Green Cleaning Services: What to Look For
Updated March 28, 2026 โข 8 min read โข By National Cleaner Connect
Key insight: The label "eco-friendly" is unregulated. Look for specific certifications like EPA Safer Choice and Green Seal โ not just marketing claims.
The green cleaning industry has exploded โ but so has greenwashing. Many cleaning companies slap "eco-friendly" on their website without changing a single product. Here's how to evaluate whether a cleaning service is genuinely green or just marketing.
What Does "Green Cleaning" Actually Mean?
Green cleaning refers to practices that prioritize human health and environmental sustainability: using products free of toxic chemicals (VOCs, phthalates, chlorine, ammonia), reducing water and energy usage, using sustainable packaging and refill systems, and minimizing waste. A truly green cleaning service considers the full environmental impact โ not just whether the bottle has a leaf on it.
Certifications That Matter
- EPA Safer Choice: Products meet EPA's rigorous health and environmental criteria โ the gold standard
- Green Seal: Independent certification for both products and cleaning services. GS-42 is the standard for commercial/residential cleaning
- EWG Verified: Environmental Working Group verifies products meet strict health standards
- USDA BioPreferred: Products made from renewable biological resources
- Leaping Bunny: Cruelty-free certification (no animal testing)
Ingredients to Avoid
Ask your cleaning service what's in their products. Red flags include:
- Phthalates โ endocrine disruptors found in many fragranced products
- Triclosan โ antimicrobial linked to hormone disruption
- Chlorine bleach โ respiratory irritant
- 2-Butoxyethanol โ common in glass cleaners, damages liver and kidneys
- "Fragrance" (undisclosed) โ can hide dozens of undisclosed chemicals
Questions to Ask a Green Cleaning Service
- What specific products do you use? (They should name brands and list ingredients)
- Do you carry certifications (Green Seal, EPA Safer Choice)?
- Do you use microfiber cloths instead of disposable wipes?
- How do you handle disinfection โ hydrogen peroxide-based vs. chlorine-based?
- Do you use concentrated refillable products or single-use plastic bottles?
- Can you accommodate specific ingredient sensitivities?
Does Green Cleaning Cost More?
Expect 10โ20% more for genuinely green cleaning services. The premium comes from higher-quality products and sometimes more labor-intensive methods. However, many clients find the health benefits โ especially for families with allergies, asthma, or young children โ well worth the modest premium.
Trusted Green Cleaning Brands
- Seventh Generation โ EPA Safer Choice certified
- Method โ Cradle to Cradle certified
- ECOS โ EPA Safer Choice, carbon neutral
- Biokleen โ plant and mineral-based
- Branch Basics โ one concentrate for all cleaning
Find verified green cleaning services near you in the National Cleaner Connect directory.
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