SPRING CLEANING is a time-honoured tradition in many UK homes, and while it’s a great opportunity to freshen up your daily living space, it’s not just about wiping down the obvious surfaces. With Google search trends up by 79% on the topic between 1st February and 1st March 2025, it seems not only is now the time we want to blitz our homes ready for the season ahead but that people are looking for advice on how best to go about the task.

A true spring clean involves tackling the hidden and forgotten areas that are often overlooked and, as an expert in hygiene, here are my top tips for achieving a clean and healthy home environment:

High-level and hard-to-reach areas

An often-overlooked aspect of a proper deep clean is tackling high-level and hard-to-reach areas. "Out of sight, out of mind" really should not apply when it comes to hygiene, as dust and grime can easily accumulate on the tops of cupboards and behind fridges, on extractor fans, door frames, and curtain poles—areas that are often forgotten or missed during regular cleaning. 

Dust can be a respiratory irritant, potentially triggering allergies and affecting air quality, making it even more important to address these hidden build-ups. Incorporate these areas into your spring clean, and move furniture such as chairs, sofas, and cabinets away from walls so you can properly clean behind and underneath them.

Soft-furnishings

Sofas and beds can also accumulate dirt and dust. While you might regularly vacuum your floors, it’s easy to forget the areas beneath sofa cushions or along the edges of bed frames. These are prime spots where crumbs, dirt, and dust gather. Use a handheld vacuum or nozzle attachment to clean these areas thoroughly. Wipe down headboards and other hard surfaces with antibacterial spray, and wash bed linens regularly to remove dust, dead skin cells, and other debris that can gather over time.

Your furry friends

If you have pets living in your home, you should pay special attention to the areas they frequent. Pet beds, cages, toys, and feeding areas can quickly become breeding grounds for bacteria and unpleasant odours. Vacuuming under pet cages and washing pet bedding, clothing and towels with antibacterial detergent will help ensure your pets’ spaces stay fresh and hygienic. Make sure you don’t forget to clean your pet’s toys, as they’re often overlooked.

Entrance areas

Hallways and porches are another area that shouldn’t be forgotten during spring cleaning. Entryways are places where mud from the outside can often be tracked inside, so give them extra attention. Sweep or vacuum the floor area, and sanitise all surfaces with a suitable product. Pay particular attention to areas just inside doors, as these are high-traffic spots for a build-up of outdoor dirt. 

High frequency touchpoints

Also don’t forget high frequency touchpoints. Surfaces that are touched regularly, and often by multiple people provide a breeding ground for germs and bacteria if not cleaned properly. Things like light switches, door handles, appliance handles (fridge, microwave, kettle) in the kitchen, and remote controls and game controllers in the living room all fall into this category. In every room, wipe these surfaces with disinfectant spray or an antibacterial wipe to eliminate any lingering germs. However, avoid spraying water-based disinfectants directly onto electrical items like light switches, remotes, and game controllers, instead use a disinfectant wipe or spray onto a cloth first to prevent damage.

10 overlooked spots that people often forget about cleaning which should be on your spring cleaning list:

1. Behind the fridge: Dust, food particles, and even mould can accumulate.

2. Dishwasher: It's easy to neglect cleaning the interior of your dishwasher, but it's crucial to remove any build-up of food particles and to clean the filter.  (N.B. dishwasher cleaner can be easily purchased from supermarkets. Alternatively, place a cup of white vinegar on the top rack or sprinkle baking soda on the bottom and run a hot cycle to help remove odours.)

3. Microwave: Spills and splatters often go unnoticed inside and will harden over time.

4. Underneath furniture: Even when vacuuming, dirt can hide in hard-to-reach spots.

5. Vents: Dust and allergens can clog vents, affecting your air quality. If you have an extractor fan in your bathroom ceiling, use an extendable duster or vacuum cleaner fitting to remove any accumulated dust. 

6. Showerheads and taps: Hard water deposits and soap scum can easily build over time.

7. Bins: The inside of your bins should be scrubbed and left to air dry outside ideally to remove unpleasant smells and bacteria.

8. Pet toys: It's easy to forget washing pet toys but these should be washed in hot water or with pet-safe detergent to help keep them dirt and germ-free.  

9. Washing machine: Bacteria and detergent residue can build-up inside the drum, as with dishwashers you can buy specific cleaners to run on a hot cycle to clean your washing machine effectively.  

10. Door frames: Dirt can collect at the edges and corners, often unnoticed.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but it does require attention to the often-forgotten areas that can easily harbour dirt and germs. If you’re tackling it yourself, pay special attention to hard-to-reach spots, pet areas and high-frequency touchpoints. 

While the above are DIY tips that anyone could look to implement at home, for commercial businesses looking to protect customers, staff, visitors and those within their duty of care, Rentokil Specialist Hygiene offers a wide range of specialist disinfection services, specialist cleaning services, commercial kitchen services, washroom cleaning services and hygiene products.

Jamie Woodhall is, UK technical and innovations manager at Rentokil Specialist Hygiene. 

For more information, visit Rentokil Specialist Hygiene.

www.rentokil-hygiene.co.uk

Indeed, low-grade forms of graffiti are commonly carried out with the intent to cause harm. As such, graffiti is defined as criminal damage under section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

When left, graffiti helps to create an unwelcome environment and can encourage other antisocial activity such as fly-tipping or vandalism. This is one of the reasons why transport secretary, Grant Shapps, commissioned large-scale clean ups of busy roads during the lockdown period. He said he wanted drivers to feel “proud” of the infrastructure they were using. He also said graffiti and vandalism put people off from returning to use the rail network after the end of the first lockdown, and topped up National Rail’s £3.5 million graffiti cleaning budget, by a further £1million.

With reports of lockdown in New York leading to a revival in unwanted street art, and research showing that Bristol is the UK’s graffiti capital, this article will look at how to remove unwanted graffiti. We’ll also explore techniques for removing chewing gum from surfaces as chewing gum stains and deposits left on pavements can be similarly damaging to an area seeking to maintain high standards of cleanliness and enhance its reputation. 

Why erasing graffiti quickly is so important 
The presence of graffiti has been associated with a wide range of negative side effects, including decreased footfall and sales for commercial businesses, and even with a decline in the property values in the local area as well. Its presence can also convey the message that crime is tolerated, which has a two-fold negative effect. Firstly, members of the community may get the impression that there are more serious crimes taking place which can increase fear and lower community morale, and secondly, it can encourage even more graffiti. Quick and effective removal often acts as a deterrent, because the offender may feel as though their efforts have been wasted if their work is erased quickly. 

It is also worth noting that under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, the person responsible for the surface is liable for the cost of getting graffiti removed. This means that it falls to the owners or managers of a building to deal with the problem. If graffiti is left untouched for too long, local authorities can issue a Graffiti Removal Notice, which requires the property owner or manager to remove the graffiti in a certain timeframe or face the risk of prosecution.
Of course, it is relatively easy to simply paint over the offending material, but this is not always a practical solution. In fact, it can sometimes create what is seen as a blank canvas, inviting even more graffiti in the future. Luckily, the permanent and effective removal of graffiti isn’t as onerous or time-consuming as one might expect, but it does require professionals with access to specialist cleaning techniques.

The EcoBlasting removal method
EcoBlasting is one of the most successful ways to remove graffiti. The process enables graffiti to be removed quickly and professionally, without harming delicate surfaces, or leaving any marks or shadowing on the building. It works by using compressed air to blast an environmentally benign abrasive, such as bicarbonate of soda or recycled glass, on the surface to remove substrate layers. 

While traditional methods of graffiti removal can involve the use of aggressive corrosive chemicals and excessive amounts of water, EcoBlasting, on the other hand, is environmentally friendly and non-toxic.  This means it is safe to carry out in more rural locations without contamination risk to wildlife or watercourses that might be on or near the site.

The abrasive material used to help remove graffiti can be altered depending on the surface, location and the extent of paint being removed. Bicarbonate of soda is an effective material to remove paint from glass and rubber, without any permanent damage being caused to the surface. If the graffiti is on concrete or a less delicate surface, recycled glass is a quick and effective solution. The correct abrasive should be tailored to the specific requirements of the removal to optimise the cleaning process. For example, if the graffiti is near an electricity source, the process can be altered so it’s completely dry in order to comply with health and safety regulations. 

There are a lot of considerations with graffiti removal processes, so be sure to get in touch with specialist cleaners who can offer a full survey and assessment of the premises before any work takes place. EcoBlasting can be used on glass, wood, metal, brick and most stone surfaces, including soft stone, such as limestone, which would be eroded by an acid cleaner.  A survey will ensure that the correct abrasive is used when the cleaning work takes place, and will also take into account the hardness of the surface as well as any other environmental considerations in the location.

Following EcoBlasting, it would be wise to have an anti-graffiti coating applied to the surface. This coating prevents paint from being absorbed, so in areas prone to frequent targeting, any future graffiti can be quickly and easily removed with detergent and water. Treating the surface in this way should hopefully prevent any repeat offenses from happening, once offenders realise their future work can be removed without hassle.

When chewing gum becomes a problem
Chewing gum, like graffiti, leaves an unwanted mark when it is discarded on footpaths or other surfaces, leaving a spotty patchwork of discoloration. If there is a lot on the pavement or street it can leave visitors and employees with the impression that place is dirty and unhygienic. The current pandemic has enforced stringent hygiene measures and so finding gum that has been thrown on the floor is likely to become just as much a hygiene concern as it is an image one. 

On London’s Oxford Street alone there is estimated to be up to 300,000 pieces of discarded chewing gum on the pavement at any one time, and more recently Bath has tried to put a stop to people throwing away their gum by installing ‘Gumdrop bins’ around the town. Chewing gum takes up to five years to biodegrade and may take many months for local authorities to remove – making this problem an economic drain for councils and businesses, in addition to being an environmental concern. 
The use of innovative chewing gum removal equipment and procedures can provide a fast, efficient, and environmentally-friendly way to removing unsightly chewing gum from a range of surfaces including tarmac, brick, concrete and tiled floors.  

There are two common methods that could be considered to remove chewing gum waste, depending on the surface to be treated. The first is to use steam with a ‘gum gun’, which melts the gum quickly off the surface. Alternatively, EcoBlasting can also be used to remove chewing gum from some surfaces. Both methods can leave a discoloured speckled finish where the pieces of gum have protected the area they cover from the elements. In these circumstances tarmac renewal paint, such as our Regener8 surface restoration paint, can be used to rejuvenate the appearance of the surface. After chewing gum has been removed, a surface restoration paint may also be used to remove any stains or discoloured surfaces left behind. 

Final words
If your building is vandalised by graffiti or if you need to remove chewing gum from the pavements in your area, then  it’s best to get in touch with specialist cleaning professionals. They are trained to understand the latest legislative requirements in their area of expertise, and will be able to recommend the correct process to follow on a case-by-case basis. 

Jamie Woodhall is technical field manager at Rentokil Specialist Hygiene.

For more information visit www.rentokil-hygiene.co.uk

The UK, like the rest of the world, has been turned upside down by Coronavirus. This highly contagious virus has spread to nearly every country in the world, with more than two million people known to be infected. As a result, governments across the globe have enforced social distancing measures and made people stay at home.
 
 
Regular cleaning is essential
Workplaces can be prone to cross contamination with a large number of people, shared spaces and equipment. It is essential that businesses take action, particularly during a time where illness is rife, to ensure their workplaces don’t serve as a hotbed for viral infection.

Kitchen, dining areas and washrooms should be subject to vigilant daily and weekly cleaning routines. We advise that this standard cleaning is scheduled and tracked, ensuring that it takes place regularly and on time.

It might sound simple but encouraging proper handwashing, something we have heard constantly on the news in recent weeks, will also help to prevent the spread of germs. Our hands are a natural breeding ground for germs and one of the principal carriers of harmful pathogens – in fact, 80% of infections are spread by hand.

Ensuring your employees have access to the essential handwashing tools – warm water, soap, drying facilities and ideally, hand sanitiser – goes a long way. There should be ample supplies of these products in the washrooms, breakout and kitchen areas throughout the building, paired with handwashing reminders to encourage best practice.

Proactive prevention
On top of a regular cleaning regime, businesses should be booking a minimum of two deep cleans per year. This may need to increase depending on the nature of the business and its hours of operation, so we recommend that all businesses contact professional cleaning companies to create a bespoke service and frequency schedule that works for them.

Professional deep cleaning is also especially important during a period of illness outbreak, preferably managed by a specialist cleaning company that is trained to tackle those hard-to-reach or rarely seen areas where potentially harmful micro-organisms might be hiding. A deep clean should include a thorough disinfection of high frequency touch points, as well as moving all furniture or equipment away from the walls to make sure no areas are missed from the standard cleaning routine.

One powerful tool in the deep cleaning arsenal is Ultra Low Volume (ULV) disinfection fogging. This involves specialist technicians using a fogger to generate a mist of disinfectant which settles on top of, underneath and on the sides of objects, enabling technicians to disinfect a large area in a short period of time.
 
With regard to the Coronavirus outbreak, businesses remaining open would be wise to review and update their cleaning regimes. They should also consider proactively preparing in case a deep clean is required, such as in the event they have a suspected or confirmed Coronavirus diagnosis onsite. This would require a contingency survey of the premises, typically offered by experts to gather key information in advance including a site-specific risk assessment, to enable a quick response in the event of Coronavirus being reported on the site at a later date.

If there are no confirmed or suspected cases of Coronavirus on a site, an all-purpose specialist disinfection may be appropriate to help protect against microbial infection, and to help maintain a high level of hygiene in a facility.
 
Reacting quickly
In addition to prevention, it’s also important that in the event of a confirmed or suspected case of Coronavirus on the premises, the business reacts quickly. According to government guidance, in most circumstances the amount of infectious virus on any contaminated surface is likely to have significantly decreased after 72 hours. This is a key consideration to determine the type of specialist disinfection service that your premises will need.

For businesses with a confirmed or suspected case of Coronavirus on the premises and where the site needs to be up and running quickly, a service manager can implement stringently risk assessed infection control measures that go beyond the minimum World Health Organisation guidance.

First, they survey the site wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Then, guided by the site-specific risk assessment, method statement and safe operating procedures, Royal Society for Public Health qualified staff meticulously disinfect rooms and areas that pose a threat of causing cross contamination, using a high-level surface disinfectant on surfaces such as floors, walls, ceilings and any objects. ULV disinfection fogging may also be used when required, to allow for the treatment of large areas in a short space of time.

For businesses who can afford to wait 72 hours, specialist cleaning technicians can disinfect the premises. This includes disinfecting key touchpoints, such as door handles and kitchen surfaces, using a using high-level surface disinfectant to help minimise the risk of infection. ULV disinfection fogging will also be carried out, to help ensure that all necessary areas are disinfected.

Qualified technicians should be equipped with the necessary PPE, RPE and specialist disinfection equipment, to provide specialist cleaning and disinfection service options safely and effectively. With many businesses adapting to a "delivery model" or having essential fleet vehicles they need kept on the road, a Vehicle Disinfection Service such as ours, which provides a full disinfection of cars, vans and lorries to help safeguard employees and customers, would also be advisable.   
 
All waste generated as part of the disinfection process needs to be segregated onsite and then disposed of in a safe and legally compliant manner, in line with guidance set out by Public Health England, to help eliminate cross contamination.

Final words
When it comes to cleaning regimes, proactivity is essential to help prevent the spread of disease, particularly during an illness outbreak such as Coronavirus. While hand hygiene will help stem cross contamination, specialist deep cleans will offer that extra level of protection and businesses should consider booking one in.
For more information, visit Rentokil Specialist Hygiene

Norovirus is one of the most common stomach bugs, with symptoms including sudden nausea, aching limbs, vomiting and diarrhoea. It is also highly contagious – fewer than 20 virus particles are necessary to cause infection. With as many as 250 outbreaks affecting between 600,000 and a million people in the UK each year, businesses must review their hygiene processes for the upcoming winter months when we know there is a higher risk of vomiting bugs like Norovirus spreading. 

Regular cleaning is essential 

Workplaces can be challenging environments in which to prevent cross contamination due to the large number of people, shared spaces and equipment. It’s essential that businesses take action to ensure that their workplace doesn’t serve as a hotbed for viral infection. 

Kitchen, dining areas and washrooms must be subject to vigilant daily and weekly cleaning routines. We advise that standard cleaning is scheduled and tracked, ensuring that it takes place regularly and on time. Organisations with hot-desking policies should also encourage staff to wipe down their desks at the end of each day by providing antibacterial wipes. 

It might sound simple but encouraging proper handwashing will also help to prevent the spread of germs. Our hands are a natural breeding ground for germs and one of the principle carriers of harmful pathogens – in fact, 80% of infections are spread by hand. Ensuring your employees have access to essential handwashing tools – warm water, soap, drying facilities and ideally, hand sanitiser - is key. There should be ample supplies of these products in the washroom, kitchen and throughout the building, paired with handwashing reminders to encourage best practice.

Proactive prevention 

On top of a regular cleaning regime, autumn is the perfect time to book in a thorough deep clean, preferably managed by a professional cleaning company that is trained to tackle those hard-to-reach or rarely seen areas where potentially harmful micro-organisms might be hiding. 

Professional cleaners will have access to specialist multi-purpose biocidal cleaners, which can decontaminate surfaces by killing bacteria, fungi, spores, yeasts and viruses. A deep clean should include a thorough disinfection of high frequency touch points, as well as moving all furniture or equipment away from the walls to make sure no areas are missed from the cleaning routine. One powerful tool in the deep cleaning arsenal is Ultra Low Volume (ULV) disinfectant fogging. This involves specialist technicians generating a mist of disinfectant which settles on top of, underneath and on the sides of objects, enabling technicians to disinfect a large area in a short period of time. 

Reacting quickly

In addition to prevention, it’s also important that if your premises and workers do fall victim to an outbreak of Norovirus, you react quickly to decontaminate the premises and make it fit and safe for purpose once again. ULV disinfection is one of the most effective tools in this instance, given the speed in which large areas can be disinfected and returned back to use.

We’d also recommend a proactive analysis of the environment, which can come in the form of a Hygiene Healthcheck’. This is where specialist technicians analyse the microbiological landscape and investigate levels of bacteria on various surfaces and touchpoints. With this information, they can create a heatmap to highlight the varying levels of microbiological activity throughout the building and identify any particular problem areas that need to be flagged for more frequent cleaning moving forward.

As Norovirus is considered a hardy virus, it is often transferable for several days, living on hard surfaces like door handles. It is important that any staff with Norovirus symptoms notify their workplace and stay away from work for at least 48 hours after the symptoms have ceased, to reduce the risk of the virus spreading further. 

Final words 

Proactivity is key to prevention. And while a regular cleaning regime and proactive hand hygiene is imperative in keeping winter illnesses like Norovirus at bay, specialist deep cleans will offer that extra level of protection.  

Written by: 

Paul Casson, Technical Field Manager, Rentokil Specialist Hygiene

Jamie Woodhall, Technical & Innovation Manager, Initial Washroom Hygiene

The work of Banksy, Stik and Inkie has brought street art to the masses and they are renowned for their colourful and intricate murals which bring visual excitement to otherwise uninspiring surroundings. As a result, some brands now commission street artists to create murals promoting their products or latest releases. 

Graffiti, on the other hand, is generally unwelcome. It’s traditionally seen as a more anti-social form of street art, which is usually carried out to deliberately deface, mark or ‘tag’ a wall, property or other surface, without an intent for people to enjoy looking at it. 

For businesses, the unexpected appearance of graffiti on a premise can be detrimental to the property and more importantly, the brand’s image. This is especially the case in the retail, transport and property sales industries, where the presence of graffiti has been associated with a wide range of negative side effects, including decreased sales, reduced passenger numbers, and a steep decline in property values in the area. In schools and public places, the presence of graffiti is equally unfavourable, potentially conveying the message that crime happens frequently and is tolerated in the area. 

Time is of the essence 

The sooner graffiti disappears, the better. Its quick and effective removal often acts as a deterrent, where the offender may feel as though their efforts have been wasted if their work only appears for a very limited time. 

It is also worth noting that under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, the person responsible for the surface is accountable for the cost of getting graffiti removed. This means that it falls to the owners or managers of a building to deal with the problem. If graffiti is left untouched for too long, local authorities can issue a Graffiti Removal Notice, which gives the property owner or manager a timeframe to remove the graffiti or face the risk of prosecution.

The offending material could just be painted over, but this is not always a practical solution. In fact, it can sometimes create what is seen as a blank canvas, inviting even more graffiti in the future. 

Luckily, the permanent and effective removal of graffiti needn’t be as onerous or time-consuming as you might think. 

The benefits of Ecoblasting 

In our opinion Ecoblasting is one of the most successful ways to remove graffiti. It works by using compressed air to blast an environmentally benign abrasive, such as bicarbonate of soda or recycled glass, on the surface to remove substrate layers. 

Traditional methods of graffiti removal can involve the use of aggressive corrosive chemicals, and excessive amounts of water. Ecoblasting, on the other hand, is completely environmentally friendly, meaning it is safe to carry out in more rural locations without contamination risk to wildlife or watercourses that might be on or near the site.

Alternative abrasives

The abrasive material used to help remove graffiti can be altered depending on the surface, location and the extent of paint being removed. Bicarbonate of soda is an effective material to remove paint from glass and rubber, without any permanent damage being caused to the surface. If the graffiti is on concrete or a less delicate surface, recycled glass is a quick and effective solution.

If the graffiti is near an electricity source, the process should be altered so it’s completely dry to comply with health and safety regulations. 

An expert opinion 

Specialist technicians will always offer a full assessment of the premises before any Ecoblasting takes place. Given the service can be used on glass, wood, metal, brick and most stone surfaces, including soft stone, such as limestone, which would be eroded by an acid cleaner, a survey will ensure that the correct abrasive is used. It will also take into account the hardness of the surface, and the environmental requirements needed for a given location.

Following Ecoblasting, an anti-graffiti coating should be applied to the surface. This coating prevents the paint from being absorbed, so in areas prone to frequent targeting, the graffiti can be quickly and easily removed with detergent and water. Treating the surface like this should hopefully prevent any repeat offences from happening, once they realise their future work can be removed without hassle.

A sticky situation

Along with graffiti, discarded chewing gum can be another indication of anti-social behaviour. While this may seem like a minor issue at first, its removal can add up. On average each piece of unsightly chewing gum can cost £1.50 to remove and can take up to five years to biodegrade. Hiring a professional cleaning service will make sure the task is done as quickly and effectively as possible.

There are two common methods you could consider for removal, depending on the surface to be treated. The first is to use steam with a ‘gum gun’, which melts the gum quickly off the surface. Alternatively, Ecoblasting can also be used to remove chewing gum from certain surfaces.

After chewing gum has been removed, a surface restoration paint can be used to remove any stains or discoloured surfaces left behind.

Final words

If you are unsure how to clean graffiti or remove chewing gum, it is always best to consult a professional. Technicians are trained to understand the latest legislative requirements in their area of expertise and will be able to recommend the correct process to follow on a case-by-case basis. Thanks to Ecoblasting, in the unfortunate event that your property is damaged, you can rest assured that the issue can be solved quickly, safely and efficiently. 

Empathy, resilience and professionalism: these are just some of the traits that are required for a job few would be willing to do. Trauma site cleaners deal with the immediate aftermath of an accident or crime. These professionals work in highly sensitive and often hazardous situations; from a suicide or a car accident, to the scene of a murder. While no specific qualification is required to join the industry, a high level of training is provided to ensure workers in this space can safely handle the unique challenges of different potential scenarios, and manage the emotional toll a role like this could place on them. 

It is often assumed that the emergency services will organise the clean-up operation in the event of an incident. However, it is typically the responsibility of the property or land owner to ensure the affected area is returned to its original state. In this worst-case scenario, knowing that a professional cleaning service is on hand to help can provide some small comfort.

Highly trained technicians

When it comes to emergency trauma and crime scene cleaning, it is imperative the service provided is rapid, discreet and comprehensive. Strict guidelines and legislation surround the cleaning of crime and trauma scenes. This is due to the possible presence of hazardous bodily fluids which can pose a health risk. Viruses such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV are all transferred via bodily fluid so the thorough treatment of contaminated areas is essential.

A specialist operation requires technicians to receive training in the best cleaning practices and processes. On training courses our technicians are taught practical skills which are crucial in ensuring the safe cleaning of a trauma site, as well as protecting the health of the technicians themselves with personal protective equipment (PPE). Almost as important though, is the ability of our technicians to handle the often incredibly difficult emotional implications of these traumatic situations. Rentokil Specialist Hygiene offers training that not only covers the cleaning process but also equips our colleagues to deal with the general public, trauma victims and the emergency services. A high level of emotional intelligence is required to deal with members of the public in traumatic situations. 

We also have a deep understanding of the challenges that cleaning technicians may face while working on the frontline of our business, offering counselling 24-7 and support to colleagues.

Tools for the job

Aside from PPE, specialist equipment is required in order to manage the risk of infection and return the environment to a safe and clean area as quickly as possible. Technicians need access to the best technology for the job, including highly effective processes such as Ultra Low Volume (ULV) fogging. ULV fogging produces micro-droplets of disinfectant and biocides that float in the air for around 10 minutes after application. Dispersing these micro-droplets into the air means the applied solution is able to reach areas that might not otherwise be covered by conventional methods. Using these kinds of advanced decontamination techniques ensures that the affected area can be safely disinfected. Studies have shown that application by aerosol significantly reduces the number of viable infectious pathogens by treating surfaces and reducing the number of pathogens in the air. 

This type of fogging service can also include technology which ensures that the area smells clean as well, with a range of fragrances on offer.

Available 24/7

In the wake of a traumatic situation, it’s unlikely that one’s first thought is how to clean up. Emergency services have lifesaving priorities whilst any passers-by or witnesses will understandably have other concerns. However, with potentially bio-hazardous waste exposed, managing the scene and mitigating the risk of further fallout is crucial in preventing a bad situation from getting worse.

Rentokil Specialist Hygiene’s Restore24 service for example guarantees that technicians will be able to provide a 24-7 expert disinfection service that will ensure the area is safe, free from infection and that hazardous materials are disposed of rapidly. Specialist technicians operate on an emergency call out rota and are able to travel to a site anywhere in the UK very quickly.   

Food and drinks manufacturing and processing (FDMP) in the UK is thriving, with a recent government study showing that it accounts for over 8,000 companies in Britain. Silos play a crucial role in this industry and also in agriculture, providing bulk storage for supplies such as flour, sugar, grain and animal feed. They protect the product in a stable environment to reduce the risk of spoilage from microbial growth, contamination or pest infestation. 

It is essential that high levels of silo hygiene are maintained on a regular basis, not only because of the high risk of contamination due to the volume of materials stored in silos, but also to protect the end consumer. 

Regular cleaning of silos is required to prevent the build-up of product residues on internal surfaces, which can create ideal conditions for microbial growth and the breeding of Stored Product Insects (SPIs). SPIs are responsible for the spoilage of stored commodities worldwide, causing serious problems for farmers and food manufacturers as they consume large amounts of food as they develop. This can cause a considerable reduction in the weight of the product, resulting in a major loss of revenue. In addition, SPI infested grain which is destined for human consumption can be downgraded due to physical damage and the reduced nutritional value of the commodity.  

How to clean a silo safely 

The cleaning of silos can be a challenging task, and it is important to remember that the structures must be emptied before cleaning, and so planned into downtime. When tackling these enormous structures, the health and safety of cleaning operatives is paramount, as the risk of injury or fatality is very high; ensuring the use of the correct ATEX rated intrinsically safe equipment is crucial, especially when working with dusty food stuffs such as flour, as the potential for a spark from electrical equipment to ignite dust and cause an explosion is a very real possibility, and one that is realised every year throughout the world. 

By far the most effective method for cleaning silos is to have someone inside the unit. A team of three is standard, with the entry technician being winched into the main chamber and supported by a winch man. A third person should also be on hand to record gas readings and assist in case of an emergency. The air must always be tested by gas detector before entering the silo, as it may be oxygen deficient and dangerous to enter. Ventilation is key and can make all the difference when reducing the amount of product that can stick to the sides of the silo. 

Once specialist operatives are safely in the right place, the actual process of cleaning the silo is relatively straightforward, the same as cleaning any large storage area. It involves dry brushing, scraping and the removal of waste. The only real difference is the difficulties presented by the specific commodity, sugar can set like concrete, and flour is prone to clinging onto the side of the silo creating a thick layer of flour suspended in mid-air, which can bridge across the silo and then empty beneath. The cleaning process can also result in a large quantity of dust, which can increase the cleaners’ risk of lung conditions. P3 particle masks are therefore essential for anyone conducting a silo clean. 

While the physical process of cleaning silos may be straightforward, it is recommended that specialist teams are employed. These teams will be fully trained in confined space entry, emergency escape and the correct use of appropriate equipment, and can be brought in at short notice, offering a consultative expert approach to the process. This makes commercial sense as costs are minimised, silo downtime is reduced and the risk to employees is kept as low as possible.