Month: March 2021

Tenants, employees and owners increasingly ask how a building is cleaned, not just whether it looks clean. A green cleaning program answers that question with clear goals, certified products and methods that reduce waste. Best of all, it can do that without lowering your standard of clean.

So here is a practical, step by step guide to building a green cleaning program for your facility.

Why a Green Cleaning Program Pays Off

First, it supports the people in your building. Harsh products can leave odors and residue in shared spaces, while certified alternatives are designed to reduce those effects. Second, it supports your owners’ environmental goals, including LEED and ESG commitments. Finally, it shows tenants and visitors that your building takes responsibility seriously.

Step 1: Set Clear Goals

Start with what you want to achieve. For example, you might aim to switch to certified products, reduce plastic waste or cut the number of different chemicals your crews use. Then set measurable targets and a realistic timeline, so you can track progress rather than guess.

Step 2: Assess Your Current Program

Next, look at what you do today. Which products are in the supply closet? How much packaging and waste does the program create? Are crews using more chemical than they need? As a result, the answers become the blueprint for your green cleaning program.

Step 3: Simplify and Certify Your Products

Many supply closets hold several products that do the same job. Therefore, consolidate where you can. In addition, check every product’s credentials. Some products claim to be green without independent proof, so look for third party certification such as Green Seal.

Step 4: Train the Team and Control Dilution

Even the best products fail if they are used wrong. For this reason, train crews on correct dilution, application and safe handling. Measured dilution also reduces waste and helps products perform as intended.

Step 5: Check Results and Keep Improving

A green cleaning program still has to deliver a clean building. So inspect the work, gather feedback from occupants and review your goals regularly. Above all, treat the program as something you improve over time, not a one time switch.

How WOW! Supports Green Cleaning

WOW! Facility Services supports ESG and LEED aligned facility operations. Our green cleaning standards include products certified under Green Seal GS-37, no abrasive cleaners in standard procedures and staff training on proper dilution. In addition, WOW! is an active member of the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI). You can read more on our sustainability page, or in our article on sustainable cleaning for property managers.

Every program starts with a facility assessment. Then we build a customized scope of work around your building and your goals. Once service begins, account managers complete quality control inspections against that scope. Meanwhile, our integrated operational platform technology documents inspections, deficiencies and corrections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a green cleaning program cost more?
It depends on your current products and practices. However, consolidating products and controlling dilution can reduce waste, which helps offset the cost of certified products.

Do I have to switch vendors after a facility assessment?
No. WOW! offers facility assessments at no cost and with no obligation. In fact, you can use one simply to benchmark your current program.

Which areas does WOW! serve?
WOW! Facility Services has its headquarters in White Plains and serves New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, including Westchester County, Fairfield County, Rockland County and New York City.

Start Your Green Cleaning Program

WOW! Facility Services has its headquarters in White Plains and serves New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Book a facility assessment at no cost and with no obligation, or call 1-866-780-9966. Want a quick benchmark first? Then grade your current service with the Facility Assessment Scorecard.

Clean and disinfected are not the same thing. However, many facilities treat them as if they were, and that is where gaps appear. Clear cleaning and disinfecting protocols make sure crews use the right product, in the right way, on the right surfaces.

Here are the core cleaning and disinfecting protocols every facility should follow, based on guidance from the CDC for community settings such as offices and schools.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols Start With Cleaning First

According to the CDC, cleaning with soap or detergent decreases the number of germs on surfaces. In addition, dirt can keep disinfecting chemicals from working well. Therefore, clean visibly dirty surfaces first, then disinfect where it is needed.

Protocol 2: Choose the Right Product

Not every product suits every surface. For this reason, the CDC advises always reading the label to confirm that a disinfectant is right for the surface you are treating. In practice, that means matching products to surfaces and keeping the product list simple enough for crews to follow.

Protocol 3: Respect Contact Time

Disinfectants need time to work. As the CDC explains, the surface should stay wet for the entire contact time listed in the product’s directions. Wiping too soon is one of the most common mistakes, so build contact time into training.

Protocol 4: Focus on High Touch Surfaces

The CDC recommends cleaning high touch surfaces regularly, such as door handles and countertops. In addition, high traffic areas may need more frequent attention. Other surfaces can generally be cleaned when they are visibly dirty.

Protocol 5: Protect the Team

Crews should wear the gloves and other protective equipment listed on the product label. Equally important, they should never mix products, because some combinations can create dangerous fumes. Proper ventilation and safe storage complete the picture.

Make Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols Stick

Cleaning and disinfecting protocols only work when people follow them every shift. So train new staff before they start, refresh training regularly and check the work. As a result, your protocols become habits rather than paperwork. Note that healthcare facilities follow more specific guidance, which we cover in our article on high touch areas in healthcare facilities.

How WOW! Applies Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols

WOW! Facility Services trains every team member on cleaning methodologies, equipment handling and chemical usage. Our Elevated Clean program also includes integrated disinfection and high touch surface programs.

Every program starts with a facility assessment. Then we build a customized scope of work that sets the right cleaning and disinfecting protocols for each area of your building. Once service begins, account managers complete quality control inspections against that scope. Meanwhile, our integrated operational platform technology documents inspections, deficiencies and corrections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?
Cleaning removes dirt and decreases the number of germs on surfaces. Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs that remain after cleaning.

Do I have to switch vendors after a facility assessment?
No. WOW! offers facility assessments at no cost and with no obligation. In fact, you can use one simply to benchmark your current program.

Which areas does WOW! serve?
WOW! Facility Services has its headquarters in White Plains and serves New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, including Westchester County, Fairfield County, Rockland County and New York City.

Put Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols in Place

WOW! Facility Services has its headquarters in White Plains and serves New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Book a facility assessment at no cost and with no obligation, or call 1-866-780-9966. Want a quick benchmark first? Then grade your current service with the Facility Assessment Scorecard.