The interest in lower-VOC and environmentally certified cleaning products in office environments has grown significantly over the past decade. This article covers what "green" means in the context of commercial cleaning products, what certifications are worth paying attention to, and what practical differences facilities managers should expect when switching to greener product lines.
What "Green" Means in Commercial Cleaning
In commercial cleaning, "green" or "environmentally preferable" products are generally defined by three characteristics: lower volatile organic compound (VOC) content, biodegradable surfactants, and packaging that meets recycled-content or reduced-plastic standards. The term alone is not regulated — a product can call itself green without meeting any of these criteria.
Certifications are more reliable. The two most commonly referenced in commercial cleaning are:
- Green Seal GS-37 — covers cleaning products for industrial and institutional use; requires toxicological review, biodegradability testing, and VOC limits
- EPA Safer Choice — the EPA's product certification programme, which requires ingredient-level safety review for human health and environmental impact
When a cleaning vendor claims to use "green products," ask which certification their products carry. If they cannot name one, the claim is marketing language.
VOCs and Indoor Air Quality
This is the most practically relevant dimension for offices with closed HVAC systems. Cleaning products with high VOC content — certain solvent-based degreasers, pine-oil disinfectants, some floor finishes — off-gas into the building after cleaning. In a tightly sealed modern office with recirculating air, this can result in detectable chemical odour during the first hours of the following business day.
Lower-VOC products and hydrogen-peroxide-based disinfectants reduce this significantly. If your staff notice a chemical smell when they arrive in the morning, the cleaning product selection is worth reviewing.
Disinfection and Green Chemistry: The Trade-Off
The most effective broad-spectrum disinfectants — quaternary ammonium compounds ("quats") and bleach-based products — are not inherently "green" by the definitions above. Quat compounds are persistent in the environment and can accumulate on surfaces with repeated application. Bleach-based products have a strong odour and corrosive potential on some surfaces.
For offices where EPA List N disinfection is required — food-service adjacent areas, healthcare administrative offices, spaces used during active illness events — there is a trade-off between disinfection efficacy and environmental profile. Hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants on EPA List N provide a reasonable middle position for most office applications.
For routine maintenance cleaning where disinfection is not specifically required, lower-VOC general-purpose cleaners are appropriate and preferable.
What to Ask Your Cleaning Vendor
- Which products do you use for general surface cleaning, restroom disinfection, and floor care?
- Do any of those carry Green Seal or EPA Safer Choice certification?
- What is your approach for areas where EPA List N disinfection is specifically needed?
- Can you accommodate facility-specific product requirements (low-fragrance for scent-sensitive staff, no quat compounds, no bleach)?
A vendor who can answer these questions specifically has a managed product programme. A vendor who says "we use green products" without specifics does not.
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