Over the past few decades, the green cleaning industry has gone from niche to mainstream. What can be the cause for this shift? There are many reasons for the growth of the green cleaning industry, the most important of which is that people are being informed. Informed about what chemicals are in the cleaning products which are used in their homes and at their place of work. They are also being informed of the potential dangers some of those chemicals can cause. Needless to say, the great majority of people want what is best for their family, the environment, and themselves.
With the demand for a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional cleaners, green cleaning companies and green cleaning products have been on the rise. In fact, sales of eco-cleaners went from $303 million in 2007 to $640 million in 2011, according to Packaged Facts. That is more than double the sales in just four years. In just about every major supermarket, you can find green cleaning products filling the shelves right next to the traditional cleaners. This was not always the case. For a long time, many green cleaning materials either had to be purchased online or in specialty stores. Luckily, it appears those days are over.
The cost and effectiveness of green cleaners is a common concern with people making the shift from traditional cleaners. The truth is, traditional and green cleaners are actually very similar in cost and effectiveness. For example, according to the raycompgroup, a price comparison of items on Staples.com, shows that the average all-purpose traditional cleaner costs an average of 15 cents per ounce, while the green all-purpose cleaners cost 14 cents per ounce. So, in this case the green alternative was actually more cost efficient. As for the effectiveness of green cleaners compared to traditional, the best way to decide is to put it to the test yourself. However, be aware that certain products that may market themselves as green, may in fact still contain harmful chemicals, so make sure you read the ingredients label.
As for the growth of green cleaning companies, this can be attributed to a couple of factors. For one, many families have multiple parents who have full-time jobs, and therefore don’t have the time to maintain a clean home without the assistance of a cleaning service. Many parents are also aware of the damage chemicals from cleaning products can cause, especially to children. Therefore, when considering hiring a cleaning service, the type of cleaning products used are becoming more and more important. Another contributing factor is that many businesses and office buildings are now turning to green cleaning services as well. According to Go Green, recent studies have shown that office buildings which have “gone green”, “have measurable financial gains due to employee health, productivity, and retention as well as lower operating costs and certain government incentives.”
These are a few reasons for the growth of the green cleaning industry. An industry which will continue to grow hand in hand with the informed consumer.