Healthcare facility cleaning is not the same job as cleaning a home or a typical office, even though the tools can look similar. The people inside a medical space often have weaker immune systems, open wounds, or medical devices that give germs a direct path into the body, so a shortcut that would go unnoticed with general commercial cleaning can directly contribute to a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in a clinical setting. HAIs are not a rare or theoretical risk — CDC data puts the number at roughly 1.7 million reported HAIs a year in the U.S., with tens of thousands of resulting deaths, and no population is exempt, including newborns and otherwise healthy patients in for routine procedures. A medical cleaning and disinfection team that treats every surface as a possible pathogen reservoir, even when it looks spotless, is the first line of defense against that risk — which is exactly why hiring a certified, properly trained janitorial service matters so much in this industry.

That's why effective infection control cleaning has to go beyond wiping a surface until it looks clean. True disinfection requires physically cleaning a surface first so dirt and debris don't block the disinfectant from making contact, then applying an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant and leaving it wet for its full listed contact/dwell time — something that's easy to rush past under time pressure but that makes or breaks whether a surface is actually decontaminated versus simply wet-wiped. High-touch surface disinfection — door handles, bed rails, call buttons, light switches, countertops — deserves extra attention because these points are touched constantly by patients, staff, and visitors, making them the most likely surfaces to spread infection if they're missed or wiped dry too soon. On top of that, proper hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols — gloved, gowned, and masked in the correct order, with hands washed before gloving and after degloving — protect the cleaning team itself from bloodborne pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, which spread through contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), not just visibly contaminated surfaces.

Earning my IJCSA Green Cleaning Certification wasn't just another line item on a certification tracker — it changed how I think about every product, tool, and process my company puts into a client's home or building. Green cleaning certification means I've been trained to select eco-friendly, non-toxic, and often plant-based or biodegradable cleaning products, to reduce water and energy waste, and to follow sustainable cleaning practices from start to finish on every job. For a small, growing commercial cleaning company like mine, that training isn't just a credential on a wall — it's a daily operating standard that shapes which products I stock, how I train my team, and what I promise clients before I ever step through their door.

The business case for certification is just as real as the values case. Clients — especially property managers, healthcare-adjacent facilities, and government-funded housing developments — increasingly ask what's actually in the products touching their floors, countertops, and air. According to the EPA, indoor concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from everyday cleansers and disinfectants can run two to five times higher than outdoor levels, and spike far higher during and immediately after cleaning. Being able to tell a client, in writing, that my company is IJCSA Green Cleaning Certified and uses low-VOC, non-toxic products gives them something a competitor who just says "we're eco-friendly" can't back up. Certification becomes a competitive differentiator and a trust signal I can point to in every proposal.

There's also a direct benefit to me and my team as individuals, not just to the business. My employees are the ones with their hands on these products for hours at a time, and the EPA has documented real short- and long-term health effects tied to VOC exposure — everything from headaches, dizziness, and eye and respiratory irritation to longer-term effects on the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Choosing certified green products and sustainable cleaning practices isn't an abstract environmental gesture; it's a concrete way I protect the people who work for me from chemical exposure they'd otherwise absorb job after job, year after year.

Beyond my own company, I take seriously the larger reason this certification exists: protecting the population and the world from harmful chemicals doesn't stop at one client's door. Every gallon of non-toxic, biodegradable cleaner used instead of a harsh chemical alternative is less runoff into local water systems, less airborne toxin in a shared building, and one more data point proving that environmentally responsible cleaning and effective cleaning aren't in conflict. Anyone looking to hire a cleaning company that takes this seriously — not just markets itself that way — can search the IJCSA Green Cleaning Service Directory for verified, certified green cleaning providers, mine included, rather than relying on unverified "green" claims that the EPA itself warns can amount to greenwashing.

References: U.S. EPA, "Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality" (epa.gov); U.S. EPA, "Identifying Greener Cleaning Products" / Safer Choice program (epa.gov); IJCSA Green Cleaning Service Directory (ijcsa.org/Green-Cleaning-Services).

More homeowners and business owners than ever are asking the same question before hiring a cleaning company: is this service actually safe for my family, my employees, and the planet? Traditional cleaning products can leave behind harsh chemical residue, strong fumes, and ingredients that aren't great for kids, pets, or anyone with allergies or respiratory sensitivities. That's exactly why green cleaning has moved from a "nice to have" to a top priority when choosing who gets the keys to your home or office. A qualified green cleaning service uses eco-friendly, non-toxic, and often plant-based or biodegradable products that clean just as effectively as conventional chemicals, without the environmental impact or the health risks that come with heavy-duty solvents, bleach, and artificial fragrances.

So what should you actually look for when searching for a green cleaning company? Start with certification. Any cleaning business can slap the word "green" on their website, but a company that has earned an IJCSA Green Cleaning Certification has been trained on sustainable cleaning practices, environmentally responsible product selection, reduced water and energy use, and proper handling of eco-friendly cleaning supplies. Ask potential providers what products they use, whether those products are VOC-free or low-VOC, and how they dispose of waste and packaging. A trustworthy green cleaning provider will be happy to walk you through their process because sustainability is part of their brand, not just a buzzword in a sales pitch.

The good news is you don't have to take a company's word for it. The IJCSA Green Cleaning Service Directory makes it simple to find vetted, certified green cleaning professionals in your area — search by location, review member credentials, and connect directly with companies that have already done the work to prove their eco-friendly practices are legitimate. Whether you're a homeowner looking for a healthier clean, a property manager responsible for shared spaces, or a business owner who wants your workplace to reflect your values, choosing a certified green cleaning service is one of the easiest ways to protect the people who walk through your doors and reduce your environmental footprint at the same time.

Ready to make the switch to a healthier, more sustainable clean? Browse the IJCSA Green Cleaning Service Directory today and connect with a certified green cleaning professional near you.

Medical cleaning practices are no longer limited to hospitals and healthcare facilities. Since the world became more aware of the dangers of harmful bacteria, germs, viruses, and cross-contamination, many residential and commercial cleaning companies have started implementing healthcare cleaning procedures into everyday cleaning services. Infection prevention, proper disinfection, PPE usage, and environmental cleaning strategies can greatly improve the cleanliness and safety of homes, offices, schools, restaurants, gyms, apartment buildings, and commercial facilities. By applying medical cleaning principles in non-healthcare environments, cleaning professionals can help reduce the spread of illness and create healthier indoor spaces for the public.

One of the most important healthcare cleaning practices that can be implemented anywhere is proper cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces. Areas such as door handles, light switches, countertops, bathrooms, elevator buttons, shared desks, telephones, and break rooms are constantly touched by multiple people throughout the day. Medical cleaning emphasizes the importance of first cleaning surfaces to remove dirt and organic material, then properly disinfecting them using EPA-approved disinfectants. Cross-contamination prevention is also extremely important. Professional cleaners can use colour-coded microfiber cloths, separate cleaning tools for bathrooms and kitchens, proper glove changing procedures, and hand hygiene protocols to reduce the transfer of harmful microorganisms from one area to another.

Another important healthcare cleaning concept that can be applied to residential and commercial cleaning is indoor air quality and dust control. Dust, allergens, mould spores, bacteria, and airborne contaminants can negatively affect the health of building occupants. Many healthcare cleaning companies use HEPA filtration vacuums, air scrubbers, negative air systems, and proper ventilation practices to help improve indoor air quality and reduce airborne particles. These same methods can benefit offices, homes, schools, daycare centres, and commercial properties. In situations involving renovations, water damage, mould remediation, or deep cleaning, containment barriers and proper airflow management can help prevent contaminants from spreading into clean areas. These practices help protect vulnerable individuals such as children, seniors, and people with respiratory conditions or weakened immune systems.

Healthcare cleaning also focuses heavily on worker safety and infection prevention training. Residential and commercial cleaning companies can improve their services by training staff on bloodborne pathogen awareness, PPE usage, safe chemical handling, sharps safety, and proper cleaning procedures. Professional cleaners who understand healthcare cleaning principles are better prepared to protect themselves, their clients, and the general public from exposure to harmful germs and viruses. This not only creates safer environments, but also increases customer confidence and professionalism within the cleaning industry.

As the importance of sanitation and infection control continues to grow worldwide, implementing healthcare cleaning practices into everyday residential and commercial cleaning can have a positive impact on public health. Proper environmental cleaning helps reduce the spread of illness, supports healthier indoor environments, and protects communities from harmful bacteria, germs, mould, and viruses. Consumers and businesses looking for qualified professional cleaning services can visit the (you can click here) IJCSA Janitorial Services Directory to find certified cleaning companies specializing in healthcare cleaning, commercial janitorial services, infection prevention, hospital cleaning, and environmental sanitation services: https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory.

If you are looking for a green cleaning service, IJCSA is the place for you. Members of the association have access to green cleaning education that gives them a path to earn certification. A business that acquires the IJCSA green certification will responsibly clean your facility using green cleaning methods and products.

If you are worried about cleaning chemicals affecting your facility’s air quality, making a negative impact on the outside environment, and being too irritating and physically dangerous to your staff, IJCSA has your back. Companies that are green clean certified with IJCSA will clean your facility while maintaining strict green cleaning practices. To find a service provider near you, please visit the IJCSA  Green Cleaning Service Directory.

IJCSA members will responsibly clean your facility using the safest natural cleaning methods available. Are the facility’s windows dirty? Instead of using harsh chemicals like ammonia that interact with other pollutants in the air to create dangerous chemical combinations, a white vinegar and distilled water solution will be used to clean windows as well as keep air quality safe. Do you want clean toilets without having to resort to bleach which can cause eye irritation, headaches, and trigger asthma? White vinegar and baking soda used sequentially, followed by a toilet brush, will make toilets spotless without any health risks being produced. 

Using natural green cleaning methods is generally less toxic to your staff and the environment, which is reason enough to go with a IJCSA green certified company. To find these excellent companies visit IJCSA’s Green Cleaning Service Directory.

Cleaning employees and staff should have a strong understanding of bloodborne pathogens because they can unknowingly come into contact with bodily fluids while performing routine cleaning duties. In the cleaning industry, employees may encounter blood, used bandages, sharp objects, or other contaminated materials in restrooms, offices, medical facilities, schools, and even residential homes. Without proper training, workers may not realize the serious health risks associated with exposure. Bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV can spread through contaminated blood and bodily fluids, making safety education extremely important for anyone responsible for cleaning and sanitizing environments.

Proper training helps protect both employees and the people who use the facility being cleaned. When staff members understand how to safely handle contaminated materials, wear personal protective equipment, properly disinfect surfaces, and dispose of hazardous waste, the risk of cross-contamination and infection is greatly reduced. It also helps employees feel more confident and prepared when faced with potentially dangerous situations. Knowing the correct procedures for spills, accidental exposure, and sanitation practices creates a safer workplace and promotes professionalism within the cleaning industry.

In addition, bloodborne pathogen training is important because it helps businesses stay compliant with workplace safety standards and OSHA regulations. Companies that invest in proper employee training show that they value safety, responsibility, and professionalism. For cleaning companies especially, having trained staff can build trust with commercial clients, medical offices, schools, and other facilities that expect high sanitation standards. Overall, educating cleaning employees about bloodborne pathogens is not only about following rules - it is about protecting health, preventing accidents, and maintaining safe and sanitary environments for everyone.

Properly cleaning healthcare facilities is ine of the most important responsibilities in the professional cleaning industry. Hospitals, medical offices, dental clinics, outpatient centers, and other healthcare environments require a much higher standard od medical cleaning that traditional commercial buildings because patients, healthcare workers, and visitors can all be exposed to harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Effective healthcare environmental cleaning, infection, prevention, Hospital disinfection, and proper sanitation procedures help reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections otherwise known as HAIs while creating a safer environment for everyone. Professional cleaners who understand cross contamination prevention, proper PPE usage, and the correct application of EPA registered disinfectants play a critical role in protecting public health. The IJCSA Medical Cleaning Certification provides specialized training that helps cleaning professionals understand these essential procedures. 

Medical facilities contain high touch surfaces that require routine cleaning and disinfecting throughout the day. Door handles, examination tables, waiting room furniture, medical equipment, and restrooms can all become sources of contamination if they are not cleaned correctly. Following proper medical facility cleaning protocols, using the correct cleaning chemicals, and understanding bloodborne pathogen safety are essential skills. The IJCSA Medical Cleaning Certification teachers cleaners how to safely maintain healthcare environments while helping facilities comply with professional cleaning standards. Certification also demonstrates a commitment to continuing education, safety, quality service, and giving customers great confidence when selecting a healthcare cleaning provider.

Whether you are starting a cleaning company or expanding into healthcare cleaning services, investing in professional education can help set your business apart. It shows clients that you understand the uniquw requirements of hosptial cleaning, Infection control, terminal cleaning, healthcare sanitation, and disinfection services. Businesses and consumers looking for certified cleaning professionals can also use the IJCSA Janitorial Service Directory https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices to locate qualified cleaning companies that have earned industry recognized certifications. By combining professional training with proven cleaning practices, certified cleaners help create healthier healthcare environments while building trust and credibility with their clients.

I am proud to be IJCSA Master Green Cleaning Certified. Throughout this course I learned many things that will make me a much safer and effective cleaner. My cleaning practices will go on to benefit the health and safety of people and the environment.

I learned the ways in which cleaning chemicals with harsh, dangerous ingredients negatively impact people, animals, plants, and the overall environment. I learned that there are many VOCs that exist, and that there are VOCs dangerous to humans like formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, 2-butoxyethanol, tetrachloroethylene, and acetone that are commonly found in cleaning products. I also learned about dangerous non-volatile organic compound chemicals like sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, chlorine bleach, phosphates, and quaternary ammonium compounds, all of which negatively affect the environment. And I learned that I can avoid these dangerous VOCs and dangerous non- VOC chemicals by purchasing cleaning products that have ingredients that are not dangerous to people, and that can easily break down in the environment without negatively affecting it or the life in it.

I thought the amount of information given about all the different types of dangerous VOCs and dangerous non-VOC chemicals was very interesting, informative, and useful to know. I also found it interesting that the EPA has approved natural disinfectants, like botanical and mineral based disinfectants, as I did not think they did before taking this course. I also thought it was interesting and helpful that the course utilized different ways of learning like the use of the videos, the reading material, as well as the multiple-choice questions and written requirements I had to fulfill, making it a lot easier for me to solidify my understanding of the information I was given.

Thank you IJCSA for giving me the knowledge I need to be a great green cleaning company.

Being a green cleaning company is better than being a cleaning company that uses hazardous chemicals because cleaning professional and customer safety is prioritized, the environment benefits from the company’s practices, and the surfaces being cleaned by the safer cleaning products also benefit.

Lower numbers of volatile organic compounds are released, if any in some instances, when green cleaning products are used. “Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands” (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2024). Symptoms of exposure to VOCs include headaches, nausea, and fatigue, among many others. When green cleaning products are used, cleaning professionals and your customers will not be subjected to dangerous amounts of VOCs day after day, thus protecting the health and safety of everyone the cleaning business affects.

The environment will also benefit from a company that implements green cleaning practices as opposed to a company that does not. Toxic cleaning products pollute water systems which kills aquatic life, they reduce the quality of soil which stunts plant growth, and they release toxic substances into the ozone like smog. Smog disrupts ecosystems and causes asthma and heart attacks in humans. Animals can also suffer from asthma and heart attacks due to smog. Using biodegradable, toxic free cleaning products that break down naturally will keep the environment and those that are in it safe.

A green cleaning company is better than a cleaning company that does not implement green cleaning because the products they use are not harsh on the surfaces they clean, if used correctly, extending the life of the objects being cleaned. “Plant-based ingredients are gentler on surfaces and fabrics, potentially extending the life of your clothing and furnishings” (Gall, 2024).

Green cleaning companies are more beneficial to people, the environment, and the surfaces they clean compared to cleaning companies that do not implement green cleaning. To find a cleaning company that is green cleaning certified, please visit IJCSA’s Green Cleaning Service Directory.

References

Gall, G. (2024, December 5). Eco-conscious cleaning vs. conventional cleaning: Why choose the eco-conscious option? - ECOS®. ECOS®. https://www.ecos.com/live-cleaner/eco-conscious-cleaning-vs-conventional-cleaning-why-choose-the-eco-conscious-option/

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2024, August 13). Volatile organic compounds” impact on indoor air quality | US EPA. US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality