Green cleaning services combined with green building design have a demonstrable positive impact on occupant wellness in the workplace and classroom.
Greening the Workplace for Worker Wellness
The seasonal impact of the influenza virus often underscores, in the worst way, the importance of cleaning for health in classrooms and offices.
The impact our local environment, and the hygiene of those around us bare an extraordinary burden on our health and wellbeing, which translates into the quality of our lives, and the satisfaction we experience from day-to-day living.
Additionally, recent reports have demonstrated that it is in the best interests--financially speaking--of school administrators and business managers to change the way we currently view cleaning in the workplace.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu caused U.S. employees to miss approximately 17 million workdays in 2018.
That resulted in an estimated $7 billion a year in sick time and lost productivity.
Two Steps to a Better Workplace
Establishing a healthy workplace is a simple--not easy--two-step process.
The first step is knowledge--specifically, knowing the difference between cleaning and sanitizing.
According to a recent report published by ABC12;
[...] the biggest thing is to understand the difference between cleaning and sanitizing, because they are actually two different things.
The second step is to implement green cleaning practices and eco-friendly building designs, which have been shown to positively affect occupant health and a businesses bottom line.
More employers are also becoming aware of the benefits of employee health for their bottom line and are designing green features and programs into the work environment that can boost job satisfaction and productivity.
To Clean or Disinfect
Due, in large part, to misleading branding and advertising, many consumers confuse cleaning and sanitizing, which can lead to less than desireable results when laboring to create a healthy workplace or classroom.
To clarify:
- Cleaning and cleaning products are intended to remove dirt and oil from surfaces before sanitizing. These products do little to nothing in regards to germ or bacteria removal, but should always be employed before sanitizing or sanitizing.
- Sanitizing removes germs and bacteria but does not 'eliminate' them. This process should always follow a thorough cleaning, or it will suffer a loss of efficacy--essentially rendering the process pointless.
- sanitizing kills germs and bacteria, but typically requires an extended lay-time of several minutes. Like sanitizing products, sanitizing first requires a thorough cleaning process be performed before application.
To summarize--clean first, top to bottom, then disinfect.
The Impact of Greening Facilities
Greening a facilities operations has more than a positive impact on the environment.
Studies have shown that green facilities can result in improved occupant performance, resulting in better grades for students, and more money for businesses due, in large part, to several psychological benefits, including:
- A 16% higher level of perceived wellbeing.
- An increase of 23% in reported occupant happiness.
- An improvement of new staff attraction and retention by 20%.
- A 30% reduction in reported symptoms associated with sick building syndrome.
- An improvement in the positive impact of workplace culture, reported by 90% of those surveyed.
- An increase of workplace pride resulting in the desire to bring visitors to the office, reported by 61% of those surveyed.
- A 32% increase in the perception of the workspace.
- A 56% increase in satisfaction related explicitly to the facilities occupied.
- An increase of 38% in task completion, and;
- An overall decrease in reported stress levels.
Source:
References & Resources
- Green Buildings Have Psychological, Environmental Benefits
- Facility Executives Still Care About Green Cleanin
Takeaway
Cleaning for health first has a demonstrable impact on the health and wellbeing of building occupants as well as an organization's finances and profits.
However, a gap exists in the common knowledge to such a degree that a considerable level of confusion persists as to what constitutes appropriate chemical application at a basic level--whether and when to clean, sanitize, or disinfect.
Additionally, the demand for greener, more socially and environmentally concientious business operations is at an all time high in regards to consumer and employee demand.
Ignoring these obvious signs from the market is ill-advised and schools and businesses are cautioned to take heed of these trends early on and accept the mantle of industry leader, or risk obsolescence.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of green cleaning services, or the value of a 'clean for health first' approach to facilities maintenance, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
