Eco-friendly cleaning products have been on the market for decades, but the business world is still catching up. Many companies still use harsh chemicals to clean their facilities, not realizing that there may be a better solution. This is largely due to misconceptions about eco-friendly commercial cleaning products. We’re here to break them down and reveal the truths behind them.
Eco-friendly products don’t clean as well.
One of the most common misconceptions about eco-friendly cleaning products is that they’re not as effective. Many people believe that only strong, harsh chemicals can meet the demands of commercial cleaning. In reality, modern plant-derived ingredients and concentrated formulas can deliver excellent results. How well these products work depends mainly on staff training and proper use. As long as you use these products as intended, they will provide the clean your facility needs.
A powerful chemical smell means a cleaner space.
After a commercial cleaning, we’ve come to expect a chemical smell floating around in the air. While many industrial chemicals still emit a sharp fragrance or odor, that alone doesn’t prove that a product is working. Fragrance doesn’t reveal much about whether a product has removed buildup or killed germs. In fact, it often simply masks other odors. Lower-odor eco-friendly cleaning products can create a more comfortable environment and better air quality for co-workers, visitors and cleaning staff while keeping your facility just as clean.
Sustainable cleaning always costs more.
While some eco-friendly cleaning products require more of an upfront investment, they don’t always increase the overall janitorial budget. Unit price is only one part of the cost. Eco-friendly cleaning products often come in concentrated formulas, reduce waste, serve multiple purposes and can be handled more safely than their counterparts. These aspects increase their overall value, especially when they’re used correctly and consistently.
Eco-friendly options cannot handle high-traffic commercial environments.
Some business owners find sustainable cleaning solutions reliable in the home but wouldn’t consider them for heavy-duty commercial cleaning. However, eco-friendly commercial cleaning options are readily available for facility floors, public restrooms, restaurant kitchens and other high-use areas. A facility that can be cleaned with traditional cleaning solutions can be cleaned just as well with modern, environmentally friendly alternatives.
Switching requires replacing everything at once.
A business owner may feel overwhelmed while looking into sustainable alternatives, assuming they have to swap everything out at once for the new cleaning program to be effective. However, businesses can transition in stages, beginning with easy eco-friendly swaps. To gradually transition into an eco-friendly cleaning program, audit your current products, test alternatives, train staff, measure results and go from there. Over time, cleaning staff will become more familiar with these products and naturally want to help your business become more sustainable.
Switching from conventional commercial cleaning products to environmentally friendly alternatives can be a process, but it’s an easy way to help your brand become more sustainable while creating more pleasant experiences for co-workers and customers. Veritiv Pollock is here with the responsible cleaning solutions you need to help your facility shine. Contact us today to learn more about our cleaning and sustainable solutions.
