In these days of heightened awareness around cleaning and hygiene standards, your customers and staff are more likely to notice if facilities do not comply with cleaning protocols. Stringent hygiene measures are essential in today’s workplace and workforce.

For commercial cleaning companies, infection control and prevention of cross-contamination are as important as the actual cleaning of a workplace. By targeting and preventing the spread of germs from hotspot to hotspot, good cleaning practices stop germs from travelling from one surface to another. 

Lachlan Mann, general manager of facilities management of Bunzl Australia and New Zealand (Bunzl ANZ), says there has been a shift in expectations around cleaning in the workplace.

“Work environments now require deeper, more labour-intensive cleans on a daily basis, with new methods and more innovation around cleaning protocols, tools and solutions,” Mann says. 

“Where previously janitorial services cleaned a facility, reducing grime and dirt, now they also disinfect, especially frequently touched surfaces.”

Correct PPE practices

Personal protective equipment (PPE) — including face masks, gloves and sometimes aprons — is the frontline defence against infection spread in any cleaning environment. 

Merely wearing these items is not enough. Staff must follow the correct procedures for donning, doffing and disposing of PPE to prevent contamination.

For instance, face masks should fit snugly over the nose and mouth without gaps and should be replaced when damp. Single-use masks should never be reused. Gloves must be changed between tasks to avoid cross-contamination. 

Malcolm Barclay, category manager of cleaning and hygiene at Bunzl ANZ says gloves – such as the Premier brand PPE gloves – should be a mandatory item for commercial cleaners.

“Gloves protect the wearer in two ways – from direct contact with cleaning chemicals that can damage the skin, and also by helping to keep germs and infection from spreading as they move around the facility,” Barclay says.

“If you think about the places cleaners regularly clean, such as the bathroom sink, kitchen sink and toilet, these are all wet areas where bacteria and fungi thrive.”

Disposing of PPE correctly in designated bins – and not touching the outside of the mask or gloves during removal – are key practices to minimise the risk of spreading pathogens.

Correct cleaning practices

Implementing a cleaning schedule

Consistency is key to effective infection control. Implementing a regular cleaning schedule ensures that all areas, especially high-touch surfaces, are cleaned and disinfected frequently. This schedule should be clearly communicated to all cleaning staff, with checklists to ensure no area is overlooked. Regular audits and inspections can help maintain compliance and identify areas for improvement.

Surface cleaning techniques

Effective surface cleaning is also fundamental to infection control. Different surfaces require specific cleaning techniques to ensure thorough disinfection. High-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, lifts and desks, need more frequent cleaning and disinfecting. Using disinfectants that are proven to kill viruses and bacteria is necessary for these areas.

When it comes to commercial hard surface floors, dust mop the surface to remove the dirt and dust from the floor. Then wet mop the floor using a high-grade commercial product such as Kwikmaster Professional Floor Cleaner. But don’t mop the floor just after applying the cleaner as it needs some time to break the dirt particles and grease. Start cleaning with smaller areas at a time so that the cleaner breaks the maximum dirt possible. Rinse the cleaner off your mop and wash it with clean water. Then mop all the chemicals off your floor using a damp mop. Mop in a figure-eight pattern rather than going up and down or side to side.

Barclay says that, while it may sound counter-intuitive, saving water while mopping is the ideal.

“Reducing water usage while cleaning floors can reduce dry times. This is important because wet grounds can often result in mildew, causing a health risk and material damage. And wet floors are a slipping hazard.”

It’s important to read the instructions properly for different chemicals and make note of the correct dilution rates and maximum dwell times to achieve the most effectiveness. If these instructions aren’t followed and chemicals are wiped off surfaces too early, it will reduce the efficacy of the chemicals – or if left on too long can leave an unpleasant film over surfaces.

Cleaning should follow a systematic approach to avoid spreading germs from one area to another. One recommended method is to use an ‘S’ shaped pattern when wiping bench top surfaces, which reduces the likelihood of re-contaminating areas that have already been cleaned. Each wipe should be used once and surfaces should be allowed to air dry for at least a minute to ensure the disinfectant has time to work effectively.

If a sponge is used in an office to clean several desks and other tabletops without proper cleaning in between, you can end up accidentally transferring germs from one surface to another. Instead, proper cleaning and using disinfectant wipes or disposable towels for wiping down different surfaces can help minimise the risk. Kwikmaster’s range of cleaning cloths and wipes is colour-coded to avoid the risk of cross-contamination.

Martin Tofts, Bunzl ANZ business development manager says a colour-coded system for cleaning supplies can help maintain a hygienic and safe workplace.

“Colour-coded cleaning products are now widely available, but to utilise their full effect, it’s important to provide staff with thorough training on the various colours and work areas,” Tofts says. 

“It’s also vital to display clear signage that explains the system.”

Chemical usage, training and education

Ongoing training and education for cleaning staff is vital for sustaining high standards of infection control. Regular training sessions on the latest cleaning protocols and updates on new cleaning products or techniques ensure that staff are well-prepared to handle their tasks efficiently. Educating staff on the reasons behind these protocols can also increase compliance and diligence in following them.

Infection control in commercial cleaning is a comprehensive effort that requires the right products, consistent practices, ongoing training and clear communication. By adopting these measures, businesses can create a safer and healthier environment for everyone, fostering a sense of security and wellbeing in the workplace.

As businesses attempt to do more with less, Mann says cleaning practices have evolved so that cleaners are working smarter, not harder – with infection control a key area of focus. 

“Infection control has never been more crucial and the responsibility falls on every organisation to ensure that their workspaces and large venue spaces are not just clean, but regularly sanitised and disinfected.”

It is essential your cleaning team follow best practice advice and use the most effective and high-quality products available. Doing so not only protects the health of staff and customers but also fosters a sense of security and confidence in your business operations.

Bunzl is a leading supplier of safety and PPE, janitorial products and commercial chemical solutions. Find out more: bunzl.com.au