Green cleaners that do the job
Doug Akeson, a 22-year veteran of custodial work, told a great story about green cleaners at the recent “Healthy Buildings” conference for Oregon school professionals, sponsored by OEC.
Doug Akeson, a 22-year veteran of custodial work, told a great story about green cleaners at the recent “Healthy Buildings” conference for Oregon school professionals, sponsored by OEC. He described the first time he tested less-toxic cleaning products, switching out a school’s supplies without telling anyone but the custodians. It wasn’t long before teachers mentioned how fresh and clean the building seemed! Doug described how grit and stains on the sinks disappeared and fixtures sparkled. Now, the schools he supervises in Springfield, OR use cleaners for every task that meet standards set by Green Seal and EPA’s Design for the Environment programs. If your green cleaners don’t do the job, says Doug, try another brand; effective does not have to mean dangerous. Doug admits that it was a challenge to get custodians to adopt new practices to go with the new products. But it’s worth the effort, if kids can breathe easier without exposure to toxic chemicals and asthma triggers. Learn more about reducing toxic chemicals in your own home.
