Using chemicals and indiscriminate biocides for cleaning? Are we on the right track?

In this article, Joe Flanagan, LCIBSE, director of Essex-based Ingenious Probiotics, explains how probiotic cleaning works, and why, we as an industry, should consider its potential impact on the health and wellbeing of cleaning operatives as well as that of the occupants of the buildings we clean…
more

Good practice for Covid-secure organisations in 2021

As businesses and other organisations emerge from the pandemic, there will be a renewed focus on the health & safety of workplaces. Risk assessments will need to be updated to ensure that staff, customers and other visitors are not exposed to harmful microorganisms.
more

Germinator adds Dr Jay Noller to Scientific Advisory Board

Germinator Mobile Sanitizing & Disinfecting, has added Dr Jay Noller to its Scientific Advisory Board. A pioneer in the agricultural field, providing 21 years of leadership at Oregon State University, Dr Noller's will assist with the design and execution of proposed studies to explore the remediation of surface and food acquisition of Covid-19 through grants from the US Department of Agriculture and other entities.
more

SaneChem delivers key regional acquisition as Diversey continues expansion in global food and beverage industry

Diversey has announced the acquisition of SaneChem, a Polish-based supplier of specialist hygiene solutions for the Food and Beverage industry. The deal is a significant step in Diversey's global growth plans.
more

Aphex BioCleanse Systems signs European supply & private label agreement for DermAphex and SanAphex

Aphex BioCleanse Systems, a sanitisation solutions company focused on the development and distribution of non-toxic and water-based sanitisation and disinfection products trademarked as Hy-IQ Water, has signed a supply and private label agreement with Qurexx BV in Almere, The Netherlands.
more

Kristy Kenney wins Vectair Systems Tom Valentino Special Achievement Award

Vectair Systems has announced Kristy Kenney winner of the Tom Valentino Special Achievement Award 2020. As executive administrative assistant for Vectair Systems, Kristy has been recognised for her truly outstanding dedication to the company.
more

New director, VP of business development for Kaivac

Kaivac has promoted Allen Randolph to vice president of business development, from his former role as director of key accounts.
more

RAI Amsterdam launches new Interclean show for China in 2021

RAI Amsterdam has announced the unveiling of Interclean China 2021, a new show for the Chinese professional cleaning and hygiene industry. Set to take place from 19th - 21st April 2021, the first edition of Interclean China will open its doors at Beijing's China National Convention Centre.
more

The quest to be different in FM and cleaning management

By Nils J.van der Zijl, VP sales & marketing, Softbank Robotics EMEA

“There is no getting away from the fact that this year has been extremely challenging for the cleaning and FM industry.

But we should also take hope from the fact that whilst the pandemic will pass (in the hopefully not-too-distant future), the increased importance that businesses attach to FM and cleaning must surely remain. Business leaders have recognised the strategic value of their buildings, and hygiene and safety will become an enduring focus.
more

Vectair Systems welcomes US investment

Vectair Systems, a leading innovator, manufacturer and supplier of aircare and hygiene products, is pleased to welcome a consortium of US investors to add to its existing shareholders, after the exit of Mobeus, a UK-based investment firm.
more

pH7Q Dual now has EPA-approved SARS-CoV-2 kill claim

Available now, pH7Q Dual concentrated neutral disinfectant cleaner officially kills the virus that causes Covid-19. This claim is US Environmental Protection Agency-approved and is backed by rigorous testing.
more

Xenex introduces the next generation of coronavirus-killing robots

To provide quick, effective disinfection against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, healthcare disinfection specialist Xenex Disinfection Services, has announced the availability of LightStrike6, the highly-anticipated new version of its patented germ-zapping robots.
more

Bunzl reveals good results for 2020 and further acquisition in Canada

Bunzl tells us it has performed well this year, with continued growth in Covid-19-related orders during the fourth quarter of the year against the background of increased pandemic-driven restrictions in some markets, as well as a further acquisition in Canada.
more

Durkin Group teams up with Afflink

Afflink, the US sales & marketing organisation and provider of janitorial, sanitation, packaging, safety, industrial, office supply and food service solutions, has announced that Massachusetts-based Durkin Company has become an Afflink member.
more

Taski Intellispray technology for business wins Innovation of the Year & Most Innovative Equipment awards at ISSA North America 2020

IntelliSpray technology, developed by Taski, has beaten a field of highly innovative competition to win the ISSA Innovation of the Year and Most Innovative Equipment awards.
more

Electric hand dryer association concerns over EU EcoDesign Directive

The electric hand dryer Association, the official body that represents the global hand dryer industry, has shared its concerns over the potential legislative measures resulting from the EcoDesign Directive, when it comes to energy efficiency and labelling.
more

EU model overestimates environmental exposure of key surfactant, claims study

A European Union model used to predict the environmental exposure of a major detergent ingredient is overly conservative and "significantly overestimates" effluent concentrations, new research shows.

A study co-authored by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), ‘Comparing the European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES) environmental exposure calculations with monitoring data for alkyl sulphate surfactants’, is now available in the journal Environmental Sciences Europe.
more

BICSc to launch NHS compliant cleaning skills

The British Institute of Cleaning Science has announced the imminent launch of a selection of NHS compliant cleaning skills, which have been adapted from the Institute's long-established Cleaning Professional's Skills Suite.

The selected skills will be compliant with both PAS 5748:2014, and the draft 'NHS National standards of healthcare cleanliness manual'.
more

ISSA Virtual Training Course: Estimating & Bidding

Only accurate estimating can lead to good service provision and a content client, whilst meeting the calculated costs.

Join the EMEA edition of the Estimating and Bidding for Success course on 19 January 2021 at 13.00 CET and learn how robust estimating and workloading can help improve scope of service, cost efficiency, planning and budgeting as well as bidding for success.

This half-day course will provide participants with a useable framework to prepare for contract cleaning tender and will cover the fundamental elements which need to be assessed in the “new normal”.
more

Purify-One’s UV Disinfecting Wand receives clinical validation for Covid-19 eradication

Purify-One, manufacturer of ultraviolet disinfecting devices, is in receipt of final audited test results from Microbac Laboratories, (a US-based CDC certified lab) confirming the Purify-One UV Disinfecting Wand is highly effective in destroying SARS-CoV-2, known as Coronavirus, which causes Covid-19.

Mircrobac Laboratories reports say that the Purify-One UV Disinfecting Wand has been shown to be ~97% effective in destroying Covid-19 within seconds of exposure. A relatively high percentage of the residual virus, (while remaining living) has also been shown to no longer be able to replicate - effectively deeming it harmless.
more

Solution offers long-term surface protection against harmful bacteria and enveloped virus

Bioarmor tells us that in addition to its UK laboratory certification of 99.9% efficacy against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA - Bioarmor-nano has now been independently laboratory tested to be effective (on non-porous substrates) against phi6 - an enveloped virus with a similar structure to Coronavirus* and Influenza A viruses.

The testing was carried out to a modified version of ISO 21702.
more

More facilities secure GBAC Star accreditation for high cleanliness standards

In the week leading up to Christmas, 126 additional facilities spread over several continents, achieved GBAC Star Facility Accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council - a Division of ISSA - demonstrating their commitment to cleanliness, healthand safety.

These include American Airlines Arena in Miami, home to the NBA's Miami Heat; Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, N.C.; the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Ore.; Hyatt hotel properties; and more (see the full list, below).
more

TNT Unlimited wins Vectair's 2020 Rep Group of the Year award

TNT Unlimited, an independent sales agency based in Barrington, Illinois, has won Vectair's 2020 Rep Group of the Year Award. TNT Unlimited is no stranger to success, having previously won the award in 2012.

The winners of the Vectair Rep Group of the Year were announced at the first ever Vectair virtual awards announcements. Normally these awards are held annually at the ISSA show. However, this year, they were held virtually due to the pandemic.
more

A new era of washroom solutions: introducing Satino by WEPA

WEPA Professional, provider of sustainable, environmentally-friendly paper and washroom solutions in Europe, is introducing Satino by WEPA; a new brand of cleaning and hygiene products for the UK market.

Available now, the extensive range offers everything from paper towels to washroom accessories and provides a variety of functional options to meet the needs of customers and washroom users alike. Highlights include touch-free soap and paper towel dispensers, toilet roll dispensers, and waste bins.
more

Protect classrooms and communities with antimicrobials in schools

Following the decision by Government to close all schools, now is the time to introduce long-term protection against all viruses including Covid-19. Bromoco International, makers of Touch Antimicrobial coating, is appealing to local councils and the Government to implement a long term, sustainable plan to protect classrooms and learning environments with antimicrobial coatings.

In recent weeks, the rise of positive cases amongst students and school staff was a strong indicator that hand-washing and cleaning of frequent touch-points was not sufficient to prevent Covid-19's spread.
more

Is UVC the answer to UK infection control against Covid-19?

With the UK entering its third lockdown this week, the question many of the population are asking is 'what more can we do?' With the one year lockdown anniversary fast approaching, are we really at a loss how to slow the spread?

A virus with airborne transmission brings an abundance of complexities to slow the spread. How can we fight something that we can see in the air? Enter LED Direct, a small lighting company based in Sheffield.
more

Facilicom secures eighth year with University Of Brighton

Cleaning and soft services provider, Facilicom UK & Ireland, has secured a contract extension with long-standing client, the University of Brighton. The relationship, which began in September 2013, has seen the hygiene specialist deliver daily janitorial and cleaning services to the University's halls of residence.

The contract extension will see Facilicom's team of highly-skilled cleaning operatives continue to deliver these vital services into 2021.
more

ONS data shows detrimental effect Covid-19 has had on contract cleaning

The impacts of Covid-19 have been felt in businesses across the UK and, despite an obvious need for increased cleaning practices, cleaning companies are no exception with only 75% of UK businesses in the sector currently trading, according to ONS data. Perfect Clean, a Scottish cleaning company, has analysed the latest ONS data to understand how the pandemic has impacted the UK's cleaning industry.
more

BCC urges public to respect Government guidelines

The British Cleaning Council has urged the public to follow the rules as most of the UK finds itself in another Covid-19 lockdown.
more

Search for UK's top window-cleaning company and employee has begun

The Federation of Window Cleaners is welcoming entries into its biennial industry competitions Window Cleaning Company of the Year and Window Cleaner Employee of the Year, 2021. The competition is open to all window cleaners who are registered members of the FWC, and to all employees of registered members.
more

Mitie appointed to Government's Building Cleaning Services agreement

Mitie has been named as a supplier on the Crown Commercial Service agreement for Building Cleaning Services.
more

Principle awarded IRATA International accreditation

Principle Window and High-Level Cleaning (PWHLC) has been awarded full accreditation by IRATA International (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association), the world's leading authority in rope access.
more

Yuasa battery testing lab becomes first to achieve UKAS accreditation

GS Yuasa, producer of Yuasa batteries, has become the first battery manufacturer to achieve IS17025 UKAS accreditation. The honour, gained by the testing facility at the GS Yuasa Battery Manufacturing UK factory in Ebbw Vale, Wales, will enable industrial VRLA batteries to be tested to the highest standard available.
more

Ineos Hygienics becomes official hand sanitiser supplier of Tottenham Hotspur

Ineos Hygienics has become the official hygiene supplier to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The company is supplying the club and the stadium with state-of-the-art touchless sanitiser dispensers, delivering hospital grade sanitiser to Spurs' players, staff and fans, to maintain good hand hygiene and reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria.
more

Medirest’s Anna Hallas recognised in New Year's Honours List

Medirest's national domestic and infection control manager, Anna Hallas, has been named in the New Year's Honours, which recognises the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people across the UK.
more

Wychavon District Council wins Loo of the Year Awards trophy

Wychavon District Council has been awarded the Overall Loo of the Year Awards Trophy in the 2020 Loo of the Year Awards.
more

Devastating on dirt!

Tomcat's CRZ make short order of cleaning off ingrained dirt and residue. 250lbs of scrub pressure, superb drying performance and a little bit of cleaning know how get this floor back to a cleaner and safer standard.
more

Consumers call on organisations to do more to help reduce the risk of Covid

Organisations are being called upon to do more to make their premises Covid -safe as facilities services provider phs Group addresses the airborne risk of the coronavirus.
more

ServiceMaster claims major accolade at Franchising Awards

Service Master, an office cleaning and janitorial specialist, has won the Franchisee Transformation award at the 2020 British Franchising Association's HSBC Franchise Awards, held virtually on 30th November.
more

Tidy Green Clean Specialist Services has outstanding first quarter despite challenges of Covid-19

Jake Robertson, who joined Tidy Green Clean as its first regional director (Specialist Services) is reporting an outstanding first quarter.
more

Cleanology's Christmas Appeal collects a tonne of donations for The Hygiene Bank!

Staff, customers and suppliers at commercial cleaning and FM company, Cleanology, have bagged up a whopping tonne of hygiene products to go to families around the UK this Christmas. And there is more to come!
more

APPG will give cleaning & hygiene industry a voice in Parliament

The British Cleaning Council is sponsoring the creation of an All-Party Parliamentary Group to represent the cleaning & hygiene sector in the Houses of Parliament. The aim is to give the industry a voice in Parliament, allow it to influence discussions, debate and pose questions and to influence ministers and the Government.
more

Interserve colleagues and customers welcomed to Mitie

This is a landmark month for the facilities management industry as Mitie and Interserve Facilities Management combine forces.
more

Interclean China
19-21st April 2021
Beijing
China
Website

CMS
21-24th September 2021
Berlin
Website

Middle East Cleaning Technology Week
28-30th September 2021
Dubai World Trade Centre
Website