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There are many cleaning terms which are important to know when deciding what's best to clean your office, workplace, school, restaurant, businesses etc. In this blog post we break down the differences between the 3 popular methods of cleaning: Clean, Sanitise and Disinfect. The basic rule for each of these methods are as follows: Clean - Low-risk surfaces, such as floors and windows, which are less likely to spread pathogens from contact with the surface. Simply removes the visible dirt, dust or impurities. Sanitise - Often for food contact surfaces, e.g. kitchen sides or the desk if your employees eat at their desk, to stop food from being contaminated. Sanitisers often do not make antiviral claims as they are to reduce, not kill. Disinfect - For frequently touched surfaces which are a breeding ground for germs, bacteria and viruses. The disinfectant aims to kill the microscopic organisms which could affect your health. You may be thinking, ‘I will simply disinfect everything, I do not need to clean or sanitise’- WRONG. Cleaning and sanitising are the beginning steps to the decontamination process. Cleaning away the visible dirt will make it easier and more effective to remove germs. You will clean, then implement the more intense methods to create optimum results. Some items may only need surface-cleaning, but it is important to know that they will occasionally need to be disinfected in order to limit the number of germs in the area. This is where knowing which items/places need daily or periodic cleaning is crucial for the safety of your business or school. Sanitising is the step above cleaning, it aims to reduce the number of bacteria on a surface. This is the basic standard expected for surfaces which are in contact with food. Sanitisers are a chemical which can kill 99.9% of specific bacteria within 30 seconds. Therefore they are useful and necessary, but not efficient enough to destroy all disease. Disinfectants are the only way to fully destroy pathogens and harmful microorganisms. There are 3 levels of disinfectants: Low-level - Kills almost all vegetative bacteria, viruses and fungi. However, it does not kill bacteria spores. High-level - Same effect as low-level, but has the potential to kill bacteria spores if used in high concentration and suitable conditions. Hospital-grade - Are able to eliminate most infections and disease-causing bacteria, viruses and fungi. This includes destroying bacteria spores. Here at Winns Services, we are experienced professionals who have the appropriate training, techniques and advanced tools and equipment to customise to your cleaning needs. If you have any questions regarding the range of cleaning services offered at WINNS or would like a quote, don't hesitate to call us on 01702 719100 or email us at info@winnsservices.co.uk

It is time to question your hygiene.

You may be thinking ‘No not me, I always clean everywhere’, but there may be a few spots missing their regular disinfect and polish. This post highlights 5 places you may be forgetting to clean in your office! Inside drawers - Drawers hold a variety of different items, whether that be a desk drawer, filing cabinet or kitchen drawers. The insides need to be cleaned due to containing some of the most germ-ridden items in your office. A build-up of dirt, dust and grime is not somewhere you will want to be storing your items which you will be handling. Company fridge - Yes you may be cleaning the inside of the fridge, but remember to include the outside and back of the fridge in this clean as just as many germs can be found upon the outside. Dust builds up in the vents and coils (dust is mainly made up of plant pollen, human and animal hairs, textile fibres, paper fibres, human skin cells etc) therefore cleaning in those areas are also a priority. Plants - Plants in the office get dusty too! When it is eventually noticed, it is usually wiped away with a hand. However, most people do not know that the natural oils in our skin are harmful to plants. The best option for cleaning houseplants is a dampened cloth with water and regular soil watering, without cleaning, plants are often left to accumulate dust- not a good look for prospective clients or a clean employee workspace. Litter bins - Regularly changing bin sacks is a good way of reducing the number of germs in the bin. However, it is often forgotten that the bins will need cleaning too, both inside and out. This includes normal bins, recycling bins and consumable waste bins. It is advised to disinfect at least once a month, especially the consumable waste bins as these often harbour and breed germs. Computer - A simple wipe down is not good enough for a computer, this includes the mouse, keyboard and computer tower. Make sure to clean ALL aspects fully, but remember not to spray directly onto any electrical equipment! Also, do not place the hoover directly over your items as the process creates static electricity which could damage your computer. WINNS Services has been established for over two decades providing cleaning and security services to clients. We pride ourselves on exceeding expectations and working with clients to offer the best solution to their queries. If you have any questions regarding the cleaning services offered at WINNS or would like a quote, don't hesitate to call us on 01702 719100 or email us at info@winnsservices.co.uk

The cleanliness of a workplace can sometimes be debatable. The office may look clean, but is it actually ‘clean’? Clean by definition, provided by Oxford Dictionaries, is something that is ‘ Free from dirt, marks, or stains.’ Something or somewhere can be free from marks or stains, but it is the dirt which we need to focus on. Dirt can be invisible to the naked eye, it is only upon inspection we can see that it is contaminated with germs. Here are 3 places in the workplace that are a lot dirtier than they seem: Computer - Did you know your computer is, on average, 20,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat? Therefore if you are a ‘sit at your desk and eat’ type of person maybe it is time this changed. You should try to clean your computer at least once a month. This includes the monitor, keyboard, mouse and system unit. The Kitchen - Communal areas are often the places which contain the most germs. Although they may appear clean and clear, particular items are unknowingly harboring bacteria. Items such as milk bottles, the kettle and handles to drawers are some of the most contaminated areas of the office, wiping them with some antibacterial cleaners will help contain the spread of germs. Stairs/Lift - Everyone in the office will be using the stairs and/or lift to enter the premises. Numerous hands are being used upon the handrails and buttons, meaning the opportunity for microbes to multiply in these areas are high. Although they may not appear to be ‘dirty’, the germs will still be making a home of the rails and buttons. It is important to focus cleaning efforts on areas where a large number of people will be touching and using the items, as they will have the most hidden bacteria. By being aware of these unknown areas, it can allow your workplace to reduce its risk of illness due to the containment of germs, bacteria and viruses. This helps the workplace to be a happier and healthier environment for both employees and visitors, therefore, improving company productivity. Here at WINNS Services, we pride ourselves on exceeding expectations and working with clients to offer the best solution to their queries. If you have any questions regarding the cleaning services offered at WINNS or would like a quote, please do not hesitate to call us on 01702 719100 or email us at info@winnsservices.co.uk

Save Money On Office Cleaning This is something I'm sure most employers have thought of at some point when wanting to make cut backs. But does cutting back on the cleaning really save you money in the long run?

The Benefits of Using One Company for your Cleaning and Security Is it better to use one company for all of your business' needs or should you shop around? Can convenience outweigh cost or can it be convenient and cost less?