Green Cleaning for Winter IAQ

Why Indoor Air Quality Gets Worse in Winter

Winter in Canada means sealed buildings. Doors and windows stay shut tight to keep the heat in, but that also means the air inside has nowhere to go. Pollutants, allergens, and cleaning chemical residues build up quickly and in workplaces, that can impact health, productivity, and even customer impressions.

Health Canada points out that Canadians spend about 90% of their time indoors, and exposure to indoor pollutants can have serious short- and long-term effects on health. When ventilation drops in winter, indoor air quality (IAQ) often gets worse than outdoor air.

For businesses, that’s more than a health issue; it’s also a financial one. Poor IAQ has been linked to increased sick days, reduced employee productivity, and higher operating costs. The Workplace Safety & Prevention Services notes that Canadian employers lose billions each year to health issues tied to poor indoor air.

That’s where green cleaning makes the difference. Unlike traditional cleaning methods that rely on harsh chemicals, eco-friendly cleaning focuses on reducing toxic residues, lowering VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and improving air circulation. When combined with proper HVAC care and dust reduction, green cleaning can transform sealed winter buildings into healthier, safer spaces.

Discover how Evergreen’s Green Cleaning Services are designed to improve indoor air quality while protecting both people and the planet.

Non-Toxic Cleaning Products for Sealed Environments

When buildings are sealed up for the winter, every product you use inside matters. Traditional cleaners often contain harsh chemicals like ammonia or chlorine that linger in the air long after the job is done. In a closed environment, these chemicals don’t just evaporate; they accumulate, irritating lungs and eyes, and contributing to poor indoor air quality.

Switching to eco-certified products is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve air quality in winter. Look for cleaning solutions with certifications such as:

• ECOLOGO – Recognized across Canada for verifying reduced environmental impact.
  
  
• Green Seal – A North American standard for safe, sustainable cleaning products.
  
  
• Health Canada’s Approved Disinfectants – Products that meet safety and efficacy standards while minimizing unnecessary chemical exposure.
  
  

These products are designed to reduce toxic residues, improve air quality, and protect both staff and visitors. For example, plant-based cleaners with hydrogen peroxide or citric acid provide the same level of cleanliness without the harmful fumes.

Evergreen integrates non-toxic cleaners into all of our programs. By combining them with microfibre cloths and mops, which capture dust and bacteria without added chemicals, we ensure facilities are clean, safe, and healthy, even when ventilation is limited in the winter months.

“Using certified green cleaning products is one of the fastest ways to improve air quality in a sealed environment. It protects building occupants without sacrificing cleaning performance.” — Evergreen Cleaning Supervisor

Learn more about Evergreen’s Green Cleaning Services and how they can help your workplace breathe easier this winter.

VOC Reduction in Winter Cleaning Protocols

One of the biggest threats to indoor air quality in sealed buildings is volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are gases released by many conventional cleaning products, as well as paints, adhesives, and even some furnishings. In the summer, open windows and fresh air dilute VOC levels. But in the winter, they build up and circulate, leading to headaches, respiratory irritation, and long-term health concerns.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies VOCs as a key contributor to indoor air pollution, recommending the use of low- or no-VOC cleaning products and proper ventilation to minimize exposure.

Health Canada notes that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a common group of indoor air contaminants that can affect air quality and health (Health Canada – VOCs). Research also shows that VOC concentrations indoors are often several times higher than outdoor levels, particularly in tightly sealed buildings during winter (ScienceDirect – VOCs in Residential Indoor Air).

To reduce VOCs in winter cleaning protocols, Evergreen follows best practices such as:

• Using low-VOC or VOC-free products for daily cleaning.
  
  
• Employing microfibre systems that clean effectively with minimal chemicals.
  
  
• Dilution control systems to ensure only the right amount of product is used.
  
  
• Scheduling heavier chemical use (like stripping floors) during off-hours when fewer people are in the building.
  
  

This proactive approach helps businesses maintain healthier environments without sacrificing cleaning effectiveness.

Air Purification Through Green Cleaning

While cleaning is essential for surface hygiene, it also plays a major role in air purification. Dust, allergens, and microbes circulate more heavily in winter when HVAC systems are running nonstop. If cleaning methods stir particles into the air instead of capturing them, IAQ problems only get worse.

Evergreen’s protocols emphasize equipment and techniques that improve air quality, not just appearances. For example:

• HEPA-filter vacuums are designed to trap 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, and allergens, preventing them from being released back into the air.
• Microfibre cloths and mops reduce airborne dust by holding particles instead of pushing them around.
  
  
• Carpet care programs prevent fibres from trapping dust and bacteria that eventually recirculate into the air.
  
  
• Humidity monitoring helps prevent overly dry conditions, which increase dust and respiratory irritation.
  
  

Studies show that improving indoor air quality has a direct impact on workplace productivity. The World Green Building Council notes that better IAQ can lead to an 11% increase in productivity in office environments.

“Air purification doesn’t just come from filters and machines. It starts with cleaning protocols that trap and remove pollutants at the source.” — Evergreen Environmental Specialist

By integrating these strategies, Evergreen ensures your facility not only looks clean but also feels healthier to breathe in, a critical difference during the sealed winter months.

LEED Compliance for Winter Maintenance

For businesses focused on sustainability, green cleaning isn’t just about healthier air; it’s also about meeting LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. LEED certification is one of the most recognized frameworks for sustainable buildings, and cleaning plays a big role in earning and maintaining those credits.

According to the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) category includes specific credits for using low-emitting products, green cleaning protocols, and indoor air quality improvements. For Canadian facilities, these practices aren’t just a way to gain points; they’re a way to demonstrate leadership in environmental stewardship.

Evergreen’s green cleaning programs support LEED compliance through:

• Using ECOLOGO and Green Seal-certified products that meet low-VOC requirements.
  
  
• Incorporating HEPA filtration systems and microfibre technology to reduce dust and allergens.
  
  
• Implementing dilution control and reduced chemical usage to minimize waste.
  
  
• Providing documentation and reporting that support certification submissions.
  
  

For businesses pursuing or maintaining LEED status, this approach ensures winter maintenance doesn’t compromise indoor air quality or your sustainability goals.

Conclusion: Healthier Air, Healthier Business

Winter is tough on buildings, but it doesn’t have to be tough on the people inside them. Sealed environments may trap pollutants and VOCs, but with a proactive green cleaning program, you can protect indoor air quality, safeguard employee health, and even improve productivity.

By focusing on non-toxic products, VOC reduction, natural disinfectants, and air-purifying cleaning practices, Evergreen helps businesses create healthier spaces. Add in LEED-compliant protocols, and you’re not just keeping a clean building, you’re investing in the long-term sustainability and success of your workplace.

At Evergreen, we understand that clean air equals peace of mind. That’s why our green cleaning services are designed to balance performance, safety, and sustainability, 365 days a year.

Ask Evergreen how our green cleaning program can improve indoor air quality in your facility this winter.