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eco-friendly

ExCel Shows

By | Blog, Cleaning, Company Cleaning, eco-friendly, Ideal Life, Social Media | No Comments

On the 16th of May 2023 Ideal’s Stephen Hibberd and Adam Ramsdale took a trip down to London to visit the shows on at ExCel.

As the world’s largest dedicated facilities management event, The shows at ExCel welcomes over 12,000 global FM professionals to experience the latest technological solutions and hear from industry trailblazers – all under one roof, over three days.

The event caters to everyone within the facilities and property buying chain, from manufacturers and consultants to service providers and end users.

With over 282 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services. We were able to identify the perfect ideas our business needs.”

There were 4 different shows at the exhibition:

IFSEC FIREX HEALTH AND SAFETY EXPO & FACILITES SHOW

We chatted to numerous companies from different shows a few of them being:

Defibuk (Health and safety): Speaking to Defibuk allowed us to find out interesting facts and even consider purchasing a defibrillator for the company.

Trackersack (facilities show): Trackersack is a company that uses a simple app-based system and a coded waste sack or bin to track waste from A to B.

Hyde Park Environmental – Hyde Park Environmental is the leading expert in the industry for spill control and containment products.

Luqel: Luqel water is a company that have developed a process and dispensing machine that purifies tap water and then can add in beneficial minerals and carbonisation, for great drinking water at work, without the waste of plastic bottles.

We also met up with our friends from TEAM Software when we popped next door to see the IFSEC security show, where they were showcasing their Time and Attendance system.

All in all, it was very informative and pleasant day, with some very innovative and interesting solutions on show. Our thoughts now turn towards the December 2024 show where we will be an exhibitor.

Nurses standing tall

The 2021 National Healthcare Standards – What’s changed?

By | Blog, Clean Energy, Company Cleaning, eco-friendly | 2 Comments

The what?

The new National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 were released in April 2021. It has been reported in GP Practice Management circles, as recently as September 2021, that the release of these new standards was done rather ‘quietly and without any fanfare’, with some even saying that Primary Care has been ‘kept in the dark’.

The new standards state that “The National standards of healthcare cleanliness 2021 (the national standards) apply to all healthcare settings – acute hospitals, mental health, community, primary care, dental care, ambulance trusts, GP surgeries and clinics, and care homes, regardless of the way cleaning services are provided.”

The new standards replace the National specifications for cleanliness in the NHS 2007 (and amendments) and primary care settings will have to become compliant with the new standards as these have been adopted by the CQC.

If you haven’t seen these new standards yet, then please follow the link below:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/B0271-national-standards-of-healthcare-cleanliness-2021.pdf

What’s covered?

After an Executive Summary (which states “Healthcare establishments must be able to demonstrate how and to what standard they are being cleaned.”) and an introduction, the main sections of the standards document cover the following headings:

  • General principals and definitions of cleaning and disinfection.
    • This provides a clear definition of the terms ‘Cleaning’, ‘Disinfection’, ‘Sterilisation’ and ‘Decontamination’ and explains that these are not interchangeable terms.
  • Cleaning responsibilities.
    • Explains how to assign the responsibility for specific cleaning functions.
  • Safe cleaning frequencies
    • An appendix provides baseline required frequencies for healthcare organisations.
  • Risk categories and standards for functional areas.
    • This covers how to assess all functional areas and assign them the appropriate Functional Risk Category (FR1 to FR6).
  • Effective cleaning and infection prevention and control.
    • This provides guidance on classification of infection risk and practical advice on methodology including colour-coding, protection, hygiene, training, uniforms and waste management.
    • Policies and strategic planning.
  • Auditing and monitoring information.
    • Principals and scoring.
  • Audit process.
    • Technical, efficacy and external auditing.
  • Advice on digital and technological auditing.
  • PLACE and the National standards.
    • Encourages patient-led assessments of cleaning standards (however, this is mainly in connection to hospital and hospices).
QMC Domestic Services
QMC Domestic Services

Some of these requirements may seem a little daunting for those in primary care, GP surgeries and clinics without large IPC teams. But there’s no need to panic – Help is at hand.

Ideal Cleaning Services provide daily cleaning services to NHS Trusts, Sexual Health Clinics, GP Practices, Dental Clinics and Vaccination Centres.

We are conversant with the new standards, Functional Risk Categories, performance parameters and cleaning frequencies and the Auditing and Monitoring principals for the new national standards.

We can help you determine the Functional Risk Category of each room, agree the responsibilities framework and train our staff on the appropriate cleaning methods and frequencies for each area. Our Area Supervisors will then undertake a regime of audits and inspections to provide you with the required Auditing and Monitoring information.

If you would like us to visit you and discuss how we can help you comply with the new requirements, then please contact us at sales@idealcleaning.co.uk

We’ll undertake a free site survey and provide you with a no-obligation proposal and quotation.

Fogging

Coronavirus…

By | Blog, Cleaning, Commercial Cleaning, Coronavirus, eco-friendly, Ideal Life, Industrial Cleaning, Social Media | 3 Comments

Media hype or do we have anything to really worry about? How best to disinfect your site.

What classifies a virus as a Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are RNA viruses that are surrounded by an outer coating comprised of a lipid bi-layer (water-insoluble fatty coating). Enveloped viruses spread through a “budding off” process during which a new virus becomes wrapped in an outer coating. However, if this layer is dissolved, these viruses are relatively easy to kill—making them more susceptible to disinfectants than non-enveloped viruses. The Novel Coronavirus therefore falls into a category of viruses that are most susceptible to disinfectants.

So, we know that detergent based products will not be effective against any of the above and we also know that many of the disinfectants on the market today are limited in being validated against killing spores.

No alt text provided for this image

In the UK our approach to Infection “Prevention” is fairly limited, we tend to deal with outbreaks as they arise, after much disruption and cost, instead of having robust preventative measures in place.

I have for some years now been promoting a “whole room” disinfection approach; what does that mean I hear you ask? Well, a traditional clean of a room will treat approximately 30% of surfaces in that room, not bad really, but the problem is the bacteria can be (and probably is) all over that room and any that is not eradicated will quickly grow back!

So, a “whole room” approach is required, using a dry mist 5% hydrogen peroxide fogging treatment. This technology ensures a validated 99.9999% disinfection leaving little chance of the room not being properly disinfected.

No alt text provided for this image

It used to be that only hospitals and laboratories required a high-level disinfection process, this is no longer the case; everywhere that people congregate requires an appropriate level of protection against viruses, bacteria and spores. The sooner we accept that this level of treatment is not a luxury, but an essential element of the cleaning regime, the quicker we will be able to feel comfortable in public or work spaces such as offices, shops, hotels, bars, cinemas, libraries, public transport, etc.

How do we prevent and disinfect against COVID-2019 Novel Coronavirus?

When preventing the further spread of the Novel Coronavirus, it is critical to listen to guidelines put forth by government protection agencies. According to the CDC, in the absence of an available vaccine against COVID-19, the best way to prevent against infection is to avoid exposure to the virus and take standard preventative actions to respiratory illness (e.g. wash hands; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and avoid close contact with people who are sick).

When it comes to disinfecting environments that have been exposed to the virus, Public Health England (PHE) has determined that the COVID-19 has met the conditions outlined in the PHE’s emerging viral pathogens guidance, meaning eligible products can apply to receive kill claim amendments for the coronavirus. This process helps assist healthcare facilities to select a vetted disinfectant against coronavirus. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended using a hospital-grade disinfectant effective against enveloped viruses.

Extract from an article by Oliver Canty, CEO of IC Solutions a supplier to Ideal Cleaning Services Group Ltd who use Sterisil ICS 010 for VHP fogging.

By Mark Dickinson

7 Reasons why you should also switch to a Hybrid Vehicle.

By | Blog, Clean Energy, eco-friendly, Ideal Life | 36 Comments

Repost – 7 Reasons why you should also switch to a hybrid vehicle.

Hybrids Are Cleaner

As a traditional vehicle ages, it may create more emissions than it did when it was new. Whereas, as renewable energy resources become more available, your HEV (Hybrid Energy Vehicle) will only become cleaner as time goes on. Yes, it’s true that hybrids burn the same fuel source as a normal car and therefore produce the same environmentally damaging gasses as conventional vehicles. However, hybrid vehicles are much more fuel efficient and therefore produce a lot less CO2 emissions.

Keys hand over

Hybrids Retain Their Value

Hybrids are one of the new crazes in the car world. Due to this they are able to hold their value a lot better then a normal petrol or diesel vehicle. Also due to the amount of technology it takes to get a hybrid to work effectively, it normally means that the specs of the car are better inside giving them a higher resale value.

Hybrids Are Incredibly Quiet

While tyre and road noise from a vehicle will not be impacted by changing the inner workings, the noise that is being produced by the engine will be reduced dramatically. If you have seen or been inside an HEV while it is in motion you will know that (at low speeds especially) the noise pollution is heavily reduced.

Hybrids Require Less Maintenance

Due to the fact that the cars engine will be running a noticeable amount less then with a ‘normal’ vehicle. It is safe to say that the engine will not be working as hard as it will be with a petrol or diesel adaptation of the same vehicle. Therefore, the car will require less services and brake checks.

Hybrids will not hurt your energy bill as much as you are led to believe

When you consider the amount that you will be saving at the filling station and the energy efficient changers that an environmental conscious person makes, e.g. turning lights off when not in the room and less TV time. Then you will notice that you may be able to save more money then you thought you would. A usual worry about hybrid and electric cars is they will increase the electric costs 10-fold however this is not the case.

Hybrids require less fuel therefore less cost

Even though you will still need petrol to power your vehicle, you’ll need a lot less of it to get from A – B. The large fluctuations in prices from pump to pump may not be as much of an “physical” pain when driving a hybrid electric. Some Companies, like Tesla, even offers free charging for users, if having brought their car from them, making the cost even cheaper.

Tesla Charge Point

Tesla charge point

Hybrids are more affordable than previously thought

Many people are under the misconception that hybrid vehicles are very pricey as they are filled with ‘futuristic technology’. However, they are a lot less expensive they people think. For example, you can pick up a brand-new Toyota Yaris Hybrid for around £16,000.[1]

Check out our 7 more reasons here.

Resources:

[1] – https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/yaris/build?path=engine/09a6531a-c3f1-4d2d-b4d3-eb45cbb35478/7b77d85b-8f26-4645-82ac-22154a7d6293/ac526909-cafb-4bf4-b397-267a05ca692a&financeOption=cash

How can tech help you be a cleaner you?

By | Blog, Clean Energy, Company Cleaning, eco-friendly | 2 Comments

Tech is now a part of our day to day life; we use it on the regular some of us require it to be able to function properly in our personal and working environments. It has become so much of a norm now that we don’t notice it and we sometimes expect it. Below are some points that you can use to help you be a cleaner healthier person as well as clean the environment around you.

How can the technology help me personally?

Medicine and technology go hand in hand, if you have a problem and go to a GP then they will undoubtedly be using some tech to find the cause of your problem. However, we are going to look at some easier accessible equipment to help a daily user.

Firstly, a new movement by the Amazon Alexa and NHS, if you have an Alexa then it will start to give out health advice which is verified by the NHS to its user. This is a big leap and could help save many lives in the future as well as keep the users of the Amazon product assured knowing they have that advice to hand if required.

Secondly, apps such as Samsung Health and Headspace are apps which can be used to control breathing, stress levels and can help perform meditation. This allows app users to take time out, collect their thoughts and create some mindfulness for themselves. Something that we all need from time to time.

How can technology keep me safe?

There are many different security devices which will allow you to have that little bit extra piece of mind when going about your day. One example is home security cameras which can be access from anywhere but only one a device of your choice. An example Yi home, who allow you to log into an app and control the cameras (even audio) from wherever you are.

However, being safe in day to day life is one thing but what about being safe online? VPN’s can ensure that you browse and access the internet safely and securely. It encrypts any data passing through it to add an extra layer of security; making public Wi-Fi safe!

How can Tech clean my environment?

A question that we, Ideal Cleaning Services, get on all our big contracts is “How to you use technology to help your business?”. We do not have a simple answer for this though, we are constantly adapting and adopting new technologies to be able to provide the best service possible for all our clients.

However, some tips for any readers who want to use some cleaner alternatives are: switch to a hybrid vehicle (we have two previous blogs on why you should switch to one, which can be found here pt1 and pt2). Also you can use renewable energy within the home or control it easier using HIVE or BULB which provide easily controlled and renewable energy.

Hybrid cars lined up

More reasons why you should also switch to hybrid vehicles

By | Blog, Clean Energy, eco-friendly, Ideal Life | 4 Comments

More reasons why you should also switch to hybrid vehicles 2:
“Cool Prius” – Nobody.

The last time we spoke about Hybrid Vehicles the reception and the way the audience interacted was amazing. It meant so much to us, that in order to try and replicate that; we are doing a second one!

Points spoke about in the previous blog:

  • Hybrids are Cleaner
  • Retain their value
  • Less Maintenance
  • Will not hurt your energy bills as much as previously thought
  • Less fuel cost
  • More affordable then perceived

You can also find out previous blog here

Stylish


For a long time, when you said hybrid, you automatically thought of cars such as the Prius or the Note. Two cars which are not renown for their stylish looks and speedy nature. However, that has completely changed now! Nearly every car brand has a “Cleaner” model available. So no matter what your preference there is a hybrid or even electric vehicle for you. Below I have listed (what I think are) the five best looking Hybrid/Electric vehicles:

  1. Tesla Model S – £65,500 (After incentives)
  2. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – £29,635
  3. Volkswagen Golf GTE – £29,740
  4. Tesla Model X – £73,200 (After incentives)
  5. Toyota CH-R Hybrid – £24,500 (Used at Ideal)

Global warming

We are in no doubt that global warming is a danger to our health and all life on this planet. We are reaching new record temperatures causing floods, droughts and increasing sea levels. Our personal vehicles (excluding vehicles used for company use) are causing 1/5 of the emissions; all that coming out of the car exhaust and polluting the atmosphere. Therefore, it is a smart and cleaner switch to go to Hybrid or even electric cars and trucks. This will result in fewer emissions and if the electric comes from a renewable source such as wind; this means it could be zero emission driving. Its not just our car’s we are making ‘Green’; check out some of the other things we do!

Large range of choice

It is thought that there are only a few types of hybrid out there. However, as you can see from the above “Stylish” section; in recent years companies have been re-thinking and trying to change the public opinion on hybrids. It is now possible to get just about any vehicle from any brand in a hybrid version. Weather you want an SUV, People Carrier, Truck or Sports car; it is now possible to get a hybrid version. (Check out some of the list above)

Big brands are now making the switch

We know that big brands don’t always control the way a market moves. Sometimes, it’s the smaller brands that will invent a technology first only for it to be “re-invented” by a bigger more popular brand. Other times the market is directed by the public want and needs, in 1997 Toyota dropped the production of the hybrid Prius due to lack of public interest and it wasn’t till 1999 that the USA “re-invented” the hybrid with the Honda Insight. However with global warming becoming more real each day the public are now looking for an alternative to their normal fuel guzzling car.

This has led to brands such as Toyota, Mercedes and BMW all adding hybrid and more economically friendly vehicles to their lines. Toyota, for example, make it possible to make nearly every vehicle a hybrid version. Due to the bigger brands making the change it may result in more of the public also following suit to be with the times.

On board Tech

Here are some images of the on board tech/dashboards of some of our favourite hybrid cars. As you can see below even the standard hybrid comes with fully interactive displays as well as customisation options and even apps to help you drive. This is partly due to them being more modern but is also helped by them having a lot more engine management.

plastic bottle waste

Plastic Pollution in the UK

By | Blog, eco-friendly | 3 Comments

Every year, around the world, production of plastics exceeds 300 million tonnes. Much of it ends up in landfill as it is non-recyclable. The reason why plastic has been produced for such a long time is because it’s cheap, strong and extremely versatile.

However, in recent years, people have started cutting down on plastic consumption; as we have realised the effects on the environment and oceans.

Plastics are synthetic polymers and can take up to a thousand years to decompose. Many of our plastic waste ends up washed up on our beaches- That’s if our precious marine organisms haven’t already digested it.

70% of all the litter in the oceans is plastic. Mistaken for food, a lot of creatures such as fish are eating our plastics, from bottle tops to tyres; which means that there is a good chance that people are consuming micro-plastics too.

Many of our wildlife and sea life get entangled in our plastic waste resulting in injury and even death. A recent news article in the UK highlighted the dangers of discarded plastics as a deer was found dead with a plastic bag stuck on its head (The deer, due to lack of vision, strayed into the road and made contact with a vehicle-resulting in death).

 

Documentaries have helped to shed light on this disaster, such as David Attenborough and the Blue Planet II team. As a result of this, more and more companies are banning single use plastics for example; many restaurants are now only using paper straws rather than plastic ones.

Not only have documentaries helped to educate us for years, The Prince of Wales, has actively warned us of the impact plastic is having on the environment. Prince Charles said

“The amount of plastic entering the Ocean every year is, unbelievably, set to get worse rather than better.”

“A solution is achievable and simply has to be done for all our sakes – and, above all, for the long-term viability of all those species in the sea which are already suffering unbearably because of our actions.”

The Supermarkets are also doing their bit to help

In 2015, there was an introduction of a 5p charge of plastic bags in supermarkets and shops. This encouraged us to purchase “A bag for life”. This is rather than to keep paying 5p per bag every time we wanted to do our weekly shopping.

Recently, there has been a political debate between MPs on whether supermarkets should ban all use of plastic packaging for fruit and vegetable items.

So what can we do to help?

Whether you are volunteering to clear litter at your local beach, pick up litter in the streets or reduce the amount of plastic you consume. It will all help contribute to making the environment a better and healthier place for all and future generations to come.

eco-friendly planet

Eco-Friendly Cleaning: Why is it important to us?

By | Blog, eco-friendly | 2 Comments

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products: Why are they important to us?

Having a clean environment should be important for businesses- Large or Small! Not only can a clean environment help improve safety; it can also help improve productivity, stop the spread of disease and promote a professional looking business. Although your grandparents swore by using baking soda and vinegar, it was still seen as “hippie” to use eco- friendly products. Nowadays, a lot more people are trying to help preserve what is good in the environment.

The main purpose of using eco-friendly cleaning products, in essence, is to keep both the environment and living beings healthy. So it’s time to throw out all of the chemically-based cleaning products and welcome the benefits of using these products:-

Safer to Use

The chemicals used in many cleaning products are harsh. The toxins in these products can cause skin/eye irritation and lead to respiratory issues. However, eco-friendly cleaning products do not contain such harsh chemicals. Green cleaning products include ingredients that are natural and are less likely to aggravate allergies.

Protect Our Planet

Using green products prevents air and water pollution, protecting our environment for the future generation and all living things. We know this at Ideal and this is why we aim to use clean vehicles (see our other blog here) and products in our cleans. We also sell green products from our sister company, BMS Janitorial. If you also want to use environmental products give them a call on: 0115 913 2200.

eco friendly earth

Eco friendly earth

Leaves a Pleasant Smell

Chemically based cleaning products tend to have a strong smell which can be very overpowering. However, as eco- friendly products use natural ingredients, it will be sure to leave your business with a light and fresh scent. This is Ideal for jobs where we have to be in and out quick leaving just before tenants arrive back. This is a bonus for any cleaning company as in many situations a good clean is when you cant tell there was anyone there (apart from the area being cleaner of course).

Animal Friendly

Eco-friendly products are NOT tested on animals. Brands such as Method claim to be 100% cruelty free and have never tested ingredients or finished products on animals, nor have ever ordered third parties to conduct animal testing on their behalf. This is on thing that we at Ideal are very much against! We ensure all the products we use will not hurt the environment or animals.

Ensuring a better tomorrow

Eco-friendly products will help us save the environment meaning we can help prevent a future which, as explained in the IPCC report. We know that the use of chemical cleaning products isn’t the biggest issue in this report however it does also effect the environment and just one little change could save the planet in the future and give us more time to try and save this beautiful planet we call home.