Eco-Friendly Cleaning: What to Look For and What We Leave Out

Not every client asks for eco-friendly cleaning, and that's fine. Most of the homes we clean get our regular cleaning. But for clients who want an eco clean, we change what we bring into the house. Here's what that means.

Look for a certification, not a leaf on the label

Words like "green" and "natural" on a bottle can mean almost anything. Professionals look for third-party certifications such as Green Seal or UL ECOLOGO. Both test products against published environmental and performance standards, and both let you look a product up.

What pros commonly use

• Hydrogen peroxide-based all-purpose cleaners. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen. One example used in commercial cleaning is Diversey's PERdiem General Purpose Cleaner with Hydrogen Peroxide, which is Green Seal certified.
• Plant-based, pH-neutral floor cleaners. Neutral cleaners lift dirt while being gentler on the finish of wood, tile and stone.
• Microfiber cloths and mops. Not a chemical, but the most important eco tool we have. ISSA reports studies finding that microfiber mop heads reduced bacteria on floors by as much as 99 percent, compared with 30 percent for traditional cotton mops.

What we leave out of an eco clean

• Chlorine bleach. Poison Control warns never to mix bleach with ammonia or with acids, because the combination can release toxic gas. In an eco clean we leave bleach out entirely.
• Aerosol air fresheners and fragrance sprays. They cover odors instead of removing them. We would rather find and clean the source, and leave the house smelling clean, or of a light, natural citrus at most.

Just ask

If you'd like an eco clean, tell us when you book and we'll plan for it. See our eco-friendly cleaning service.