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Using an end-of-tenancy cleaning service is becoming quite popular these days as it can help to improve the chances of leaving a home and a landlord on good terms.
The Tenants Voice notes a variety of details about end-of-tenancy cleans. They point out that landlords will typically expect the same level of hygiene in a property when it is returned as when it was handed to the tenant in the first place.
This sounds fair enough, and making sure a property is properly cleaned is a good way to avoid any disputes. 56% of all landlord and tenant disputes are over the cleanliness of a home after it is returned.
It is generally the tenant’s responsibility to clean a rented home at the end of their contract. How they achieve this is up to them. But more and more people are turning to green cleaning, but can this be achieved with an end-of-tenancy cleaning service?
Why would you use a professional cleaning company?
Performing an end-of-tenancy clean takes a lot of work and time. To completely clean a home to a landlord’s satisfaction may take more effort than you are willing to put in. It may also involve the use of cleaning products and equipment you simply don’t possess.
Many people like to use end-of-tenancy cleaning services so they don’t have to take time off, and also because the level of cleaning should really be of a high standard. After all, you are hiring professionals to clean instead of just running the vacuum around or dusting.
A professional cleaning service will degrease the oven, clean the carpets, and even areas such as fridges, ceilings, windows, and if you should have them – chandeliers.
What is green cleaning?
For some, the term green cleaning can be defined in very strict terms, for others, it is simply about using products that don’t contain toxins or harmful chemicals.
Green cleaning can be defined as a way to clean a home through the use of natural ingredients, and methods that are non-harmful to the environment. This can mean using organically grown ingredients, or other items such as citric acid. Ideally, packaging for any products would be biodegradable, recycled, or recyclable.
There are some home hacks from a professional cleaning company that includes using baking soda and vinegar, obviously, these are greener than using chemicals.
However, in the past, green cleaning typically only applied to individuals cleaning their own homes. Now though, there are professional green cleaners, or so they claim.
Can a professional cleaning service ever be completely green?
Many cleaning companies are wising up to the fact that people want them to be more environmentally friendly. Some are now labeling themselves as green cleaning companies.
Nonetheless, transparency is often an issue with green cleaning companies. And also, there could be concerns about the level of service they can provide. If you need an end-of-tenancy cleaning service, will a green cleaning company be able to meet the landlord’s standards?
What typically happens is that cleaning companies will attempt to be as green as possible. This means reusing bottles and reducing the number of chemicals used. They will often offer a choice between disinfectants and other more eco-friendly solutions if you request.
If you wish for your end-of-tenancy cleaning service to be more environmentally friendly then there are ways to do this. Firstly, only hire a local company. This will cut down on the fuel used and emissions. Secondly, understand which cleaning products are the most harmful, and ask your company what they use, and if it is possible to switch to other alternatives.
What are the worst cleaning products available?
Understanding which chemicals and products to avoid will make things easier for you when you hire your cleaning company. These items listed are some of the worst when it comes to the environment, and many household products contain them.
- Bleach
- Ammonia
- Chlorine
- Glycol ethers
- Phosphates
- Butyl cellosolve
According to the National Library of Medicine, many cleaning products are harmful to humans as well as the environment. It has become clear that they can cause respiratory and skin problems to anyone using them, as well as cause damage to waterways and the environment in general.
Ask about their carpet and upholstery cleaning products
If your end-of-tenancy clean is going to involve carpets and upholstery, you might want to find out what the company will use in these areas.
Carpet and upholstery cleaning products can contain some of the harshest chemicals. There are many reasons why hiring a cleaning service is worth it, including their ability to clean things such as carpets which you may not be able to do.
Cleaning a carpet may make your landlord happy, and it is something that everyone should do for health reasons. Cleaning a carpet can help to improve the air quality in a room, and therefore improve general health. Carpets harbor bacteria and allergens, and only proper cleaning will remove these.
However, carpet cleaning shouldn’t be done to the detriment of the environment or long-term health. Carpet cleaners can contain several harmful chemicals. These include naphthalene, perchloroethylene, and butyl ethanol. These chemicals are linked to nerve, liver, and kidney damage.
Even without the potential long-term damage, naphthalene can cause nausea, vomiting, and confusion in those who come into contact with it.
Ask your end-of-tenancy cleaning service what products they use to clean carpets, and see if they have eco-friendly products.
Summary
It may be possible to find a completely green end-of-tenancy cleaning service, but if not then search for the most environmentally friendly alternative that you can.
You can help yourself by only using local services. So, if you are based in London, search for an end-of-tenancy service in your borough. Helping the environment can be done through your actions as well as through the cleaning company’s methods.
Before employing any cleaning service, simply ask them what products they are using, and what their environmental policy is. If the company isn’t transparent, then search for another until you are satisfied.
