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.
New Year Resolutions for Office Cleaning
Goodbye 2021, Hello 2022. As we welcome in the new year, now is an ideal time to review the office cleaning and set new years resolutions which will keep the workplace clean and hygienic all year round. Here are some ideas for consideration for new year resolutions for office cleaning.
New Year Resolutions for Office Cleaning
Here we have shown just 6 examples to start the process, but these vary by office type and unique requirements.
Ensure workplace remains Covid-safe
Continuing to maintain Covid-secure workplaces remains a top priority, and Facility Managers must continue to manage the risks for staff accessing the office.
Even with the vaccination and booster programmes it is still possible to catch and spread Covid-19. With the new Omicron variant it’s clear that we will be living with Covid for the foreseeable future. It’s good practice to review all site protocols, check social distancing rules are clear and consider the following:-
- Cleaning regimes in place and followed including sanitisation of frequently touched surfaces and touchpoints
- Sufficient stocks of consumables such as sanitiser, anti-bacterial surface wipes and face masks
- Improving ventilation and air flow
- Stocks of lateral flow tests, if requesting staff to test on arrival to the office
Keep up to date with innovations. For example chemicals with residual efficacy are now available and there are a range of antibacterial and antimicrobial products which protect surfaces for longer, minimising the need for constant sanitisation.
Go green, make the office more eco-friendly
Becoming more environmentally friendly in the office is not as hard as it may seem. Making some small changes can have a big impact on the office footprint.
Sustainable cleaning materials
Many professional office cleaning providers already use as standard environmentally friendly cleaning solutions and will be able to provide information and advice on this. For Facility Managers looking for more sustainable solutions this is a quick win. Innovative solutions such as SoluPak’s water soluble sachets offer a sustainable and effective solution.
Switch to reusables
Encouraging staff to switch to reusables at work is a simple way to reduce plastic pollution. A good starting point is a reusable plastic bottles (rather than single use ones), and encouraging reusable coffee cups will help to reduce the staggering 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups that are used in the UK every year. Furthermore, removing disposable plastic cutlery and plates to sustainable alternatives is another way to encourage a change in employee habits.
Start or review the office recycling scheme
Introducing a recycling scheme into the office environment is a great first step to reducing waste, carbon emissions and costs. For existing schemes, its always good to review as waste contractors are making it as easy as possible to increase rates and bins should reflect specific requirements. Latest developments mean that it is possible to collect waste in one mixed recycling service for paper, card, plastic and cans.
Plan periodic Carpet cleaning
Don’t forget the carpets when reviewing office hygiene. There are many benefits to professionally carpet cleaning on a regular basis, including:-
- Prolonging the life of an office carpet
- Improving the office appearance by eliminating stains, spills and marks
- Removing bacteria, viruses and allergens
- Freshening the office and removes nasty odours
- Creating a good impression for staff and visitors
Book window and solar panel cleaning
Planned window cleaning schedules will ensure that windows and facades are always well presented. Window cleaning frequency will depend on a number of factors. These include location, traffic, seasonality and proximity to green space (and the amount of birds).
Introduce office confidential shredding bins
Cloud storage and the digital age has reduced the need for paper but the truly ‘paperless office’ still seems some way off. Compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) can be achieved by providing a secure consoles to dispose of confidential waste such as paper documents or electronic or electrical materials such as hard drives and discs. An on-site or off-site shredding service can be quickly implemented, and Certifications of Destruction issued once items are destroyed.
TemcoUK Facility Services – expert cleaning all year round
TemcoUK is a professional contract cleaning provider based in Uxbridge and serving London and the home counties. As businesses are adapting to the post-Covid environment, it has never been more important to work with a specialist cleaning company. We have the expertise and experience on all aspects of office cleaning and associated services – from cleaning, janitorial supplies, window and carpet cleaning and waste management – helping you to improve and maintain a clean and hygienic office environment all year round.
If you have made some New Year Resolutions for office cleaning and would like to find out more about our service, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01895 520370, email hello@temco-services.co.uk or visit our website www.temco-services.co.uk
Transparent pricing in office cleaning contracts
Commercial cleaning is a sizable part of the facilities cost for most organisations, and it can be confusing to understand what exactly is covered. In the B2B commercial office cleaning market, where bids can include many component parts, FM managers must be clear they know what is included in costings to remove guesswork and uncertainty. Price transparency is one way to mitigate this. Here we examine what is meant by transparent pricing in office cleaning contracts.
What does transparent pricing in office cleaning mean?
Transparent pricing means breaking down the total cleaning cost into component parts so that each item is clearly identifiable.
Benefits of clear and transparent pricing
Understanding an office cleaning costing is vital for 4 reasons.
Firstly, it enables facility or building managers to compare cleaning costs from different companies on a like for like basis. This is very useful to check that contractors are offering value for money.
Secondly, it enables budget holders to hold incumbent contractors accountable for what they are billing verses the service received.
Thirdly it provides a baseline cost, where it is easy to see the changes to the bottom line when one or more elements change. This is particularly relevant in today’s environment with increasing wage rates and inflationary pressures. This was also applicable during the pandemic when cleaning service requirements changed frequently, and facility managers needed to understand the impact on their budgets.
Finally, it enables clients to be clear on the wage rates being paid to cleaning staff working in their buildings. This opens up discussion for introducing the Living Wage for instance.
Breakdown of a commercial cleaning cost
A commercial cleaning cost can be broken down in many ways depending on the nature of the work. In general however these are common elements common for most cleaning providers:-
Direct labour cost
This is the majority of the cost. In simple terms, this is contracted hours multiplied by the agreed pay rate. For example for one cleaning operative contracted to work 15 hours a week at £10.85, the direct labour cost would be £162.75.
Other labour costs include
Statutory
- National insurance
- Pension
- Sick pay
- Holiday pay reserve
Staff
- Staff training
- Recruitment
- Staff vetting and right to work checks
- Uniform
Materials & Equipment
- Equipment including maintenance and portable appliance testing (PAT)
- Cleaning materials and chemicals
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks
Legal
- Employers and product liability insurance
Consumables costing
These are usually charged on a usage basis, as the amount can vary from client to client. Examples of cleaning consumables are below.
- Paper products such as toilet paper, hand towels, tissues and centrefeed rolls
- Waste sacks
- Kitchen products such as washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets and rinse aid
- Skincare and hand hygiene such as soap, sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes
Services cost
Associated facility management services would include
- Washroom services such as feminine hygiene
- High level window cleaning
- Waste management, recycling and confidential shredding
- Pest control
- Landscaping and grounds maintenance
TemcoUK Facility Services – open, honest and transparent pricing from the start
Every Temco quotation we provide shows a cost schedule for cleaning services, with clear and transparent pricing so that our clients know exactly what they are paying for.
The cost is broken down into elements. Firstly, the total direct wage costs: the number of hours times payrate. Secondly, there is a breakdown of non direct costs including for example national insurance, pension, sick pay and holiday reserve. The third element is directly related to the cleaning such as equipment, materials and staff compliance costs such as vetting and insurance. Finally we show our profit and overhead figures. There are no hidden extras, and we charge only for what we have agreed with our clients.
Additional service costs are itemized by service line, for example window cleaning or pest control, and consumables are invoiced with a line-by-line breakdown by month and site. All consumable unit costs are agreed in advance, and annual costs are provided where a purchase order is required.
Costs are updated annually in line with changes to the Living Wage Foundation rate. These pay rate changes are announced in November with implementation within 6 months ie by May the following year.
If you would like to discuss your cleaning contract or are considering a change of cleaning provider, please contact Temco today 01895 520370.
5 Benefits of a clean and hygienic office
Research shows that a clean and hygienic office boosts workplace wellbeing, enhances productivity and reduces absenteeism. It also has a key role to play in keeping staff healthy and creating the right impression of businesses and brands. Many companies employ a professional service contractor to manage their daily office cleaning, and in this blog we look at the 5 benefits of a clean and hygienic office.
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Confidence of returning employees
Since the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in July, people have been encouraged to return to the office. For some, this will be the first time in over 18 months that they have been back - understandably there may be some concern. So the focus for employers is to instill confidence through a range of measures including effective and regular cleaning.
Regular and effective cleaning
Using professional products including proven anti-viral cleaners will ensure the levels of germs and pathogenic viruses including Influenza A (H1N1 and Swine Flu) are significantly reduced. Staff can assist the process by ensuring their desk is clear of any items so the cleaning teams can fully sanitize areas every evening, as cleaning staff typically have been instructed not to touch or move these.
High frequency touchpoint sanitisation
High frequency touchpoints in the workplace include door handles, door push plates and operating buttons on appliances such as coffee machines and printers. Regular sanitisation of these identified areas will reduce the risk of cross contamination and infection.
Trained cleaning staff
Cleaning staff need to know how to clean and sanitise effectively and implement this in their day to day routines. Training will cover aspects such as chemical contact time and which cloth to use for maximum effect.
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Prevent illness
It’s not just COVID-19, but other germs, bacteria and diseases have the opportunity to spread more in an unclean environment. Absenteeism through, for example, catching colds and flu is not only an inconvenience to individuals, but it also costs business many thousands of pounds each year and has a detrimental effect on the bottom line.
By maintaining effective cleaning and hygiene routines, germs levels reduce and prevented from spreading. Pathogens can live on hard surfaces such as desks for long periods of time so regular cleaning and sanitizing is essential to reduce the risk.
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Employee wellbeing
Staff spend a large amount of time in the office and need to feel happy and comfortable in that environment to perform at their best. Working in a clean and hygienic office enhances their feeling of wellbeing and demonstrates that their employer has invested in providing them with the highest quality work environment.
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Increases productivity and motivation
Let’s face it, dirt and mess can be very distracting! Cleaning removes these distractions, helping employees to better focus and concentrate on their tasks. A part of workplace productivity is employee motivation, and a clean workplace signals to staff that they are valued and respected. There are also additional benefits such as improving staff morale and of course employee retention.
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Creates a good impression
First impressions count! A clean, tidy and hygienic workplace instills confidence and projects a positive image which is good for business. An office should be an enjoyable place in which to spend time, welcoming visitors and showing an attention to detail. Nothing says unprofessional more than dirty floors, messy reception desks or overflowing bins in the workplace. A well-kept workplace implies efficiency and quality.
TemcoUK Facility Services – experts in daily office cleaning
Temco is a professional and experienced contract cleaning company specializing in the provision of daily office cleaning services.
We are agile with a focus on consistent service excellence. In these challenging times we understand that a clean and hygienic office is more important than ever and plays a significant role in providing confidence for staff returning to the office. Our fully trained cleaning teams will work to agreed schedules and safe ways of working so that you have total confidence that your workplace is clean and hygienic.
Temco has an excellent record of professionally managing contracts to ensure that the right staff, at the right time clean using the right chemicals and follow the right processes. If you would like to find out more or to discuss your office cleaning provision please download our brochure here, call on 01895 520370 or email hello@temco-services.co.uk.
Using productivity to calculate office cleaning hours
In these challenging times value for money is as important as ever, and ensuring you are paying the right amount for your office cleaning to deliver the standards you require is vital. This blog looks at why commercial contract cleaning companies should be using productivity to calculate office cleaning hours for quotes, rather than visual inspection.
Productivity matters because it enables accurate calculation of the cleaning hours required for any project. This helps to identify and implement operational efficiency by using appropriate equipment, materials, processes and training. There are many variables and of course no two offices are the same.
The drive for successful contractors is to find new innovations and techniques that enable cleaning teams to achieve high cleaning standards in less time for the optimum outcome.
How to calculate office cleaning productivity
Define the office space
Productivity is based on size, square footage or square meterage, so the start point is to establish the office space size that the quote will cover. This should eliminate all areas not included in the cleaning specification, for example server rooms or technical areas.
Measuring the office space
When architect office plans are unavailable or out of date, the only way to start is to measure the space manually. This can be done by walking around the premises using a small lightweight laser distance measuring tool. At a click of a button the essential measurements can be obtained and recorded.
Determine area splits
The next stage is to understand the percentage split by area, as each has a different cleaning productivity which affects the cleaning hours required. Washrooms for example have much lower productivity than corridors. The different areas would be for example
- Office
- Washroom & changing rooms
- Corridors & stairs
- Meeting rooms
- Reception areas
- Kitchens
What is cleaning productivity?
What is productivity in relation to cleaning? According to the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), the average productivity rating establishes the amount of area covered by one trained cleaning operative in one hour.
In general terms, this is typically around 230-250 m2 per hour. However, the productivity varies enormously depending on a wide variety of factors. Some examples shown below.
Factors which affect cleaning productivity
Client expectation and cleaning standards
Detailed specifications are essential to accurately calculate productivity. This is what will deliver the cleaning standards. A project with client-facing areas may have a much higher specification that a cost-conscious one who requires only the basic service. And clients who have invested heavily in a high-end office fitout or refurbishment will demand very high cleaning standards of their prestigious office.
Density
High density open plan office space means rows of desks tightly located together. Each individual desk requires cleaning and sanitisation. And in these pandemic times, partitions have been introduced to minimise infection and of course these need to be made safe to ensure workplace hygiene.
Client specifications
Understanding all the elements of the specification is important and additional items for consideration include:-
- Cleaning and restocking coffee machines
- Practicality - Are there individual or communal waste bins, location of cleaning cupboard etc
- Do fridges require cleaning and disposing of food at the end of the week
- Availability of areas to clean, eg late-running meetings
- Is a daytime presence required for sanitisation of high contact touchpoints
Building age, type and layout
Older buildings typically take longer to clean than newer ones thanks to things like quirky design with awkward nooks and crannies, uneven floors and old-style materials. Types of buildings are office, schools and healthcare facilities, each of which have specific cleaning requirements. Finally, layout plays an important role in productivity as open plan offices are generally working at higher productivity rates than older style configurations.
Temco Bespoke Quotation Tool - TemQuote
Temco has developed a bespoke quoting tool TemQuote to accurately calculate cleaning hours required for each quotation. We take building measurements as a starting point, determine the percentage split by area and overlay the client specification and expectations. This provides the hours required for the project. The resulting figure incorporates the latest innovations and cleaning techniques to ensure that the service specification is delivered at the highest achievable productivity levels.
For successful bids these figures provide valuable information to ensure the staff schedules and workplans are effective, efficient and achievable.
If you are looking at your cleaning provision, please call us now on 01895 520370 or email hello@temco-services.co.uk. We’d love to talk cleaning with you!
8 questions Facility Managers should ask contractors when tendering office cleaning
The pandemic has further highlighted the important role played by professional Facility Managers, and office cleaning is just one of many services that FM’s are responsible for. In this blog we take a look at 8 questions Facility Managers should ask contractors when tendering office cleaning.
Choosing the right office cleaning contractor often starts with a formal document such as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) or Invitation to Tender (ITT).
Here are some important questions to ask.
1) How will the office cleaning contractor deliver the service?
How to deliver the cleaning specification is fundamental. Sample cleaning schedules and work plans should be part of the return document, as well as a proposed shift pattern and staffing profile. This can be amended by the successful contractor as necessary to reflect unique requirements, but the basic information should be in place from the start.
2) How will the contract be supported by Managers and Head Office?
One of the most common reasons why clients get frustrated with their cleaning contractor is that the staff are not supported by their cleaning manager or the head office. A monthly review of the contract keeps the lines of communication open and are ideal opportunities for service issues to be discussed or amended if situations change.
One way to monitor is through Quality Audits, to systematically ask a range of questions relating to the cleaning standards, room by room or floor by floor. They also help by engaging teams to work together to achieve service excellence.
The Manager has a crucial role to ensure that cleaning products are in stock, that staff training is up to date and that payroll is accurate. Incorrect pay is one of the most demotivating issues for staff.
3) Does the office cleaning contractor have the relevant accreditations & organisational structure
Core information to demonstrate that correct documentation is in place, and would include:-
- Professional accreditations – for example ISO9001, ISO14001, SafeContractor and Contractor Health & Safety Assessment (CHAS)
- Insurance – Employers Liability and Public Liability
- Financial stability – checking a credit-worthiness score gives an indication of financial strength and checking accounts at Companies House provides further insight
- Policies and corporate standards –for example in relation to environmental and sustainability issues, data protection, right to work and many more.
4) Health and Safety
Having the correct health and safety documentation in place is vital. This will include Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), valid task and site risk assessments are in place and staff have been trained on Safe Systems of Work (SSOW). Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) should be available for all periodic work.
5) How will the account be managed?
Contracts are managed via Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and Service Level Agreement (SLA) which give information on how the contract is performing against pre-agreed targets. These should be available on a regular basis, for example in a secure online portal, and reviewed at client meetings.
Open communications and proactive management are also vital for successful contract management.
6) Onsite staff training
Training ensures compliance and consistency and reduces the risk of injury at work. Staff training would include health and safety, effective cleaning including COVID, chemical expertise and site safety and security procedures.
7) Professional Equipment and chemicals
Using professional equipment and chemicals which have been selected for the specific environment will raise the cleaning standards and enhance the customer experience. With so many products available, asking questions early in the tender process will identify if these comply with the tender requirements, for example do they have the desired environmental credentials?
8) Wide range of services
Finally, having a contractor who can offer additional facility management services makes it easier to manage the contract. Examples are high-level window cleaning or pest control. Additionally, finance teams will prefer one consolidated supplier invoice.
Professional office cleaning services from TemcoUK Facility Services
Temco has been delivering professional office cleaning services to a wide range of clients across many sectors including pharmaceutical and corporate clients.
We professionally manage our contracts with transparency and maximise operational efficiency. Our area managers schedule visits at least monthly to client sites and we have an excellent record of contract management.
If you are looking to change providers, please get in touch.