Products and practices used in traditional cleaning increase environmental and health impacts, health care costs, liability and insurance cost for the company.
Six out of hundred custodians file time loss or injury claims. With more than two million custodians in the US, that amounts to a total cost of more than $85 million. Green cleaning products and practices can result in up to 70% reduction in exposure to employees.
Whether you are a custodian or you manage a team of custodians, check the resources below for helpful tips on cleaning green.
Videos
San Francisco’s multilingual Green Cleaning Videos cover the benefits of green cleaning, green cleaning products and procedures, and proper disposal of waste
Factsheets
- COVID-19: Safer cleaning and disinfection factsheet (PDF)
- Green Cleaning Factsheets (PDF) - (English), (Cantonese), (Spanish) - post in common areas for employees
- Green Cleaning Flashcards (PDF) - (English), (Cantonese), (Spanish) - for employees to carry with them, or for quick refresher trainings.
Training Modules
“Tools for Training” Powerpoint series created by green cleaning expert Stephen Ashkin, with reference notes and quizzes. 10-minute, image-based minimodules for training custodians. Customization encouraged.
- Notes – Notes for all training modules - NEW (PPT) (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)
- Quizzes – Quizzes for all training modules - NEW (PPT) (English)
- 1A - Organizing Closets (PPT) (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)
- 1B - Pest Management (PPT) (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)
- 1C - Problems Hiding in the Open (PPT) (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)
- 2A - Ergonomics (PPT) (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)
- 2B - Safe Workplace (PPT) (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)
- 2C - Custodian Health - NEW (PPT) (English)
- 3A - Touch Points (PPT) (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)
- 3B - Vulnerable Occupants (PPT) (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)
- 3C - Disinfectants (PPT) (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)
- 3D - Slips and Falls (PPT) (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)
- 3E - Bloodborne Pathogens - NEW (PPT) (English)
- 4A - Green Products (PPT) (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)
- 4B - Energy and Water (PPT) (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)
- 4C - Solid Waste (PPT) (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)
Safer Products
SF Approved directory of green products and specifications. Created for City Departments, but useful for others as well.
Want to do more?
Green your custodial company and get recognized for it by the City by becoming a San Francisco Green Business. Enroll in the Green Business Program and learn how to save on energy, water, and refuse bills, and reduce your exposure to hazardous substances. To learn more, call 415.355.3700.
Related Content
Green Business Guide to Pollution Prevention (video)
San Francisco Green Business Program - businesses meeting high environmental standards
SF Approved - green specifications, products on City contracts, and vendors for City Departments
Additional Resources
The Real Costs of Institutional Green Cleaning
Safer Products & Practices for Disinfecting & Sanitizing Surfaces
Bureau of Labor Statistics on Custodial Jobs in 2012
California Department of Public Health’s Occupational Health Branch Statistics