Green cleaning refers to the use of products and procedures that reduce health and environmental impacts compared to others used for the same purpose. Green cleaning is about more than just using environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions. It is a total cleaning program that includes green cleaning solutions, equipment and procedures.

One of the greatest benefits of green cleaning is that it creates a healthier indoor environment for employees, customers and their families. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside a typical home is, on average, 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside ? and in extreme cases, 100 times more contaminated ? largely because of household cleaners.

By eliminating the use of harsh, toxic chemicals that can cause pollution in your home and damage to the environment, green cleaning promotes a healthier home environment and minimizes the impact to the ecosystem.

Maid Brigade is the only national residential cleaning company committed to . The company uses ?green? solutions that are certified by Green Seal for a safe and thorough cleaning, and the equipment and processes it uses follow many Green Seal standards for cleaning services. Maid Brigade's vacuums are certified through the Carpet & Rug Institute's Green Label Program meeting stringent standards for soil removal, dust containment and carpet appearance. Its Green Clean Certified? system reduces solid waste by utilizing reusable microfiber cloths and concentrated cleaning solutions. The company's system also eliminates cross-contamination of surfaces and prevents the transfer of bacteria from room to room.

In advance of an established government or third party green cleaning standard for the residential cleaning industry, Maid Brigade has patterned its system on Green Seal's standard for the commercial cleaning industry (GS-42) wherever applicable. The Green Seal organization has initiated a product eco-labeling program that sets the standard for environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions and identifies them as such. Using internationally recognized methods and procedures, they evaluate cleaning supplies based on the following criteria:

(i) Cleans common household surfaces effectively

(ii) Contains no carcinogens or toxins

(iii) Contains no skin/eye corrosives

(iv) Contains minimal Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) to reduce harmful fumes

(v) Less likely to cause allergic reactions

(vi) Non-combustible

(vii) Biodegradable

(viii) Contains no aquatic toxins/safe for the water supply

(ix) Contains safe fragrances

(x) Contains no endocrine disruptors, making them safer for people and pets

(xi) Contains environmentally-safe levels of phosphorus

(xii) Uses reduced packaging to minimize impact on landfills and depletion of natural resources.