Other Cleaners

Industrial Consumer

Required

Suggested

Limited

Prohibited

Info on this product category: Other Cleaners

Criteria for Other Cleaners

Criteria for Required products:

Definitions:

Cleaners include ready-to-use, non-disinfecting cleaners, such as:

  • Abrasive powdered cleaners
  • Air conditioner coil cleaners
  • Appliance cleaners
  • Boat and bilge cleaners
  • Brick and masonry cleaners
  • Calcium, lime and rust removers/descalers
  • Carpet cleaners and stain removers
  • Cream cleansers
  • Deodorizers
  • Drain cleaners
  • Dry erase board cleaners
  • Furniture/wood cleaners/polishes
  • Gum and adhesive removers
  • Mold and mildew removers
  • Oven/grill/BBQ cleaners
  • Stainless steel/metal cleaners/polishes
  • Stone cleaners
  • Upholstery cleaners
  • Vehicle cleaners

These cleaners must not be in aerosol containers.

  • Bathroom cleaners (non-disinfecting/non-sanitizing), including grout cleaners and toilet cleaners
  • Carpet, rug and upholstery cleaners, including concentrated pre-spray, spot and stain removers, carpet shampoos and bonnet cleaners
  • Cleaner-degreasers
  • Enzymatic restroom cleaners
  • Floor cleaners (including concentrated neutral floor cleaners, dust and damp mop cleaners)
  • General purpose cleaners
  • Glass cleaners
  • Multipurpose cleaners, including peroxide-based cleaners

All cleaners must be currently certified by one of the following:

  • Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold level or higher, version 3.1 or later
  • Green Seal
  • UL ECOLOGO
  • US EPA Safer Choice Program

Concentrated cleaners must be in a spill-resistant package that prevents access to the undiluted chemical (e.g., automatic dilution systems like ready-to-dispense (RTD), wall-mounted ones).

Last updated

Last updated: 
January 21, 2021

Guide for City Staff

City Custodians:

  1. Are required to buy these cleaners (if needed):
  2. Post the City department green cleaning checklist/poster.
  3. Post tips (for microfibers, disinfecting, dusting, polishing, floor care, kitchens, restrooms) and watch custodial green cleaning training videos in English, Cantonese, and Spanish made by SF Environment. 
  4. Disinfectants are only important for surfaces like doorknobs.
  5. Switch to microfiber mops and cloths, which can prevent injuries because there's no need for heavy mop buckets.
  6. Install closed-loop dilution systems (if possible) to prevent employee exposure to hazardous concentrates.

Non-custodial City Staff: