How to Reduce the Use of Chemicals When Cleaning

When cleaning an office by yourself or hiring commercial cleaners, you may often wonder whether it is possible to clean without harsh chemicals. Well, it depends on who you ask.

Most cleaners you buy at stores are chemical-based. Even many cleaning companies in Sydney use strong chemicals in their procedures. There are also companies like Clean Group that provide 100% green cleaning services using chemical-free products.

Here’s everything you need to know about reducing the use of chemicals when cleaning in Sydney and how you can do it.

What is Chemical-less Cleaning and Why Should You Care?

Many store-bought cleaning products we use daily may contain harsh chemicals and toxins. While chemical-based cleaners are usually effective and produce good results, they can be extremely unhealthy for the environment and living beings.

Here are some top reasons to avoid using chemicals for cleaning:

• Many chemical-based cleaners leave behind strong smells or fumes that not only affect the air quality but can also harm your respiratory system.
• Store-based cleaners may contain harsh chemicals that are harmful to the environment, including air, water and soil.
• Chemicals used in cleaning detergents can be detrimental to your skin and other sensitive areas such as the eyes. Some acid-based cleaners can even cause skin burns if you come into their direct contact.
• They can be responsible for allergies or other infections in your office.

On the other hand, chemical-free cleaners are healthy, effective (contrary to popular opinion) and relatively inexpensive if you know where to buy (or how to make) them.

What are some chemicals used in cleaning supplies?

Your regular cleaning supplies, including bleach, contain various harsh chemicals that can cause significant respiratory, skin and environmental problems if not handled properly.

Here are a few examples of common chemicals in store-based cleaners:

Bleach, the most popular cleaning product for home and commercial cleaning contains chlorine and chloroform, which can cause serious damage to respiratory and nervous systems in humans.

Many store cleaners contain ammonia, a chemical known to irritate skin and the respiratory system. When mixed with bleach, it can be extremely dangerous.

Formaldehyde is an ingredient in many chemical-based detergents and is used to extend their lifetime. Constant exposure to formaldehyde can cause cancer in humans.

Many spot and stain removers contain Perchloroethylene, a chemical associated with neurological (neurotoxin) and cancer (carcinogen) risks.

Most of the air fresheners and fragrances in the market contain a combination of chemicals with possible health risks ranging from asthma and skin allergies to eye irritation.

At Clean Group, we only use 100% natural and green commercial cleaning supplies to protect our staff and customers from the side effects of chemical-based cleaners.

Whether you’re using the services of a professional commercial cleaning company in Sydney or have in-house cleaners, we strongly recommend that you only use chemical-free cleaning supplies and methods.

Here are some of our top green cleaning methods and supplies:

Chemical-free Cleaning Supplies and Methods

At Clean Group, our cleaners are provided with green cleaning supplies made with natural ingredients and are trained in cleaning methods that are safe for the environment and humans.

1. Tough Smudges & Stains Cleaning

While many prepaid cleaners are available in the market for hard smudge cleaning, using home-based solutions is the best way to ensure risk-free cleaning. It is simple too.

Unless you’re hiring our professional cleaners for your commercial kitchen cleaning, we recommend making and using the following solution to get rid of those tough stains and grime:

• Combine white vinegar, water, and lemon peel in equal quantities and mix it in a bottle.
• Set the mixture aside for a week to let it turn into a solution.
• Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
• Apply directly to stains and smudges on surfaces and let it sit for a few minutes.
• Wipe off using a clean cloth.

This solution is safe for your skin and leaves behind a fresh scent.

2. Glass Cleaning

Glass can be difficult to clean. Using harsh chemicals to clean the glass can damage its surface or leave a smudge behind. Our commercial window cleaners in Sydney use homemade glass cleaning supplies for effective and safe results. Here’s how you can make one at home:

• Mix distilled water, vinegar and lemon rind in a glass bottle.
• Add a few drops of essential oils for a scented solution.
• Set it aside for a couple of days.
• Mix it up and transfer into a spray bottle.
• Apply the solution directly to the glass. Use a grass-friendly cloth or wiper to gently wipe it down.
• If there are stains or smudges on the glass, apply the solution and let it sit for a few minutes. Wipe it clean.

You can always hire a professional commercial cleaning service if glass cleaning is too complex for you. Just make sure they use green cleaning products.

3. Floor & Surface Cleaning

For cleaning floors and other hard surfaces with grease, grime and stains, Distilled White Vinegar makes for the perfect solution because of its acidic nature and eco-friendliness.

It can remove most stains and grime from surfaces, including mineral deposits, which makes it ideal for commercial floor cleaning.

Distilled White Vinegar is easily available at home and local stores and is already an ingredient in many cleaning agents including deodorizers, window cleaners, floor cleaners, and stain removers.

Note: Never mix white vinegar with bleach, as this can create harmful fumes.

4. General Cleaning and Disinfection

Hydrogen Peroxide is a popular natural cleaner effective in cleaning a variety of surfaces, including commercial floors and surfaces. Other than as a general-purpose cleaner, it can also be used as a surface disinfectant, glass cleaner, and mould remover. It’s safe for the environment and doesn’t leave any residue behind.

Hydrogen Peroxide can still affect the skin and eyes if it comes into direct contact. If that happens, wash the affected area thoroughly and see a doctor. Always use proper gear, including gloves and masks, when cleaning.

5. Commercial Cleaning & Disinfection

Another very good and effective natural cleaner for commercial floor cleaning and disinfection is Tea Tree Oil. Sourced from the leaves of the Australian native Melaleuca alternifolia tree, this is a natural disinfectant and is used in many homemade and store-based cleaning supplies, including air fresheners, glass cleaners, disinfectants, and carpet cleaners.

In its pure form, tea tree oil can irritate skin or cause infections, so be careful when using it for cleaning.

6. Shining and Polishing

If you’re searching for a natural, chemical-free polishing agent for commercial cleaning, Olive Oil is one of the best options. It’s completely natural and can be mixed with other natural cleaners or used separately to add shine to any surface, including wood, metal and glass. It can also be used as a dusting agent and for removing smudges.

7. Carpet cleaning

When talking about DIY cleaning products, you simply cannot miss Borax. It’s a white, natural mineral substance and can be used in a variety of cleaning applications, as a natural disinfectant, carpet cleaner, drain unclogger, and pest control agent.

Among all the natural commercial cleaning products mentioned in this article, borax is one of the most friendly to the environment, which makes it a perfect option for eco-sensitive cleaning companies.

8. Stain and grime cleaning

For removing general stains, including grease and grime, from various surfaces like carpets, windows and glasses, only lemon juice is also a good natural cleaner option. This is also the most convenient natural cleaner because of its easy availability and can be used to clean most stains.

9. Hot water cleaning

Commercial cleaners also commonly use hot water and steam for general surface cleaning and disinfection without chemicals. This method is effective in the removal of dirt, debris, grout, and a variety of stains from surfaces like glass, floors, carpets and upholstery.

Steam cleaning is a great natural way to disinfect surfaces and helps get rid of most bacteria and infections from surfaces.

Why Should You Hire Professional Commercial Cleaners?

Arranging your own natural cleaning supplies or cleaning a large commercial space or office can be overwhelming. At the same time, you cannot trust untrained cleaners to do an efficient office cleaning job. This is why you need professional cleaners for commercial cleaning.

Our cleaners are highly trained and have the expertise and resources, including DIY cleaning supplies, to produce the results you want. We know which cleaning supplies are the most suitable for a particular cleaning job and how to avoid damage or harm to your property or people when cleaning. Moreover, our staff and services are fully insured to cover all liabilities.

At Clean Group, we take our responsibility towards the environment very seriously and are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by using only eco-friendly products and practices.

If you’re interested in our green cleaning services, contact Clean Group to discuss your requirements and get your free quote.

About the Author