New toilets delivered to space station (25th November 2008)

On November the 17th the international space station was outfitted with new facilities, including a new toilet , delivered by astronauts onboard the Endeavour shuttle. A major part of the new equipment is a purification machine that can turn urine into water

From Newsletters

Gold all the way for UK Cleaning team (30th October 2008)

Congratulations to the UK team at EuroSkills, the vocational skills competition. At the event held in Rotterdam last month all the team won gold with every single member winning their category

From Newsletters

The age of hoover consent (29th October 2008)

Karl Walker (16) was told by a cleaning firm that he is not old enough to use hot water, washing up liquid and furniture polish or to empty bins, reports The Daily Telegraph.

From Newsletters

Boris' betrayal of tube cleaners (29th October 2008)

On October 15th Mayor's Question Time had to be adjourned twice as activists protested Boris Johnson's failure to follow up on his promise of a Living Wage for tube cleaners.

From Newsletters

Look at the state of your hands (1st October 2008)

The results of a recent study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical medicine made for a stomach-churning read.

From News

£5million investment (1st October 2008)

In a bid to further improve productivity, service delivery and employee retention rates, contract cleaning specialist TC Contractors has announced plans to invest some £5 million in high performance commercial cleaning equipment.

From News

Colleges need more cleaning assessors (1st October 2008)

As the importance of effective cleaning and hygiene is finally being realised, the Government is encouraging anyone working in cleaning to complete training up to NVQ Level 2.This has led to Further Education colleges across the country experiencing a huge demand for cleaning courses.

From News

Radio listeners enthralled by urinals (1st October 2008)

In September millions of curious radio one listeners tuned in to the Dick and Dom Show to hear what special guest Mike James, MD of Bio Productions had to say about urinal blocks. Listeners were invited to phone in and question James on what presenter Dom described as his “very odd job”.

From News

Entries a plenty (1st October 2008)

Mike Bone, MD of Loo of the Year Awards, says “A record number of entries have been received for this year’s awards – in excess of 1700 – a 17% increase on 2007 despite the ‘Credit Crunch’”

From News

The toilet that talks back (1st October 2008)

Chances are that a toilet will soon be talking back to you. After a ‘number one’ or a ‘number two’, this toilet will perform a ‘number three’ – a spoken message.

From News

News in brief (1st October 2008)

SCF Technologies has launched ShineOn, a self-cleaning product for windows.The company says evaluated under an EU project self-cleaning test procedure it has a value of 90±5%.

From News

What does green really mean? (1st October 2008)

The cleaning products industry is set to grow by 8% in the next four years*,and products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable are expected to succeed.

From Chemicals dosing

Eating on the loo (23rd September 2008)

Modern Toilet is a restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan with a modern decor and a full-on toilet theme. All 100 seats in the crowded diner are made from toilet bowls.

From Newsletters

Branson and Young tell business to ‘Make a Difference’ (23rd September 2008)

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and TV’s Apprentice finalist Claire Young want local and national businesses to encourage their employees to volunteer for CSV Make a Difference Day on Saturday 25th of October 2008.

From Newsletters

Here today, gone tomorrow (2nd September 2008)

removed. But the London Borough of Hackney is making steady progress and now removes 97 per cent of reported graffiti within 24 hours. Cleaning Matters saw area environmental manager Glen Whitby and his team in action

From Graffiti, gum & grime removal

See cleaning’s future here (2nd September 2008)

European Cleaning Products conference, held 16 – 18 September 2008 in London, promises a global perspective of the effect of going green in the European cleaning products industry, with speakers from the major firms sharing their knowledge

From Green cleaning

London cleaners now on £7.45 an hour (30th July 2008)

Mayor of London Boris Johnson is increasing the Living Wage for London to £7.45 per hour - almost 35 per cent higher than the national minimum wage. The previous Living Wage for London was £7.20 an hour.

From Newsletters

NHS wants your ideas - and products (30th July 2008)

The NHS is asking for the cleaning industry's input – its Smart Solutions programme offers business the chance to have their products assessed by a team of experts with a view to supplying it across the NHS.

From Newsletters

Turn sub-prime times to your advantage (1st April 2008)

The new tax year begins and with it the annual financial juggling act. Although ‘uncertain financial outlook’ is now something of a cliché, the coming year probably will be pretty tough as firms, mirroring the banks, reign in their own sub-prime account customers.

From News

Deep is meaningful for NHS (28th March 2008)

Not everyone thinks the government's NHS deep clean announcement is a

From Newsletters

Cleaning Matters readers think... (1st February 2008)

Recent polls of Cleaning Matters e-news readers suggest they agree with the CSSA and others on the NHS deep clean issue.Our January poll asked:‘Would you feel safer in a hospital that had just been deep cleaned or one that had a thorough cleaning regime?’

From News

Award winning electric street sweeper (20th December 2007)

The future of street sweeping is pollution-free, low noise and high economy, said judges at the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management when they awarded Vehicle of the Year 2007 to Industrial Cleaning Machines’ new electric street sweeper...

From Newsletters

Flood recovery not up to scratch? (30th October 2007)

The National Flood School says complaints about shoddy restoration work have poured in since the recent floods. To avoid getting lawyers involved, the NFS says all involved should familiarise themselves with the PAS 64 document that it helped the BSI produce...

From Newsletters

NHS surplus to be ploughed into cleaning (25th September 2007)

The government has launched an initiative to give every ward in Britain a ‘deep-clean’ to rid them of superbugs such as MRSA health minister Alan Ward has said...

From Newsletters

Where've you wheelie bin? (29th June 2007)

As thousands of criminals are about to be released early across the UK, fears are rising in Peterborough that the wheelie bin crisis could deepen: One of 2,000 missing bins turned up in Bulgaria last week...

From Newsletters

Barclays to pay cleaners £7.50p/h (28th June 2007)

After campaigning by The East London Communities Organisation (TELCO) and the T&G section of Unite, Barclays will pay all its cleaners in the City of London and Canary Wharf £7.50 per hour...

From Newsletters

No ifs, no butts, it’s banned (28th June 2007)

Cigarette litter is already found on 80 percent of England’s streets. Keep Britain Tidy fears that, as of next week, this will rise if local authorities aren’t prepared. The charity is running workshops for local councils throughout July to help their street cleaning teams beat the butt blight...

From Newsletters

Canary Wharf cleaners demand more cash (29th May 2007)

Canary Wharf cleaners rallied outside the offices that they are paid too little to clean last week – calling for the banks to respect their right to earn a living wage of £7.20ph, as announced by Mayor of London...

From Newsletters

Obituary – Bill Brindley (29th May 2007)

It is with sadness that we report the death of Vileda Professional’s National Accounts Manager, Bill Brindley. Bill died at the age of 60, on April 6th, following a lengthy illness.

From Newsletters

Free half day safety seminars from HSE (30th April 2007)

The HSE is intensifying its activity in the cleaning industry. Alongside a new dedicated website www.hse.gov.uk/cleaning, it will also hold a series of free half day seminars between May and July...

From Newsletters

Mayor calls for London ‘Living Wage’ (30th April 2007)

To the applause of workers and unions, London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, has urged employers in London to make £7.20 the capital’s minimum wage. Cleaning Matters’ Claire Jackson reports...

From Newsletters

Where to draw the line? (30th April 2007)

Fans of world-renowned graffiti artist Banksy were disappointed to hear cleaners in London have whitewashed a piece of his art estimated to be worth around £250, 000...

From Newsletters

Cleaning Show a massive hit (30th March 2007)

The organisers of this month's Cleaning Show report record attendance, with initial figures suggesting 13,677 visitors flocking to get the low-down on the latest products and services.

From Newsletters

Essential Hand Hygiene conference & exhibition (30th March 2007)

The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology is holding a hand hygiene conference and exhibition at Pride Park, Derby, in April. Learn about latest developments and technologies fomr some of the industries foremost experts.

From Newsletters

Healthcare conference: Book now and save (16th January 2007)

Operational managers and supervisors lead the front line in the fight against health associated infections – with many of them members of the Association of Domestic Management. The ADM's annual conference takes place in Blackpool in April and early bird discounts are still available.

From News

Choose your future business! (15th January 2007)

If you're serious about starting your own business, head for Manchester and the British Franchise Exhibition on 26 & 27 January. It could change your life...

From News

Read it and wipe: Cops finally run out of loo roll (18th December 2006)

Police in the Swedish town of Hagfors have finally run out of toilet paper – 20 years after 'somebody' bungled an order and ticked the box for pallets instead of packets.

From Newsletters

Window cleaner caught napping (29th November 2006)

A window cleaner in the US caused panic when it appeared he'd fallen asleep on the job – at the top of a sky scraper!

From Newsletters

CSSA launches National Cleaning Awards (9th November 2006)

The Cleaning & Support Services Association is launching what it hopes will be the UK’s premier awards for the cleaning industry. Taking place on 14 June 2007 at London’s Savoy Hotel, the awards will recognise best practice and outstanding achievement across the sector’s spectrum.

From News

‘Show the world how good we are’ (28th September 2006)

Skills levels have never been higher, yet the public still perceives cleaning as a “boring, low paid, unhealthy girl's job". According to the public at Alton Towers surveyed for this month’s British Cleaning Industry Conference. So the big cheeses say we have to show the industry’s professional face to change attitudes. Read on to find out how.

From Newsletters

I know, let's use petrol! (30th August 2006)

A Scunthorpe man demonstrated an original interpretation of ‘giving it a bit of elbow grease,’ blowing up his house while attempting to clean glue off his kitchen floor...

From Newsletters

T.W.O. takes service gong (1st August 2006)

T.W.O. Services, specialist in hygiene deep cleaning of kitchens and ventilation systems, has won the Excellent Customer Service award at this year's Basildon District Business Awards, held in Essex in July.

From News

Krcher tidies tide marks (1st August 2006)

Following its contribution to a cleaner Nelson's Column, Krcher is involved in another unusual cleaning job in London. Rather than a head for heights, this time it's a knowledge of the tides that is required to clean the Rive

From News

Buildings dry in a couple of days (1st August 2006)

Fire and flood specialists The Revival Company has launched a new kind of speed drying system which it says cuts drying times from weeks to days saving companies thousands of pounds in lost business, and lessening the burden

From News

Dirty dozen? Not for BMA contract (1st August 2006)

MacLellan International has been awarded the contract for the British Medical Association's London headquarters for the twelfth year running. The Tavistock Square contract was granted to Ramoneur in 1994 before its integratio

From News

Breakfast meetings in your area to shape industry future (1st August 2006)

Want to shape the future of cleaning, network with peers and improve your workforce to gain commercial advantage? Asset Skills' FREE regional breakfast session roadshows (complete with complimentary bacon butties) are heading

From News

LCC reaps Golden award rewards (1st August 2006)

LCC Support Services has won a 1m+ contract to provide cleaning services to Bournemouth College on the back of its 2005 Golden Service Award for Best Cleaned Premises in the Education Sector for Cambridge Regional College.

From News

New height training course (1st August 2006)

The External Resource Bureau has offered training programmes ranging from BICSc certification to Response Biohazard courses. for over 20 years. In response to recent HSE working at height regulations, ERB is now offering Ladd

From News

Zen and the art of facilities maintenance (1st August 2006)

A recent psychological study claims that cleaning can reduce stress levels by up to 25 per cent and can be more effective at improving wellbeing than meditation.

From News

When sponsorship takes the p*ss (31st July 2006)

Offical sponsorship rules at the ongoing fiasco otherwise known as the new Wembley Stadium have seen hundreds of urinals returned to Armitage Shanks – because they bore the manufacturer's name.

From Newsletters

Drought ban ‘could be worse’ (11th July 2006)

After fears window cleaners and other businesses could be crippled under a blanket ban, it appears water companies have backed down from their initial hard line stance. Cleaning Matters editor, Brendan Coyne, spoke with Sutton & East Surrey Water, The Federation of Window Cleaners’Steve Lowe and Omnipole’s Glyn Howard

From News

World's most expensive chip (29th June 2006)

Litter wardens look set to replace parking attendants as the nation's favourite enforcers. Doncaster Council is spearheading the popularity drive with its zero tolerance litter policy: last week Pauline Oakley was fined £75 for throwing a bad chip ou

From Newsletters

Piano found on Ben Nevis (18th May 2006)

A team of volunteer litter pickers cleaning up Ben Nevis stumbled across something that wouldn’t quite fit into a bin bag earlier this month – a piano!

From Newsletters

Achieve Brilliance with stainless steel surfaces (18th May 2006)

A new stainless steel cleaning wipe is about to hit the UK market. Non-toxic, oil impregnated Brilliance wipes result in easier cleaning, better results and longer lasting surface protection, according to Judy Blyth, who invented, developed and broug

From Newsletters

Drought ban could have been worse (18th May 2006)

Environment Minister Ian Pearson last week granted Sutton and East Surrey Water’s request for a drought order, paving the way for further bans across the South East. However, what initially appeared a disaster for many small businesses may not be as

From Newsletters

Drought ban could cripple South East businesses (1st April 2006)

Window cleaners, car washers, facilities and maintenance workers across the South East could be facing a summer of discontent if plans for Drought Orders – being considered by several of the regions’ water companies – are given the green light by th

From Newsletters

DEFRA wants cleaner local environments as opportunity knocks (14th February 2006)

The expansion of the Local Environment Quality Survey for England (LEQSE) and DEFRA’s ambition to encourage cleaner local environments could be good news for cleaning contractors.

From Newsletters

Free entry to Carpex and Windex events (14th February 2006)

Window cleaners and carpet and upholstery cleaners can pre-register for FREE entry to next month’s cleaning exhibitions (16 & 17 March, ExCel, London).

From Newsletters

Free Hospital Hygiene exhibition (14th February 2006)

The FREE Hospital Hygiene Exhibition at ExCel, London from 16 to 17 March is aimed at everyone involved in keeping the UK’s hospital’s clean and safe.

From Newsletters

Fines the ‘only answer’ for those who don’t keep Britain tidy (20th December 2005)

A survey published last month by Keep Britain Tidy has thrown up mixed results – and suggests ample opportunities for cleaning professionals and litter wardens alike.

From Newsletters

No Xmas solution to Parliament cleaners dispute (20th December 2005)

The ongoing pay dispute between cleaners working in the Houses of Parliament looks likely to rumble on well into the new year, despite strike action and union pressure to raise wages and receive sick pay and pensions.

From Newsletters

Clean sweep for staff restaurant (1st May 2005)

A Shropshire staff restaurant has been singled out from 120 staff restaurants nationwide to receive the Charlton House Clean Kitchen Award 2004.

From News

Will your loos make the news? (1st May 2005)

Entries are now being received for the 2005 Loo of the Year Awards – the annual competition to find the best places to ‘go’ throughout the UK and, for the first time this year, the Republic of Ireland.

From News

Reducing costs by not buying cheap (1st May 2005)

Many people think that cleaning contracts should not be awarded on the basis of lowest price but on the quality of the work done. But it is also important to bear this type of thinking in mind when purchasing cleaning equipment. It is natural to go f

From News

Guaranteed rise for 1.3 million workers (1st May 2005)

More than one million low paid workers will benefit from a guaranteed pay rise announced by Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt.

From News

Is noise becoming a cleaning issue? (1st May 2005)

Bob Robinson Sr, President of Kaivac and ISSA Board Member comments. In today’s cleaning industry, as facility service providers continue to mechanise cleaning tasks to improve productivity and efficiency, concerns about noise are mounting as well.Th

From News

Good practice (1st February 2004)

Professional Cleaners Organisation (ProCLEAN) is organising training for Carpet Cleaners...

From News

Labour market intelligence available from CINTO (1st February 2004)

In July 2003, the Cleaning Industry National Training Organisation (CINTO) commissioned Pye Tait to update their Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) for the cleaning industry. This research has now been completed and the results were presented to cleaning organisations at a conference held at Northampton University on 26th November.

From News

Getting the competitive edge (1st February 2004)

There has been a lot going on recently in the cleaning industry with many awards and conferences and there has been talk about why they are not better attended. For many people the cleaning industry is a good profession to be involved in. It has grow

From Events