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Cleaning our homes is a necessary chore that we all undertake regularly. It’s a routine task that helps us maintain a clean and healthy living environment. However, did you know that cleaning mistakes can pose significant dangers to both our health and our homes? I

In this blog post, we’ll explore the potential risks associated with cleaning, including the use or overuse of dangerous chemicals, improper precautions, and the misuse of cleaning products. We’ll also provide practical tips to ensure you don’t end up in the house of horrors of cleaning mistakes.

Chemical Cleaning Mistakes: Using and Overusing Dangerous Cleaners

Cleaning products are designed to remove dirt, grime, and germs from our surroundings. However, when used incorrectly or excessively, they can turn into silent hazards. According to the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), many common household cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful if not handled with care. This is where most often cleaning mistakes happen.

1. Chemical Overload

Overusing cleaning chemicals can lead to indoor air pollution. Harsh chemicals, such as ammonia and bleach, release harmful fumes that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. These fumes can also exacerbate respiratory problems, particularly in individuals with asthma or allergies.

Top Tip: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for diluting cleaning solutions, and never mix different cleaning products together.

2. Allergic Reactions

Using cleaning products without proper precautions can lead to skin irritation and allergic reactions. This is especially common when using strong chemical cleaners without protective gloves. The National Health Service (NHS) warns that skin contact with certain cleaning products can cause dermatitis and other skin conditions.

Top Tip: Wear gloves and long sleeves when using harsh chemicals, and rinse your skin thoroughly if it comes in contact with cleaning products.

Precaution Is Better Than Cure: Safe Handling and Storage

Aside from using cleaning products, how you handle and store them plays a crucial role in preventing cleaning mistakes and accidents and maintaining a safe environment whether at home or in the office.

1. Proper Ventilation

When using cleaning products, ensure adequate ventilation in the area. Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate and help dissipate harmful fumes. The HSE recommends this practice to minimize indoor air pollution.

Top Tip: Use exhaust fans if available, and avoid cleaning in confined spaces.

2. Secure Storage

Storing cleaning products safely is essential to prevent accidental spills or exposure to children and pets. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), chemicals should be kept in their original containers and stored out of reach of children.

Top Tip: Consider using lockable cabinets or placing cleaning products on high shelves to keep them away from curious hands.

The Right Tool for the Job: Choosing and Using Cleaning Products Wisely

Selecting the right cleaning products for specific tasks is crucial for effective cleaning and preventing cleaning mistakes such as damage to surfaces, equipment or yourself. Misusing products or using them inappropriately can lead to costly repairs.

1. Cleaning Mistake 1: The Bleach Blunder

Bleach is a powerful disinfectant, but it can be hazardous when used incorrectly. Mixing bleach with other cleaning products, such as ammonia or acidic substances like vinegar, can produce toxic fumes, yet this is one of the more common cleaning mistakes we come across. The UK Government’s Cleaning Products Guide strongly advises against this practice.

Top Tip: Never mix bleach with other cleaners, and always dilute it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Cleaning Mistake 2: Surface Sensitivity

Different surfaces require different cleaning approaches. Using abrasive cleaners on delicate surfaces can cause irreparable damage. Consult the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning materials like stainless steel, wood, and marble. The Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI) provides useful guidance on this topic.

Top Tip: Invest in cleaning products designed for specific surfaces to ensure gentle and effective cleaning.

When Cleaning Goes Wrong: Health and Safety First

Despite our best efforts, cleaning mistakes can still happen. If you’ve used harmful cleaning products incorrectly and start feeling unwell, it’s essential to know how to react.

1. Seek Fresh Air

If you inhale harmful fumes or experience respiratory distress while cleaning, immediately move to an area with fresh air. Open windows and doors to ventilate the space.

2. Rinse Skin or Eyes

If cleaning products come into contact with your skin or eyes, rinse thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.

3. Call for Help

If you or someone in your household ingests or inhales a toxic substance accidentally, call emergency services immediately. Provide them with information about the product involved.

4. Poison Control

For non-life-threatening emergencies related to chemical exposure, contact the UK National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) or visit their website for guidance.

Are you safe from the cleaning mistake trap?

Cleaning is an essential part of maintaining a healthy and comfortable environment to work and live in, but it should never compromise your well-being. By following proper guidelines, using cleaning products wisely, and taking precautions, you can ensure to avoid cleaning mistakes and horror stories. Remember, the key to a spotless home or office is not just what you clean with, but how you clean it.

So, let’s clean up our act and protect our homes, offices and health in the process. With the right knowledge and practices, we can all enjoy a cleaner, safer, and more comfortable living space. If you’re not confident or would like the help of a professional cleaning company that knows all about how to avoid cleaning mistakes, give ACC a call today. You can avoid the nightmares with us as we only use appropriate cleaning products for your cleaning needs.

Office dogs have gained popularity in recent years and their influences within the workplace are outstandingly positive. They can help socially awkward employees open up and talk to the rest of their colleagues, improve mental health in the workplace and increase work ethos. There is even a national day dedicated to it called “bring your dog to work day” in June, which aims to encourage businesses to reconsider their policies on animals being allowed into their premises.

Although our nation loves furry friends, they can also harbour dirt, which means if your office has not already got a cleaning contract then now might be the time to get one if you plan on recruiting any four-legged additions to your team. Here are some reasons why…

They can cause smells

Dogs do not understand that they need to use tissues when their chops become sticky. Even if yours is well-trained, you can still assume that drool, mucus, fur and other bodily fluids from your new employee can quickly seep into any carpeted areas of your office and fester if left uncleaned.

Your workers might be greeted by a stale, musky smell when they next enter the building, which is never pleasant to sit through from nine to five. A specialist commercial cleaner can ensure that all carpets are pristine after each day, meaning that your rooms will stay fresh in scent, no matter how many canine companions you have in the team.

They may carry parasites

Whilst on a walk, dogs are also known to contract parasites. External creatures such as fleas and ticks can drop off the mutt and take up residence in furniture and clothing – even on your human employees.

Anyone, including an animal, would be disgusted to work in an environment which houses bloodsucking insects, so make sure that a commercial cleaner is contracted to vacuum the facilities on a regular basis to avoid prolific infestations.

Hire a cleaner today

Whilst offices should always be spruced up, whether or not they house a dog or not, hiring professional cleaning services from Associated Cleaning Contractors is an especially important consideration before introducing a pet.

Contact us today for a quote on commercial office cleaning.

What is the dirtiest place in the office?

Recent research by Furniture@work suggests that the office door handle can have 30 times more bacteria than the toilet seat while the staff kitchen harbours many of the most germ-laden areas in the workplace.

The study showed that the sink, microwave door and kettle accounted for three of the top five places for bacteria counts. The fridge fared little better with more germs and other contaminants than keyboards and desk phones – items staff touch repeatedly all day long.

Interestingly, the kitchen table barely had any bacteria, suggesting this might be one place we’d more likely to clean above other places in the staffroom. Elsewhere, an earlier study by sanitary product manufacturer Kimberley Clark noted that the staff kitchen tap was the object with the highest bacteria count.

Why is the staff kitchen often so dirty?

If you work in an an office that has a staff break room with cooking facilities you’re probably familiar with notices that are put up from time. “Please wash up after yourself” and “If you spill it wipe it up” signs rarely seem to work, while attempts to catch the attention of users such as “Your mother doesn’t work here” might be noticed for a few days before normal sloppy service is resumed.

The truth is probably that staff who pop into make a coffee and raid the fridge for a snack, ping their lunch in the microwave and take five minutes to gobble down their lunch are often too preoccupied to make staff kitchen cleaning a priority.

Office kitchens almost seem to bring out the worst in many of us. We wouldn’t make such a mess at home but the workplace remains fair game.

Contact Associated Cleaning Contractors now

If this sounds like your workplace, then perhaps it’s time to engage the services of a commercial cleaning company. After all, hygiene has never been so important, as the lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic have taught us. Associated Cleaning Contractors can help. And best of all, all of the staff in our contract cleaning north west teams actually love tackling kitchens – no doubt a whole lot more than the rest of your workforce.

Restaurants can be quite messy places to work in. Be it in the fast-paced, pressurised environment of the kitchen, or even the dining area, there is no escape from messes such as spillages. Therefore, it can benefit your restaurant greatly to outsource your deep cleaning to professionals.

To help convince you of this, at Associated Cleaning Contractors we have put together this blog post on the benefits of professional cleaning attention for your restaurant.

To comply with health and safety regulations

It is no secret that for a restaurant to be successful, or even allowed to run, it must have a high (or a least, satisfactory) Food Hygiene rating. This tells customers that it is safe to eat at your restaurant. It is also important to ensure that your restaurant is clean so that it complies with health and safety regulations. It is the law that restaurants must be deep cleaned at least once every six months. But, some restaurants may be too busy to be able to carry out this cleaning themselves. This makes it ideal to bring in a professional, external cleaning company.

Professional cleaners can get in all those nooks and crannies you cannot

Inside kitchens lie extraction fans. These are notoriously difficult to clean but are notoriously dangerous to leave uncleaned. It is here where cooking oils and grease end up, and so can be difficult to shift. By bringing in an external professional cleaning company to deal with this, you are bringing in professional expertise to scrape out every nook and cranny involved with the fan. If left uncleaned for too long, the extraction fan is likely to cause a fire.

Maintain the image of your restaurant

By hiring professional, external cleaning services, you are maintaining the image of your restaurant. It reduces the risk of fading features or a tatty dining room, leaving you with quite an Instagrammable spot. This makes customers more excited to visit your restaurant, and share their visit.

For more information on the benefits of giving your restaurant professional cleaning attention, contact our team at Associated Cleaning Contractors today.

Having clean windows is, for most business owners, probably quite low down on their to-do list. However, there are various benefits associated with window cleaning that aren’t immediately obvious, but certainly highlight the value of clean windows to a business.

Here are 5 key reasons why window cleaning needs to be a business priority

1. It stops the glass from degrading

It’s not common knowledge that glass can degrade, but, if treated poorly, it absolutely can. Acid rain and hard water can damage window frames and sills, as well as the glass itself, while poorly maintained glass can develop tiny cracks that will let in water particles. Eventually, these cracks will grow, the window will become unsafe, and it will need to be replaced; generally at quite a significant cost. Regular cleaning can prevent this.

2. It keeps poor air at bay

This is something else that you’ve likely never considered, but well-maintained glass plays a crucial role in preventing the circulation of dust and dirt particles. Regular cleaning will keep deposits of grime to an absolute minimum, meaning there is far less chance of exacerbating any employees’ breathing problems, and will also stop mould from developing. This is absolutely essential when it comes to embedding health and safety practices in the workplace.

3. It makes the heating more effective (and efficient)

During the winter months, especially in England, it is essential that the work environment is as comfortable for employees as possible. If a window is excessively dirty, then the sun’s rays will not be able to penetrate, and therefore any ‘free’ heat from our solar system’s solitary star will be pushed away. This will mean increased heating costs throughout the year, but especially so in the winter.

4. It makes the view better

This is an obvious benefit of a clean window, but it’s still worthy of being highlighted. If your windows are dirty then they won’t be able to perform their traditional window duties, and this is clearly something that should be avoided.

5. It appeals to customers and clients alike

All businesses have to present themselves in a manner that showcases how professional they are, and cleanliness is absolutely key to giving the ideal first impression.

Want to know more about the value of a clean work environment, or need to book a professional window cleaning appointment?

Get in touch with us today.

The idea of cleanliness in the workplace has never been more imperative. However, COVID aside, what are the core business benefits associated with a clean working environment? How does prioritising hygiene catalyse innovation and invention, and how can your business take the necessary steps to ensure that your workplace is as clean and productive as possible?

In this blog, we will answer those questions.

Three key business benefits of a clean workplace

1. Cleanliness is integral to health and safety. This may sound obvious – and in some ways it is – but it is worth highlighting, nevertheless. A clean workplace can minimise the risk of employees becoming ill, and makes the working environment more appealing.

2. It increases productivity levels; a clean work environment is one that is free of clutter and mess. Therefore, a clean work environment can massively aid one’s ability to focus and can ensure greater levels of productivity.

3. It can save businesses money. By regularly cleaning workplaces, be it pieces of equipment, floors, air filters or plumbing, it will be much easier to keep everything ticking over, will minimise breakdowns and the need for maintenance, and will therefore save not only money but also time.

Cleanliness bolsters your business’ image

A clean work environment is not only beneficial when it comes to enhancing health and safety standards, but it makes your business look good in front of potential clients, customers and investors. It gives the ideal first impression, shows that the business is proud and diligent, and screams professionalism.

It makes employees happy

Research published by CleanLink in 2018 found that 94 per cent of respondents said safety and hygiene were key components to their workplace happiness. The old adage of a clean home is a happy home, it would seem, also applies to offices, factories and various other work environments.

How to create a clean work environment

By prioritising cleanliness, ensuring that all employees are aware of how exactly they can assist in the creation of a hygienic work environment, and by working with a cleaning company that knows exactly what it is doing and prides itself in its work. Your business will not only show that cleanliness is vital, but it will embed the values associated with health and safety into the company culture.

Get in touch with Associated Cleaning Contractors today to learn more about our services.

While many UK businesses are managing to stay resilient with staff working remotely under government restrictions, there are still steps they can take now to prepare for the inevitable return to the office.

Lockdowns might be disruptive to business processes, but they can create a convenient window of opportunity for cleaning offices. With employees safely working from home and not underfoot, a team of professional cleaners can arrive at your premises and help you make a safe and sanitary environment for your staff’s impending arrival.

Ensuring staff feel secure and happy

While you may be reducing the number of staff you have on-site to allow for social distancing, when your personnel come back to the office, you’ll want them to feel safe. A professional cleaning service can assist with this by creating an environment that adheres to government recommended health and safety protocols. When they sit back at a polished desk or visit your onsite facilities to find them gleaming it may help put their minds at ease and allow them to focus on work.

A cleaner work environment will help staff feel more positive and motivated, with sparkling windows, well-hoovered carpets and tidy kitchens supplying a much needed “feel good” factor in these trying times.

Keeping compliant with Health and Safety

To conform with UK health and safety legislation, it is essential that all enterprises conduct a comprehensive risk assessment at their offices. Ensuring your offices are comprehensively cleaned from top to bottom is an integral part of businesses remaining compliant.

With the latest technology, techniques and access to specialist equipment, professional cleaners can deliver the highest hygiene standards required.

Expert professional cleaners on-site

Providing peace of mind and allowing our clients to feel secure, all our employees undergo enhanced DBS checks, and are fully trained professionals with GNVQ certification to their credit. Additionally, all our uniformed operators always display ID badges while working.

To make sure your offices are clean and ready to return to business, contact our dedicated team at ACC for health and safety advice and to arrange a visit from a professional cleaning service you can count on.

Health and safety is important to consider in all industries, but in construction, it really matters. There are certain things that everyone on the site needs to be aware of and pay attention to, to ensure everyone is safe at all times. If you’re looking to update your health and safety know-how, we’ve put together ten essential health and safety protocols you need to be aware of in the construction industry.

Have the correct construction equipment

It is important that you use the right tools for the job and that they are all in correct working order. If there are any issues with your equipment, or you have any safety concerns, do not use it. Using the wrong tools can be dangerous, and if you are unsure about what equipment you need, ask the site manager.

Always wear the right PPE for construction

Personal Protection Equipment, or PPE, is essential to keep everyone on-site safe. From safety boots to masks to hard hats to high visibility jackets, each piece is designed to protect you from potential hazards and it needs to be worn correctly to be effective.

Follow the signs

Construction safety signs are there for a reason, and you need to be aware of what they mean and how to follow them. From warning signs on slippery floors to areas that need high visibility clothing to be worn, they are there for your protection.

Always clean up the site properly

There will always be mess associated with a construction project, and it’s important that workers keep the site tidy. However, after the project has finished, it might be worth hiring professional cleaners who have the skills and expertise to make sure the site is totally clean after-build.

Know the site

Before you start work on a site, you need to have a full health and safety induction, which will detail any risks and site-specific requirements. Each construction project will have different factors to consider, so make sure you are aware of these and pay attention.

Don’t take risks

If you work in the construction industry, taking unnecessary risks can be deadly. Construction sites are full of potential hazards, and it is up to you to keep yourself and your colleagues safe at all times. Keeping your site clean and safe is essential and eliminating risks such as trip hazards can prevent workplace injuries too. If you are worried about an unsafe area, unsafe tools or unclear signage ask someone.

Building sites are intrinsically dangerous places. Piles of materials, equipment, machinery, cables, trenches… just about every hazard imaginable.

So it’s crucial that the construction site is kept clean and neat, here’s why.

Culture change

Most construction workers these days are well-trained and equipped. Health and Safety awareness has developed rapidly and it’s fair to say that there’s been a real culture change, especially on major construction sites. There’s more than one good reason for that; injury causes great distress, delays and economic damage. In 2018 alone, despite all the good work in H&S awareness, well over half a million construction workers suffered injuries that were serious enough to be reportable. Tragically, 144 workers lost their lives.

The full human and financial cost of injury and illness in the workplace is immeasurable, but with almost 500 cases ending in court in 2018 resulting in fines of over £70 million, there’s no question that main contractors must and do take Health and Safety very seriously.

Post-build, pre-clean

When a major building project is nearing completion, the site enters a new phase that is potentially dangerous in different ways. All the major subcontractors have gone, not all of them leaving a clean site behind. Debris and rubbish pile up with leftover building materials, broken tools, all manner of stuff waiting to snag an unwary leg.

Every site goes through this phase – the building work is 90% done, but the place is far from ready to receive visits from inspectors and potential buyers. As a Health and Safety risk, it’s still very much a live case – and the main contractor is still very much liable for any injuries.

After build clean up

A professional after build clean up by ACC isn’t just about sprucing the site up to boost selling – although we do a pretty good job on that front, too. ACC teams are fully trained in H&S awareness and we’ll look at the whole site with safety fully in focus. We know the regulations and we also know common sense. Together, those could end up saving someone a twisted ankle, a sprained back, or even, in the worst-case scenario, a fortune.

When you think of the typical office space, you think of a clean, efficient area for workers to get the job done. The truth is professional cleaning of a construction site is even more important – helping to reduce costs, build reputations and secure future work.

The cost of health and safety

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), last year there were 54,000 cases of non-fatal work-related injury on construction sites in the UK (source: https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/construction.pdf) . However, workplace injury doesn’t just pose a question of the human cost, it also has a large economic cost. Millions of working days have been lost due to workplace injury and illness and many of them can be prevented with professional cleaning practices.

Productivity costs

A clean, organised construction site can greatly increase productivity. Not only does it decrease the amount of wasted materials, in a clean work environment workers can complete tasks quicker and more efficiently.

In addition to this, site cleanliness can simply give employees added pride in their surroundings and they will therefore often provide higher quality work to live up to the site’s standards.

Protecting your future costs

Contrary to popular belief, a messy construction site doesn’t give off the impression that a great deal of work is being done. It can actually cause clients or prospective clients to question the quality and effectiveness of the work being done.

A construction site can act as your company advertisement for anyone visiting or passing by. Cleanliness and organisation are naturally associated with better quality work and professionalism. By keeping your site clean, it could lead to more contracts in the future.

The cost of your investment

Professional commercial cleaning can do more than make your site look better. It can actually ensure that your inventory is well maintained. Supplies that are dirty can easily get damaged. And knowing where everything is can prevent losses throughout the life of your project.

If you are looking for a professional cleaning service to keep your site maintained, Associated Cleaning Contractors have years of experience. Contact us today to see how we can help clean up your construction site safely and effectively.