Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 6th August 2026 Issue no. 1222
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 International News
Products Nexaro strengthens European distribution network with new partners in nine countries
Improving cleaning ergonomics: Robert Scott’s new Ergo-Globe Curve Handle
4M Building Solutions acquires Bluegrass Commercial Cleaning and Rainbow Maintenance Services
Momentum Environmental acquires Corbett Industrial Cleaning Services
Veolia-operated South African waste site powered by new Rhino solar plant
In new podcast, 'Unsung', cleaners across Europe tell their stories in their own words
Genie Skip Bins expands waste management services across Sydney
Introducing Arbex: a new global leader in tissue and hygiene
Vectair joins United Nations Global Compact
Butlr launches smart cleaning technology for commercial offices
Perfect allies: Lucid Bots and Vets to Drones create cleaning careers for transitioning veterans
MSIP enters into agreement to acquire majority stake in Nicollin Environnement
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Welcome to the Cleanzine
As if our nation's cleaners didn't have enough to contend with, what with generally earning less money than others do, working unsocial hours, having to deal with other people's mess and often being ignored or disrespected by those they're helping to keep safe and healthy, a new study's found that they're being quoted above-average car insurance premiums! And to make matters worse, women in the profession are paying almost £17 more than men for the same driver profile. Why? It doesn't make any sense to me. Does it you? Marshall Motor Group, having analysed insurance quotes across 100 occupations using identical driver, vehicle and postcode details, (changing only the job title and gender) discovered that male cleaners were quoted £431.20 a year while female cleaners were quoted £447.82, i.e. £16.62 more, which is a 3.9% difference. Cleaning supervisors received the highest quotes among the cleaning-related occupations analysed (£431.47 male / £455.10 female), followed by domestic staff (£430.48 male / £454.08 female), housekeepers (£429.91 male / £453.52 female), window cleaners (£429.91 male / £453.52 female) and janitors (£429.83 male / £453.44 female) when the male and female premiums were averaged. I must say I can understand supervisors being quoted more, since they have what must often be an incredibly stressful role, being tasked with upholding cleaning schedules and standards when having to cover for unexpected staff absences and emergency cleaning requirements beyond their control. If they have more accidents while driving than the rest of us, I'm not at all surprised... Male cleaners were quoted just 27p less than cleaning supervisors. However, female cleaners were quoted £7.28 less than female cleaning supervisors - which again doesn't make any sense to me. Across the six cleaning-related occupations included in the study, the average quote was £430.47 for men and £452.91 for women. Male cleaners were therefore, 73p above the male cleaning-sector average, while female cleaners were £5.09 below the female cleaning-sector average. Both profiles remained above the overall study averages of £418.98 for men and £436.46 for women. Since reading the report, I've spent a fair bit of time pondering over why those at the sharp end of our industry are being forced to pay more for their insurance. My only conclusion is that, thanks to the unsocial hours so many of them have to work, they're driving to and from work when the roads are emptier. In my view they're less likely to be involved in a collision as there are fewer drivers about. However, emptier roads allow drivers to travel faster - potentially exceeding speeding limits. And then of course there are the dreadful potholes to consider, which are far harder to see in poor light. I wonder... The full analysis is at https://www.marshall.co.uk/guides/insights/job-title-car-insurance/
 This Week's News
Water pressure exposes hidden drainage inefficiencies
Longer, hotter spells are driving higher water use across commercial buildings, while heavy rainfall is becoming more frequent. Both trends are placing greater demand on drainage systems, particularly where maintenance schedules are limited. Projections suggest England could face a shortfall of close to five billion litres of water per day by 2050, adding further pressure on businesses to manage water use more carefully. Iron Software backs people over robots in fight against ocean plastic
An estimated 70%of ocean plastic enters the sea through rivers. In Thailand, the Chao Phraya River - one of Southeast Asia's major arteries - carries waste from hundreds of miles inland before discharging into the Gulf of Thailand. Communities along its length use plastic daily, and when it rains or winds pick up, that plastic washes into smaller waterways called klongs, which eventually feed the main river. 
In line with public data, which indicates that labour contributes to up to 65% of total cleaning costs, the analysis posits that all-in-one cleaning equipment drastically reduces labour hours. With cleaning costs reaching as high as $40 to $55 per hour, (£30 to £41) these pieces of equipment perform multiple tasks in a single pass while enabling fewer workers to cover larger areas with minimal fatigue. Microban technology gives VDM that competitive edge
The challenge: standing out in a high-stakes market…  Global ‘Built to Stay’ study provides key to winning travel trust in holiday rentals
Powered by The Harris Poll, the study surveyed more than 1,700 travellers across the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, France, Germany and Australia, who have stayed in a holiday rental within the last year. OCS backs Youth Guarantee to help more young people into work
In 2025, OCS hired 3,500 colleagues aged 18 to 24, accounting for one in five of its total UK hires. Of those, 582 identified as NEET (not in education, employment or training) before joining the company. OCS is committing to build on this track record as the Youth Guarantee develops.  TGB secures landmark Elizabeth Line contract deploying patented MSU model across 27 stations
The contract spans 27 stations and will see the deployment of two globally patented Mobile Segregation Units (MSUs) positioned to support both eastern and western sections of the line. Operating from Gidea Park in the east and the Reading corridor in the west at Taplow, the units will form a hub-and-spoke model, enabling waste to be consolidated and processed efficiently across the estate. The Clean Space appointed preferred supplier By Wavenet
Wavenet provides secure, fully equipped office environments for contracted customers whose staff need an alternative place to work if they are unable to access their usual workplace. Its UK network comprises nine business continuity centres and around 4,000 fully equipped desk positions, located within easy reach of major commercial hubs. The Cleanzine Archive Search We keep an extensive archive of news stories and product information that have featured in past issues of The Cleanzine. If you would like to run a search of the The Cleanzine web site using the search tool below please just go ahead by entering in the name of the person, product or company or any other key words that you are looking for. How to contact us at The Cleanzine:
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Our weekly updated Hospital Hygiene features current developments and product solutions cleaning and hygiene industry manufacturers are coming up with. Read More. Recent UK News
Chartway Janitorial marks 25th anniversary by winning major family business award
Breaking Barriers Bursary deadline extended to 31st August 2026
Balfour Beatty delivers a life-saving initiative
Cleanology promotes Juliet Widdicombe to managing director
OCS announces recommended acquisition of Mitie
SOAPBOX: Industry consolidation... but also a huge opportunity for SMEs
"I've read the articles with great interest and the proposed acquisition of Mitie by OCS is undoubtedly one of the biggest moments our industry has witnessed in many years. Should the deal complete, we'll see the creation of an FM organisation with revenues in excess of £8 billion - a remarkable achievement and a reflection of the continuing evolution of our sector. Congratulations to everyone involved. Contract cleaning market: a £200m boost in 2026
Principle celebrates another Gold Payroll Giving Quality Mark Award
SET appoints The Clean Space to support its growing London arts centres
Events & Exhibitions ISSA Show Asia Cleantex Interclean Shanghai ISSA Cleaning & hygiene Expo ISSA Show North America WFBSC Global Executive Congress The Workplace Event CMS Asia |
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