Minnesota offices run with windows closed from October through April. During those months, the air quality inside the building is determined almost entirely by what is on the surfaces and in the air — including residue from cleaning products used the night before. This makes product selection more consequential here than it would be in a market where windows are open much of the year.
What "green" actually means on a product label
Green cleaning product claims range from specific and verified to essentially meaningless. The most useful certifications to look for:
- Green Seal GS-37: A third-party standard for commercial cleaning products that evaluates human health and environmental impact, including VOC content and biodegradability. Meaningful.
- EPA Safer Choice: The EPA's certification that a product's ingredients meet safety standards for human health and environment. Listed products are searchable on the EPA website.
- "Natural" or "plant-based": Not regulated. These terms on a label have no minimum standard and no third-party verification. Treat them as marketing language, not as a credential.
VOCs in cleaning products
Volatile organic compounds in cleaning products off-gas into the air after application and can remain at elevated concentrations in poorly ventilated spaces. Common sources in conventional cleaning products include fragrances, solvents in floor wax, and some disinfectant formulations. In a well-sealed Minnesota office building, VOC concentrations from nightly cleaning can be elevated when staff arrive in the morning.
Low-VOC or VOC-free cleaning products reduce this effect. If staff report headaches, eye irritation, or chemical odour on Monday mornings after weekend cleaning, VOC load from cleaning products is a plausible cause worth investigating.
Disinfectants: a specific consideration
EPA-registered disinfectants used for surface disinfection (required on restroom and high-touch surfaces) are not always compatible with green product standards — some effective disinfectants have significant VOC loads or require ventilation during and after application. The practical compromise for most offices is to use Green Seal or Safer Choice products for general cleaning and a lower-VOC disinfectant applied with adequate dwell time and followed by a water wipe on non-porous surfaces.
How to include product requirements in your cleaning scope
Specify product standards in writing, not just product categories. "Green products" is not enforceable — "EPA Safer Choice certified or Green Seal GS-37 for all general cleaning products" is. If disinfection is required, specify the disinfectant separately and note any ventilation requirements.
Ask your cleaning contractor to provide the product list they use on your account. A professional contractor maintains a consistent product list and can provide safety data sheets for any product used in your facility.