Cleaners Join the List of COVID-19 Heroes

David Whan • 11 March 2021

Cleaners preparing for Coronavirus disinfection

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.

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Supporting businesses with commercial cleaning across Leeds and Harrogate

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As a Yorkshire-based commercial cleaning company, It's Clean Ltd has been providing commercial cleaning services to local businesses since 1999, supporting clients across Harrogate, Leeds, York, Ripon, Wetherby and the surrounding areas. We work with a wide range of organisations including: Commercial offices Healthcare providers Schools and colleges Retail premises Warehouses and industrial sites Property management companies Event and exhibition venues By maintaining a strong local presence, the team can provide responsive support and tailored cleaning services to businesses throughout the region. Commercial office cleaning in Leeds Leeds continues to see significant business growth across professional services, finance, technology and creative industries, increasing demand for reliable and professional commercial cleaning services. Businesses in Leeds often require flexible cleaning schedules that work around busy work environments, hybrid working patterns and multi-tenant buildings. Services such as communal area cleaning, washroom services, carpet cleaning and window cleaning are often integrated into wider office cleaning contracts to maintain a consistent workplace standard. Commercial office cleaning in Harrogate Harrogate businesses often place strong emphasis on presentation, client experience and workplace standards, particularly within professional services, healthcare and hospitality sectors. Professional commercial office cleaning in Harrogate helps businesses maintain welcoming, well-presented environments while ensuring practical day-to-day cleanliness across offices, meeting spaces and staff facilities. With its head office based in Harrogate, I t's Clean Ltd has built long-standing relationships with businesses across North Yorkshire by delivering responsive, locally managed cleaning services. Choosing the right commercial office cleaning company When selecting a commercial office cleaning provider, businesses should look for: Experience within commercial environments Flexible contract options Clear quality control processes Strong communication and responsiveness Appropriate accreditations and training Reliable staffing and supervision A local team with knowledge of the area A professional cleaning contractor should feel like an extension of your business, supporting workplace standards, employee wellbeing and operational efficiency. Looking for commercial office cleaning in Leeds or Harrogate? It's Clean Ltd provides professional commercial office cleaning services across Leeds, Harrogate, York and the surrounding Yorkshire region. From daily office cleaning and contract cleaning to deep cleans, washroom services, carpet cleaning and communal area cleaning, the team works with businesses of all sizes to create cleaner, healthier and more welcoming workplaces. To arrange a free survey and quotation , contact the team today.

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by jenni • 15 April 2026

A clean office does far more than simply create a good first impression. For businesses across Leeds , Harrogate and the wider Yorkshire region, professional commercial office cleaning plays an important role in supporting staff wellbeing, productivity, workplace presentation and day-to-day operational standards. Whether you manage a busy corporate office, a shared workspace, a healthcare setting or a growing SME, maintaining a consistently clean working environment helps create a space where employees, visitors and clients feel comfortable and confident. At It's Clean Ltd we provide professional commercial office cleaning in Leeds, Harrogate, York and across Yorkshire, delivering tailored cleaning services designed around the needs of each individual business. Commercial office cleaning tailored to your business No two workplaces operate in exactly the same way. Some businesses require daily cleaning outside office hours, while others may need weekly contract cleaning, specialist deep cleans or additional services such as carpet cleaning, washroom services or communal area cleaning. That’s why professional commercial office cleaning should never be a one-size-fits-all approach. At It's Clean Ltd cleaning schedules are tailored around each client’s requirements to minimise disruption while maintaining consistently high standards throughout the workplace. Why businesses are outsourcing office cleaning For many organisations, outsourcing commercial office cleaning in Leeds and Harrogate offers a more reliable, efficient and cost-effective solution than managing cleaning internally. Professional cleaning contractors provide: Fully trained cleaning teams Consistent quality control Flexible cleaning schedules Specialist cleaning equipment and products Emergency cleaning support Washroom, carpet and window cleaning services Ongoing compliance and health & safety management This allows office managers and leadership teams to focus on running the business while knowing workplace cleanliness is being managed professionally. Creating healthier workplaces Modern workplaces see high levels of daily contact across desks, kitchens, washrooms, meeting rooms, touchpoints and shared equipment. Professional office cleaning helps maintain hygiene standards throughout these spaces and supports healthier working environments for staff and visitors alike. Services such as sanitisation of desks, keyboards, telephones, washrooms and communal areas have become an increasingly important part of workplace management for businesses across Yorkshire. To find out more about how we support businesses with professional commercial cleaning Request a Free Survey and Quote