CloroxPro Blog – Professional Cleaning and Disinfection Insights

Cleanliness of the healthcare environment is a critical factor supporting the health and wellbeing of vulnerable patients, and this extends to staff and visitors as well.  Environmental cleaning and disinfection is a key strategy in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which helps safeguard patients by reducing the presence of pathogens in patient care areas. HAIs can spread from:

• person to person – between patients, healthcare and facility staff and visitors
• environment to person – from surfaces like door handles, tables, bed frames  to reusable patient care equipment.

“Green cleaning” has long been a focus in homes, and is a growing topic of interest in healthcare facilities. “Eco-conscious” is not just about the outdoors; it’s responsibility to the indoor environment as well, and those who occupy it. Green cleaning seeks to minimize chemical exposure while maintaining efficacy and safety.

Why green cleaning?

Some traditional cleaning products contain chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, and other volatile compounds. These substances can leave behind residues on surfaces and in the air that may cause respiratory and skin sensitivities.

The aim of green cleaning is at least three-fold:

1. to maintain environmental cleanliness in the facility and prevent HAIs acquired from pathogens
2. to protect patients, staff and visitors from potential harmful health effects of certain cleaning products and procedures
3. to reduce environmental impact and enhance sustainability.

What’s involved in green cleaning?

Green cleaning involves the use of select cleaning and disinfecting products and procedures that are intended to have little to no negative impact on health and the environment. In healthcare facilities, this means use of eco-conscious products that offer efficacy against harmful pathogens.

The key point within a healthcare facility compared to a home is that a product’s efficacy and safety must be appropriate to specific needs and requirements within patient care and public spaces.

According to the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, when a facility is looking to switch to green alternatives, it should examine which cleaning processes can be changed or improved, and what products can be substituted.

• Where can a switch safely be made? Key in these decisions are what areas need to be cleaned, and what areas need to be disinfected. For example, common areas like entrance ways, waiting areas and offices are less pathologically sensitive than surfaces in patient rooms or intensive care units, where high infection control standards must be maintained.
• Does the green product’s efficacy and safety properties meet requirements? One of the concerns about switching to green products lies with product efficacy and reliability: is the product’s active ingredient(s) effective against typical pathogens? Again, green cleaners are most commonly used in low-risk areas (hallways, offices) but may be integrated into general cleaning routines without compromising infection prevention.

Along with efficacy against typical pathogens, surface compatibility and contact time are key criteria to ensure safe and effective use of the eco-conscious product.

Resource efficiency is another factor in choosing an eco-conscious product. Implementing technologies that save water and energy, such as replacing automated dilution systems for cleaners with ready-to-use wipes, can reduce water use and toxic waste water disposal. Efficient use of cleaning staff’s time can support savings in valuable person-power.

Best practices for green cleaning

Ultimately, the goals for use of green cleaning products match those of so-called “traditional” cleaning and disinfecting agents.

• The first focus is the efficacy and safety of the green product in terms of infection prevention, along with reduction of harmful human health effects and environmental protection.
• As with any cleaner and disinfectant to be used in a healthcare facility, look for a Health Canada-issued DIN supporting product claims.
• Cleaning and disinfecting products that are certified eco-conscious use naturally-derived, non-toxic ingredients, and do not leave harmful residues.
• Education and training for cleaning staff and healthcare workers on the benefits and proper use of eco-conscious cleaning products should cover the correct methods for application and safe handling, following green cleaning practices and product use guidelines.

Clorox EcoClean™ is the choice for cleaning professionals seeking plant-based cleaners and disinfectants to help keep facilities clean and healthy while using naturally-derived active ingredients. Format options include ready-to-use Disinfecting Wipes, Disinfecting Cleaner and All-Purpose Cleaner. And it’s not just about what’s in the package: Clorox EcoClean™ products are available in 25% post-consumer recycled plastic.

The implementation of green cleaning in healthcare facilities is a commitment to the health and safety of patients, staff, visitors and the community. 

Look to CloroxPro™ for green cleaning options!

Use as directed for optimal results.

Clorox EcoClean™ products offer the Clorox standard you know and trust with plant-based ingredients that helps facilities and organizations meet their own sustainability goals.

CloroxPro™ Clorox™ EcoClean™ Disinfecting Cleaner Spray (DIN: 02542528)

Clorox EcoClean™ Disinfecting Cleaner is a ready-to-use, disinfectant cleaner made with a plant-based active ingredient that kills 99.9% of illness-causing germs in two minutes or less, including cold and flu viruses, SARS-CoV-2, Norovirus, Staph and MRSA.*

CloroxPro™ Clorox™ EcoClean™ Disinfecting Wipes (DIN: 02545047)

• A citric acid-based disinfectant that is made from a naturally derived plant-based active ingredient, and formulated without bleach, alcohol or ammonia.
• Kills 20 pathogens in 5 minutes.  
• Disinfects in 5 minutes.
• Kills 99.9% of flu viruses (Influenza A virus, RSV) and the COVID-19 virus in 30 seconds.
• Sanitizes hard, nonporous surfaces in 60 seconds.
• Cleans and disinfects without harming most surfaces, with no lingering chemical smell.

Learn more about CloroxPro™ products that can help facilities meet green cleaning goals.

Interested in speaking to a representative about customized solutions and a free demo and training? Contact us today.