Green cleaning used to be considered “the future,” but today it has become a standard expectation—an essential part of responsible building maintenance. This shift is great news: anything safer, healthier, and more environmentally responsible is worth embracing. And even though green cleaning has become increasingly mainstream, new innovations continue to push green cleaning forward.
Are There Real Benefits to a Green Cleaning Program?
As environmental concerns and health priorities grow, more businesses are actively searching for ways to minimize impact and operate responsibly. Commercial cleaning services and janitorial companies are no exception. Green cleaning delivers meaningful, measurable benefits for buildings, occupants, and custodial teams.
What can a thoughtful green cleaning program do for your facility?
- Reduce allergens, irritants, and chemical exposure
- Decrease absenteeism and improve productivity
- Limit the spread of bacteria, viruses, mold, and contaminants
- Improve indoor air quality and overall occupant well-being
- Support better morale, healthier employees, and higher retention
- Enhance your building’s sustainability reputation and brand image
Green cleaning not only protects employee health, it also aligns your business with broader environmental priorities—air pollution, water protection, ozone impact, and climate responsibility.
How Is Green Cleaning Different from Conventional Cleaning?
Green cleaning stands apart through its focus on sustainability, environmental responsibility, and occupant health. This includes both everyday cleaning practices and deeper operational standards around chemicals, processes, equipment, and training.
Effective green cleaning programs typically focus on:
- Improving indoor air quality
- Reducing chemical toxicity and usage
- Recycling and reducing raw material consumption
- Minimizing environmental waste
- Health and safety for both occupants and cleaners
Basic green cleaning practices may include proper chemical storage and labeling, reusing plastic liners when appropriate, implementing recycling programs, and using microfiber cloths instead of disposable paper towels.
Advanced Green Cleaning Practices
More advanced programs incorporate specialized equipment and products, such as:
- HEPA-filter vacuum cleaners that remove 99.97% of allergens
- Low-noise, energy-efficient cleaning equipment
- Microfiber systems that reduce chemical usage
- Chemical-free carpet cleaning equipment such as Whittaker low-moisture systems
- Non-toxic, biodegradable certified cleaning chemicals
High-quality HEPA vacuums reduce dust mites, pollen, bacteria, pet dander, and mold spores—common irritants that trigger allergies and respiratory issues. Meanwhile, low-moisture carpet cleaning systems reduce water waste and avoid harsh chemical residues.
The effectiveness of all these tools depends heavily on proper employee training. A green cleaning program is only as strong as the team executing it.
Is Green Cleaning Affordable?
Creating a healthier, more sustainable environment doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether your building is in healthcare, education, corporate offices, retail, or hospitality, there are cost-effective green cleaning solutions available.
Many reputable Michigan commercial cleaning companies have already integrated green cleaning practices into their everyday operations—meaning you may not pay more at all. And even when enhanced green programs come with added cost, the long-term savings through lower absenteeism, healthier occupants, and more efficient operations can outweigh the investment.
An experienced green cleaning provider will design a customized plan aligned to your facility’s needs and sustainability goals.
LEED Certification & Your Commercial Cleaning Company
If your facility is already LEED certified, you’ve taken steps to reduce environmental impact and operate responsibly. But your cleaning provider plays a major role in maintaining that standard.
The right cleaning service can help you:
- Earn additional LEED points
- Maintain compliance with LEED cleaning guidelines
- Implement waste reduction and recycling programs
- Adopt environmentally responsible chemicals and methods
Choosing the right janitorial partner strengthens your sustainability efforts and improves long-term building performance.
The Future of Green Cleaning Is Now
Green cleaning benefits your employees, your customers, and the environment. At Stathakis, we help Southeastern Michigan businesses implement and maintain effective, science-based green cleaning programs.
Our commitment to protecting Michigan’s natural resources—including our Great Lakes—drives the choices we make around chemicals, equipment, and training. Whether you’re already using green cleaning or exploring sustainable options for the first time, we can help you build a program that works.