Leaving a lasting impact

RECEPTION AREAS – whether in an office building, a hospital, a hotel lobby, or elsewhere – provide an important opportunity. When clients or potential customers enter this area, they gain their first full impression of an organisation. An impression that often lasts. 

Anybody reading this has likely experienced the discomfort or ‘ick’ when entering a building that doesn’t feel completely clean or hygienic. Whether it’s an odour, scuff marks, sticky tables or an overflowing, cloggy hand sanitiser station – it all contributes to a feeling of unease.  

Not only do reception areas require adequate hygiene protocols to ensure that they are clean and free of any potential bacteria or viruses, but they also need to appear clean to the naked eye. This has become even more important off the back of COVID – with anxieties around cleanliness remaining high. 

And, with a recent surge in positive COVID tests (10.4%) and COVID related hospital cases (16%), it’s as important as ever to ensure that high-traffic areas like receptions are cleaned and sanitised effectively. 

Be seen to be clean 

The cleanliness and hygiene of a reception area should have two focus areas – that the area is clean, and that the area appears to be clean – an organisation’s reputation can depend on these first impressions. 

With this in mind, those in control of maintaining the area need to consider what people can physically see and other senses – such as feel and smell. 

Using the right product can make a noticeable difference. For example, many traditional sanitisers that use technology based around harmful components such as QUATs and chlorine can often leave tables feeling sticky and unclean. Even if, technically, there are no harmful bacteria on the table, the sticky residue is likely to leave people doubting their hygiene levels. 

Likewise, a foul-smelling odour coming from a reception area washroom isn’t an encouraging sign for those waiting in a lobby area, and it certainly doesn’t create connotations of cleanliness. 

Another key consideration is to keep hand sanitiser stations clean and free of leaked dried solutions. If a station that is meant to promote hygiene is dirty, it goes against its principle. The non-alcoholic, foaming hand sanitiser from BioHygiene is delivered from a foam dispenser which doesn’t drip, causing no mess. 

This is why technology is so important. For example, BioHygiene’s All-Purpose Sanitiser makes use of sustainable biotechnology that leaves surfaces free from bacteria and not sticky to the touch. Likewise, Complete Washroom and Urinal & Toilet Cleaner contain bacterial strains that have the ability to break down odours at the source. The benefit here is that once cleaned, washroom odours are completely removed and therefore unable to pollute the reception area. Also, once the mop has been squeezed down the drain, there aren’t odours being released back into the reception environment – a reoccurring problem with many washroom products.

Put simply, being seen to be clean is about making those using a reception area feel comfortable, safe and relaxed. 

Good hygiene and residual cleaning 

Obviously, simply being seen to be clean isn’t enough. Good hygiene within a reception area is essential for the safety of those using it. 

Necessities include an adequate number of well-stocked sanitiser stations, tables and desks that are sanitised as regularly as required and ensuring washrooms are visited and cleaned often (with the inclusion of a wall chart for cleaning operatives to register when they have undertaken cleaning). 

One element that helps in keeping reception areas, and any other areas, stay cleaner for longer is residual cleaning, which is a benefit of some products powered by biotechnology. 

The term ‘residual cleaning’ refers to the ability of cleaning products to have a longer-lasting effect. This is generally through something called a biofilm that allows the breakdown of organic matter over extended periods. Essentially, it provides ongoing protection, ensuring a cleaner environment.

For example, the microbes within some of our biological cleaning products live and grow by colonising areas and then forming a biofilm on the surface. Where there is a suitable food source, the bacteria will produce enzymes to break down organic matter into smaller, simpler compounds that they can use for energy and growth.

Whilst there is a food source, the microbes will continue to work and can double in number approximately every 20 minutes. Once the organic matter is completely degraded, they will revert to the spore form and remain dormant until reactivated by a new food source – at which point the process starts again.

This is the primary way in which nature ‘cleans’ itself, and it brings a series of benefits when combined into the right biotech product.

The most obvious benefit, and something we have already touched upon, is the product’s ability to clean well and protect surfaces for longer periods of time, making it particularly useful in reception areas. 

But this is just one of the in-use benefits that residual cleaning offers.

Another key gain provided during cleaning is odour control, which is a task that can often prove difficult and frustrating to manage. Whist microbes will break down whatever food source is present, it not only results in the degradation of organic matter, but of specific odour molecules too. This means that the biofilm will continue to work to eradicate the source of the odours rather than masking it.

Areas of focus

Within receptions, there are areas that require specific attention. These are mainly spaces that are used by a larger number of people. This is because more usage leads to a greater need to clean, and more people means it is making more first impressions. 

Touch points – such as door handles, light switches, toilet handles and touch screens – need extra focus as they are used on a more regular basis. So, this increases the chances of these points harbouring harmful bacteria. Likewise, a dirty or greasy touch point isn’t going to make the reception area feel clean or hygienic. 

As mentioned, reception area washrooms need more focus too. People waiting in reception areas are highly likely to make use of the washroom; it is often the first place visitors will stop, so dirt and bad odours aren’t going to fill people with confidence.  

Similarly, seating areas are another space that people see as a first stop-off point. Litter, scuff marks and grease or dirt on chairs can be a major turn off. 

To improve any of these areas, it can help to do a literal customer or employee journey. By this, we mean to walk the route that somebody may take to the bathroom, to their desk or any other areas and highlight how everything looks, feels or smells. 

Keep It green             

Clearly, reception areas are a key consideration that require a substantial level of cleaning, and therefore cleaning products. So, when many products are being utilised, it becomes even more important to ensure these products are safe for the user, employees and the wider environment. 

Long-term studies show how traditional chemical technologies damage the human respiratory system, increase cancer risk, and cause long-term skin damage. 

Reception areas are unusual because they create a merge of cleaning operatives and employees, as well as customers and other visitors. Because of this, the safety element of a product becomes even more vital as members of the general public come into contact with products that are used. A good first impression will seldom be made if a product containing harmful chemicals causes discomfort or breathing difficulties. 

The same goes for the wider environment. With reception areas requiring sanitisers, gum and mark removers, all surface cleaners and washroom products, something sustainable is needed. 

For example, BioHygiene’s All Surface and Floor Cleaner – which boasts the aforementioned residual cleaning – is a microbial, multi-use cleaner that is manufactured using renewable ingredients that reduce CO2e and aquatic toxicity. Its natural make-up means it is safer for the user too. It is also 100% biodegradable. 

With the focus quite rightly on sustainability and sustainable alternatives more magnified than ever, businesses not making these choices face increasing scrutiny from the industry and the general public. 

Through manufacturing and supplying sustainable products, the BioHygiene brand helps businesses achieve operational and environmental goals. By quantifying the environmental savings that can be made, on average in 2022, a switch to the brand resulted in a 90% carbon reduction, a 50% plastic reduction and a 45% transport savings. 

Rosie Thomas is head of marketing at Biological Preparations, the team behind leading biotechnology brand BioHygiene.

For more information visit https://biologicalpreparations.com/​