“Cleaning is Caring”—that’s the overarching message of the American Cleaning Institute’s (ACI) recently launched campaign, which advocates that good cleaning habits ensure a healthy and safe future for everyone.
In a new survey conducted on behalf of the organization, 70% of Americans view cleaning less as a chore now than they did just a few years ago and, instead, perceive it as a way to protect themselves and their families from the spread of bacteria and viruses. Only 7% of Americans reported that they cleaned for germ prevention back in 2018. That’s a pretty significant difference, wouldn’t you say?
COVID-19 shifted a lot of things in our lives, but one of the most noteworthy changes has been our prioritization of cleaning and sanitization. We became motivated to uphold and surpass public health recommendations rather than simply remove visible dirt and debris. And while disinfecting surfaces throughout the home may first come to mind here, how you clean and care for your clothes is just as crucial.
In the spring of 2020, as the global coronavirus pandemic expanded, the World Health Organization (WHO) published guidance that the lipid layer of the coronavirus could be defeated through exposure to heat of at least 70°C for 30 minutes. The environmentally non-toxic GreenEarth dry cleaning process operates at higher-than-normal temperatures because of its elevated flashpoint of 77°C, making it an effective method in deactivating most bacteria and viruses.
We contracted with MRIGlobal, an independent laboratory approved for testing with SARS-CoV-2, to initiate performance analysis in June 2020. The testing demonstrated modified GreenEarth programs to be six times more effective than the WHO “heat alone” guidance. Additionally, and most importantly, was that the results were achieved without any additive chemicals. We have since filed for a provisional patent covering a modified GreenEarth dry cleaning process which includes vaporized steps in order to allow for antiviral dry cleaning when the virus contains a protective lipid layer. All coronaviruses, as well as their mutations, contain a lipid envelope.
So when the ACI says “Cleaning is Caring,” we feel GreenEarth embodies just that. Clothes cleaned in GreenEarth show a higher level of care—for you and your loved ones’ well-being, for your fabrics, and for the planet.
To find your nearest GreenEarth cleaner, head to our Store Locator.
By: Zarah Eads