As public awareness of the harmful effects caused by the use of chemical cleaning products in the home grows, consumers are turning more and more to green cleaning alternatives.

But what about the use of Norwex in commercial janitorial cleaning for schools and offices?

The use of Norwex products in commercial cleaning dramatically reduces the use of cleaning solutions and chemicals, helping to protect the health of staff, patients and the environmental ecology of the world as a whole. Norwex Enviro Products are just as safe and effective for commercial janitorial use as for home use. Norwex's innovative, advanced and efficient non-toxic cleaning system is a smart and healthy choice as an alternative to conventional commercial cleaning methods. 

What kinds of organizations use Norwex Enviro Products?

With the introduction of a safe and effective alternative, an increasing number of North American organizations are becoming more aware of the benefits of using non-chemical and microfiber cleaning products. Although Norwex microfiber cleaning began in Norwegian hospitals, it has expanded to include other medical clinics, hotels, schools, airports and child care centers across Europe, Canada and the United States. Every day, the number of organizations who have made the switch to non-toxic cleaning grows.

Want More Information?

August 2002

Alicia Culver, Marian Feinberg, David Klebenov, Judy Muskinow, Lara Sutherland
(86 pp.) ISBN 0-918780-79-9

Click to Dowload   

Toxic chemicals found in many cleaning products can jeopardize the health of janitorial workers and other building occupants. Several states and local governments have found that switching to “greener cleaners” has improved indoor air quality, reduced complaints among janitorial staff and even saved them money. This report is a one-stop guide to environmentally preferable cleaning products and methods that have been effectively used in office buildings, schools, hospitals and other facilities in the United States and Canada. It describes pioneering product evaluation programs and lists the brands that were chosen based on environmental and performance criteria. It also provides a model specification, as well as manufacturer contacts and other resources for those who want to develop a safer cleaning program for their buildings.

For further information, read the following studies:

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1. Using Microfiber Mops in Hospitals  - (PDF)
   Environmental Best Practices for Health Care Facilities
   Case study - University of California Davis Medical Center
   Detailed cost information for switching from conventional wet loop mops to microfiber mops for floor cleaning. Highlights the benefits including shorter cleaning times, reduced chemical and water use, and easier ergonomics. Includes a case study. 
2. Case study: Are Microfiber Mops Beneficial for Hospitals? (PDF)
   This study by the Sustainable Hospitals Project (University of Massachusetts) focuses on the environmental and health and safely aspects of microfiber mops, in order to help hospitals fully evaluate microfiber mops as an alternative to conventional loop mops.
   Portable Document Format (PDF), 257 KB.
3. 10 Reasons to Use Microfiber Mopping - (PDF)
   Sustainable Hospitals Project
4. Clean Healthy School - (PDF)
   
   

Related Websites:

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• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)
  

• Green Cleaning Toolkit
  

• Sustainable Hospitals - Provides technical support to the health care industry for selecting products and practices that reduce occupational and environmental hazards, maintain quality patient care, and contain costs.

• California Integrated Waste Management Board - Their mission is to reduce waste, promote the management of all materials to their highest and best use, and protect public health and safety and the environment.

Try the GREEN CLEANING POLLUTION PREVENTION CALCULATOR:

This calculator quantifies the projected environmental benefits of purchasing and using "green" janitorial services and products. It is designed to forecast the environmental benefits of reducing chemical use by doing some or all pollution prevention measures typically involved in the routine interior cleaning of an office building. This tool also enables users to identify which green cleaning measures will have the greatest impact in reducing their use of hazardous chemicals and in preventing pollution.

The Calculator's output applies only to standard office cleaning products and practices, and does not apply to other building maintenance issues, such as equipment maintenance, pest control, or landscaping activities.

An industrial cleaning contractor reports that she uses only microfiber cloths for office windows. When a client resisted changing from “W”, his favourite commercial spray window cleaner, she convinced him to let her do a comparison test. The result - he agreed to switch to microfiber.  Source