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

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

Cleaning Matters at Interclean (18th April 2008)

Cleaning Matters will be exhibiting at this year’s ISSA/Interclean in Amsterdam (May 6-9). We welcome all readers, manufacturers and suppliers to our stand. See stand number 01.227H

From News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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