NATIONAL REPORT—Are your cleaning practices killing you? How about your guests and employees? If you are using toxic chemicals then the answer is yes. If you are using nontoxic products and supplies in a green cleaning program, the answer is no.
Green cleaning, which isn’t at all the same as green washing, is one easy way to decrease costs and employee illnesses. It also increases the comfort of people coming into your hotel. Have a clean hotel, healthy employees, increase guest comfort, and save money by using natural or green and environmentally friendly cleaning products.
With increased cleaning frequency, the quality of the product—in effectiveness and safety—is paramount. It’s one thing if cleaning is done weekly and the building’s air exchange system cleans the fumes away (though I don’t recommend toxic cleaning even then). It’s another thing when the cleaning is done daily, not giving the air exchange system a chance to get rid of the fumes before the next use of cleaning chemicals.
Cancer, eye and throat irritation, and respiratory diseases are attributed to some ingredients used in many cleaning products. Some of the culprit ingredients include butane, chlorine, formaldehyde, hydrochloric acid, and perchloroethylene. And that’s just a short list of the toxic chemicals too many hotels rely on for cleaning and maintenance.
These ingredients are irritants and known carcinogens. Cleaning products include solvents, disinfectants, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs); all of which are known to be hazardous to humans. You find these chemicals in all-purpose cleaners, special-purpose cleaners (like for glass, tile, toilets, and laundry), scouring powders, and air fresheners.
Chemicals Linger for Long Time
They don’t just impact air quality while the housekeeping staff is using the cleaning supplies, which is an important issue itself. They linger to bother people for hours and days to come. These chemicals adhere to the surface of everything—towels and linens, desks, counters, floors, glassware, tables—they touch and impact people later, sometimes much later. When the product label says “Danger,” “Poison” or “Warning,” pay heed and avoid the product. Those cautions are there to protect people; not using dangerous products is smart.
Hotels that implement green cleaning practices by using nontoxic chemicals find the products to be at least as effective as the toxic chemicals used previously. Custodians and housekeepers also like not having to work with toxic chemicals and they like the simplicity of reducing the number of products they use during the day.
Clean up your act. Exchange toxic cleaning chemicals used around the hotel for environmentally friendly products. Consider Green Seal approved products as well as recognized environmentally friendly products and old-fashioned cleaning materials like white vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice.
Microfiber cloths and cleaning tools (mops and dusting wands) are good to have in your cleaning cart too. The scientific construction of the products trap hair and skin, dirt, and germs so cleaning efforts are less taxing and more effective. Using these cloths with water cleans well. When you want a bit of a cleaning boost use an environmentally friendly cleaner with microfiber cloths and enjoy the results.
A Cost-Effective Alternative
Cost-wise, green cleaning is not necessarily more expensive. In some cases it has been shown that too many different products were used, raising the cost of cleaning by stocking so many products. By selecting one or two effective green cleaners, money is saved and the cleaning process is simplified.
What nontoxic chemicals should you consider to clean your hotel? Start with the EPA-funded approved list of environmental cleaners. Many other products are also available. Simple food ingredients make great cleaning products too; white vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice are the basics. Vinegar and/or baking soda in the washing machine give an extra cleaning boost, as well as static control and fabric softening. Lemon juice brightens and deodorizes. These ingredients are cheap, bountiful, and effective. Combine these simple, effective cleaning ingredients with microfiber and you have a fabulous, inexpensive cleaning program.
Your guests are dying to use your services and experience your hospitality. Don’t make that a literal reality though. Change your housekeeping approach by using green cleaning products, and be good to your employees, guests, and to yourself. It’s on ECOnomically Sound decision.
Kit Cassingham, founder of Sage Blossom Consulting, is a lodging consultant who focuses on greening the industry. She has more than 20 years of environmental and lodging experience and loves helping hotels and bed and breakfasts green their operations.
