As important as keeping our living and working spaces clean is, traditional cleaning supplies can pollute the air and water supply causing harm to humans, animals, and plants in the process. When it comes to office cleaning, the quantity of cleaning products that are used is huge.
By switching to eco-friendly office cleaning options, the company can do their part to save the earth while still keeping their space clean. There are many eco-friendly office cleaning tips and tricks that you can use:
1. Lemony fresh cleaner
Lemon is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. Vinegar, too, is a deodorizer and an antibacterial ingredient. Letting lemon peel sit in vinegar for a few days will combine the strengths of these two ingredients, creating a fresh-smelling, inexpensive, all natural, eco-friendly cleaner. This can be used as an all-purpose cleaner pretty much anywhere around the office.
This method of eco friendly office cleaning will leave a light scent, but it won’t be overpowering. Even better, it has no chemicals in it!
2. Baking soda in the bathroom
Baking soda makes an efficient toilet bowl cleaner, as it is a natural stain remover. Sprinkling baking soda on the toilet bowl and letting it sit for a while will start to lift the stain. Spraying vinegar on the baking soda after a short wait will activate the baking soda, further helping to remove the stain. Once this combination has sat for a while, the toilet can be flushed, and will look good as new.
3. Vinegar and water window cleaner
Using a diluted mix of vinegar and water as a window cleaner instead of one that is full of chemicals is not only good for the environment, but also good for people. People will often end up breathing in some of the chemicals that get sprayed during cleaning.
In an office area, it is important to keep in mind the responsibility to keep everybody safe and healthy. Over time, harsh chemicals can have adverse effects on people’s health without them realizing it, so the emphasis on eco friendly office cleaning methods is extra important.
4. Alternatives to paper towel
Something small that can be done to cut down on waste is to simply stop using paper towel when cleaning. A lot of people use paper towel because it is easier, however reusable rags – microfiber rags, for example – are a more environmentally sound choice.
Another trick for windows and mirrors is to use old newspaper. If there are old newspapers lying around, they can be repurposed to effectively clean without leaving streaks.
5. Hunt the label for biodegradable
Of course, in an office setting it may not make sense to have to make your own cleaning solutions, as some of the options above suggest. Luckily, there are eco-friendly cleaning supplies out there that can be purchased at prices that are competitive to any regular cleaning supplies.
One keyword to search for when looking for environmentally friendly cleaners is the word “biodegradable”. It means that this solution will be able to be broken down in the environment, and is an important feature for eco-friendly cleaners.
6. Locate a cleaner who will respect your wishes
If a priority is eco-friendliness, there are professional office cleaners who use exclusively environmentally friendly products. In addition, they try to take as many measures as possible to adapt their work to be more earth friendly. This means using as much reusable equipment as possible, using minimal amounts of product, and using biodegradable, eco-friendly products that won’t pollute the earth.
7. Recycle and compost
Ask everybody to do their part in your eco friendly office cleaning endeavours. Keeping an office clean also means disposing of waste properly. Implement a compost and a recycling program into your office, and have everybody sort their own waste. In addition to having some help keeping the office clean, everybody will be doing their part to help the environment as well.
Thinking about compost and recycling helps people to think about the amount of waste they are creating – another great initiative towards eco-friendliness.
8. Dump garbage cans
Instead of changing the bag every time, which wastes a lot of plastic unnecessarily, try dumping all the dry garbage into one bag. This way, only one bag is used instead of multiple. In addition to being an environmentally friendly choice, it will also save the company a bit of money on garbage bags. Although not a major expense, a dollar saved is a dollar earned.
9. Spring for biodegradable garbage bags
Speaking of garbage bags, there are now garbage bags that are biodegradable. Unlike regular garbage bags that can take over 20 years to decompose, these bags will decompose more quickly. Watch out because some “biodegradable” bags aren’t as eco-friendly as they claim to be. However, if you can clearly see that the bag is made of plant matter – like corn or potatoes – then the bag is a good alternative.