GREEN CLEANING releases fewer toxic substances into the environment while capturing greater amounts of particulates, which can improve both indoor air quality and worker health. INFORM’s “Best Cleaning Practices Guidelines” offers eight tips for implementing green cleaning into your facility. 1 Design for clean – Consider maintenance of finishes, including the potential health risks, when planning new construction. 2 Adopt a cleaning products protocol as part of your hazard communications plan – The product manufacturer’s material safety data sheets disclose chemicals that are known to have adverse health effects. 3 Substitute products – Look for products that are non-toxic but will perform the same and have unbiased research to back it up. 4 Use the most modern equipment – These tools are designed to prevent dirt and soil from contaminating surfaces, thus reducing the amount of chemicals needed for cleaning. 5 Limit the use of disinfectants – Disinfectants are extremely toxic and a serious human health concern, so use these only in the areas that need it most. 6 Manage flooring maintenance – Floor-care products are some of the most toxic products used in building-maintenance, so choose products that have been third-party certified by Green Seal or Environmental Choice. 7 Manage carpet cleaning – Carpet can absorb particles that are tracked into the building and dust from any source. Avoid toxic ingredients such as tributyl and formaldehyde in carpet cleaners. 8 Keep current on new products – Ask your vendor to keep you up-to-date on the newest technology and studies demonstrating the performance of new products and equipment. September + October 2008 21