Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 10th October 2024 Issue no. 1133

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Sanctuary Supported Living shows how upgrading cleaning solutions can reap sustainability and productivity rewards

With aims to improve its sustainability credentials while protecting commercial resources and maintaining a high level of professional care and support to residents, UK-based care organisation Sanctuary Supported Living wielded impressive results by introducing a more cohesive approach to cleaning with better tools for the job. Not only did this cut cleaning time by 45% but the company estimates that it will save 180,000 litres of water and prevent 400Kg of mop heads from going to landfill. 

Achieving improved sustainability

Sanctuary Supported Living has over 650 supported housing services across England. The homes are underpinned by a rigorous cleaning schedule that keeps both staff and residents safe. The care group hoped, through this exercise, to improve the sustainability of the business’ overall processes. After adopting these new tools, the team calculated a significant reduction in their environmental impact.

In partnership with manufacturer Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), Sanctuary tested its current cleaning equipment against the new systems to understand how the environmental impact of the operation could be reduced.  Comparisons between the previous cleaning equipment and RCP’s Pulse Mop System reveal that the site will potentially save approximately 400Kg in mop heads that would otherwise be going to landfill, and will likely save approximately 180,000 litres of water and hundreds of pounds in electricity costs. Further cost and resource reductions came with the introduction of HYGEN Microfibre Cloths as a result of the high number of washes they can endure before requiring replacement. These significant strides in terms of environmental credentials were considered to be a real success by the Sanctuary team and are a real proof point of the ‘buy better, waste less’ approach.

Promoting efficiency and effectiveness

A further focus for Sanctuary was to find straightforward solutions that would allow it to tackle various areas with different needs, while helping to save time, money and resources.

To review the impact of introducing the new products and processes, the Sanctuary team worked closely with the team at RCP to carry out a time and motion study. Firstly, the switch from a disconnected set of cleaning products, improvised based on need, to an integrated set of RCP cleaning tools and materials eliminated 55 minutes from a 107-minute clean. That’s a staggering saving of 45%. Secondly, the uplift in products also expanded the cleaning tasks the team could take on, such as cleaning the tops of lights, and how safely the cleaning team could undertake tasks with telescopic equipment. The switch from inflexible products and ad-hoc tools has crucially meant a significant improvement in the cleaning experience for staff, meaning they aren’t required to contort or elevate themselves to ensure thorough cleaning.

Overall, the Sanctuary team was able to significantly reduce the time spent on cleaning, while increasing the amount of cleaning undertaken thanks to better tools, all with greater comfort to staff.  

This led to a reduction in physical stress and fatigue which in turn improved staff satisfaction and increased productivity. 

Savings across the board

Housing Team Leader, Dawn Moreton, has been thrilled with the time, cost and environmental savings:

“Firstly, we can do more cleaning to a higher standard in less time with less ecological impact, thanks in part to products like the Pulse Mop System eliminating the need for a large bucket of water to be carried around as well. 

“Secondly, safety improvements from using products like the High Level Duster that reaches telescopically while a cleaner can keep their feet on the ground, or a microfibre cover on a flexible head, means the tool can twist and turn, rather than our staff having to, thus reducing physical strain or potential musculoskeletal problems – as well as the reduced fatigue that comes from using a lighter cart and removing heavy buckets water. 

“Finally, the savings have been noticeable. There are the financial savings that come from durable products which need less replacement, and there’s a saving in time that comes from the efficiency RCP’s setup has given us and there’s a sustainability saving, where we’re using fewer products and resources, meaning less is taken from the planet.” 

As businesses continue to tackle high prices and inflation, as well as increasingly taking steps to become more sustainable, RCP can help to redefine not just the cleaning that takes place but what it costs commercially and for the environment. 

Get in touch with one of RCP's experts to find out how your business could benefit.

Download the full case study here.  

5th October 2023