General cleaning & sanitising

General cleaning and sanitising – WHY?

Cleaning removes soils, stains, grease, debris, marks, rust, dust, lint, cobwebs and odours which can arise, through use or non-use, on surfaces, floors & stairs, windows, fixtures, furnishings, appliances and equipment.

Not only does cleaning remove substances that may harbour microorganisms, it also makes areas much more comfortable and enjoyable to spend time in. This is important in every “out and about” setting.

Cleaning is different to sanitising. Sanitising reduces the numbers of viable microorganisms so that they pose minimal threat to human health. This is especially important where the risk of cross infection needs to be minimised, e.g. in food preparation and handling; in hospitals and clinics; in veterinary practices; for laundering specific items or in specific situations; and in nursing homes. Sanitising is also referred to as disinfecting.

One step further is sterilisation, which means killing all microorganisms or in the object. Sterilisation is required in certain situations in hospitals e.g. for surgical equipment.

General cleaning and sanitising – HOW?

Professional cleaning staff, using I&I cleaning products and specialised I&I cleaning equipment, are often responsible for maintaining good levels of hygiene “out and about”.

There are many I&I cleaning and sanitising products. These are designed either for general use or for one of many specific purposes. The wide range of products available means that cleaning and janitorial staff can get the job done efficiently and effectively by using a product that matches the task, leaving the area clean, hygienic and comfortable.

• General purpose cleaners are for routine cleaning of non-porous surfaces. They can be acid, alkaline or solvent-based, and some also disinfect.
• Floor cleaners include carpet cleaners, concrete floor cleaners, timber floor cleaners, buffing solutions and floor strippers.
• Hard surface cleaners include washroom cleaners, spray and wipe cleaners, window cleaners, stainless steel cleaners and graffiti-removal products. There are also specific toilet hygiene products such as toilet bowl and urinal cleaners, urinal blocks and tablets.
• Automotive cleaners include paint cleaners (and polishes) and internal cleaners for hard and upholstered surfaces.
• Abrasive cleaners can be powders, liquids or creams containing small particles of hard, insoluble scouring ingredients. The friction of rubbing these particles across a surface helps to remove any soil.
• Spot & stain removers can be used on soft surfaces such as upholstery and carpet.
• Heavy duty cleaners and degreasers are for highly soiled and greasy surfaces, and can be for general purposes or specific uses such as oven cleaners, floor cleaners, engine and mechanical parts cleaners.
• Hand hygiene products include bar soaps and dispensed liquid, foam and gel cleansers and sanitisers.
• Disinfectants are used to sanitise certain areas where the risk of cross infection is high, as described above. Classes of disinfectants include chlorinated compounds, iodine-based compounds, quaternary ammonium compounds, peroxides, acid-anionic compounds, and alcohols. Different disinfecting agents are active against different pathogens.

In addition to this extensive range of cleaning products, cleaning tools include brooms, mops, vacuum cleaners and steam cleaners, scrubbers, scourers, rags, dusters, squeegees, sprays and dispensers.