It's Clean Commercial Office Cleaning Company blog

David looks back on his 60th birthday volunteering week in Ghana

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 21:21:54 GMT

When I hit 60, I didn't want a party. I wanted to do something that would actually matter.

So instead of celebrating at home, I flew to Ghana and spent a week volunteering with a charity called Village by Village getting my hands dirty, sitting in open-air classrooms, and meeting some of the warmest, most resilient people I have ever encountered anywhere in the world.

This is what I found there, and why I think you should know about it.

The Charity

Village by Village was founded by an old school friend of mine and has, over the years, evolved into something beautifully self-sustaining: it is now predominantly run by Ghanaians in Ghana. That is not an accident, it is central to the charity's entire philosophy.

The approach is simple and powerful. Before a single brick is laid, the charity asks the village what they need, and what they can contribute. There is no imposition, no outside organisation deciding what is best for communities they don't understand. The result is genuine local ownership, stronger outcomes, and projects that endure long after the volunteers have gone home.

The work focuses on two areas: education and healthcare. In the remote villages of Ghana that the government's budget cannot reach, Village by Village builds schools and medical centres from the ground up and then keeps them supported.

What a Volunteer Week Actually Looks Like

I'll be honest: I wasn't sure what to expect. What I got was a genuinely physical, genuinely meaningful week that I will never forget.

Most mornings began on a building site, mixing cement alongside professional local builders, plastering walls, shifting materials. I wore a bright pink polo shirt bearing the logo of my company, It's Clean, which helped fund the trip, and I got absolutely filthy in it. There is something grounding about hard physical labour in service of something real.

There were also two young men — just finished their A-levels — who were wrapping up three months of volunteering. In that time they had helped build playgrounds and medical facilities with their own hands. Their energy, their commitment, and what they had achieved at their age was genuinely extraordinary.

The Classrooms

Some of the schools Village by Village has built are well-established now, bright, painted, equipped with water tanks and proper facilities. Others are newer, more basic. One open-air classroom I visited was a simple structure of bare breeze blocks and a corrugated iron roof.

The headteacher mentioned, completely without drama, that he had killed two snakes that morning before allowing the children inside. One was a black mamba. The other was a python. This, he explained, was not unusual.

I thought about that for a long time afterwards. These teachers are doing a heroic job in conditions most of us cannot imagine. And the children — in their red-and-white checked uniforms, laughing and jostling for position in front of the camera — were utterly joyful.

We also worked with children in classrooms using basic tablet technology. Watching them engage with educational apps, many of them for the first time, was a reminder of how vast the digital divide still is — and how transformative even basic access can be.

The Medical Centres

Village by Village has expanded significantly into healthcare in recent years. I visited one of their medical centres and was struck — quietly, and with some sadness — by the gap between what exists there and what we take for granted at home.

The delivery suite where babies are born was a small, blue-painted room. The sink where doctors and midwives wash their hands was hanging from the wall by a single bracket, the tap broken. The equipment on the table beside it was minimal but evidently cared for.

This is where mothers come to give birth. This is the best option available to them. And Village by Village built it, and continues to support it, because without it there would be nothing.

The People

I want to say something about the Ghanaians I met, because it matters.

I have lived in the Middle East. I have travelled widely. I do not say this lightly: I have never met a happier, more generous, more warm-spirited group of people in my life. There was laughter everywhere — from the woman cooking cassava outside the volunteer base, to the child perched on the bonnet of our Land Rover clutching a Gilbert rugby ball, to the builders who flexed their muscles for the camera at the end of a long day's work.

These communities live with almost nothing by the standards of the northern hemisphere. They have open-air classrooms, broken sinks, and headteachers who kill snakes before the school day begins. And yet there is a dignity, a generosity, and a joy to daily life that left me genuinely humbled.

Why I'm Writing This

I covered all of my own costs for this trip. I also raised additional funds through a JustGiving page, and was moved by the generosity of those who gave.

But I'm not writing this to talk about myself. I'm writing it because the world is full of charities doing vital work in places most of us will never visit, and it can feel overwhelming to know where to start.

My answer: start somewhere. Pick something that resonates with you personally. Don't wait for the perfect charity or the perfect moment. Just begin.

For me, that somewhere is Village by Village. I intend to stay involved with them for a long time to come. I would encourage anyone who has read this far to look them up — and if you feel moved to do so, to make a donation.

The people of these remote Ghanaian villages are not born with the same advantages that we are. They did not choose the circumstances into which they arrived. And they deserve better.

We have the means to help. The question is simply whether we will.

Find out more about Village by Village

What Does Yorkshire Contract Cleaning Include?

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:43:56 GMT

Contract cleaning services in Yorkshire - what should you expect to be included and how does it work?

Contract cleaning services are a popular solution for businesses that need reliable, consistent cleaning delivered to a professional standard. But what exactly does contract cleaning include, particuarly if you're a business in Yorkshire, and how does it benefit your organisation?

What Is Contract Cleaning?

Contract cleaning is an ongoing agreement between a business and a cleaning provider. Instead of ad-hoc cleaning, services are delivered on a scheduled basis, tailored to the needs of your premises. This could be daily, weekly or out-of-hours cleaning.

Typical Contract Cleaning Services

While each contract is bespoke, most contract cleaning services include:

Office and workspace cleaning
Washroom cleaning and consumables
Kitchen and breakout area cleaning
Floor care, vacuuming, and mopping
Waste management and recycling
Touchpoint and hygiene cleaning

Specialist environments such as healthcare cleaning , education or secure sites may require additional procedures and training.

At It's Clean we work with businesses across Yorkshire to develop a tailored contract cleaning service. It all starts with a site visit and a tailored quotation based on our assessment of your premises, the needs of your business and your specific priorities. This is reviewed regularly to make sure we are continuing to meet your needs.

Benefits of Contract Cleaning

Contract cleaning provides consistency, accountability and peace of mind. With a long-term agreement, cleaning teams become familiar with your site, standards and expectations. This leads to better results, improved hygiene and fewer issues over time.

Tailored to Your Business

As mentioned above, a key advantage of contract cleaning is flexibility. Our contract cleaning services at It's Clean Ltd are designed around your business hours, building layout and industry requirements. Whether you need early-morning office cleaning or overnight maintenance work, a good provider like It's Clean Ltd will adapt to your needs.

Is Contract Cleaning Right for You?

If your business values reliability, quality, and compliance, contract cleaning is often the most cost-effective and professional solution.

Interested in contract cleaning services tailored to your business?

Get in touch with It’s Clean Ltd to discuss your requirements and receive a personalised quote. Request a Quotation

It’s Clean Ltd Launches Evotix Learn: Investing in Our People Every Day

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:29:36 GMT

At It’s Clean Ltd , we believe work should do more than fill your time — it should help you grow, feel supported, and build confidence every day.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce Evotix Learn, our new digital learning platform designed to make training easier, more flexible, and more accessible for all our colleagues.

Whether you’re working on-site, at home, or on the move, learning and development are now right at your fingertips.

What This Means for Our Team

Evotix Learn isn’t just a training tool — it’s part of how we add value to everyday working life at It’s Clean.

With the new platform, colleagues can:

Access training anytime, anywhere – Learning that fits around life, not the other way around
Find everything in one place – Policies, procedures and helpful resources in a single hub
Track personal progress – Clear visibility on what you’ve achieved and what’s next
Use read-aloud support – Making learning more inclusive and accessible for everyone
Stay connected – Company updates and news that keep every team member in the loop

Supporting Growth, Confidence and Wellbeing

We know many of our team members work independently across different locations. Evotix Learn helps us stay connected as one team while ensuring everyone has equal access to development opportunities.

By making learning simpler and more inclusive, we’re supporting our colleagues to work safely, confidently, and consistently — while building skills that benefit them both at work and beyond.

It’s one more way we’re committed to being an employer that truly supports its people, not just in their roles, but in their long-term growth.

Building an Employer of Choice

Investing in tools like Evotix Learn is part of our bigger commitment to creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and able to progress.

Because at It’s Clean, we don’t just offer jobs — we offer opportunities to grow.

If you’re looking to join a team that invests in your development and supports you every step of the way, we’d love to hear from you.

Come and be part of a company that’s serious about helping its people succeed. Join our team

How to Choose a Commercial Cleaning Company in Harrogate

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 20:44:56 GMT

Choosing the right cleaning company in Harrogate is an important decision for any business. A reliable commercial cleaning partner doesn’t just keep your premises looking presentable — they help protect staff wellbeing, support compliance, and ensure your workplace operates smoothly day after day.

With many cleaning providers available, knowing what to look for can help you choose a company that delivers consistent quality, responsive service, and real value.

Look for a Local, Responsive Cleaning Company

One of the most important factors when choosing a commercial cleaning company is local presence. A locally focused cleaning provider can respond quickly to issues, adapt to changing requirements, and build long-term relationships with clients.

At It’s Clean, we focus on a 50-mile radius, providing local contract cleaning in Harrogate, Wetherby, Ripon, Knaresborough, Leeds, York, and surrounding areas. By keeping our operations local, we can guarantee a highly responsive service and regular on-site supervision — something national providers often struggle to offer.

Choose a Company That Tailors Services to You

Every business is different. A professional cleaning company should offer flexible cleaning schedules that fit around your operations rather than forcing you into a standard package.

Look for a provider that offers:

Daily, weekly or monthly contract cleans
Bespoke cleaning plans tailored to your premises
Flexible scheduling to minimise disruption
Clear communication and regular reviews

At It’s Clean, all cleaning contracts are tailored to meet your specific requirements, ensuring you receive exactly the level of service your business needs.

Check the Range of Commercial Cleaning Services Offered

A trusted cleaning company in Harrogate should be able to support your business as it grows or changes. Choosing a provider with a wide service offering means fewer suppliers to manage and consistent standards across your site.

Our comprehensive range of commercial cleaning services includes:

Commercial office cleaning
Contract cleaning
Specialist Coronavirus cleaning
Washroom services
Carpet cleaning
Window cleaning
Communal area cleaning
Janitorial supplies
Deep cleaning
Soft washing and exterior cleaning

This breadth of service allows us to support a wide variety of commercial environments under one trusted contract.

Ask About Staff Recruitment, Training and Supervision

High-quality cleaning starts with the people delivering it. A professional cleaning company should invest in recruiting, training and supporting their teams.

At It’s Clean:

All cleaners are recruited locally
Staff are fully trained for their specific cleaning contracts
Teams are carefully matched to each site
Every contract is overseen by a regional cleaning supervisor

This structure ensures consistency, accountability and reliable standards — something that makes a noticeable difference over time.

Experience Matters

When choosing a cleaning company in Harrogate, experience across a range of sectors is a strong indicator of reliability and professionalism.

It’s Clean has been operating since 1999 and works with clients across a wide range of industries, including:

Commercial offices
Building sites
Care homes
Dental practices and GP surgeries
Event and exhibition venues
Housing associations and landlords
Retail shops and showrooms
Schools, colleges and universities
Factories and warehouses

This depth of experience allows us to understand different environments, compliance requirements and operational challenges.

Look for a Customer-Focused, Independent Company

An independent, privately owned cleaning company is often better placed to offer a personal, customer-focused service. Decisions are made locally, relationships matter, and service quality is never secondary to scale.

At It’s Clean, customer satisfaction is central to everything we do. We work closely with clients to ensure cleaning standards remain high, communication is clear, and services continue to meet expectations as needs evolve.

Choosing the Right Cleaning Company in Harrogate

When selecting a commercial cleaning company, look for:

A strong local presence
Tailored cleaning contracts
A wide range of services
Well-trained, supervised staff
Proven experience across sectors
A customer-first approach

By choosing a trusted, local cleaning company in Harrogate , you gain a partner committed to supporting your business, your people and your premises.

Looking for a Reliable Cleaning Company in Harrogate?

If you’re searching for a professional, customer-focused cleaning company in Harrogate, It’s Clean offers tailored commercial cleaning services delivered by experienced local teams. Get in touch to discuss how we can support your business.

David Heads to Ghana

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 20:35:30 GMT

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It's Clean Ltd Recognised by Reed in Partnership

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:33:00 GMT

We’re proud to be nominated by Reed in Partnership in the Best Newcomer category for our work helping people into sustainable employment.

At It’s Clean, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive — and supporting people into meaningful, lasting roles is a core part of who we are.

We’re looking forward to joining Reed in Partnership’s Employer Recognition Event to celebrate the incredible employers and individuals making a real difference in employability and skills.

It's Clean Ltd Joins Forces with Orian Solutions Group

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 09:09:11 GMT

It’s Clean Ltd, has joined the Carlisle-based Orian Solutions Group, marking a major step in its continued growth and diversification.

It’s Clean has been operating across North and West Yorkshire for 26 years and has clients in a wide range of sectors including offices, schools, GPs, care homes, manufacturing, hospitality and events.

Based in Carlisle, Orian Solutions is jointly owned by Westmorland & Furness Council and Cumberland Council and provides contract cleaning and food services, predominantly to clients in the public sector.

Orian has recently secured major multi-year contracts in the police and fire sectors, while It’s Clean continues to grow through new partnerships in the charity and insurance sectors.

David Whan, Managing Director of It’s Clean Ltd, said the move would bring together Orian’s strong governance, service quality, and commitment to social value and It’s Clean’s commercial experience, enhancing the Group’s ability to deliver flexible, high-quality facilities services across both public and private sectors across the North of England.

He said: “Orian’s wealth of experience in the public sector and standards of governance mean It’s Clean can now compete in new sectors.

“When I met their new CEO, John Donnison, it didn’t take long to see the fantastic synergies between our businesses, and we reached an agreement to join the Orian Group within days.”

Mr Whan said the move to join forces would bring additional benefits to long-standing employees of It’s Clean who would now benefit from Orian’s Pluxee discount card giving discounts across a variety of retailers, services and everyday spending.

The deal was completed on September 1, with Orian Group acquiring the shares in It’s Clean Ltd, bringing together two trusted northern service providers with shared values of quality, reliability and community focus.

John Donnison, CEO of Orian Solutions, commented: “It’s Clean Ltd has a terrific heritage and brand in the Yorkshire commercial cleaning market and brings a new dynamic to the Orian Group. We’re only six weeks in and already seeing huge mutual benefits.

“By combining our strengths, we are well-positioned to become the commercial cleaning and contract catering provider of choice for businesses and organisations across the North of England, serving a broad customer base, supporting schools, councils, emergency services, charities and commercial clients across the North of England.”

The It’s Clean office, branding and customer contact will remain the same, and David and his team will continue to lead the business, ensuring continuity as they build forward within the Orian Group.

Why Local Expertise Matters in Commercial Cleaning: Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon & Wetherby

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:19:41 GMT

When it comes to maintaining a professional, hygienic workspace, businesses across Harrogate , Knaresborough , Ripon and Wetherby businesses trust It’s Clean Ltd for reliable, high-quality commercial and contract cleaning.

Our local cleaning teams understand the needs of Yorkshire businesses — from spotless offices and sparkling showrooms to immaculate schools and care facilities. With over 25 years of experience, we provide flexible daily, weekly and monthly cleaning contracts designed to suit every environment.

Why Choose It’s Clean?

Local and Responsive: Based in Harrogate, we’re never far away — ensuring fast response times and hands-on management.

Tailored Contracts: Every site is unique, so we create bespoke cleaning schedules around your business needs.

Trained Local Teams: Our fully vetted, trained cleaners deliver consistent quality you can rely on.

Comprehensive Services: From carpet and window cleaning to washroom and deep cleans — we handle it all.

Serving Businesses Across North and West Yorkshire

Whether you’re in a Harrogate office block, a Ripon school, a Knaresborough retail space or a Wetherby business park, It’s Clean Ltd helps you create a safe, welcoming, and professional environment for staff and visitors alike.

�� Contact our Harrogate head office today or fill in an enquiry form online for a free site survey and discover how our contract cleaning services can keep your business spotless and stress-free.

Is Blogging a Load of Faff? A Local Business's Take

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 15:15:56 GMT

Running a small or medium-sized business can be tough, especially in today’s world. Every minute and every penny counts. So, when someone suggests blogging, your first thought might be, "Is that really worth the effort?" As a local contract cleaning company that's been serving Yorkshire for over 25 years, we asked ourselves the very same question.

But here’s the thing. The answer, for us, is a definite yes. We see blogging as a way to build our authority online and have proper, honest conversations with our community. Here’s how.

Blogging as community

As a commercial cleaning company, our business is about building genuine connections and trust with our customers. Our team lives and works in the local area, and we're proud to support other local businesses. With our blog, we see a way to show that we are a human team and not just a faceless corporation.

Our blog is a place where we can share our expertise and offer straightforward, useful advice. Whether it's about the benefits of a clean workspace or the importance of choosing a trustworthy office cleaning service, we want to help. We’ve built lifelong relationships with people in Harrogate, Wetherby, Knaresborough and Ripon and across our entire 50-mile radius.

Why 50 miles? Because having a defined and manageable local area to cover helps us deliver service excellence every time.

Bringing people to our door

You might well have found us because you typed something like “local cleaners near me” into Google or a similar search engine. Staying on top of this algorithm is crucial for us, and it’s our blog posts that show how genuine we really are. Every article we write, whether it's about good cleaning practices or a behind-the-scenes look at our team, helps bring people to our website.

Once you’re here, you can find out about the different cleaning services we offer. And on top of understanding our services, it's a chance for us to show our customers exactly what makes us different: a local business with over 25 years of experience, who stand by our work as a trusted part of your community.

Ultimately our blog is a way to engage with both our existing and potential customers, and our fellow business owners. It’s a chance to build trust and show the real people behind our trusted brand name.

So, is blogging a load of faff? For us at least, it's an honest and effective way of reaching out to our community.

If you're a business in our area looking for a cleaning partner you can trust, take a look around the rest of our website to find out more. You can even request a free commercial cleaning survey for your business.

We'd love to hear your experience of blogging as a small business.

Does your business benefit from regular blogging?
Have you tried blogging it but dropped it?
Do you want to blog but don’t know where to start
Or is all just a load of old blog?

Let us know your thoughts on the topic!

Effective Cleaning Strategies for Schools and Educational Buildings

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:00:58 GMT

Keeping learning environments safe and clean

In schools and educational buildings, cleanliness isn’t just about appearance—it’s about creating a safe, healthy and welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors. These are busy places and the demands on cleaning teams are high and ever-changing. At It’s Clean Ltd, we understand these pressures and partner with schools across Yorkshire to deliver effective, reliable and responsive cleaning strategies.

Here’s what makes the difference

1. Tailored Cleaning Schedules That Work Around You

Every school operates differently, and so does our cleaning approach. By working closely with staff on site and leadership teams, we build bespoke cleaning programmes that align with the school calendar, peak usage times and any special requirements.

Our clients in this sector have highlighted the benefits of our flexible and proactive scheduling—minimising disruption while maintaining a consistently high standard. Read some of their testimonials here .

2. On-Site Support and Responsive Communication

Problems can arise in any busy environment – it’s the speed with which they are resolved that matters. Our local team ensures any issues—whether staffing, supplies or reactive cleans—are dealt with swiftly. This reliability is a major reason our educational partners choose us and continue to trust us year after year.

3. Training and Consistency Across the Team

The quality of a cleaning strategy hinges on the team delivering it. All our staff undergo thorough training and we carry out regular audits to maintain high standards. For schools, that means consistency—week in, week out.

One school client noted that having the same trusted team made a huge difference to staff and student confidence.

4. Site-Specific Risk Awareness and Training

Schools have unique risk profiles that include busy corridors, technology suites and high-touch surfaces. Our teams are trained to work with the specific needs of schools, colleges and learning environments. Read more about how we train our staff in the expert tasks involved in cleaning electronic and electrical equipment .

5. Partnership That Goes Beyond the Basics

We see ourselves as more than just a cleaning contractor—we’re a service partner. Schools like Ripon Grammar School value our proactive attitude and professional culture. Relationships like this matter. Our teams take pride in their work, stay alert to site-specific needs and consistently go above and beyond.

Looking Ahead

As the educational landscape continues to evolve, so do the challenges. Whatever the needs of our clients, we’re here to help.

If your school, college or trust is reviewing its cleaning provision, we’d love to talk.

Call us on 01423 228777

Welcoming Bridget Meynell to It’s Clean Ltd

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 14:29:42 GMT

We’re delighted to welcome Bridget Meynell as the new General Manager at It’s Clean Ltd. With an impressive background in leadership, operations and regional engagement, Bridget joins us at an exciting time as we continue to grow and evolve.

Many will know Bridget from her years as Managing Director at Minster FM, where she made a lasting impact across North Yorkshire. More recently, she’s brought her expertise to Reed and played a key role in the business community as President of the York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

Her arrival signals a new chapter for It’s Clean Ltd, one where we continue to push forward with quality, innovation and exceptional service at the heart of everything we do.

Over the coming weeks, our customers and partners will get to know Bridget personally. We’re confident her energy, experience and people-first leadership style will be a brilliant addition to our team and our wider network.

Please join us in giving her a warm welcome.

Celebrating a Decade of Dedication

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:13:57 GMT

Tony Webster Marks 10 Years with It’s Clean

This June, we’re delighted to celebrate a major milestone for one of our most dedicated team members. Tony Webster, a Leeds-based supervisor, has officially reached 10 years of service with It’s Clean Ltd—and what a decade it’s been.

Tony has played a central role in our growth across Leeds, Selby and York. Whether managing day-to-day operations or going the extra mile to support his team, Tony leads by example. His conscientious approach, positive attitude and deep commitment to doing things right make him a much-loved and respected colleague.

In recognition of his decade of service, our Managing Director David Whan presented Tony with a £200 cheque and a heartfelt thank-you. It’s a small token for someone who consistently gives 110%, and who genuinely helps set the standard for what It’s Clean Ltd is all about.

Thank you, Tony, for your incredible contribution. We’re proud to have you on the team—and excited to see what the next 10 years brings.

Green Cleaning Solutions for a Sustainable Workplace

Thu, 29 May 2025 19:53:40 GMT

In today’s environmentally conscious business environment, sustainability is more than just a buzzword — it’s a responsibility. At It’s Clean Ltd, we recognise that commercial cleaning can be both effective and environmentally friendly. We’re proud to offer green cleaning solutions that promote healthier workplaces, reduce environmental impact, and uphold the high service standards our clients expect.

We focus on servicing a 50-mile radius, which matters because it means we can maintain high standards of responsiveness and service whilst also being sustainable ourselves operationally. Serving businesses in Harrogate, Wetherby, Ripon and the surrounding areas, our team is dedicated to creating cleaner, greener, and more productive work environments.

Why Green Cleaning Matters

Sustainable cleaning practices benefit the health and wellbeing of employees, clients and visitors as well as being good for the planet. Traditional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can affect indoor air quality and the broader environment. Our green cleaning solutions utilise eco-friendly, non-toxic products that are effective without the harmful side effects.

Tailored Commercial Cleaning with a Local Touch

As a local firm, we are committed to our community, offering fast response times and reliable service that larger chains can’t match. We provide flexible contract cleaning and office cleaning packages tailored to your specific needs — whether it’s daily maintenance, deep cleans or specialised hygiene services for commercial premises.

Our strong relationships with businesses across North Yorkshire enable us to deliver workplace cleaning solutions that align with both industry standards and environmental goals.

What You Can Expect from It’s Clean:

Eco-conscious commercial cleaning products and methods
Flexible cleaning schedules to suit your business hours
High attention to detail and fully trained local staff
Fast response and consistent communication
Comprehensive office, workplace and contract cleaning services
Trusted by businesses in Harrogate, Wetherby, Ripon and nearby areas

Current Trends in Sustainable Cleaning in the UK

The UK’s commercial cleaning industry is rapidly evolving to meet environmental challenges and client expectations. Key trends include:

Eco-Friendly Products: There’s a significant shift towards using biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning agents. Approximately 60% of UK consumers prefer environmentally friendly cleaning options and our job is to support businesses that want to make that choice too, whilst making sure this is a cost-effective commercial option.

Water and Energy Conservation: Forward-thinking cleaning companies like It’s Clean Ltd are adopting technologies that reduce water and energy usage, such as low-water cleaning methods and equipment powered by renewable energy sources.

Waste Reduction Strategies: Businesses are implementing waste reduction strategies in their office cleaning practices, including minimising single-use plastics and promoting recycling. This is something we fully support and we proactively work with our clients to support their sustainability goals.

Automation and Robotics: The use of cleaning robots and automated solutions is on the rise, enhancing efficiency and consistency in cleaning operations. We make it our business to keep abreast of the latest technology and smart solutions, whilst always remembering that commercial cleaning is a people business and that automation will only ever be part of the solution. You can read more about this in our previous blog How will Artificial Intelligence (AI) and innovation transform the commercial cleaning industry .

At It’s Clean Ltd, we stay abreast of these trends to provide our clients with cutting-edge, sustainable cleaning solutions.

A Cleaner Future Starts Here

Transitioning to sustainable commercial cleaning is a straightforward yet impactful way to demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to environmental responsibility. At It’s Clean Ltd, we combine local expertise, high service levels, and a dedication to sustainability to deliver results you can see — and feel good about.

If you’re ready to make your workplace cleaner, greener and healthier, we’re just around the corner and ready to help.

Contact us today to learn more about our green cleaning services or request a tailored quote online for your workplace. Let’s work together to create a spotless and sustainable future.

It’s Clean Ltd expands charity fund to support Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity (HHCC)

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 11:14:58 GMT

Harrogate-based commercial cleaning company It’s Clean Ltd has increased the value of a charity fund set up to celebrate its 25th anniversary, enabling them to generously donate £500.00 towards the ongoing mission of HHCC whilst supporting their local NHS.

It’s Clean Ltd’s managing director David Whan said he had decided to expand the fund from £2,500 to £3,000 to allow for an extra donation to HHCC, the registered Charity for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT).

David said he and his team decided they wanted to give one more donation to help the local community – and to double the amount of the final gift of £500.00 which HHCC were honoured to receive at Harrogate District Hospital on Friday 28 March 2025.

David said: “We heard about the fantastic work done by HHCC to fund specialist equipment, training and services for the benefit of patients, their families and staff across the HDFT footprint.”

“The money we’ve donated will help HHCC to do that little bit more, enhancing experience of service users, their families and teamHDFT colleagues for many years to come. This donation will support initiatives and the purchasing of additional equipment beyond the provisions of the NHS.”

“I have really enjoyed finding out more about the vital and varied work being carried out by charities on our doorstep and the whole team at It’s Clean is delighted to have been able to support so many of them as part of our 25th birthday celebrations.”

Robyn Precious of HHCC said: “We are delighted to express our appreciation with a huge thank you to David and his team for choosing to support us and taking the time to come and meet us. It is through the charitable nature of local individuals and businesses such as It’s Clean Ltd which enables us to continue providing this valuable support which we are honoured to offer across teamHDFT.”

Common Questions About Our Contract Cleaning Services

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 12:50:36 GMT

At It’s Clean Ltd, we understand that choosing a reliable contract cleaning service is an important decision – and one that’s going to help you maintain a spotless and hygienic workplace. Whether you manage an office, a healthcare facility, or a retail space, a clean environment is crucial for staff productivity and customer satisfaction. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about our commercial cleaning services.

1. What is contract cleaning?

Contract cleaning refers to regular, scheduled cleaning services tailored to your business needs. Rather than hiring in-house cleaners, businesses partner with professional cleaning companies like It’s Clean Ltd to ensure their premises remain hygienic, presentable, and compliant with health and safety regulations. Outsourced contract cleaning also means businesses don’t have the headache of managing extra staff and rotas for cleaning personnel.

2. What types of businesses do you provide contract cleaning for?

We provide commercial cleaning services for a wide range of industries, including:

Offices and Corporate Buildings – A clean office promotes a professional image. We provide scheduled cleaning to keep your workspace tidy and hygienic.

Healthcare and Medical Facilities – We understand the importance of maintaining strict hygiene standards in medical environments. Our team is trained to follow industry-specific cleaning protocols to ensure patient, client and staff safety.

Retail Stores, Shopping Centres and Showrooms – First impressions matter. We help keep retail spaces spotless, enhancing the shopping experience for your customers and maintaining a welcoming environment.

Schools and Educational Institutions – Clean and sanitised learning environments contribute to better student health and focus. We offer flexible cleaning schedules to accommodate school hours and term times.

Industrial and Warehouse Spaces – Industrial areas require a carefully planned and fully compliant approach due to the nature of the work environment. Our team is equipped to handle everything from dust control to heavy-duty floor cleaning.

Hospitality, Leisure and Event Venues – Hotels, restaurants, entertainment and event venues rely on cleanliness for customer satisfaction. We provide discreet and efficient cleaning to keep your establishment looking its best. You can read our video testimonial with the Yorkshire Event Centre here .

As we work exclusively with local clients, we offer unparalleled flexibility in scheduling and services, ensuring that our cleaning plans fit seamlessly into your business operations.

3. What cleaning services are included in a contract cleaning agreement?

Our contract cleaning services are tailored to your specific requirements and may include:

Daily Office Cleaning (dusting, vacuuming, sanitising surfaces) – Routine maintenance ensures a clean and pleasant workspace, preventing the build-up of dust and germs.
Washroom and Hygiene Services – From soap dispensers to deep-cleaning toilets, we ensure your washrooms remain spotless and fully stocked with hygiene essentials.
Carpet and Floor Cleaning – We provide specialised treatments for carpets, hardwood floors, and tiles to maintain their appearance and longevity.
Window and Glass Cleaning – Our streak-free window cleaning service keeps your premises looking bright and professional, inside and out.
Deep Cleaning and Disinfection Services – We offer periodic deep cleans to target high-touch surfaces and areas prone to bacteria build-up.
Waste Management and Recycling Solutions – We assist in efficient waste disposal and recycling programmes to help your business meet sustainability goals.

Because we only work with local clients, we can quickly adapt to your changing needs, offering additional services at short notice and ensuring our cleaning schedules remain flexible and convenient for you.

4. How often can I schedule contract cleaning?

We offer flexible cleaning schedules, including daily, weekly and monthly cleaning services. Whether you need a full cleaning service every day or a deep clean periodically, we work around your business hours to minimise disruption.

5. Are your cleaners professionally trained and insured?

Yes! All our cleaning staff are fully trained, DBS-checked, and insured. We ensure our team follows industry best practices and uses the latest eco-friendly cleaning products to deliver a safe and effective service.

6. Do you use eco-friendly cleaning products?

Absolutely! We are committed to environmentally friendly cleaning, using sustainable and non-toxic products that are safe for employees, customers, and the planet.

7. How much does contract cleaning cost?

The cost of contract cleaning depends on several factors, including:

The size of your premises
The frequency of cleaning
The specific services required

We provide a free, no-obligation quote based on your needs, ensuring competitive pricing for high-quality services. Request a free survey and quote

8. Can I customise my contract cleaning package?

Yes! We offer bespoke cleaning solutions tailored to your business. We will create a package that suits your budget and cleaning requirements.

9. What happens if I need additional cleaning services?

We understand that business needs can change. If you require extra cleaning services due to seasonal demands, special events, or unexpected circumstances, we can adjust your cleaning plan accordingly.

10. How do I get started with contract cleaning services?

Getting started is easy! Simply contact us for a free consultation and site assessment. Our team will discuss your requirements, visit your site(s), provide a customised cleaning plan and arrange a start date that works for you.

If you’re looking for reliable contract cleaning services in Harrogate, Wetherby, Ripon, Knaresborough, Leeds, York and the surrounding areas, It’s Clean Ltd is here to help. Our professional team is committed to delivering exceptional commercial cleaning solutions tailored to your business needs.

Call us today at 01423 566785 or visit www.itsclean.co.uk to request a free quote.

Harrogate Homeless Project becomes 10th charity to benefit from our birthday fund

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 10:30:57 GMT

Harrogate Homeless Project has become the 10 ^th charity to benefit from a fund launched by Harrogate commercial cleaning firm It’s Clean Ltd to celebrate our 25 ^th birthday.

It’s Clean’s Managing Director David Whan visited the project’s Springboard Day Centre to learn more about the support provided for people experiencing homelessness in the town.

He presented a cheque for £250 to Marian Farrar, who manages the charity’s business and community partnerships lead.

She said: “We are incredibly grateful for all the support we receive from local businesses and this funding boost from It’s Clean Ltd will help us do even more for people experiencing homelessness so that they have a safe place to stay and the support they need to get back on their feet.”

David said: “It was a real privilege to visit Harrogate Homeless Project and learn more about what they do to help people in crisis in our town.

“Over the course of the past year, through our anniversary fund, I have discovered so much fantastic work being done right across the community and everyone at It’s Clean Ltd is pleased to have been able to provide a bit of extra funding support so that these services can continue to make a difference.”

It’s Clean Ltd has donated £2,500 to good causes within the local area where the business operates, with £250 donations to Time Together, Ripon Men’s Shed, Reusing IT, Martin House, Dementia Forward, Henshaws, Carers Resource, Horticap, Yorkshire Cancer Research and Harrogate Homeless Project.

The Ultimate Guide to Office Cleaning: Best Practices and Tips

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 10:25:08 GMT

How to Choose the Right Professional Office Cleaning Company

Professional office cleaning helps employers maintain a productive and healthy work environment. Partnering with a local contract cleaning firm like It’s Clean Ltd means you gain all the benefits of using a professional contract cleaning company along with the added advantages of working with a business that is focused on a small geographical area, offering a highly personalised and responsive service.

We have written before about the benefits of using a local contract cleaning company to clean offices and commercial premises and why we have chosen to concentrate our commercial cleaning services to a tight 50-mile radius that includes Harrogate, Ripon, Wetherby, Knaresborough, Leeds and York. As well as choosing a local supplier, we would always recommend choosing a firm like ours with an outstanding reputation for high standards.

Whether you manage a small office or a large corporate space, using a reputable firm that follows the best practices for office cleaning will improve employee wellbeing and create a positive impression on clients.

In this guide, we will explore expert tips to keep your office pristine with the help of It’s Clean Ltd’s professional contract cleaning service.

Why Office Cleaning is Essential

A clean office is more than just aesthetically pleasing; it impacts employee health, productivity, and overall workplace morale. Hiring an office cleaning company helps to:

· Reduce the spread of germs and bacteria

· Improve air quality

· Enhance employee efficiency and satisfaction

· Create a welcoming space for clients and visitors

Best Practices for Office Cleaning

1. Daily Cleaning Routine

A daily cleaning routine is crucial to maintaining a hygienic workplace. A commercial cleaning company should focus on daily maintenance tasks, which might include:

· Emptying bins and replacing liners

· Wiping down high-touch surfaces such as desks, keyboards, and doorknobs

· Vacuuming carpets and mopping floors

· Cleaning and disinfecting restrooms

One of our USPs at It’s Clean Ltd is our tailored cleaning plan. Every business will have different needs day-to-day and we will create a customised schedule to suit your operations and the way you work.

2. Weekly Deep Cleaning

A deeper clean should be scheduled weekly to tackle areas that accumulate dust and grime. A professional contract cleaning service should include:

· Dusting shelves, blinds, and office equipment

· Sanitising kitchen and breakroom appliances

· Spot-cleaning upholstery and furniture

· Polishing glass windows and mirrors

3. Monthly and Seasonal Cleaning Tasks

Certain cleaning tasks require monthly or seasonal attention. A local contract cleaning firm like ours can help with routine, frequent and seasonal tasks. Some of the jobs we typically schedule monthly or for certain times of the year include:

· Steam-cleaning carpets and rugs

· Cleaning air ducts and vents

· Power washing exterior surfaces

· Deep-cleaning office chairs and upholstery

· Deep-cleaning kitchens and communal spaces

Choosing the Right Office Cleaning Company

If you are looking for a recommended office cleaning company in Harrogate, Wetherby, Ripon or the surrounding areas, consider the following factors:

· It’s Clean’s 25 years of experience and reputation in local commercial cleaning

· Our use of high-quality cleaning products

· The high standards of staff training we maintain, supported by our online training academy

· Flexible scheduling options to suit your business needs

· Compliance with industry health and safety regulations

A commercial cleaning company should provide a tailored cleaning plan that meets your specific requirements and ensures a consistently clean office. You may be interested in our article Does your commercial cleaning company provide a tailored cleaning schedule for your business?

By choosing a reliable, professional contract cleaning service from It’s Clean Ltd, you can focus on running your business while maintaining a spotless workplace.

Contact us today for professional office cleaning: Harrogate, Ripon and Wetherby: 01423 566785 : Leeds: 0113 816 0033: York: 01904 439531 or email info@itsclean.co.uk . You can also complete a request for a free survey and quotation online

Yorkshire Cancer Research Becomes Latest Beneficiary of Commercial Cleaning Firm’s Charity Fund

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 22:16:32 GMT

Yorkshire Cancer Research has become the latest charity to benefit from a fund launched by Harrogate commercial cleaning firm It’s Clean Ltd.

It’s Clean Ltd Managing Director David Whan set up the fund last year to mark the firm’s 25th anniversary. Since then, 8 other charities have each received donations, with Yorkshire Cancer Research becoming the ninth.

David visited the Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre at Hornbeam Park in Harrogate to present the £250 donation to Corporate Partnerships Manager Isabel McKenzie. It’s Clean Ltd also has its head office on Hornbeam Park.

Isabel said: “Yorkshire Cancer Research values all the support from the local community and the charity is grateful to have the backing of businesses like It’s Clean, who understand the importance of the work it does here in Yorkshire.

“This donation will help Yorkshire Cancer Research continue to fund vital cancer research and pioneer innovative new services for people with cancer in Yorkshire, and beyond.”

David said: “We are pleased to be able to use our anniversary fund to support the life-changing work of Yorkshire Cancer Research, particularly as they are one of our neighbours here at Hornbeam Park.

“We look forward to following the charity’s progress and the impact they make on people’s lives here in Yorkshire.”

It’s Clean Ltd has so far donated £2,250 to good causes within the local area where the business operates, including Time Together, Ripon Men’s Shed, Reusing IT, Martin House, Dementia Forward, Henshaws, Carers Resource and Horticap.

Horticap receives support from Harrogate commercial cleaning company It’s Clean Ltd

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:39:10 GMT

Harrogate charity Horticap has received a funding boost from local commercial cleaning firm It’s Clean Ltd as part of the company’s 25 ^th anniversary pledge to support local charities.

Horticap provides adults with learning and other disabilities training in horticulture, allied crafts and rural skills.

The charity celebrated its 40 ^th anniversary in 2024, the same year that It’s Clean Ltd marked 25 years in business.

David Whan, Managing Director of It’s Clean Ltd, visited the charity’s Bluecoat Wood Nurseries on Otley Road this week to present a cheque for £250.

He said: “We are delighted to use our anniversary fund to support the continuing work of this longstanding Harrogate charity and to fund vital skills training for adults in our community with learning and other disabilities.

“Last year we allocated £2,500 for good causes to celebrate our 25 ^th year and Horticap is our eighth beneficiary. We are looking forward to announcing more donations to other local charities in the months to come.”

Does your commercial cleaning company provide a tailored cleaning schedule for your business?

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 17:41:40 GMT

A tailored cleaning schedule, based on a detailed site survey and thorough understand of your operations, is essential for effective commercial cleaning and the smooth running of your business. That’s why, at It’s Clean Ltd, our Managing Director visits every site himself to prepare a bespoke quotation and a plan that matches your cleaning needs.

Location, location, location

It’s Clean Ltd focuses on providing high standards of commercial cleaning in a clearly defined area that covers Harrogate, Wetherby, Ripon, Leeds, York and the areas between. By keeping our contract cleaning service local, we can be much more responsive than national firms, which typically cover much larger geographical areas.

How do we work out what you need?

One of the key things we do when we meet a client for the first time is walk round their business with them and really take time to understand their priorities and how they operate.

There are all sorts of things we look at during this first meeting. We want to know what business activities take place as this will determine the specific cleaning requirements they have, particularly in relation to hygiene or equipment maintenance.

We’ll also be looking at opening times, staff and visitor movements and whether there are times of day, week or year when needs might change, for example if there are operational peaks.

The size of building, rooms and communal spaces will inform the scheduling and planning process, particularly as we begin to understand which areas have the highest traffic volumes and where visitors might have access.

What special requirements might there be?

Every client It’s Clean Ltd works with is unique. No two jobs are the same and the needs of each specific customer will depend on all the factors mentioned, plus many more.

Some of the specialist services which clients might need include deep cleaning of catering or medical areas (see our article on professional healthcare cleaning), regular office deep cleans (read our article on why regular workplace deep cleaning is important), carpet cleaning, hygiene cleaning for bathrooms or clinic settings and tailored schedules for certain equipment or machinery.

Keeping everything under review

Once we have agreed your cleaning schedule, we will monitor things to make sure it is working for you. We are known for building strong relationships with clients and good communication. This helps us make any adjustments that might be needed over time, to be certain your professional cleaning schedule is meeting your needs, even as your business evolves.

We have stringent quality control measures in place and experienced supervisors covering each local area who can respond quickly to any needs and monitor standards of work. We also have an excellent training programme for our cleaning teams.

Once again, thanks to our determination to work within a tight geographical area was can maintain high standards and provide a highly flexible and responsive service.

If you are looking for a professional contract cleaning service with a real focus on attention to detail and customer care, contact It’s Clean Ltd for a site survey and quotation on 01423 566785.

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

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 14:29:10 GMT

Reusing IT is a charity that sources and refurbishes IT equipment to support educational and other projects

A new charitable organisation in Harrogate which sources and refurbishes IT equipment for disadvantaged children has received a funding boost from local contract cleaning firm It’s Clean Ltd.

David Whan, MD of It’s Clean Ltd, presented a cheque for £250 to the charity Reusing IT, which is based at Techbuyer on Hornbeam Park.

The donation is part of a £2,500 fund created to mark the 25 ^th anniversary of It’s Clean Ltd, which is also on Hornbeam Park. Donations have already been presented to local charities including Dementia Forward, Martin House Hospice, Time Together, Ripon Men’s Shed, Henshaws and Carers’ Resource.

Ross Cockburn of Reusing IT Harrogate (reusingit.org) said: “We are very grateful to David and his team for choosing to support our new venture with this generous donation.

“By re-using and recycling computers we will support the work of Reusing IT both in the UK and internationally to further children’s education.”

David Whan said: “Reusing IT is an excellent concept that gives refurbished and recycled computer equipment a new lease of life to support a wide variety of educational and community projects.

“I am delighted that It’s Clean Ltd’s anniversary fund has been able to support them as they launch here in Harrogate.”

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

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 17:28:20 GMT

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.

It’s Clean Ltd donates £250 to Ripon Men’s Shed

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:19:56 GMT

Ripon charity is the latest to benefit from It's Clean Ltd's 25th anniversary fund.

Ripon Men’s Shed has become the latest charity to benefit from a fund launched by local cleaning company It’s Clean Ltd to celebrate the company’s 25 ^th anniversary.

David Whan, of It’s Clean Ltd, presented a cheque for £250 to Andrew Makey of Ripon’s Men’s Shed, a charitable organisation that encourages people to come together to work on practical projects or to share and learn about craft skills in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

The Shed has a fully-equipped workshop with power tools, hand tools and woodworking lathes. Members can pop in whenever they like during opening hours to get involved in woodworking and other practical craft activities.

Andrew Makin said: “Our mission is to improve physical and mental health by providing a safe space and a welcoming workshop where people can come and make friends and share skills.

“The donation from It’s Clean Ltd is a fantastic boost for us and will help us support more people to stay physically and socially active.”

David Whan of It’s Clean Ltd said: “We are delighted to be supporting Ripon Men’s Shed as our latest anniversary fund beneficiary. This is a hardworking charity that helps to give purpose and focus to older people in the community and promote wellbeing through physical and cognitive activity as well as social interaction.”

There are over 1000 Men’s sheds across the UK. To find out more about Ripon Men’s Shed contact shedmanager@ripon-mens-shed.org or visit www.ripon-mens-shed.org

How will Artificial Intelligence (AI) and innovation transform the commercial cleaning industry?

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 13:06:41 GMT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way we live and work in all sorts of ways and the commercial cleaning sector is no exception. However, whereas technology can improve safety, efficiency and security, professional contract cleaning is still a people business.

So, how far is AI likely to impact commercial cleaning, what improvements might we see and where will human involvement remain an essential part of the job?

Robots, smart systems and automation

We have already seen a huge amount of innovation with the introduction of smart cleaning technology and devices. Robotic floor cleaning, air quality sensors and smart systems that create alerts when dispensers need refilling are all improvements that have enhanced quality and improved facilities management. At It’s Clean Ltd we have knowledge and experience of all the latest innovations and can incorporate the use of smart systems for customers whose premises would benefit from them.

Data and management

The data that can be collated through the use of smart systems, like those described above, is another aspect of the progressive innovation we are seeing in the cleaning sector. The ability to analyse how often things need cleaning and refilling leads to greater knowledge for budgeting and will in turn result in wider innovation and opportunities for artificial intelligence.

Virtual training

In many industries, virtual reality is used to help train engineers and operatives in a simulated setting. Whilst this may become more widely used in commercial cleaning settings, we are proud to already be using technology to enhance the knowledge and expertise of our staff. Our online training programme can be accessed anywhere by staff and keeps them updated on all the latest techniques, products and processes. You can read more about our training programme here .

The human touch

AI technology will evolve to support cleaner and healthier buildings in situations where it makes sense to spend time and money innovating - where there is a significant positive impact on public health, safety and efficiency, for example. This is why much of the change is coming in the form of smart sensors, data collection and the automation of repetitive and time-consuming tasks.

Anyone who has ever engaged a commercial cleaning company will know that the real value comes from having people on site who know the building, understand the needs of those using it and have the ability to adapt quickly to manage the unexpected. At It’s Clean Ltd we take time to survey every building before we embark on a contract. We get to know the business so that we understand the expectations and needs of the customer. Our cleaning teams are fully aware of what is expected of them but they are also adaptable, which is extremely important.

Commercial cleaning involves a lot of routine work but it also presents challenge and change. We pride ourselves in adapting, exceeding expectations and solving the many challenges that we face as a team during our day to day work. We also focus on developing strong relationships with our customers, which allows us to review, adapt and evolve so that we are always delivering the very best service possible.

No matter how much technology and artificial intelligence change the machinery and processes involved in our industry, commercial cleaning is, and always will be, a people business.

It’s Clean Ltd donates £250 to Martin House

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 12:51:06 GMT

Martin House Children’s Hospice has become the fifth Yorkshire charity to benefit from a year-long initiative by Harrogate contract cleaning firm It’s Clean Ltd to donate £2,500 to good causes during 2024.

It’s Clean Ltd’s managing director David Whan presented a cheque for £250 to Martin House’s event fundraiser Annabel Riley at the charity’s Boston Spa site.

It’s Clean Ltd is donating £250 to 10 different charities in 2024 to mark the firm’s 25 ^th anniversary. The charities that have benefitted so far include Dementia Forward, Time Together, Carers’ Resource and Henshaws.

David Whan said: “Martin House is a long-established local charity which has supported so many Yorkshire families over the years. We are delighted to be contributing to its ongoing work to provide family-led hospice care, free of charge for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses.”

Annabel Riley said: “Martin House relies almost entirely on voluntary donations, so any support is invaluable and will make a real difference to the lives of so many children, young people and their families.

“With support, Martin House can continue to provide expert hospice care to families across West, North and East Yorkshire, remaining with them on their journey and giving their children the best possible chance at life.”

Find out more about the charity’s latest fundraising campaign THE BUILD - Martin House

Do you have any suggestions for a local charity that would benefit from It’s Clean Ltd’s 25th anniversary fund? We'd love to hear from you. Email info@itsclean.co.uk

The benefits of using a local contract cleaning company to clean offices and commercial premises

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 14:05:57 GMT

Why our decision to focus on a 50 mile geographical radius allows us to deliver outstanding local service

As a local company, choosing to focus on a 50-mile geographic area that includes Harrogate, Leeds and York, we are huge advocates of the benefits of using a local specialist B2B cleaning company for commercial office and contract cleaning.

Why is it better to use a local commercial cleaning service rather than a big-name national firm?

Here are 5 reasons, based on our experience of working with clients and understanding the difference we can make.

Meeting your supplier face-to-face creates trust

As a local business-to-business cleaning company we pride ourselves on building strong relationships with our commercial clients. Our Managing Director visits each potential customer personally for a detailed site visit at the start of each relationship and keeps in touch throughout the contract term.

It’s Clean offers businesses in North and West Yorkshire an extremely high standard of service and attention to detail that isn’t available from large nationwide providers.

Responding quickly when needed

The fact that we are based locally and have local staff working for us means we offer unmatched responsiveness. If urgent or unexpected issues arise, such as a major incident or large local event, we can be on site quickly and make any necessary contingency arrangements should they be needed.

As a local contract cleaner we are easily accessible and can make ourselves available should you need extra advice or support. We know the local landscape, routes, challenges and priorities. Our local knowledge gives us a huge advantage as a supplier and generates trust and accountability.

Well managed staff teams

As a local firm we rely on the loyalty and diligence of our staff, who live and work in the areas where we operate. We are extremely fortunate to have a low turnover of staff and we have team members who have been with us for many years.

Our people are extremely important to us. We like to take good care of them. We do not use zero hours contracts and offer some of the best terms and conditions in the commercial cleaning industry. We invest in our people through training and by creating a supportive environment and positive work culture. Our teams are managed by highly professional managers in the field.

Part of the community

As a local contract cleaning firm, everyone in the It’s Clean Ltd team is invested in the communities we serve. We want to deliver excellent service to support our local businesses and contribute to their success. Keeping offices, workplaces and community buildings in good order and professionally cleaned helps everyone feel better and work better. As a team, we are proud to serve the businesses in our community, many of which we interact with as individuals on a regular basis.

Better standards and better value

Local cleaners get to know the businesses they work for and have greater flexibility than many larger firms when it comes to tailoring their service to meet the particular contract cleaning needs of a business.

You might think that a big firm would be more cost-effective but this is usually a misconception. Local firms often deliver higher service levels than national companies, without a premium price tag.

At It’s Clean we pride ourselves on offering outstanding service and excellent value for money, making us the obvious choice for companies that want to keep overheads low without compromising on service and quality.

You can find out more about us and how we work here . If you’d like to arrange a free site survey please contact us .

What is an office deep clean and why is regular workplace deep cleaning important?

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 15:35:48 GMT

Discover the business benefits of regular deep cleaning

Employers often associate office deep cleaning as a one-off job to be commissioned following a reorganisation, move or after building work. You might have heard the term used when workplaces were preparing to reopen after the Covid lockdown. It’s certainly true that deep cleaning is essential in these situations, although regular deep cleaning is an important aspect of routine maintenance of office health and safety and staff wellbeing.

How does a deep clean differ from routine office cleaning?

Routine office cleaning creates a safe and pleasant working environment, keeping all surfaces clean and hygienic and regularly removing waste and debris. At It’s Clean Ltd our staff pride themselves on thoroughly cleaning all surfaces as part of this process and using the right equipment for every element of the job.

However, there are cleaning jobs that can’t be done as part of regular routine office cleaning and these are carried out as part of a thorough deep clean. Deep cleaning should be scheduled at regular intervals through the year to manage and maintain parts of the office that are less accessible but where dirt, germs and debris can gather. How often will depend on your building and business. Frequency is something we can advise you on when we visit to carry out a free site survey.

A deep clean may involve moving furniture and equipment to access hard to reach areas, the deep cleaning of carpets, rugs and flooring and removal of dust and dirt from alcoves, stairways, ceilings, light fittings, shelves, cupboards, corners and crevices. Our specially trained staff will use targeted products where needed to tackle bacteria, mould, pollen and dust. Deep cleaning should include busy communal areas, particularly washrooms and kitchen areas, where bacteria and viruses commonly tend to collect and spread.

What are the business benefits of a deep clean?

A recent study found that an office desk can harbour over 10 million bacteria - 400 times more germs than an average public toilet seat. Desks, keyboards, phone handsets and other surfaces such as door handles can assist the spread of bacteria and viruses, leading to staff illness and absence. Other areas that can spread disease include photocopiers, taps, cupboards, kettles and water coolers. A deep clean will sanitise all these common touchpoints to minimise the risks to employee health.

A workplace that looks, feels and smells clean is a pleasant environment for employees and visitors. The wellbeing benefits of working in an environment that feels cared for cannot be under-estimated and the positive impact on people coming into the building is significant. It communicates that your business is somewhere that values its people and thinks about the detail.

When it comes to other aspects of health, deep cleaning is an excellent way to minimise and eliminate mould and dust, which can aggravate allergies and breathing difficulties.

Find out more about deep cleaning for your business

It’s Clean Ltd tailors its office and commercial premises cleaning to suit your business, making sure you receive the best possible service for your needs and never pay more than you should. The fact that we are a Yorkshire based business serving Yorkshire businesses means our response time and service level is excellent. We recommend that you book a free survey in the first instance. Our managing director will visit your site(s) personally to provide you with a personalised plan and quote. Even if you have had a deep clean in the past, we recommend talking to us. Our service is very different to any other company’s offering. You can read more about us and the way we work here and why over 99% of It’s Clean Ltd's clients stay with us year after year.

£1000 charity giving landmark reached with £250 donation to Dementia Forward

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 11:27:35 GMT

Dementia Forward is the latest good cause to benefit from our 25th anniversary fund

It’s Clean Ltd has contributed a total of £1000 to good causes so far this year following its latest £250 donation, this time to local charity Dementia Forward.

The firm plans to donate £2,500 to regional charities during 2024 to celebrate its 25th year in business.

This month, Managing Director David Whan visited Dementia Forward’s headquarters near Harrogate to hand over a cheque for £250 to support the charity’s work with people affected by dementia in North Yorkshire.

David said: “Dementia Forward is there to support people whether they have a diagnosis, are worried about memory problems or care for someone affected by dementia.

“So many of us have personal experience of dementia in our own families and networks, which is why the It’s Clean team was so keen to ensure that Dementia Forward was one of the recipients of our anniversary fund.”

Debby Lennox, Head of Community Operations at Dementia Forward, said: “We are extremely grateful to It’s Clean for choosing us as one of their 10 beneficiaries during their 25th birthday year.

“Dementia Forward is North Yorkshire’s own dementia support charity and if anyone is living with dementia or concerned about memory problems, we would encourage them to call our Helpline for free, confidential support and advice and to be connected to a local Support Advisor.

“We also run wellbeing groups and activities, including our Hub Clubs, which are day services dotted across North Yorkshire and York.”

For more details about Dementia Forward call the Helpline on 03300 578592 or visit www.dementiaforward.org.uk .

How the It’s Clean team safely cleans electrical and electronic equipment

Fri, 31 May 2024 10:33:14 GMT

Promoting hygienic offices for healthier work environments

Offices, clinics and workplaces are becoming increasingly hi-tech, which can present challenges to cleaning teams who are tasked with making sure they are hygienic and free of dust, dirt and germs. Thankfully, our well-trained staff know exactly how to clean electronic and electrical devices safely.

Promoting healthy work environments

The nature of modern IT equipment and other technology means it is often frequently touched by multiple users. This creates a high risk for spreading disease and infection. Regular cleaning is vital but it needs to be carried out in the right way.

Maintaining the lifespan of equipment

Much of the equipment we are talking about will have involved significant investment and will be highly valuable to the organisation. Dust, dirt and debris can affect performance and might even cause overheating or malfunction. Regular professional cleaning keeps this equipment in good operational order and reduces costs associated with maintenance, breakdown and repair.

Cleaning workplace devices, technology and equipment safely

Our cleaning teams are fully trained in this specialist area which means all our clients can be reassured that anything in their premises will be cleaned appropriately and safely, following best practice and the latest guidelines.

Staff will take extra care to disconnect devices and accessories and will use techniques such as compressed air to clear dust from items such as keyboards. All surfaces will be sanitised using materials that have been specially developed for sensitive electrical equipment.

We never use harsh chemicals or products that are not designed for the job and we use separate cleaning cloths for screens and delicate surfaces.

Phone handsets are a particular hygiene hazard, particularly in offices where employees hot desk or regularly swap workstations. We train our staff to know how to dismantle, cleanse, dry and reassemble telephony equipment.

Some devices such as printers and copiers are more complex to clean. In these cases we will often use manufacturer instructions to check the process for the specific make and model. We clean all external surfaces and any internal parts that could become clogged.

A cautious and expert approach

Our key objectives when cleaning technological equipment are to:

· uphold a clean and hygienic environment

· avoid damage

· maintain good operational effectiveness, and

· avoid moisture related damage.

All of this requires our teams to understand how they need to approach the cleaning of electrical and electronic equipment. We are incredibly proud of our high-quality online training portal, which can be accessed from anywhere by our cleaning staff. The fact that our senior management team personally visit every site is another important factor that will give peace of mind to businesses that use our services. This enables us to have a full overview of the environment and items to be cleaned so that we can create a tailored plan for cleanliness.

Henshaws is latest charity to receive £250 from It’s Clean Ltd anniversary fund

Thu, 02 May 2024 15:53:25 GMT

The £2,500 fund has been created to mark It’s Clean’s 25 ^th anniversary

Henshaws is the latest charity to benefit from one of ten £250 donations being made to local good causes during 2024 by Harrogate contract cleaning firm It’s Clean Ltd.

The £2,500 fund has been created to mark It’s Clean’s 25 ^th anniversary and Henshaws is the third charity to benefit, donations having already been made to Carers’ Resource and Time Together.

Henshaws supports people living with sight loss and a range of other disabilities to go beyond expectations. It is well known in Harrogate and Knaresborough for its Specialist College and Arts and Crafts Centre.

David Whan of It’s Clean said: “Henshaws has an impressive range of services that are designed to help people with disabilities to live life to the full and we are delighted to be supporting their work.”

Gemma Young, fundraising development manager at Henshaws, said: “We are so grateful to David and the It’s Clean team for choosing to support us and contribute to the work we do to make a positive impact in the local community.”

Henshaws is currently inviting people to support their Henshaws Hundreds Challenge this June. This inclusive event invites participants of all abilities to raise £100 in whatever way they feel able, be it through culinary skills, musical performances, walking challenges, or artistic endeavours. Funds raised from the Henshaws Hundreds challenge will empower individuals with sight loss and other disabilities, helping them build skills, gain confidence, and embrace a brighter future. For more details email gemma.young@henshaws.org.uk

How It’s Clean is overcoming the challenge of training contract cleaning employees

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 10:40:08 GMT

Keeping staff up to date with the latest techniques, legislation and best practice

Contract cleaning providers traditionally find employee training a real challenge due to the antisocial hours and shift patterns of their staff. The main reason for this is because cleaning staff can find it hard to make time to attend training sessions organised by their employer, particularly as cleaning is often a second job.

It’s Clean Ltd has developed a novel solution which means their staff can stay up to date with the latest techniques, legislation and best practice without having to find time outside their shift to attend classroom-based training.

Remote training academy

At It’s Clean we respect our employees’ time and understand that they have probably chosen their job because the shifts work around other commitments. That’s why we have developed a comprehensive online training academy for all our operatives.

Our employees learn through short and engaging weekly videos, with a quick multiple choice test at the end of each video. There are 52 training videos in all, covering everything from colour coding, COSHH, health and safety and everything to do with commercial cleaning best practice.

Incentivised learning

We are extremely proud of the fact that 15% of our staff – that’s 26 out of our 180 workforce – have now successfully completed the training academy. When anyone completes the course, they receive a £50 bonus in recognition of their achievement. We have made the videos as engaging as possible so that they are easy to watch and learn from. The bonus is an added incentive and a token of our appreciation.

We anticipate that by the end of 2024, around 70% of our staff will have completed the academy and been awarded their bonus.

Continuous improvement

We believe our approach to training is innovative and makes it easy for our teams to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. We have found that it helps with employee retention and improves customer satisfaction too.

We have invested over £20K in these online training packages and they are key to our philosophy of continuous improvement. We are certain that our positive attitude towards staff development, an innovative approach to everything we do and a mindset of excellence and improvement are behind the fact that we enjoyed growth of over 23% during the last year.

Would you like to work for an innovative cleaning company that invests in its employees? Join our team

It’s Clean Ltd donates £250 to Harrogate charity Time Together

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 09:19:59 GMT

Second charity benefits after firm pledges total of £2,500 to good causes to mark 25 years in business

Harrogate-based commercial cleaning company It’s Clean Ltd has donated £250 to local charity Time Together as part of the firm’s campaign to give a total of £2,500 to good causes during its 25 ^th anniversary year.

It’s Clean Ltd pledges £2500 to charity to mark 25 years in business

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:58:50 GMT

It’s Clean Ltd will donate £250 to 10 charities in 2024

Commercial cleaning company It’s Clean Ltd will donate a total of £2,500, split between 10 charities in North and West Yorkshire, to celebrate 25 years in business.

The first £250 donation was presented to one of the firm’s longstanding customers, the charity Carers’ Resource , which provides essential support to adult carers and young carers in our region.

Carers’ Resource is an independent, award-winning Yorkshire charity which offers emotional and practical help to enable unpaid carers to cope. Carers can be looking after a family member, friend or neighbour who, due to disability, physical or mental health condition, illness, frailty, or addiction, cannot cope without their support.

David Whan, Managing Director of It’s Clean, said: “Carers’ Resource is an incredible local charity that is there to support people who are doing a very difficult job looking after someone who depends on them for help.

“We are delighted to be marking our 25 ^th anniversary in a positive way by supporting 10 different charities who are doing fantastic work in our local area and we are pleased to be able to present the first of ten £250 donations to Carers’ Resource.”

David visited Carers’ Resource recently and presented a cheque to Jacky Bedford, Engagement and Fundraising manager. He will present a cheque to a new charity each month between now and the end of 2024.

Third consecutive year of double digit growth

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:20:14 GMT

It’s Clean Ltd clears the way for hat-trick of double digit growth

It’s Clean Ltd is forecasting double digit growth for the third year running as we mark a quarter of a century in business as the region's leading contract cleaning specialist.

We have expanded our management team and moved to larger premises on Harrogate’s Hornbeam Park in the past 12 months to accommodate growth, promoting from within when recruiting for the role of general manager 2 years ago and recently creating two new operation manager roles and an administrator post.

Our field management and supervisor team has grown by 40% over the past two years, supporting commercial clients throughout North and West Yorkshire.

Managing Director David Whan said he expected 2024 to see the same level of growth as 2022 and 2023 after securing new multi-year office cleaning contracts with two of Harrogate’s biggest businesses, including Harrogate Spring Water.

David said: “Some services are much better from local providers and contract cleaning is one of them, which is why we have focused our growth on a limited geographical area and developing a well-supported and highly trained regional team of cleaning staff and managers.”

It’s Clean provides incentivised online training and salaries that are above minimum wage, with 26% of staff on the real living wage and a commitment to increase this by 20% each year.

David added: ““We have overcome the recruitment challenges many operators face in our line of work by offering fair levels of pay and working hard to generate a sense of pride in being part of one of the most established and best known cleaning firms in the region.

“As we look ahead, one of our objectives is to build on our ISO90001 accreditation and net zero stage 1 and 2 accreditation as we work towards achieving stage 3 by 2025/6.”

It’s Clean Ltd brews success with new contract

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 16:09:36 GMT

We’re delighted to have launched our 25 ^th anniversary year with the signing of a major new multi-year deal.

It’s Clean has secured a contract with a well-known Harrogate food and drink business and we are incredibly proud to be supporting the company to maintain and exceed its high standards of hygiene and cleanliness.

Our business was founded in Harrogate in 1999 and we recently moved to larger premises on Hornbeam Park to allow for further growth and to provide additional facilities for staff training and development.

Securing such a prestigious contract is a fantastic start to our 25 ^th anniversary year and an endorsement of our commitment to delivering the safest, cleanest, most sustainable workplaces through our investment in people, the environment, and new technologies.

It’s Clean Achieves ISO 9001 Certification

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 15:43:35 GMT

We are pleased to announce that on 16 December 2021 our commercial cleaning services business achieved ISO 9001 Certification.

Having attained SafeContractor accreditation for 12 years in a row, and in 2021 also achieving SafePQQ accreditation which includes as one of its key pillars a focus on quality, we wanted to go further. Our senior management team identified a need to focus more directly on quality management to drive both consistency in the quality of the services we offer and to foster a culture of continuous improvement throughout our business. Being a globally recognised quality standard, we felt that ISO 9001 offered the best framework to achieve our goal.

Our journey towards Certification began back in December 2020 when we undertook desk research to identify the right consultancy to help us deliver an effective Quality Management System (QMS). We shortlisted three consultancies and appointed Alpha Swanson in York due to their local representation and past success in helping service-based companies like ours achieve ISO 9001 Certification.

The next stage was to form an internal working group to partner with Alpha Swanson, and Jade Harper our office manager was our project lead, as she had successfully developed and implemented a QMS in previous businesses she had worked in.

Alpha Swanson undertook a detailed examination of our processes, documentation, communications, and evidence of continuous improvement. We were pleased to discover that we were already undertaking around 70% of what was required for us to achieve certification which ultimately saved us a lot of time.

After a few months work by Alpha Swanson and our in-house team, we had a QMS to be proud of.

Our next step was the selection of a certification body. Alpha Swanson provided us with a list and Approachable Certification were selected due their high benchmark for success. They commenced their work with a detailed review of our QMS, and then along with Alpha Swanson they randomly selected 10 of our customer sites to audit against our QMS. These sites included commercial offices, schools, warehouses, GP practices, and dental surgeries.

With the review of our QMS and audits complete, we received our certificate of certification at the end of last year.

We will now be able to bid for public sector and larger private sector contracts where being ISO 9001 certified is a basic requirement. Of course most of the national commercial cleaning service providers have ISO 9001 certification, but we have now joined the 10% of regional commercial companies to have achieved ISO 9001.

This project has been a significant investment for It’s Clean costing around £15,000 which includes a significant investment of our own time in developing and implementing our QMS.

Everyone in our team, from the managing director to our valued cleaning operatives has had to change and improve the way we work to enhance the quality and consistency of the services we provide.

Since the implementation of our QMS we have also benefited from an increase in the overall productivity of our business.

David Whan, our managing director concludes “the road to ISO 9001 certification has not been without its challenges, but I can honestly say that it has been one of the most beneficial projects we have ever undertaken at It’s Clean, and our customers are already giving us some very positive feedback on the improvements to the services we provide.”

Cleaners: The Unsung Heroes of the Pandemic

Sun, 10 Oct 2021 15:07:03 GMT

A Date for Your Diary: National Thank Your Cleaner Day on 20 October 2021

Whilst the world stood on their doorsteps to put their hands together for our wonderful carers last year, there was another team of people busily working away in every corner of the world to keep the infection from spreading, and to keep us all safe.

Working in the shadows, unnoticed and often underappreciated, this team of people worked tirelessly, day and night. Adapting their hours, their products, their areas of focus, to meet the challenging and every changing demand of keeping Covid at bay.

Who are they? They are the Cleaners! They are YOUR Cleaners!

People take cleaning as a profession for many different reasons, maybe it’s a job to make ends meet, or to earn a little extra on the side, others just love cleaning and the extra exercise! Nobody would have ever thought, during the unprecedented pandemic that our little cleaners would be integral at keeping the world safe. They were directly on the front line!

They kept the cogs turning. They enhanced their services. Cleaning every part of the building which had been touched by human hands; every light switch, every door handle, every toilet flush and tap, and in doing so put themselves at risk of being infected. They adapted the chemicals they used, which involved additional COSHH training, to disinfect and kill the virus. They changed their work schedules to assist clients with social distancing requirements. In making these adaptations, The Cleaners, kept this virus at bay.

Now the world is getting back to some sort of normality, workplaces are filling back up as home workers return, trade shows and conferences are refilling our event centres and schools are back to full capacity. Suddenly the presence of a cleaner is no longer reserved for out of hours, being visual to our clients is comforting and reassuring. Cleaning is watched, judged, and hopefully, more appreciated.

On National Thank Your Cleaner Day, we would like to personally thank each one of our staff, and to show our thanks we have added 2 hours overtime pay to each of our operatives October’s pay. We know that any recognition you may also be able to give your cleaner would be most appreciated. The resilience, flexibility, and bravery they have shown throughout the pandemic has been astounding. They are the true lifeblood of our company and an absolute pleasure to have as part of the It’s Clean Family.

Thank you to all our Cleaning Operatives!

What Does A Professional Deep Clean Include?

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 08:58:59 GMT

The level of cleanliness and hygiene required in a commercial business can vary depending on the nature of the operations, particularly if it is an industrial business or working in healthcare or the food industry, where specialist cleaning will be required. But in many commercial organisations such as offices, schools, retail and hospitality, a ‘deep clean’ is a service that fundamentally goes above and beyond the daily cleaning of visual areas and welfare facilities, and those areas that are most used or occupied.

Whilst all cleaning has important hygiene considerations, daily office cleaning, for example, can be about keeping an area tidy and workable from a practical standpoint. In commercial premises, ‘cleaning’ can be more about keeping a business looking and feeling professional. However, a deep clean is much more than that.

What is deep cleaning?

Deep cleaning is not a daily task or a general tidy-up, it is a cleaning process which removes dirt, dust and other types of grime and bacteria that can build up in different areas over a period of time.

Most businesses have areas which can be unseen or unused on a frequent basis, but these areas are still susceptible to dirt build-up, so this can be under, behind or on top of fixed or mobile items, and a deep clean requires these items to be moved so that full access can be gained, and a proper clean undertaken, which wouldn’t necessarily happen on a daily basis.

When should deep cleaning take place?

Usually a deep clean will take place after-hours, so that the cleaner can gain full access to areas without disrupting the normal flow of work. This is because they will need to move equipment, desks, cupboards etc to clean behind them in areas that are not ordinarily accessible.

It is up to each individual business how often they undertake a deep clean, but this should be done following a full risk assessment to help identify where controls and needs are sufficient. Ordinarily, a deep clean will be done over a weekend, during shutdown periods (Summer, Christmas or Easter holidays) or on a strict quarterly basis.

What is the aim of a deep clean?

Comprehensive cleaning: You are not just removing the top level of dust and dirt; you are getting to the core and the structure of your premises.
Non-visual cleaning: Cleaning the entire building, including elements that are not usually seen by the naked eye.
Health: Improving the health and welfare of your employees by reducing the build-up and spread of bacteria, mould and germs.
Productivity: Improving productivity by removing dust mites and allergens which can cause employees to feel drowsy and unproductive, which affects their working efficiency.
Identification: Sometimes by undertaking deep cleaning you can identify emerging health, safety and hygiene issues that otherwise would go undetected.

What is a typical deep cleaning checklist?

Usually this can be split up into two sections.

Dusting, cleaning and disinfecting hard-to-reach areas:

Under and behind desks
Behind radiators
Behind equipment such as photocopiers
On top of shelving or racking
On top of aircon units or vents
On top of window ledges
On top of TVs, monitors and CCTV cameras
On top of cupboards and cabinets

Extra cleaning and disinfecting of items and structure with specialist materials, above and beyond a ‘daily dust’:

Internal walls
Internal and external doors
Disinfect and scrub hard floors rather than just sweep
Shampoo carpets rather than just vac
Blinds
Cupboard doors
Communal microwaves, cookers and fridges

Professional deep cleaning of commercial premises

You should employ the services of a professional cleaning company to carry out your deep clean, and agree a frequency and checklist with them. Essentially, a deep clean is an opportunity to press pause on the busy workplace life where many things can get forgotten, and re-establish important standards, which are then easier to maintain.

Get in touch with It’s Clean commercial cleaning in Harrogate, Leeds and York today, and we can work with you to carry out a deep clean of your premises and achieve high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, professionalism and efficiency.

Coronavirus Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Workplace

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 13:45:11 GMT

There is no doubt that the Coronavirus has changed every aspect of working life in the last 12 months, and whether your workplace has been empty, half-full, or still fully occupied, as an employer you now have a duty to design and implement strict new health and hygiene procedures, as restrictions are lifted and working life begins to return to normal.

Of course, this involves many different procedures relating to social distancing, hand hygiene, health monitoring, wearing of PPE, and work-flows around the premises. Fundamentally, workplace cleaning has become a high priority, and is the key starting point as you prepare to open up the workplace again. After all, reducing the risk of infection and having adequate procedures and controls in place, could be the critical difference between being able to open the business or not. So, what is involved in this new regime of post-COVID workplace cleaning?

Understanding your new cleaning requirements

There is a vast difference between the infrequent workplace cleaning you used to pay for in commercial premises, and what is required now. And whilst a periodical deep clean was always recommended for commercial organisations, it is now an essential starting point in combatting the spread of COVID-19 and creating a safe and hygienic workplace for your employees.

It is important to start this process with a thorough deep clean of all areas of the workplace, and to decontaminate areas where there is a risk of infection spreading. This includes areas and surfaces that are regularly touched or occupied, as well as ‘dead’ areas that are not, but are still open to germs settling and spreading.

What is the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?

The difference between cleaning and disinfecting is a very important distinction that you need to understand. Cleaning removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces, but it doesn’t kill germs, it just removes them. But by removing these germs you are reducing the risk of them spreading and infecting people. Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs outright, but it doesn’t necessarily clean the surface or remove the germs. Therefore, it is best to use both processes in tandem to ensure an effective programme of hygiene. Ideally you should clean first and then disinfect.

Where should I undertake workplace cleaning and disinfecting?

Basically, this needs to take place in any workplace where there is a risk of contact with someone with COVID-19, and therefore the infection spreading. Many workplaces such as healthcare and in the food industry, already have specialist cleaning procedures and standards, but non-healthcare settings should also now undertake deep cleaning and disinfecting prior to re-opening, along with frequent repetition when buildings begin to be more regularly occupied.

These kind of workplaces include offices, schools, retail, hospitality and all public buildings.

What cleaning and disinfecting procedures should I put in place?

Deep Cleaning : Ideally you should start with a deep clean of your premises to ensure that all areas initially have the same standard of cleanliness. This will also ensure that non-occupied ‘dead’ areas get the same treatment as regularly touched or occupied areas.
Touch Point Cleaning : This is a programme of cleaning which identifies key locations and areas that are most frequently touched and therefore present a high risk of carrying infection. These can be light switches, door handles, telephones, hand rails, bannisters etc. and can be frequently cleaned and disinfected.
Fogging : You should consider fogging large areas of the workplace which is a practical method of comprehensively disinfecting large areas safely and quickly. This is ideally done after touchpoint cleaning for the best effectiveness.
Frequent Cleaning : Daily cleaning of surfaces, floors and equipment as normal.

What are the benefits of cleaning and disinfecting my workplace?

Reduce the spread: Fundamentally we all have a duty to reduce infection rates of COVID-19 and keep ourselves and our colleagues safe.
Practical: Following these guidelines and using a professional commercial cleaning company will allow this to be done in the most practical and least disruptive manner.
Visual: These new procedures are a visual sign that different standards are in place and need adhering to.
Specialist: Peace of mind that you are using the specialist materials and techniques to bring effective results.
Professional: High standards of cleaning and resulting hygiene from a dedicated and professional cleaning company.
Safe and able to operate: Your workplace will be left clean and hygienic and with procedures in place which, when followed, will enable your business to open, operate and get back to normal.

For expert coronavirus cleaning and workplace disinfection across Harrogate, Leeds and York, call It’s Clean today on 01423 566785 .

The COVID-19 Disinfection Misconception

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 11:39:33 GMT

In the mad dash to leave no stone unturned in the battle against COVID-19, businesses are quick to insist on disinfecting anything stood still in a work environment, and no doubt some things that aren’t. And yet a popular misconception exists, which misses the fact that routine cleaning is just as effective as disinfection in reducing the chances of passing on the COVID-19 virus.

Fundamentally, cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing. Even if you already know that, you might not understand why cleaning can be more effective, as businesses start the process of returning to work as lockdown restrictions are lifted .

Disinfection: is the killing or inactivating of microorganisms and reducing them to an acceptable level
Cleaning: is removing dirt and the microorganisms it contains

Why is cleaning better than disinfecting?

Typically, we disinfect areas when clinical cleanliness is required, in welfare areas generally, in work environments such as healthcare, care homes and in the food industry. Most other environments, such as retail, offices or schools, we simply clean.

But under the threat of COVID-19, and with more vulnerable and ‘at risk’ people around, it is understandable that we seek to take the extra step in our hygiene controls, when actually we don’t need to.

There are two issues with automatically disinfecting areas to combat COVID-19 infection:

It is done for emotional reasons, not based on a rational prognosis or on a risk assessment of a suspected infection.
It is done incorrectly. You need to clean an area first and then disinfect. A lack of training in many cases leads to using disinfecting agents only (not disinfection) and missing areas on a surface or not leaving enough contact time for the substance to have the right effect.

S o, the problem with disinfecting is that whilst it can kill viruses and microorganisms, this status only lasts until someone else touches that same surface, then it is infected again. Therefore, proper cleaning with normal detergent removes harmful levels of microorganisms, including virus particles. Over time, the rest will die out, so cleaning is more effective and offers more of a sense of security for an employer and their employees, if a formal system is introduced in the workplace.

The benefits of a good office cleaning regime

COVID-19 particles, and any viruses like it, cannot multiply on a surface, only bacteria can do that. Instead, COVID-19 needs a host to infect, i.e. a person. So, a dry surface maintained at room temperature will become a hostile environment to the virus, while it exists and isn’t picked up by someone. Therefore, in addition to social distancing and hand hygiene, an intensive cleaning of surfaces is sufficient. Personal discipline is the answer to combatting COVID-19, hence why employers are so keen to introduce such measures in to the workplace, in tandem with a strict routine cleaning regime, to help reduce the spread of the virus.

Call It’s Clean Ltd commercial cleaning in Harrogate, Leeds and York to discuss intensive cleaning of your work environment before your staff return to work, and about maintaining these standards with routine cleaning when normal work resumes. We are a professional commercial cleaning company experienced in all different industry sectors and environments, and we can recommend the correct course of action to protect your employees and keep your business open, as the fight against COVID-19 continues.

Cleaners Join the List of COVID-19 Heroes

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 11:04:00 GMT

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and championed the role of the cleaner more than ever before. And the cleaning of workplaces and public spaces has never seemed so important. Many professional cleaning companies, such as the team here at It’s Clean, think this is due to the new levels of expectation of customers who are desperate for their premises to be safe to re-open and to be maintained as open. As a result, the previously derided word ‘housekeeping’, once met with an instantaneous rolling of the eyes, has now taken on a renewed significance.

For a long time, cleaners have been the forgotten or unseen cog in the wheels of industry. Largely working out of hours in deserted buildings, they were deemed of secondary importance as a core function by many businesses, but as the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and people prepare to return to work, hopefully for good, housekeeping is the new buzzword, and is seen as critical in maintaining public health in the UK.

A new appreciation of the cleaning industry

Whilst cleaners themselves may lend a cynical view of proceedings, given how housekeeping has been positioned in the list of priorities over the years, the new appreciation of the cleaning discipline is certainly welcomed by the professional cleaning industry.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, cleaning was largely considered to be a convenience service, and whilst employers wanted and needed premises to be clean, it wasn’t critical to the functioning of the organisation. But now businesses face the threat of COVID-19 infection breakouts and premises being shut down again, and cleaners are now deemed to be “guardians of impeccable hygiene”, and new standards and protocols represent the difference between some organisations continuing to function, or not.

Ultimately, employers have a moral duty and employees need to feel safe and comfortable in returning to work and staying there, and many premises and procedures have had to be adapted and changed as a result of the COVID-19 threat . For cleaning companies this has required an element of re-training and researching of new materials and substances.

New COVID-19 cleaning protocols

At It’s Clean Ltd, we are commercial cleaning specialists covering Leeds, Harrogate and York and we have introduced new services such as fogging and touch point cleaning , specifically to combat the spread of the COVID-19 infection. Cleaners have also had to adapt to wearing additional PPE, and as a result are viewed now as more of a professional equal, when considered against other contractors an organisation might employ.

Naturally home working dramatically affected the professional cleaning sector, with man hours and volumes of work disappearing overnight, and continuing in some cases for a full 12 months. Some organisations have implemented bonus schemes and have paid overtime to fairly reflect the upheaval of new procedures and the importance of what is now a key function in an organisation.

Certainly, at It’s Clean we have seen this, and we can also report that work is slowly picking up as businesses prepare their premises for re-opening and put systems in place to ensure they stay open. This has involved a huge amount of cooperation between employers and cleaning contractors and certainly, there is a renewed gratitude for the critical service professional cleaning companies are providing, even if that has always been the case. For now, It’s Clean are available to discuss how intensive cleaning can assist your business in re-opening, and how our routine cleaning procedures can ensure your return to normal remains possible. Contact us for a free quote today or call It’s Clean Ltd on 01423 566785 .

Office Sector Prepares to Return to Work

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 10:14:32 GMT

With the successful vaccine rollout and the careful lifting of restrictions, it is predicted that life in the UK will return to near-normal by the summer of 2021. But many people don’t know what ‘normal’ is anymore. A huge percentage of businesses were forced to reimagine how they operated in 2020, and the ‘new normal’ involved working from home out of necessity, but as we see glimpses of light at the end of the tunnel, businesses are beginning to question whether working from home is really for them.

It is easy to imagine how many businesses have settled comfortably into new work patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic, and have sought to cut costs by having people working from home. Perhaps a short term measure has become a long term requirement merely to help balance the books, but as lockdown restrictions start to be lifted during the spring, the benefits of face-to-face office working begin to re-emerge and business will have to start preparing for life back in the office.

Preparing the office for the ‘new normal’

With businesses slowly returning to work over the next few weeks, employers are faced with the challenge of preparing offices as a safe and welcoming environment after they have been left empty and abandoned, in some cases for a full 12 months. Preparations for the ‘new normal’ of working under the continual threat of COVID will include office pre-cleans, new protocol for hand hygiene, social distancing, health monitoring and strict procedures for ongoing cleaning.

New policies and procedures have to be discussed and implemented internally, but professional cleaning companies such as It’s Clean can help with the organisation of preparing the office from a hygiene point-of-view and installing new hygiene measures. This applies whether people are returning full-time, part-time or only one day a week.

The physical return to the office has strong support from the business sector too. A BBC report has detailed the concerns of banking giant Goldman Sachs , whose boss David Solomon rejected remote working as the ‘new normal’. He explained how Goldman Sachs had operated with less than 10% of their workforce physically in the office, but with 3,000 new recruits expected in the summer of 2021, all of whom require direct mentorship, remote working was not sustainable for them.

Post-COVID office hygiene

Solomon expects that the long term structure of the organisation won’t be much different to the pre-COVID environment, and that view is supported by other financial stalwarts such as JP Morgan chief executive Jamie Dimon and Barclays boss Jes Staley. Clearly big business needs physical interaction and will also have issues with IT infrastructure and security, which prevents people working from home as a rule.

Many industry sectors have obvious limitations, such as leisure, retail, hospitality and healthcare, but with office work, bosses may just have issues with a loss of productivity, even if they think morally and financially working from home has its benefits. At a time when the bottom line figure is crucial, creating the best work environment is a balancing act for many businesses and it is not surprising that working from home is okay for some, but not for others, and it is not simply down to the culture a business wants to create.

So for businesses wanting to prepare offices for a physical return, now is the time to employ professional contractors to do the hard work. This can include a thorough pre-clean of an office, and routine fogging and touch point cleaning to retain ongoing hygiene standards. You can also install hand hygiene stations and re-organise the office with one-way systems, new barriers and partitions for isolation. It’s Clean can help with all of this, so get in touch today and get yourselves prepared for whatever the ‘new normal’ means to you.

Handwashing Is Still Key Advice for Fighting COVID-19

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 09:41:05 GMT

The first piece of advice we received regarding the COVID-19 pandemic back in February 2020 was about washing our hands thoroughly. Before the talk of social distancing, wearing a mask and before any restrictions on our daily lives were introduced, washing our hands with soap and water for 20 seconds was the key advice. Remember the rush to buy hand sanitiser and its scarcity in shops and supermarkets? It seems a distant memory now and nearly a year on, are people still washing their hands to prevent transmitting the COVID-19 virus?

Hand hygiene is still critical to fighting the spread of the virus , and people should be:

Washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds at a time
Drying their hands thoroughly with a clean towel afterwards
Washing hands more frequently after using the washroom, before handling food, after blowing our noses and before tending to the sick
Using soap because it breaks down the fatty shell that surrounds the virus, the soap lather penetrates the folds and wrinkles of the hand
Rinsing our hands thoroughly with water because the deactivated virus is then rinsed away.

Survey results on hand-washing to fight COVID-19

For this process to work properly, it should take approximately 20 seconds, according to scientists. But a new survey has revealed that only 62% of us are properly adhering to this critical advice.

Tork manufacturer Essity polled 10,000 people across 15 countries and found that three quarters of us are now washing our hands more frequently as a result of the pandemic, averaging 10 times a day compared to eight previously. An encouraging 80% are adopting the correct hand-washing technique, but only 55% are drying their hands on a clean cloth or towel afterwards. And only 24% use a towel to turn the tap off afterwards, meaning the virus can still be transmitted.

In total, 77% of respondents believed they were washing their hands to protect themselves from the virus, when actually this action prevents us transmitting the virus to other people. Across the globe, this belief differs, but raises some alarming misconceptions. In Russia, 92% felt that hand hygiene was to protect themselves, in the UK is was 77% and in Mexico 65%.

Your duty to protect employees from transmitting COVID-19

It is clear there is still some way to go in establishing a general understanding of how the virus is transmitted. Only 48% of people said they would wash their hands after using a shared device at work such as a phone or tablet. And only 25% said they would wash their hands before using it. Similar results were found with people using public transport and visiting a public space.

Clearly the virus is going to be with us for some time, even after restrictions are lifted and people are vaccinated . So, all organisations have a duty to educate and protect their employees, with regards to how the virus is transmitted. Hand hygiene is a key element of this process and hand hygiene options, in terms of materials, substances, equipment and information, can be supplied by It’s Clean. So, contact us today and we can help you enforce high standards of hand hygiene in your business.

The Unique Challenges Facing the Hygiene Industry During COVID-19

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 13:46:53 GMT

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.

It’s Clean Land Another Industry Accreditation

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 12:13:12 GMT

In the professional commercial cleaning industry, accreditations are very important. They are not just something fancy we can put on our website and company literature, they are visible recognition of our standing in the industry.

It’s Clean have to work to certain hygiene standards in certain industry sectors, such as healthcare and the food industry for example, so we need specific accreditations to allow us to carry out that work. But accreditations also highlight the quality of our work and therefore give us a competitive advantage in comparison to other businesses.

That's why we are delighted to announce we have received the SafePQQ Accreditation .

Why are accreditations important?

Accreditations can measure the standards of our work, and in some cases you will not be given the chance to tender for certain contracts without having achieved specific accreditations, but they also recognise your standing as an employer, so the SafePQQ accreditation measures how we operate on all levels of our business, and specifically:

Finance
Environment
Quality management
Equality
Modern slavery
Anti-bribery
GDPR
Right-to-work
Building information modelling

We are proud of our reputation as a compassionate and ethical employer and we want that to be reflected in how people see our business. The standards and attitudes we demonstrate towards our own people are mirrored in the work we carry out for others, plus it demonstrates our awareness of current legislation. On top of that, our internal systems for environmental and quality management, and for managing data protection, show how diligent and professional we are, and this can also be seen in the professional standards of our cleaning work.

Our other industry accreditations

The other accreditations we hold are corporate membership of the British Institute of Cleaning Science, member of the Federation of Small Businesses, approved by SafeContractor and recognised as experts by the Cleaning Industry Management Standard, have all been achieved through many years of hard work and dedication.

We have to pass periodical audits and inspections to maintain the certification over subsequent years. This requires commitment at every level of the organisation and certainly requires a ‘buy-in’ from our top level management down to our professional and dedicated commercial cleaning staff.

We are very proud of our newest accreditation, the SafePQQ award, and we feel that this recognises the hard work of internal people within the organisation, but also the fundamental message of the business, which is that we work to the highest standards, we recognise regulatory compliance and we seek to maintain and improve on these standards all day and every day. Perhaps most importantly, we can also bring these standards to your organisation, and help to make your organisation better so that you can also achieve industry accreditations that are relevant to you.

Certainly you can be assured that through regular audits and inspections, the quality of service from It’s Clean will not waver, and that this new accreditation is not just another feather in our cap, it is an indication of the quality of service that will be passed on to you.

3 Important Considerations for Cleaning Communal Areas

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 10:52:48 GMT

We advise on the importance of touch point cleaning in communal areas.

It is important to keep any accessible part of your working premises clean and tidy, particularly at the moment when we are at risk of spreading and picking up the COVID-19 virus. But where communal areas are concerned, this poses different challenges and merits slightly different attention to an individual office of workstation.

Communal areas in a workplace could be the reception area, staircases between floors, toilet and welfare facilities or kitchens and canteens. They will of course differ according to each workplace, but common factors you need to consider are:

They will be subjected to more pedestrian traffic than most individual areas
There will be a lot of different people coming and going through these areas, so there is a heightened risk of germs and communal areas could become a breeding ground for bacteria
Communal areas are often overlooked in terms of assigning responsibilities

So what three important considerations do you need to bear in mind when addressing communal areas?

Have a system

You need to create a system for ensuring cleanliness and hygiene standards are met. This will usually involve employing the services of a professional cleaning company. Having access to dedicated experts in cleanliness and hygiene ensures that the correct materials and methods are applied on a pre-agreed schedule.

However, having a ‘system’ in place also means that you have a mechanism by which employees can report issues if they see them, there are rules in place and guidelines for what is or isn’t acceptable in different communal areas and you have a system to ensure materials and equipment such as bins, signs, cleaning materials, tools and accessories are made available at all times.

Responsibilities

It is easy to assign responsibility for someone to look after cleanliness and hygiene standards in their own office, but in communal areas, standards can slip and become a problem, because no one has direct responsibility. This can mean that issues don’t get reported, items don’t get replaced and standards soon deteriorate.

Assigning responsibility for communal areas enables a nominated person to undertake daily monitoring above and beyond what the professional cleaning company are doing. A reporting system enables matters to be addressed and ensures standards are maintained. It also enables the cleaning company to have a point of contact to liaise with, to highlight issues day-to-day and to work with in striving to achieve continual improvement.

Touch-point cleaning

As mentioned above, communal areas can be a breeding ground for viruses simply because so many different people pass through them on a daily basis. General cleaning will be undertaken day-to-day and this will differ according to the nature of a room, ie. a reception area won’t need the kind of attention that a shower block or a toilet block would. However, you should also consider a regular ‘touch point cleaning’ schedule , which will include those areas and items that many different people touch everyday and where bacteria can accumulate, but which are not always the most visible areas and are not necessarily included in a daily cleaning schedule.

These areas might include hand rails on bannisters, light switches, door handles, cupboard handles, maybe a clocking-in system in reception. Visibly, these areas may look clean, but the amount of different people touching them merits special attention, and a specific touch point cleaning regime is key to implementing a robust programme of cleaning for communal areas .

Internal Glass Is Beautiful in Commercial Properties, but is it Clean?

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 10:00:30 GMT

A study has shown that COVID-19 can last as long as 28 days on glass

When designing commercial properties, such as office blocks and retail outlets, many architects and business owners select glass as a beautiful, durable internal decoration.

Whether it’s glass panels for meeting rooms or small internal windows on doors to make them look more inviting, internal glass is a great way to make your commercial property stand out.

However, it does pose many challenges. For example, a recent study has shown that COVID-19 can last as long as 28 days on some surfaces, including glass.

For essential businesses that need to remain open during the lockdown, cleanliness is vital to the safety of customers and staff, as well as the reputation of your company.

Even non-essential businesses need to keep their internal glass clean, as they could potentially be reopening soon and they need to make sure that they hit the ground running if they want to make up for lost time.

That means that companies across the corporate spectrum need to focus on cleaning their internal glass, as well as all other surfaces and public areas in their commercial base, more regularly. This can pose a challenge, as it takes a lot of time, effort and specialist cleaning knowledge to sanitise glass and other surfaces properly.

So, what can you do to overcome this issue in your commercial properties? Here are some tips from the commercial cleaning experts here at It’s Clean.

Hire Expert Cleaners

As obvious as it sounds, the first step to a clean commercial premises is to hire experts. Your staff need to work in a safe environment, and they probably don’t have the time, equipment or cleaning skills to keep your premises completely clean and sanitary. Our team offer a wide range of services, including a specialist Coronavirus cleaning service . As such, you can rest assured that your staff, customers and any other visitors to your commercial property are safe and enjoy a clean, hygienic environment when you hire us.

Get Your Internal Surfaces Cleaned More Regularly

Expert commercial cleaners such as ours are great for keeping your internal surfaces pristine and safe, but only if you work with them regularly. During this pandemic, cleanliness is more important than ever before. As such, you should consider engaging our commercial cleaning team more regularly. Our team can tailor our services to suit the needs of your business, so that you can get the services you need, as often as you need them.

Don’t Overlook Smaller Commercial Properties

Commercial property developers or managers who take care of a vast portfolio might overlook smaller premises. However, the virus won’t forget about them, so it’s important that you engage the services of experienced commercial cleaning experts for all of your properties. From commercial offices to building sites and everything in between, our team has got you covered. We can also clean spaces that are currently shut down, such as event venues and non-essential retail shops and showrooms .

If you’re eager to keep your commercial premises clean and safe during the pandemic and further in the future, then get in touch today . We offer a free, no-obligation site survey and quote!

How Do I Clean an Exterior Building Without Damaging the Render?

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 10:06:29 GMT

Try our new gentle but effective soft washing exterior cleaning

Render is the traditional method used to protect the exterior walls of a property, and it is applied much like plastering an interior wall. Usually we will paint it whatever colour we like, but then there is not much we can do other than slowly watch it deteriorate in condition. Natural weathering of render will discolour it, and also this aging process could enable cracks to appear and moisture to penetrate the brickwork of the property. This can therefore produce considerable problems when you come to clean the exterior walls.

Weathering of render is very hard to prevent, and so too is the erosion of the render. Discolouration of the render comes from carbon staining and sometimes also the growth of algae and possibly the ingress of insect nesting. The traditional reaction to this problem with exterior walls is to jetwash them, but this use of force and this overload of water can actually cause more damage, particularly if the render is in a poor state of deterioration. Of course, more water will penetrate cracks that already exist, and segments of render can be broken off by the significant power of the water jets.

So what is the answer?

And how do you clean the exterior walls of a property if the render is in a delicate state?

Soft washing is an alternative method of cleaning the exterior walls of your property, because it is a low-pressure system that is sympathetic to its condition and will not contribute to further erosion of the wall’s surface. But it will bring out the natural colour of the surface and the chemical mix used will prevent subsequent deterioration.

How does soft washing work?

Soft washing is a low-pressure washing system which achieves more effective results because it uses a unique and specially-created chemical blend. When applied to exterior surfaces, such as walls, steps and pathways, it can have transformational effects.

The special soft wash chemical mix is applied under low pressure and is a blend of specially developed ‘soft wash’ chemicals which treat organic and non-organic staining. The chemical blend treats the exterior surface through a four-stage process:

The unique chemical mix is left on the surface of the building for a period of time depending on the nature of the structure and the type of staining or growth that is evident.
The chemical mix is rinsed off with water, also under low pressure, which should remove any organic growth that has discoloured the surface.
Any more persistent stains will then be gently steamed using a Thermotech machine.
Finally, another wash is applied which neutralises any chemical residue left from the soft washing process and applies a finishing waxing soap, to slow down any re-colonisation of organic life on the building.

Cleaning your exterior walls without jet washing

Applying this process to the exterior walls of a property is effective in creating a long-lasting clean effect, whilst also leaving exterior render in the same state it was in before. The soft washing system is ruthless in how it attacks discoloration but it is sensitive to possible structural damage to the render, and so is the perfect system for cleaning an exterior wall without damaging the render.

It’s Clean are an accredited and authorised contractor for the use of the soft washing system, and we have the skills and knowledge to advise on how and where the system should be applied. Soft washing can be effective on all exterior surfaces and is an environmentally-friendly, cost-effective and practical alternative to jet washing exterior walls, because jet washing could cause further damage without even cleaning the walls effectively.

Contact It’s Clean today and we can discuss your exterior cleaning requirements .

High Standards at It’s Clean Officially Recognised Again

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 12:14:59 GMT

The high standards of professionalism and health and safety awareness at It’s Clean have been officially recognised, with our organisation being granted the SafeContractor approval for the 11th year running.

As proof that we are an industry-leading professional cleaning company, the SafeContractor approval goes a long way to recognising excellence and a high level of achievement in the contract cleaning industry, so naturally we are delighted to have achieved this status once again, but in truth, we were quietly confident because we know the standards expected and we know that we can achieve them.

How we achieved SafeContractor status

The SafeContractor approval recognises our work in contracting and subcontracting, i.e. how we maintain our high standards through our own employees and in sub-contractors. But also, in terms of the work we do, it covers commercial/industrial cleaning, computer room cleaning, deep cleaning, grounds and car park cleaning, office cleaning and domestic cleaning. So the scope of the approval covers the whole range of services we offer, and as an organisation the approval covers our role as a non-construction contractor, working with chemicals and hazardous substances .

In order to achieve the SafeContractor approval our systems and procedures were independently audited, so the approval team could see our standards in real time and judge us accordingly. We also had to submit documentary evidence of our health and safety procedures. This related to top-level management procedures, but also working procedures relating to health and safety issues, such as emergency responses, vehicles, employee induction, internal policies, materials usage, environmental practices and first aid etc.

We also had to submit evidence of our accident and ill-health record, as this is a good reflection of how we work and how we look after our employees. We had to submit evidence of our internal training procedures, how we control and manage our contractors and all our documented risk assessments relating to the cleaning materials we use and all our different cleaning practices.

How we pass on these high standards to you

It is fair to say that the SafeContractor approval covers every element of our business, and the achievement is a comprehensive study of our organisation, leaving no stone unturned, so we are particularly proud to achieve the SafeContractor approval, and even after 11 successful years, we do not take the approval for granted. We are well aware that the standards are very high in our industry, and that the approval is not awarded lightly. We are certainly aware of the hard work required to achieve the approval, so it acts as an annual recognition that we are working to high standards and routinely maintaining them.

You will see evidence of our SafeContractor approval status in the work we do for you, all carried out with your cleanliness standards and the health and safety of your employees in mind. But you will also see the SafeContractor recognition on our literature, our vehicles and on our social media. But ultimately, this award is as much for you as it is for us, because now you can be assured that the quality and high standards of our contract cleaning will be passed on to you.

5 Common Commercial Areas That Need Cleaning More Regularly Than You Think

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 11:47:07 GMT

Regardless of the nature of your organisation and the specific operations which take place there, certain areas of the premises will be common and will always stand out as areas requiring special attention, and some of these might be more important than you think. In the current climate of high COVID-19 infections, it is particularly important to keep on top of routine cleaning and pay specific attention to key areas and locations, but as a commercial organisation the importance of cleaning can also have an impact on how your employees operate and, ultimately, the success of your business.

So we have identified the five key areas that are common to most commercial organisations, and which we think merit more attention than you might think they do.

Meeting rooms

This could be a simple communal office space , but can also be classed as a boardroom in some commercial organisations. Either way, it could be a room that is the public face of your business and be where visitors or customers are exposed to the standards of your organisation. So yes, you need to keep those standards high to reflect the quality and prestige of your business, but as a ‘public space’ meeting rooms can also see a high rate of germs and infections being passed around, purely down to the nature of the different people using the room. Furthermore, as these are communal rooms there is often a lack of personal responsibility in terms of keeping them clean and tidy, in comparison to someone’s personal office for example. It is very important that communal meeting rooms are given special and regular attention in a routine cleaning schedule.

Carpets

Whether your commercial organisation is fully carpeted or you simply use fabric floor coverings such as rugs in certain areas, it is important that they are professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Even a short pile carpet or rug can be a breeding ground for germs and infections which gather in the fabric, and of course these will not be visible. Large areas of carpeting will not necessarily look dirty to the naked eye, until you have them professionally cleaned. Only then will you see the dramatic change and understand the way in which dirt, dust and particles can discolour and infect a carpet, so don’t let your flooring get to that stage and have carpets cleaned on a routine basis .

Workspaces

Typically people do keep their workspaces tidy, and because we are all individuals we all work in different ways. Someone might be able to cope with a somewhat ‘chaotic’ system of filing where they swear they know where everything is, whilst another employee may prefer a minimalist set-up where a desk or workspace is clear and pristine. It is up to the organisation to set the standards of what is acceptable and for individuals to maintain them, but cleanliness is a slightly different matter. People spend a lot of time in their personal workspaces and this inevitably leads to the possible transmission of germs and bacteria , so all visible and non-visible areas of a workspace need regular anti-bacterial cleaning.

Storage areas

Again, these will differ by the nature of the organisation, but storage areas are another feature of a business which may suffer from being ‘no one’s responsibility’. Out of sight, out of mind is another commonly-used phrase for storage areas, but essentially, they can become a dumping ground where the standards of an organisations are not necessarily maintained as they would be elsewhere, and hence they should be subjected to regular deep cleaning.

Reception

Most organisations very clearly understand the importance of presenting a tidy and welcoming reception area, as it is the public face of the business and the first contact many people have with your organisation. But it is also an area which sees many people pass through it, and as the ‘entry point’ to the business should be where hand sanitiser stations are positioned. Of course this also means that reception areas should be thoroughly cleaned every day so that the transmission of infection from outside the organisation into it, and vice versa, is reduced.

It’s Clean are a professional commercial cleaning company and we can assess your organisation and talk to you about the routine cleaning of key locations to enhance your business potential and reduce the risk of transmitting viruses. We can design a schedule at the right frequency, which addresses the dusting, vacuuming, mopping, anti-bacterial wiping of all surfaces, fixtures, woodwork and flooring as required.

Call us today on 01423 566785 or email info@itsclean.co.uk for your free no obligation survey and quotation.

Fogging Disinfection: When and Where Should It Be Used?

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:39:21 GMT

Fogging is a proven disinfection process and perhaps the most environmentally-friendly of the gaseous cleaning processes available. An airborne mist of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds offers widespread coverage and disinfection, and this is therefore very effective in combating viruses in the workplace, but it is important that fogging is used in the right environment and in combination with other practices. Only then can you be sure it is sufficiently effective.

How does fogging work?

A typical fogging process releases an incredibly fine mist through the atmosphere to land on all surfaces and disinfect them. This has the effect of killing viruses and ensuring your working and communal areas are completely sanitised.

The fogging cleaning process used by It’s Clean uses a much safer, non-toxic chemical which is certified to BS EN 13697:2015+A1:2019. This process doesn’t involve using noxious chemicals, which means we can apply fogging to any area in your premises that needs more targeted disinfection.

Where is fogging most suitable?

Fogging offers comprehensive coverage of the area it is used in, but it is best used to target specific areas of a building, ie. areas which can be isolated and enclosed. This might be a reception area or changing room where many different people pass through or congregate, or in a wash room, kitchens, canteen or toilets where germs can be spread more easily.

Of course, for fogging to be most effective the area needs to be enclosed, so this is not suitable for vast areas such as warehouses, which can be spacious and with high ceilings, as the vapour coverage might not be sufficient in some cases. Also, rooms which have access to external areas may be difficult to keep sanitised.

However, high occupancy rooms are ideal for fogging, as well as areas which need to be kept clinically clean, such as laboratories, medical facilities, schools, GP surgeries and care homes, where the risk of infection is high. It is possible also to use fogging in office areas where IT and electrical equipment is stored. Fogging uses a dry mist solution which, whilst tackling surface contamination as well as airborne, will not damage electrical equipment.

It's Clean have been providing the fogging disinfection service to a range of clients including Jorvik Centre, Redline Racing, Pannal Golf Club, Leeds Road Dr Surgery and Blue line Taxis.

Will fogging alone be enough?

Fogging is ideal for decontaminating large rooms which include hard to reach areas, or where you don’t have the resources to undertake frequent comprehensive cleaning and decontamination. However, it is recommended that touch point cleaning is carried out just prior to fogging in order to get maximum benefit. This ensures that certain surfaces are abrasively cleaned to combat viruses from frequently touched areas. Fogging cannot apply deep cleaning effectiveness where a surface shows signs of hard contamination, but when used in combination with a thorough touch point cleaning programme, can provide peace of mind that a comprehensive decontamination is in place and your premises are free from lingering bacteria and viruses.

A risk assessment on your premises should enable you to adequately judge how frequently fogging should take place, based on people, movement, operations and local infection rates. However, a regular fogging programme will ensure long-lasting protection and a healthy environment.

Introducing Our New Soft Washing Service

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 15:09:04 GMT

The ideal solution for all your exterior cleaning needs

We are really excited about launching our new soft washing cleaning service and can’t wait to tell you all about it!

Soft washing is a brand new, patented method of exterior building cleaning, which is effective, long-lasting and environmentally-friendly. We believe soft washing is a genuine improvement on traditional jet washing, and brings a number of benefits to help building managers, property developers and facilities managers run their businesses more cost-effectively.

Soft washing is a low-pressure washing system for exterior surfaces, which achieves more effective results because it uses a unique and specially-created chemical blend. This brings amazing, transformational results in terms of cleaning exterior surfaces, but the chemicals also prevent a re-growth of algae and other organic materials to keep those surfaces cleaner for longer. The low-pressure nature of the soft washing system means that delicate or sensitive areas on older buildings can be effectively treated and restored. This could be render and brickwork on the outside, or it could be steps, balustrade, paving or driveways also associated with the building.

What are the benefits of soft washing exterior cleaning?

There are so many benefits! Soft washing is suitable for both commercial and domestic properties.

Low pressure system is less abrasive compared to jet washing
Lower cost compared to re-painting exterior buildings
Safer for old render / pebble dash properties
Kills algae, fungus and bacteria
Longer lasting compared to jet washing - save money over the long-term

Soft washing also adds value to your property if you are selling. A clean building gives a strong first impression whether you are a homeowner or a business owner.

How does soft washing work?

Our photos show how effective soft washing is, and this is achieved by a special soft wash chemical mix, which is applied under low pressure to a building or surface. The special mix is a blend of specially developed ‘soft wash’ chemicals which treat organic and non-organic staining. This unique chemical mix is left on the surface of the building for a period of time depending on the nature of the structure and the type of staining or growth that is evident. Then the chemical mix is rinsed off with water, also under low pressure.

This process removes all organic growth and infestation that is present, as well as carbon staining, insects and insect nesting. After the soft washing system has been applied, any more persistent stains will be gently steamed using a Thermotech machine. Then, a final wash is applied which neutralises any chemical residue left and applies a finishing waxing soap. This slows down any re-colonisation of organic life on the building and hence is effective in creating a long-lasting clean effect.

High-pressure jet washing has been the traditional method of attacking this kind of external surface cleaning, but this method is designed around using force to displace dirt and organic growth. That doesn’t mean these problems have necessarily gone away. A soft washing system is therefore more ruthless in getting to the root cause of surface deterioration, killing it, and doing so in a way that is non-destructive and sympathetic to the age and condition of the building or surface.

Where should soft washing exterior cleaning be used?

For this reason, soft washing is ideal for period buildings or refurbishment of old buildings. A property developer may also prefer this method to help restore a property and add value to it cost-effectively. Fundamentally, however, Soft washing has benefits to anyone who is responsible for looking after buildings in the commercial sector. There are structural benefits and cost benefits, but also environmental benefits. Because this is a low pressure system, there is a lot less water used than during traditional jet washing, while the chemicals used are both water-based and biodegradable, so there is no problem with disposing of the materials.

As a soft washing accredited and authorised contractor, It’s Clean have the knowledge and skills to apply the soft washing system and advise where it is best used. We can work with you to discuss your buildings and associated features and build a cleaning programme designed to get the most effective and long-lasting results. We genuinely think soft washing answers many long-standing problems with exterior cleaning and we are excited for what the future holds as this system is developed and applied more widely in the commercial sector.

Get in touch with our commercial cleaning experts today to discuss your exterior cleaning needs.

Why Cleaning Your Building is More Important Than Ever

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 15:38:47 GMT

Here's how to keep your building clean post-COVID

For an organisation to maintain a competitive edge it needs preparation, policies and procedures. These are a pre-requisite whichever industry sector you are in, but in 2020, of course, everything has changed and is still changing, so you need these things just to stay in business, and a healthy building – and therefore healthy building procedures - are priority number one for any organisation wanting to maintain their operations anywhere close to normal.

Businesses opening their premises back-up after the Coronavirus lockdown period have had to undertake considerable planning and preparation, and the implementation of new procedures has been critical in meeting new standards. But also in enticing employees back from the safety of their work-from-home cocoon and encouraging customers to come and spend money again, when online shopping or simply doing nothing all day, has become the norm.

Clean building post-COVID: what you need to do

Providing a clean building is the first thing an employer can do in creating a safe environment for people to work in and for people to visit, so in conjunction with individual health monitoring and other procedures - such as provision of face masks and social distancing measures – implementing a thorough cleaning policy is now an important task for any employer or facility manager. Not only does it ensure your business is safe to operate in the new COVID world, but it promotes that message to visitors and customers too.

The first step in implementing a new cleaning schedule is strong messaging, so the entrance to your building should have clear notification about wearing face masks, what social distancing measures are in place and where hand sanitisation is available (clue: it should be available in the entrance foyer right where people are stood).

A clean building checklist

Such standards should follow all the way around the building, and this is important because infection is spread very easily and high standards are critical in managing this and also promoting best practice. So internal cleaning procedures need to be looked at very closely, and the following should be considered:

Thorough risk assessment of the whole building to identify key areas which need specific attention
Regular touch-point cleaning of frequently-used areas such as telephones, light switches, door handles, stairway bannisters
Regular fogging disinfection of key areas
Periodic deep-cleaning to include obvious, frequently-used areas but also certain locations where germs or bacteria can settle and spread, such as window ledges, below and behind radiators, underneath and behind desks etc.

Fogging is the use of a fine-mist disinfection to provide comprehensive cleaning of a whole area and make it safe for return and use within minutes, whilst touch point cleaning has also been proven to be a critical control measure in preventing the spread of infection from person-to-person. Both these practices should now form the basis of a regular and robust cleaning schedule to help fight the spread of COVID-19, but also to keep your organisation safely operating and able to compete in an ever-changing and increasingly difficult marketplace.

Your primary duty now is to the safety of your employees, so whatever policies and procedures you choose to implement, you need to let people know and manage their implementation, this is for the sake of your employees and your business, so keeping a clean and healthy building is more important than ever, and we can help you both establish and maintain that.

Get in touch today and It’s Clean can work with you as a professional commercial cleaning company, to keep your business operating.

7 Areas of The Office That Need Cleaning Regularly

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 19:07:31 GMT

A checklist of the 7 areas to keep clean in your commercial office

Office cleaning is a critical element of facilities management , and a staple part of the infrastructure an employer has to build into the basic welfare systems an organisation looks after. First and foremost, office cleaning is a fundamental health and safety requirement in terms of fulfilling an employer’s duty to provide a safe and comfortable workplace. Secondly, a regularly cleaned office demonstrates to employees the standards required of the organisation, and hence can be a motivating factor. Finally, frequent office cleaning reflects well on the organisation and creates the best first impression possible for visitors and customers.

But what are the key areas of an office which need cleaning regularly? Employing a professional office cleaning company is very important, and while all organisations are different, and obvious things like visible surfaces and emptying bins go without saying, there are key elements and features of an office which always require regular attention.

1. Under chairs

It may not be visible but the underside of chairs is a well-known point for the build-up of dust and dirt, and you would be surprised how often employees may touch the underside whilst they are leaning back to relax or stretch, or just grabbing the chair to pull it up or reposition it. So cleaning the underside can be a big benefit to stopping the transmission of bacteria and dirt.

2. Lights

Many offices use fluorescent strip lights and the outer casings are a classic location for the build-up of dust and even insects. You may not notice it, but over time this build-up will start to dim the light in a room, so a regular clean of these lights can brighten up the room and may even have a positive effect on productivity and motivation.

3. Blinds

Cleaning blinds is well known to be a time-consuming cleaning activity, but it is vital in creating a healthy and clean office environment. Any professional cleaning company will be happy to include blinds in their daily routines, as they are a classic settlement location for dust and dirt and are quite often not touched for weeks on end. Even if the slats of the blind are turned to block out light or let light in, the dust on them is not necessarily dislodged, so regular dusting is a must.

4. Microwaves

Communal microwaves are one of the biggest breeding grounds for bacteria, and can actually become dangerous in terms of the spread of disease. Food splats and spills are rarely cleaned up by employees and can build-up over time to create a very unpleasant situation, in terms of potential disease and also airborne odours. Microwaves are notoriously left untouched as they are deemed to be no one’s set responsibility in an office environment, but for a professional cleaning company they are often a high priority for regular cleaning.

5. Telephones

In terms of frequent, everyday contact, telephones are one of the biggest transmitters of germs and bacteria, as we touch them often with both our hands and face. Increasingly people are moving to mobile phones in offices, of course, but communal phones are still common and are certainly used often enough to be a key element of a regular office cleaning regime.

6. Air conditioning systems

These are now fairly standard in office environments, but by their very nature – ie. transporting air in and out of a building – they pick up a lot of dust and dirt. Often these systems are cleaned by professional air conditioning engineers on service and maintenance contracts, but the vents, ducting and fans etc collect a lot of dust in areas which can be visual and accessible, so need to be attended to regularly.

7. Touch point areas

Any professional office cleaning regime should now include the daily cleaning of all touch point areas, where people regularly touch specific points and pick-up or transmit viruses, bacteria and diseases. These points in an office typically include door handles, chair arms, desks, phones, kitchen surfaces, cupboard doors and light switches, but can differ by individual location, so a thorough risk assessment should be carried out first to identify all these key locations.

Let Us Reassure You About Our COVID-19 Decontamination Service

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 13:27:42 GMT

Find out how we clean & disinfect your building

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses carried out a periodic ‘deep clean’ of their premises and paid for the service. Were they happy with the service they received? Probably. Did they inspect the results afterwards? Probably. Did they know for sure that the standards of cleanliness were adequate? Yes they did, because the standards were different then, in fact, in most cases, the standards were self-governed by themselves.

The ‘new normal’ now means that offices and workplaces need to be disinfected and sterilised to combat the spread of COVID-19 and to create a safe environment for staff, visitors and possibly members of the public. For that you need a reliable, specialist cleaning company, and you need to be assured that the standards they are working to will get the results you need. For that reason we wanted to share with you the work we have been carrying out with businesses preparing and maintaining their premises for life during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depending on the location and the nature of your business, we have two main processes to help decontaminate your workplace and then keep it decontaminated. These two processes are fogging and touch point cleaning .

Fogging

Our team will arrive on site already wearing their full personal protective equipment (PPE) and will carry out a full risk assessment of the premises, identifying which areas to deal with in a systematic manner. We will talk with you to make logistical arrangements and then proceed with the process.

A fogging machine in internal areas generates very small airborne droplets of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, which offers excellent biological inactivation and is one of the most environmentally-friendly of all the gaseous decontamination processes. The mist generated in this process immediately disrupts the envelope membrane of any virus present, which exposes the nucleocapsid, affecting its ability to infect subsequent cells.

So, essentially, fogging releases an incredibly fine mist through the atmosphere to land on all surfaces and disinfect them, killing viruses and ensuring your areas are completely sanitised. Our fogging process is able to be adapted to target specific areas in a building, making it ideal for mixed-use premises. We use a much safer, nontoxic chemical which doesn’t involve using noxious chemicals, meaning we can apply fogging to any area in your premises that needs more targeted disinfection.

Our fogging process is also certified to BS EN 13697:2015+A1:2019, giving you hard evidence that the clinical standards you need are present and correct.

Fogging is fast and simple and sanitises large areas with minimal disruption. And we have recent experience of using this method in a range of environments, such as care homes, GP surgeries, offices and schools. The process also kills bacteria, fungi and mould, and in addition to the certification we leave you with, we carry out pre and post chemical test indicators to prove there has been sufficient exposure from the fogging process. The fogging process is non-corrosive, leaves no residue and is suitable for medical and all electronic equipment. If adequately ventilated, treated areas are safe to occupy within one hour.

Touch-point cleaning

Secondly, we can assess your business and identify the real-life touch points where the potential spread of the virus could occur. These are the locations unique to your workplace where people naturally touch surfaces and there is a risk of leaving a trace of the virus and spreading it to another person. Frequently touched surfaces are everywhere in the workplace, but you need a specialist cleaning expert to identify the very real possibilities that exist and which you may not be able to see yourself. These can be in offices, corridors, staircases and in shared areas such as toilets, canteens and even vending machines and water fountains. You also need to consider shared equipment such as photocopiers, tablets and digital devices.

We will establish a comprehensive cleaning regime that targets the vulnerable surfaces, and will establish a cleaning frequency for each specific point. This will reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus to people and to other rooms and areas of the workplace, making it more practical and safe for people to return to work and operate as closely to ‘normal’ as is possible. Touch point cleaning is a visual sign that suitable standards of cleanliness and disinfection are being maintained, and we use specific substances and materials that are designed to kill the virus, rather than simply giving touch points a ‘good clean’.

In addition, we are maintaining a professional visual appearance for the workplace and preparing areas and rooms for subsequent fogging cleaning.

Our COVID-19 cleaning services

At the end of our cleaning processes we dispense with all PPE and equipment to leave no trace of potentially infected materials. We leave a safe and decontaminated workplace and can then work with you to create a programme which maintains those standards.

We can work swiftly and strategically to minimise disruption to your workplace operations, because we understand that your efficiencies are very important, particularly at this time when all businesses have suffered due to the pandemic.

We can work with you to ensure your operations can continue as efficiently as possible, whilst still ensuring you receive the clinical standards of disinfection and cleanliness now and going forward.

We hope this breakdown of our COVID-19 response procedures has provided you with the peace of mind you need in these uncertain times of returning to work, and rest assured that if you get in touch with us today, your workplace can be COVID-ready and safe for you to continue your business as soon as possible.

COVID-19 Cleaning Case Studies in Harrogate

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 15:48:59 GMT

We have helped many local businesses prepare to reopen after lockdown

COVID-19 cleaning services are now a critical feature of workplaces and business returning to as close to normal operations as they possibly can. It’s Clean have established strict controls and procedures to ensure you can welcome staff and clients back to a safe environment, and we can do the same for you. Every business is different, but we can adapt our operations to ensure the same standard of service and clinical cleanliness exists, through our Fogging and Touch Point Cleaning services and ATP monitoring.

ATP monitoring is a rapid testing method used to quickly assess the cleanliness of surfaces, helping organisations achieve optimal standardised cleaning levels. Through testing and cleaning, once a safe benchmark has been achieved, this test result can be used to show compliance in your company’s COVID-19 health and safety policy and gives peace of mind to your staff and clients. Ongoing testing ensures that these safe levels are met and allows your cleaners to target areas which pose a higher risk due to increased traffic. ATP testing is measured in RLU's and in a hospital environment an expected ‘pass’ measurement would be 50 RLU's or below. In a primary school this would be 250 RLU's or below.

Here we are showcasing three recent case studies from June 2020, where we have applied our comprehensive COVID-19 cleaning services to different premises in the Harrogate area, each from contrasting business sectors, but requiring the same standards of clinical cleanliness.

In each setting we carried out the following:

Pre-clean ATP test rating.
Touch Point cleaning by our staff in relevant PPE and removal of waste in clinical waste bags with disposal under licence.
Fogging using close application with water-based chemicals, which are active in killing bacteria and viruses including COVID-19 for up to 30 days.
Post-clean and Fogging ATP test.

Case study one: Redline Specialist Cars

This is one of the UK’s largest independent supercar, prestige and performance car specialists. The business was started by owner John Graeme in 1997, and has grown from a local small business exercising the owner’s passion to a nationally-renowned organisation with purpose-built offices and showroom.

Redline came to us as a fellow local Harrogate business, as they wanted to apply the highest standards to safeguard their office and car showroom. Thanks to It’s Clean, this was extensively cleaned and disinfected for the safety and well-being of all staff and customers. We were able to provide a complete COVID-19 disinfection and Touch Point Clean, to ensure they could open their showroom up, as they had recently received the go ahead to do so.

We carried out our testing and worked in conjunction with Redline owner, John Graeme, to ensure his site is ready to open to the public again. Redline had a pre-cleaning initial ATP test score of 2259 RLU, but post-cleaning, the premises are now spotlessly clean and disinfected. The post-clean re-test score was 48, which is on a par with a hospital ward.

Case Study two: Blue Line Taxis

This is another well-established Harrogate business, regarded as the largest taxi provider in the town. They have an office and headquarters which is highly-organised and prides itself on professional standards.

It’s Clean were able to carry out the same COVID-19 cleaning regime of pre-cleaning and ATP testing, Touch Point Cleaning and Fogging – including the safe removal of all equipment and materials – followed by a post-clean ATP test.

At Blue Line taxis the initial ATP test came in at 1068 RLU, but the post-clean re-test came in at 98 RLU. This is a ‘pass’ in terms of being clinically clean and safe to open up to employees and customers.

Case study three: 46 Cheltenham Mount

This is a newly refurbished office suite, set in a traditional four-storey, stone-built mid-terrace in Harrogate. The offices are available for rent, and hence there are a lot of different people using the property on a day-to-day basis. The business owner was keen to ensure high standards of clinical cleanliness to enable the office suite to be re-opened.

It’s Clean were happy to help, by applying the comprehensive COVID-19 cleaning regime we had implemented in other organisations. Fogging and Touch Point Cleaning was applied with the pre and post-clean testing showing the dramatic effect our COVID-19 cleaning service can have.

The initial pre-clean test showed a high RLU score of 4120, but the post-clean re-test scored at just 3 RLU. This shows that it is possible to achieve the very highest standards of sanitised cleanliness in almost any environment, and at It’s Clean we are particularly proud of the results we have been able to achieve.

COVID-19 cleaning has become a staple part of an organisation’s infrastructure planning and we are now able to apply this programme to any organisation across the commercial and industrial sector. So, get in touch today and we can work on a cleaning schedule that will beat the coronavirus and allow your business to demonstrate full compliance, and therefore operate on a safe and efficient basis.

Can Dirty Windows Affect Your Health?

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 10:53:03 GMT

We look at the impact of dirty windows on your health

The mouldy bits

Mould loves a moist, warm place to call home and the condensation on your windows creates the perfect atmosphere for mould to survive and grow.

Look out for any dark brown/black spots or stains on the window/windowsills, these are all indicators you are growing mould on your office windows. Mould from the windows can cause respiratory infections and can make allergies worse, therefore you need to find a successful way to eliminate the bacteria.

In some cases, mould can be undetectable, if it is growing through the inner part of the window. This can be hard to remove yourself and requires a professional cleaning company.

Using a cleaning service that specialises in window cleaning is the most efficient way to remove mould from the window, making your offices a safe and hygienic environment to work in.

Reducing all the allergens

Dirt and debris build up quickly on windows and windowsills and can be a larger health risk than you would imagine.

Dust, hair, skin, pollen etc. all gather on and around your windows and cause this range of allergic reactions:

Headache
Itchy eyes
Coughing
Nausea
Fatigue
Runny nose

These reactions clearly indicate the importance of keeping your office windows clean.

Getting those windows cleaned may even reduce the number of employees going off sick.

Let the (UV) light in

Research has shown that rooms with windows that allow a good amount of UV light in, have reduced amounts of bacteria and virus' floating around. Dirty windows can reduce the amount of natural light by around 40%.

Poor lighting in the office can affect the health of your employees, causing symptoms like:

Eye strain
Migraines
Headaches
Lethargy
Poor concentration

"Significant numbers of employees are frustrated by their lighting environment and are impacted by the negative effects. 48% have experienced eye strain or eye irritation due to lighting issues and 40% also reported tiredness, all due to poor lighting." Source: workplaceinsight.net

We can see the damaging effect leaving dirty windows has on the health of the employees. Commercial cleaning companies such as It’s Clean, are the best solution for this cleaning challenge, as they have the right chemicals and methods to eliminate any harmful bacteria and fungi from the window, that could be having a negative impact on office staff.

If you need help with your window cleaning , to improve the appearance of your office, and to keep your employees healthy, then call us on 01423 566785 .

The Power of a Tidy Workplace

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 11:57:56 GMT

"When your environment is cluttered, the chaos restricts your ability to focus. The clutter also limits you brain's ability to process information." Source: Princeton University

How does an untidy office affect you mentally?

Maintaining a messy office can negatively affect your employees at work, plus your focus and ability to process information can be dramatically reduced. By attempting to work and get things done in an environment that is messy and full of clutter is almost impossible. Mess will take your focus away from the more important jobs and instead concentrate it towards the overfilled dusty shelves or the dirty floors and desks. Working in an untidy environment can increase your levels of stress and anxiety. This is very serious and should be acknowledged in the workplace, as for a lot of people, it is where they spend most of their week.

Clean office equals productivity

It has been proven that working in hygienic and uncluttered environments can actually improve your productivity and morale! Research by Initial Hygiene UK found that, "57% of employees feel more motivated and have greater morale when their workplace is clean, and provisions are made for proper hygiene solutions". This clearly identifies that having a regularly cleaned office will help maintain high morale amongst your employees also helping to increase their productivity.

Working in an disorganised environment will distract you from your important jobs and divert your attention towards the mess and state of the office. So, if you’re needing to get that report in for Monday then perhaps getting the office cleaned would be a good start?

Having a clean and tidy office helps you clear your mind and increase productivity; therefore, a good decision would be to hire a commercial office company , as they are experts in solving your office's cleaning problems.

Improve your health and wellness

Sometimes just a wipe down of the desks and a quick hoover doesn't get rid of all the dirt and bacteria in the office. There are places in your office that hold a huge amount of dirt and bacteria but are hard to get to. The average keyboard, chair and computer mouse harbour around 21,000 germs per square inch; your average desk is home to 10 million bacteria.

Germs and bacteria can cause viruses and illness in the workplace, risking the health of your employees which can also affect the company if a number of your staff are off sick.

Using a commercial cleaning service can make sure you reduce the number of germs, bacteria, clutter and mess to help you create a happier, healthier environment for you and your employees. Have you considered a deep clean service ?

Getting a commercial cleaning company can ultimately lead to a more proactive workforce, less bacteria and mess and an improvement in time management. If these two factors are important to you and your business, then please call us on 01423 566785 for a free no obligation quotation.

Concerned About Coronavirus at Work? Keep These Communal Areas Clean

Sat, 07 Mar 2020 17:08:10 GMT

When did your building last have a deep clean?

The international outbreak of the Coronavirus or COVID-19 has now been declared a public health emergency and a global concern. More than 3,000 people have been killed worldwide and another 88,000 infected by the virus. In the UK alone there have been a number of cases reported, but of course this is changing every day.

Health officials are concentrating now on minimising the spread of the virus, given that people are now contracting the disease having not recently travelled home from an infected area abroad. Previously this was the clear trend amongst people infected with the virus.

Symptoms of the virus include a fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat and trouble with respiratory breathing. This can affect anyone in this way, but older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions are more at risk, and in extreme cases the condition can be fatal.

Measures to fight the spread of Coronavirus

Whilst the Government and health authorities assess the measures needed to slow down and control the spread of the disease, there has been talk of cancelling public gatherings such as concerts and sports events, and people are being encouraged to ‘self-isolate’ even if they are showing no signs of having contracted the virus. Essentially, those employers who are able to, are asking employees to work from home if they can, for their own safety and the safety of others.

However, as an employer it may not be feasible for you to run a business that way, and as an employee you may not be offered this option. There have been a number of instances in the UK where schools, offices or communal buildings that have housed infected people have been closed down for a period of time. These premises have undergone a deep clean from a commercial cleaning company as part of this isolation process, and people have then been let back into the buildings after a specific time period.

A deep clean from a commercial cleaning company involves sanitising all areas as applicable and undergoing a more thorough clean than would normally be possible when the building was occupied. This is particularly applicable to communal areas such as toilets, shower blocks, wash rooms, open-plan offices and canteens, where the virus can spread easily from one person to several others. A deep clean of these areas is essential.

Top 10 tips for preventing Coronavirus in your workplace

With highly contagious bacteria such as the Coronavirus, the daily cleaning regime we offer at It's Clean does of course help, but it is just once a day/week so much more powerful are the following self-cleaning tips through the day we are advising all of our customers on, based upon our years of seeing infection control measures put in place.

Have all staff and visitors wash their hands on entering the building, even the delivery folk.
Have all staff wash their hands at least twice more in the day ( the above two are the most important items and normal soap is fine if washing done properly).
If using a hand dryer DO NOT rub your hands as this accelerates bacteria spread. Leave the hands still under the dryer, turning gently until dry.
If using hand towels pat the hands dry with, not rub.
When entering a toilet use your forearm or shoulder to open the door, i.e. no flesh contact with the door handle. On exit take a paper towel and open/pull the door open with the paper towel as a barrier between handle and flesh, then dispose of the paper towel.
Stop all handshakes/physical contact.
Stop all hot desking ( Phones and keyboards are bigger transmitters of infection than toilets as they have more consistent contact with flesh!).
Have all staff issued with alcohol rubs/wipes to clean their on keyboard and phone daily ( These are now out of stock with all our suppliers, you may still get some via Amazon).
Don’t hand wash any crockery or cutlery, put everything through the dishwasher, if you have one.
Ask any staff with a cold to not come into office if at all possible.

Arranging a deep clean of commercial premises

Even when people return to these premises, it is important that measures are put in place to continue to control the spread, so a routine thorough clean from a commercial cleaning company should be arranged until the primary threat has subsided.

As an employer, if you have to keep a workplace open you can still employ a commercial cleaning company for a thorough clean and they can help you put specific controls in place, particularly in communal areas. This includes the availability of hand sanitiser, disposable hand towels and disposable gloves. You should also encourage your employees to wash their hands at regular intervals.

It’s Clean is a commercial cleaning company with the experience and expertise to provide deep clean services of a wide range of commercial premises, and with nationwide coverage we have the resources to help organisations at this critical time, and help combat the spread of the Coronavirus.

All for the “Greta” Good

Sun, 02 Feb 2020 12:46:29 GMT

We outline the ways we are making our commercial cleaning company green

When a 16-year-old Swedish girl starts an international youth movement against climate change, it is a clear indication that more needs to be done to protect the environment. We all know we have a personal and business carbon footprint, yet knowing how to minimise or offset it, is not always clear.

At It's Clean, we have reviewed all our processes and operations, in order to identify how we can reduce our carbon footprint.

Here are just a few of the areas of improvement we have identified in our business.

Buying concentrated cleaning solutions

Originally, we were buying diluted spray cleaners which required a large delivery of product to many locations each week. This method of working incurred many lorry miles and a large amount of plastic waste from used bottles of various cleaning fluids.

After some research and product testing, we found similar products in a concentrated solution. So, now we mix the concentrated cleaning solutions with the right amount of water at each cleaning site.

We have reduced our disposal of plastic bottles from 15,000 to just 900 per annum. Additionally, deliveries have been less frequently required which has reduced lorry miles.

Using our company vans responsibly

Our fleet of company vans allows our cleaning operatives to get to their cleaning sites.

We have now requested that all our cleaners share lifts if they are going to the same site, or working nearby, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

Fewer miles equals fewer emissions

We have always made sure our company vans are serviced on schedule and our average miles per gallon exceeds the manufacturers published performance data.

We also recruit cleaners who are local to our cleaning sites, which reduces the road miles they have to travel to and therefore the net carbon emissions.

We were already operating with a focus on the environment before Greta hit the headlines, but she has prompted us to keep on challenging ourselves to be kinder to our environment.

Click here to read our complete Environmental Policy .

What Makes A Good Commercial Clean?

Sun, 02 Feb 2020 12:40:20 GMT

We offer advice for ensuring a good commercial clean of your premises

Commercial organisations can differ wildly in terms of the nature of their business – it could be an office , a shop , a gym, a factory or a bar or restaurant. But one thing they all have in common is standards, particularly where cleaning is concerned. Some commercial organisations will have specific standards they have to adhere to in certain areas, such as laboratories or server rooms, or where areas are customer-facing, or there may be standards you need to maintain to comply with industry regulations, such as in kitchens.

Whatever the nature of your commercial organisation, there are common things you want to see in a commercial cleaning company and in a good commercial clean:

Reliability

A good commercial clean is something you need to come to expect from your cleaning provider. You need them to be on time, regular and work to a consistently high standard. You don’t want to be chasing your cleaning company every five minutes or asking for certain jobs to be re-done. After all, you have employed a commercial cleaning company because you want your own resources to be dedicated to their specialist tasks, and so you can forget about cleaning and worry about something else. That’s why a commercial clean needs to be effective and consistent.

In addition to reliability you need a company that will be able to react fast and deal with any emergency situations such as flooding or something out of the ordinary. Our reliability across Harrogate , Leeds , York , and across much of North and West Yorkshire ensures we are able to react responsively to any situations such as this.

Quality Audits

A good cleaning company will perform quality audits, which is something we always do for our clients. When we put a specific schedule in place we will come out and complete an audit to ensure everything is as it should be, giving you extra peace of mind.

Equipment

When you choose It’s Clean for your commercial cleaning, we only need water, power and a safe environment to work in in order to complete our cleaning tasks. We don’t need you to supply anything else and that’s because we bring all our own equipment to ensure everything is taken care of.

Safety Standards

Any professional commercial cleaning company will employ good safety standards and exercise a good knowledge of safe working practices. This includes training of cleaning personnel, the use of materials on-site and an understanding of limitations and what cleaning personnel are expected to undertake. Communication is key to this and a good commercial cleaning company will ensure their staff know to ask questions and ensure expectations and safety standards and practices are understood.

At It’s Clean, all our staff are industry trained, uniformed and police checked for reassurance.

Minimal Disruption

A good commercial clean is one that causes minimal disruption to the organisation’s normal operations, so the cleaning company you choose needs to have an appreciation of what the organisation does and what critical operations they are likely to impact upon.

A cleaning schedule should be agreed which will reflect the level of cleaning provided by your cleaning company. This allows for peace of mind that your premises will be cleaned as per the agreement.

Organisation

A good commercial cleaning company will appoint a management contact who can liaise on all matters, is contactable at all times and who can react quickly to matters that may arise.

Specialist One-Off Requirements

These can involve shutdown deep cleans where you get access to machines or areas that you wouldn’t normally, or they may involve external cleaning work, such as graffiti removal. A good commercial cleaning company will recognise the ad hoc nature of these tasks but still apply the same quality, attention and standards.

At all times, a commercial cleaning company will have the customer’s requirements foremost in their thoughts, so in different areas you will know what standard, equipment and materials are required and how often. And ultimately, a good commercial clean is one that the organisation doesn’t have to worry about.

5 Reasons Why You Need a Landlord Clean Between Tenants

Fri, 27 Dec 2019 16:25:49 GMT

Is it time to get your rental property deep cleaned?

A landlord has many responsibilities when tenanting a property, some of which are legal duties and some of which are advisable actions based on keeping tenants happy and making sure the property is in a condition that a prospective tenant would want to live in. The transition period between tenants can therefore be a rare opportunity for the landlord to carry out a number of jobs, one of which is a deep clean of the property.

There are a number of reasons why a landlord clean between tenants is vitally important, and we have highlighted the biggest factors here:

1. Health and safety

A deep clean of the property can highlight issues that may not have been noticeable when it was occupied by tenants. It is possible that the landlord did not visit the property at all, or at least did not fully inspect it during the tenancy. Also, contents belonging to the tenants can sometimes mask issues that are developing. So a landlord clean between tenants can ensure the property is hygienic and safe and can also identify potential issues with damp, mould or condensation and uncover areas of grease build-up or other substances that may become a hazard.

2. Contractual obligations

One of the landlord’s key responsibilities is to provide a clean, safe and healthy property, but at the beginning of a new tenancy this needs to eradicate any issues caused by previous tenants. A new tenant is not liable for problems caused before they moved in, nor should they be expected to live with the problems someone else created. So you need to effectively press reset and ensure that a new tenant is starting with a clean slate, otherwise it is difficult for the landlord to prove liability. Also, a new tenant can refuse to move in to a property or pay rent if the house is not clean when they move in. If you feel you have grounds to evict a tenant, it is always easier if you have fulfilled all your legal obligations, and that includes providing a clean property from the outset.

3. Maintenance

Maintenance is another key area of responsibility for a landlord, particularly with Energy Performance Certificate requirements. A landlord clean between tenants may highlight some maintenance issues that need addressing. This can include cracked wall plaster, loose floorboards or skirting boards, loose floor tiles, damaged wiring or supply connections, for example for a cooker or washing machine. It may also highlight the need for new carpets or other forms of flooring.

4. Standards

If you carry out a landlord clean between tenants then the new tenant will arrive to a sparkling clean property and will immediately know the standard at which you like it to be kept. Hopefully this will instil some discipline in the tenant. You can’t always do your research thoroughly enough to find out how lazy or conscientious a tenant is likely to be, so starting off with a property displaying the standards you expect is sometimes as much as you can do.

5. Marketability

The simple fact is, if the property is clean and in good condition, it will appear much more desirable for prospective tenants. The transition between tenants does not necessarily run smoothly, so it is possible that you don’t have a new tenant lined up when the last one moves out. This enables you to carry out a landlord clean between tenants to ensure the property looks its best for imminent viewings.

Find out more about our end of tenancy cleaning services .

Toilet For a Toilet Charity Campaign

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 06:19:53 GMT

Last week we went to visit one of our longest standing clients Taplanes , dropping off some donations for an event they are holding this month.

On 18 December 2019, Taplanes will be holding a toilet twinning fundraiser to raise money to twin a toilet from Taplanes with a latrine in a poorer community.

The Toilet Twinning Charity highlights the fact that 2.5 billion people in the world still don't have anywhere safe, clean and hygienic to go to the toilet. Figures show that 900 children die every day due to diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation. As the Charity say they are "flushing away poverty, one toilet at a time".

Our friends over at Taplanes got in touch with us about this opportunity to help raise money for the toilet twinning charity, which we thought was a great idea and said we would offer our support in any way we could.

Being in the cleaning industry we understand the importance of cleanliness and sanitation, especially in toilets and public areas as germs can spread, even more so in developing countries.

Toilet twinning raises funds to enable people in poor communities to have:

Clean water
Basic toilets
Knowledge on hygiene

Providing developing countries with this kind of gift is incredible and we are honoured to help raise money for this great cause.

We donated three prizes to Taplanes for their raffle in the fundraiser. Keeping the prizes light-hearted and in line with the toilet theme, we supplied:

A Donald Trump toilet brush and holder set
'52 things to do while you poo' book
2 joke filled toilet rolls

We hope this will add to the raffle and put a smile on the lucky winner’s faces. We had our eye on the Donald Trump toilet brush for the office. We also dropped off a bottle of Prosecco as a Christmas present to thank Taplanes for another great year of business together.

At Christmas it is important to give back to people who have a lot less than you, in this case, the necessity of a toilet that we take for granted. Christmas is a time to spend with family and share food and presents however it's also a time give back to people less fortunate than ourselves.

4 Reasons Why Your Small Business Needs Commercial Cleaning Services

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 10:22:28 GMT

Running a small business, you may wonder whether investing your money in a commercial office cleaning service will be beneficial?

We appreciate that businesses need to invest their money wisely and spend only on necessities that will help to improve and grow their business.

Here we detail just 4 reasons why your small business needs a professional commercial cleaning services company.

1.First impressions matter

Using a commercial cleaning company can ensure that you give the best first impression to any potential clients who are visiting your offices.

First impressions are crucial in business, having a clean and tidy workspace creates the first foundations of how people view you and your business. If a prospect walked into a messy office, they may feel there is no structure or organisational skills in the business and therefore decide not to work with you.

Hiring a commercial cleaner means you will always be working in a spotlessly clean environment, making those memorable first impressions.

2.Your team is more productive

When your cleaning staff come in, they will be largely unnoticed, even coming before or after work hours, so they are not disrupting the workplace.

Using a commercial cleaner means you and your employees will not be wasting valuable time by trying to keep the office tidy. Employees will be able to focus on their own tasks that help move the business forward!

An international survey of 10,000 workers by Ipsos MORI found that 85% of employees are unhappy with their office environment and struggle to concentrate.

Additionally, a clean and organised office will help your staff to feel more relaxed and comfortable in their working environment, making them more productive so more work will be completed.

3.Commercial cleaning service versus do-it-yourself

We would always suggest using a commercial cleaning company and not your office employees! This is due to the technical cleaning knowledge they possess, which the majority of your employees will not.

These are professionals after all, and know exactly how to find any areas you may miss, and what chemicals to use and where. They will also know when to top-up cleaning supplies.

Commercial cleaners can maintain the cleanliness of your work areas and ensure it is a positive environment to work in.

4. Happy workers equals a successful business

Keeping employees happy should always be a top priority. Hiring a professional cleaner can help you get one step closer to achieving this. We are sure your employees will be relieved that they no longer need to think about cleaning on top of all their other jobs.

Decluttering the environment they are working in, helps to make workers more productive, so they can achieve more.

Clean offices can also have a significant impact on the mental health and employees.

Getting a commercial cleaning company can ultimately lead to a more productive workforce and an improvement in time management. If these two factors are important to you and your business, then call us on 01423 566785 or request a free no obligation survey and quotation via our website .

Clean School Plus Healthy Pupils Equals Happy Parents

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 09:48:33 GMT

No parent wants to put their child in danger and dropping your children off into an environment that is dirty, is a clear example of this. In order to ensure the cleanliness of a school, the head, along with the Board of Governors, will often employ the services of a specialist commercial cleaning company such as It's Clean .

1.Cleaning for safety not for looks

The cleaners that make a difference are the cleaners cleaning for tomorrow or the next week. There is a big difference between a site looking like it is clean, compared to a site that actually is clean. Schools have large numbers of children in and out everyday, therefore the children’s health and safety is a high priority for the school and must be guaranteed. Schools must make sure their sites not only look clean but are clean too. Professional commercial cleaners can help to ensure this.

2.Understanding that a high-touch area is different to a high-risk area

High touch areas are those that have frequent contact with hands e.g. doorknobs, stair railings, wash basins etc.

High risk areas are rooms or areas that are prone to collecting germs, bacteria, and parasites. These are areas where there is a high risk of infection or contamination. Examples of these areas include cafeterias, toilets and locker rooms. These areas should be cleaned and sanitised every day and disinfected regularly.

3.Rules of disinfecting

Disinfectants can bring on allergies and asthma, so schools need to be careful with how much and how often they are used. Making sure the surfaces are cleaned and sanitised daily means most bacteria are removed so the school is safe. By disinfecting 1-3 times each week, you are getting rid of any bacteria left over from the sanitising cleans. Working up a schedule for your sanitising, cleaning and disinfecting regime is of vital importance.

4.Colour coded equipment

Did you know there is a universal colour code for cleaning?

Blue - General risk areas
Green - General food and bar use
Red - Sanitary fittings and washroom floors
Yellow - Washroom surfaces

During the late 1990's, The British Institute of Cleaning Science developed this universal colour coding for cleaning. It is important to implement this system into any facility as it reduces the spread of germs between areas, ensuring hygiene standards are maintained.

What are the benefits of colour coding?

Reducing cross contamination - equipment for cleaning different areas should be kept away from each other to avoid cross contamination. Avoiding the spread of bacteria between two areas is vital, especially in a school.
It is law - following the correct cleaning procedures is part of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 .
Good first impressions - a clean and professional looking school will make a great first impression.
Happy environment - a clean and pleasant space to learn helps students focus.

5.Teachers need educating too

Schools should not just leave the cleaning to the commercial cleaning companies, instead teachers and staff should be educated in what it takes to keep the building germ-free and safe. Schools should all be using hospital grade disinfectants. These are highly effective in killing pathogens, bacteria, viruses and fungi.

If you want to ensure your school is a safe environment for your pupils and staff members to work in, then give us a call on 01423 566785 or request your free no obligation survey and quotation here on our website.

Carry on Doctor

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 12:13:15 GMT

If only real life was a ‘Carry On’ movie, then GP Surgeries wouldn’t have to stress so much about CQC?

‘CQC you say? Now what is that, matron?’

GP surgeries and health centres should ensure they engage the services of a professional commercial cleaning company, as they receive yearly inspections from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) . This organisation ensures that healthcare providers are assessed to confirm that the care provided meets the government's standards of quality and safety for both patients and staff.

It's Clean conform to CQC standards for the GP surgeries we clean. For every site we clean, we create job cards, which adhere to religiously.

‘Ooh job cards, tell me more matron!’

Our job cards factor in each area of the site i.e. consulting rooms, waiting rooms, toilets, staircases, corridors, staff rooms and kitchens. Then, under each area of the site we document the specific cleaning jobs that need to be completed for the surgery to be safe for patients and staff to use.

The importance of cleaning standards is critical in an environment that is repeatedly exposed to germs and bacteria. Cleaning standards are put in place to ensure that patients entering the building, are protected from any other harmful germs and bacteria that may be festering in the surgery. So, when Mrs Windsor arrives for her monthly check-up, she won't be leaving with anything else.

Ensuring that the environment is safe for patients and staff to occupy is a number one priority for cleaning companies such as It's Clean .

So, what are the benefits of a clean and safe surgery?

Improve patient recovery rates.
Healthy medical staff.
Boosts the morale of the medical staff which ensures patient's satisfaction and increases standards of medical treatment.
Helps to create a pleasant environment for patients visiting the surgery.
Prevents patients from picking up infections at the surgery, as it reduces the number of bacteria and germs in the building.

Cleanliness and disinfection in the healthcare sector is extremely important as it is an environment that is regularly exposed to germs and bacteria. To reduce this high level of risk, a regular cleaning regime implemented by a professional commercial cleaning company is vital.

‘Ooh matron, you are so clever’

So, if you want to ensure your GP Surgery is a safe environment for your patients and staff, then give us a call on 01423 566785 or contact us for a free no obligation survey and quotation .

5 Top Tips For Cleaning Windows

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 10:41:57 GMT

Do you want your windows to sparkle and shine?

Our commercial window cleaners have 5 top tips to keep your external windows looking brand new.

1. Check the forecast.

Tip number one. You must check the weather forecast. Unfortunately, we don't live in sunny California therefore we cannot rely on dry weather! I'm sure you have already guessed that window cleaning in the rain is rather pointless; making sure the weather is suitable for the job is the first step in getting those windows looking shiny and clean.

2. Dirt and dust removal.

Before you start using all your fancy tools and cleaners you need to remove any dirt and dust from the window frame. Giving your windows a clean base to start, prevents the spread of dirt to the cleaner parts of the window. Some areas are tougher than others and can make you feel like you have been scrubbing for hours on end and no matter how hard you scrub the dirt is not budging. If this is the case, then use some hot soapy water with a soft brush. This way you won't damage the window and the dirt should come straight off! Make sure to rinse the brush before putting it back on the window as it will only undo the work you have just completed.

3. Stock up on cleaner.

Before you make it your mission to clean a window, make sure you roughly estimate how much cleaning product you will need. Ask yourself, how many windows am I cleaning? Are they big or small? How dirty are they?

Roughly calculating the amount of window cleaning product needed, will save you both time and money.

By pre-planning, you will avoid having to go back for more product or even having to reschedule the clean as you will be equipped and ready for whatever window stains are coming your way.

It's Clean TOP SECRET: We use a cleaner we produce ourselves that is essentially purified water. This is basically H2O with everything else taken out! So, when we apply it to the glass, it absorbs all of the dust and runs off the glass leaving it squeaky clean.

4. Squeegee time!

The fun bit. If you are unaware of a squeegee, it is the tool you see window cleaners swiping and swirling, making window cleaning look like an exotic magic trick. This tool is the equivalent of a magic wand to a window cleaner, here's how to use it:

Make sure your squeegee is horizontal when using it on the glass.
Start at the top corner of the glass, motioning clean and narrow strips from top to bottom.
Make sure to keep wiping your squeegee clean.
Overlap areas the squeegee has previously cleaned, however make sure to pull the squeegee across the window at an angle to direct excess water down.
Wipe and repeat until you have covered all areas of the windowpane.
Next, use a microfibre cloth to wipe any excess water - run the cloth around the edge of the window removing any remaining suds.
Using a new cloth to wipe off any streaks left by the squeegee.

5. What to wipe with?

Microfibre cloths are not only absorbent but easily washable and give your windowpane that professional looking finish. Run your cloth over the dirt-free glass to get rid of any areas of the window you may have missed.

Commercial window cleaning services from It’s Clean

So now your windows should be gleaming. If they are not then don't panic, give us a call on 01423 566785 or visit our commercial window cleaning page to find out more.

We’ll make your windows sparkle!

30 Years and 300 Vacuum Cleaners

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 16:09:43 GMT

A couple of years ago, a young man named Steve Cook made the headlines for having the third largest collection of vacuum cleaners in the UK. He had proudly amassed over 300!

Steve claims he has been collecting vacuums since the age of 3, and 30 years later his collection has grown to 300. Forget the toys and Lego; young Steve found his passion and enjoyment in vacuums. This may seem rather strange, but we think he is a saint in the cleaning world and this level of obsession matches how we feel about cleaning! It’s important to be passionate about something and if that means buying 300 vacuums then so be it!

Look at Steve’s face when he is talking – he clearly loves his vacuum cleaners!

This video of Steve really struck a chord with our commercial cleaning business :

It’s cleaning related - so of course we love it.
Anyone who shares the same kind of passion as us deserves a medal.
Steve’s level of commitment to vacuum cleaners is one of a kind.

Steve is our hero!

For us, our passion is making our clients happy with a professional quality cleaning service so they can work, live, and exercise in a clean and healthy environment. We have a lot of vacuum cleaners of our own but not quite as many as Steve Cook.

Great job, Steve!

It’s Clean Is Bucking Brexit Negativity

Sat, 13 Apr 2019 13:05:30 GMT

As many UK companies bemoan Brexit or sit tight until agreement day eventually dawns (if it ever does), it’s business as usual for It's Clean.

As a Harrogate and Leeds based commercial cleaning company, we are not seeing any signs of negativity, far from it. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, our Managing Director David Whan, says he is not content to “just wait and see”, he is even eyeing growth.

He said: “People ask if we’re preparing for Brexit but the answer is no! We have tremendous confidence in the Yorkshire economy and have recently completed a major refurbishment of our offices and training suite as well as recruiting two new full-time supervisors.

“Whatever Brexit might bring, we feel confident our focus on quality will always be in demand and we are backing ourselves and the Yorkshire economy with hard cash investment in additional people, fixed assets and training.

“Our new website and online videos are a window into the investment we are making in the focus on quality. In fact, we are so confident in our service level that we consider ourselves unique in offering a guarantee on the quality of our service, I don’t believe anyone else in our sector does the same.”

We have a steady and manageable growth of more than 10% a year which allows us to maintain our focus on customer service. Over the years, we have acquired other, smaller cleaning businesses when owners wished to retire or change career direction, and would be delighted to talk to anyone running a cleaning business who is in this position.

David added: “Some years ago when we broke through the £1m turnover barrier, we found the economies of scale helped us enormously so that we could create dedicated roles for training and customer management.

Our focus on people management has fuelled our growth and enabled us to create new jobs.

Being a Yorkshire-only business, we ensure the monies we earn are spent predominately in Yorkshire, as we are supplied exclusively by other Yorkshire businesses.”

David bought It’s Clean 12 years ago and he employs 120 people across Yorkshire. David said: “I am proud to say that we still have our first employee and several generations of employees from the same family because we look after and value our colleagues, which is perhaps why we retain over 97% of our customers each year.”

We have contracts with commercial offices, schools, event and exhibition venues, doctors’ surgeries, housing associations, dental practices, retirement homes, golf clubs, showrooms, retail outlets and warehouses.

David added: “Making the day-to-day environments of our customers, cleaner and easier to work in over many years, has meant we have earned their trust to provide a range of other facilities management services, such as washroom services, window cleaning, janitorial supplies and carpet cleaning.”

The Importance of Cleaning Your Office Kitchen

Thu, 21 Feb 2019 09:11:49 GMT

We agree with Miele!

As part of its new ProfiLine Dishwasher launch, Miele commissioned an independent survey with Sapio Research. The survey of 500 office workers found that organisations could face difficulties retaining and recruiting new talent, if they can’t provide high quality, well maintained and clean kitchen facilities.

The research revealed that dirty office kitchens are causing workplace rifts and disrupting performance, with 9 out of 10 workers surveyed wanting improved facilities.

Unwashed dishes, grimy work surfaces, dirty unhygienic appliances and overflowing bins are leaving many UK office staff feeling disgusted with their colleagues. 76% would hang a sign in the kitchen while 41% would ‘out’ a colleague in front of other employees and 55% would report a culprit to management.

At It’s Clean, we understand that a freshly cleaned office kitchen creates a healthy working environment and is a positive way for your staff to start their day.

In your office kitchen our professional cleaning teams ensure that:

All appliances including, dishwashers, hobs, ovens, microwaves, fridges etc are fully sanitised, both inside and outside
All surfaces including worktops, tables, chairs etc are sanitised
Internal windows are cleaned
All bins are emptied
Floors are hygienically mopped

Our Harrogate, Leeds, York and Ripon office cleaning teams have a close attention to detail and our regional cleaning supervisors undertake regular audits to ensure that our high standards are maintained.

It’s Clean also supply the following for your office kitchen:

Kitchen scrubbers and cloths
Washing up liquid
Dishwasher tablets, rinse aid and salt
Liquid soap dispensers and refills
Hand sanitiser dispensers and refills
Paper towel dispensers and refills
Air care systems and refills

So, if your fed up with the state of your office kitchen, contact It’s Clean today for your free no obligation survey and quotation .

Donation to Local Hospice In Lieu of Sending Christmas Cards

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 11:06:38 GMT

The team at It’s Clean decided that instead of sending out Christmas cards in December 2018, they would make a donation to support the amazing work undertaken by Saint Michael’s Hospice across the Harrogate district.

For each person that is given the devastating news that they have a terminal illness, Saint Michael’s is there to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect, to help them find answers to difficult questions and to enable them to live as fully as possible to the end of their life.

Saint Michael’s is a place where patients can totally be themselves, without worrying about how their illness is affecting other people.

Saint Michael’s care for people with a variety of terminal illnesses, including heart failure, respiratory illnesses, neurological conditions and cancer. Care is provided in people's homes, hospitals, care homes and at the hospice itself.

Services include:

Specialised support at home
Hospice care, including day therapy and inpatient care
Lymphoedema management
Support for families and carers
Bereavement support

It currently costs £5 million a year to provide this local hospice care and training for others to offer hospice standard care. Around eighty percent of this work is funded by individuals, companies, trusts and foundations.

If you feel able to make a donation to support the valuable work undertaken by Saint Michael’s, please click here to donate via their website .

We Solve 5 Common Issues With End of Tenancy Cleaning

Wed, 02 Jan 2019 14:03:05 GMT

Cleaning is an important factor in the upkeep of your rental properties. While you may be able to do some of the cleaning yourself, using end of tenancy cleaning services from It’s Clean has many benefits. One of these is that they can solve some tricky cleaning problems for you, including the following five common issues:

1.Bad odours

Every house has its own odour and there are a lot of factors that can affect this. Cooking food, tobacco, mould, pets and a lack of cleaning can all negatively affect the odour of a property. When one set of tenants move out and you are expecting new tenants to move in, this is one issue that you will have to deal with. Your new tenants will expect to move into a home that smells clean, fresh and pleasant.

Running around with an air freshener will only mask bad odours and they will soon come back. However, using our professional cleaning services, can help to resolve this issue. Instead of just masking the smell, they will identify the source and then use the appropriate cleaning methods and products to address the issue.

2.Tough carpet stains

Carpet stains are one of the most common problems when tenants leave. The method used to remove them varies from one type of stain to the next. If you try to remove them yourself, you’re likely to spend hours scrubbing with very little improvement. Our end of tenancy cleaning services can fix many of the more common types of stains easily as we have the knowledge and expertise to provide solutions to this cleaning problem.

3.Hard to reach places

It can be tempting not to clean those hard to reach places if you do the cleaning yourself. One reason for this is that it can be very time consuming. However, not cleaning in these places can lead to a build-up of bacteria and allergens which are a potential risk to health. If you hire our professional cleaning services, they will clean in all the difficult to reach places and leave every inch of your rental property spotless.

4.Grease

Removing grease can be a tricky problem and it is most likely to occur in the kitchen. It requires both the right products and a lot of effort. Rather than waste time attempting this task yourself, a simpler option is to use professionals such as It’s Clean who specialise in end of tenancy cleaning. With the right products, we can quickly and effortlessly remove any signs of grease from the kitchen.

5.Limescale

This problem is most commonly found in the bathroom but can also be a problem in the kitchen. Unless you have the right cleaning products, you will have great difficulty in removing this and it will also take a lot of time and effort. By hiring specialists, this is a problem that can quickly and easily be resolved in both the kitchen and the bathroom.

If you own property in the Harrogate, Leeds or York areas and you’re looking for commercial cleaners to solve some of these tricky issues for you, then the It’s Clean end of tenancy cleaning service could be just what you need. Contact It’s Clean today to request a free no obligation survey and quotation.

Using a Commercial Cleaning Service Versus Do-It-Yourself

Wed, 02 Jan 2019 13:24:02 GMT

Are you responsible for commercial premises such as offices or retail units? If the answer is yes, then maintaining the property and keeping it clean is an important aspect of your role. You’ll need to decide if cleaning is a task that you should undertake yourself, or if hiring a professional commercial cleaning services company is the better solution. Here is a comparison of the two options to help you make an informed decision about whether to hire cleaners or just complete the task yourself.

Time

The first comparison to make is that of the time it takes you to complete the task compared to cleaners. As professionals, a cleaning company is likely to be able to complete your office cleaning much quicker than you would be able to do it yourself. Also, if you’re spending time cleaning, it probably means that you’re not concentrating on other aspects of your organisation. By hiring a commercial cleaning services company, you’ll free up your time for other more important tasks. Similarly, you could delegate the cleaning to an employee, but this would take them away from their regular duties.

Money

At first, you may think that doing the cleaning yourself compares favourably in monetary terms versus hiring professionals to do it for you. Obviously, you can do it for free and cleaners will cost money. However, you need to consider the cost of time taken away from your main role. Will taking time out from your organisation impact on issues such as sales or profits? Will it affect your ability to run the organisation well and be successful? When you ask yourself these questions, you may realise that, in the long-term, commercial cleaning services are actually very cost-effective.

Quality of finish

The last factor to consider is who will do the job better. Even if you’re fantastic at cleaning, a professional service is likely to be better. They have a lot of experience of cleaning offices to a high standard, will use the products best suited to each task and they’ll know all the tricks of the trade to solve any complex cleaning problems. They will also clean in places that you might forget about, such as behind furniture and in other places that you can’t see. Opting for a quality service means that your offices will look and smell better, it will create an improved working environment for your employees and the premises will be much more hygienic.

When you have taken time, money and the quality of the finish into consideration, you may decide that commercial cleaning is the better option for you and your organisation. If this is the case, then contact It’s Clean today for a free no obligation survey and quotation .

Office Spring Cleaning Advice From It's Clean

Wed, 02 Jan 2019 12:32:09 GMT

It may not quite feel like it yet, but spring is on the way and it’s time to start thinking about your office spring cleaning. Whether you’re tackling a small, medium or large commercial office, there are a few basic principles to bear in mind. If you follow these three simple steps, you should succeed in creating a clean and clear working environment.

Stock up on storage solutions

No spring-cleaning project will work if you don’t have the right storage solutions in place. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of storage options on offer. You can take your pick from a host of products, including cabinets, lockers, drawers and shelving. You don’t have to sacrifice style for practicality either. Office furnishing specialists offer storage systems in a range of finishes. Whether you’re after veneers, glass, plastic, metal or wood, you won’t struggle to find the right solution for your work area.

If you’re short of space, you can take advantage of full-height storage products and under-desk pedestals. Always get more storage than you think you’ll need, as it’s surprising how quickly shelves and drawers fill up. It’s better to have a little extra space than to have your storage solutions bursting at the seams.

Declutter

Once you’ve got your stylish new cabinets, pedestals and so on in place, it can be tempting to just pile in your papers, books and more. Before you do this though, take some time to go through all of these resources to see which you actually need and which can be thrown away or recycled. Decluttering like this can be a great feeling, and it will make finding the documents and other resources that you really do need much quicker.

Bear in mind that if you’re getting rid of paperwork that contains sensitive or confidential information, you’ll need to take care to shred it.

Find the perfect filing system

Last but not least, make sure you put an effective filing system in place. Simply shoving documents into drawers and other storage areas might save you time now, but it’ll make your life harder in the long run. Whether you opt for paper trays, baskets or filing cabinets, find a system that works for you. It’s also a good idea to use labels to remind you where things go, and once you’ve established the system, make sure you stick to it.