How to choose the right hygiene tools for your business
Hygiene is a huge part of every business regardless of the work you carry out. Whether you’re in catering, education or construction, keeping things clean and safe is an integral part of a safe and productive workplace. Therefore, when choosing your hygiene tools and products it’s important you ensure they are going to meet your requirements. Here’s our guide.
Consider what you are most frequently going to clean up...
The first thing you should consider when exploring products is what exactly it is you will be cleaning away. Is it grease, dirt, bacteria or something else such as soil and mud? What risks are involved with the cleaning? Will using an ill-suited product result in mere grime build-up or could it lead to the spreading of bacteria and illness? If you know what it is that you’re removing, then every product you buy should have this goal in mind so make sure to read any product descriptions thoroughly.
For workplaces such as food processing plants, anti-bacterial cleaning solutions and cleaning tools which are designed so there are no nooks or crevices to harbour germs are a wise investment, for example.
What areas and items need to be cleaned?
After determining what you will be cleaning away, you need to be aware of which surfaces you will be cleaning on. A brush that is suited to flat surfaces will differ greatly to those that are designed to clean around grooves and protruding materials. Similarly, when looking at which cleaning solutions to use make sure to examine the chemicals used carefully as some could be harmful to certain surfaces. After all, you are not just cleaning, you are helping to provide longevity to your products and machinery.
Are your products helping you to meet safety standards and regulations?
If you work with food, you will be well aware of any hygiene standards you will have to comply with. Luckily, most tools that are used for hygiene purposes, especially if they are food-related, will state whether they conform to certain standards. If you don’t see whether or not a product meets all applicable EU and FDA standards, then its best to check.
You can find a helpful summary of regulations relating to cleaning products and equipment here: http://www.ukcpi.org/ask-an-expert/cleaning-regulations. The Health and Safety Executive also have a microsite dedicated to cleaning in the workplace, including helpful case studies and guides: http://www.hse.gov.uk/cleaning/index.htm
Which cleaning tools and products are safest and easiest for your staff to use?
When choosing your hygiene tools, it’s a good idea to keep in mind what will help your staff perform their jobs effectively and efficiently. If choosing between two products, go for the product that will save time and make your employees lives easier due to a more ergonomic design or the product that has been specifically designed for that task. While multi-purpose products are great and certainly have their place, choosing something that is tailor-made for a specific task is often the right choice when it comes to choosing hygiene tools.
Invest in hygiene tools which will last and which are easy to clean
Another important factor to consider is whether a product will support good hygiene practices. Just as the age-old riddle asks what gets wetter the more it dries; it is possible for a brush or other cleaning tool to get dirtier the more it cleans. Therefore, when choosing brushes and similar tools, make sure they will be easy to clean themselves. This will not only help support a clean working environment, but it will encourage a clean and safe work ethic.
While it is always tempting to opt for the cheaper choice, investing in high-quality tools is just that, an investment. A tool that lasts longer, performs better, and helps improve overall hygiene in the workplace is an investment you won’t regret making.
Are your hygiene tools designed so they are easy to store? Cheap or ‘budget’ tools often can’t be hung up or stored properly. Professional tools will have matching brackets or hooks to keep them stored safely, kept dry and out of the way.
Consider how well the tools can be colour coded
An important part of any hygiene regime is colour coding equipment so that it is only used in the appropriate zone -- for example, green for areas where food is prepared or processed and red for sanitary fittings and washroom floors. Look for tools that come in a consistent range of colours. Buying a disparate range of odd-ball products may result in having several shades of green or blue in your production area, or having bought a cheap brush you may find there isn’t a squeegee available in that colour…
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Here are some useful bits of kit to kickstart your hygiene tool Wishlist.
D327 FOOD SAFE FOAM CLEANER & SANITISER, 20L
D327 cleans and sanitises in one operation and is specifically designed for use through a pressure washer or lance with a foaming attachment. A hypochlorite based, highly alkaline food plant cleaner, it incorporates a high foam formulation to produce a dense clinging white foam in application. Designed for use in food preparation, food handling and food storage areas, D327 is effective at removing carbonised deposits, dried grease and oil, blood and protein, and starch from plastic walls and ceilings, ceramic tiles, vinyl and plastic coatings, stainless steel machinery and equipment.
VIKAN SHORT HANDLED STIFF WASHING BRUSH, 255MM
Ergonomically designed short-handled churn brush with stiff bristles. This is a versatile brush suitable for every-day cleaning, ideal for stubborn dirt on conveyor belts, production lines, machinery and food preparation surfaces.
Food safe probe wipes
These blue antibacterial wipes in 13cm x 13cm size are great for cleaning probes and similar utensils. Eliminating cross-contamination quickly and easily with one wipe over, these wet wipes are effective against gram positive and gram-negative bacteria, viruses and fungi including H1N1, salmonella, listeria, e-coli, Staphylococcus aureus, c-difficile, MRSA, candida albicans, and aspergillus Niger, with a kill rate of 30 seconds. They are tested and approved to European norms EN1276 bactericidal efficacy and EN1650 fungicidal activity and are ideal for the disinfection of small to medium food preparation surfaces, weighing scales, microwave ovens, utensils.
VIKAN LARGE 20L HYGIENE BUCKET C/W HANDLE
This large 20-litre bucket by Vikan boasts multi-purpose functionality, hygienic design and unmatched durability. With its hygienic design and premium-quality, durable materials, the Vikan 20 Litre Bucket is a multi-purpose powerhouse you’ll find yourself using everywhere. It is an ideal “mixing station”, where you can mix ingredients stored in smaller Vikan buckets or in multiple 20 Litre Buckets.
Ideal for solid or liquid ingredients, it’s big enough to mix in, small enough for lifting and transporting. There are measurement markers inside for accurate measuring and a bottom handle and non-drip lip to facilitate lifting and pouring. Save space by stacking two buckets on top of each other.
The lid snaps securely in place for enhanced food safety and you can transport straight to and from storage areas with ease thanks to the dual handle system for carrying alone or with a colleague. The large size lets you move more and save trips while the colour coding ensures proper segregation. This bucket makes an ideal cleaning and disinfection station for all sorts of food-related tools and utensils. This and all Vikan products meet all applicable EU and FDA standards.
If you’d like some advice about what hygiene tools and products could help to improve safety and productivity in your workplace, our team are really knowledgeable and happy to offer advice. Call us on 01726 74264 or email sales@cisafety.com