Beyond Clean: Embracing the Future with Low-VOC Products

Beyond Clean: Embracing the Future with Low-VOC Products:  In the commercial cleaning industry, achieving a spotless environment is often the main goal. However, it’s time to look beyond the visible and address the invisible impact of our choices—specifically, the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are carbon-based chemicals that vaporize at room temperature. This process, known as VOC emission, contributes to indoor air pollution. VOCs are notably prevalent in many commercial cleaning supplies, such as disinfectants and floor cleaners.

Understanding VOCs: The Invisible Threat

Formaldehyde, benzene, and ethylene glycol are common VOCs in cleaning products. While these chemicals enhance product performance and fragrance, their exposure can pose significant health concerns. Short-term exposure may result in symptoms like headaches and dizziness. Long-term exposure has been linked to severe conditions, including liver and kidney damage, central nervous system issues, and carcinogenic effects. 

For instance, exposure to formaldehyde has been linked to respiratory issues and cancer, while benzene exposure can lead to leukemia. VOCs also contribute to indoor air pollution and the formation of ground-level ozone, exacerbating environmental degradation and climate change. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a leading authority on environmental issues, notes that indoor concentrations of many VOCs are significantly higher than outdoors, up to ten times in some cases. The elevated indoor VOC levels are a health concern because people typically spend about 90% of their time indoors. EPA emphasizes the importance of managing indoor air quality by choosing products with lower VOC emissions, ensuring adequate ventilation, and maintaining regular air quality monitoring inside buildings.

The Benefits of Using Low-VOC Products

Switching to low-VOC cleaning products offers substantial benefits, including

1. Improved Indoor Air Quality: Low-VOC products emit fewer volatile organic compounds, contributing less to indoor air pollution. This improvement in air quality is vital for environments such as schools, hospitals, and offices where people spend significant amounts of time. Improved air quality can lead to fewer respiratory issues and allergic reactions among building occupants.
2. Reduced Risk of Health Problems: These products significantly reduce the risk of health problems associated with VOCs, such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and, in some cases, more severe conditions like liver and kidney damage or cancer. This is especially important for children, older adults, and those with pre-existing health conditions who are more vulnerable to the effects of indoor pollutants.
3. Environmental Sustainability: Low-VOC products help reduce the formation of ground-level ozone and smog by emitting fewer reactive compounds into the atmosphere. This reduction benefits the environment as it helps decrease the overall pollutant load, contributing to cleaner air and lessening the impact of climate change.
4. Enhanced Safety: These products are generally safer to handle and store, reducing the risk of accidents associated with chemical exposure. This makes them a preferable choice in workplaces, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
5. Sustained Cleaning Efficiency: Despite lower levels of VOCs, these products maintain their ability to clean effectively. Advances in chemical formulations ensure that they remain highly effective against dirt, bacteria, and viruses, thereby maintaining high hygiene standards.

Choosing the Right Low-VOC Products: An Empowered Decision

Whether you’re a consumer or a business, low-VOC products enhance your environment’s immediate cleanliness and safety. More importantly, they contribute to broader environmental and public health goals. Selecting products wisely is essential.

1. Certification Labels: Opt for low-VOC or VOC-free products certified by reputable organizations like Green Seal or EcoLogo. This ensures products meet stringent criteria for chemical emissions, safeguarding human health and the environment.
2. Read Product Labels and Safety Data: Manufacturers must provide information about the VOC content in their products on labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). These documents offer detailed information about the chemical composition of cleaning products, their potential hazards, and instructions for safe use and handling.
3.  Choose VOC-Free Options: Opt for VOC-free products whenever possible. They do not emit harmful chemicals into the air and are the safest option in terms of chemical exposure.
4. Research  Product Reviews and Recommendations: Exploring reviews and recommendations from other users can provide practical insights into the efficacy and safety of low-VOC products. Industry forums, consumer review websites, and professional recommendations are valuable resources. Explore our Cleanstart Shop and Lean Hub, where we review and recommend the most effective, sustainable, low-VOC cleaning products.
5. Training and Awareness: Commercial entities must train staff in choosing and using low-VOC products. This ensures everyone is informed about these products’ benefits and proper usage, leading to more effective implementation and maintenance of healthy indoor environments.

Essential Tips for Reducing VOCs at Home and in the Workplace

Reducing VOCs involves more than selecting the right cleaning products. Adopting cleaning techniques that reduce the need for chemicals, such as using microfiber cloths and mops, can substantially lower VOC emissions. But it’s not just about the products we use. Proper ventilation during and after cleaning is crucial to dissipate any VOCs released. This means opening windows, using fans, or turning on air conditioning to circulate fresh air. 

Additionally, implementing cleaning equipment like residential and commercial-use vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters can further minimize the reliance on chemical-based products. For example, the dynamic duo of vacuums for home and business: the Shark NV360 and ProTeam ProVac Backpack FS 6. This includes floor scrubbers using environmentally friendly solutions and pressure washers with eco-friendly cleaning agents. Each piece of equipment reduces the chemical burden in our environment and enhances indoor air quality.

Cleaning Tools That Don’t Require Harsh Chemicals: Top Picks Priced Under $20 

Upgrade your cleaning toolkit with these affordable products recommended by Cleanstart: The following products save you time and guarantee a deep clean without the need for harsh chemicals.  

• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser: Effortlessly removes stubborn stains with water alone.
• LOLA Heavy Duty Cleaning Scrub Pad: Durable and versatile for tough kitchen and bath jobs.
• U.S. Pumice FLEX-12 C Flexible Scrubbing Screen: Conforms to surfaces for efficient scrubbing power.
• Libman Kitchen and Bathroom Brush: Sturdy bristles tackle grime in hard-to-reach places.
• Lambswool Duster With 42-inch Extendable Wand:  Attracts dust with natural fibers for gentle, effective cleaning.
• Homax 10120000 Steel Wool, 12 pad, Grade #0000: Ultra-fine steel wool for polishing and light cleaning without scratching.
• Kirkland Signature Ultra High Pile Microfiber Towels: Plush microfiber traps dust and dirt, perfect for any surface.
• Crevice Cleaning Brush, Multifunctional Gap Cleaning Brush Tool: Narrow design deepens gaps and small spaces for thorough cleaning. 

Transform Your Cleaning Practices & Join the Low-VOC Movement with Cleanstart

Embrace low-VOC products and technologies for their cleaning efficiency and broader impact on public health and environmental sustainability. Educate yourself and others, stay informed about best practices, and take proactive steps to enhance your cleaning routine.  Contact us today to explore how our sustainable cleaning services and product recommendations can transform your space into a healthier, cleaner environment. Let’s work together to foster a safer, greener future.

Our Shop & Learn Resource Hub

Explore our Shop & Learn Resource Hub and immerse yourself in a world where cleanliness meets innovation. This unique platform offers an in-depth look at premier cleaning products and techniques, all rigorously tested and proven in the field. With over 25 years as a trusted commercial cleaning industry leader, Cleanstart’s commitment to excellence shines through in every recommendation. Integrating these superior products into your cleaning arsenal enables you to clean more efficiently and effectively.

Our resource hub serves as your ultimate guide for making well-informed choices. Delve into our extensive series of ‘how-to’ videos, accessible at no cost, which span a broad spectrum of our services. Keep up with the latest cleaning innovations through our bi-weekly updates, including educational content, product highlights, and emerging cleaning trends. Shop for our top-recommended products directly. Join the Cleanstart Revolution today—Learn, Engage, and Transform your cleaning practices—one scrub at a time!