Editorial 

Plant Based Environmentally Friendly Cleaning

We are starting to see the rise in the number of mainstream supermarkets and high street stores, opting for plant-based cleaning products. Here is the low down on how they are; 

different to standard cleaning products, how they benefit you and the planet, and some further information around the subject......

So, what are the benefits to plant-based products? Unlike chemical-heavy cleaners, they are formulated using ingredients derived mostly from nature — all of which clean effectively without the risks associated with synthetic chemicals like  APEs, EDTAs phosphates and phosphonates and VOCs'.

They are also specifically designed to be biodegradable, meaning they decompose naturally and rapidly into non-toxic, harmless components that can be absorbed safely by the environment.

Plant based products are deemed  as  highly effective and (very importantly) affordable....

Other eco  cleaning tips for you to try ;

*Use less materials with plastic in, opt for natural materials like  cotton mops, natural cloths 

*Use recyclable materials where possible, not single use items

*If possible buy cleaning products that come in bigger packaging, and try to opt for containers made from recyclable packaging 

*You can even opt for steam cleaning floors and cupboards, which takes all cleaning products out of the equation!

It can be a bit of a minefield choosing the best products with the extensive choice that is out there ......and it is  easy to give up....but any effort to improve the environment  is a positive one!!!

Look out for our next few articles and if you would like to ask any questions please email.......

 Editorial

Professional Green Cleans' Favourite Products 

Some of Professional Green Cleans favourite products and why they are unique.

Miniml  

Miniml products are available to order online, from Ocado, in recycled 5ml packaging.  This means it  is highly convenient for the busy average consumer  to be a little greener in their weekly online shop. Miniml are transparent  on ingredients and states that its cleaning products are great for domestic and commercial use. "It is food safe, non tainting and ideal for Cafes and Kitchens." 

Delphis Eco  is an affordable brand and comes with excellent green credentials. It too is transparent on its ingredients ......it targets  the commercial sector in particular, and appears to be  a credible and sustainable choice ......as more businesses are critically assessed  on there  green credentials   products like miniml, delphis and other environmentally conscious brands will be the standard go to......well we hope so!...and lastly….we love Skorp Scrubbies...

 Editorial 

Plant based products in the commercial sector 

Delphis Eco is one of a few companies that has broken into the commercial market, using plant based products, and deploying  environmental strategies. Purely from a business point of view, it is worth going on their  website just to access their free COSH cleaning guidance tutorial.

 It has successfully implemented green strategies on an industrial scale and has  a sustainable business model.

We hope consumers  give some kudos to  those businesses, services and restaurants that have made the effort to up their eco credentials  in the commercial sector...

(photo Delphis Products and my cleaning caddy) 

Editorial 

Plant based Cleaning on a budget, an effective cheap option

It can be confusing with the plethora of product choice out there on what to buy, if cleaning on a tight budget. 

Plant based disinfectants are effective  enough to clean bathrooms, kitchens and all other surfaces  in the home and  commercial sector.

Note however, that  plant based disinfectant as a cleaner, is not suitable for wood, acrillic  and other surfaces due to the  abrassivness of the solution. Colour pigmentation may occur on the area being cleaned, it may also  accelerate the wear and tear of the surface ..but it does clean...if instructions are followed ….it is cost effective ..... and good for the environment.....but the choice of product and responsibility is ultimately yours!

 We tend to use Marks and Spencers' disinfectant at home and work  but there are commercial bulk  buys out there too.  Delphis Natural Disinfectant is also our go to....

Editorial 

Finding an effective cleaning cloth that lasts and doesn't contain plastic seems to be an impossible task.

Microfibre clothes, microfibre mops, steam mops do such a great job, but release microplastics into our waterways. Microplastics  in are waterways  is an ever increasing problem for our planet, and  our food chain.... research now shows that there  is a link between microplastics in our water and  some cancers.

We set out to find the optimal cleaning cloth.  Our cleaning business was looking for a product which balanced; cost effectiveness, green principals, and effectiveness.

Mircofibre clothes and mops using plant based detergents are very effective, but of course as the cloths and mops deteriorate, waste water will be poured down into the drain releasing microplastics from the cloths and mops  into our waterways and ultimately into our environment and food chain.

We replaced our microfibre mop with a traditional cotton yarn head mop. Using plant based detergent, this option was entirely carbon neutral…...and was very effective. We sourced our mop from Addis.

 We also used a steam cleaner,  which was really effective, it required no detergents, had not waste water; the  microfibre head only released micro-plastic when washed.

   After trying a few other different cloth brands we recommend Tiboo bamboo cleaning cloths for  domestic and commercial use. Ethically sourced, these cloths can be ordered; in bulk, they are durable, effective and are colour coded to help implement COSH standards;  and of course they are plastic free.

For scourers we use Skorp  Scrubbies. The Skorp is made from recycled towels sourced from the hotel industry, they are carbon neutral, long lasting and effective...

....and finally, you can always make your own bag of rags or buy them online. Ensure they made from recycled cloth and are plastic free (100%cotton  or natural fibres).

Environmentally friendly  products can be sourced online, in ethical supermarkets like The Big Green Smile or Bio

Tiboo have now introduced dilutable pod refills; reducing packaging substantially,  which I hope to try out next...

Finally for a brew we recommend Clipper and

• London Tea Company
• Postcard
• Steenbergs
• Traidcraft
• True Origin

 for there plastic free T-bags and stance on workers rights