How the Pros Do It — Tips Learned from the 2022 ISSA Show for Maintaining Healthy Buildings

Regarded as “the Super Bowl of the cleaning industry,” this year’s International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) Show North America was in Chicago and attracted cleaning professionals and exhibitors from around the world. In addition to the tradeshow, there were numerous opportunities for networking, product discovery, and education. Some key topics covered in the education tracks included facility operations and maintenance, technology and innovation, and environmental, social responsibility, and governance (ESG). As a first-time attendee, I seized the chance to attend educational sessions to learn from professional cleaning experts who shared the latest trends and solutions for cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention. Across sessions, one theme was clear: we must create and maintain healthy buildings.

What is a healthy building?

Understanding how to clean for health rather than cleaning for appearances is vital in maintaining healthy shared spaces. Healthy buildings use eco-conscious products, resource-efficient processes, and human health elements to promote environmental and human well-being. Below I highlight a few guiding principles to help keep your facilities clean and healthy for all occupants.

Tips for maintaining a healthy building

• Promote clean, safe environments.
  • In the session “Redefining Cleaning for Health,” Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)¹ was referred to as the “roadmap” to green cleaning. LEED is a third-party certification that aims to create healthier buildings through a holistic approach. This program is designed to promote sustainable product usage, improve individual and community wellness, and increase efficiency and cost-savings.¹ Additionally, the ISSA – Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) – Green Building certification program also supports organizations developing comprehensive cleaning protocols.
  • In the session “Driving Business Value through Healthy Buildings,” the elements of a healthy building framework were discussed. Notably, incorporating human health elements like proper hand hygiene, good air exchange, and access to natural light can support employee productivity and create a positive experience for building occupants.
• Provide clean air for all building users to breathe.
  • Improving indoor air quality (IAQ) was emphasized in the ‘Healthy Schools’ and ‘Driving Business Value through Healthy Buildings’ sessions as a part of the healthy building framework. Both sessions noted that limiting indoor airborne transmission of pathogens can positively affect building health.
  • In “Redefining Cleaning for Health,” it was recommended that mildly fragranced cleaning products are used. This way occupants will know that the area has been cleaned but are not exposed to lingering chemicals.
• Use sustainable products and practices. In a panel discussion, members of ISSA’s Sustainability Committee emphasized that sustainable products and processes are key features in the future of the cleaning industry.
  • Third-party certifications can help identify more sustainable cleaning and disinfecting products.² Credible third-party certifications include EcoLogo, GreenSeal, and EPA-certified Safer Choice and Design for the Environment (DfE). Each certification has strict requirements to ensure products are safe, sustainable, and effective. For EPA-registered products, however, only Safer Choice and DfE-certified products are qualified to display their logos on product labels,^3,4 which can help consumers and commercial buyers easily find them (see labels below).  
  • Implementing resource-efficient processes is also beneficial. For example, using natural daylight and no-rinse products are more sustainable practices that can save energy and water.
• Educate your cleaning staff.
  • Due to labor shortages and an increasing demand for improved cleaning efficiency, staff training and education is necessary. Proper training can also help reduce the risk of occupational injury.⁵
  • Designed specifically for frontline cleaning professionals, The CloroxPro™ HealthyClean™ Trained Specialist Course teaches how to properly clean for health by using the right products at the right time to help create cleaner and healthier shared spaces.⁶ CloroxPro’s own public health liaison, Lori Strazdas, was featured in the ISSA Innovation Theater to share how the learning platform can save cleaning professionals time and money, while also creating confidence in the cleanliness and safety of shared spaces.  

Pushing the Industry Forward

Altogether, the global leaders at this year’s show recognized the importance of maintaining healthy buildings. The use of sustainable, eco-friendly products to create cleaner, healthier, and safer spaces was widely promoted. I applaud the session speakers for highlighting the need for proper education on how to clean for health so that cleaning efforts are targeted to what matters most, ensuring a more effective and efficient clean. Congratulations to the ISSA Show organizers on a successful event and thank you to all cleaning professionals who are committed to cleaning for health, not just appearance. Let’s continue learning and sharing innovative solutions that continue to push the industry forward.

References

<sup>1. CIMS-Green Building and LEED. https://www.issa.com/emea-portal/cleaning-industry-management-standard-certification-emea/cims-green-building-and-leed
2. Third Party Certifications of Safer and Sustainable Cleaning and Disinfecting Products. https://www.cloroxpro.com/blog/third-party-certifications-of-safer-and-sustainable-cleaning-and-disinfecting-products/
3. Learn About Design for the Environment (DfE) Certification https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-labels/learn-about-design-environment-dfe-certification
4. Learn About the Safer Choice Label. https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/learn-about-safer-choice-label
5. 5 Easy Steps to a Safer Workplace. https://www.cloroxpro.com/blog/5-easy-steps-to-a-safer-workplace/
6. HealthyClean Training Program. https://www.cloroxpro.com/resource-center/cloroxpro-healthyclean/</sup>

Additional Resources

^{It’s Not Easy Being Green: Dispelling 3 Key Myths About Safer and Sustainable Cleaners and Disinfectants. https://www.cloroxpro.com/blog/its-not-easy-being-green-dispelling-3-key-myths-about-safer-and-sustainable-cleaners-and-disinfectants/
Finding the Right Education and Training Program: Three C’s of Credibility. https://www.cloroxpro.com/blog/finding-the-right-education-and-training-program-three-cs-of-credibility/}