The issue of sustainability is a priority for the cleaning industry. As technology continues to advance, consumers are seeing the benefit of using environmentally friendly products which also get the best results. Here, Brian Boll, operations director of Jigsaw Cleaning Systems, looks at how this can be achieved.
The need for products and systems which ensure high performance and productivity while keeping costs down will always be a priority in the cleaning industry.
In the healthcare industry, hospitals and health centres continue to operate under pressure to meet government guidelines, targets and budgets.
There are a number of methods on the market relying on the use of products designed as a result of advances in technology, which can streamline healthcare hygiene processes, improve productivity and promote sustainability, if used effectively.
Sustainability is becoming more of a priority; an industry poll we ran last year found 78 per cent of respondents deemed sustainable technology as being important within the industry. Green cleaning can not only protect the environment but generate benefits and savings in time and money too.
Keeping a close eye on our actions now means reducing the negative impact on the environment and in turn safeguarding it for the future, so utilising resources to gain maximum benefits has never been more important.
One of the biggest concerns for healthcare establishments, in particular within high risk areas such as intensive care units and children’s wards, is the easy distribution of bacteria and micro-organisms, which are invisible to the naked eye and therefore difficult to identify if an area is thoroughly clean.
Advancements in technology have resulted in sales of unique products in the industry increasing, as more hospitals begin to make the connection between the efficiency of modern methodologies and savings in time and money, and are keen to take advantage of the benefits. It’s a clear sign that the industry is embracing the use of new technology in place of more traditional methods.
Innovation is crucial, which is why products that make the most out of materials designed to be both effective and efficient are becoming increasingly popular. Sustainable materials are now more sought after than ever before, which accounts for the increase in the popularity of products such as Wetrok’s Masslinn cloths, supplied and distributed by Jigsaw Cleaning Systems.
Containing a specially formulated material infused with an oil created to attract bacteria and dirt, products containing Masslinn technology are particularly effective in stopping germs moving from one surface area to another. The oil catches dust particles which minimises the risk of them dispersing through the air.
The cloths can be attached to mop heads to clean floors and reduce dust levels before wet mopping, which prevents distribution; crucial because water is one of the elements required by bacteria to grow, resulting in the spread of infection.
A trial carried out in a hospital in order to compare the number of dust particles in one room per cm³ showed that after traditional sweeping, there were 85,000 particles. But after dry mopping with a Masslinn cloth, just 7,500 remained.
This system also reduces the amount of chemicals and water used, as well as saving time as there is less need for cleaners to frequently empty and replenish water containers. The use of disposable products brings vast benefits where sustainability is concerned, because less time spent laundering materials means reductions in the volume of water required, as well as laundry chemicals.
Methods which utilise single-use products are more effective than traditional, reusable ways, and results can be achieved at a fraction of the cost.
New, sustainable technology is the key to continuing the drive for innovation in the healthcare cleaning sector, and the results are speaking for themselves.
