Based on a 2016 model, 653,000 health-related infections occurred among NHS inpatients in England. Itโs estimated that 22,800 of those patients didnโt survive. With nearly 1 in 13 patients in acute NHS settings carrying an infection at any given time, the pressure on healthcare teams to maintain rigorous cleaning standards has never been greater.
Hospitals, clinics, care homes, and GP surgeries face a constant battle against bacteria, viruses, and cross-contamination, and the consequences of falling short can be life-threatening. The good news is that the right products, applied correctly and consistently, can mitigate some of the risk.
Why standard cleaning products fall short
Most commercial cleaning products are designed with offices, schools, and retail spaces in mind. Healthcare settings present a different set of risks, and the cleaning standards need to match.
Harmful viruses and bacteria like MRSA, C. difficile, norovirus, and hepatitis B can survive on surfaces for hours, sometimes days. While standard detergents may leave surfaces visibly clean, many leave behind harmful microbes.
Professional janitorial supplies are formulated to meet the demands of clinical environments, killing a broader spectrum of pathogens, working faster, and meeting regulatory standards that a bottle of supermarket cleaner never will. Look specifically for products certified to the European Test Standard โ virucidal and bactericidal hard-surface cleaners proven to reduce virus infectivity, not just shift visible dirt. Check the product label for certification before purchasing, and if you’re unsure, contact your supplier directly.
Zoning your cleaning approach
Do you know your risk zones? Walk through your site and map your facility to identify high-footfall and high-risk areas. Awareness is the first step to developing a thorough cleaning plan, so be sure to document each zone’s requirements. High-risk zones such as operating theatres, treatment rooms, ICUs, and isolation wards require the highest concentrations of virucidal and bactericidal agents, the strictest cleaning sequences, and the longest contact times. Clean these areas multiple times per day.
For areas with reduced risk but high traffic (waiting rooms, corridors, and staff areas), use professional products at the correct dilution and incorporate maintenance cleans throughout the day. Prioritise high-contact fixtures, such as door handles, taps, light switches, and grab rails, and disinfect them several times a day, as these are the surfaces most likely to transfer pathogens.
Lower-risk zones, such as offices, storage areas, and rarely used spaces, can follow a standard cleaning rotation. You should still document which areas are cleaned and when, as a gap in one part of a building can create pathways for contamination to spread to high-risk areas.
For all areas, always remove residual grease, dust, or organic matter before applying disinfectant, as anything left on the surface will compromise the product’s effectiveness.
Consider dilution and contact time
Check every product label before use and follow dilution ratios precisely. Diluting beyond the recommended ratio may seem like a good way to reduce costs, but it will also reduce a product’s effectiveness. Alternatively, using it at full concentration when it’s designed to be diluted can damage surfaces and pose health risks to staff.
Contact time is where even the best cleaning routines fall down. A virucidal disinfectant needs to remain wet on a surface for the specified dwell time in order to kill the pathogens it’s designed to target. Apply the product, check the label for the required contact time, and leave it. If the surface dries before the dwell time is up, you may need to apply more product or work in smaller sections.
To remove ambiguity, create a quick reference guide listing each product, its correct dilution ratio, and its required contact time to simplify compliance. Laminate it and place it visibly in each cleaning zone to ensure correct technique is the default and not the exception.
Personal protective equipment and staff safety
Issue the right PPE for each cleaning zone and ensure staff know how to use it properly. At a minimum, gloves and eye protection should be worn whenever handling concentrated products. In higher-risk areas or when working with stronger disinfectants, additional protection may be required.
Under COSHH regulations, employers have a legal duty to assess the risks posed by hazardous substances and put control measures in place. Conduct a COSHH assessment for every professional cleaning product used on site and review whenever a product changes. This isn’t an administrative box-ticking exercise โ it’s the framework that keeps your staff safe and your facility compliant.
Your cleaning routine is only as good as the procedures you have in place. Ensure that cleaning and maintenance staff understand the reasons behind it. Staff who understand why they are following a procedure are far more likely to follow it correctly under pressure. This includes training staff not just on how to apply products, but on the reasoning behind each step: the cleaning sequence, the contact times, and the importance of maintaining routines throughout the building.
Build a cleaning schedule that holds up
Put your schedule in writing and share it with the whole team. It should cover daily maintenance cleans, regular deep cleans, and clear protocols for responding to spills, incidents, or suspected outbreaks. Assign responsibility for each area and each task so nothing falls through the gaps.
Your cleaning schedule shouldnโt be left to chance. Review the schedule at least quarterly and whenever there’s a significant change to the facility, its occupancy, or the products being used. What worked six months ago may not be adequate today.
With the right products, the right technique, and a team that understands their importance, a safe clinical environment is entirely achievable and well within reach.
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