By Rose Galera, C.E.H.

Trends, technology and new rules of cleaning directly impact the professional cleaning industry. Cleaning for health, safety and protecting the built environment is an ongoing topic of discussion. Environmental stewardship principles and sustainability are uppermost in this discussion. What is happening today is a conscientious movement towards implementing best practices in professional cleaning.

What is a “Best Practice”?

• Documented strategies and tactics utilized by companies for “best results.”
• Implemented and honed to provide for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Data is gathered from a variety of sources based on interviews, testing, surveys and other mechanisms of primary research.
• Cutting edge information not available in the public sector.

A best practice is a technique or methodology that, through experience and research, has proven to lead reliably to a desired result. It is about using approaches that not only deliver superior results but also consider sustainability and ongoing development of the approach. A best practice is a method or technique that has consistently shown results superior to those achieved with other means and is used as a benchmark. In addition, a best practice can evolve to become better as improvements are discovered.

Goals for Best Practices:

• Deliver a healthy and safe work environment.
• Deliver high standards of cleaning services.
• Deliver environmentally sound standards.
• Provide training to perform cleaning processes.
• Consistently provide best cleaning results.

How to Develop a Best Practice:

1. Comply with regulatory requirements.
2. Follow current industry standards in techniques and technologies.
3. Establish effective and efficient cleaning methods.
4. Identify appropriate cleaning agents, tools and equipment.
5. Identify potential contaminants and unsafe sources.
6. Develop meaningful performance monitoring programs for cleaning procedures.
7. Review to determine when revalidation is necessary and appropriate.
8. Develop and maintain adequate documentation systems.

Recommended Best Practices (Technology):

• Team cleaning
• Microfiber cleaning cloths charging technology
• Microfiber flat mop charging technology
• Backpack vacuuming system
• Steam vapor cleaning system
• Easy hard floor cleaning
• Dual cleaning cart systems
• Cleaning aprons
• Bed making process

Recommended Best Practices (Management):

• Creative scheduling
• Training – cross / clone
• Standardizing equipment and supply purchasing
• Inventory system
• Chemical management
• Green cleaning
• Housekeeping of systems controls

A commitment to using the best practices in professional cleaning is a commitment to using all industry knowledge and technology to ensure success. Organizations that implement a comprehensive program for capturing and sharing best cleaning practices can expect to increase operating efficiency, improve performance and gain competitive advantage for their housekeeping or cleaning operations.

Backpack Vacuum Cleaners saves labor hours. Four (4) level filtration increases indoor air quality. Backpacks are 43% more effective than uprights.

Solutions Oriented Action #5
Clean Plus Systems II Consulting & Management Services

With an Experienced Team of Associates, Clean Plus Systems can be available to provide the following consulting services:
• Re-tune, Re-organize and Re-structure Cleaning Operations
• Contract Account Management Services
• Staffing Determination / Methodology
• Training Assessment and Needs Survey
• Provide On-site Routine and Specialty Training
• Development of Training and Operational Manuals
• Strategies to Selecting Your Outsourcing Service Contracts
• On-site Implementation of a Team Cleaning Program
• Improve Cleaning Processes and Productivity

“Utilizing the power and forces of tomorrow’s systems to reduce costs and maximize safety and cleaning productivity.”

Solutions Oriented Action #4
Training, Education and Resource Services

Education, training and keeping abreast of trends and technology, are essentials to meeting the challenges and demands of Professional Cleaning today and into the 21st century. Well trained, effective, resourceful, decisive and knowledgeable personnel contribute to an organization’s growth, viability and profitability.

Clean Plus Systems workshops will assist employees in reaching their full potential, placing them and the organization at that Leading Edge. Workshops may be custom tailored to an organization’s special needs to include:
• Creative & Results Oriented Training for Management Personnel
• Leading Force & Progressive Cleaning Programs for Frontline Personnel
• Leadership Workshops with Training Manuals for Supervisors.

Clean Plus Systems II Training Workshop and Manuals
• Basics To Professional Cleaning Today
• Guest Room Cleaning For Hotels & Condominiums
• “TECS” The Efficiency Cleaning System (Team Cleaning)
• “WEB” Workloading, Estimating and Bidding
• Clean 101 and Clean 102 for Supervisors
• Mastering Cleaning Management Processes
• Renovation / Construction Cleaning
• Safety & Health Training

Solutions Oriented Action #3
Re-Tuning / Re-Organizing In-House Cleaning Operations

This Management Action Plan has been designed to reinforce and insure the conceptual understanding of the Professional Cleaning Operations and Processes. It will focus on a Cleaning Triad focusing on Administration, Management and Cleaning Technology.

Administration
• Operations & Procedures Manual
• Systems of Control
• Workloading / Time To Tasks
• Performance Measurements

Management
• Leadership & Coaching
• Supervisory Assessment
• Training Needs Assessment
• Day to Day Operational / Communication Processes

Cleaning Technology
• Basic Cleaning Systems & Procedures
• Time and Motion Reviews
• Cleaning Standards
• Work Place Safety

Retuning on Guest Room/Condo Cleaning will include processes in:
• Living Room Cleaning
• Kitchen Cleaning
• Bedroom Cleaning
• Bathroom Cleaning
• Bedmaking
• Vacuuming
• Dry & Damp Dusting

Retuning will also include a Room Inspection Process focusing on:
1) An eye for detail
2) Indicators of An Extremely Clean Room
3) Productions Standards, Qualifiers & Disqualifies

Retuning Definition – a process of eliminating the excess labor, supplies, equipment and overhead as well as all potential safety hazards from a job.

“If you can change your thinking, this can change your income.”

“There’s nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” — Victor Hugo