How To Minimize Environmental Waste When Cleaning

In the pursuit of a clean home, many cleaning services may not realize the effects their cleaning practices can have. From questionable ingredients to single-use products, traditional cleaning routines can impact the environment and contribute to unrecyclable waste. Fortunately, there are better strategies, starting with choosing the right cleaning tools.

Select the right cleaning products

The first step to minimizing environmental waste is reassessing the products your company uses. Most cleaning solutions contain liquid chemicals that are known environmental pollutants, including chlorine, ammonia, phthalates, perchloroethylene, and sodium laureth sulfate. The good news is, effective alternatives are available without the environmental cost. Pay special attention to the ingredients listed on products to ensure your cleaners do not contain liquid chemicals or leave residue behind.

When in doubt, consider water-only cleaning. This approach harnesses water’s natural solvent properties and the mechanical action of high-quality microfiber cloths to remove dirt and grime from surfaces. Cleaning with just water offers many benefits, such as:

• Worry-free: Cleaning with only water eliminates the need for liquid chemical cleaners, minimizing the exposure to potential irritants present in other products.
• Cost-effective: Switching to water-only cleaning prevents having to dispose of and purchase multiple cleaning agents, meaning less waste.
• Better for the environment: Cleaning with just water does not release pollutants into the air or waterways, reducing the overall ecological impact of cleaning activities.
• Versatile: A water-only approach is suitable for a wide range of surfaces, including countertops, windows, floors, and even fabrics.

Choose reusable cleaning tools

The sheer volume of disposable cleaning tools used each year is staggering. Consider the humble paper towel — a ubiquitous item in cleaning arsenals around the world. In the United States alone, more than 13 billion pounds of paper towels are disposed of each year. Equally alarming, used paper towels cannot be recycled; hence, they end up in landfills, exacerbating the problem of waste accumulation.

To combat this waste, cleaning services can embrace reusable alternatives, such as the high-quality microfiber cloths from E-Cloth. These tools are durable and long-lasting, requiring just a wash in water to release trapped dirt and grime before being ready for cleaning again. This method reduces repurchasing and, in turn, waste without compromising cleaning efficiency.

To get the most out of reusable cleaning tools, follow these guidelines for maintaining and prolonging their service life:

• Avoid fabric softeners when washing microfiber cloths, as they can coat the microfibers, decreasing their absorbency.
• While microfiber cloths can be machine washed, use a gentle cycle to prevent excessive wearing of the fabric.
• Store reusable cleaning tools in a clean, dry place to prevent mold, mildew, and bacterial growth.

Implement efficient cleaning practices

Efficiency is key to minimizing environmental waste while cleaning. Use your resources wisely to avoid unnecessary waste. Often, a little goes a long way when cleaning. By employing the right product to target areas needing attention, you can reduce how much you waste and lower your environmental impact.

Water conservation is another important aspect of cleaning. Be mindful of how much water you use in your cleaning practices. Tips to help limit water waste include using a bucket instead of running water continuously, turning off the tap while scrubbing surfaces, and utilizing water-saving cleaning tools like low-flow mop heads and spray bottles.

Consider reducing the range of cleaning products you utilize. By selecting more versatile tools, any cleaning service can decrease the number of products they purchase, use, and store. This approach leads to less packaging waste, a lower overall environmental impact, and much-appreciated cost savings.

Use E-Cloth for a better planet

Switching to better cleaning practices is not only a step toward protecting our planet but also a net benefit for the health and well-being of clients and service providers alike. By selecting the right products, cleaning with just water, embracing reusable cleaning tools, and implementing efficient cleaning practices, commercial cleaning companies can make a positive impact while they continue to deliver exceptional results.

To learn about a more effective, less wasteful way of cleaning, visit e-cloth.com and explore “real cleaning” solutions.