Greener and cleaner
July 1st 2007

Greener and Bio-Productions offers more environmentally sympathetic cleaning solutions and are frequently asked for help when selecting greener cleaning agents for various cleaning and maintenance tasks

So what constitutes 'environmentally friendly'? Something that doesn't adversely impact on the environment is the simple answer. The problem is – that just about everything we do impacts on the environment, from breathing to driving, from eating to cleaning. So using less environmentally damaging chemicals, which can degrade without putting too much demand on the ecosystem will be a small but significant start.

Bio-Productions endeavour to use less harmful, less aggressive raw materials in the cleaning and maintenance products we produce, but we accept that occasionally only something aggressive will be required. Our answer to this is that the raw materials used should degrade quickly and easily, which is done in the drainage system, so it is also important that cleaning waste is never disposed of through a storm drain, only a sewer.

Rule one for us in developing any cleaning products is that it should perform.

There is no point in producing more waste, so we need to satisfy our customers that because it is 'green' it isn't necessarily wishy-washy and that they will need twice as much and that it will take twice as long.

The next consideration is that it should be simple. We don't believe our customers will want to stand on their heads or perform cartwheels so that the "special ingredients" can work. They invariably want to continue with their lives, but they'd also like to impact less on their environment. Therefore we believe that thought should be given to the selection of 'chemicals' when undertaking a task. It is also worth noting that, invariably, an aggressive chemical (which is quite likely to be harmful to the environment) could also damage the surface (or finish) of the item being cleaned. This ultimately enables soiling to enter the substrate, making it more difficult to clean next time. Obviously there are occasions when an aggressive chemical will be the only way of resolving a problem, such as killing germs, etc. Here, as with using any toxic substance thought must be given to the amount used, the dilution and the ultimate disposal.

So it's simple. Something that works and is environmentally less harmful than the alternatives – otherwise why not use the alternative? As examples, we have included the more frequently asked questions.

Washrooms The most common problem with most washrooms (or toilets) is the smell, and despite copious applications of disinfectant or bleach this invariably returns. Because of this problem some aggressive cleaning chemicals including bleach have been used, damaging the surfaces and exacerbating the absorption problem. The removal of calcium deposits can only be done with acid or high alkaline products, & choosing a less damaging acid than sulphuric (which also damages chrome and stainlesssteel) is a move in the right direction.

Again though, allowing the buildup of calcium is unsightly and will harbour germs, so the responsible use of an acid product, used properly will resolve the problem, and providing it is used sparingly residues can quickly degrade in the sewage system. However, we can also solve a problem like this with green cleaning methods.

Bio-Productions introduced 'urine eating bacteria' with calcium degraders into our liquid cleaner Blu-Away and the Toss Blocks some years ago to address urine contamination problems, and to keep calcium from building-up. By including these specially selected bacterial strains, the urine which has been absorbed into the contaminated surfaces is digested, and the soiling and calcium in the urinal traps is rapidly converted into CO2 and H2O. – so no smell! Anyone can clean soiling on the surface, but only micro-organisms can clean within it, where urine and body fluids are absorbed.

The few areas in a washroom which need disinfecting include, 'cross contamination points' such as toilet seats, tap-handles and door levers.

Again the floors and walls don't require washing with bleach or disinfectant, – unless a Deep-Clean is required, so maintaining surfaces with an environmentally sympathetic, biological cleaner will prevent odours and remove general soiling.

Using a biological block in the urinals will keep everything working and smelling sweet in the drains – as well as enabling you to reduce the frequency of flushing – to save around 90,000 litres of water per urinal per year! And stopping germs can be done by spray-wiping with a solution of fresh water in a trigger-spray bottle containing one or two chlorine tablets (renewed each day).

All cleaning processes require 'energy.' This can either be attained from the power of the machine (electricity) the heat in the water (more electricity), elbow grease or the chemical. Selecting the correct chemical is an important first step in reducing waste (energy or chemical), saving money, and reducing the environmental impact of the task.