Category: Articles

How to Reduce Employee Sick Leave During the Winter

According to the Office for National Statistics, UK employees took an average of 4.1 days off work through illness in 2017. Despite a steady decline in sickness absence rates since 1993, estimates show British firms lose as much as £77 billion through absenteeism each year.  Although Illness can take its toll at any time of year; colds, influenza, and other viruses become prevalent during winter, making the coldest months some of the most expensive.

 

Rhinovirus or the common cold?

Over 200 hundred viruses can cause a cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common as dropping humidity, and lower temperatures contribute to their proliferation and spread and hence, seasonal outbreaks.

 

25,000 people die of influenza each year

The flu virus thrives in colder, less humid air, and contaminates indoor surfaces. As we begin to take shelter from the cold outside, we unknowingly increase our risk of catching influenza indoors. The precise timing of ‘flu season’ varies but cases start to rise from October, peaking December through February, before declining in March.

The below graph shows how cases of influenza spiked during the New Year period in 2017-2018, where just one year early, cases remained relatively stable throughout winter.

Weekly-ICI-Incidence

https://flusurvey.net/en/results/

Why does illness spread at work?

Colds and flu spread through direct or indirect bodily contact. A handshake, sharing a phone, even using the soap dispenser can lead to an outbreak. The viruses survive up to 24 hours on hard surfaces meaning, once the flu arrives, it can rapidly spread through any of the following paths.

  1. Coughs and sneezes: Sneezes contain 40,000 droplets of bacteria-spreading moisture, which can travel up to 32 feet, putting those around us at risk of infection. Cover your nose and mouth if you cough, or sneeze, and throw tissues straight in the bin.

 

  1. Contaminated surfaces: one study found the average work phone is the most contaminated surface in the office with over 25,000 bacterial organisms, while Initial Washroom Hygiene uncovered 17x more germs on an office teabag than a toilet seat highlighting the risk of shared spaces.

 

  1. Inadequate cleaning: Some areas are just harder to clean, as discovered by health organisation NSF International when it found 7 million germs per square inch on the water tap of a typical water dispenser.

As noted by antimicrobial experts, BioCote®, bottled water dispensers must be unscrewed, then placed in warm water and sliced lemon for 12 hours to ensure they remain hygienic, so it’s easy to see how bottled water coolers can cause the biggest flu-like headaches.

Use BioCote® technology to kill office germs

Desk surfaces harbour 400x more bacteria than a typical toilet seat, which you can now keep bacteria-free with BioCote antimicrobial technology. Imagine the productivity you could unlock in avoiding infection alongside keeping your team happy and healthy.

A lab study exposed five different bacteria to BioCote® silver ion-treated laminates. Over the course of 28 days, the material supported no visible mould, showing how BioCote prevents the growth and spread of potentially harmful microbes. By infusing BioCote technology to desks, kitchen appliances, bathroom facilities, offices can protect their workforce throughout the year, not just the winter months.

 

Avoiding employee illness supports your bottom line

In total, British workers miss 130 million days-a-year at a huge cost to employers. Several sectors have begun investing in measures to reduce employee absenteeism, realising a return on investment of £31 for every £1 invested, highlighting the economic benefits of preserving a healthy workforce.

Nottingham Business School shows workers spend 2.5 weeks-a-year at work feeling under the weather, costing £4,000 per employee in lost productivity. The critical advice to employers is to keep ill employees at home until at least 24-hours after their fever has gone.

 

How often should the office be cleaned?

By regularly disinfecting commonly touched items such as the computer keyboard, the office phone and door handles, you can prevent germs from spreading across the workplace. The consistency of an in-depth office clean is based on various factors, such as the size of your office, its purpose and your occupants. To keep your office sparkling and your employees healthy, invest in a professional Office Cleaning Company and you’ll never have to worry about whether your office space is clean. You can ensure a high standard of cleanliness is maintained through regular, light cleaning and control allergens like dust mites that thrive in dirty and dusty environments.

 

Prevention is better than a cure

Acting before an outbreak is a more efficient strategy than merely responding to it. Antimicrobial offices with a BioCote-infused water dispenser avoid the risk of infection; fewer employees become ill because of contaminated surfaces; your business continues to boom.

If you invest in appliances and office products infused with BioCote technology to fortify yourself before winter arrives, you will reap the rewards.

The world’s leading supplier of sustainable water cooler solutions, Waterlogic is an advocate for productive work environments and employee health. In our effort to raise awareness about workplace wellbeing, we cover the essential question on every business owner’s mind in winter: How to reduce employee sickness? Cold and flu viruses affect employees, costing economies billions. By introducing virus-prevention strategies, offices can inoculate themselves against the winter fallout helping protect the business’ bottom line in preparation for healthy Christmas cheer.

5 Ways to Get Settled After a Move

Settling-into-a-new-home

Welcome Home: 5 Ways to Get Settled After a Move

A house isn’t a home until you’ve cooked and eaten a meal as a family under its roof. But before you get that far, there are a few things you can do to make a new space your happy place.

Clean the Things You Can and Can’t See

Unless you’ve commissioned the building of a new property, your home’s previous owners likely left behind a few remnants of their existence. The best time to eliminate their footprint is before you move your furniture through the door. Spend at least a day cleaning the nooks and crannies of your new home. Moving.com recommends starting high with the ceiling fan, shelving, and other overhead fixtures that don’t often get a good wipe-down. Alternatively, consider hiring a local cleaning company!

Add a Few Personal Touches

Once things are neat and tidy, you may bring in your large pieces of furniture. These should be followed by important items, such as family photographs and your favorite throw pillows and blankets. Avoid the temptation to immediately fill your home with the entirety of your belongings. You’ll want to take a day or two to get comfortable with the layout of your new home so that you can find the best place for your stuff. Before hanging pictures, make sure to clean the frames thoroughly. Check out Today for ammonia-free cleaning instructions for frames and glass.

Help the Kids Get Comfortable

Your children may be nervous or frightful when entering your new home for the very first time. Help them ease into their new life by giving them a tour and allowing them to run through the home flipping switches and checking out all of the little hiding spots where they will soon play. Property Reporter further encourages giving your children a say throughout the decorating process. You might, for instance, let them choose the color scheme of their new bedroom or assist in choosing a light fixture for the kitchen — within reason, of course.

Tackle Easy Projects Before the Place Gets Cluttered

Even if the property is in good condition, there are a few minor home maintenance tasks that will eliminate worry further down the road — and many are best done in an empty home. If you plan to paint, do this prior to moving your furniture. Likewise, swapping out to kitchen hardware, fixing toilet or faucet leaks, and changing the air filter in your home’s heating and cooling system will prevent nagging little issues from keeping you up at night. Money Crashers offers more information on easy home maintenance projects to keep your investment in tip-top shape.

Introduce the Dog to His New Digs

If your family is one of the 26 percent of UK households with a dog, you’ve likely already anticipated moving your pet with you. But you won’t truly be settled until he’s had an opportunity to inspect each room and sniff every inch of the lawn. Upon his arrival, make sure there is a safe space where he can transition. This area should include his favorite toys and bedding. Rover recommends letting your dog visit before you move. A word of caution: If the previous tenants had pets, your dog may be encouraged to mark the territory, so make sure you deodorize the home thoroughly prior to his first time on site.

No matter how much work you put into prepping your house, it takes time for it to feel like a home. No worries. Soon, you will be making new memories, and this unfamiliar environment will become your home in body and heart.

 

Image via Pixabay

8 Steps to Take When Looking For a Cleaning Company

Looking For a Commercial Cleaning Company?

Finding a good Office Cleaning Company in London can be a bit of a challenge, there are too many companies to choose from. The term ‘Office Cleaning Company London’ alone, generated over 61,700,000 results on Google as of July 2018. As an Expert in the Commercial Cleaning Sector, we have put together the following steps to help Facilities, Property and Office Managers when looking for a reliable cleaning company in London.

 

cleaning-company-londonUse Correct Search Terms when searching the internet for a Cleaning Company

Look for the right company that meets your requirements. The first point these days is the internet. What you get on the internet depends on how specific you are in your searches. Make sure you are clear and brief with your search terms. Make sure you use search terms that reflect your location. Local Cleaning Services are more than likely to want to visit your premises before they can give you a quote. It is easier for a Local Cleaning Company to do this than a company based in another town or district.

 

Contact at least 2 but not more 3 Companies

I have seen Clients who contacted over 10 different cleaning companies. In the end, they become so overwhelmed by the number of calls, inquiries and requests for a Site Visit. They also came across companies that were only interested in undercutting all the other companies just so they can win the Contract. Some of the Companies have no track record of doing any decent cleaning job

 

Make Sure They Arrange a Site Visit

Make sure the Company visits your premises before you accept any quotes from a Cleaning Company. It shows they are committed to providing a bespoke service that would meet your needs. No serious cleaning provider will not finalise a quote with sending someone down to do a site assessment. If a company cannot do this, please stay away from such cleaning company

 

Look out for Reviews & Insurance

You can access free advice from previous Clients of a Cleaning Company by reading their reviews online. Make sure you select companies that have good reviews and are insured to carry out Cleaning Services. A good Commercial Cleaning Company should have the correct level of insurance to protect you and your business should anything go wrong.

 

Read the Terms and Conditions

Make sure the terms and conditions of the Cleaning Company you have decided to go with clearly stipulate what is cover in the Contract. It’s good a good practice to ask for terms and conditions and read it to make sure you know exactly what is covered in the cleaning contract. It’s therefore very clear to the parties what expected from the parties right from the beginning so there would be no miscommunication going forward

 

Agree on Specifications with Cleaning Company

A good cleaning company would normally produce a detailed cleaning specification of what services they are offering as part of your service agreement. This should be details of what would be done on a daily, regular, weekly, monthly and quarterly basis depending on the type of service you are looking for.

 

Agree on Cost

Make sure you agree to a fixed cost. There is nothing worse than hidden charges that you did not plan for as you progressed into the contract. Make sure the Cleaning Company provides you with one simple quote that is easy to understand. You don’t want to get whacked with any surprise fees

 

Award your cleaning contract

Once you have done all of the above, you can now award your cleaning service contract the companies that meet most of the criteria set above.

Should you feel overwhelmed by all of these and would like some help in finding the right Office Cleaning Company in London. Click here for a callback and someone in our team will call you back. We are a top Commercial Cleaning Company serving most of London based brands

 

Office Premises Cleaning is a Necessity and Not a Luxury

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Office Premises Cleaning is a Necessity and Not a Luxury

Clean offices directly contribute to workers’ efficiency and safety of all users. Office Cleaning should be accorded the seriousness it deserves to get the full potential of workers and satisfaction of all users. Whether cleanliness is achieved through professional cleaning services or by the maintenance department, it should be regular and timely. A dirty office implies that the products are of poor quality. Nobody can be convinced to buy products from an organization with a dirty office. No one can dare lodge in a hotel which is not clean. Even students will change school if cleanliness is not maintained on the premises. The misconception that office cleaning should be done when the dirt is visible or felt can lead to loss of productivity, health problems and damage to office machines.

 

The company’s brand can suffer an unimaginable loss when clients realize that the offices are not neat well cleaned. Such a bad reputation can lead to a massive decline in sales, high bills to repair the machines and frequent hospital visits. Therefore, the catalogue should be made to ensure the office premises are cleaned regularly.

 

Prompt attention is needed after every accidental contaminant. Workers need a healthy working atmosphere, machines need to be protected from dirt, soil and organic dirt need immediate removal from working services, and carpets need to be cleaned: Everything deserves to be clean, always. This is usually regardless of whether an upcoming organization or an already established economic giant. You probably will never go wrong having ensured a tidy surrounding.

 

Whether in medical centres’ offices, hotel & hospitality facilities or schools and colleges, for office premises to be hospitable these five elements must be removed regularly and well.

 

  1. Dust

Dust removal is synonymous with cleaning. Dust is the most common form of dirt in the office. It accumulates slowly, unseen and unheard. By the time it is recognized, it may have already caused damage to the electronic machines or other valuables. When enclosed in a tight place with right conditions, dust is combustible especially if there is a presence of any combustible gases, no matter how minute.

 

Many diseases can worsen in dusty conditions. Crowded places like classrooms are unbearable to live in if the atmosphere is dusty. The effects of dust in asthmatic people cannot be underestimated. The affected personnel can sue the company, school or hotel for damages. And if there is any evidence that the dusty condition worsened their states, it can lead to serious legal repercussions. Dust is the leading cause of death in occupational health. Regular removal of dust could save organizations a lot of time and money.

 

It is easier to control dust in some office premises than others. In such business as below, controlling dust in the offices should be left for professional cleaning services workers;

 

  • Textile
  • Flour processors and mills
  • Carpentry
  • Grain storages
  • Construction sites
  • Salon and barber shops
  • Quarries and mining.

 

If the site of the office cannot be relocated somewhere safe, may be due to lack of space, dust management in offices is a tough job for an untrained person. When hotels and camping sites become so dusty, booking level will go down drastically, and it can be so hard to recover even after thorough cleaning has been done.

 

  1. Micro Organisms

Though unseen, microorganisms pose the most significant risk to health in dirty places than any other pollutant. They are the reason why medical centre cleaning services are so aseptic. Because the pathogenic microorganisms are mainly found in plenty in sick people, medical centre cleaning needs to be thorough and as aseptic as possible. In all offices, microorganisms can be found in plenty in toilets, washrooms, and restrooms.

 

Schools and colleges have a high concentration of microorganisms due to a high density of individuals visiting the toilets and washrooms. Proper cleaning is vital to prevent the outbreak of diseases in such places.

 

Hotels are frequented by all sorts of people. Some have undesirable toilet habits. If toilets are not cleaned well, and in time, visitors cannot come back again. Frankly, people fear germs contamination in hotels and restaurants than anywhere else.

school-cleaning-london

Unlike other dirt’s cleaning methods, cleaning of places contaminated with germs is two-fold; to remove the dirt itself and to kill germs. Detergents together with disinfectants are necessary to clean such places. Since there are millions of germs in human waste, washrooms cleaning should do professionally especially in medical centres. Although not all microorganisms cause diseases in man, sterilization is mandatory on all infected services since no one can differentiate the pathogens from other microorganisms by looking at the dirt. This is especially so in hospitals and hotels.

 

Medical centre cleaning must not only be timely but also regular. Strong antimicrobial agents are always added to detergents used to clean tables, chairs, and floors in any medical office. This prevents spreading of diseases from a patient to a doctor or other patients. If regular and proper cleaning fails, nosocomial infections can spread in the whole hospital. It is a very repulsive idea to pick an illness from a health facility. Expensive court battles are inevitable in such scenarios, and the health facility can lose clients very fast.

 

All these can be prevented if professional cleaning services are sought to maintain regular and thorough removal of germs. Proper records should be kept by both the cleaners and the organization so that the type and source of germs can be studied to prevent disease outbreak in the future.

 

Germs can also quickly spread in any office setting because people can still work when they are sick, and some are carriers of bacteria which they do not affect them. Antiseptic detergents, therefore, should not be restricted to hospital setting but also in schools, colleges, and hotel cleaning. The effects of knee-jerk reaction in office cleaning and can lead to disease and underproduction. Workers will be satisfied and more efficient when they know their working environment is safe from disease-causing germs.

 

  1. Organic Matters

Dry dirt is not as dangerous as wet dirt. Organic dirt is even more dangerous because it is conducive for bacteria growth and multiplication. Germs feed on the organic matter especially the food leftovers. This will lead to foul smell and spread of infections. Hotels and schools are affected by organic matter than other premises. Their cleanliness reputation can be guided by proper cleaning. Although not all germs cause diseases in man, they all need to be prevented from multiplying by promptly removing any organic waste matter.

 

A piece of bread, when left unattended can rot and cause a foul smell. It can also attract all manner of bugs and insects. If this happens in an office, it can interfere with clients’ perception of the organization especially if they are new. Regular office cleaning is, therefore, a necessity to remove all food debris hidden in otherwise inaccessible places. Those snacks during breaks will cause fragments of food to fall to the floor and somehow find their way under the carpet. This is more common in offices frequented by many people like the school’s staff rooms.

 

School cleaning program must be regular and entire especially in the main offices. In hospital offices, the organic waste can be a good breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms. Medical center cleaning services cannot afford to negate regular and aseptic office cleaning especially when dealing with pathogenic specimens.

 

Sputum on the doctor’s table left by a patient has to be removed aseptically and disposed of by hospitals pathological waste management. Professional cleaning service demands that all doors, chairs, floor, and beds in doctors’ offices be aseptically cleaned. Containers holding pathogenic materials have to be sterilized to prevent the spread of diseases. Medical Centre cleaning services is mandatory.

 

Failure to remove organic dirt in schools, hotels and hospital offices can cause the authorities to close those premises especially if there is evidence of spread of disease. Since many business deals are made in the office, many potential clients can be lost if the first impression they find in the organization is dirty and unkempt offices.

 

  1. Dumpiness

Dry dirt is easier to remove than a wet one. While dry dirt is inert, wet dirt is always changing. Biological changes are constantly making it unfit change from food to being a source of infection. A healthy biscuit crumb when it had absorbed enough vapours can rot and cause that foul smell and attract insects. School dining halls and hotels are especially affected by rotting food particles. Just a little amount of water vapour can cause dampness in the office, and by the time people sense dampness, it will have caused some damage.

 

As long as the temperature is above 22 degrees of Celsius, water vapour is inevitable in the office. Like dust, the effect of water vapour on machines and equipment is so gradual that it is hardly noticed until when the damage has already occurred. Regular cleaning can, therefore, save many damages. Water spill in inaccessible places must be removed promptly, and the place dried well. Regular and complete cleaning of all corners of the offices and the environment will ultimately prevent water from corroding and damaging important materials like furniture, walls, and posts.

 

It will, therefore, prevent expensive replacements of organization’s assets. Dumpiness can cause corrosion of metals if there is an element of saltiness. A fraction of a millimetre of erosion is what is needed to make the air conditioner malfunction or to destroy the computer. Since dumpiness is hard to see, a regular office cleaning is mandatory to prevent equipment damage and foul smell in office premises.

 

  1. Chemicals and Vapours

A clean surface does not only mean an absence of dirt but also the absence of dangerous chemicals and vapours. A spill of a dangerous chemical like acid is not only injurious to the health of personnel handling it but also to other materials like clothes and documents. The removal of such chemicals from surfaces will require professional cleaning services. Since there are plenty of dangerous chemicals in use of in office premises, a regular inspection should be part of the cleaning protocol.

 

Simple equipment like a refrigerator can cause a spill of dangerous liquid. If it was cleaned regularly, such breakages could have been noticed earlier and be prevented. Hotels and schools can be safe for the occupants when cleaning is done regularly to prevent a build-up of dangerous fumes in enclosed places. Carbon monoxide, for example, can start to build up in enclosed rooms near kitchens or car garages. If such rooms were cleaned regularly, the build-up of gases could not be as much.

 

Ink spills from printers can accumulate to high levels when left unattended for long. They can explode to eyes and cause damages. All office premises equipment and machines must, therefore, be cleaned and maintained regularly.

 

An office premise is only considered clean when it is free from physical dirt, dangerous chemicals and fumes, dumpiness and rotting organic materials. Cleanliness of a premise cannot be perceived by eyes and smell only. It is therefore essential to maintain an excellent record of the date and type of cleaning used so that improvements in cleaning can be achieved.

 

Removal of potential disease-causing germs is crucial. If premises are cleaned only when a smell or sight evidence dirt, danger will always be lurking in the background; a machine can fail due to accumulated dirt, an air conditioning machine can fail due to gleam in its bearing, dampness can corrode a metallic post unnoticed. Regular professional cleaning in all office premises can prevent all these.

 

Office premises cleaning is a vital undertaking to ensure that the organization is running well and the relationship between the organization and its clients is good. Unfortunately, many people take office premise cleaning for granted until the effect of their negligence becomes obvious.

 

Closing the business due to failure in cleaning may look far-fetched but neglecting this critical responsibility will inevitably lead to closure, especially in hotel and hospitality facilities. Medical Centre cleaning is even more vital to ensure infections do not spread from patients to personnel. Disease out breakages in a hospital is not only hard to contain but also it can damage the reputation irreparably.

7 Reasons why any Business will benefit from a Clean Office

office-cleaning-london

7 Reasons why any Business will benefit from a Clean Office

Cleanliness in the workplace matters, yet entrepreneurs and business owners may not realise just how important it is to have and maintain a clean workspace. Running a successful business is not just about delivering projects on time; it’s also about creating a safe and clean office environment for your employees to strive in. However, it often happens that business owners take notice of this only when things get a bit out of hands. To ensure everything is running as smoothly as possible make sure to regularly clean your offices not only to keep your employees productive but also to leave a good impression on potential clients and business partners. Luckily, nowadays it is as easy as ever to clean up any workspace regardless of its size. It is a low-cost activity for such a high-impact benefit. Let’s look into all the reasons why your business could greatly benefit from a clean office.

 

  1. Leaving a Good First Impression

When a potential client or business partners steps into an office, the way it looks is the first thing they will take notice of. It’s immensely important for businesses to welcome their guests in a clean and tidy environment.      A clean office instills confidence. It creates trust, leaving the guests with the impression of efficiency. A messy or even dirty workspace tells potential clients and business partners that there may be a lack of professionalism. Consider this: if an employer does not take care of their employees, how can they take care of a new client?

 

  1. Prolonging the Office Items’ Life Span

Generally, an office has plenty of expensive equipment and items. From computers to carpets and furniture, any workspace is filled with items that require upkeep. Dust is one of the biggest enemies of electronics, stains on any surface can cause pest infestations, and these are just a few of the many risks.     Business owners could benefit greatly from the services of a cleaning company London that can provide professional cleaning when needed. Investing in a cleaning service is more affordable than replacing and repairing office assets.

 

  1. Less Clutter Means Less Stress

Clutter is a key contributor to stress. Workers suffering from stress don’t always perform at their best. A clutter-free workspace can do wonders for all employees. And it is so easy to misplace documents in a disorganized office.  Paper clutter is actually one of the main challenges in an office. While we do indeed live in the digital age, most companies still keep memos, client files, reports, and other documents in the old-fashioned way, on paper. Misplacing these documents can be very stressful, more so when the employees are expected to present those files to their superiors in a short period of time.

 

  1. Reducing the Risk of Illness

Every person in the office touches the doorknobs, buttons on printers, the microwave, and many other shared items. The dirt and germs on these things increase the risk of an illness, leaving businesses with one or more absent employees. Keeping employees healthy is, as such, not a surprising benefit. Reducing the risk of preventable workspace illnesses will directly decrease the number of sick days employees take. Regular disinfection and cleaning as well as having the right cleaning products for the job can make an immense difference.

  1. Cleaning Makes People Feel Better

Of course, we dare not compare the rush one feels with skydiving or other serotonin-increasing activities, but cleaning has been found to make us feel better. A key part of the cleaning process is de-cluttering. It not only frees space but also helps free up your employees’ time in the long run. By keeping the offices well-maintained, employees are not only more productive but also happier. And since workers are a direct representation of a business, as a business owner you need to maintain their positive state of mind. If an employee is dissatisfied with their work environment, it will show in their work demeanor.     While some things should be left in the hands of office cleaning London professionals, co-workers can also help keep everything clean. At the end of the day, they’ll be left with a feeling of accomplishment knowing they’ve contributed to a now tidier office.

 

  1. Limiting Distractions

A messy desk can be a distraction for both business owners and employees. Keeping the desk and other parts of the office clean and tidy makes it easier to focus on work instead. It empties space for one to get things done, as opposed to continuously push mess to the side or adding even more to the already large pile. Taking the time to clean and organize can make a huge difference in decreasing the minutes or even hours wasted with non-productive activities.

 

  1. Increasing Motivation

Employees tend to be more motivated when they are working in an environment they are proud of. Consequently, it’s safe to say a clean office can help improve motivation to get things done. Being disorganized costs both time and money. Nobody wants to work in a dirty and cluttered space. What’s more, a messy desk can also leave room for mistakes to be made. Luckily, there are so many ways business owners can help maintain a well-ordered work environment.

 

Final Thoughts

In businesses’ quest to generate revenue, it is very easy to lose track of many other important things that are vital for growing your company. We often don’t consider the importance of a clean and healthy work environment. But as we’ve shown, it is an important part that if neglected, can have some serious repercussion. The perception of a company starts with its appearance. An office is the extension of a product or service and should be considered a marketing channel. It is often the first impression that new clients and business partners have of a business. Creating a professional atmosphere can be something as simple as creating and maintaining a clean, fresh workspace. Last but not least, considering most people spend at least eight hours a day in the workspace, employers need to ensure their workers are comfortable while performing their daily tasks. Business owners should not be at all surprised to find an increase in the morale of their workers as the workspace is transformed into a cleaner and safer environment.

 

If you need help finding the best office cleaning services London has to offer or more information how your business can benefit from a Clean Office in London, then Citywide Cleaning Services has the perfect cleaning solutions for you. As the fastest growing office cleaning company London has to offer, not only do we employ some of the best professionals in our industry, and we also have 5-star reviews from 99% of our Clients.  At the moment, we have over 300 cleaners, 120 clients and a comprehensive range of cleaning services for businesses all sizes in both Central and Greater London.

 

Article first published on the Office Cleaning London website

Why is Cleaning Important to an Office?

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Importance of Regular Office Cleaning to an Office

It’s a fact that most of us spend more time in the office than we spend at home. Offices, therefore, get dirty as a result of constant human contacts and interactions. We are all aware that dirty and unhygienic office as potentially hazardous to human health. Besides, it can be very costly to the employers. Areas such as kitchens, toilets and things like worktops, chairs, toilet sinks, furniture, and fittings will need cleaning on a regular basis

The best way to take care of this situation is to pick up the phone and call Office Cleaning London. Office Cleaning London has been accredited with a 5-star rating by the clients based on their performance and highly skilled cleaners. Their technologically advanced cleaning methodology and holistic approach have earned them some faithful and eminent client base. Who are Office Cleaning London? They are a team of highly trained professional cleaners who have the ability to change even a dump into a beautiful living room or a nice cozy office. Cleaners working at Office Cleaning London are trained specifically for the purpose of performing the job to perfection. They clean everything, from specks of dust behind the age-old cupboard to the back of the photocopier in the photocopy room. The first lesson taught to the workers of Office Cleaning London is to consider each property they visit as their own and give 100% effort to make sure their clients are satisfied. The clients get to see a sparkling clean and beautifully smelling rooms without a speck of dust or webs anywhere. Regardless, of how often their cleaner visits you, their team of specialist cleaners will carry out a complete, comprehensive cleaning service, each time!

 

How reliable are the service and employees of Office Cleaning London? Office Cleaning London promises to respond to and promptly resolve any specific service issues within one business day.  If for any reason, Office Cleaning London should fail to meet either of these obligations, you are entitled to a complimentary cleaning service call. This is a key differentiator between Office Cleaning London and other Cleaning Service Providers. The company only use well trained, fully vetted Cleaners and there will be very little turn-over in that crew or persons allocated to clean your office

 

When is the best time to call Office Cleaning London? Office Cleaning London operates from 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Friday and 10 AM – 4 PM, Saturday and Sunday. The team of customer service representative handling the calls is also very aptly skilled in their job. They are trained to respond quickly and clarify the client’s and interested party’s query very clearly. The representatives can help with estimates and costs for cleaning and also schedule dates for appointments to access client’s needs. They also take a note of all the special requirements and specific instructions like chemical allergies etc. This helps in ensuring that the client is delivered with no surprises or disaster. The representatives keep a track of the dates and appointments. They also do a regular follow up to ensure that there is no discomfort to the client due to the cleaning.

What is the type of cleaning services handled by Office Cleaning London? At Cleaning services London, they have other cleaning options as per the requirement of the developing infrastructural pattern. The other services provided include commercial property cleaning, office space cleaning, washroom sanitation and aeration, Hotel and lodge cleaning, Pub clear-out, cinema clearance and cleaning, stores and shop cleansing, Surgical ward disinfection and humidification.
Why choose Office Cleaning London? The first and the major reason for choosing Cleaning services London is the affordable cost of the services rendered and multiple payment options. The other major reason for choosing cleaning services is because the teams deployed for cleaning and alteration of the property aren’t just any random employees. They are a team of highly efficient personnel who have skills specifically designed for the cleaning of specific areas. For instance, the team sent to hospital surgical wards will not be sent to clean office room space. Individual cleaning teams are trained in their particular domain to provide maximum results. This kind of training and recruiting procedure is specific only to Office Cleaning London. So it is very easy to understand why the services rendered by this company is so efficient and why should one hire cleaning services London instead of any other company.

 

Contact us Office Cleaning Company London today to arrange a free site visit to access your cleaning needs

Office Cleaning Companies in London

Office Cleaning Companies in London

office-cleaning-london

While Office Cleaning may sound like a simple chore to undertake, the absolute truth is that it is not always the case. Due to the tight schedules necessitated by the ever-increasing responsibilities, it often becomes rather hard to keep offices clean. As a result, many people prefer either wiping them or sometimes hiring companies to do that. This article is for the latter group: those who choose to hire companies. You see, with the increased number of companies offering Office Cleaning in Central London, it is imperative that one is aware of what to consider in a company before parting with their cash. By the time you are through with this article, you will understand how to vet a company and award the job only to the best.

 

1. Reputation

It is not once or twice we have heard complaints from a number of people in Central London emanating from poor services offered to them by some cleaning companies. It is highly advisable to research a bit about a company before one decides to accept their offer for the cleaning services. Allowing a company with a poor reputation to clean your windows is not advisable since it could result in a misunderstanding later. This is because every client wants to be satisfied, more so when one paying for the services. If, on the other hand, the company offering the services is more money-oriented than satisfying its clients there shall surely arise an issue. Thankfully, this no longer need to be a problem as our company is purely client-focused. Every service we offer is meant to bond with our clients more. In regard to reputation, we have been in operation for a long time without complaints. Moreover, our opening of the new branch in Marylebone proves that we are thriving. Obviously, our success would not be possible if we were not keen on protecting our clients. Therefore, reputation-wise we are the company to look for.

 

2. Quality of services

Whereas reputation is important, it is quality that matters most as it makes the client satisfied. The mistake clients make when seeking services is to trust the company instead of relying on the testimonials. Hardly will a company accept it offers poor services but with the testimonials, you can never go wrong. Our services are always offered in a manner that leaves our clients totally satisfied. At this point, it is important to list down some of these services.

(a) Office building cleaning: As stated above, the busy program has made it impossible for companies to waste additional time managing in-house cleaners. This is why is important to outsourced your office cleaning in London. Outsourcing has always been credited for cutting down on the operation cost of businesses. Having been in the office cleaning business for a long time now, we know that the benefit derivable from outsourcing cleaning operations cannot be overemphasised. It by far more effective and efficient than using staff to do it.  It gives you time to focus on what you do best which is managing your business. When you need your office cleaned, all you got to do is call us. As a client, the major concern here would be security. Our highly professional staff clearly understand your concerns and will behave as such. Also, we are flexible such that whenever you need us we will show up and offer services within the agreed time.

(c) Washroom cleaning: When office cleaning comes up, there tends to be a misconception that it is limited to just reception area, office cleaning. We also help in the maintenance of washroom hygiene. Often, lime and dirt settle on the sink and floor without anyone noticing because everyone is caught up in the core business. Sadly, if important guests visited any of these places, dirty washrooms and toilets could portray the wrong image. Reject such embarrassing moments by hiring a company committed to its work. That company is ourselves.

(d) Superb customer care: Even though this may seem a bit odd, at Citywide Cleaning we interact with our clients as a service in itself. That is to say whenever a client inquiries, they are treated with the same passion as the one who just signed a contract with us. In order to achieve this, we have a committed staff specifically to handle the online clients, another on the phone and still another to respond to emails we receive daily. Evidently, there is no further need to look for another company for Office Cleaning in Central London.

 

3. Response and treatment
Sometimes clients inquire about cleaning services but some companies take a century before responding. Worse still, some respond in a manner that tells you their value for clients is not high. Conversely, our company believes that the client comes on top on the organization chart. It is because of the clients we are in business meaning they have to be accorded great respect. That is precisely what we do. Whenever a request, an inquiry or even a complaint (we seldom have the last one) is left, our team responds within the shortest time and acts accordingly. So far, you can clearly see why we have been able to set up another branch here in Marylebone. Surely, with our appearance here, Office Cleaning in Central London will experience a revolution of its own kind. Remember cleanliness is vitally important to any business and home since it gives them an image.

 

4. Prices

Nothing is more disgruntling than a company purporting to offer services, but when it comes to the actual work it flops yet still charges outrageous fees. Well, this pain just vanished since it is not in handling clients alone that we demonstrate commitment. The same applies to our prices where anyone can afford them. In fact, a recent survey revealed that our prices are currently the most affordable among the companies offering services to do with Office Cleaning in Central London.

 

5. The staff

It is always said that employees act as a mirror of a business. Before parting with your hard-earned cash, seek to understand how the company’s staff behave. How professional are they? You can judge this by how the staff served you. Are they qualified enough to handle your chores as per your expectations? The last thing everyone wants is to have a cheap company offering cheap services. Do they have the right types of equipment? Always demand to see the machines used in the cleaning duty as some companies lack the latest equipment to ensure convenience.

There you have it now. The next time Office Cleaning London, Commercial Cleaning London and Office Cleaning Company London become search item you know you should look for Citywide Cleaning Services. As illustrated above, these traits ought to be evident in a company you intend to offer the contract to. Frankly, these characteristics best describe our company

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Cleaning Company

office-cleaning-company-london

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Cleaning Company in London

London is commonly referred to as the capital of Europe and the largest city in the United Kingdom. As a leading commercial, educational, and cultural centre, London is one of the most exclusive cities to set up a business. Opening a branch in London not only allows you to access more clients, but you also get the chance to expand global operations through various e-commerce services and platforms available in the city. This makes it even more important to ensure that your London office is not only exceptionally clean but that it is constantly emptied of office waste from time to time.

 

Hiring commercial cleaning companies based in London can greatly help to make sure that your office is not clogged with office waste, junk stationary, and that it is always tidy. Several commercial cleaning London companies offer cleaning services in the wider London metropolitan area. However, it is important to note that not all companies will offer you the best or most efficient services. Thus, a proper search for local and national commercial cleaning London companies needs to be conducted to ensure that you choose the best service provider for your business. Fortunately, most listed office cleaning companies offer excellent services due to increased competition. Below are some few advantages of hiring an office cleaning company in London?

 

Most London-based commercial cleaning companies offer affordable services due to increased competition. Depending on the size of your firm, you may notice that outsourcing office-cleaning services is cheaper than hiring a permanent office cleaner. Apart from specialization that helps these companies reduce costs while maximizing revenue, most companies in the commercial cleaning business hire professionals and use latest technologies to clean offices. Specialization, use of professionals, and use of innovative technologies enable major companies to enjoy economies of scale. This makes it possible for these firms to lower prices while at the same time providing superior services to their clients. Companies are able introduce auxiliary services.

 

Reliable and prompt office cleaning Competition in any industry helps companies to improve quality of service. The office cleaning industry is no different, as competition increases, most companies have improved their quality of service as well as increasing services offered. Because every company wants to be the market leader, most companies offer better and more reliable services. In addition, most are adopting environmentally friendly cleaning solutions and increasing their services to include residential cleaning, industrial cleaning, rubbish removal, and furniture disposal services.

 

Fully insured service in compliance with existing laws. Nothing gives business owners a peace of mind as being assured that the service/products offered are fully insured. The United Kingdom government requires that businesses working in the commercial cleaning industry meet certain standards. These standards include a provision for being fully insured and following certain cleaning practices. As a way of staying ahead of the market, most commercial cleaning companies not only meet but also exceed these minimum expectations. For best commercial cleaning in London, it is important to seek a compliance certificate from your service provider. The compliance certificate will help you understand more about the company. You will know the last date of inspection and how frequent
inspections are made at the minimum. In addition, you can conduct an online search for office cleaning companies in London and see those that are certified and accredited.

 

The insurance cover also makes companies look professional and reliable. Because many companies do not have insurance covers for cleaning accidents, hiring a professional and reputable company that is fully insured reduces operational costs, as any cleaning accidents will be paid for by service provider and not the business owner.

 

Professional service delivery Most Commercial Cleaning Companies in London employ professional staff with the right outfits. This makes your clients appreciate the professionalism in you. Many companies with permanent office cleaners do not usually provide all the necessary cleaning gear required. This makes it common for such companies to sometimes hide their cleaning staff whenever they have external visitors. However, with professional cleaning companies, this will be a distant thought, as you will never worry about how presentable the cleaning staffs look. This also makes it possible for the employees/contractors to feel motivated as they are treated as professionals and not as any lesser human in any way imaginable. Without forgetting, it is important to note that hiring professionals, means a thorough cleaning job. This makes your office more accommodative not only to current employees but also to your clients. With professional cleaning firms, you are most likely to get a better job done as they are aware of when, where, and how to clean your office.

 

Local knowledge, any company that has stayed in an area for quite some time does enjoy the advantage of knowing how the systems work. Most reputable office cleaning companies in London have been in the business for quite some time. This means that they know the best days to clean, remove waste, or to dust your office. By hiring a professional company, you get the chance to enjoy these benefits at no extra cost. In addition, it saves you time that you would have used trying to figure out how the systems work especially if you are not only opening a new office in London, but also happen to be new in London.

 

Prompt emergency/customer service support – there is nothing as good as knowing that your cleaning service provider is available for emergencies and that they offer 24-hrs customer support. London is a major financial and commerce center. This means that certain businesses run for 24 hours. If this is the case, then you will need a service provider available for the entire day. In addition, a cleaning service provider who responds immediately to emergencies is preferred. By hiring a professional cleaning company, you are guaranteed 24-hour service delivery. An online search will easily show you cleaning companies that are available for 24 hours.

 

Do you need to hire a cleaning company in London, why not try Office Cleaning London, the best office cleaning company in London? Citywide Cleaning Company is based at 26 York Street, Marylebone, London W1U 6PZ –

8 Reasons Why You Should Use a Local Cleaning Company

8 Reasons Why You Should Use a Local Cleaning Company

There is nothing more frustrating for a busy Office Manager than having to contact an existing Cleaning Service provider about a problem only to find out the Regional Manager responsible for sorting out the problem is based in another City and it would take at least a week to arrange a meeting due to the distance. While it may seem fashionable for some people to only hire large, UK-wide cleaning companies, evidence has shown that may not always translate into effective and efficient cleaning performance by these large companies. In fact, you are better off hiring local cleaning companies who understand the needs of companies in your area.  Here are 10 reasons you should use a cleaning company near to you.

 

Ability to respond to problems quickly – One key benefits of hiring a local cleaning company is that they are able to respond to your needs quicker. Because of their proximity to your office, it is easier to book additional services, arrange a site visit and attend to problems very quickly.

 

Closer Working Relationship

Having a local cleaning company to clean your office can lead to better performance, relationship as the managers can always keep a close eye on their staff performances. It is also easier to maintain a good relationship with the management in that they are very easy to access. With a local company, you get a more personalised service because they are just a few minutes away if you want to see your cleaning service provider

 

Promoting Local Businesses

By outsourcing your cleaning service to a local London Office Cleaning Company, you will be supporting the local economy. This ultimately will boost the local economy and help alleviate unemployment in the area.

 

Knowledge of the Local Area

A local cleaning company is accustomed to the local area, the traffic, the shops and other businesses in the area. They are able to use all these to your advantage

 

Competitive pricing

Doing business with a local cleaning company can be cheaper than you think. Materials cost is reduced because they do not to transport them to the area.

 

Better Value for Money

Local Cleaning Companies have a name to protect in the area. They are socially responsible through their connection to the area. They would like to do a good job for local companies because they wouldn’t like to be branded as a bad company.

 

Recruitment of Local Staff

Another key benefit of hiring a local cleaning company is the alleviation of unemployment in the local area. Hiring a local commercial cleaning company is a great way of supporting the local economy as more people in the area will be in employment. This will ultimately lead to increased spending in the area

 

Reduced environmental Effect

When you hire a local cleaning company, you are also supporting the environment from the impact of commuting to and from work. The staff are going to be local which means they don’t have to travel far to get to work

 

Should you feel you need help choosing the right cleaning company in your area, why not contact Citywide Cleaning Services today to see how they can help you

Cleanliness is Critical in Maintaining an Infection Free Workplace

Cleanliness is Critical in Maintaining an Infection Free Workplace

Infections are invasions of the human body by disease-causing agents, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agents and toxins they produce. An infectious disease is also known as a communicable disease. They are illness resulting from an infection. Infections are caused by unhealthy agents like viruses, and prions. Much bigger ones like bacteria, nematodes such as parasitic roundworms and pinworms and arthropods such as ticks, mites, fleas, and lice. Others are ringworm and other macro-parasites such as tapeworms and other helminths. To avoid these infections, many measures should be taken. Most of these methods revolve around cleanliness. Infection prevention techniques like hand washing, wearing gowns, and wearing face masks can help prevent infections from being passed from one person to another.

 

The need for cleanliness in the office cannot be overemphasized in any situation. A clean workplace means more than just having a sparkling, fresh building. A clean workplace also ensures the safety and health of employees and visitors. Yearly, about 3 million non-fatal office injuries and illnesses are recorded in the private industry alone.  Workplace injuries can be avoided by taking actions to ensure tidy, clean and safe work environment. Some important reasons to ensure cleanliness of the workplace is outlined below:

 

  1. Clean and dry floors prevent falls, slips and bruises.

When the office floors are clean and dry, accidents like slips and falls in the workplace are easily avoidable. Different categories of floor cleaners serve different purposes. Most offices use alkaline cleaners which have proven to be good for cleaning restaurant floors.  There are also acidic cleaners that remove rust, scale, and oxides from floors. It is good to note that some products may contain chemicals that can be detrimental to your flooring, so be sure to talk with an expert about what is best for your facility. Also, keep your floors dry by using absorbent materials, such as floor mats, in functional locations to remove moisture and soil from the bottom of shoes.

 

  1. Disinfectants inhibit the spread of germs and illness around the Offices, including the flu.

Germs can quickly spread throughout a workplace, particularly during flu season—but disinfecting surfaces, desks and objects with EPA-registered, clinical disinfectants can stop bacteria in their tracks. Check out our blog post for more ways your workplace can beat the flu season.

 

  1. Proper air filtration lowers employee exposure to hazardous substances.

Though not visible to the naked eyes, dust and vapours are hazardous substances that can cause an unsafe environment for employees. Building ventilation is an essential factor in reducing the airborne spread of respiratory infections and maintaining the health and productivity of workers. Regularly cleaning or replacing HVAC system filters prevents them from becoming saturated, which could lead to potential microbial growth and odour concerns. Vacuum cleaners built with HEPA filters may also capture fine particles. Maintaining humidity in the office at around 30 to 50 percent by using a dehumidifier is also crucial in eliminating air pollutants and promoting clean air in the workplace.

 

  1. Clean light fixtures improve lighting efficiency.

Dirty light fixtures can reduce essential light levels, making it difficult and unsafe for employees to complete their daily tasks. Clean light fixtures significantly improve lighting efficiency in the workplace. Well-lit stairways and aisles are also crucial in preventing accidents and maintaining a safe work environment.

 

  1. A green lifestyle is safer for both your workforce and the environment.

There are various cleaning products, and some are held to a higher standard than others. Products with third-party certifications, such as Green Seal or GREENGUARD, must meet specific rules and guidelines, which ensures they’re healthier for both people and the environment. Also, ensure you maintain and review Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for proper handling and storage of the products used in your facility.

 

  1. Proper waste disposal and recyclable materials keep work areas clutter-free.

Allowing trash to pile up not only produces clutter, but it also presents a breeding ground for pests that pose a threat to your work environment. Placing “no-touch” wastebaskets in key locations throughout your facility ensures materials are disposed of and reduces the spread of germs. Recycling materials using labelled waste receptacles also makes for a more sustainable environment.

 

Further Cleanliness tips that help both client and employees prevent infections in the workplace.

 

  1. Clean Your Hands
  • Use soap and warm water. Rub your hands really well for at least 15 seconds. Rub your palms, fingernail, in between your fingers, and the backs of your hands.
  • Or, if your hands do not look dirty, clean them with alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Rub the sanitizer all over your hands, especially under your nails and between your fingers, until your hands are dry
  • Clean your hands before touching or eating food. Clean them after you use the bathroom, take out the trash, change a diaper, visit someone who is ill, or play with a pet.

 

 

  1. Make sure healthcare providers clean their hands or wear gloves.
  • Doctors, nurses, dentist and other health care providers come into contact with lots of bacteria and viruses. So before they treat you, ask them if they’ve cleaned their hands.
  • Healthcare providers should wear clean gloves when they perform tasks such as taking blood, touching wounds or body fluids and examining your mouth or private parts. Don’t be afraid to ask them if they should wear gloves.

 

  1. Cover your mouth and nose.
  • Many diseases are spread through sneezes and coughs. When you sneeze or cough, the germs can travel 3 feet or more! Cover your mouth and nose to prevent the spread of infection to others.
  • Use a tissue! Keep tissues handy at home, at work and in your pocket. Be sure to throw away used tissues and then clean your hands.
  • If you don’t have a tissue, cover your mouth and nose with the bend of your elbow or hands. If you use your hands, clean them right away.

 

  1. If you are sick, avoid close contact with others.
  • If you are sick, stay away from other people or stay home. Don’t shake hands or touch others
  • When you go for medical treatment, call ahead and ask if there’s anything you can do to avoid infecting people in the waiting room.

 

In conclusion, you can keep your workplace clean and free of infection by hiring a Professional London Office Cleaning Company. These Guys have years of experience and expertise to do exactly that.

 

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