Green cleaning refers to using cleaning methods and products with environmentally friendly ingredients and procedures which are designed to preserve human health and environmental quality. Green cleaning techniques and products avoid the use of products which contain toxic chemicals, some of which emit volatile organic compounds causing respiratory, dermatological and other conditions. Green cleaning can also describe the way residential and industrial cleaning products are manufactured, packaged and distributed. If the manufacturing process is environmentally friendly and the products are biodegradable, then the term “green” or “eco-friendly” may apply.

Green Cleaning/LEED Certification:
In an effort to help you both protect the environment and receive valuable LEED® certification points, National Facility Services, Inc. is pleased to provide the following services for your building that can help you towards accreditation.

• Institute the use of environmentally-preferable and/or bio-based and reduce –risk
  cleaning chemicals
• Install and use a closed loop chemical management dispensing system, minimizing
  human exposure
• Use concentrated cleaning chemicals, and dilute accurately via a chemical
  management system
• Institute the use of environmentally-preferable paper products throughout the facility
• Institute the use of environmentally-preferable plastic refuse bags
• Install walk-off mats at entry-ways
• Use micro-fiber mops and cloths
• Use energy-efficient vacuums with filters
• Utilize a chemical management software program to manage, monitor and supply
  documentation

The cleaning solutions, equipment, and methods that we rely on safeguard Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), which impacts the health of the occupants and maintenance personnel alike.

Sustainable Cleaning Equipment:

• Vacuum cleaners must be certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) “Green Label” Testing Program and operate below 70dB sound level (measured at the operator’s site).
• Carpet extraction equipment is certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) “Seal of Approval” Testing Program.
• Powered floor maintenance equipment is equipped with vacuums, guards, and / or other devices for capturing fine particulates AND operates below 70dB.
• Automated scrubbing machines are equipped with variable-speed feed pumps and an on-board chemical metering to optimize the use of cleaning fluids.
• Battery-powered equipment operates on the environmentally-preferred gel batteries.
• Powered equipment is ergonomically designed, and equipment is designed with safeguards, such as rollers or rubber bumpers

The concept of cleaning for health has been around for a long time, but it is only during the last decade that it gained prominence. It advocates cleaning in a manner that promotes health of the building occupants, the janitorial staff, and the building itself. The shiny and glistening appearance of the cleaned area becomes of secondary

Cleaning For Health Principles:

• Prevent the dirt from entering and spreading through the building
• Most of the time it is sufficient to remove most of the germs from a cleaned surface; it is not necessary to kill the all the germ with a chemical on contact
• Use soaps free of antibacterial agents
• Sanitize; disinfect only when absolutely necessary
• Eliminate the use of aerosol sprays and fragrances
• Use third-party green certified cleaning products and equipment
• Regularly maintain and update mechanical cleaning equipment
• Use microfiber and color code its use to help avoid cross-contamination

For us, Green Cleaning is more than just switching a few cleaning chemicals; it is about effective cleaning to create healthier buildings while simultaneously reducing environmental impacts.

With the help of NFS, Inc. we can get your building on the right path towards acquiring LEED certification status.