Many people look to professional cleaning companies to help them keep their floors shining, their kitchens sparkling and their bathrooms sanitary. But an increasing number of consumers are insisting on the use of green products and practices in an effort to keep themselves and their families healthy, to adopt eco-friendly lifestyles and to preserve their hard-earned assets.

But what really makes a Boston house cleaning company green? Truly environmentally responsible companies not only use green cleaning products, they are aware of their carbon footprints in a number of ways.

Cleaning

Composition: Many housecleaning chemicals developed over the past several decades release volatile organic chemicals, which deplete the ozone layer. Housecleaning companies aspiring to be eco-friendly, however, now use toxin-free, biodegradable all-purpose cleaners, dishwashing detergents and glass cleaners that are safer for the water supply,air and soil.

This means the elimination of products that contain heavy metals, ammonia, chlorine bleach and phosphates. These chemical-based products can cause problems, such as headaches, skin irritation or breathing issues for some people. Look for highly rated housecleaning companies that use cleaning solutions with a Green Seal. This certifies that the product will deliver the performance consumers require while reducing the impact on the environment.

Animal friendly: Cleaning products achieve this by being not only safe for use among pets, but also by not involving testing on animals.

Packaging: Not only should the contents be eco-friendly, so should the packaging itself.

Cleaning methods

Cloth rags: Rather than using disposable paper towels that use trees and clog up landfills, eco-friendly housecleaning companies recommend the use of cloths, often made of microfiber that can be washed in eco-friendly detergents and reused.

Water usage: Some services use cleaning solutions that work in cold water and take special steps to conserve the amount of water used.
 

Other Considerations

Transportation: In a business that requires a bit of movement from site to site, energy efficiency is important. That’s why some housecleaning services invest in electric vehicles, or cars that get more than 30 miles per gallon.

Buying locally: Some housecleaning companies make a point of using local distributors for cleaning products. Often, that’s as simple as going to the grocery store for baking soda and vinegar. 

Giving back: Some green companies donate their services to humanitarian projects, such as Cleaning for a Reason: an organization that provides housecleaning services to cancer patients.

Recycling: Some companies provide recycling services for hazardous items, such as batteries, ink jet cartridges and non-operating computers.