tools are consumable and must be replaced, transportation is still a big impact and cost.
As you can see, everything we do has an environmental impact and is a possible health risk to someone. But by marrying the risks with solutions, you can confidently promote the benefits of green cleaning to your management and to your guests
