New York City is a great place to find different opportunities. It keeps you busy at different hours working, having fun, and discovering new things. There is always something going on so you may not have time to clean anymore. That is why there are cleaning services in the city who can help. This list of the best cleaning services in New York City is made of companies who come highly recommended by their customers. Take a look and see one that can help you with your needs.
1. Eden
| BEST FOR | Top-Rated Office Cleaning, Competitive Rates, Fully Insured |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Administrative Support · Catering · Cleaning · Design · Corporate Events · Installation · Repair & Maintenance · Moving · Pest & Animal Control · IT Support · Security · Supplies |
| PRICING | Contact vendor for a quote/bid |
| WEBSITE | www.eden.io |
| ADDRESS | New York |
| CONTACT | (800) 754-3166 | support@eden.io |
| PAYMENT | Major credit or debit cards |
Launched in October 2015, Eden is an office management platform providing a wide range of services for the workplace, from office cleaning and handymen to IT support and office moves. Using Eden’s services marketplace, you can receive multiple bids on any service you require to keep your office running smoothly, including handyman work, plumbers, movers, etc.
They identify and onboard vendors who are recommended by real office managers in the city, and complete multiple reference checks to make sure they provide excellent service. For your peace of mind, all services are covered by their happiness guarantee (and a $1 million insurance policy).
Eden is venture-backed from some of the best institutional and angel investors in Silicon Valley, including Y Combinator, SV Angel, Redpoint Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Canvas Ventures, Index Ventures, Comcast Ventures, ENIAC, Maven Ventures, Slow Ventures, and many more.
2. Maid Sailors
| BEST FOR | Green/Eco-friendly cleaning, responsiveness, certified professional cleaners, always improving |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Regular Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Move In/Move Out Cleaning, Organizing, Dishes, Inside the Fridge, Inside the Oven, Inside the Cabinets, Laundry, Interior Walls, Baseboards, Interior Windows, Inside Closets, Pet Hair Clean-up |
| PRICING | From $110 for a one-time cleaning service. From $94 for a weekly cleaning service. |
| WEBSITE | https://maidsailors.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 257 Water StNew York, New York |
| CONTACT | +1 212-299-5170 | support@maidsailors.com |
| PAYMENT | Online payment via credit card |
Maid Sailors is an in-demand cleaning services company in New York City. It is clearly because of their thorough housekeeping as well as their budget-friendly packages. A cursory search on a search engine is enough to tell that their previous customers are left in awe by the exhaustive jobs the company’s cleaning professionals have done. And that is expected because these people are certified and have gone through intensive training. As such, they have the necessary skills and knowledge to give the best cleaning services that they could offer.
Yet, despite being a top cleaning services company in a bustling city, Maid Sailors does not stop from improving. They take into consideration comments and suggestions made by clients and they do their best to incorporate those in their cleaning procedures.
3. Green Elite Cleaning Services
| BEST FOR | Eco friendly cleaning techniques; flexible schedules |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Residential House Cleaning, Commercial Office Cleaning, Commercial Janitorial Services |
| PRICING | Contact to get a quote |
| WEBSITE | https://www.greeneliteclean.com |
| ADDRESS | 1244 President St Brooklyn, NY, 11225 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (833)-SANITISE / (833)-726-4847 | deane@greeneliteclean.com |
| PAYMENT | Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, PayPal, Cash |
Having a hard time sticking to your house cleaning schedule due to busy days at work? Don’t worry because Green Elite Cleaning Services is always available to do the work for you. The company is one of the most dependable, efficient, and cost-effective house cleaning service providers that you can count on in New York. They guarantee to make your place sparking clean from floor to ceiling.
They offer their services in a weekly, Biweekly, monthly, and one time basis so feel free to set your desired appointments with them for a completely premium quality cleaning service.
4. Maid Share
| BEST FOR | All-natural cleaning |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Home, Office, and Event cleaning |
| PRICING | Contact for more details |
| WEBSITE | https://www.imaidshare.com/ |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (347) 979-0146 | support@imaidshare.com |
| PAYMENT | Contact for payment details |
Maid Share is an all-natural cleaning company that prides themselves on their distinctly unique approach of combining green cleaning technology and aromatherapy to give you a clean room that you’ll never forget. For a 100% nontoxic and eco-friendly cleaning services, reach out to them today. You can be sure that their services and products are safe for the entire family.
5. Mydust Cleaning Services
| BEST FOR | Eco-friendly, toxic-free cleaning |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Commercial and residential cleaning |
| PRICING | Call for more details |
| WEBSITE | https://www.mydustcleaningservices.com/ |
| ADDRESS | — |
| CONTACT | Phone: 646 330 5159 Email: info@mydustclean.com |
| PAYMENT | Call for more details |
Mydust Cleaning Services offer packages and cleaning solutions that are specifically tailored to your unique situation. They also provide effective non toxic cleaning products and H.E.P.A filtered vacuum cleaners.
New clients can now get an additional 5% off as a thank you for booking Mydust Cleaning Services, and they offer a choice between free eco-friendly cleaning supplies or a 5% discount.
6. New York’s Little Elves
| BEST FOR | Platinum-standard reputation for fine interior residential and office cleaning |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Maintenance Cleaning, Post-Construction, Openings & Closings, Seasonal Deep Cleaning |
| PRICING | Contact the company for a free cleaning estimate |
| WEBSITE | www.nyelves.com |
| ADDRESS | Offices in Manhattan, Sag Harbor and Palm Beach |
| CONTACT | (212) 673-5507 | info@nyelves.com |
| PAYMENT | Major credit cards |
For over three decades, New York’s leading designers, architects, contractors and homeowners have trusted New York’s Little Elves to make beautiful residential and commercial interiors look their best. They apply the platinum standard with each cleaning job to satisfy even the most discerning clients. Their team of dedicated, trained professionals goes above and beyond with their meticulous approach, from using Q-tips to clean air vents to reaching unseen hardware behind cabinets.
New York’s Little Elves’ professionalism and attention to detail has earned them the recognition as one of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in America by Inc. Magazine three years in a row and recognized as “Best House Cleaner” by New York Magazine. For your peace of mind, they only hire legal, expert and dedicated cleaning professionals who have undergone extensive, ongoing training.
7. Today’s Maid
| BEST FOR | Last-minute cleaning requests |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Residential, office, seasonal, post-construction and moving cleaning services |
| PRICING | Contact for quotes |
| WEBSITE | https://www.todaysmaidservice.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 199 Lee Ave suite 160, Brooklyn, NY 11211 |
| CONTACT | (718) 388 – MAID (718) 388 – 6 2 4 3 (212) 444 – 9 9 3 3 | info@todaysmaid.com |
| PAYMENT | Contact for payment methods |
Today’s Maid understands that you can’t everything planned perfectly, so for your ad-hoc cleaning needs, they can help you in every step of the way. And having served over 100,000 clients since 2005, Today’s Maid knows that their customers require different schedules for their cleaning tasks, whether it’s every day, monthly, or a one-off requirement.
8. Luxury Cleaning
| BEST FOR | Green cleaning, consistent cleaning, affordable but high-end cleaning services, top-down cleaning, outstanding work ethics |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Deep Cleaning, General Cleaning, Move In/Move Out Cleaning, Post-renovation Cleaning, Customized Cleaning Packages, Commercial Cleaning, Extra Services |
| PRICING | From $100 |
| WEBSITE | https://luxurycleaningny.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 529 East 5th street Apt. RSNew York, New York 10009 |
| CONTACT | + 212-537-0153 |
| PAYMENT | Online payment via credit or debit card, PayPal |
Luxury Cleaning is a company known for their outstanding work ethics. Their staff clean and scrub every inch until it shines top-down. This means that you can say goodbye to cobwebs and dirt that cling to your ceiling and even on your walls.
With Luxury Cleaning, you can expect top quality cleaning only. It is as if your place has been treated to high-end cleaning. However, the price is not steep—it is affordable as it goes up from $100, depending on your cleaning package and add-on services. But whatever you choose, you can look forward to a fresh smelling place that has been scrubbed only with the best eco-friendly solutions.
9. Cleaning Exec
| BEST FOR | Fully vetted and trained cleaners, fulfillment of last minute bookings, highly responsive customer service, timely and professional services, broad range of serviced spaces |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Sweeping & Mopping of Floors, Dusting & Wiping Reachable Surfaces, Waste Management, Wiping of Mirrors & Glass Fixtures, Vacuuming, Swiffer of Kitchen & Laundry Floors |
| PRICING | $60/hour per maid. Flat rates from $100. |
| WEBSITE | https://cleaningexec.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 12 John Street, #11FNew York, NY 10038 |
| CONTACT | +1 212-457-8699 |
| PAYMENT | Online payments via credit or debit cards handled by Stripe |
Cleaning Exec is a highly recommended cleaning services company in New York City. Its customers are always 100% satisfied with their thorough cleaning done by fully vetted cleaners. That is because the company’s undergo intensive practical training before they are sent to the field. As such, you can expect only excellent cleaning from any staff that walk through your doors.
With Cleaning Exec, you do not have to wait long to speak to a customer service representative. They often answer on the second ring of the telephone and they do their best to reply to emails within ten minutes of your sending it. Thus, whenever you have issues or last-minute booking to make, you can count on them to respond to your request.
And speaking of last-minute bookings, Cleaning Exec has a 98% fulfillment rate. Whenever you have a need for emergency cleaning services, you can call them and they are most likely available to help you with your dilemma.
10. MB Green Cleaning
| BEST FOR | Green Cleaning |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Residential Cleaning, Commercial Cleaning, Special Projects |
| PRICING | Contact the company for a quote |
| WEBSITE | www.mbgreencleaning.com |
| ADDRESS | P.O. Box 572 New York, NY 10031 |
| CONTACT | 646 – 238 – 9576 | info@mbgreencleaning.com http://www.mbgreencleaning.com/contact-green-cleaning-services-nyc |
| PAYMENT | PayPal, check |
MB Green Cleaning puts your health and safety first. They work with organic products, free from harmful chemicals found in many commercial solvents, and use concentrated cleansers in bulk to minimize waste from packaging. In addition, MB Green Cleaning is insured and their staff is covered with Liability and Workers’ Compensation insurance.
For home or residential cleaning, standard clean includes sweeping, mopping, and cleaning floors, surfaces, and fixtures in each room. In addition, they also put clean sheets on beds, clean refrigerator and microwave (inside and out), washing (machine or by hand) and putting dishes away. For commercial cleaning, they treat professional spaces with the same care and attention to detail that they bring to the home.
11. Maid Marines
| BEST FOR | 55-point checklist, safe and effective cleaning solutions, eco-friendly and green cleaning, custom cleaning, extra services, discounts for recurring customers, |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Bedroom Cleaning, Living Room Cleaning, Bathroom Cleaning, Kitchen Cleaning, Appliances Cleaning, Waste Management, Organizing, Vacuuming |
| PRICING | From $119 or request a quote online |
| WEBSITE | https://maidmarines.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 37 W 26th St #410New York, NY 10010 |
| CONTACT | +1 212-390-1629 | info@maidmarines.com |
| PAYMENT | Credit and debit card payments |
Maid Marines is another highly rated cleaning services provider in New York City. It has a wide coverage, which means wherever you are in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens, any of the company’s cleaning professionals can find you.
What makes Maid Marines attractive to customers is their 55-point cleaning checklist. The cleaners who arrive at your place follow this to the letter to ensure that every base is covered. Plus, you can request for add-on services like laundry and cleaning inside your oven and refrigerator. This way, you can have a spotless home from top to bottom and even inside of your appliances, closets, and cabinets.
Moreover, if you become a recurring customer of Maid Marines, you are entitled to discounts! So the more you ask them to clean your place, the higher the discount you receive.
12. Neva Home Cleaning
| BEST FOR | Professional Housekeeping & Apartment Cleaning, Customized Cleaning |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Basic Home Cleaning, Deep House Cleaning, Move In & Move Out Cleaning, Filthy Apartment Cleaning, Post Construction Cleaning |
| PRICING | Contact the company for a free estimate |
| WEBSITE | www.nevahomecleaning.com |
| ADDRESS | Brooklyn, NY 11230 |
| CONTACT | (347) 941-0888 | support@nevahomecleaning.com |
| PAYMENT | Credit or debit cards |
Neva Home Cleaning believes that every customer is special and every project is different. As such, they offer hourly rate pricing for home cleaning services based on the size and condition of the apartment or house. They take their responsibility seriously, so they make sure they effectively and efficiently respond to the customer’s needs and earn their appreciation. Their cleaning services include basic and deep cleaning, move in/out, at regular schedule, as needed, or last-minute appointment.
13. eMaids Inc
| BEST FOR | 100% Bonded & Insured; Responsive Service; Instant Booking; Budget-Friendly Rates; Green Cleaning Solutions |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Economy Cleaning, VIP Cleaning, Move In/Out Clean, Office Cleaning |
| PRICING | Contact the company for an instant quote |
| WEBSITE | www.emaidsinc.com |
| ADDRESS | 244 5th Avenue K262 New York, NY 10003 |
| CONTACT | 212-390-1877 |
| PAYMENT | Major credit cards |
eMaids is a locally owned business building their client base one recommendation at a time. They have completed thousands of cleanings, so customers can expect experienced professionals handling the job. Not only do you get trained and trusted maids at budget-friendly rates, they will also provide the cleaning supplies and follow a thorough eMaids checklist for an efficient clean.
eMaids uses only the best non-allergenic products to ensure their customer’s safety and well-being. Like their very own home, they treat customer homes with care and respect. Finally, after any cleaning, they will leave you a scorecard so they can get valuable feedback about their staff and the quality of their work.
14. Anna’s Cleaning Service
| BEST FOR | Budget-friendly cleaning, eco-friendly cleaning, regular cleaning, emergency cleaning, special events |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Deep Cleaning, Move In/Move Out Cleaning, Basic Cleaning, Regular Weekly or Biweekly Cleaning, After-event Cleaning, Spring Cleaning |
| PRICING | From $25/hour |
| WEBSITE | www.AnnascleaningserviceNY.com |
| ADDRESS | 853 Woodward Ave., Ridgewood, New York 11385 |
| CONTACT | 347-432-6199 | annascleaningserviceny@gmail.com https://annascleaningserviceny.com/contact-us |
| PAYMENT | Cash or check payments are preferred but online payments are also acceptable after agreement |
Anna’s Cleaning Service is a relatively new company compared to others in this list but it is already a most sought-after service in New York. It started out as a one-man team that immediately expanded into a team made up of several highly trained and experienced cleaners who are committed to making homes clean.
The reason why Anna’s Cleaning Service is so popular is that aside from their detailed and systematic cleaning, their services are incredible affordable. And yet, you could already get a clean and fresh home from that.
Furthermore, Anna’s Cleaning Service is very candid about their cleaning methods and their shopping list. You know exactly what they can and cannot do for your home and you are aware as well of the products that they are using. For the latter, you can find eco-friendly but effective cleaning solutions that give you an immaculate space that is hygienic and does not smell of chemicals.
15. Genius Organizing
| BEST FOR | Decluttering and organization |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Home Organization, Office Organization, Specialty & Additional Services |
| PRICING | Contact for a custom quote |
| WEBSITE | http://www.geniusorganizing.com/ |
| ADDRESS | Brooklyn, New York |
| CONTACT | +1 917-716-5598 | nicole@geniusorganizing.com |
| PAYMENT | Cash or check |
Genius Organizing is a cleaning services company based in Brooklyn that services multiple areas including Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island. They focus on decluttering your home or office and organizing everything. This puts your mail, paperwork, and other things in order.
With Genius Organizing, you can get rid of less important things so you have a clutter-free space where you can be productive and profitable.
16. Handy
| BEST FOR | Fully vetted service professionals, instant booking, custom scheduling, upfront pricing |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Cleaning, Handyman Services, Plumbing & Electrical Services, Moving Help, Painting, Furniture Assembly, Office Cleaning, Home Cleaning, Vacation Rental Cleaning, Same Day Cleaning, |
| PRICING | Check the booking app for pricing |
| WEBSITE | www.handy.com |
| ADDRESS | PO Box 1122, New York, NY 10159 |
| CONTACT | support@handy.com |
| PAYMENT | Online payment via credit card |
Handy is a company that lets you book cleaning and other services through their handy web or mobile apps. They background check all professionals who become a part of their service to ensure that you work only with the best and most trustworthy people. With them, you can request anything from cleaning one room to cleaning an entire house, fixing things, painting walls, assembling furniture, and more.
Whatever job it is you need for your home or office, Handy has a professional who can be of service to you. Booking them is instant and you even get to state your own time rather than choose from a list of time slots.
Pricing on the Handy website is upfront so you pay and tip online only.
17. Carpet Cleaning NYC
| BEST FOR | Highly-trained technicians and quality equipment used for carpet cleaning |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Carpet Cleaning services Upholstery Cleaning services Organic Cleaning Solutions Rug Cleaning Services Water Damage Restoration Pet Stains & Odor Removal Drape & Shade Cleaning Oriental & Fine Rug Cleaning |
| PRICING | Request a quote via email or phone call |
| WEBSITE | https://topcarpetcarenyc.com/ |
| ADDRESS | Carpet Cleaning NYC 829 Park Ave New York, NY 10021 (917) 831-4478 |
| CONTACT | carpetcleaningnyc123@gmail.com | (917) 831-4478 |
| PAYMENT | Contact for payment options |
Carpet Cleaning NYC is a registered cleaning company in New York. Cleaning carpets since 2004, they remain family-owned and led by the third generation to provide services to both home and offices. Aside from carpet and upholstery cleaning, they provide 24-hour emergency water restoration and other cleaning services using state-of-the-art cleaning equipment.
Some companies in this list of the best cleaning services in New York City have very specific services. These are great if you only need a particular kind of service so you do not have to pay more than you need.
18. Synergy Maids
| BEST FOR | 55-point checklist, green cleaning, insured and bonded staff, secure online payment |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Bedroom Cleaning, Toilet & Bathroom Cleaning, Kitchen Cleaning, Living Area Cleaning, Vacuuming, Dusting, Wiping, Organizing, Office Cleaning, Extra Services |
| PRICING | From $50/hour per maid |
| WEBSITE | https://synergymaids.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 211 W 56th St #7MNew York, NY 10019 |
| CONTACT | +1 347-286-8882 | info@synergymaids.com |
| PAYMENT | Online payment via credit or debit cards |
Synergy Maids is a cleaning services provider that has been featured in different news publications. That is because they have a timeworn 55-point checklist that every cleaning staff follows, regardless of the size of the space to be cleaned. You also do not have to wait long for them to let you know that they would be able to clean your place. That is because they respond in a matter of minutes to your request. Thus, you can breathe easy and look forward to having a spotless home or office soon!
Additionally, you can ask Synergy Maids to provide you with green cleaning. If so, they are prepared to send staff and supplies that are well suited for eco-friendly cleaning services. As such, you can enjoy an immaculate place without harming the environment.
19. Wizard of Homes
| BEST FOR | Broad range of services, affordable rates, custom cleaning, handyman services, steam cleaning, organic cleaning |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Basic Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Move In/Move Out Cleaning, Filth Clean, Custom Cleaning, Organizing, Post-construction Cleaning, Recurring Cleaning, Organic Cleaning, Vapor Steam Cleaning, Handyman Wizard |
| PRICING | Hourly cleaning rate is from $40 while flat rates start at $75. Handyman services also available from $50-$75 per hour. |
| WEBSITE | http://wizardofhomes.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 350 5th AvenueNew York, NY 10118 |
| CONTACT | +1 646-606-2726 | info@wizardofhomesnyc.com |
| PAYMENT | Cash, check, or venmo |
Wizard of Homes is a cleaning service with a broad range of services. This means that you can choose between deep cleaning and basic cleaning, or you can opt for other one-time cleaning services like pre- and post-tenancy cleaning, filth cleaning, and organizing. And if you would like to have a wizard clean your home on a schedule, you can arrange that with the company too. This wide range of services is what makes the firm sought after by customers. Because of that, they offer variable rates that suit the needs of every person’s space.
Moreover, Wizard of Homes offers custom cleaning. This lets you dictate how and where you want it done. The rate is also budget-friendly because you get to call the shots at just $40 per hour.
Best of all, Wizard of Homes provides organic cleaning and steam cleaning. These services sanitize your homes without the reek of chemicals for a fresh indoors.
Lastly, if your home is in need of fixing, you can call for a handyman wizard who can fix anything from a hole in the wall to tile repair and other odd jobs.
20. Busy Bee
| BEST FOR | Custom cleaning schedule, environment-friendly cleaning |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Office Cleaning, Building Maintenance, Janitorial Services, Local Commercial Cleaning Services, Apartment Cleaning, |
| PRICING | Get a free quote online |
| WEBSITE | https://www.bbcleaningservice.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 1133 Broadway #412New York, NY 10010 |
| CONTACT | +1 212-921-2364 | busybee@bbcleaningservice.com |
| PAYMENT | Credit or debit card payment |
Busy Bee is an all-around cleaning services company that serves the Greater Manhattan Area. They clean mostly office and commercial spaces but they clean apartments. You can go to them for a one-time deep cleaning of your living or working space or you can set-up a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedule with them.
With Busy Bee, you can rest assured that every nook and cranny is wiped clean of dirt and dust as well as sanitized. However, they also guarantee that your place will smell fresh and not of chemicals because they only use eco-friendly cleaning solutions.
What’s more, Busy Bee staff are experienced in cleaning different kinds of places, so you can count on them to be thorough in carrying out their cleaning tasks with your space.
21. MyClean
| BEST FOR | 50-point checklist, daily availability, add-on cleaning services, timely and professional cleaning, transparent pricing, consistent services, flexible cleaning schedule, walk-through |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Dusting, Vacuuming & Mopping, Wipe Downs, Scrubbing, Bedroom Cleaning, Living Area Cleaning, Kitchen Cleaning, Toilet & Bathroom Cleaning, Office Cleaning, Appliances Cleaning, Waste Management |
| PRICING | From $99. For accurate pricing, use the cleaning schedule booking form. |
| WEBSITE | https://www.myclean.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 247 W 35th St #9RNew York, NY 10001 |
| CONTACT | +1 855-692-5326 | contact@myclean.com |
| PAYMENT | Online payment via credit or debit card. Tips can be paid in cash. |
MyClean offers exhausting cleaning services for homes and offices. They follow a 50-point cleaning checklist that can vary depending on the cleaning package you chose. If you opted for a deep clean, then your home is treated to an ultra-comprehensive scrubbing, wiping, and dusting. If that is not enough, you can add some extra services to your booking request too. But whatever package you choose, you can always look forward to a transparent pricing. You can even avail of discounts if you choose a flexi schedule or if you book during off-peak hours.
The great thing about MyClean is that their cleaners are available daily. And they can adjust to your schedule, especially if you have a busy space at certain times of the day. Whatever the case, you can expect the company’s cleaning crews arrive on time. They even offer walk-throughs after their job so you can marvel at how clean your home is with them.
22. Prime Cleaning Services, Inc
| BEST FOR | Professional cleaning services |
| SERVICES/SCOPE | Evening cleaning, daytime porter, carpet and upholstery cleaning, deep cleaning, green cleaning |
| PRICING | Contact for more information |
| WEBSITE | https://primecleaningnyc.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 303 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, United States |
| CONTACT | +1 212-603-9480 |
| PAYMENT | Contact for more information |
Prime Cleaning Services, Inc focuses on catering its clients with a variety of cleaning packages to choose from. This makes it easier for them to approach their clients and achieve the results they want.
Since the company highly values their clients, they ensure that all staff are responsive and friendly. Their cleaning team is always punctual and uses special methods that do not harm the environment.
