Green Cleaning in Schools: A Custodian’s Guide to Staying State Compliant

Schools can be the perfect environment for germs to spread with the intermingling of students in spaces that have many communal, high-touch surfaces. When choosing cleaning products for schools, cleaning professionals have many different considerations: including product active ingredients and whether they are effective against bacteria, viruses or both.

State-level shift towards eco-conscious school cleaning policies

In recent years, states have increasingly implemented green initiatives, including green cleaning policies for schools. Eco-conscious cleaning products use naturally derived ingredients, which can help users feel more comfortable while still providing comparable disinfection performance to traditional products.

At a state level, there are policies in place to either require or encourage specific cleaning practices in schools, such as cleaning frequency, product selection and mandatory training for cleaning professionals. There has been a continued shift towards green cleaning in schools driven by state legislation. Our 2022 policy analysis found that 15 states either recommended or required some level of green cleaning.¹ Updated findings in our 2026 analysis found that 18 states now require green cleaning, while 13 states recommend it (Table 1).²

Table 1. States that require or recommend green cleaning policies in schools as of 2026

How to comply with the latest laws and policies

As this policy shift continues, schools need to be ready to comply with evolving requirements, and we are here to provide some guidance.

Seven states (California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, Oregon and Rhode Island) require the purchase of cleaning and disinfecting products that are third-party certified. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports this through two certification programs: Safer Choice for cleaning and maintenance products, and Design for the Environment (DfE) for EPA-registered disinfectants.³ These certifications confirm that products have been reviewed for reduced impact on human health and the environment. Products with these certifications will also meet the cleaning needs of states that recommend having a green cleaning policy.

When selecting third-party certified products, choose options that are low-odor, fragrance-free and safe to use with minimal or no PPE. Refer to product labels for instructions on effective use, including required contact times to kill pathogens of concern in schools, such as norovirus and influenza. Products such as the CloroxPro EcoClean line of sprays and wipes allow professional cleaners to maintain cleaning power while embracing eco-conscious options. To support your cleaning efforts, we created an Eco-Conscious Cleaning in Schools Toolkit that provides guidance on product selection and the benefits of eco-conscious cleaning.

With more states shifting towards green cleaning mandates for K–12 schools, it is important to stay diligent about following the most recent policies in place. Eco-conscious products allow balance between prioritizing human health while still effectively cleaning surfaces. Student success relies on a clean and welcoming learning environment, and selecting eco-conscious products as you prepare for back-to-school season is one of the simplest changes you can make.