Phase out or replace vacuums not listed on the OGS Green Cleaning Product List.
Use auto-scrubbers equipped with variable-speed pumps, wastewater recyclers, and other water conservation systems. (LEED-EB IEQ 3.7)
While burnishing floors, use only floor machines with dust collection systems that capture airborne particulates. (LEED-EB IEQ 3.7)
Use microfiber products for dusting and mopping floors.
Chemicals
Use only floor cleaners, finishers, and strippers approved for use by OGS and listed on the OGS Green Cleaning Product List. Please note that OGS is not currently adopting the Green Seal standards for floor finishes, wax/finish strippers, or spray burnishing gloss restorer liquids.
Clean floors with mopping detergents that are cold-water formulated, free rinsing, and leave virtually no soil or chemical residue. The Green Seal, Inc. products listed on the OGS Green Cleaning Product List work effectively with cold water.
Follow the manufacturer's recommended dilutions to eliminate product waste and reduce residual cleaner on surfaces.
Procedures/Practices
Use entrance floor matting systems to reduce the amount of dirt that enters the building. (LEED-EB IEQ 3.8)
Dust or damp mop using microfiber mops, or vacuum floors on a daily basis instead of sweeping.
Select flooring that maximizes durability and reduces maintenance requirements.
Procedures/Practices
Consider the life cycle cost (LCC) of maintenance in choosing flooring products. The New York Collaborative for High Performance Schools (NY-CHPS): High Performance Schools Guidelines states that the LCC of flooring materials is particularly important in schools because the total cost of floor maintenance can be significantly more than the initial or replacement cost of the flooring materials. To view the NY-CHPS guidelines, visit the Additional Resources section of this website.
