Green Cleaning Mandates for Schools Growing

In 2026, 18 states require schools to implement green cleaning policies, and an additional 13 states strongly recommend schools use green cleaning practices, according to recent CloroxPro research. The remaining 19 states have issued no guidance and allow local districts and officials to determine cleaning practice policies.

In total, 31 states now recommend or require green cleaning policies. This represents nearly double the number of states with such policies from a previous analysis four years ago.

While green cleaning policies often require using eco-conscious products, significant variability emerges among green cleaning policies and the types of products to use:

• Policies that vaguely require the use of a “green cleaning product” without defining the term.
• Policies that provide some descriptions of green cleaning product features, such as improved safety features for students and janitors, or improved environmental footprints.
• Policies that provide highly specific requirements or specific third-party certified products including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safer Choice, EPA Design for the Environment, Green Seal, and Ecologo. Seven states specifically require third-party certifications: Rhode Island, Oregon, Hawaii, Connecticut, California, Maine, and Missouri.

Regardless of the requirements listed in the laws and recommendations, products certified EPA Safer Choice and EPA Design for the Environment meet the criteria listed in green cleaning policies broadly and are a good choice for any school subject to a green cleaning requirement.