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How to minimise illnesses this winter by maintaining a clean and hygienic workplace. 

As the nights draw in and the winter months approach; as does regular cold and flu season. This is always a big concern for businesses across the globe, and due to a more vulnerable population through an overall lack of immunity to the flu, public health officials are preparing for an especially harsh winter.

During this time, it’s important to remain vigilant in protecting your workplace from the spread of diseases by continuing the good hygiene practices that most have fallen into during the pandemic. Whilst these will help to minimise staff sickness and absences, they can only do so much. Therefore, it is also important to take the necessary steps to keep your staff and workplace safe. This includes:

  • Staying home if you are feeling ill

Pre-COVID, most office-workers in the UK would likely admit to being guilty of maintaining a ‘stiff upper-lip’ and going into work despite a sniffle and a cough. And whilst the recent easing of government restrictions may make it feel safe to slip back into old habits, public health officials are urging people to steer clear of the workplace if they fall ill this winter, whether with COVID19 or something else.

  • Routinely cleaning surfaces

COVID19 and other viruses like the flu can potentially survive on surfaces for some time, ranging from a few hours, to a number of days. Luckily, both COVID and the influenza virus are fairly fragile. This means that typical cleaning and disinfecting practices should be enough to kill them, provided that this is done regularly.

  • Regularly disinfecting high-touch point areas

COVID19 and the flu can both be spread through touch, so be sure to be vigilant in cleaning any surfaces or objects in your office that are frequently come into contact with – such as desks, keyboards, chair arms, phones, door handles, taps, or bannisters. These areas should be cleaned up to three or four times a day if possible, depending on the busyness of your workplace.

  • Regularly removing waste

It may seem obvious, but you should be emptying and sanitising your bins and wastebaskets daily to get rid of items like tissues that can harbour bacteria and germs.

  • Vacuuming and cleaning carpets

Deep cleaning or vacuuming your carpets regularly helps reduce the spread of germs and also improves the indoor air quality in your office. This is especially important when dealing with airborne pathogens like COVID and influenza. You could also help this by clearing out your air-conditioning/heating systems.

If these practices feel difficult to maintain by yourself, why not get in touch with us and use ServiceMaster Clean for a regular and high quality office cleaning service? Trust us to help you get ready for winter this year, and keep your premises germ and virus free by letting us handle all your commercial janitorial needs.

Click here to find your nearest ServiceMaster Clean and learn more about our services today.

 

Another blog post you may be interested in reading is on promoting good hygiene in the workplace

Two members of the team recently won the Durham County Bowls Pairs Championship. Jane Hewitson who works at sites in Coxhoe and Peterlee and Julie Robinson who works at two sites in Newton Aycliffe have been friends and bowling partners for a number of years.
Not only are they part of a great team at work but also with their hobby and recently won the highest County accolade at the annual championships.
It was Jane that introduced Julie to ServiceMaster Clean  and they have both worked for the company since it’s first year of trading.
Chris Blewitt ServiceMaster Clean North East MD commented, ”we are very proud of the ladies successes, reaching the highest standards both in and out of work. Very well done”.

 

If you are not totally happy with your current commercial cleaning provider, get in touch with Chris and his team today to see how they can help you keep your building clean.

Client Problem:

The client was not satisfied with their existing cleaning service provider and had notified them that they would not be discontinuing using their service

The service provider subsequently ended their services abruptly without providing notice

The client required a new cleaning service provider and cover cleaning in the interim to tide them over until a new contract was finalised

How we helped

We received the initial enquiry and made contact immediately and scheduled a meeting that was most accommodating for the client.

The initial meeting involved discussing the clients’ needs and conducting a survey.

Our first priority was to arrange cover cleaning on short notice to solve the immediate problem of no cleaning being undertaken. The ad hoc service was to run from a Monday to Friday, initially, with the view of moving to 7 days a week.

Next a task schedule was compiled and proposed to the client. The client was extremely happy with the task schedule, which he compared to a menu, being able to add or subtract cleaning requirements as necessary. The client did obtain 2 other quotations, but was most impressed with our approach to the scheduled cleaning, and therefore, awarded us the contract.

Our aim is to help all of our existing clients and new clients to stay open or reopen as smoothly, as efficiently and as safely as possible.

The benefit

The client has follow-ups on a regular basis

The client is impressed and extremely happy with the level of service

The client added additional areas to be serviced, and intends to add more areas in the near future.

Find out more about how we can help you with your Daily Office Cleaning, get in touch today 

At work, you may be exposed to a number of germs, especially when flu season rolls around and keeping your offices clean during flu season is important for you and your staff. Sick coworkers likely touch a variety of surfaces on their way in and out of the office, including shared spaces like the kitchen, bathrooms and conference rooms. Their germs can linger on tables, office equipment, door handles and other surfaces for significant periods of time, putting you and other staff members at risk of getting sick.

Plus with COVID-19 still about, if any symptoms occur, ensure you test yourself with a lateral flow test or a PCR test.

Luckily, there are some things you can do to help prevent getting sick with the flu or spreading germs, find out three cold and flu prevention tips from the professionals at ServiceMaster Clean.

Washing your hands

Washing your hands regularly is one of the best ways to prevent getting sick year-round. In the winter months when viruses can remain active longer due to colder temperatures, proper handwashing becomes more important. Use these tips to wash your hands correctly:

  • Wash your hands regularly throughout the day with warm water and soap for minimum 20 seconds each time
  • Dry your hands thoroughly with disposable towels
  • Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, as these spaces are havens for germs
  • Wash your hands after coming into contact with any bodily fluid, this includes your own.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser when soap and water are not available. Keep an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with you at your desk or in your personal bag or purse.

Cough Etiquette

Coughing is something we all do, and you don’t have to be noticeably sick to cough here and there throughout the day, but using proper techniques when you cough can help alleviate the spread of germs. Teach your staff members these tips to help remind them to cover their cough at work:

  • Cover your mouth with a tissue when you’re coughing, if possible.
  • Dispose of tissues immediately in a nearby wastebasket.
  • Cover your mouth with your hands or cough into the crook of your arm when you don’t have access to tissue.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after coughing.

Keeping Your Offices Clean During Flu Season

A clean workspace can help keep germs to a minimum and potentially even increase worker productivity, especially if frequently touched items and surfaces like keyboards, doorknobs and phones are disinfected regularly. Help reduce the number of germs in your office throughout the day by enforcing these cleaning steps:

  • Clean and disinfect daily by wiping down high-touch surfaces with disinfectant wipes or low-level disinfectant products to help kill germs in shared spaces as well as your own work area
  • Stock up on supplies, by making sure your office has an adequate amount of tissues, paper towels, soap, hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes to keep the office clean every day.
  • Allow sick employees to go home. If an employee starts feeling sick at work, let them go home before they have an opportunity to infect the staff around them.

Keep in mind that if your employees show cold or flu symptoms throughout the year, including fever, muscle aches, fatigue and bouts of coughing, ask them if they begin feeling better when they spend time away from the office.

Along with having your staff take an active role in cleaning throughout the day, a janitorial crew can help reduce the number of germs and infections lurking in your office. If you need help keeping cold and flu symptoms to a minimum while you’re at work, call on the experts at ServiceMaster Clean. Our commercial janitorial services can help keep your office clean and healthy. We’ll even work with you to create a detailed, comprehensive cleaning regimen that meets your facility’s unique needs and schedule. Contact us today to find out how we can help your business.

 

Find your nearest ServiceMaster Clean business here.

ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Jemsl (Owned by Rachael & Lee Downer) are a contract cleaning company based in the South of England and are dedicated to the ServiceMaster ethos of going ‘Above and Beyond’ in all that they do. Rachael & Lee purchased ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services North Surrey in 2004 and due to their commercial success, expanded the business to include West London and Hertfordshire, now known cumulatively as ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Jemsl. Rachael & Lee have developed a culture of providing exceptional customer service which has resulted in strong growth and expansion for the company in all areas.

This dedication, development and success has resulted in Rachael, Lee and their team scooping not one but three awards at this year’s ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services annual awards.

ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Jemsl won a growth award for growing the business more than £200k in one year, which given part of the year ran over the COVID-19 pandemic is quite an achievement. They also won the North Start customer Service Award for their outstanding NPS score of 100% which is exceptionally good for any business in the cleaning sector. Lastly but probably the most noteworthy was the North Star Invest award, this award was given for the contribution to the community throughout the Pandemic. Rachael & the team at ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Jemsl, have taken part in the London Moon walk and volunteered to clean a local church so they could reopen after lockdown.

“We are absolutely delighted to have received recognition for our recent achievements.  We are blessed to have the opportunity to work with an amazing Operational and Support team who have gone above and beyond during a difficult year.  Their resilience, commitment and enthusiasm has been unwavering and these awards are a true reflection of this”. Said Rachael & Lee Downer.

Guy Strang, ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Brand Manager added “Rachael and her team are committed to providing exceptional customer service and giving back to the local community, all three awards are very well deserved and I am sure there will be more to come, well done.”

If you are not totally happy with your current cleaning provider and want to work with a company who put their staff and clients at the forefront of their business, why not get in touch with Rachael & her team and see how they can help you, Call 0800 0430 438 or request a call back.

Servicemaster Clean Contract Services believe creating a great team, leads to great customer service and great customer service makes for happy clients. As a customer service focussed business ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Jemsl believe it is important for the employees to be the best they can be.

As part of  HR Manager Monika Nawrotkiewicz’s development ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Jemsl funded a college course to help Monika improve her English skills – and yesterday Monika received her certificate for passing the course.

This is a great achievement after having to do much of the learning remotely and Monika is hoping to now progress to the next level in September.

If you are not totally happy with your current cleaning provider and want to work with a company who put their staff and clients at the forefront of their business, why not get in touch with Rachael & her team and see how they can help you, Call 0800 0430 438 or request a call back.

ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Jemsl are delighted to receive an award to celebrate their commitment to Eco-Savings.

Over the past 5 years ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Jemsl have been promoting, and using, the most environmentally friendly products available; from the cleaning products used on sites to reducing packaging sizes and removal of all plastics on site wherever possible.  They also encourage their clients to act responsibly by providing them with eco-savings reports and advising on how they can tackle their own planet saving agenda.

To date they have saved the planet from (the equivalent of) 99,586 plastic bottles and have CO2 emissions reductions of 4, 579, 004 G.

If you are in North Surrey, West London or Hertfordshire and are not completely satisfied with your current commercial cleaning and want to work with a cleaning provider who take environmental responsibility seriously, why not get in touch with Rachael & her team and see how they can help you Call 0800 0430 438 or request a call back.

ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Mid-Anglia franchise was an obvious investment choice for Simon Taplin. The decision was inspired by a desire to work for himself but with the support of a franchisor, following many years of employment in multi-national corporations.

From the outset, Simon believed that the ServiceMaster Clean business format was well thought out, well tested, and offered a clear path to success.

Joining a growing and successful franchise meant that thorough training was provided from the outset with ongoing training and support from ServiceMaster. This made a valuable contribution to the growth and success of the business.

By following the ServiceMaster system, ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Mid-Anglia have been able offer a complete package of commercial cleaning services. Their comprehensive range of cleaning services enables them to gain contracts with many large and well know organisations at both local and national level.

In 2018, Simon decided to retire from his role as Managing Director. Simon remains the owner of the business but took the decision to step down from operations, allowing himself more personal time and for younger members of the family business to advance. For Simon, there was a clear choice as to who should replace his role.

Having joined the business in 1995 as a mobile cleaner, Malcolm Bennett, Simon’s Step Son had worked his way up through the ranks. This progressive career route provided Malcolm with valuable first-hand knowledge of all areas of the business and the ideal skill-set to step into the role. As Managing Director, Malcolm truly understands what makes a thriving commercial cleaning business.

The business has provided much more than just a career for Malcolm. Through working in the company, Malcolm in fact met his wife, Andrea. The couple now have two children, who, following in the family footsteps, work part-time in the business.

ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Mid-Anglia now employ 140 staff, including Management, Warehouse, Administration and a Telesales team. Testament to their strong focus on employee engagement, the company still employs one of the original staff members, 30 years on!

With the company not only expanding in terms of client numbers but also geographical coverage,
their vehicle fleet and premises too have grown. They currently operate a fleet of 8 ServiceMaster vehicles, making sure the business can continue to provide a first-class cleaning service to their clients wherever they are located.

In terms of premises, the business was originally based in Simon’s house, as the way many small businesses start out. Following continued growth, in 2002, the operation moved to a purpose industrial unit. Fast forward 8 years and with expanding employee numbers, the business had again out-grown it’s site, prompting the business to relocate to their current location, just outside the beautiful cathedral city of Ely.

Following the success of the ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Mid-Anglia business, Malcolm’s plans to expand the business further. In early 2021 the decision was made, to invest in another ServiceMaster Clean territory, with the purchase of the Norfolk territory. The investment in the new territory seemed a fitting way to celebrate 30 successful years to date. The team at ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Mid-Anglia and Norfolk very much look forward to continuing their provision of first-rate cleaning services, working with more clients and achieving further success.

If you are not totally happy with your current commercial cleaning provider, get in touch with ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Mid Anglia and Norfolk today, call 0800 085 3541 or request a quote.

With blossom on the trees and the first flowers in bloom, spring is truly a season for renewal. As the weather warms, there’s no better time for facility managers to freshen up their buildings with a few fixes and improvements. Prepare your facility with these simple spring cleaning tips for facility managers.

Take A Good Look Around

Before the cleaning begins, pinpoint your facility’s biggest problem areas. Remember, small problems can quickly become big, expensive issues if they’re not addressed immediately. Be thorough in your examination and ask the janitorial team to take a tour of the facilities with you. Trusted experts are excellent at pointing out problems you might not have noticed otherwise.

There are several areas of a facility that are prime candidates for wear and tear. Cold temperatures, excess moisture, and salt tracked inside from the street can damage many different surfaces and materials. Pay special attention to the following trouble spots:

  • Ceilings
  • Corner guards
  • Doors and cabinets
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Flooring tiles
  • Light switches
  • Storage shelves
  • Tiles and grout

Commercial Spring Cleaning Tips And Tricks

Did you know that having a clean workplace can actually help increase productivity and boost morale? Take the time to spruce up your space, and welcome everyone into a sparkling office this spring. Use these three simple spring cleaning tips to cover the most important areas:

Deep clean the problem spots

With lockdown starting to ease and people getting back to work, the increased footfall is going to have a toll on flooring, it’s vital to shampoo carpets and properly clean hardwood, tile, and concrete floors before their return and on at least an annual basis.

Working with a professional janitorial team can often be the most convenient and efficient method of deep cleaning a commercial property’s floors and carpets. Winter boots bring the season’s road salt, dirt, and snow into all these spaces and can cause damage to surfaces and fixtures, and professionals can often help you identify areas in need of additional care or repair, as well.

Improve your facilities exterior

Put your best foot forward by freshening up your building’s exterior this spring. During winter, wood and cement work are particularly vulnerable to damage, especially around main entrances and other areas with heavy foot traffic. Beyond structural repairs, sweeping or spraying down exterior walkways, washing windows, and other basic commercial building maintenance can go a long way toward improving the impression your business makes on the outside world. Don’t forget to clean off and inspect your roof for damage, as well.

Test the air conditioning system

While spring may seem too early to turn on the air, we recommend testing these systems well in advance of when you need them. Once the summer’s heatwaves arrive, a faulty A/C unit is the last thing your business needs. Since these cooling systems often go unused all winter, they are susceptible to dust and dirt buildup, which could lead to lower efficiency, unpleasant smells, increased allergens, and even unit failure.

Need help implementing these tips? Contact the experts at ServiceMaster Clean to help you deep clean your facilities on a schedule and budget that works for you. Ready to handle even the toughest grime, we can polish and repair every inch of your building. Dirty carpets, cracked grout, and streaked windows are no match for our team members, because we’re never satisfied until you are. Contact us now to learn more.

“With the acquisition in February of ServiceMaster North and South of Tyne, we needed to upgrade our office and storage facilities. Fortunately another unit in our building became available and we got in there first. ‘Office A’ is currently housing our extensive range of buffing machines and scrubber dryers as well as the full range of consumables we offer. But, with an eye on further expansion it might not be long before our growing Admin team will need it.”

 

If you are not totally happy with your current commercial cleaning provider, get in touch with Chris and his team today to see how they can help you keep your building clean.

Today’s businesses have options for reducing their energy bills and adopting more environmentally friendly practices at the same time. Even small changes can add up to cost savings when your business chooses to invest in energy-efficient initiatives. From switching to LED bulbs (and switching them off when not in use) to cleaning the vents to allow smoother airflow, the following measures will help your business save on operating costs:

Use The Off Switch

Businesses that want to save on energy costs must train employees to use the off switch whenever possible. Turn off lights, copying machines, computers, printers, and other electronics whenever they aren’t in use. In busy offices, it’s not always possible to shut down computers, but leaving them on overnight when no one is using them doesn’t make fiscal sense. Instead, look for energy efficient electronics and office equipment so you can use power management features and sleep modes when turning equipment off isn’t an option.

Switch To LED Light Bulbs

Many businesses can also save money on energy costs over time by switching from traditional incandescent bulbs to light-emitting diode (LED) or fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs may cost more upfront, but they last far longer than traditional bulbs and require less energy to operate. You can also install motion lighting to reduce energy costs while maintaining optimum lighting in less busy areas.

Use Ceiling Fans And Window Screens

If you can refrain from using your air conditioning system on cooler days, you’re naturally going to cut down on your energy bills. Businesses can often save on cooling costs by simply using ceiling fans. Ceiling fans that rotate in a counter-clockwise direction keep cool air circulating, so you may be able to adjust your thermostat a few degrees higher and still stay cool. When winter rolls around, adjust your ceiling fans to rotate in a clockwise direction so they push warm air downward to help combat the chilly temperatures. You may also be able to lower your thermostat and save on winter heating costs with this simple yet effective trick.

Install A Smart Thermostat

One of the most convenient ways to save on electricity bills and other energy costs is to equip your business with a smart thermostat. Like motion-detecting lights, a smart thermostat offers specific features to limit energy consumption during off-peak hours. When employees leave for the day, your smart thermostat can adjust accordingly. Smart thermostats take the hassle out of climate control so you can focus on more urgent day-to-day operations.

Invest In An Energy Audit

Some of today’s businesses invest in energy audits to figure out just how much energy they may be wasting. An energy audit can be a great way to start building your energy-conservation plan because these audits are designed to identify specific focus areas for more effective energy management.

Finally, don’t forget to implement routine training to encourage your employees to adopt energy-efficient practices.

Simon Taplin has owned ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Mid Anglia for over 30 years and has grown it into a successful business with many loyal clients and a good reputation among the local businesses throughout Mid Anglia. Simon’s Son in Law Malcolm Bennett is now managing director and together they have made the decision to expand the business for the next generation, and have invested in ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Norfolk.

Cleaning has become so much more important now, than ever in the commercial world. To ServiceMaster Clean, it has always been our priority but to many, cleaning never was. Since COVID-19 has changed and business owners, schools, nurseries and even healthcare providers are taking good cleaning more seriously and understand that using a professional company is the best way to get the cleaning done well.

Having gained over 30 years of experience in the commercial cleaning industry, Simon, Malcolm and their team are delighted to be able to provide their professional commercial cleaning services to businesses, educational establishments and healthcare providers throughout Norfolk and are looking forward to working with new clients, especially as we ease further out of lockdown and start getting back to some kind of normality.

“We invested in CS Norfolk as it looked a good business opportunity to expand into an area close to us with good transport links from our office, with large established and growing Business/Commercial Parks but an area that allowed us to support those businesses with our established cleaning operation team, making sure we could deliver a professional service throughout Norfolk, gained through our current CS Mid Anglia Franchise where we have been providing cleaning services to clients for 30 years’ now. Some of our oldest client we have had from the start.

As Norfolk boarders CS Mid Anglia and is close to our office, most of our staff live within its borders so we have a good background knowledge of the business within the area, the competition and our vehicles are already seen driving around.” Said Malcolm Bennett, Managing Director of ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Mid Anglia and Norfolk.

“Both Simon and Malcolm are very knowledgeable about the commercial cleaning industry and we know they will be able to make the most of their knowledge and build many great relationships with their new clients in the Norfolk area”, added Guy Strang, ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Brand Manager.

We wish Simon and Malcolm all the best with their new business venture and we’ll be here to help in any way we can along their journey.

Siva Kugathas was new to the world of commercial cleaning when he purchased a fairly small cleaning company back in January 2017. Since that time, Siva has grown that initial business by being totally committed to providing exceptional commercial cleaning services and going above and beyond to meet his client’s expectations.

A testament to the exceptional services that Siva and his team provide are the abundance of awards he has received over recent years including the ‘Transformation’ award from the HSBC BFA awards in 2020, Brand Brilliance awards and local Guildford business awards, where he first started.

Siva came from a franchise background and was always very commercial minded. From the outset, Siva started to build a good team around him, a team that would share his customer orientated ethos. Having taken his first Guildford territory from a small but good business to a great business, Siva expanded his business to a further two territories; Bracknell in 2018 and Thames Valley in 2019. Siva established himself firmly in these areas and having grown the team further, invested in two more areas; Luton & Watford in 2020 despite COVID-19.

This year, Siva has not only expanded his business into Ipswich and Colchester, he has also made the decision to invest in and buy existing business ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services East Kent from previous owner Martin Renny who had owned the business for over 35 years.

Siva plans on working with the existing employees in East Kent and growing the team to be able to provide his high level of service to businesses, educational establishments, healthcare providers and other commercial premises throughout the East Kent area and his team will grow to ensure the same great commercial cleaning service can also be provided throughout the Ipswich and Colchester areas too.

“We are very excited about sharing our experience of providing Above and Beyond service to our new clients in the Colchester, Ipswich and East Kent areas. Working with our new clients and we will roll out our Customer Mania ethos to current and future employees in these areas so they are ready to deliver Above and Beyond service to each and every one of our Clients. Our Award winning team are ready and enthusiastic to train and pass on their experience to the new team and, the whole team are looking forward to building long lasting relationships”. Said Siva Kugathas,

Managing Director of ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Guildford, Bracknell, Thames Valley, Luton, Watford, East Kent, Colchester and Ipswich.

“Siva’s success really comes down to his commitment to provide customer service above and beyond what is expected. He has built a very strong team that he values and together they support the rest of the business, all the way to the cleaning operatives. Siva has built a very good business and a loyal and happy client base and we are sure he will continue to do so in his new areas of operation”, added Guy Strang, ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Brand Manager.

If you are not completely happy with your current commercial cleaning provider or perhaps are looking to outsource for the first time, find your local ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services here.

If you are in the Guildford, Bracknell, Thames Valley, East Kent, Colchester or Ipswich areas and are looking for a commercial cleaning company that goes Above and Beyond, get in touch with Siva today.

 

It’s the start of British Summer Time, we are starting to ease out of lockdown, as more people return to the office, is it time for a proper refresh

Good hygiene is still one of the most important factors when it comes to fighting viruses and bacteria. Keeping your workplace hygienic is much easier if it is kept clean and keeping your office clean is easier if it is kept tidy.

So here are our top tips for keeping your workplace clean & hygienic this summer.

1. De-clutter

Keep items on your desk to a minimum

The more you have on your desk, the more items there are to touch and transfer germs, keeping items down to a minimum means, there are less items to clean or to move and clean under.

File your documents

Having an effective filing system within your workspace is important to keep the clutter to a minimum. Use an in and out stacked tray system, however, don’t let this pile up too much as this will cause more desk clutter.

File away the completed documents in your company’s filing area, or if the paper is not needed, throw it in the recycling bin!

Have a home for everything

Having a home for everything like a pen pot and paper trays and popping personal items into drawers will all contribute towards a decluttered workspace.

Useful things should be in reach

Make sure all of the items you need are in an arm’s reach to where you are sitting, so, one you are not stretching and straining yourself and two so you are not knocking drinks or other items on your desk.

2. Keep it clean

Keep your tidy desk clean

At the end of each day, tidy your desk, put items like coffee cups in the kitchen and papers where they should be filed and give it a good clean with a suitable cleaning cloth and spray.

3. Professional cleaning

Get the professionals in for a thorough clean on a regular basis

To make sure your cleaning is up to scratch, consider a professional cleaning company to ensure all surfaces are properly cleaned on a regular basis. The frequency will depend on how heavily the office is used, how many people are in and out and personal choice. A good cleaning company will be able to advise you on a suitable amount of time and frequency required to properly clean the area.

High Touch point cleaning

Extra care should be taken to high touch point areas such as door handles, stair rails, chair arms & desks among others. These items should be cleaned thoroughly and frequently to reduce spread of bacteria and viruses from contact.

4. Hand washing & good personal hygiene

Encourage good hand washing

Encourage all staff to maintain good hand washing and personal hygiene within the work place. At the end of the day viruses are spread from person to person, either directly or indirectly, ensuring everyone that come into your premises follows the recommended guidelines, will help reduce the spread of any virus or bacteria.

Allow staff suitable access to hand washing supplies, hot water and soap is best alternatively, ensure there is supply of a suitable hand sanitiser.

If you are not completely happy with your current commercial cleaning provider or perhaps are looking to outsource for the first time, find your local ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services here.

 

A regular schedule of cleaning and disinfection is crucial for protecting employees, customers, patients, and visitors. However, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the face of other dangerous pathogens, maintaining constant disinfection is more important than ever. Maintaining this disinfection in between major cleanings can help protect your business from potential outbreaks caused by these dangerous pathogens.

Benefits Of Regular Cleaning And Disinfection

A professional cleaning and disinfection treatment isn’t a one-time thing. It may be tempting to think of professional cleaning as a chance to “catch up” to a place where your own employees can take over. The truth is that you get the most mileage out of regular professional cleaning and disinfection long term.

  • You protect yourself from compliance issues. Professional cleaners stay up to date on the latest government guidelines, because it’s their job to do so. If you want to ensure compliance, hiring experts is the simplest way to do so.
  • You get a more thorough cleaning. Trained professionals know how to keep a work environment safe and know where viruses are likely to thrive. They know where to pay extra attention and know which cleaners are approved by the HSE to tackle which pathogens. They know how long to leave a disinfecting agent on a surface for complete disinfection.
  • You benefit from professional-grade equipment and training. To reduce the spread of dangerous pathogens and protect the health of others, cleaning professionals use HSE-approved disinfectants and the training that ensures appropriate, thorough disinfection for the business you own.
  • You can get long-term disinfectant protection between cleanings. SaniMaster disinfection services may include an antimicrobial barrier that lasts up to 90 days to help fight bacteria, mould, and fungi. This barrier provides extended surface disinfection protection as part of our preventive disinfection services to provide peace of mind for your business.

Routine professional cleaning and disinfection from trained, well-equipped experts can provide long-term cleanliness and peace of mind in any situation where you’re worried about infectious diseases taking root and spreading. It’s a great way to keep your facility functioning without breaking the bank on stockpiling cleaning equipment or educating staff in combating each of the unique pathogens that can spread in a healthcare environment.

The Importance Of Disinfecting Surfaces

Beyond just regular cleaning and disinfection, keeping certain high-touch and at-risk surfaces disinfected on an ongoing basis is key. Simple, quick wipe-downs with soap and/or with surface disinfectants can help you maintain a safe and healthy environment. In addition to protecting staff and patients, frequent disinfecting can:

  • Fight against antibiotic-resistant (AR) pathogens by taking regular action to completely wipe them out.
  • Help remove pathogens from surfaces that may come into contact with bodily fluids
  • Help combat long-lasting pathogens, including AR pathogens and HAIs that can linger on surfaces for days or even months.
  • Help kill and/or remove pathogens from surfaces that are often neglected in casual cleanings, such as floors and walls.
  • Allows onsite cleaning staff to focus on emergencies and simplifies the regular cleaning process, without having them shoulder the burden (timewise or materially) of disinfection for the entire facility.
  • Even “noncritical” surfaces that aren’t frequently touched can become a factor in the cross-transmission of diseases.

Disinfection Guidelines To Follow Between Cleanings

As important as it is to regularly clean and disinfect your place of work, there are also many steps between cleanings that you can take to make sure that you’re keeping your workplace as sanitary as possible.

  • Have employees wash their hands regularly, for the full recommended 20 seconds.
  • Use hand sanitiser before or after interacting with customers or clients, when handwashing is not immediately available. Hand sanitisers should be at least 60% alcohol.
  • Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch areas and items such as computers, phones, desktops, testing equipment, touchscreens, tables, and more.
  • Make sure that personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn properly. This includes wearing masks over both the nose and the mouth, as well as disposing of masks, gloves, and gowns properly as required.
  • Take advantage of a protective antimicrobial barrier that can help combat bacteria, fungi, and mould.
  • Be mindful of how often you replace your cleaning cloth, so that your disinfection attempts don’t become a vector for cross-contamination.

Rely On A Trusted Disinfection Company To Support Your Business’s Health

Having experts clean, disinfect, and protect your business from pathogens is the best way to ensure thorough, rigorous, regular protection. From training and education to target problem areas to the gear and cleaning agents necessary to tackle pathogens, ServiceMaster Clean couples short-term emergency disinfection with long-term preventive care.

Protecting your employees and clients from pathogens (and helping to protect your own reputation) can be as simple as calling the nearest ServiceMaster Clean location. Placing your trust in a cleaning and disinfection company lets you rest easy. You can be assured that your partner in cleaning has the knowledge and experience needed to help protect the health of your customers and employees. Learn more about our disinfection services and how our COVID-19 cleaning services can help your business be prepared to reopen.

As a commercial cleaning provider, the latest lockdown has been quite challenging to manage. ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Leicester explain how they are stepping up with their commercial cleaning as Lockdown easing begins.

Approximately 20% of our clients needed to close with other clients having had to reduce their service considerably due to reduced workforce at their workplace.

This hasn’t been the case across the board and in contrast, many of our clients, in particular our Healthcare sites, have remained open throughout. In a lot of these cases we have either increased the frequency of our cleaning services to supply sanitising during the day, or seen an uplift in the days we are requested to clean.

Whether our clients have remained open and required additional cleaning or for those sites that have remained open but with a Skeleton staff, we have been able to be flexible and manage the changes in requirements efficiently and effectively.

Managing the changes to ensure we consistently meet our client’s requirements has been challenging at times. On occasion, we have utilised the government Furlough scheme for staff unable to operate at their contracted place of work, this has ensured that we have been able to retain our valuable employees and ensure our workforce are safe and ready to resume services as soon as our clients can open again. For sites that have reduced their service, we have managed our workforce, to help our clients, and adapted accordingly. It is important that we can be adaptable and ensure our clients have confidence in us to be able to adapt to whatever their needs may be, and continue to build on our strong relationship.

As lockdown is eased, we believe that cleaning will be a top priority for all clients. It will be more important than ever to provide a clean and safe environment for staff, visitors, customers, patients, students or whoever may use their facility.

We know that there will be changes, we anticipate a lot of our existing clients increasing their current cleaning service, or at least returning to the full contracted service they had in place prior to lockdown, to ensure that their premises are regularly and thoroughly cleaned.

For businesses that chose to capitalise on the success of staff working from home and where office space and working numbers may reduce, we will be working with our clients to put together a suitable amended cleaning service. For our clients that are due to re-open, we already have plans in place to bring employees back to site and can start as soon as required.

Our bespoke cleaning service means that our Cleaning Task Schedules have always been bespoke to each client, this will continue and each Task Schedule will be adjusted to meet each of our client’s requirements. Since COVID-19 there has been a particular focus on the sanitising of all touchpoints, light switches, door handles and handrails etc and we anticipate this continuing to be a priority for the foreseeable.

We have already seen evidence that cleaning has definitely become more of a priority for everyone. Cleaning has likely been undervalued as a service prior to COVID-19 but, with such importance for good hygiene and cleaning standards, we see that it is now a much more valued service. We see this predominantly in the CQC Healthcare sector, a strong and growing client base of ours, and one we fully expect to continue.

We anticipate there will be an increase in demand for professional commercial cleaning as lockdown eases. Although this is a little difficult to predict, the measures we have put in place in providing our regular service, and the relationships our well organised and hardworking Operations teams have with their clients, will allow us to respond and adapt quickly to any changes and to any given circumstance or additional requirements from both new and existing clients.

Our aim is to help all of our existing clients and new clients to stay open or reopen as smoothly, as efficiently and as safely as possible.

Find out more about how we can help you with your commercial cleaning as Lockdown easing begins, get in touch today 

Rachael & Lee Downer have owned and managed ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services North Surrey & West London since 2004 and have grown the business considerably over that time. Rachael & Lee pride themselves in providing a highly professional commercial cleaning service to their clients; which has been particularly valued over the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rachael & Lee’s current business is well established and has a solid reputation in the area and in light of COVID-19 it is evident that good commercial cleaning services are needed more so than ever before. Rachael & Lee knew there was opportunity to put their skills and experience to good use and expand the already successful business.

Rachael & Lee chose to invest in another ServiceMaster Clean Franchise and has purchased a vacant territory covering Hertfordshire – ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Hertfordshire.

Rachael & Lee plan on growing the business significantly and is looking forward to growing and developing their work force, creating more jobs in the area. Cleaning has become more important than ever and as the business grows, not only will there be a need for more cleaning operatives but also supervisors and office staff to ensure exceptional customer service is maintained.

“Our service is tailored to each customer’s specific needs with the focus on developing lasting relationships. Our commitment is to deliver the highest possible quality service at all times and make a difference. The success of our business is due to the ongoing investment in our people and the service they provide to our

Customers. We look forward to growing more lasting relationships with our new clients across Hertfordshire.” Says Rachael Downer, Managing Director of ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services North Surrey, West London & Hertfordshire

“Rachael & Lee have been valued ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Business Owners and have exceptional commitment to providing excellent service to their clients, we’re excited to see how Rachael & Lee grow and develop the new business they have invested in and we are sure the new clients’ will benefit greatly from Rachael & Lee’s commitment to providing exceptional service”, added Guy Strang, ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Brand Manager.

 

Find out more about ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services North Surrey, West London & Hertfordshire here.

In light of what is going on in the world, it is great to have some positive news to share. Chris Blewitt has owned and managed ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Durham & Teesside for nearly three years and has grown a reputation among his clients for providing a highly professional cleaning service which has been particularly valued over the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having been brought up in a family-owned and operated Dry Cleaning and Laundry business in the North East, which traded for over 30 years, he then gained over 25 years in operational roles for successful blue-chip organisations – managing large teams of people. Chris made the decision to invest in ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Durham & Teesside three years ago and has not looked back.

Having grown this business successfully to date, Chris knew there was an opportunity to put his skills and experience to good use on a larger scale and expand further.

Chris chose to invest in another local cleaning company to share his knowledge & expertise and has purchased ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services North of Tyne and South of Tyne from the previous owners.

Chris aims to improve on the solid foundation created by the previous owners and put in place more robust procedures to exceed the existing client’s expectations and be able to provide essential regular commercial cleaning services to even more businesses in the North East.

Chris plans on growing the business significantly and is looking forward to building and developing his workforce of 120 staff, creating more local jobs. Cleaning has become more important than ever and as the business grows, not only will there be a need for more cleaning operatives, but also supervisors and office staff to ensure exceptional customer service is maintained.

“Chris has been an exemplary ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Business Owner and has an exceptional commitment to providing excellent service to his clients, we’re excited to see how Chris grows and develops the new business he has invested in and help him become one of the leading ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services businesses within the network”, added Guy Strang, ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services Brand Manager.

Operating a business in the rough winter months can present additional challenges for companies, employees and customers. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to remedy winter weather situations and help keep customers and employees safe in the season known for slips and falls. All it takes is a little planning, vigilance and the cooperation of your staff and business partners. Use the simple checklist below of five top winter safety tips for the workplace from ServiceMaster Clean.

Winter Safety Checklist For Businesses

Clear walkways of snow and ice.
Make sure your car park, walkways and other outdoor passages are always free from snow and ice. Consider asking neighbouring businesses to do the same to help contribute to the accessibility of public areas. If the weather calls for snow or freezing temperatures, put down salt the night before as a precaution. Of course, you should also remind employees to drive cautiously on their way to and from work, if needed in the office.

Have an emergency kit.
No one likes the idea of being stuck at work, but if you do end up stranded during a winter storm, make sure you have specific safety and survival essentials on hand. Along with a traditional first aid kit, your emergency kit should include a battery- or solar-powered radio, torches, thermal blankets, clean water and non-perishable food to last everyone at least three days.

Use your caution signs and stay compliant.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has certain requirements and standards for walking and working surfaces and hazard signs. Make sure you have signage for any walkways so you can alert people when surfaces are wet or slippery. Put up caution signs as soon as a hazard is identified, and make sure they can be easily seen by anyone walking through the area.

Put down absorbent floor carpets and mats.
If you know your staff or customers will track in melting snow or ice, make sure your business is equipped to keep the moisture at bay with absorbent floor carpets and mats that can contain excess water and mud. Place mats at all entrances and exits to prevent as many slips and trips as possible. If you find standing water on the floor, have it mopped up right away.

Remind employees to wear the right footwear.
Remind employees to wear the shoes they need to stay safe in winter weather conditions. Insulated and water-resistant snow boots provide better traction and reliability in winter weather than regular shoes or trainers, decreasing the risk of accidental falls. Remind employees not to rush and advise them that taking small steps can help them react to changes in traction with more control. Don’t let your business become a dangerous place to work in the winter.

 

Put these five tips into action to help ensure your building and people are properly equipped to stay safe all season long. Find your nearest ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services to find out about our cleaning services during the winter months.

ServiceMaster Clean is an international organisation with businesses all around the world, so when it comes to commercial cleaning, we are the experts.

The ServiceMaster Clean Canada brand manager Gavin Bajin has put together this very useful post explaining how businesses around the world can survive a ‘twindemic’ this winter. Meaning, with COVID-19 still active during its second wave and the flu season upon us we need to be more vigilant and cleaner than ever before.

Give Gavin’s post a read here – https://www.reminetwork.com/articles/protecting-workplaces-from-a-twindemic/