How to Choose Eco-Friendly Disinfecting Products for Your Office
The state of your office speaks volumes even before you set your feet inside. A clean and well-maintained workplace signals care-for your people, for clients, and the surrounding world.
In today’s world, maintaining a clean office means providing a healthy area for employees, a safe area for visitors, and making thoughtful decisions about the environment. There are so many cleaning product options available that it can be enticing to just choose the product that claims to kill 99.9% of germs.
Keeping a workplace fresh, clean, and eco-friendly must include choosing eco-friendly products for the office. Let's learn about how a proper eco-conscious cleaning regimen can refresh your office disinfecting activities and take your company an extra mile.
Why Must Eco-Friendly Disinfecting Matter in the Office?
Introducing strong fumes of bleach or ammonia might be the first thing you smell in the room after the cleaning activity. It feels clean, but it is bad for the lungs and the room. Chemical-laden cleaners are said to release some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, which are detrimental to the indoor air quality, may trigger headaches, or could cause an allergic reaction.
Going back to health, it is essential to focus on sustainability. When a company adopts eco-friendly practices, customers, partners, and even potential employees notice. An action of this sort would convey a great message of caring for people and the workplace.
Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Office Disinfecting: What is the Difference?
Before you go out to buy products, know the difference between these terms:
Cleaning: Removal of dirt and dust.
Sanitizing: Reducing bacteria to safe levels.
Disinfecting: Killing germs on surfaces, along with viruses and bacteria.
Eco-friendly disinfectants are designed to kill germs in much the same way as a traditional disinfectant, but with safer ingredients. For more information on how this works, check out the guide on Spring Cleaning vs. Deep Disinfection.
The Key Features of Eco-Friendly Disinfectants
What exactly makes a disinfectant eco-friendly? Keep these things in mind:
1. Environmental Certifications
Some well-known certifications to watch for might be the EPA's Safer Choice, Green Seal, EcoLogo, etc. These certifications assert that a product has passed stringent environmental and safety standards.
2. Transparent Ingredients
Check it back and read the label. Stay away from harsh chemicals such as ammonia, chlorine bleach, and synthetic fragrances. Instead, opt for hydrogen peroxide, citric acid, or plant-based alcohol.
3. Biodegradable and Minimal Waste Packaging
Ask for the recyclable pack and bulk refills. There existed a co-working space in Chicago that had adopted the refillable cleaning system and thereby reduced almost 40% of its plastic waste within a year.
Myth Busters on Eco-Friendly Disinfectants
Some hold the view that either eco-friendly disinfectants are weak in performance or that they are charged exorbitantly. Here's the camera:
Effectiveness: Many eco-friendly products are formally approved by the EPA, killing 99.9% germs just like non-ecologically friendly disinfectants.
Cost: Yes, they may even cost a couple of extra dollars originally, but if you were to take a closer look, the long-term sustainability is a good value. You'll start saving by purchasing concentrated medications, reducing sick days, and avoiding health-related absenteeism.
Match Products to Your Office Disinfecting Needs
A common mistake is using the same product everywhere. Not all surfaces need the same strength or formula.
High-touch surfaces: Such as door handles, elevator buttons, shared keyboards, and so on, must be disinfected with a fast-acting disinfectant.
Delicate surfaces: Like with wooden tables or some upholsteries, lighter formulas must be utilized so that the surface is not damaged.
Shared dining spaces: Food-safe disinfectants should be used in kitchens or washrooms in order not to contaminate anything.
Converting Your Office into Eco-Friendly Disinfection
Changing your office disinfection routine doesn’t have to be too difficult.
Step 1: Audit Your Current Products
Take a good look within your cleaning supply cabinet and consider making a list of items that do not qualify as "green" products.
Step 2: Train the Cleaning Staff
Eco-friendly products usually require very particular dilution ratios in order to be effective. Therefore, ensure that your entire team is equipped to maximize the use of these products.
Step 3: Working with Professionals
To get that all-important professional touch, use an office disinfection service with green technologies that will have the proper tools, products, and methodologies in order to keep your space safe and environmental.
Safety Precautions Still Matter
Upon misuse, even those in the realm of natural disinfectants can sting. Therefore, always:
Store products in a cool, dry place.
Allow good ventilation during cleaning.
Appropriately wear gloves and follow label instructions.
Keeping Your Workplace Healthy and Sustainable
Getting the maintenance done regularly is important. Get office disinfecting done in the office from time to time, making sure employees participate with daily mini-habits, from, say, wiping down their working surface with eco-friendly wipes.
Final Thoughts
When you use the right disinfecting products in your office, you place your workers first, lessen the burden, and gain a facelift towards your corporate image. Each time you combine the right products with a good cleaning schedule, your office will sparkle, smell delightful, and provide a welcoming environment for everyone.
If you are ready to upgrade your cleaning methods, contact Uncle Sam’s Contractors for office disinfection service that prioritizes your health and the planet.
