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If you’re on the lookout for a new commercial cleaning provider, then there’s numerous factors that you’ll need to consider. 

In addition to service levels and availability, price will also inevitably play a key role in your decision-making. 

But, one of the most critical elements that you’ll need to assess is the company’s accreditations. 

All too often, this due diligence often falls short. Or, people presume that any professional cleaning company would automatically have these standard certifications. 

However, these accreditations aren’t a given. 

What’s more, if you choose to work with a cleaning company that hasn’t achieved these standards, then you run the risk of your contractor failing to meet the required quality standards, having poor staff training, or having insufficient health and safety standards. 

Ultimately, accreditations are a due diligence essential, and are the key point of difference between a contractor that says they’re professional, and one that can prove it.

So, to help you find a trusted, dependable cleaning provider, we’ve shared a detailed run-down of all the key accreditations that you need to look for.

BICSc

The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) is one of the leading professional bodies in the UK commercial cleaning sector.

The BICSc promotes widely recognised and highly regarded training programmes. They also implement best practices and professional standards for commercial cleaning operatives and supervisors.

For companies that attain BICSc standards, this is testament to the quality of their cleaning services, and their adherence to best practice techniques and processes.

SMAS Worksafe

SMAS Worksafe is another key commercial cleaning health and safety accreditation. This accreditation services to assess a contractor’s competence and management systems.

In order to secure this certification, a contractor must demonstrate that they adhere to a high standard of health and safety policies and risk management procedures.

For facilities managers, school business managers, and procurement leads, this accreditation proves that the contractor has been independently assessed against recognised standards, and that they place a high value on operational health, safety and risk management.

Constructionline

Although most commonly associated with construction, Constructionline is also widely used by organisations that provide facilities management and support services (e.g. commercial cleaning).

The Constructionline accreditation verifies key business information and attributes, including financial stability, insurance and compliance documentation. This is designed to reduce the amount of verification that a business needs to conduct against their suppliers.  

So, if a cleaning contractor is Constructionline accredited, then this can give you much greater confidence in their security. 

ISO 9001

ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised accreditation for quality management systems. This standard assesses the ways that a business manages key parts of its operations. 

In order to achieve the standard, a business must carefully manage (and document) processes including quality control, staff management, service delivery and customer feedback. 

Furthermore, they must also demonstrate their ability to attain these standards consistently   (across all contracts), and continuously improve these key processes. 

ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is the international standard for environmental management systems. This is a testament to a business’s environmental consciousness, and illustrates that they have worked to establish processes to reduce their environmental impact and align with key sustainability legislation.

The sustainability of suppliers is increasingly becoming a key priority for businesses. So, by working with a supplier that holds this standard, you can be extremely confident that they adhere to the very highest standards of sustainability, and share this same prioritisation. 

Federation of Window Cleaners

Specifically for contractors that offer window cleaning services, if your contractor is a member of the Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC), this illustrates that they are committed to maintaining the highest professional standards. 

This Federation sets the professional standard, providing its members with the latest guidance, training and technical information. Its members are committed to ongoing professional development and consistently achieving the highest quality of services.

CITB Site Safety Plus & SMSTS/SSSTS

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Site Safety Plus scheme sets the standard for health and safety training on construction and building sites across the UK.

Our site management team hold Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) certification, while our site supervisors hold Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) certification. Both qualifications ensure our teams understand current site safety regulations and know how to manage risk effectively when working on live construction and building sites.

IPAF Licences

Where our work requires the use of powered access equipment, such as scissor lifts and mobile elevating work platforms, our operatives hold valid IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) licences. This ensures equipment is used safely and correctly, protecting both our staff and anyone else on site.

Why do these accreditations matter? 

Industry recognised accreditations like these are a testament to a contractor’s commitment to quality, professionalism, ongoing development and health and safety. 

Choosing a contractor with these accreditations not only minimises associated risks, but it also maximises the likelihood that your contractor will provide the very best level of service. Plus, it can help to reduce the length and number of checks required during the tendering process, as numerous key areas have already been independently verified. 

At ACC, we hold a strong range of these accreditations, and prioritise the training and certifications most relevant to the sites and clients we work with.

Thanks to our longstanding reputation and the way we prioritise continuous development, we have been trusted by schools, local authorities, offices, and commercial sites across the North West for decades. 

To discuss our wide range of services, or to find out more about how our professional team can support your business, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Associated Cleaning Contractors is proud to have played a part in the restoration of one of Salford’s most iconic landmarks: Buile Hill Mansion.

Built between 1825 and 1827 for Thomas Potter, a textile merchant and the first Mayor of Manchester, Buile Hill Mansion is a Grade II listed building with a rich history. Once home to the city’s mining museum, the mansion had fallen into disrepair and sat unused since 2000, until now.

After restoration work began in 2023, the mansion was brought back to life and reopened to the public on 21st March 2026. The beautifully restored venue now houses a café and offers rooms for weddings, functions, and civil registrations, giving Salford’s community a stunning space to celebrate life’s biggest moments.

ACC’s Role

Our team carried out a full window clean on the mansion ahead of its public opening, helping ensure this beloved heritage building was looking its absolute best for the occasion.

It’s the kind of project that reminds us why we do what we do. Cleaning isn’t just about maintenance; sometimes it’s about being part of something bigger.

A Community Landmark Reborn

Buile Hill Mansion is set within the beautiful surroundings of Buile Hill Park, and its reopening has been welcomed by the local community and Salford City Council alike.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, attending a civic event, or simply visiting the new café, we hope you enjoy this stunning restored venue, and we’re proud to have helped get it ready.

For buildings that individuals are spending extensive stints of time in – such as their home or their workplace – these environments can have a significant impact on their health, wellbeing, productivity and happiness. 

This may sound obvious, but there’s actually a term for instances where this impact starts to become detrimental to someone’s wellbeing – sick building syndrome. 

This scenario occurs when occupants develop health issues, caused by poor air quality, cleanliness or other negative environmental conditions in a building. 

By understanding what sick building syndrome is and what causes it, you can effectively minimise the risk it poses to any occupants in your building. 

Below, ACC Ltd’s team have shared their expert guidance.

What is sick building syndrome?

Sick building syndrome is a term used to refer to a set of health and wellbeing conditions, which have been directly caused by a building’s poor environmental quality. 

These symptoms haven’t been caused by a specific illness or external factor. Rather, they have been brought on by spending a lot of time in a building where the environment has caused the symptoms to develop. Then, these symptoms improve if the individual stops spending time in the building.

Common causes of sick building syndrome include: 

• Poor ventilation or insufficient airflow
• Lack of proper cleaning and maintenance 
• Extensive dust 
• Build-up of mould or bacteria
• Presence of allergens (e.g. pet hair)
• Use of chemicals or cleaning agents, without airing the area after
• Inconsistent humidity levels
• Temperature fluctuations 
• Excessive noise
• Poor lighting

In most cases, sick building syndrome is caused by a combination of these factors, rather than one standalone issue. 

Common symptoms of sick building syndrome 

While symptoms can vary from person to person, common symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Eye, nose or throat irritation
• Dry or itchy skin
• Coughing or wheezing
• Fatigue 
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness 
• Nausea
  

As these are quite general symptoms, sick building syndrome can go unrecognised, especially if it’s only affecting a few individuals. 

But, it’s vital that you are well-versed in sick building syndrome and its symptoms. Otherwise, it can have a dramatic impact on your operations.

How can sick building syndrome impact businesses?

For businesses, sick building syndrome can have a major impact, across numerous areas of their operations. 

If left unchecked, sick building syndrome can lead to: 

• Reduced productivity – As employees who don’t feel healthy or comfortable in their working environment are much less able to perform at their best. 
• Increased sick leave – With the symptoms causing increased sickness leave, which can lead to significant work disruptions and business costs. 
• Low team morale – With a workforce that feels unhealthy and unhappy in their working environment. 
• Damage to brand reputation – As the environment feels unclean or badly maintained. Particularly if your site hosts clients. 
• Failure to meet UK regulations – If the issues aren’t addressed, you risk breaching UK health and safety requirements. 

How to prevent sick building syndrome 

If you are concerned about the risk of sick building syndrome in your property, enlist the assistance of a professional commercial cleaning company. 

Tackling or preventing sick building syndrome requires a comprehensive and precise deep cleaning routine. 

While you could attempt to do this yourself, by far the best results are achieved when done by a professional. 

A trusted, specialist commercial cleaner like ACC Ltd will tackle all the environmental triggers that cause sick building syndrome. 

They will arrange a regular deep cleaning schedule, conduct air quality-focused cleaning, remove dust, allergens and contaminants from across the building, and deploy targeted cleaning for identified problem areas. 

Even after the first clean, you’ll see hygiene and cleanliness standards dramatically improve across the board. 

So, to find out how we can tackle or prevent sick building syndrome in your office or property, get in touch with ACC Ltd today.

Garden landscaping is the modification of the visible features of an area of land, including living elements like flowers and trees, as well as non-living elements like soil, rock and water. It’s a way to get the most out of outdoor spaces and improves the aesthetics of the area and property values too. In this article, we’re going to learn what garden landscaping is.

What is garden landscaping?

Garden landscaping is the modification of the visible features of an area of land. Landscaping can include living elements like flowerbeds, natural elements like rock formations and abstract elements to create a pleasing effect or to improve function. Landscaping can be done for aesthetic reasons or functional reasons such as increasing soil stability.

Landscaping is not limited to flowers and shrubs but can include the use of trees, ground coverings, and even water features. In many cases, it may be possible to create quite an elaborate garden while still maintaining total control over what goes into it by using pre-grown plants or by making use of container gardening methods.

Garden landscaping brings multiple elements together

When you think of garden landscaping, you may envision a space filled with lush green grass and trees. While this is one type of garden landscaping, there are many others as well. Landscape design is the art and science of planning outdoor space for residential or commercial purposes.

Landscape design includes elements such as natural elements such as landforms, terrain shape and elevation or bodies of water; and abstract elements such as the weather and lighting conditions. A successful landscape design will incorporate all these aspects into an aesthetically pleasing space that works within your budget.

Using garden landscaping in business

Garden landscaping is a fantastic way to improve the aesthetic and overall functionality of an outdoor space. Bringing in a professional landscaping service guarantees a high-quality, seamless outdoor space with lots of functionality. If you would like to find out more about garden landscaping, then get in contact with our team at ACC and see how we can help you transform your business property’s outdoor space into a true feature.

Tenants are responsible for thorough cleaning at the end of their lease and returning the property in a comparable state to when they moved in. The landlord may be able to help you with this, but it is still up to you to ensure that there’s no damage or dirt when you leave the property. If there is damage or dirt, then you may have to pay for professional cleaning or replace damaged items yourself.

Professional cleaning is typical at the end of a tenancy

When tenants move out of a property, it is common for the landlord to ask them to clean the property. This might involve professional cleaning to ensure the tenants respect the outlined tenancy agreements. The tenant will be responsible for cleaning the property and returning it in good condition to the landlord.

If you want your property cleaned professionally, then you should check with your landlord first because this will be something that they want to be done anyway!

How a professional cleaning service helps tenants

If you’re a tenant, you’re responsible for thoroughly cleaning your rented property at the end of your lease, and I’m sure you like moving into a nice clean property when you’re renting.
If they have specific concerns about dirt or damage caused by pets and children, landlords can add a clause to their lease contract that requires the tenant to pay for professional cleaning services. However, most landlords will expect tenants to perform their own basic cleaning tasks—such as sweeping floors, scrubbing toilets and removing stains from carpets.

If you choose not to do it yourself or you are unable to do it yourself, there are some options available:

• Hire a professional cleaner

• Ask friends or family members if they could help out with cleaning duties.

Hiring an end of lease cleaner

Although tenants don’t have to provide a professional cleaning service upon leaving a property, in many cases it’s the sensible thing to do. It ensures the property is returned to the landlord in a reasonable condition, and in many cases, the costs can be split between the landlord and tenant.

Commercial cleaning is a professional service that ensures workplaces are tidy and hygienic. It helps products and office equipment stay clean and free from dust, dirt and any other contaminants. Also, a well-kept environment attracts new clients and retains current ones by creating a lasting impression on them. In this article, we’re going to learn what commercial cleaning is and why it’s important for businesses.

Is commercial cleaning different from residential cleaning?

Commercial cleaning is a professional service for cleaning businesses offices, warehouses and other commercial areas. It’s different from residential cleaning because it’s more extensive and thorough; it has to be since these spaces are used by many people every day.

Commercial cleaning services include vacuuming, mopping and sweeping floors, dusting furniture and fixtures, stripping down walls to make them look new again (walls get covered in fingerprints), removing stickers or old paint from surfaces, shampooing carpeting and much more.

Why is commercial cleaning important?

Commercial cleaning is a vital part of any business. It is important for the overall health and safety of employees, clients and members of the general public who visit your premises. Cleaning also helps to protect your image as a professional business and can help you to meet legal requirements.

Cleanliness is a sign of professionalism, and it can help businesses attract new clients and retain current ones. Cleanliness helps create a good first impression on clients and customers by making your facility look like the kind of place that you can trust to take care of their needs.

It also helps create a good impression on new employees when they start work at your company, as well as on prospective employees who are considering whether or not to join the team. The fact that you’re taking the time to clean regularly shows them that you care about what they think and how they feel while they’re there, which makes them more likely to want to stay around longer than just long enough so that their pay cheque clears each month.

Commercial Cleaners in Bolton

Commercial cleaning is an important aspect of any business, and having a company that offers this service can help you keep your premises clean and tidy. There are many things to consider when hiring a commercial cleaning company, so make sure you do your research before choosing one. Get in touch with the team at ACC for your free cleaning quote today.

In years gone by, the average employee thought very little about when their desk was last wiped, or how many people had touched the washroom door handle before them. Then, in March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic struck – and suddenly, specialist cleaners took on a whole new importance.

It can be hard to remember what life was like before lockdowns and Zoom meetings took over. British workers lived under varying degrees of lockdown conditions for around a year and all normal working practices disappeared. For many people, life will never be the same again.

Cleaners’ new importance

As we started a gradual return from home working to our regular workplace, the commercial cleaning companies who had operated seamlessly in the background in the past had become significantly more important.

One of the few positive things to come out of the pandemic is a new appreciation of the essential job cleaners carry out in our offices, retail stores, warehouses, factories and other places of business.

Today, we all have a heightened awareness of the importance of cleaning, sanitising and disinfecting our surroundings.

Staff and customers feel relieved at the sight of cleaners working during the day, rather than behind the scenes overnight. It comforts us to know the same high levels of hygiene are being kept up, even though the lockdowns have gone.

Cleaners provide peace of mind

In the past, office cleaning often took place at weekends or at night, so the cleaners wouldn’t disrupt normal working activities. Today, research shows some companies actually request that cleaners work during the day.

This provides peace of mind for employees and visitors when they know professional cleaners are on hand. It makes them feel safe and lets them know the company cares.

A survey of 1,600 employees at the end of 2021 revealed around 50% were still worried about working in the office because of the threat of another wave of Covid. Seeing professional contract cleaners at work made 62% of employees feel safer.

Deep cleaning protocols

While professional cleaners have always done a thorough job, the additional deep cleaning and sanitising procedures introduced during the pandemic are still important today.

A survey of employees has revealed a massive 89% still believe workplace cleaning protocols are important. In fact, 38% of people said they might look for a new job if proper workplace cleaning wasn’t carried out.

Considering current staff shortages UK-wide, the possibility that employees might quit over inadequate cleaning is especially concerning for employers.

Preventing the spread of illnesses

As well as preventing the spread of Covid, a stringent cleaning and disinfection programme can also help to stop the spread of other illnesses, such as influenza.

It also reduces the risks for employees who have allergies and asthma by removing dust, environmental hazards and allergens in the workplace.

Busy shops, crowded offices and other public buildings benefit from frequent cleaning, with high-touch areas such as door knobs, lifts, escalator rails, bathrooms and desk phones requiring particular attention.

Commercial cleaning companies know the most efficient schedules and procedures to meet companies’ bespoke needs while remaining within their budget.

For commercial cleaning services, get in touch with our team today!

Sources:

How Commercial Cleaning Practices Have Evolved Since COVID-19

https://www.cleanlink.com/news/article/How-The-Pandemic-Has-Elevated-Commercial-Cleaning–28488

https://www.irmi.com/articles/expert-commentary/how-covid-19-changed-the-commercial-cleaning-business

Commercial and domestic cleaners are often lumped together in a single category. However, the truth is that these services are entirely different and concern unique areas of expertise. While a domestic cleaning service specialises in cleaning homes, maintaining areas like bathrooms and kitchens, and ensuring floors are hygienic. A commercial cleaning service focuses on cleaning workplaces, schools, and businesses.

The three main areas that differentiate domestic cleaning from commercial cleaning are cleaning equipment, business experience and industry specialisation. Read on to find out more.

Cleaning equipment

While a domestic cleaning service will typically use off-the-shelf cleaning products and equipment that you can easily buy in a store, a commercial service employs more specialist solutions. Using cutting-edge equipment and the latest cleaning techniques, a commercial service will also use cleaning fluids designed for professional use.

For instance, a domestic cleaner tackling some windows would use a ladder, household spray and cloth, while a commercial cleaning service will likely work on a secure platform and may use a water-fed pole system with specialist attachments for more comprehensive cleaning.

Business experience

Unlike domestic cleaners, commercial cleaning services possess business experience and Health and Safety regulation knowledge. As a result, they understand how to answer the specific requirements of a firm and can work around their operating hours to avoid disruption or loss of productivity. They can also offer ongoing contracts that ensure that organisations can plan their costs in advance while maintaining their premises in perfect condition.

Industry specialisation

Domestic cleaning only covers residential properties, however commercial cleaners have an in-depth understanding of a wide range of different work environments and their individual needs. For example, commercial cleaners can manage complex sites such as factories, warehouses, and construction developments. They can also provide specific hygiene levels required by care homes, schools and enterprises working in the hospitality industry ensuring operations always pass health and safety inspections with flying colours every time. Commercial cleaners include specialist cleaners for things like commercial kitchens or garden maintenance.

Hiring commercial cleaners for your workplace

If you require commercial cleaning for an ongoing contract or as a one-off service, at Associated Cleaning Contracts, we can help. Get in touch with our experienced team today to discuss your requirements and explore the services that we offer.

A clean environment can do wonders for your productivity. It boosts your staff’s morale and makes it easier for them to be organised and efficient. That said, maintaining a clean environment can be difficult, which is why we recommend hiring commercial cleaners.

Commercial cleaning teams are trained to handle various environments. They also have state-of-the-art cleaning equipment to deliver outstanding results. This blog post explores the scope of commercial cleaning to help you understand the value of your investment.

What does a commercial clean include?

There are two types of commercial cleaning services; general cleaning and routine cleaning. General or deep cleaning is more extensive than regular cleaning. It pays attention to all the hard-to-reach areas for improved sanitation of the space.

Regular cleaning, on the other hand, is more about maintenance. It involves sweeping floors, vacuuming carpets, disinfecting surfaces, emptying bins, dusting to remove cobwebs, etc. Besides regular and deep cleaning, you can request specialist cleaners. Special cleaning services with the biggest impact on your business include:

1. Hard floor care and carpet cleaning

Carpet cleaning is crucial for commercial spaces because carpets can harbour dirt, dust, and allergens leading to respiratory problems. Additionally, while cleaning floors with a broom and mop is easy, they need periodic scrubbing and waxing to maintain their glamour. Commercial cleaning teams are able to clean your floors on time without paralysing your operations. If you’re in the food or manufacturing industry, aim to clean your floors once every quarter to maintain a clean and safe space.

2. Commercial window cleaning

Dirty and cloudy windows send a bad impression of your business. Therefore, schedule cleaning at least twice every month, depending on your locale’s weather. Commercial cleaners have the tools, products, and expertise to properly clean your windows – even those hard to reach ones, so invest in professional window cleaning services.

3. Restroom cleaning

Toilets are an integral part of any commercial space. Without a strict cleaning regimen, you risk jeopardising the health of your staff and customers. If an outbreak occurs, your reputation could suffer irreversible damage, so always include bathroom cleaning in your cleaning budget.

If you’re looking for a commercial cleaning company, look no further than ACC. We have the experience, skills, and specialist equipment for any job. Get in touch with us today for a free quote.

The importance of hygiene and cleanliness in a commercial environment is essential. Whether you run retail outlets or a block of offices, creating clean and healthy premises will keep your staff productive and secure and your customers or visitors safe. However, commercial cleaning covers far more than a standard cleaning service. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at this useful solution for a wide range of enterprises and institutions.

What does commercial cleaning offer?

Unlike a conventional cleaning service, commercial cleaning teams are highly trained with the experience required to tackle a diverse range of challenges and operating environments. Instead of simply mopping floors, emptying waste bins, and polishing light switches, commercial cleaners can deliver enhanced levels of hygiene. Able to access industry-leading products that cannot be purchased straight off the shelf, these cleaners are also trained in which solutions and techniques to use and when.

Commercial cleaners also use state-of-the-art equipment that delivers outstanding results while minimising disruption. To this end, a commercial cleaning contract allows enterprises to schedule cleaning for specific times when their business will not be impacted. Thanks to their advanced equipment and skills, professional commercial cleaners can also work swiftly and effectively.

Who can benefit from commercial cleaning services?

A wide range of customers can take advantage of a commercial cleaning service. While office and retail environments can use this solution, so can more challenging workplaces such as factories, building sites and warehouses. Civic and council buildings as well as schools and other educational institutions all see significant footfall. As a result, an ongoing commercial cleaning contract can be an ideal option to keep such sites in peak condition.

It’s the responsibility of every business owner to ensure that their premises meet UK health and safety standards. By hiring a commercial cleaning service, you can be certain that you’re remaining compliant with regulations, ensuring your business, staff and customers are never put at risk.

With the experience, skills and specialist equipment required for any job, our team at ACC can help your site look professional and in keeping with the latest health and safety standards. Contact us now for a free quote.