3 Common Cleaning Concerns in Summertime

At long last, summer’s just around the corner! We can’t wait for warmer weather, gardens bursting into bloom and longer days to spend with our friends and family.

But when summer does finally arrive, it brings along with it seasonal cleaning challenges.

We’ve listed 3 of the most common cleaning concerns in summer and things you can do to keep on top of things. This list is not exhaustive so make sure all the cleaning needs specific to your workplace are being met!

Hot Weather

You may wonder what hot weather has to do with cleaning, and on the face of it, not really a lot. But it doesn’t mean it can’t impact the cleanliness of your workplace.

One concern is cleaning staff’s welfare when cleaning in hot temperatures. Most cleaning tasks require a significant amount of physical effort to accomplish, which can make even the fittest of us break into a sweat at any time of year. However, it’s of more concern in the summer months when outdoor temperatures are sending the mercury through the roof. Cleaners can become weary and dehydrated in these conditions which can affect their overall performance at work. If your workplace has air conditioning, keep it programmed to a temperature which makes the ambient temperature in the office lower than the outdoor’s to keep cleaning workers comfortable and to prevent them from overheating as they work.

If you don’t have air conditioning, a simple floor standing or desk fan can be used to help improve the internal air circulation which helps keep it cooler. Keep windows closed during the hottest part of the day, as the temperature outside is higher than inside, you’ll want to trap as much of that nice cool air inside as possible. Make sure fresh cool drinking water is available for cleaners. Either a water jug kept in the fridge or spring water coolers situated in easily accessible areas are a great way of providing cleaning staff with the refreshment they need to make it through their shift.

Another concern is how rising temperatures contribute towards the development of bad odours. Bins left un-emptied and unkempt kitchens and toilets can really start to stink in the heat. No one wants to work in smelly conditions, so it’s really important to keep on top of these areas of concern to avoid bad smells taking over your workplace. Bins should ideally be lidded to trap odours inside, and air fresheners can be installed in toilet areas to help combat excessive bad smells. That being said, simply changing the bins a couple of times a day and having the toilet spot checked throughout the day is the best way of keeping on top of bad smells.

Pollen

It’s well known that there is a significant increase in cold and flu related sniffles during the winter months. Happily, the warmer weather helps boost our immune systems to fight off these nasty bugs. However, there is another sniffle inducing evil on the prowl during the summer months….pollen!

According to allergyuk.org, “Allergic rhinitis is the most common form of non-infectious rhinitis, affecting…26% of adults in the UK.” They also state that “…in recent research around 49% of people reported suffering with Hay fever symptoms.” You will agree that’s a huge percentage of the overall UK population! (source: www.allergyuk.org/about-allergy/statistics-and-figures/)

So how can cleaning help minimise the effects of pollen for hay fever sufferers? Pollen is an airborne substance which can eventually settle on most hard surfaces and carpets that can be stirred up back into the air when disturbed. Keeping on top of the dusting and vacuuming in your workplace helps bring the level of pollen down reducing its effects on your staff who suffer from hay fever. Avoid dry wiping surfaces and sweeping floors. Instead, use a damp cloth to trap pollen particles; and use vacuum cleaners, that utilise air filters to capture dust, to clean dry soil from floors to minimise the amount of dust expelled back into the air.

It’s also a good idea to check the pollen levels for the upcoming days. Air pollution warnings in weather reports can include warnings of excess pollen in the air. Keeping your windows closed during these pollen warning periods can help improve the air quality in your workplace. Also, having extra cleaning scheduled will again significantly reduce the amount of residual pollen in your workplace.

The main aim of this is to make sure your staff who suffer from hay fever are as best protected as possible to avoid hay fever related absences and reduced work productivity due to unwelcome sniffles!

Pests (No, not pets!)

Some of us may be allowed to bring our furry friends into work (with the bosses permission of course!) which can be a lovely addition to any workplace.

We’re thinking of those not so welcome furry friends that squeeze their way into places they shouldn’t. Rodents such as rats and mice breed heavily during the warmer months, increasing their numbers a huge amount, subsequently increasing the risk of infestation into attractive environments. Not only that, ants and other creepy crawlies are highly active during the summer, and are always on the hunt for food spills.

Cleaning plays a huge role in eliminating the risks of pests that can infest the workplace. The daily removal of waste food items, cleaning of food spills and thoroughly clearing away any dry food crumbs on the floor and in crevices means there’s little left to attract these little critters from infiltrating your workplace boundaries. Residual odours can attract pests, even after the bulk of the mess has been cleaned up. A thorough sanitise and deodorise effectively treats these odours, which means pesky pests will go sniffing for their dinner elsewhere.

Enlisting the help of a local pest control service is a great way to control potential pests. They can offer advice and services that suit the needs of your business. If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to contact your local pest control service for advice as to what you can do to control and eliminate pests found in your workplace.

Ideal Cleaning Can Help You Through the Summer

Our cleaning operatives are on hand to help you combat these and other summer cleaning concerns. All of Ideal Cleaning staff are fully trained, equipped and ready to make your workplace a great place to work during the summer months.

Contact our office today on 01642 685 321 or fill in our quote request form for your free site visit and no obligation quote.