Acquiring Green Cleaning Certification and utilizing green cleaning practices and products in my company will greatly increase the health and safety of the people my cleaning services affect, as well as keep my company environmentally responsible, and profitable.

Previously, I had no idea about the negative effects everyday cleaning chemicals like ammonia and quats pose to a person’s health. Quats can irritate and damage the nose, throat, and lungs and ammonia in “low levels in the air can irritate eyes, skin, or airways, and may cause a sore throat and cough” (Ammonia, 2025). I have become aware of the positive health benefits green cleaning provides and the problems standard chemical cleaning products produce. I will protect my employees’ and clients’ health by reducing VOC's which are found in harsh chemical disinfectants by eliminating those harsh chemical disinfectants.

Utilizing green cleaning products and disposing of them correctly are extremely important for the health of people and the environment. Microfiber towels for example, are an excellent way to rid a surface of soil and bacteria. In fact, studies have shown that “microfiber cloths, when used with just water, are 98.9% effective at getting rid of bacteria from smooth surfaces. A cotton cloth or mop paired with Lysol or bleach is documented to be only 92% effective" (The Health Benefits of Microfiber, 2021). However, there is opposing information against microfiber, saying that they can shed “microplastics into waterways through everyday use and washing” (What Is Microfiber and Is It Bad for the Environment, 2024). All in all, research is still ongoing about the effects of microfiber on the environment, and I will be doing additional research to see if microfiber tools are truly worth utilizing. What is known right now however is that the EPA is strongly against the burning of plastic, which is microfiber, in order to “control emissions of particulate matter and other noxious fumes to the atmosphere and ground-level concentrations of particulate matter” (40 CFR 49.131 -- General Rule for Open Burning., 2026) So if I do end up using microfiber for my wiping towels and mops, I will definitely not burn them and dispose of these items appropriately.

Another benefit of green cleaning that did not cross my mind at first, was the fact that it can save a company money. For instance, many cleaning solutions are designed to clean specific surfaces, whereas utilizing green cleaning products allows for cleaning professionals to target a wide range of surfaces while using very few cleaning solutions. An example of this would be utilizing a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and distilled water to clean windows, shower doors, chrome, countertops, and more.

If you are looking for a cleaning company that takes employee and client safety seriously and always looks for ways to impact the environment positively, visit IJCSA’s Green Cleaning Service Directory.

References

Ammonia. (2025, May). Health.Ny.Gov. https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/chemicals/ammonia/

40 CFR 49.131 -- General rule for open burning. (2026). Ecfr.Gov. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-49/subpart-C/subject-group-ECFR31dd40b47455f3c/section-49.131

The Health Benefits of Microfiber. (2021, February 1). Mysmartinspect.Com. https://mysmartinspect.com/the-health-benefits-of-microfiber/

What is Microfiber and Is it Bad for the Environment. (2024, October 23). Blueland.Com. https://www.blueland.com/articles/is-microfiber-bad-for-the-environment