File under: Good to Know About. We heard about this green service from one of the better emails we subscribe to, the Chicago edition of A Fresh Squeeze.
Started four years ago by Hillary Theiling, her initial intention was not based on being a green company.
"Initially, when I started cleaning, I did the cleaning myself and I started with clients’ products,” Thieling says. But after working with traditional cleaning products for just a few weeks, she began to feel ill.
Thus, the switch to non-toxic cleaners; Sparkle Queen uses only plant-based, naturally mined, biodegradable, pet-safe products.
Some products mentioned as Sparkle Queen regulars: Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds (for floors and woodwork), H2Orange in heavy (for disinfecting/degreasing) and light (glass and steel) concentrations, and Shaklee scouring paste (ovens).
The cleaning is done by trained, regular employees (who Sparkle Queen is committed to paying a living wage). They offer a first time cleaning, based on a hourly rate, and maintenance services based on the size of your space.
Sparkle Queen cleans from the South Loop to Wicker Park to Lakeview, Monday through Friday from 8am. For more info or to make a service request, check the Sparkle Queen site.
Via: A Fresh Squeeze
Having just read Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed, I'd love to know what the living wage is.
view Saha 's profile
No kidding! I've been considering a cleaning service . . . I wonder if their prices are substantially higher than typical services as most green products are . . .
view MCNicole's profile
according to the AFl-CIO, the living wage is between $9.25-$10 bucks.
thanks for this article!
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