Five Simple Steps to Green Cleaning in Schools

Schools have been cleaned the same way for so long that most of us haven't really given it much thought. Starting a green cleaning program can feel overwhelming, but green cleaning is not an "all or nothing" proposition. Most schools that successfully implement green cleaning programs begin by addressing the most significant or easily accessible issues. As they experience success, they add new elements to their plan or make adjustments to improve the results of current efforts.

You can get the process started with just five simple steps:

Step 1: Use Green Cleaning Products

Purchase certified green cleaning products.There are dozens of choices that work well and are cost-competitive compared to traditional products. This stage also includes training or retraining cleaning personnel regarding the proper product application, mixing, dilution and disposal. More …

Step 2: Use Green Equipment and Supplies

Use vacuums and other floor cleaning equipment with high-efficiency filters to capture microscopic materials that might adversely impact building occupant health or damage sensitive equipment. Green equipment tends to cost more, but the higher quality and greater durability is more cost-effective in the long run. More …

Step 3: Adopt Green Cleaning Procedures

Change the frequency, technique or time when cleaning is performed. For instance, spraying product on a cleaning cloth rather than on the surface being cleaned, or adopt integrated pest management to cut down on pesticide exposure. More …

Step 4: Use Green Paper and Plastic Products

Introduce environmentally preferable paper and recycled plastic trash can liners to your school. By taking a few simple steps to reduce consumption (such as replacing multifold hand towels with large rolls and replacing single roll toilet paper dispensers with dispensers that hold multiple rolls), you can offset the higher initial cost. More …

Step 5: Share the Responsibility

Educate custodial staff, administrators, teachers, students, union representatives, vendors and visitors about what they can do to promote a healthy school environment, such as recycling paper and plastic, conserving water, maintaining uncluttered classrooms and workspaces and handling food and potential contaminants properly. More …