Danny Frede’s „Robotonism“. Machines taking over. Part 2 of my art blog entry
17. September 2018Green energy. A contribution on current events
30. September 2018Cleaning as a fancy lifestyle? No way.
In the more or less long list of “I don’t like to do it, although I have to” – cleaning probably ranks very high, at least among the top 5. Even top 3, probably. But it is necessary. Because a hygienically maintained environment is indeed an indispensable prerequisite for us to feel comfortable and remain healthy. So you can’t get around. No arguing.
But as hard as you try… it’s kind of unattractive. Cleaning simply lacks glamour. While cooking has become a hobby with which one can distinguish oneself and fill the whole weekend, cleaning still seems quite bland. And this, even though the cleaning utensils industry is now making every effort, with cleaning power amplifiers, and funny sponges and cleaning cloths in fresh colors and with decor. One to two dozen cooking shows on TV, but no cleaning show. No coffee table book, no glossy monthly magazine.
And also all those performance promises of the manufacturers on the countless universal and special cleaners do not really help to make this appear as an energy-charged, „hot“ task. Powerful OxiAction, MultiSurface High Gloss, Oxygen Power or Rainbow Print on the super-absorbent multifunctional cloth hardly provide more momentum.
Yes, life is just no „Please, play my song“- concert, or no pony farm (or whatever your fun factor is). But enough lamentation. Rather, it is certainly worth a few considerations when it comes to how and with what we wash and clean. Because all these “powerhouses” are often (too) tough, and this is not always good for nature and the environment.
Cleaning with responsibility? Yes. And it’s even getting interesting here!
First of all, it’s all about taking a closer look at how and with what you can efficiently and thoroughly ensure neat cleanliness. And at the same time keep the well-being of the environment and nature in mind. As a sustainable company, we also take a very thorough approach to cleanliness and hygiene.
Therefore, our environmental contribution as a hotel is not limited to this classic hotel sticker in the bathroom. I’m sure you’ve read it a lot. For decades it has been a little text like this: “Make a contribution to environmental protection and decide for yourself – towels on the floor mean: Please wash. Towels on the rack mean: Please don’t wash, I’ll keep using them.” Really?! Great. What a feat!
Well, we don’t have such signs in our bathrooms, by the way. Because we consider this hint rather banal and extremely superfluous. We are convinced, with this matter of common sense (!) one is not a metre further in terms of “clean environmental responsibility”. There is still a lot more to be done.
For us, „responsible cleaning“ and sustainability already starts in the cellar.
Because there is a rather clever machines and equipment. So we have our own water softening device in the house. And that means we can do without aggressive lime cleaners. Furthermore, we can reduce the dosage of our cleaning and washing products to the minimum.
We continue with our own, highly energy-efficient washing machines and dryers. Machines that precisely match the amount of laundry and water to each other, and also dose the detergent “to the exact degree of dirt”. And, of course, the transport route is particularly short here. Only down the stairs. And our cleaning towels and cloths we dry „free air“, there ist no need to put them into the dryer.
For our bed and table linen, i.e. everything that needs to be ironed, we have a responsible industrial laundry as a partner. Locally located for short transport distances. With a long and well-tried family tradition (really old, and quite impressive!), but completely new and sustainable when it comes to modern machinery, and the company’s own sewage treatment plant according to the highest environmental regulations.
Cleaning with the “Big Five”
We carefully select our cleaning agents. Of course, all our house must be clean and hygienic. But please, also with no harm for our environment and nature.
According to test.de, the 5 “must haves” in a clean household are a general-purpose cleaner, an acidic cleaner (which we don’t need for “large scale usage!) against limescale deposits, a scouring agent, a hand detergent and a toilet cleaner. We don’t have a different specialist for every spot. And we have actually found what we were looking for.
There are now innumerable suppliers with high-performance, ecologically justifiable products. In specialist shops and drugstores, but also in supermarkets. And for us as a hotel business, our cleaning materials come from a cleaning agent professional for business and industry.
No matter what you decide on, have a look at what else appears next to “Super Clean” on the promising text on the back of product packaging or the “package insert“: „Organic” and “eco” are no protected terms that are defined, in terms of „legally reliable”. But on the other hand, there are some reasonable paths and orientation with regard to quality seals and labels, such as, for example “BLAUER ENGEL“ („Blue angel“ for environment) or “ECO CERT”.
Even more important than all seals and labels, is the right application, and that you do not overdose. Sometimes, much does not help much. On the contrary. With too much foam we rinse the last fish out of the water at some point, so to speak.
Our core products, for example, are powerful GRŸN cleaners with clever ingredients that are quickly and easily biodegradable. Without formaldehyde, without CHC and CFC, without perborates, without phosphates, without EDTA. Without organic halogen compounds and many others from the “poison kitchen”. But with active ingredients, that are selected biological or renewable raw materials.
As a result, a 10 kg canister of concentrate (empty weight 400 grams) replaces up to 500 spray bottles (empty weight approx. 40 grams) with ready-to-use cleaning solution. This corresponds to a reduction in packaging waste of over 98%! And by the way, this manufacturer is certified “up to both ears”: Vegan Society, unicef, BUND, for “VIVA CON AGUA”, B.A.U.M, produced with green electricity, UNHCR and NABU. In short, many good works (for a good feeling!) and, quite decisively, really clean.
And just for information
We don’t get any percentage or discount from GRŸN or other manufacturers. Please note that we choose all our products ourselves. We pay all products at full price, and do not enjoy any special treatment. We are simply of the opinion that good things which inspire us should be talked about.