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International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association

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  • 12 Sep 2026 7:07 AM | Zachary Appel

    Being a green cleaning company is better than being a cleaning company that uses hazardous chemicals because cleaning professional and customer safety is prioritized, the environment benefits from the company’s practices, and the surfaces being cleaned by the safer cleaning products also benefit.

    Lower numbers of volatile organic compounds are released, if any in some instances, when green cleaning products are used. “Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands” (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2024). Symptoms of exposure to VOCs include headaches, nausea, and fatigue, among many others. When green cleaning products are used, cleaning professionals and your customers will not be subjected to dangerous amounts of VOCs day after day, thus protecting the health and safety of everyone the cleaning business affects.

    The environment will also benefit from a company that implements green cleaning practices as opposed to a company that does not. Toxic cleaning products pollute water systems which kills aquatic life, they reduce the quality of soil which stunts plant growth, and they release toxic substances into the ozone like smog. Smog disrupts ecosystems and causes asthma and heart attacks in humans. Animals can also suffer from asthma and heart attacks due to smog. Using biodegradable, toxic free cleaning products that break down naturally will keep the environment and those that are in it safe.

    A green cleaning company is better than a cleaning company that does not implement green cleaning because the products they use are not harsh on the surfaces they clean, if used correctly, extending the life of the objects being cleaned. “Plant-based ingredients are gentler on surfaces and fabrics, potentially extending the life of your clothing and furnishings” (Gall, 2024).

    Green cleaning companies are more beneficial to people, the environment, and the surfaces they clean compared to cleaning companies that do not implement green cleaning. To find a cleaning company that is green cleaning certified, please visit IJCSA’s Green Cleaning Service Directory.

     

    References

    Gall, G. (2024, December 5). Eco-conscious cleaning vs. conventional cleaning: Why choose the eco-conscious option? - ECOS®. ECOS®. https://www.ecos.com/live-cleaner/eco-conscious-cleaning-vs-conventional-cleaning-why-choose-the-eco-conscious-option/

    United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2024, August 13). Volatile organic compounds” impact on indoor air quality | US EPA. US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality



  • 12 Sep 2026 7:02 AM | Casey Willis

    Properly cleaning healthcare facilities is one of the most critical components of modern patient safety and disease prevention. Medical environments host a dense concentration of vulnerable individuals with compromised immune systems, making them highly susceptible to hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). When environmental services teams utilize strict sanitizing and cross-contamination prevention protocols, they directly interrupt the transmission chain of dangerous microorganisms. Protecting patients from harmful bacteria, germs, and viruses requires a meticulous understanding of chemical contact times, high-touch surface disinfection, and specialized healthcare cleaning techniques. 

    Furthermore, a clean medical facility is foundational to maintaining public trust and compliance with strict occupational health regulations. If a clinic or hospital neglects its sanitizing duties, the physical space quickly becomes a reservoir for pathogens that threaten not only patients but also doctors, nurses, and visiting family members. Implementing professional healthcare cleaning programs ensures that terminal cleaning procedures in surgical suites and general patient rooms meet the rigorous criteria necessary to keep mortality and infection rates as low as possible. 

    For facilities looking to verify or upgrade their current sanitary standards, sourcing verified experts is essential. Organizations can utilize the Janitorial Service Directory (https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory) to connect with certified teams who possess specific training in medical sanitation. Investing in properly educated cleaning staff remains the ultimate line of defense in the ongoing global fight against infectious diseases within our care spaces.

  • 12 Sep 2026 7:01 AM | Zachary Appel

    There are many reasons why people should only perform natural green cleaning, including improving air quality and the environment. “Green cleaning products are naturally derived, non-toxic, and biodegradable, meaning they have less impact on the environment. Other chemical cleaning products may contain ingredients from non-renewable sources and have toxic impacts that can hurt the world’s eco-system” (The Cleaning Authority: Benefits of Green Cleaning, n.d.). To find a cleaning company that is green cleaning certified visit the IJCSA Green Cleaning Service Directory.

    Using green cleaning products substantially cuts down and even eliminates VOCs or carbon-based chemicals from being released into the air. VOCs can be responsible for many health issues in humans including organ damage, and even links to cancer risks. Green cleaning practices are very important for indoor air quality. EPA's Office of Research and Development's “"Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study" (Volumes I through IV, completed in 1985) found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas”(United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2024). If everybody participates in only using green cleaning products, the reduction of VOCs would be immense and earth’s air quality would receive a major upgrade.

    Other aspects of the environment would also greatly improve if everyone were to start utilizing green cleaning practices, which would mean using products that can easily break down and not negatively affect the environment. Toxic runoff from dangerous cleaning chemicals such as petroleum solvents, chlorine bleach, phosphates, and surfactants all play a negative role in diminishing the environment through toxic runoff. Negative effects include the poisoning of aquatic life, causing algal bloom that deplete the oxygen in the environment, and bioaccumulation. Ingredients in these toxic cleaners like polyvinyl alcohol, alkylphenol ethoxylates, and nonylphenol ethoxylates that stay in the environment for very long amounts of time, cause many health problems to everything and everyone.

    References

    The Cleaning Authority: Benefits of Green Cleaning. (n.d.). The Cleaning Authority. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://www.thecleaningauthority.com/blog/green-living/benefits-of-green-cleaning3/

    United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2024, August 13). Volatile organic compounds” impact on indoor air quality | US EPA. US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality


  • 12 Sep 2026 6:14 AM | Todd Torrez

    Janitors and cleaning staff are everyday heroes. They work behind the scenes to keep our world running smoothly. Every day we walk into offices, schools, and stores expecting a clean and safe space. We rarely think about the people who make that happen. Without good commercial cleaning services our daily lives would be very messy and stressful. Janitors make sure places are free of dirt and germs so we can work, learn, and live comfortably. They play a huge part in keeping our communities healthy.

    Janitors do much more than just taking out the trash and sweep the floors. Today, janitorial work means deep cleaning and killing harmful germs. Keeping shared spaces clean is more important now than ever. By using the right tools, safe chemicals, and proper training, cleaning staff stop bugs and viruses from spreading around the office. This hard work means fewer people get sick and miss work or school. Plus, walking into a clean building just feels good. It makes people happier and more ready to have a good day.

    We should all be thankful for the hard work that janitorial staff do for us every single day. They really do make our lives better and safer. If you own a business or run a building and need great cleaning help, it is important to find the right people for the job. You can easily find trained and certified cleaning teams by looking at the Janitorial Directory. By hiring these skilled professionals, we can make sure our buildings stay clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone

  • 12 Sep 2026 6:12 AM | Zachary Appel

    IJCSA has a Green Cleaning Service Directory, that will give you access to companies that are green cleaning certified. Green cleaning affects every living creature on this earth and the positive effects it has on these creatures are many. From eliminating toxic chemical runoff, minimizing air pollution, and protecting complex ecosystems, the benefits of green cleaning are truly great.

    Green cleaning eliminates toxic runoff by utilizing natural ingredients that break down into harmless elements before reaching any waterways. Green cleaning does not use dangerous chemical elements, like phosphates, which have ill effects on aquatic animals and all plant life within a certain area.

    Green cleaning reduces air pollution drastically by using products that cut down or even eliminate the release of dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The reduction or elimination of these harmful carbon-based chemicals in the air means lowering the risk of organ toxicity, respiratory distress, and cancer risks to animals. VOCs also contribute to the production of acid rain, which negatively alters the PH levels in streams and lakes killing wildlife like fish, frogs, and invertebrates, as well as completely preventing fish eggs from hatching, usually resulting in death.

    Not only does green cleaning eliminate or reduce the number of VOCs released to ecosystems, it also eliminates the use of dangerous chemical elements like chlorine. This chemical destroys fish's gills, strips their slime coat leaving them vulnerable to diseases and infections, and causes their internal organs to fail. Again, green cleaning positively affects the ecosystem by using products that contain ingredients that easily break down, as opposed to ingredients that will turn into persistent organic pollutants that build up in the fat of aquatic organisms, and the lipids and waxy surfaces of plants, who are the food source for other animals, thus continuing a constant chain of built up pollutants in wildlife, negatively affecting their health and even killing them.

    Green cleaning eliminates toxic runoff, minimizes air pollution, and protects complex ecosystems, all of which benefit every living creature on earth. To find a cleaning company that is a certified in green cleaning, visit IJCSA’s  Green Cleaning Service Directory.


  • 11 Sep 2026 11:58 PM | Gisella Villavicencio

    After learning more about medical cleaning, I realized that many of these cleaning practices can also be used in commercial buildings and other places. Germs and bacteria are not only found in hospitals. They can be anywhere people work, visit, eat, or use the same surfaces every day. Using some healthcare cleaning practices can help me provide a safer and better cleaning service.

    One thing I can use in other commercial cleaning jobs is paying more attention to high-touch surfaces. Door handles, light switches, bathrooms, faucets, desks, elevator buttons, and other areas are touched by many people every day. Cleaning and disinfecting these areas correctly can help reduce the spread of germs and viruses.

    I can also use what I learned about PPE, hand washing, cross-contamination, and disinfectants. For example, changing gloves when moving from one area to another and using separate cleaning materials for bathrooms can help prevent spreading germs. I also learned that it is important to follow the directions and contact time of the disinfectant instead of just spraying and wiping immediately.

    As the owner of a commercial cleaning company, I want my company to provide more than a place that just looks clean. I want to use what I learned from medical cleaning to help create cleaner and safer environments for the people who use these buildings every day. These practices can be used in offices, gyms, schools, churches, and many other commercial facilities. Proper cleaning, disinfecting, infection control, and good cleaning procedures can make a big difference in protecting people from germs, bacteria, and viruses.

    You can also find professional cleaning companies through the IJCSA Janitorial Service Directory.https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices

  • 11 Sep 2026 11:50 PM | Gisella Villavicencio

    Proper cleaning in healthcare facilities is very important because many sick people, employees, and visitors are in the same building every day. Germs and viruses can easily stay on surfaces like door handles, counters, bathrooms, chairs, and patient rooms. Good healthcare cleaning helps remove these germs and helps prevent infections from spreading.

    Another important part of medical cleaning is paying attention to high-touch surfaces. Cleaners should use the correct disinfectants, wear proper PPE, wash their hands, and change gloves when needed. It is also important to follow the correct contact time for disinfectants so the product has enough time to work. Proper cleaning and disinfection helps protect patients, employees, visitors, and the cleaning staff.

    Healthcare facilities need cleaners who understand infection control and cross-contamination. Cleaning correctly can help reduce healthcare-associated infections and create a safer environment for everyone. Professional healthcare cleaning should always follow proper procedures and safety rules. People looking for professional cleaning services can also visit the IJCSA Janitorial Service Directory.

  • 11 Sep 2026 9:07 PM | Humberto Efrain Chan Medina

    Great customer service in the janitorial industry means showing reliability, respect, and professionalism in every interaction. IJCSA members understand that clients trust us with their homes and businesses, so we prioritize clear communication, consistent results, and A positive attitude. By putting clients first and delivering  dependable service, we strengthen the reputation of all IJCSA proffesionals.

    What sets IJCSA members apart is our commitment to going above expectations. We listen, offer solutions, and treat every job as an opportunity to demonstrate excellence. The IJCSA business directory reflects thousands of members who lead with integrity and customer focused care. When we combine quality work with genuine respect for our clients, we show why IJCSA certified companies stand out in customer service.

  • 11 Sep 2026 8:13 PM | Leon Williams

    Maintaining the look of your carpets is not an easy task. Each day, home and building occupants walk back and forth on carpets which can leave them looking worn and dirty. If residential and commercial occupants do not know how to properly care for carpets, it may be in their best interest to contact an IJCSA carpet cleaning company to assist.

    IJCSA cleaning companies found on https://www.ijcsa.org/Carpet-Cleaning-Directory are certified and trained to clean carpets, remove pet odors, stains, and soil. They have access to advance cleaning techniques and equipment that can revive the look of your carpets or keep them looking new.

  • 11 Sep 2026 5:34 PM | Jeff Warmuth

    If you are searching for a professional, customer service orientated cleaning company for your company, select a janitorial or cleaning service that is a member of the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association.  The IJCSA provides modern training modules for its members along with specific customer service training ensuring their members can provide outstanding customer service for their clients.

    By selecting a member of the IJCSA, you will be selecting a company that puts its customers first and provides great customer service.  You can access one of these premier cleaning companies by using this link to the IJCSA directory:  https://www.ijcsa.org/Find-A-Cleaning-Service-Janitorial-Service


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