Exciting innovation redefines commercial floor cleaning
Exciting innovation redefines commercial floor cleaning
For many years there was little innovation in the cleaning industry. Ten years ago in 2014 the i-Mop scrubber dryer revolutionised floor cleaning. Now the manufacturer i-team Global have just upped the game again by launching the new i-walk. This is the very latest innovation in floor cleaning technology, and enables operatives to work smarter not harder. Temco was privileged to be invited to the global product launch in London on 1st October 2024.
In this blog we look at how this exciting innovation redefines commercial floor cleaning.
The new i-walk
What is the i-walk
The i-walk is a groundbreaking co-bot that redefines cleaning, delivering unmatched efficiency and precision cleaning. It works by attaching to the i-mop XL, transforming it from a standalone cordless scrubber dryer to an automated co-botic which will clean up to 300m2 with only one minute of set up time.
The i-mop XL is a patented flexible floor scrubber dryer that revolutionised cleaning in 2014. This is an innovative floor scrubber dryer which combines the flexibility of a floor mop with the power and speed of an industrial machine, cleaning 70% faster than conventional wet mopping. It will improve the appearance of the hard floors considerably as it is highly effective at removing dirt.
Greener
The i-mop already is a very eco-friendly cleaning machine. It uses an advanced recovery system that cuts water usage by 70% and reduces chemical use compared to manual cleaning. This makes it a greener and a more environmentally responsible floor cleaning choice.
Safer
The i-walk's suction system ensures surfaces dry very quickly, reducing the risk of slips and falls after cleaning. Plus it's battery operated so no trailing cables which further improves safety.
Complete the work even when short staffed
The combination of the i-mop XL and the i-walk frees cleaning operatives from repetitive and time-consuming tasks. By reducing the need for manual labour, it allows staff to focus on other tasks rather than floor cleaning. This not only makes their jobs more enjoyable, and offering the client a real benefit.
For cleaning companies facing staff shortages, this technology facilitates the maintenance of high cleaning delivery standards with reduced operatives onsite.
TemcoUK Facility Services is a professional commercial cleaning contractor
Temco is a professional commercial office cleaning. We offer office contract cleaning and periodic cleaning such as floor maintenance.
Our cleaning managers are experienced and we have a stable team. This gives you consistency, reassurance and expertise for the management of your contract. We tailor our office cleaning service to meet the unique requirements of your business.
If you would like further information please contact us on LinkedIn, email hello@temco-services.co.uk or call us 01895 520370.
Fed up with your cleaning contractor – 4 signs it’s time to change
Without regular management of the cleaning contract, it can become stale and overlooked. Organisations often stick with unsatisfactory cleaners, thinking that it’s difficult or a hassle to change. It’s not! Staying in a partnership with an unreliable service provider is not ideal, and could even affect your staff morale. Consider a change to your office cleaning contractor.
In this blog we look at four signs that it could be time to review your existing cleaning contractor.
4 signs that it’s time to change your cleaning contractor
There’s no support for onsite contract cleaning staff
Office cleaning staff need regular and reliable support and management, plain and simple!
One of the biggest complaints we hear from new contracts is that their previous cleaning team do not feel supported. Not just in training, for example health and safety, but also in the correct cleaning methods and usage of the specified products.
Understanding responsibilities within the cleaning team is essential, and schedules will list out all the tasks allocated to roles. This also provides compliance and reassurance that the cleaning specification is being carried out in accordance with your contract.
Lines of communication need to be clear and responsibilities explained and understood. This will allow small issues to be quickly resolved before they escalate.
In addition lines of communication need to be clear and responsibilities explained and understood, and any small issues can be quickly resolved before they escalate.
You never see your cleaning area manager
Cleaning area or regional managers should be regular visitors to ensure the contract is running well.
Prescheduled client meetings are the perfect way to discuss service and delivery, and plan for upcoming events or office changes.
Regular quality and compliance audits should be done during these meetings, ideally with the client in attendance. All results will then be fed into the site Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) which should be reviewed at least quarterly with you.
This is also an opportunity for mangers to review onsite equipment, check stock ordering and amend staff shifts to cover holiday.
Poor communication and slow response time
You shouldn’t have to wait days to get a response from your provider for something that you need. If they take several days to respond to emails or calls, and repeatedly fail to follow up or progress specific issues, then it’s definitely time to consider change to one that can communicate and respond in a timely manner.
Re-occurring staff issues, especially around payroll
Nothing annoys and demotivates cleaning staff more than incorrect pay, especially if payroll errors are made time and time again.
This comes down to accuracy with timesheets and communication between supervisors or managers and head office. Any pay queries that are escalated to managers or head office should be dealt with and resolved as a matter of urgency, ideally within 24 hours.
Paying the correct amount at the correct time should be the priority of every cleaning company.
TemcoUK Facility Services is a professional commercial cleaning contractor - change to us!
Established in 2001, Temco is an expert in commercial office cleaning. We understand that as businesses adapt to hybrid working, so too do our cleaning schedules need to adjust to reflect the changing landscape.
Our cleaning managers are experienced and we have a stable team. This gives you consistency, reassurance and expertise for the management of your contract. We specialise in cleaning, and tailor our office service to meet the unique requirements of your business, whatever days you work and whatever your office occupancy.
Our comprehensive list of services covers everything including office window and carpet cleaning, washroom services and pest control.
If you would like further information please contact us on LinkedIn, email hello@temco-services.co.uk or call us 01895 520370.
The importance of valuing cleaning staff
Cleaning and hygiene rose the top of the agenda during the Covid-19 pandemic. Cleaning operatives were seen as vital to protect the health and wellbeing of others during this time. Their visibility gave confidence to returning office workers that their workspace was safe and hygienic. With this changing attitude to a previously invisible workforce, this blog looks at the importance of valuing cleaning staff.
Cleaning Industry background
Traditionally in the commercial cleaning industry it was common knowledge that low pay and low expectations of staff was widespread. If you then add poor training and ineffective equipment, the results are poor productivity and at best, second-rate daily office cleaning. In spite of this, low investment in staff is rife, with contractors locked into the low wage and low expectation business model.
Fair Pay – Good Productivity – Great Service
The direct opposite of this business model for commercial office cleaning services begins with fair pay for staff, which naturally leads to high expectations. The Living Wage is a great way to demonstrate fair pay to staff, and to recognise their important contribution.
The Living Wage Foundation rate is based on the cost of living and reviewed annually. It is currently £9.90 and the London Living Wage rate is £11.05. This compares with the national living wage, set by the government, which stands at £9.50.
Then add in a professional training regime and give staff the latest equipment to work with. The result is exactly as commercial cleaning services clients would wish - good productivity and great service. It is clearly in everybody’s interest that this approach is adopted.
Labour shortages
In today’s post Brexit, post lockdown employment climate, valuing cleaning staff has become even more important. Some European staff went home during lockdown. They have not returned and seem unlikely to do so in the future. In addition, many people have understandably re-evaluated their lives after being locked down, and this is clearly including many office cleaning staff. When they look around they find that they have more job alternatives open to them than before the lockdown. As a result it is only those who are happy in their work who are staying in the industry.
Employer of choice
A daily office cleaning provider needs to be an Employer of Choice to ensure it can recruit the staff its clients need. It needs to earn a reputation for paying a fair wage and showing genuine concern for staff wellbeing. Then to keep existing staff they need to be encouraged to develop through training and incentives. They also need to be provided with the latest equipment which will help them do the job of office cleaning faster and more effectively.
High expectations
An ethos that encourages staff to deliver the very best service, giving them the most modern equipment and the best consumables will give your commercial cleaning services contractor a high quality attitude that will penetrate every corner of their operation. The result for clients is of course excellent productivity and the best possible service.
Training
Recruiting and retaining the best clean staff is not only about pay. It’s also about providing training to safely deliver the highest standards of service using the best equipment available. Staff increasingly want to feel secure, valued and see a potential to advance their career.
The result for managers will be a highly motivated staff of professional cleaners who really care about their work. People who can be flexible when it is required. People who are responsive and resourceful.
TemcoUK – an Employer Of Choice
Our employees are the backbone of our business. We always offer clients a Living Wage cost option, as we believe it is the right thing to do. And we invest in people, technology and processes to ensure that our cleaning regimes reflect client requirements and building needs. This enables us to recruit and retain staff who care about their work and go above and beyond, after all they often become a part of the wider client FM team.
The benefits for clients is clear: great service, a well-trained and supported professional cleaning team who consistently deliver the highest standards of workplace cleaning and hygiene.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss your cleaning contract hello@temco-services.co.uk or call 01895 520370
Mobilisation of an office cleaning contract
Starting a new cleaning contact requires a lot of preparation and planning to achieve a smooth transition. A successful mobilisation not only ensures a good start to the contract, but it also is the first step to building a strong client relationship and positive working partnership. All cleaning contracts require support from the start, and this blog looks at the process of mobilisation of an office cleaning contract.
Office cleaning contract
As soon as there is agreement on contract terms, and the start date set, the mobilisation process can begin. All details such as number of staff, weekly hours, payrates and specification will have been agreed prior to this and feed into the mobilisation plan.
5 Key elements of a Mobilisation plan
- TUPE
- Operational set up
- Health and Safety
- Staff vetting
- Management
TUPE and why it’s important for FM mobilisation
TUPE stands for the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006. This regulation is a legal requirement which safeguards employees if a contract transfers from one employer to another. Any eligible employees will transfer with full continuity of service and protected terms and conditions, with effect from the transfer date.
The TUPE process can begin as soon as the contract terms are agreed and the existing contractor has been notified. The incumbent contractor must supply full details for employees including name and address, hourly rate and benefits, job title and working hours.
Transferring under TUPE can be an unsettling time for staff and it’s important for both the incoming and outgoing contractors to handle it in a very sensitive and careful way.
Operational set up
The mobilisation plan will involve many operational tasks which will vary depending on the contract, but usually include the following:-
- Create new schedules and route plans based on specification
- Order equipment and materials
- Organize additional services eg washroom or pest control services
- Set up online janitorial template for ease of ordering
- Advertise to recruit additional staff, if required
- Payroll set up of new staff, and creation of timesheets
- Order staff uniform
Health and Safety
Following a full brief from the operations team and a site audit, the H&S Manager will prepare the following : -
- Site induction – this will include signing in arrangements, fire evacuation, expected conduct on site, reporting of incidents or accidents and other H&S matters
- Contract files with all COSHH and MSDS
- Full documentation regarding RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statement)
- Training required
Staff vetting
Staff checks for all new employees include:-
- Right to work, including visas and biometric residence permits (BRP)
- Identity documentation verification
- DBS if required
The contractor will ensure that copies are taken and securely held, and any time limited documents must be registered and followed up prior to expiry. Head office staff matrices must also be updated accordingly.
Management
Management information to monitor performance of the contract includes setting up:-
- KPI and SLA documentation
- Quality auditing schedules based on frequency agreed in contract
- On accounting system, as per agreed invoice price
Regular updates of these documents ensure clients have accurate and timely information on the performance of their contract.
TemcoUK Facility Services – total account focus for operational success
At Temco we have managed hundreds of contract mobilisations since we started in 2001 and have the experience and energy to breathe new life into tired contracts.
We manage the whole process in a professional and efficient way, and will keep you updated on the process throughout. We work closely and collaboratively with our clients and adopt a partnership approach. Our secure online portal allows us to share management information and we support this with regular client meetings to ensure complete transparency of the cleaning operation.
Our experienced HR Manager closely manages the transfer process to ensure that we met and implement TUPE regulations. We take great care to ensure that any employees transferring under TUPE feel supported and understand the process. We hold staff consultations with honesty and professionalism and work with staff to ensure that all operational changes are discussed and we will take the time to explain any changes to schedules or staffing.
Temco offers full transparency on your service, from initial quote through to mobilisation and contract management. Our record of professionally managing cleaning contracts is excellent, and we will work with you to ensure the smooth transition of your project. Please get in touch with us if you would like to change your office cleaning provider, on 01895 520370 or email hello@temco-services.co.uk.
What does commercial Daily Office Cleaning include?
Commercial daily office cleaning includes a wide range of tasks including vacuuming and sanitising desks and tables to maintain the cleanliness of the office environment. The main tasks are carried out on a daily basis and follow a cleaning specification with the tasks allocated by day. Depending on the requirements of the client and office space, some lower frequency tasks are on a weekly, monthly or quarterly schedule.
Work schedules are provided for the cleaning staff to ensure nothing is missed and that the office consistently maintains high cleaning standards at all times.
COVID-19 has increased the requirement for sanitisations and this is now a key role for cleaning teams.
Daily office cleaning tasks
Typical daily office cleaning tasks would include vacuuming, sanitising and cleaning desks, tables and chairs. Tasks vary by area:-
General daily office cleaning
- Cleaning desks, chairs and pedestals free from visible dust, dirt and stains
- Sanitise high contact touch points
- Vacuuming carpeted area
- Mopping hard floor areas
- Cleaning glass partitions
- Emptying waste and recycling bins
- Spot clean windowsills and skirting boards
- Replenishing sanitising stations
Washroom and shower areas
Tasks reflect the high levels of hygiene required, these are typically:-
- Clean and sanitise toilets bowls, urinals and cubicle doors
- Clean sinks, taps, shower and accessories
- Refill soap and hand towels dispensers
- Replenish toilet roll paper
Reception areas
The focus for tasks is to create a good impression:-
- Clean entrance doors and mats
- Clean and sanitise the reception desk
- Sanitise lift panels and buttons
Periodic cleaning tasks
Periodic deep cleaning provides a more thorough clean than can be achieved during normal office cleaning and usually forms part of the cleaning contract. Examples are washroom and carpet deep cleans.
Non-standard tasks
Clients often ask for additional non-standard tasks to be added to the specification, for example:-
- Cleaning or flushing out the bean to cup coffee machine
- Cleaning work pods or individual booths
The office cleaning needs to reflect the client needs, and some additional tasks are often required to support the extended office environment, for example:-
- Exterior cleaning eg smoking area, entrance and work pods
- Jet washing patio and outdoor areas
- Litter pick external areas eg car park
- Cleaning bike sheds and outdoor bin storage areas
Lower frequency cleaning tasks eg weekly cleaning
Some tasks do not require daily attention such as:-
- Waste bins are emptied daily, but the bins themselves may be scheduled for a full weekly clean to maintain hygiene and eliminate odours
- Fire extinguishers do not require daily cleaning and often scheduled for a weekly damp wipe
- Windowsills are spot cleaned each day to remove visible marks and stains, but often these are fully cleaned each week, fortnight or month depending on the location and office environment
Day House-keeping office cleaning
Some companies want a day housekeeper to maintain areas through the day, especially around midday during the busy lunch time period. These tasks may include regularly sanitising of frequently touched points in the communal areas and stocking up washroom consumables.
Client-centric daily office cleaning
Whatever the individual requirements of the daily office cleaning contract, the primary aim is to deliver the right solution for the client. For some this includes out of hours cleaning and sanitising, for others it’s a visible cleaning presence during the day to ensure areas are safe and clean.
How long does it take to clean an office?
This depends on the size and layout of the office! No layout is ever the same even if the footprint is, and a site visit can ascertain the hours required. No one size fits all and tailoring the cleaning to client requirements will provide the best service.
TemcoUK Facility Services provides commercial daily office cleaning
TemcoUK provides daily office cleaning services in and around London UK including Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Hertfordshire. Based in Uxbridge located in the London borough of Hillingdon, areas covered include Harrow, Wembley and central London.
We use smart scheduling tools to produce detailed specifications for full client transparency, and all tasks agreed in the contract become daily cleaning tasks.
Many clients trust Temco for their commercial daily office cleaning and the associated facility management services including waste management, washroom services and pest control.
The Benefits of using a Professional Office Contract Cleaning Company
With many organisations starting to plan for the return to the office as lockdown restrictions ease, staff are seeking reassurance that their workplaces are clean and hygienic. It’s no surprise therefore that Facility Managers are reviewing their options and looking at the benefits of using a professional office contract cleaning company to manage their cleaning provision. Cleaning plays a major role in the defence against reducing the spread of transmission and infection from coronavirus in the office environment.
There are many benefits of outsourcing office contract cleaning.
Compliance & Accountability
Professional cleaning companies offer compliance in areas such as staff vetting and health and safety, offering reassurance through certification and trade accreditations such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and SafeContractor. Strict industry standards are followed to ensure compliance and safety.
Professional specification and contract reporting
Accurate specification and schedules can be created detailing all the tasks that have been agreed in the contract. These typically would include how often hard floors are swept and damp mopped, and in these COVID times whether frequently touched surfaces (such as door handles and push plates) are to be sanitised throughout the day or not.
These provide transparency on the service, leaving no room for misunderstandings.
Professionally trained staff
Training needs to be comprehensive and include not only chemicals, equipment and consumables but also health and safety such as manual handling, control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH), PPE and warning signage. Up to date risk assessments for cleaning tasks should always be available and regularly reviewed. Selecting companies that directly employ staff further ensures compliance.
Complete Solutions
Professional companies will be able to offer a wide range of sanitising and hygiene solutions. For example disinfections and fogging for instant response to suspected or confirmed COVID outbreaks, or surface protection options for longer term solutions
Sustainable solutions
For organisations that have sustainability at their core, having a choice of cleaning materials matters. Professional office contract cleaning companies can access commercial ranges of environmentally friendly solutions. One such example is the SoluPak. The range offers a unique cleaning concentrate, packed in water-soluble film sachets and all packaging is 100% biodegradable and plastic free, and the film dissolves to become part of the cleaning solution. The amount of plastic is dramatically reduced using only reusable plastic trigger bottles. Plus, all products have the following accreditations: Ecolabel, Vegan and Cruelty-Free
Focus on core business
Outsourcing the office cleaning to a professional company allows organisations the focus on their core business. The cleaning industry is well-established with safety and compliance at its heart.
Specialist equipment and chemicals
Professional cleaning companies have access to specialist equipment and chemicals and these will have been tested and independently certified. An example would be ensuring anti-viral cleaning materials are approved to EN14476 to give peace of mind that the products are effective and compliant.
Understanding dilution and manufacturers contact or kill time is another important factor as this determines how long the chemical needs to work.
Investing in the latest cleaning equipment not only increases productivity but also greatly enhances the finished result. Take the iMop for example. This modern, easy to use scrubber dryer cleans even faster than a conventional scrubber and is up to 70% faster than wet mopping. The two counter-rotating brushes scrub deeper for 90% cleaner surfaces when compared to standard mopping. The iMop technology leaves floors dry which reduces slip hazards, and as it is battery operated there are no trailing cables which eliminates trip hazards. Faster, cleaner and safer!
Service excellence, Visible difference, Positive results
Experienced cleaning companies are good at what they deliver, so the end result is consistent service excellence which makes a visible difference to the look and feel of any business.
A clean and hygienic office also has a positive effect on workplace productivity, plus additional benefits including increased motivation and better staff mental wellbeing. In these uncertain times where many UK workers are concerned about returning to the office, having the highest cleanliness standards in place is essential to give staff reassurance that the office is safe.
TemcoUK Facility Services provides professional office contract cleaning in London and the surrounding areas
Based in Uxbridge, London, Temco has been delivering professional office cleaning services for over 20 years to many organisations, from blue chip and corporate head office buildings to industrial and educational environments, keeping workplaces clean, safe and hygienic.
Temco is agile and very client focussed and has an excellent record of professionally managing cleaning contracts. This offers safety and compliance as standard via rigid reporting, training, auditing and effective health and safety procedures.