Head down the cleaning aisle at your local supermarket and you’ll probably see hundreds of items that claim to be “green” or 
“environmentally friendly.” We usually assume that all these products are better for the environment, but not all of them are. Though a cleaning bottle may say “natural,” the product ingredient list may say otherwise.
So what does this label really mean? How do you really know whether you’re cleaning with a “green” product or not?
Whether you’re doing an industrial cleaning service in Maryland or an office cleaning service in Washington, D.C., you need to know what it really means to be green and how some companies abuse that term. Learn more about what makes a product “green” and see for yourself.
LAYERS OF GREEN
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are layers of green that a product can be.
A truly green product starts with the raw materials used to create it. It also involves the production process through which the product is created. If the company produces the product in a factory that pumps tons of greenhouse gases into the air, then it isn’t environmentally friendly.
The product’s use and its inevitable disposal also help determine whether it is green or not. Products that use minimal packaging, for example, are usually greener, as are those whose bottles are recyclable. The product itself should also not cause harm after it is washed down the sink or flushed through the toilet.
If you’re looking for commercial cleaning services in Maryland, look to your commercial cleaning company’s product list to ensure that they’re using the safest products.
THE LABEL
When determining whether or not a product is actually green, you should first look at the label. Environmentally friendly products will
list all the chemicals in the product right on the label. Consumers can look up each chemical and see what it is and any possible hazards the chemical causes.
Chemicals such as ammonia and chlorine should be red flags that the product is not environmentally friendly. If you see symbols on the bottle warning you of the product’s corrosiveness, toxicity, or flammability, then the chemicals aren’t green.
Don’t assume that just because you cannot pronounce a chemical that it is inherently bad for you. Do your own research online and learn for yourself before you start your industrial cleaning in Maryland.
CERTIFICATIONS
There are many groups out there dedicated to investigating these products and determining whether they’re truly green.
Groups such as PETA, Green Seal, Leaping Bunny, and EcoLogo test and review these products themselves and recommend the ones that pass their tests. They set their own standards for eco-friendly and ensure that each product meets those standards, such as:
Not tested on animals
Uses organic ingredients
Safe to handle
If you see the logo of any one of these companies on the product’s bottle, then you can be assured that the product is eco-friendly. When office cleaning service in Washington, D.C. gets heavy, turn to these certified products.
It’s not always easy being green, but if you commit to researching your products, then you’ll have the best chance of making a positive impact on the environment. Tell us, when you’re looking for commercial cleaning services in Maryland, what’s your biggest priority?
