by Usha Krishnan

Created on: September 01, 2008   Last Updated: October 07, 2008

If your or your office supports green practices, then hiring a janitorial company which uses green cleaning products would only be a natural extension. There are a number of janitorial services nowadays that specialize in green cleaning products and selecting one should be based on the products they use and of course, the price they charge. A number of cleaning products which claim to be environmentally friendly are in actuality not so. Care should be taken when hiring a new company to ensure they deliver what they claim. Don't be afraid to ask for a sample of their cleaning products in order to test them beforehand. With regards to price, you may find that a company offering natural cleaning products and methods will in fact be a little more expensive and this is to be expected. The benefits however of using natural products far outweigh the cost paid.

If you are already in a long term contract with your janitorial company, then you may ask them if they can switch to using natural/green products to clean your home or office. A number of companies nowadays don't mind making a switch if the customer requests it. On the other hand, if the company does not want to invest in purchasing environmentally friendly products for your office, then you have two options to consider.

1. The first is to buy the cleaning products yourself and keep them where they are accessible to your cleaning staff. The following are a list of basics you may want to invest in:
-General floor cleaners
-Carpet cleaners
-Toilet bowl cleaners
-Bathroom cleaners
-Dish washing liquid/gel or Washing up liquid
-Toilet paper made from recycled paper
-Kitchen rolls made from recycled paper

2. An alternative option is to create your own cleaning up products and distill them into bottles. Remember to label the bottles and ensure there are adequate directions written on them for your cleaning staff to follow. Home -made cleaners work as effectively as their store bought counterparts and cost less to produce. You can make a number of cleaning products using the following basics: vinegar, lemon juice, borax powder, baking soda and water. Remember to always test products on an inconspicuous area first, as different material react in different ways. You can add your favorite essential oils for fragrance.

With a little effort you can make your office a safe and chemical free zone.

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