Alternatives Some offerings satisfy industry standards without comprising green or clean. By: Brian Simmons Green Cleaning A Brian Simmons is a product manager for Nilfisk-Advance Inc., a position he has held since 2003. During this time, Simmons has focused his efforts on all automatic scrubbers in the commer-cial cleaning markets. For more information, visit www.nilfisk-advance.com. As environmental concerns continue to increase, cleaning standards are evolving and more com-panies are adapting their cleaning programs in order to take advantage of green opportunities. Unfortunately, in terms of green cleaning, “green” and “clean” can often seem like mutually exclusive terms. This leaves a choice of either an environmental-ly-friendly product that fails to kill harmful bacteria and leaves behind dirt or using harsh chemicals that neutralize microorganisms while providing a spotless floor but result in poor air quality or potential safety issues. A genuine green cleaning alternative should pro-vide thorough health and hygiene cleanliness while minimizing water, chemical and energy usage to reduce environmental and health impacts. While there is no one-size-fits-all green cleaning solution, considering that various industries and flooring require distinctive cleaning procedures, green cleaning can be easily incorporated into any industry with the proper equipment, knowledge, water/chemical combinations and advanced tech-nology designed to make cleaning more efficient, while creating sustainability. Industry Cleaning Standards Though it may not always appear so to the naked eye, there is a clear difference between a surface looking clean and actually being clean. However, what qualifies as “clean” is not entirely uniform and differs depending on floor material and industry. For example, a health care facility may have to adhere to higher standards of cleanliness due to sanitary issues than a manufacturing facility. Understanding the standards and requirements allows facility owners to save time, energy and for more info Visit www.cmmonline.com and type in search keyword: Sustainability . For more information on related products, visit www.cmmonline.com , select SUPPLIER SEARCH from the main navigation bar, and enter keyword: Floor Care . Facilities can benefit from machines equipped with multiple and separate liquid cartridges that allow operators to apply disinfectants to high-risk contamination areas and less intense cleanser for low-risk sectors. 24 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • June 2011 Image courtesy of Nilfisk-Advance Inc.
CMM – Archives Jun 2011: 24
