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This summer has actually felt like summer. And not just because of the sweltering heat either. Last year, we were all still at home twiddling our thumbs next to the A/C (a whole new definition to “long, hot summer”). But as vaccinations have become widely available and local economies have begun to reopen, we’ve been able to enjoy the best parts of the season again, and travel and hospitality companies are trying to keep up.  Over the past few months, we’ve seen a spike in in-person events, dining out, and namely, travel. Based on data from FlightAware, an aviation tracking service, the week of the 4th of July recorded an average of roughly 23,000 flights per day. While that’s still down from more than 28,000 average daily flights in 2019, it’s a 97.32% increase from 2020, which saw only 12,000. With the surge in airport traffic, hotel bookings are also on the rise. Marriott’s Q2 results show a worldwide occupancy of 51%, already a 13-point rise from the first three months of the year, according to a report from Travel Weekly. These metrics are encouraging, to say the least, and display a road to recovery, yet it’s also important to remember that some habits we developed at the height of the pandemic are sticking around. People may be going all out on vacations after over a year stuck at home, but health and well-being remain top priorities. The cleaning and sanitization of surfaces and fabrics must go beyond the standards they were held to in 2019. Travelers expect a level of cleanliness that is both inviting and safe. GreenEarth helps achieve just that. The hotels that use our system of care can feel good about not costing the planet while providing for the needs and peace of mind of their guests. GreenEarth, which replaces traditional dry cleaning petrochemicals with pure liquid silicone, is environmentally non-toxic and gentle on fabrics but cleans items thoroughly at temperatures that inactivate most bacteria and viruses. It sounds like a bit of a paradox—a process that truly cleans and is truly green—but we assure you it’s not. You just don’t need harsh and harmful chemicals to accomplish a pure clean. In fact, many of the world’s best-known brands in quality hospitality have made the choice to partner with a local GreenEarth cleaner or install compatible machinery in their own facilities, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt Regency, Montage, St. Regis, and Jumeirah Emirates Tower. For more information about our work in the hospitality space and how we can help you improve your sustainability commitments, click here. Or to find a GreenEarth cleaner in your market, search our Store Locator.  By: Zarah Eads

As we get back to business post-COVID, many of us are ready to hire, and the age-old question “how do I find good people?” seems more difficult than ever to answer. It isn’t easy, it’s never been easy. But now we’re seeing an increase in job openings for the first time in years, resulting in a workforce shortage. That’s right, another shortage. So now good candidates are less likely to come to us. We have to go get them. We’ll need to be more aggressive in our search and make our offer more appealing to draw the right people. Many of us begin the search when we need to fill a position. Unfortunately, that is often too late, leading us to make poor choices to make quick hires, not necessarily good hires.  To start, we should always be hiring. It’s easy to have job listings online and simply go through the submissions weekly. Whenever a candidate really sticks out, give them a call.  The listing needs to provide details about the job, specific qualifications to do the job, and give details about pay, vacations, and benefits. This work on the front end will help both you and the potential applicant weed each other out. Linkedin and Indeed are both easy platforms to use for finding the right people. Keeping your company profiles updated lets applicants get to know you, your business, and what you stand for. Everyone on these platforms is either working, looking for work, or knows someone looking for work. Posting a job on any of these platforms is free, and for a few more dollars, you can promote your posting to attract more applicants with the qualifications you need. And the best part, these platforms can work to find candidates for you, screen based on their resume, and you can review their profiles and applications on your schedule. Another strategy we’ve been using recently that has had some success for Affiliates is posting a well-branded, creative ad on Facebook simply announcing you’re hiring, then linking that ad to a detailed job listing on Indeed or Linkedin. That user experience is easily navigated and also helps weed out some of the unqualified applicants we might receive through Facebook natively. A current campaign on Facebook has reached over 2,000 people in one week, received over 80 clicks, and 54 applications submitted. In-Person Networking When you are out and about during your day, be on the lookout. If someone impresses you, take a moment to let them know and that you are looking for people like them. Do they have a friend that is looking for work or a career change? Good people hang out with good people, and with training, they can become exceptional employees for you. I have been lucky to get a steady pipeline of new hires from a hire I made nine years ago. Each time an employee has moved on, I ask them if they can recommend filling their position. Marketing Brand awareness is essential when enticing applicants. Think of your hiring ad as an opportunity to advertise your company. When our GreenEarth marketing team creates ads for Affiliates, they talk a little about the job and a bit more about why a candidate should apply. With a competitive job market, talking about what you can do for them will get their attention. Promote your vision and help potential applicants see how they can fit in and how you fit with their goals.  The goal of your ad is to attract like-minded individuals. For example, sustainability is important to us, so we want to hire people who care about the environment. If they understand your goals, training comes easily. Mention that you use GreenEarth® because it is sustainable, odorless, and safe for people, clothes, and our planet, and you will attract even more applicants aligned with you. If you are having trouble finding suitable candidates, reach out to us for assistance. Our team can create an ad campaign and job listing for you, using GreenEarth exclusive imagery and proven copy to attract applicants to help you keep your pipeline flowing.  Reach out to us for ad content and assistance at affiliatesupport@greenearthcleaning.com By: Karen Maxwell  

Our new Full Circle service is giving pre-loved machines a new lease on life. During the latter part of the 20th Century, there was very much a disposable attitude to almost everything.  Whether it be fashion, packaging, or electronics.  Once it was finished or no longer fit for purpose, it would be thrown away. That has now changed, particularly over the last 10 years.  Components are being repurposed more, using very few finite resources, and the energy to help repurpose is renewable. Even items like office floor tiles can now be leased.  When they need replacing, they are taken away, the rubber and fibers are separated and regenerated using renewable energy. The emphasis for doing this is to protect the planet’s finite resources.  With current levels of usage, it is predicted many of those resources such as Oil, Gas, and even Tungsten (which is a component of smartphones), will become severely depleted over the next 50-100 years. GreenEarth Cleaning’s proprietary liquid silicone is in itself circular.  It is used within a closed-loop system so that any waste can be collected and disposed of in a responsible way, and much of the solvent can be reused for many loads.  In addition, because it’s mild and gentle, it contributes to garments lasting longer and having a continued life through donating or passing on to friends and family. But it doesn’t end there, the GreenEarth Technical team has started applying these principles to machine restoration.   With many used machines becoming available in the past couple of years, we have taken advantage of our technical knowledge and are actively refurbishing good quality machines through our “Full Circle” service. The process is extensive and worth doing in order to provide value to Affiliates that are investing in their business, and want to lower the capital cost of doing so with a reliable pre-loved machine. It goes to show that what is one person’s trash could be another person’s treasure.  So, think twice before disposing of any item, it could have a second life somewhere you may not expect! By: Garry Knox  

The pandemic has had a massive effect on all of us. Whether you’ve been working from home while simultaneously running your own daycare, forced to change career paths and adjusting to a new lifestyle, or simply feeling isolated and missing friends and family, it’s beginning to feel like maybe our “new normal” isn’t going to be so different than life was eighteen months ago. People are finally starting to head back to work, go to formal events, and actually have in-person business meetings—handshakes and everything! We find oftentimes, folks simply aren’t aware of all of the services their dry cleaner offers. Alterations and tailoring is a service almost all dry cleaners offer and it’s not uncommon to find the best tailor in your market within a GreenEarth Affiliate location. Their tailors and seamstresses can make sure you’re looking your absolute best with the perfect fit. If you need to impress at a new job, have your work clothes slightly altered due to a pandemic routine shift, or dress to the nines for a formal event or wedding—no matter your need, the GreenEarth Network is here for you. In addition to simply providing tailoring services, GreenEarth has partnered with 9tofive, a suit retailer out of Brooklyn, NY selling tailored suits online with a focus on sustainability and first-class professional service across the country. Making the customer’s experience luxurious AND convenient. “We partnered with GreenEarth, a leader in sustainable dry cleaning, because their affiliates, like Bridgestone Cleaners in Brooklyn, are top professionals in garment care, tailoring, and alterations. They have some of the most knowledgable and talented tailors around and their service is unmatched. It just makes sense. People who buy suits use GreenEarth” Aaron Clanton (CEO at 9tofive). So you can now order a suit from 9tofive through your local GreenEarth cleaner, then when the suit arrives, have it fitted and tailored, all included in the cost of the suit. It’s a match made in heaven. “The pandemic has been rough for us and our dry cleaning partners. As businesses reopen and events are being held again, there has been an uptick in suiting needs. Weddings are slowly coming back and people are returning to normal life. Through our revolutionary partnership with GreenEarth, 9tofive has created an easier way of shopping. We have combined local, in-person connection with online retail, fostering a stress-free and accessible shopping experience. Along with these exciting initiatives, we are elated to roll out our new suit rental program. Getting fitted for a suit or tux rental has never been easier! We’ve used our local tailor partnerships to create a nearly effortless rental experience that practically brings designer suits to your doorstep.” Aaron Clanton (CEO at 9tofive). The moral of the story, don’t show up to your new job, the first day back at the office, of a black-tie event looking anything less than your best. We’ve got you. Find the GreenEarth cleaner nearest you on our online store and get fitted right. By: Aaron Newport

“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  

In the UK, it’s estimated one-third of clothing either end up going to landfill or is incinerated.  Also, purchases are continuing to be on the rise in the UK ahead of other countries. Around 10 years ago, there was very much a focus on vintage clothing and “make do and mend”, providing a focus on aftercare, whether it’s how you clean, store, or repair the item of clothing. This has got to be key to create a vintage concept, right?  So how do we create a vintage for the future? Textiles take-back schemes, where customers donate unwanted clothing to retailers to be reused or recycled, are a key part of developing a more circular fashion industry. High street retailers such as M&S, H&M, Tesco, and others have done this successfully.  Luxury brands are also examining how they can operate in this space. Ultimately, the garments can end up in a number of different places, depending on their condition. Their condition is determined by how well they are made, how often they are worn, and how they are cared for. If the garment condition is poor, it is likely to end up in the garbage, because the wearer doesn’t believe the item is good enough to be donated.  Although, charity shops will take in any item, and then either sell it in the shop or sell it to (for want of a better term) the “ragman.”  If the garment is in very good condition, then it becomes much more of a commercial proposition to the consumer.  They can either sell via “Vintage” sites, such as Depop or Vinted, or transact directly with a retailer. Great care is vital if more clothes are going to be commercially viable. If this can be achieved by using a sustainable aftercare solution, then even better. GreenEarth cleaning has started to work with brands to encourage just that.  There are two key elements of the GreenEarth proposition that support the concept. Closed-loop system.  Dry cleaning machines are sophisticated in that they look after every part of the process.—cleaning, drying, and also the collection of waste. This is different from wet cleaning, in that with GreenEarth Cleaning, no microfibers of microplastic will escape into the waterways and ultimately the world’s oceans. An environmentally non-toxic cleaning solution that loves clothes as much as it loves the planet.  The 100% pure D5 liquid silicone used exclusively in the GreenEarth branded process is a by-product of sand and is safe for clothes, people, and the planet. Silicone cleans more gently, reducing wear and tear on fabrics, maintaining the soft hand of fabrics, and prevents shrinkage. The work we do with brands includes care labeling, customer and colleague communications, and cleaning after they’ve been handed back.  Starting to clean with GreenEarth at the beginning of the garment’s life means that it will maintain its condition, and a GreenEarth clean after it’s handed back means that it will be clean, will look great, and will provide the maximum financial reward for the consumer and the retailer—a win-win! The consumer can make money on their old item and potentially save on a new item.  The retailer can buy back at a good price and even by paying for a cleaning price, they can still sell at a lower price combined with few additional costs (normally associated with garment production) they can see a reasonable profit margin. We will be talking about the projects that we are involved within the near future, so watch this space! To find out more about the innovative concept of GreenEarth Cleaning, please visit our FAQ page. By: Garry Knox  

After months of working remotely, we have finally reached the point where employers are preparing to bring their people back to the office. Thanks to vaccines, businesses are reopening their doors and welcoming back their staff and customers alike. The long-awaited reuniting of communities across the country is comforting for us all, as our sense of normalcy was abandoned a year ago due to a national pandemic. With this news comes a mix of emotions for employees everywhere; excitement, fear, eagerness, anxiety. This could very well be a major change to your daily routine. The best way to tackle any doubts that you might have is to prepare a “back to the office checklist.” If you are feeling anxious about the prospect of returning to the office, a few things you may include in your checklist are; daycare, animal care, transportation, and meals. All of those things we have taken for granted over the past fourteen months. While compiling your list, don’t forget to include the most important consideration…” what are you going to wear?” That’s right, it’s time to check the closet for something other than pajamas and sweatpants. Pull out your button-downs, your khakis, and yes, even those stylish suits. This is your chance to dress to impress. Be sure to plan ahead and expect there to be some dust on those clothes you haven’t worn in months—they need to be freshened up. Don’t add to your anxiety by trying to care for them yourself. Brush them off and have them cleaned by the best! Trust the professionals with your favorite work outfits. Find your local Greenearth dry cleaner to give them the look and feel of a new wardrobe. Don’t be shy, visit our store locator to find the cleaner nearest you. Greenearth is the world’s largest environmentally friendly brand in dry cleaning. The process of replacing petrochemical solvents with liquid silicone is our secret. The solution is non-toxic and non-allergenic. You can count on your local GreenEarth cleaner to care for your clothes in a way that’s safe for you, your clothes, and the planet. They’ll have you headed back to the office looking and feeling your best!

“The Earth is what we all have in common.” In a year when our differences have certainly been on full display and we often need to be reminded we have more in common than what divides us, the quote from American author and poet, Berry Wendell feels even more impactful on this trip around the sun.  It’s why, since the beginning, our mission statement has been doing business without doing harm. It’s our goal to provide the best possible fabric care with the lowest overall environmental impact. It’s also why the month of April continues to be a landmark month for us. While our Network of over 2,000 dry cleaners worldwide spends 365 days out of the year working to minimize our carbon footprint, Earth Month brings us the opportunity to celebrate those accomplishments and lay out goals to improve upon them for the year to come.  Simply by choosing your local GreenEarth dry cleaner, you too are having a positive impact on our planet. Not only will your clothes and household items be cleaned in the most sustainable way possible by the industry’s leading best-in-class professionals, but you’re also extending the life cycle of those garments and reducing the amount of textile waste making its way to landfills. Because GreenEarth isn’t just good for the environment, it’s gentle on garments too, allowing them to look newer longer.  Start to finish, the GreenEarth Cleaning system marks off all of the boxes for sustainability and that is by no accident. From the environmentally non-toxic solvent at the core of the system, to working to reduce utility usage, to coordinating national clothes drives preventing landfill waste, our team will continue to improve our sustainability initiatives and leave a better planet for generations to follow.  So here we are, calling on you to join us in celebrating Earth Month by making a commitment to put an end to fast fashion and join the sustainable fashion movement. It can all start by making the decision to care for your textiles sustainably, using your local GreenEarth cleaner.

The days are growing longer, the temperatures are inching higher, and the flowers are blooming—spring is officially here! That also means it’s patio cushion cleaning time! After a long, cold winter, getting outside, soaking up the sun, and breathing in some fresh air is good for the mind, body, and soul. However, in order to enjoy your patio, a bit of prep work is likely involved. Your outdoor furniture may be looking somewhat the worse for wear after being in heavy usage the last warm season. But there’s no need to worry about putting in the time and elbow grease to refreshing your cushions when you can count on a GreenEarth cleaner for your patio cushion cleaning needs (and do it expertly, might we add). If you’re a regular dry cleaning customer, you may know that your cleaner offers professional services for household items like bedding, curtains, and table linens. Patio cushions are so often overlooked, though. These pieces collect dirt, dust, pollen, and even mildew in some cases, and they beg for the same TLC given to your interior fabrics. Numerous GreenEarth Affiliates provide specialty cleaning for outdoor furniture, tackling any stains and odors without the use of harsh or harmful chemicals. The GreenEarth Cleaning process is made up of just one simple ingredient—pure liquid silicone, or essentially liquified sand. It’s non-toxic and non-hazardous, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sees no need to regulate its use. In fact, liquid silicone is the base ingredient in many of the shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and cosmetics we use every day. And it’s better for fabrics too. Unlike petrochemical solvents used traditionally in dry cleaning, liquid silicone is chemically inert, meaning it doesn’t chemically react with textile fibers; it carries the detergent to fabrics and gently carries away soils. Items come back softer, brighter, and odor-free each and every time. When you entrust your patio cushion cleaning to a GreenEarth cleaner, you’re leaving them in the safest and most capable of hands. With the transformations we’ve seen over the years, we wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t even recognize your cushions after they’ve been cared for by the pros! Yeah, our Affiliates are that level of good. So, let’s get your patio ready for the warmer days ahead: search your nearest GreenEarth location here. Between cleanings at your local GreenEarth cleaner, there are a few things you can do yourself to maintain your outdoor furniture. Use covers when the furniture isn’t in use or if you’re expecting a heavy downpour. Should your cushions be left out in the rain by accident, shake or wipe off any excess water after it stops and give them time to air out. Make it a habit to sweep off any surface dirt and dust from cushions to keep them looking in better shape for longer. If a stain does occur, you can mix ¼ cup of mild liquid soap with 1 gallon of water. Work that solution into the spot using a sponge or soft-bristle brush, then rinse and pat dry. During the off-season, cushions are best stored in a cool and dry environment. Plastic bags shouldn’t be used, as they can trap moisture and cause mildew to develop. You can actually purchase special storage bags for your cushions that allow air to flow while keeping out dirt and pests.