WASHROOMS CLEANING WITHOUT CHEMICALS
Steve Courtney, Product Specialist at Robert Scott, explores some approaches that enable facilities managers to reduce the use of harmful chemicals and deliver an effective clean that is less hazardous to both operatives and the environment.
For the majority of the cleaning industry (80%) sustainability remains a primary focus, with around half (48%) naming ‘green cleaning’ as their key trend for the year. Conversely, in public washroom areas many still rely on the use of harsh chemicals based on a belief that it’s the only effective solution for disinfecting spaces and killing germs.
Balancing ESG and effectiveness Facilities managers are facing the challenge of navigating increasing ESG requirements - whether due to tightening legislation or to meet the growing demands of business owners. However, it’s important that in the mission to be greener, cleaning solutions are specified both for their effectiveness and their ability to meet the needs of their environment. Especially in washroom settings where higher levels of germs and bacteria are present.
Traditional chemical-based cleaning solutions have been associated with pollution and health concerns, including asthma, eczema and burns. Taking steps to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals in use will help protect waterways, friendly microorganisms and human health.
Alternative approaches An advancement in cleaning products in recent years has meant we’re seeing a gradual move away from chemicals in single-use plastic bottles, towards more sustainable options. Cleaning concentrates and tablets that require the user to simply add water are growing in popularity, as they reduce the requirement for bulky packaging and lessen the impact on transportation and storage. While this meets certain ESG criteria such as reduced carbon footprint and plastic waste – something 55% of the industry noted as important – this doesn’t solve the issue of chemical use.
Many more solutions are now formulated from natural ingredients and enzymes. Although these are less harsh than astringent and high volatile organic compound (VOC) containing solutions, they do not disinfect surfaces. In washroom settings that require surfaces to be thoroughly sanitised, this not suitable.
The power of nature For a potent and safe cleaning solution, more facilities managers are turning to the Toucan Eco which is inspired by the human immune system. It requires just water and salt which, when activated via electrolysis, make a multipurpose disinfectant cleaning solution virtually on tap. The cleaning solution’s active compounds are hypochlorous acid (HOCl) which the body naturally creates
to fight infection and a very low concentration of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), producing a gentle pH of around 7.8 to 8.5.
Ideal as a daily multi-surface antibacterial cleaner in washroom settings, the Toucan Eco is certified to antiviral and antibacterial standards (EN 14476, EN 16777, EN 1276 and EN 13697) to kill up to 99.999% of germs. It is also registered as a UK biocide but is not aggressive in nature.
It is recommended that cleaning operatives follow a two- stage cleaning approach, to both clean and then disinfect. Toucan Eco also works as a deodoriser and can be sprayed into the air to land on surfaces and kill bacteria that creates odours, leaving behind a faint chlorine smell.
Toucan Eco is available in a range of sizes and the user can make the solution easily onsite in a matter of minutes. Not only is it free of synthetic chemicals, but it also removes the need for over 80% of single-use plastic bottles, helping facilities managers to minimise their ecological footprint.
Although washrooms have traditionally been the spaces tackled with the harshest cleaning solutions, innovation is making it possible for facilities managers to access greener cleaning and meet their ESG requirements, while effectively killing germs and bacteria.
To learn more about green cleaning in washrooms, contact Steve Courtney by email on
info@robert-scott.co.uk.
www.robert-scott.co.uk 22 | TOMORROW’S FM
twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66
