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King County Washington home

Janitorial products

Some conventional cleaning chemicals contain high levels of VOCs, corrosive ingredients, bleach, ammonia, or strong solvents that can cause respiratory irritation, skin and eye burns, and other health concerns—especially for custodial staff with frequent exposure. These products can also reduce indoor air quality and contribute to water pollution if not properly managed.

To reduce risks, use caution when selecting cleaning products and choose those certified by reputable third parties such as EPA Safer Choice or Green Seal. Certified products are evaluated for lower toxicity and reduced environmental impact while maintaining effective performance.

"Green" janitorial supplies also include paper products—like tissues, paper towels, napkins, and can liners—that contain recycled content, are compostable, or meet other environmental certifications.

Policy and Goals:

From King County’s Sustainable Purchasing Executive Policy (CON 7-22-1-EP),

  • Minimizing the purchase of products containing toxic chemicals, especially perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals (PBTs), with a goal of phasing out all usage of products containing such chemicals;
  • Using products that contain non-toxic or safer chemicals and do not contribute adverse human health or environmental impacts during their manufacture, use, or disposal;
  • Reducing waste generation by choosing products that are durable, reusable, repairable, refillable, recyclable, compostable, salvageable, deconstructable, or made with recycled content or remanufactured parts;

Quick Tips

Choose

  • "green"-certified or environmentally preferred cleaning products
  • Bulk cleaning products that can be diluted per application (reduce packaging waste)
  • Compostable can liners
  • Microfiber cleaning cloths and mops for reduced water and chemical use
  • Chemical-free cleaning equipment
  • Recycled content paper products
  • Unbleached or non-chlorine-bleached paper products

Avoid

  • Bleached paper products
  • Virgin paper products
  • Hazardous chemical cleaners
  • Products with toxicity signal words such as "Poison," "Danger," or "Warning"

End of Life

  • Compost paper towels and other compostable cleaning papers
  • safely dispose of chemicals
  • Safely dispose of chemicals through certified hazardous waste programs

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say the risk of getting sick from touching contaminated surfaces is generally low. Still, keeping spaces clean helps reduce the spread of germs and viruses.

Disinfectants can contain hazardous chemicals, so it's important to:

  • Use them correctly.
  • Avoid overuse.
  • Choose safer active ingredients, like hydrogen peroxide.

Look for the EPA's standard for Design for the Environment (DfE)-certified products, which shows the disinfectants and sanitizers meet EPA standards for safety and effectiveness.

For more guidance:

Best Practices

  • Clean regularly, even if disinfecting isn't always needed.
  • Select disinfectants with safer ingredients.
  • Follow directions carefully—more is not better.
  • Use certified products with the DfE ecolabel.

An EPA checkmark indicates a certification or standard is recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Technical Specification Language

High Performance Buildings Guide: Cleaning Products and searchable database

Responsible Purchasing Network: Purchasing Guide for Cleaners

Green Screen for Greener Chemicals: Alternative Toxics Assessments

City of San Francisco, California: Health & Environmental Requirement Approved Products