Tag Archive for: sanitisation

Deep clean and sanitisation of a factory

Client Problem

A factory had a confirmed case of Covid-19 and had to close.

The area needed to be fully sanitised in order for the employees to enter the factory and production to continue.

How we helped

Following the initial call, quotation and acceptance, our technicians were allocated the work. The technicians arrived on site and carried out the full deep clean, decontamination and wet fogging within 48 hours of the initial call.

All areas were thoroughly deep cleaned, all touch points sanitised using an EPA tested anti-viral cleaner. Finally, wet fogging with hospital grade disinfectant was carried out in of all areas to ensure any airborne particles disturbed from the cleaning process were neutralised.

After the wet fogging process, random areas were swab tested to ensure of cleanliness. Green = Clean!

The benefit

The factory was cleaned overnight so that it could reopen safely to employees the following morning without too much disruption.

If you are not totally happy with your current cleaning provider, get in touch with ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Mid Kent today to find out how they can help with your commercial cleaning requirements.

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Deep clean and sanitisation following sewage leak

Client Problem

A retail premises had reported a backed up soil pipe which resulted in raw sewage making its way on to the shop floor. This immediately meant that there would be significant business interruption.

How we helped

The incident happened during the day and had become a business critical peril, therefore we need to act promptly and precisely in order to get the job done.

Our technicians arrived to the site within 48 hours and worked overnight. All standing sewage water and solids were extracted using a wet vac. We then treated areas with an anti-microbial and disinfectant ensuring all the areas were sanitized thoroughly, then the floor was damp mopped.

We also used a nice smelling deodoriser a finishing touch to the clean to combat any lingering odours. To assure the client the areas was successfully disinfected, we swab tested the affected areas upon completion of cleaning. Green = Clean!

The benefit

The technicians worked overnight to ensure the clean-up was completed efficiently, and more importantly so the premises could re-open in the morning.

If you are not totally happy with your current cleaning provider, get in touch with ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Mid Kent today to find out how they can help with your commercial cleaning requirements.

3 tips on cleaning common areas during COVID-19

Covid-19 has heightened our awareness of our surroundings and the cleanliness of shared spaces, especially when we’re out in public. We’re all doing our best not to touch our faces, use hand sanitiser, wash our hands frequently and wear face masks.

With new measures around the UK being put into place, the government are advising to work from home if you’re physically able to do so.

So, as business owners and facility managers are working to keep pace with new ‘new normal’, being able to open and stay open where possible, all employees must observe a clean space. Sanitising and disinfecting play a critical role in keeping businesses open and safe and common areas are one of the hardest areas to keep clean. With this being said, we’ve put together 3 tips for managing common areas during Covid-19.

Tip #1 – Determine foot traffic areas

Each business operates differently and uses the space in different ways. Given current pandemic conditions, tracking the different levels of foot traffic is critical.

  • Is the daily foot traffic volume consistent, or is foot traffic heavier on certain days or times?
  • Is it only employees entering and exiting the building, or are there also customers and various contractors using the building?
  • Does your particular facility support or supply those considered “at-risk” (immunocompromised, immunodeficient, elderly, etc.)?
  • Do you have a process for tracking all that are entering and exiting the building? So, in the event of a case, all can be notified to isolate.

The UK government advises on keeping track of all individuals that enter your premises and inform them if they have come into contact with infectious activity.

Make sure you have appropriate cleaning schemes and disinfection cycles in place for your premises, if you have a case or not.

Tip #2 – Determine all high touch areas

Now that you have determined the individuals who are entering and exiting the building it is time to determine what those frequently touched areas are.

Common areas that are visited more often, are more likely to be higher risk areas of infection and that is why it is so important to clean and disinfect common areas in response to your assessed activity.

A good way to work out your high touch areas is to walk through your premises a few times yourself and write down a list of those points that you have to touch to get where you’re going and to do what you need to do.

In addition to these observations, managing common areas during COVID-19 will need to ensure you’re sanitising the following:

  • Doorknobs/handles
  • Light Switches
  • Drawers
  • Refrigerator and Microwave Doors
  • Chair Arms
  • All kitchen and dining areas
  • All bathroom touch surfaces
  • Keyboards and mice
  • Conference room touchpoints
  • Elevator buttons
  • Drinking fountains

Once you have your list compiled, determine the appropriate cleaning agent for each space. Appropriate guidelines are to:

  • Always use approved cleaning methods and products
  • Always use gloves and appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when necessary.
  • Always instruct employees on which agents must be diluted and how to do so according to manufacturer guidelines

Alternatively, you can contact your local ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services to complete all schedules and cleaning within your business premises.

Tip #3 – Use a cleaning company

Weekly, daily, and certainly hourly disinfecting is a big task that can take away from business productivity and business goals. Outsourcing cleaning to a trusted and experienced commercial cleaning company can give you peace of mind and give you more time to work on your business.

ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services offer contract cleaning services throughout the UK, if however; you require one-off cleans and do not have contract cleaning requirements you can get in touch with one of our local ServiceMaster Clean sister companies.

You can find your local ServiceMaster Clean Company here.

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Know the difference between disinfection, sanitisation and sterilisation

Cleaning, Disinfection, Sanitisation and Sterilisation: What’s the Difference?

Many businesses understand the importance of maintaining a clean workplace. However, there is often confusion around cleaning terminology. Terms such as cleaning, disinfection, sanitisation, and sterilisation are frequently used interchangeably, despite having very different meanings.

Understanding these differences can help facilities managers, business owners, schools, healthcare providers, and other organisations make informed decisions about workplace hygiene and infection control.

Why Understanding Cleaning Terminology Matters

A clean workplace supports more than appearance. It helps create a safer environment for employees, visitors, customers, patients, and students.

Whether you manage an office, school, healthcare setting, retail space, or communal area, understanding the difference between cleaning, disinfection, sanitisation, and sterilisation can help you choose the right cleaning approach for your environment.

Different situations require different levels of cleaning and hygiene control. Knowing which service is appropriate helps ensure resources are used effectively while maintaining high standards.

What Is Cleaning?

Cleaning involves using water, detergents, and cleaning products to remove visible dirt, dust, debris, and other contaminants from surfaces.

Cleaning does not necessarily kill bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms. However, it removes many of them from surfaces, which helps reduce the risk of spreading illness and contamination.

Routine cleaning forms the foundation of every effective workplace cleaning programme.

Examples of cleaning include:

  • Vacuuming carpets
  • Mopping floors
  • Wiping desks and workstations
  • Cleaning kitchens and washrooms
  • Removing dust from surfaces

Without regular cleaning, dirt and contaminants can quickly build up.

What Is Disinfection?

Disinfection uses specialist products designed to kill or deactivate harmful microorganisms on surfaces.

Unlike cleaning, disinfection focuses on reducing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that may be present on frequently touched surfaces.

For disinfection to be effective, surfaces should normally be cleaned first. Dirt and debris can reduce the effectiveness of disinfectant products.

Common areas that may require regular disinfection include:

  • Door handles
  • Light switches
  • Reception desks
  • Shared equipment
  • Washroom touchpoints
  • Break room surfaces

Disinfection plays an important role in workplace hygiene and infection control programmes.

What Is Sanitisation?

Sanitisation reduces the number of microorganisms on a surface to levels considered safe by public health standards.

In many commercial environments, sanitisation sits between cleaning and disinfection. It provides an additional level of hygiene control while helping maintain a healthier environment.

Food preparation areas, kitchens, dining facilities, healthcare environments, and high-use communal spaces often benefit from regular sanitisation procedures.

What Is Sterilisation?

Sterilisation is the highest level of decontamination.

The process removes or destroys all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores.

Sterilisation usually involves specialist equipment, high temperatures, chemical treatments, or controlled processes that are not typically required in standard commercial environments.

Most workplaces do not require sterilisation as part of their routine cleaning programme. However, it remains essential in certain healthcare and laboratory settings.

Which Cleaning Method Does Your Workplace Need?

Many organisations ask whether they need cleaning, disinfection, sanitisation, or sterilisation.

The answer depends on the environment, the level of risk, and the activities taking place within the building.

For most workplaces, a combination of regular cleaning and targeted disinfection provides the right balance between hygiene, safety, and practicality.

Healthcare settings, schools, offices, retail environments, warehouses, and communal buildings all have different requirements.

This is why professional advice and tailored cleaning schedules are important.

Professional Cleaning Supports Healthier Workplaces

Maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy workplace requires more than occasional cleaning. Consistent routines, trained operatives, and the correct products all play an important role.

At ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services, our experienced teams help organisations maintain high standards of workplace hygiene through structured cleaning programmes designed around their specific needs.

Whether you manage an office, school, healthcare facility, retail environment, or communal building, we can help you implement effective cleaning and hygiene protocols that support both compliance and wellbeing.

Find your nearest ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services to learn how professional cleaning can help create a cleaner, safer, and healthier workplace.