The Unique Challenges Facing the Hygiene Industry During COVID-19

David Whan • 20 February 2021

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, building and workplace cleaning was regarded as a necessity, but was very much a background task and something that was largely taken for granted. Nearly 12 months on and the cleaning industry faces unprecedented demand and the pressure of being the key factor in whether a business can safely open or not.

Coronavirus has disrupted the cleaning industry and also placed it under incredible scrutiny, with businesses having an opinion on hygiene and workplace cleanliness from the top to the bottom of the organisation.

Using data gleaned from 120,000 customers across all sectors, facilities services provider PHS have carried out detailed research on how buildings are now used and how the pandemic has affected businesses. The results highlight the pressure faced by the cleaning industry and the focus it is now under to perform, in most cases to the same high standards it was doing anyway.

Business premises closing due to COVID-19

During the first lockdown in 2020, 43% of premises in the UK shut down. But by September 95% were open again. This might seem like a lot, but it left one in twenty premises closed, which is significant. At the peak of the closures the accommodation and food industrie, where hygiene is perhaps most clinically important, saw some 73% of premises closed. This was the worst-affected sector, with 8% of buildings still closed in September. The arts, entertainment and recreation sector saw 62% of premises shut, with 11% still closed in September, more than double the national average. Other sectors were less affected, with the financial, insurance, administration and support services sector seeing 38% of buildings closed and education seeing 43% of sites closed. Of course by September this was up to 99% re-opened.

The cleaning industry has therefore faced an alarming demand in deep-cleaning and sanitising services, getting premises ready for reopening and enforcing strict hygiene protocols. But the PHS findings also revealed that buildings were not fully occupied upon reopening. Over a four-month period, washroom waste was monitored and was found to be 49% lower, an accurate measure to suggest that building occupancy had halved, with people home-working or having been made redundant. Even with buildings fully reopened occupancy was found to be down 17% on pre-COVID levels.

Amid the current lockdown, and with some restrictions expected to remain in place even when others are lifted during 2021, building usage will be much lower and widespread building closures are still expected, particularly with uncertainty in some sectors as to whether businesses can survive the pandemic at all.

Achieving high hygiene standards to beat COVID-19

So the cleaning industry still faces an enormous challenge of being ready and able to react when buildings are set to reopen, and expectations are of achieving and maintaining impeccable hygiene levels. This also involves training staff on new hygiene measures, with this applying across all sectors i.e. schools, retail, hospitality, offices etc., and hygiene being the critical factor behind a business reopening. So being COVID-safe is a unique challenge.

Not surprisingly, research shows that 26% of people were not confident about the hygiene levels when returning to work, 17% were not very confident and 7% were not at all confident. Robust hygiene measures have become the hot topic for 2021, and the need for a professional cleaning company has become clear.

It’s Clean are able to address your organisational hygiene needs, and we have dedicated local resources, able to build strong client relationships. This enables us to be locally-focused and capable of reacting to the highest hygiene standards in your business. So contact It’s Clean today, we can meet the unique challenges the cleaning industry is facing and together we can beat COVID-19.

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It’s Clean Ltd Supports Launch of IT Recycling Charity in Harrogate

by david • 10 December 2024

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Professional Healthcare Cleaning: Why People Trust It’s Clean Ltd as Contract Cleaners for Medical Practices and Clinic Settings

1 December 2024

Healthcare settings such as dental surgeries, GP clinics and other medical practices are busy environments with a particular need for reliable professional cleaning to very high standards. Hygiene is essential for these kinds of premises, which is why professional healthcare cleaning is so important, both for safety reasons and to create a calm and effective environment for patients. Keeping your medical practice spotless maintains a safe and professional space for both patients and staff but it relies on having a contract cleaning company in place that understands the unique requirements of healthcare cleaning. That’s where our professional cleaning for medical and dental surgeries and clinics comes in. Our clients in this sector see us as a trusted partner to ensure their practice or clinic is thoroughly cleaned, without disrupting operations or compromising patient care. At It’s Clean Ltd, we specialise in contract cleaning for healthcare clinics and understand the unique requirements of medical settings. Our expert team provides cleaning services outside core hours, ensuring your practice is always pristine when your staff and patients arrive. Why You Need Specialist Cleaners for Medical Practices In a medical setting, cleanliness is not just about appearance—it’s about safety. You need a cleaning service that understands the intricacies of maintaining a sanitary and compliant space. Here are some of the key ways we meet the needs of organisations looking for expert cleaners for medical practices: Safety First: Cleaning in a Medical Environment When hiring cleaners for a dental surgery or medical clinic, it’s vital they have experience with the safety protocols specific to healthcare environments. Your cleaning team must know how to handle equipment, sharps bins and other items properly. It’s Clean Ltd ensures our cleaners are fully trained in the proper handling and disposal of hazardous waste. We work closely with you to understand the specific safety concerns in your practice, so that our cleaning solutions won’t harm equipment or jeopardize patient safety. Our team uses cleaning products that are suitable for medical settings and our teams are fully up to date with the latest best practice for maintaining hygienic healthcare premises. A Local Provider for Outstanding Service As a local cleaning firm, we are often the first choice for healthcare environments because of their particular need for a responsive service. We only work with clients within a 50-mile radius of our head office and this local focus that allows us to have fast response times and outstanding service levels. This is a huge advantage for clinics that feel it is important to build a good relationship with their contract cleaner and to have a supplier they can trust. Compliance with Regulations Trust is a fundamental element of any professional cleaning partnership, especially when dealing with confidential patient information. Your cleaning service should adhere to strict data protection and confidentiality regulations, such as GDPR and the Data Protection Act. At It’s Clean Ltd, we prioritise compliance and maintain strict protocols to ensure the safety and privacy of your patient records and medical data. Our team undergoes background checks, and we follow all relevant safety guidelines to ensure your clinic remains compliant at all times. Professionalism and Pride Your cleaning team will sometimes be working while your staff are still in the building, so professionalism is key. Cleaners should be uniformed, courteous and fully equipped when delivering any type of cleaning service, particularly GP surgery and health centre cleaning . Our team at It’s Clean Ltd takes pride in delivering reliable and professional healthcare cleaning. We ensure our staff are fully trained and always prepared to tackle any challenge. If sickness or other absences occur, we’ll ensure that your cleaning schedule is covered, so you never have to worry about the cleanliness of your practice. Check Out Reviews and References When looking for a contract cleaning supplier for your clinic, it’s important to check reviews and seek references from other businesses in the industry. Look for a cleaning service that has a proven track record of working in similar settings. At It’s Clean Ltd, we have a long history of serving dental and medical professionals with exceptional cleaning services. Our clients trust us because we consistently deliver high-quality, reliable service. We invite you to read all our testimonials Relationship Building A good cleaning service isn’t just a one-time solution—it’s a long-term partnership. Over time, your cleaning team should become familiar with your clinic's specific needs and provide a personalized service that evolves with your business. With It’s Clean Ltd, we strive to build strong, lasting partnerships with our clients. We pride ourselves on being a reliable partner that can be trusted to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness. The Benefits of Choosing It’s Clean Ltd for Your Medical Practice At It’s Clean Ltd, we specialise in professional cleaning for healthcare practices. Our team is local and committed to offering flexible, efficient, and compliant cleaning solutions tailored to your needs. Contact us today for a free survey and quotation to discover how we can help maintain a safe and clean environment for your clinic.