At its most basic level, cleaning clears dirt, grime or other unwanted substances from something. Typically, that means sweeping visible dirt from the floor or wiping crumbs off of a counter. But, cleaning is less about getting rid of just the visible filth and more about removing germs and other microbial contaminants that can’t be seen.

Research and engineering have gone into every Rubbermaid Commercial product to help you achieve optimal infection prevention, industry-leading durability and superior productivity. Whether you are working in retail, transportation, education or entertainment, or various other industries, proper cleaning equipment and techniques are essential.

So, why should you care about the science behind cleaning?

Your cleaning practices might not be good enough.

It can be easy to adhere to already established cleaning procedures, but you may not be cleaning as thoroughly as you think. To effectively clean, a two-step process of cleaning before disinfecting is vital to achieve good results. Step one removes visible dirt and debris in order for step two, disinfecting, to be effective.

Just because it looks clean, doesn’t mean it is clean

Although surfaces look smooth and clean, this might not always be the case. Under the microscope, surfaces have grooves and crevices that serve as places where microorganisms can grow and breed. The Scientists and Engineers at Rubbermaid ensure that the products and solutions we develop deliver a higher level of cleanliness to end users, cleaning the very fine spaces that we don’t necessarily see.

Your cleaning products could be doing more harm than good.

When it comes to cleaning your facility, your cleaning staff may reach for a cleaning rag and an overly-used mop — items that can become a petri dish for bacteria. Using traditional cleaning tools like a round mop bucket may be spreading bacteria you’ve picked up from other surfaces. A two-compartment bucket such as our Wavebrake bucket ensures dirty water is separated from the clean solution.

To further increase safety, choose colour-coded microfibre-based products that remove potentially harmful germs as well as equipment that is designed specifically for powerful commercial cleaning. Designate a specific colour for a particular space to keep from cross contamination.

Improper cleaning can lead to infection.

Outbreaks of infection can happen in any venue — hotels, schools, cruise ships, aeroplanes. You name it. A lack of proper cleaning has the potential to spread germs. In fact, over 90% of airborne microorganisms in buildings are due to the resuspension of bacteria from floors and other surfaces. That means spaces that aren’t cleaned properly can cause illness and health problems.

In a study of 14 childcare centres and 8 homes, influenza A was recovered from 53% to 59% of uncleaned surfaces during flu season.¹

Visit our Resource Centre to learn more about data-driven cleaning practices.

The need for a better cleaning wipe became known, so scientists engineered the microfibre cloth. HYGEN Launderable and Disposable Microfibre Cloths remove 99.9% of microbes including OC43. Launderable cloths decrease water and cleaning solution usage which can improve staff workflow and wellbeing. The cloth can also withstand up to 500 washes, making it a durable option for your cleaning arsenal. Disposable microfibre cloths reduce the cross-contamination of bacteria.

Choose cleaning products that produce the best results, but also promote the safety of your cleaning staff. The Wavebrake Press Bucket reduces splashing by 80% with a built-in wringer to keep patrons and staff protected. The bucket’s foot-operated drain eliminates lifting and bending while the large water basin lowers the number of trips needed to fill with water or cleaning product.

Cleaning can be time-consuming but with proper tools, it doesn’t have to be. The HYGEN Pulse Mop is an ergonomic and bucket-less way to mop any type of flooring using a HYGEN Pulse Mop. This lightweight mop has an onboard cleaning solution reservoir — perfect for a quick and effective clean.

Clean from top to bottom

To maximise the effectiveness of cleaning protocols, work from the top to the bottom of any room or hallway: ceiling, walls, objects and floor. As a space is being cleaned, dust and debris can fall from high surfaces onto lower spaces.

Use mechanical actions

Remove impurities with mechanical actions — brushing, scrubbing and wiping — to reduce the risk of illnesses or the spread of dangerous germs. Choose a cleaning style, speed and timing based on the type of grime being worked on.