Green Cleaning

Green cleaning is a holistic approach to cleaning and building maintenance. The intent is to consider all the concepts and impacts of a cleaning operation. Cleaning is important and expensive. A 100,000 square foot building over 50 years will add up in excess a 6 million dollars cleaning bill – and that is just normal maintenance and product cost (without escalators). As the old saying goes, “you can’t manage what you can’t count”. While product cost are important, other things to consider are the impacts to the cleaning professional, building occupants, and the greater community.

We recommend using the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS). It is very similar in concept to ISO 9000. The program focuses on five key areas:

• Quality System – The cornerstone of a successful customer-centered cleaning organization.
• Service Delivery – Institutes processes sand procedures that foster the effective delivery of services.
• Human Resources – A cleaning organization will only operate in an efficient and professional manner if its employees are well-trained, customer-focused, and dedicated to delivering a quality service.
• Health, Safety, and Environmental Stewardship – Quality cleaning and maintenance services are safe, healthy, and sustainable.
• Management Commitment – Effective management and the implementation of appropriate management systems is key to ensuring the delivery of quality service that meets the customer’s expectations.

Click to Watch the Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) video.