Prime Cleaning Suppliers is a leading South African cleaning-solutions supplier, established in 1996. Prime Cleaning Suppliers has spent a number of years building strong brands, many of which have been tested by the SABS 1828 and 1853 standards and carry their mark of surety, which gives the customer confidence when using the products. All disinfectants are registered as per Act 29 and are compliant with the VC8054 compulsory specification for disinfectants. Prime Cleaning Suppliers’ complete cleaning solutions cover paper products/ dispensers, cleaning chemicals/disinfectants, floorcare machines, and cleaning sundries. Prime Cleaning Suppliers has an ongoing commitment to ensure the best long-term solution to their customers and represents the following brands: Aquarius, Kleenex, Scott, Tork, Wetrok, WypAll, and Rubbermaid Commercial Products.
African Cleaning Review is aimed at end-users, contractors and suppliers of products and services to Africa’s Cleaning, Hygiene, Maintenance, Textile Care, Pest Control, Waste- and Facility Management industries. It is published every other month by: e-squared Media
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• Launch event for Regional Bargaining Council • New global hand hygiene guidelines issued by WHO and UNICEF • EU considers ban on ethanol in hand
It is time to renew advertising options and update your company details in the 2026 ACR Buyer’s Guide
Click on the Buyer’s Guide advert on page 3 and update information or contact nande@cleantex.co.za
With this year’s December Festive Season merely days away, this issue takes a closer look at cleaning of retail spaces and hospitality facilities as these sectors gear up for extended shopping hours and the big shopper and tourist influx. Visible cleaning is now a must for retailers, as clean and hygienic environments take centre stage in the definitive guide to retail shine. Equally, a surge in guest traffic for hotels, restaurants, and event venues puts severe pressure on these facilities which necessitates proper cleaning and hygiene management to provide a welcoming environment for visitors and staff.
Also, we feature an educational piece on a recent hand drying study that underlines how choices in hand-drying methods in public washrooms can mean the difference between reducing microbe spread or increasing it. Sustainability in organisations is becoming increasingly relevant; this issue looks at how it should become a culture, shifting from shortterm gains to long-term responsibility.
In our other regular features, FM Review and Textile Care Review, the issues of clean air technology and linen loss in hotel operations are addressed with thought provoking perspectives.
With this, the final issue of the year, we at African Cleaning Review want to thank you for your continued support and wish you a safe and pleasant holiday period. We look forward to publishing relevant industry features, sharing industry news, emphasising the latest developments, and highlighting more details about next year’s Cleantex Africa exhibition scheduled for 13 to 15 October in Johannesburg, SA in the coming new year.
opinion Choosing the correct training solution for your business
South African businesses are under growing pressure to upskill and reskill their workforce and contribute to the country’s skills pipeline and job creation. The Skills Development element of the B-BBEE scorecard rewards companies for investing in training and skills development, but deciding on the correct type of training starts with having a Talent Development Strategy that supports business objectives. Two of the most common interventions are learnerships and skills programmes – each with a unique purpose, structure, and impact on your organisation and people.
What is a learnership?
A learnership is a structured, work-based learning programme that combines theoretical training (classroom or online learning), and practical workplace experience (on-the-job training). It leads to a full qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
Learnerships usually run for 12 to 24 months, and are designed to prepare learners for a specific occupation. A company might place unemployed youth on a Business Administration NQF Level 4 Learnership to develop future admin assistants or customer service clerks.
What is a skills programme?
A skills programme is shorter and more focused. It addresses a specific competency or gap by offering training on selected unit standards from a full qualification. Completion results in a statement of results, which can later be combined with other unit standards to achieve a full qualification. Skills programmes are typically a few days to a few weeks long, making them ideal for targeted upskilling – think financial management for non-finance managers, customer service skills, conflict and change management, and so on.
When should an employer choose a learnership?
Businesses often choose learnerships when they want to:
• Build a pipeline of future talent –graduate intake programmes.
• Support unemployed youth – by creating work opportunities and claiming B-BBEE points for absorbing learners into the workforce.
• Invest in career-pathing – helping their current employees gain full qualifications for professional career growth.
Learnerships are best suited when there’s a clear career pathway within the organisation, and when the business can commit to hosting learners for the full duration of the course.
When should an employer choose a skills programme?
Skills programmes are ideal when:
• A specific skills gap needs to be addressed quickly, such as compliance training, technical upskilling, soft skills and so on.
• The business cannot release employees for a 12-month period.
• There’s a need to train multiple employees without committing to a full qualification for everyone.
• The organisation wants to complement a learnership with “top-up” training in a specific area. Skills programmes offer flexibility, focus, and speed, making them ideal for addressing urgent training needs. They are low impact in terms of employee productivity as there is little work time lost to training days, while having a high impact on efficiencies with skills learned that are immediately applicable in employee work roles.
B-BBEE
skills development:
How each contributes
Under the B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice, Skills Development is one of the most powerful levers for improving a company’s scorecard. Both learnerships and skills programmes contribute points – but differently:
• Learnerships
–
–
–
Score well under Category C and D spend (structured learning programmes).
Earn bonus points when unemployed learners are absorbed into the business after completion.
Count towards both spend targets (training costs) and
headcount targets (number of learners trained).
• Skills programmes
– Count under Category B or C spend depending on their NQF registration.
–
–
Allow businesses to spread training across a larger group of employees, helping meet the headcount target.
Flexible for achieving annual skills spend targets without committing to long-term programmes.
For maximum impact, many businesses use a blend of both –learnerships for pipeline development and points leverage, and skills programmes for quick wins and broadbased upskilling. By understanding the difference, HR and L&D teams can design a balanced skills development strategy that meets business needs, people development goals and compliance targets.
In leveraging the full benefit of skills programmes and learnerships, work with a professional training partner that is able to build a bespoke learning and development solution around the needs of your business and its human capital,
capacities, and budget allocations. It’s not just about the tax incentives and an improved B-BBEE scorecard, but about laying powerful foundations for your people in meaningful, sustainable jobs, and career paths to address critical skills shortages and deliver a competitive advantage for businesses and our economy.
For more information, visit www.sabusinessschool.com
Anton Visser
MACH floor cleaning equipment to make its debut in South Africa
Leading provider of access, lifting, and material handling solutions, SkyJacks, has been appointed as the official distributor for MACH floor cleaning equipment in South Africa. The partnership with Eureka S.p.A., the Italian manufacturer of MACH floor cleaning machines, marks a key milestone in SkyJacks’ strategy to expand its premium product offering within the industrial and commercial equipment market.
the hospitality, airport, and retail environments. The MACH range is designed to reduce cleaning time, lower operating costs and improve hygiene standards across sectors such as manufacturing, warehousing, retail, transport, healthcare, and facilities management.
MACH, a globally recognised brand of industrial and commercial floor cleaning equipment, is renowned for innovation, performance, and exceptional build quality. Designed and manufactured in Italy, MACH machines combine advanced engineering with robust construction to deliver maximum productivity, durability, and ease of maintenance.
The MACH range includes scrubber dryers, from compact walk-behind and large ride-on models designed for efficient cleaning of all floor types; sweepers – powerful indoor and outdoor units equipped with MACH’s innovative vacuum filtration technology for complete dust control during sweeping; as well as escalator cleaners – specialised machines engineered for fast, effective cleaning of escalators and travelators in
According to Alistair Bennett, Managing Director of SkyJacks, the appointment reflects the company’s continued focus on expanding its range of high-quality, performance-driven solutions. “The addition of the MACH range of floor cleaning machines represents another important step in SkyJacks’ Growth Strategy,” he says. “MACH is a respected global brand known for its superior engineering and reliability. Partnering with MACH allows us to offer our customers high quality cleaning solutions backed by the same service excellence that SkyJacks is known for. It’s an ideal complement to our existing range of access, lifting, and material handling products.”
Eureka’s decision to partner with SkyJacks is underpinned by the two companies’ shared values of quality, innovation, and service excellence.
Alice Turcato, Export Manager at Eureka, explains: “We are delighted to partner with SkyJacks in South Africa. SkyJacks’ technical expertise, sales network, and commitment to service make them an excellent representative for the MACH brand. We are confident that, together, we can meet the growing demand for professional floor cleaning solutions in the region.”
This collaboration not only enhances MACH’s presence in the Southern African market but also reinforces SkyJacks’ position as a trusted source for industrial and commercial equipment solutions.
SkyJacks will offer the full MACH product range, supported by comprehensive after-sales service, parts availability, and technical support through its nationwide branch network. With the addition of the MACH range, SkyJacks now provides one of the most extensive selections of industrial equipment solutions in Southern Africa, all backed by the company’s trusted service and proven technical capability.
The complete range of MACH floorcare equipment will be showcased at the Cleantex Africa exhibition from 13 to 15 October 2026.
www.skyjacks.co.za
Alistair Bennett
Launch event for industry Regional Bargaining Council
The Regional Bargaining Council for the Contract Cleaning Industry (RBCCCI), registered on 22 August 2025 in Government Gazette 53216 was officially launched on 17 October 2025 at the premises of NBC Holdings in Johannesburg. The RBCCCI is set to play an important part in enabling the contract cleaning industry to regulate its own labour costs, based on industry knowledge and mature relationships with the unions. The body is set to raise the public profile of the industry, with all parties having a permanent base, under one roof, to promote common interests in a sustainable industry.
The South African professional contract cleaning industry has proven itself over the past sixty years to be a valuable, responsible,
reliable, increasingly efficient, and technologically advanced business partner to its customers. Its capacity has increased significantly through dedicated interaction with suppliers in the areas of biometrics, green chemicals, energy-efficient equipment, staff utilisation, and ergonomics, hence its self-regulating capacity in the area of cleaning staff costs is a definite boon for the industry. The closer input costs are aligned with the value attached by customers to cleaning solutions, the less likelihood there is of customers cutting down on cleaning staff numbers, frequencies, and technological advancements.
The launch proceedings commenced with a keynote address by Stephen Rathai, Director of Collective Bargaining at the Department of Employment and
Labour. Speeches by representatives of organised labour (SATAWU, Hotelicca) employers’ associations (NCCA, BEECA) and the Contract Cleaning National Provident Fund (CCNPF) completed the day’s agenda.
New global hand hygiene guidelines issued by WHO and UNICEF
On Global Handwashing Day,15 October, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF launched the first global guidelines for hand hygiene in community settings, a major step forward to promoting better public health. For the first time, unified, science-based guidance is available to institutions to help individuals reduce the spread of infections
through one of the simplest and most effective actions – washing hands.
According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, based in the USA, handwashing can help prevent approximately 80 percent of infectious diseases, underscoring its critical role in public health.
Poor hand hygiene contributes to millions of preventable illnesses globally, a challenge that affects all regions and income levels.
The introduction of the new WHO and UNICEF guidelines highlights the significant role that simple, everyday hygiene practices play in protecting communities in public settings.
The guidelines clarify the role of handwashing within broader hygiene practices, outlining when to wash hands, how to do it effectively, and what conditions support good hygiene habits. They reinforce that handwashing is not just a personal routine – it is a public
health intervention that everyone can take.
The impact of hand hygiene can be profound. Research has shown that, even in high-income countries, handwashing education can:
• Reduce diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune systems by 58 percent.
• Cut respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by 16 to 21 percent.
• Lower diarrhoea incidence by 33 percent in schools and day-care centres.
These new guidelines offer a unified approach to addressing hand hygiene policy in community settings, which institutions can use to support individuals and encourage hygiene behaviour changes by implementing practical strategies that encourage regular handwashing at key moments of risk.
Read the new WHO/UNICEF global hand hygiene guidelines by clicking here.
Stephen Rathai
EU considers ban on ethanol in hand sanitisers due to cancer risk
Hand sanitisers were hardly a must-have in the bag or pockets before COVID-19 shook the world. But the pandemic made it a staple, with the promise of helping people maintain hygiene and reduce the risk of infection. Most alcohol-based sanitisers contain ethanol, a colourless and intoxicating ingredient known for its ability to kill bacteria and viruses quickly. However, the European Union (EU) is now reviewing whether ethanol in biocidal products, including hand sanitisers, should be classified as a dangerous substance due to potential cancer and reproductive risks. The World Health Organization still considers ethanol safe for hand hygiene, and may not pose any health risks even if used extensively over time.
During October 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) flagged ethanol as a potentially toxic substance in an internal recommendation. The report cited risks of cancer and complications
during pregnancy, suggesting that ethanol might need to be replaced in cleaning and hygiene products. The Biocidal Products Committee is scheduled to meet during November 2025 to discuss scientific evidence. “If ethanol is found to have harmful effects on humans, the committee may recommend its substitution,” said ECHA officials.
“While these evaluations are important, current evidence shows occasional use in hand sanitisers is unlikely to pose a serious risk,” says Dr Manjusha Agarwal, Senior Consultant Internal Medicine at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai. Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, is a clear, colourless liquid used in cleaning products, solvents, and as an antiseptic. In hand sanitisers, ethanol
and
Ensuring hospitality facility readiness during the festive season
The holiday season brings a surge in guest traffic for hotels, restaurants, and event venues. With higher expectations and longer operating hours, hospitality businesses must be ready to deliver exceptional experiences. Maintaining high standards of cleaning and hygiene is essential during the festive season when customer traffic in commercial spaces increases resulting in facilities experiencing significant stress. Proper cleaning and hygiene management assists facilities handle the festive rush, providing a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for both visitors and staff.
Hygiene matters during the holidays
Increased foot traffic during the Festive season puts pressure on every part of a facility. Without a proactive cleaning and hygiene strategy, hospitality venues risk:
• Overcrowded and understocked washrooms
• Unpleasant odours in guest-facing areas
• Higher risk of cross-contamination
• Negative guest reviews and reputational damage These issues not only impact guest satisfaction but also affect staff morale and operational efficiency.
Cleanliness standards in hotels
In hotels, cleanliness goes beyond aesthetics, guests expect a hygienic environment to relax and unwind. Guest rooms should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitised between stays. This includes vacuuming carpets, moving furniture, steam-cleaning mattresses, sanitising high-touch surfaces like remote controls and light switches and replacing linens and towels. Providing sealed toiletries reassures guests that items are untouched.
Public areas like lobbies, elevators, and gym facilities require constant attention. These high-traffic spaces should be cleaned multiple times a day, with a focus on disinfecting handrails, buttons and other shared surfaces. Shared dining spaces, such as buffets, present unique challenges. Food stations should be regularly restocked and wiped down to prevent spills or contamination.
Utensils should be changed frequently, and sneeze guards must be cleaned as part of the daily routine. Clear signage reminding guests to use serving utensils instead of their hands can also help maintain hygiene standards.
Sanitation and food safety
Whether you are managing a restaurant or a hotel, cleanliness and food safety go hand-in-hand to create a welcoming, safe environment for both guests and employees.
Proper storage techniques, such as keeping raw food separate from cooked ones, help prevent crosscontamination. Labels indicating expiration dates ensure no expired items end up in dishes. Temperature
control is equally critical. Hot foods should be kept above 60°C and cold foods below 4°C to prevent bacteria growth. Regularly calibrating thermometers and monitoring temperatures during storage and service helps maintain these standards.
Hotel and restaurant kitchens
As the hospitality and catering sector heads into its busiest trading period, operators are being advised to bring forward essential deep cleaning and maintenance. With December calendars already filling up, October and November provide a crucial window for ensuring kitchens are safe, compliant, and ready to cope with festive demand.
Deep cleaning and compliance
For commercial kitchens, deep cleaning is not just about presentation. Accumulated grease and grime can quickly become a fire hazard, particularly within extraction systems. Health and safety guidance is clear: failing to keep ventilation systems clean can invalidate insurance and put both staff and customers at risk.
Image by freepik
feature hospitality cleaning and hygiene
For hospitality facilities expecting a festive surge, hygiene management is essential. Rather than just decorating for the season, prioritise deep cleaning and preventive maintenance to create a safe and clean festive environment.
By scheduling a thorough clean ahead of Christmas, operators can protect their businesses and ensure compliance with industry standards.
Ventilation and equipment performance
Refrigeration, cooking equipment, and mechanical ventilation systems all play a vital role in keeping kitchens running efficiently. Without regular maintenance, equipment failures and hygiene issues become more likely, often at the very moment demand is highest. Preventative servicing and cleaning to regulatory standards help reduce the risk of breakdowns and ensure a smooth service during peak times. Forward planning is key. Those
who secure their kitchen preparation in the weeks ahead will be best placed to deliver safe, compliant, and uninterrupted service throughout the festive season.
Pest control
Pests can quickly ruin a business’s reputation. Preventative measures include sealing cracks, maintaining proper waste disposal and scheduling routine pest inspections. Any signs of pests should be addressed immediately with professional help.
Hand
hygiene in hospitality
Food handlers should ensure that they don’t contaminate food through illness or unclean habits.
Be clean and careful
• Wash and dry hands thoroughly.
• Stop hair, clothes, jewellery, or phones touching food or surfaces (e.g. tie hair back, remove loose jewellery, cover open wounds).
• Don’t touch ready-to-eat food with bare hands – use tongs or gloves.
• Wear clean clothing and aprons.
• Do not eat, spit, smoke, sneeze, blow, or cough over food or surfaces that touch food.
Inform your supervisor if you think you are unwell or have contaminated food in any way.
Secrets
of proper handwashing
• Use the sink provided exclusively for handwashing.
• Wet hands under warm running water.
• Lather them with soap and thoroughly scrub fingers, palms, wrists, back of hands, and under nails for about 15 seconds.
• Rinse hands under warm running water.
feature hospitality cleaning and hygiene
• Turn off taps using a paper towel or elbow.
• Thoroughly dry your hands with a single-use towel.
Handwashing is a simple and small task, but vital to help improve the chances of staff or customers remaining illness-free. If water is not available, a high-quality sanitiser can be used, while the ideal hygiene solution is a combination of handwashing followed by a sanitiser.
When looking for a hand wash ensure it has been blended to be tough on dirt and grime but soft on hands. It should be formulated from a combination of surfactants, emollients, and moisturisers to provide gentle cleaning that supports healthy skin.
An antibac handwash will provide a heavy duty, solvent free hand cleaner. A high quality antibac handwash effectively removes animal fat, grease, oil, paints, dyes, and general industrial soils. It does not leave any residue due to its free rinsing properties. Investing in high quality soaps and sanitisers is a great step to defending against germs and infections.
Conclusion
For hospitality facilities expecting a festive surge, hygiene management is essential. Rather than just decorating for the season, prioritise deep cleaning and preventive maintenance to create a safe and clean festive environment.
Handwashing is a simple and small task, but vital to help improve the chances of staff or customers remaining illness-free.
Hospitality excellence award for SA services company
Turnkey soft-services company, Mila Services, has been named the Diamond PMR Award winner for hospitality, placing the company at the summit of South Africa’s facility management sector where operational excellence and guest experience are non-negotiable. The Diamond Award is the highest honour in PMR Africa’s national survey, which assessed cleaning and facility management companies against 27 performance attributes, including attention to detail, quality of work, reliability, and value for money.
“Receiving the Diamond Award for hospitality is a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to excellence in an industry where every detail matters,” said Annemarie Mostert, Founding Member of Mila Services. “In hospitality, there are no second chances, guests expect perfection, and our role is to ensure facilities consistently exceed those expectations.”
“Our clients operate where timing is everything,” added Charlotte Khoza, Director of Mila Services. “Whether a destination needs to be guest-ready within hours or a conference venue requires overnight transformation, our team delivers with precision and discretion.” This hospitality accolade crowns an exceptional year in which Mila Services also secured Gold Awards across commercial, education, healthcare, industrial, retail cleaning, and pest control, underscoring its versatility and consistent excellence across diverse sectors.
Efficient floorcare in a single pass
For decades, the mop and bucket have been a staple of everyday cleaning. However in busy, modern spaces, the traditional approach is slow, labour-intensive and often less hygienic. Enter the Numatic 244NX, a compact scrubber dryer designed to make floorcare simpler, faster and more efficient. Unlike conventional mopping, the compact scrubber dryer cleans and dries in a single pass, immediately leaving floors ready for use. No more pools of water, no more wringing and no more repeated trips to the sink.
At the heart of the 244NX is Numatic’s NX300 lithium technology, which provides reliable power and long runtime, making it suitable for small to medium-sized areas without the hassle of cords or constant recharging. Its compact design allows it to reach tight corners, navigate around furniture and tackle high-traffic spaces with ease. The result is consistent, thorough cleaning with minimal effort. Beyond performance, the 244NX brings
sustainability to the forefront. It uses significantly less water than traditional mopping and reduces chemical waste, making it a more environmentally conscious choice. At the same time, it helps maintain safer, cleaner floors, reducing the risk of slips and improving overall hygiene standards.
The 244NX isn’t about replacing the mop out of novelty, it’s about giving everyday cleaning a smarter, more practical solution.
For businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and anyone responsible for maintaining clean floors, it’s an investment in efficiency, safety, and simplicity. Cleaning doesn’t need to be complicated, messy, or time-consuming.
For more information visit: www.numatic.co.za
Scientists conclude single-use paper towels more hygienic to dry hands
Anew study has found that electric hand dryers spread microbes much more than paper hand towels. It concludes that despite the advent of so-called ‘newer’ and ‘redesigned’ air dryer models, the contamination risks persist. Microbes can linger in the air up to 30 minutes after dryer use and potential for virus spread via droplets and aerosols on surfaces and in the air is considerably higher than when drying hands with paper towels.
This latest study, carried out by a team at the Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, UK, and Department of Microbiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK underlines how choices of hand drying method in public washrooms can mean the difference between reducing microbe spread or increasing it.
“There is a long running evidence base stretching back almost two decades, recording how air dryers continue to fail on hygiene,” explains leading microbiologist Professor Mark Wilcox OBE, who led the study. “Regardless of design tweaks or technological upgrades to improve efficiency, the hygiene challenge remains the same: drying hands with air dryers risks spattering and the inhaling of microbes.”
How we dry our hands after washing them matters as it can help to remove microbes that remain on hands following poor hand washing. The research sought to understand the infection risk by examining the potential of new electric hand dryer models to disperse droplets containing microbes and aerosolised particles. It found that the ‘newer’ and ‘redesigned’ dryers were not more hygienic and that in some respects greater
“There is a long running evidence base stretching back almost two decades, recording how air dryers continue to fail on hygiene,” explains leading microbiologist Professor
Mark Wilcox OBE, who led the study. “Regardless of design tweaks or technological upgrades to improve efficiency, the hygiene challenge remains the same: drying hands with air dryers risks spattering and the inhaling of microbes.”
efficiency had worsened the situation by creating the potential for aerosols to be propelled further and longer.
Study compared three different hand drying methods
The team in Leeds compared the impact on the formation of droplets and aerosols containing viruses, surface contamination and person-to-person exposure from three different hand-drying methods: paper hand towels and two jet air dryer designs. They used both a food dye solution and bacteriophage (virus) suspension to visually and quantitatively investigate the potential of each of the three options to disperse water droplets in the washroom environment, potentially contaminating surfaces, the user, and a bystander.
The researchers also investigated whether microbes aerosolised during hand drying can contaminate the facemasks of others sharing the same space, thereby mimicking the risk of breathing in viruses for up to 30 minutes after hand drying.
Paper towels found to be more hygienic
The scientists concluded that electric hand dryers spread microbes more
than tissue paper. The highest level of microbe contaminated droplets on the floor and walls was observed using the electric hand dryer method. The research found that microbes can remain airborne for up to 30 minutes after dryer use, with wall contamination levels up to 78 times higher compared to paper towels.
The study showed significantly less splattering contamination of both masks and torso when using paper towels than electric dryers. Mask contamination of users in the hand drying area after 15 minutes showed that aerosolisation was up to 100x higher with dryers than with paper hand towels. Contamination of the masks of standby users at 1m was up to 10x higher with electric dryers than with paper towels after 30 minutes.
There was also significantly less surface contamination with paper towels which reduce the risk of touch-transfer on objects such as door handles.
The study concludes that in real-world conditions, paper towels are the more hygienic drying option (compared to electric dryers) to minimise the spread of viruses and bacteria indoors.
To
read the full study and watch the visualisation click here
Embedding a “think sustainable” culture
In today’s world, every choice, what we buy, how we operate, how we treat others, has an impact.
Sustainability isn’t a distant ideal; it’s a strategic mindset that touches every part of an organisation. This isn’t just about green cleaning or a few ecofriendly practices, it’s about embedding a “think sustainable” culture into the organisation’s DNA. This approach recognises that true success is measured not only by profit or meeting budgets, but also by our impact on people and the planet.
Understand the power of our choices
Cultural change begins by rethinking how we evaluate decisions. Traditionally, purchasing has focused on upfront costs and immediate performance. A sustainable mindset asks deeper questions.
When new equipment is needed, a sustainable leader considers its full lifecycle cost, not just purchase price, but rather energy and water consumption, maintenance, replacement parts, and end-of-life disposal. Is it designed for repair, or destined for the landfill? Also look at the company behind the product. Is its supply chain ethical, has it faced environmental or labour violations? By asking these questions, we mitigate the risks associated with partnering with questionable suppliers and make informed ethical choices that enhance our brand reputation and foster customer trust.
The relentless pursuit of eliminating waste
A “think sustainable” culture relentlessly targets waste, defined as any inefficiency that drains resources, whether energy, water, materials, or human potential. Why pay for wasted energy that also harms the environment? Smart technologies, such as energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, LED lighting, and smart
thermostats, can significantly reduce electricity use. Low-flow fixtures and efficient cooling or irrigation systems reduce water consumption without sacrificing performance.
In manufacturing, “dematerialising” processes – using fewer materials, minimising scrap, and maximising output – save money and resources. In logistics, optimising delivery routes and investing in fuel-efficient or electric vehicles reduces emissions and operating costs. Every kilowatt saved, drop of water conserved, and litre of fuel avoided, is a win for both the planet and the bottom line.
Mindful of others and the planet
The heart of sustainability is mindfulness towards people and mindfulness towards nature. Some organisations view employees as replaceable and communities as resources to exploit. Sustainable organisations see themselves as part of a larger ecosystem. They invest in people by offering fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for growth. They engage with their communities, supporting local initiatives and striving to be a positive force for social good.
Mindfulness also means actively working to protect biodiversity, reduce environmental footprint, and restore natural resources. Thriving communities and healthy ecosystems form the foundation for long-term success.
Building sustainability into strategy
Embedding sustainability into strategy requires leadership commitment, employee engagement, and consistent action. It means integrating holistic decision-making, waste elimination, and mindful stewardship into every level of operations.
For example, procurement teams can prioritise products with thirdparty environmental certifications. Facilities teams can commit to annual energy and water audits, tracking improvements over time to ensure ongoing sustainability. Operations can set goals for reducing packaging waste or increasing recycling rates. This integration ensures sustainability isn’t a side project, it becomes part of how the business operates.
Is there an improved way to do this?
Creating a culture of sustainability means constantly asking: “Is there a better, more sustainable way to do this?” Often, the answer leads to improved efficiency, lower costs, reduced risks, and enhanced reputation. Over time, these choices compound, building a stronger organisation. It’s a continuous process, not a one-time project.
The legacy we leave
Every decision matters. The choices we make shape not just quarterly results, but the legacy we leave for future generations. A “think sustainable” culture empowers organisations to align financial success with environmental responsibility and social well-being. By integrating sustainability into the organisation’s DNA, we move beyond compliance and cost savings to something greater: building resilience, creating opportunities, and ensuring our success is shared by the communities and ecosystems we depend on.
Abridged article by Stephen P. Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, a consulting firm specialising in green cleaning and sustainability. Ashkin is widely regarded as the Father of Green Cleaning.
feature retail cleaning solutions
The definitive guide to retail shine
If you were to ask a consumer what makes for a positive in-store shopping experience you might think low pricing, wide selection, and excellent customer service would be at the top of the list. However, according to a Procter & Gamble Professional survey, 92 percent of consumers say they will not return to a store if the space is not fresh and clean.
Aclean and hygienic environment leaves a lasting impression on shoppers and a dirty and unkept store may result in loss of customers and potential revenue. In fact, a Consumer Reports’ survey found that cleanliness was the common denominator among all top-rated grocery stores. The retail shopping environment continues to change and so do cleaning strategies. In the past, cleaning was done during times when store traffic was low but that has changed as 66 percent of customers now want to see more frequent cleaning as they return to brickand-mortar retail. Visible cleaning is now a must for retailers as clean and hygienic environments take centre stage. Responsible cleaning practices can prevent staff and customer illnesses and injuries that may result in high financial burdens on the store, burdens far more than the day-to-day maintenance required to keep a store clean and sanitary. In this definitive guide to retail shine, Tennant Company, a global cleaning equipment, products and solutions leader offers insights of cleaning practices in the rapidly evolving world of retail facilities.
Why do so many stores struggle with cleanliness?
Many employees may consider cleaning boring or difficult and put off the job until it becomes insurmountable. By then employees may be used to how the store looks and lose sight of the customer’s perspective: they become blind to the mess. Some employers may not budget enough time for specific jobs or try and make do with fewer or
untrained cleaning staff and unsuitable equipment.
To address this issue, create a cleaning schedule that details the proper methods for cleaning, equipment needed, and frequency of cleaning. Have a check-in meeting with your staff on a consistent basis to discuss what methods are working well and what can be improved upon. Use the information you gather to adjust your cleaning schedule/punch list to meet your ongoing needs. Setting specific time away from the day-to-day cleaning responsibilities to discuss what is and what is not working will not only improve the store appearance but also improve staff morale as they engage in ongoing improvements of their work.
Keeping a store clean and tidy generates trust and respect amongst customers and staff and increases confidence in the brand. The monetary value of a clean and hygienic retail space cannot be overestimated. The P&G Professional Consumer Cleaning Insights Survey states, “It doesn’t matter how good the service is or how wonderful the employees are, it’s how clean and fresh the establishment is that matters most for 92 percent of consumers when deciding if they will become a repeat customer.”
Building a retail floor-cleaning programme
A recent study found that over 91 percent of customers agree that they are more likely to have an overall negative opinion of the business if it is not clean, putting store aesthetics in the spotlight more than ever. It goes without saying
that a big part of a customer’s impression of a facility depends on floor care.
On any given day, the floor endures customers tracking in dirt, debris blowing in, spills that must be mopped, along with the scratches and dings from day-to-day use. All of this must be swept, cleaned, scrubbed, buffed, and polished way.
Maintaining a clean, dry floor that is safe and attractive can be challenging Firstly, make some important decisions about your floorcare programme. Whether you will choose an in-house, outsourced, or hybrid floorcare programme will depend on your company’s size, available resources, and the degree of control you want to maintain.
Selecting a floor cleaning product provider
Budgeting time and money, maintaining standards of consistency and quality, managing cleaning equipment and supplies, and overseeing the cleaning staff or contractor are just some of the many challenges retailers face when ensuring that their stores stay clean and welcoming. To confidently and effectively manage all these aspects of the job, the savvy retailer will establish a clear and logical routine for cleaning and utilise the best and most cost-effective equipment and service.
Look for manufacturers that can help deliver consistency to all locations and have equipment specialists who are knowledgeable about your business. The right floor-cleaning equipment specialist can help you make these decisions by
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performing a site survey and leveraging their expertise in retail floorcare. During the survey, the specialist will take note of the material of your floor, the finish, and the size of your space to determine which equipment and cleaning materials are best for your store. They will offer time-saving innovations, environmentally friendly cleaning products, and budgetfriendly solutions.
Partner with excellence
Employing environmental best practices
Using environmentally friendly products and practices whenever possible is simply the right thing to do. It’s also the right thing to do for your bottom line: as over 70 percent of consumers are willing to pay more for socially responsible products and services. More retailers are seeking to certify their buildings through the Green Building Council. Environmental friendliness does not have to mean a compromise in cleanliness or budget. In fact, environmentally friendly solutions often turn out to be the most cost-effective, since they use fewer resources to achieve the same result or better.
Utilising soft floor and carpet maintenance best practices
The maintenance of soft floor coverings like carpet requires a reasonable and methodical schedule of a variety of cleaning techniques. Vacuuming can help carpets look neat and clean. However, over-vacuuming an area can create wear and tear on the carpet fibres. By keeping a reasonable schedule of vacuuming
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low traffic areas once a week, and high traffic areas every day, creates the ideal balance between the life of the carpet and the cleanliness and attractiveness of the store.
Vacuuming alone isn’t enough. A rapid-dry carpet cleaning programme is a great way to keep carpets looking well cared-for in between the deepclean of a restorative carpet cleaning programme. How often you need interim cleaning will depend on the wear carpeting experiences on a day-to-day basis but will generally be from three to six weeks. After six months to a year, carpeting may be in desperate need of deep, restorative cleaning with an extractor.
“A great way to remember your floorcleaning routine is D.I.R.T: daily carpet care; interim solutions; restorative care; and treatment of spots.”
Utilising hard floor maintenance best practices
The material and coating of floors is an important factor in determining which products and equipment to use to produce the best results. If it is performed incorrectly or not done often enough, floors can discolour, show signs of wear, or coating can peel away. Therefore, it is vital that, whether you self-clean or use a contractor, you can do a site inspection or leverage a floorcare specialist to determine the best possible routine and range of products for use.
As with any type of flooring, having good-quality matting at the entrance of stores can prevent up to 85 percent of dirt from being tracked inside. This saves time and money by reducing the amount of spot-cleaning throughout the day.
Clean hard floors daily to remove surface dust and dirt. A floor scrubber can assist to perform this daily job swiftly and efficiently, with minimal water. Treat problem areas as needed, cleaning up spills or wet areas immediately.
The floor should also receive daily or weekly burnishing to restore its shine without damaging the floor coating. Finally, a deep, restorative clean should be performed every few months to a year. This involves removing the old finish from hard flooring and replacing it. Though this sounds like it might be an expensive or laborious process, an
orbital scrubber can make it easy and cost-effective. A restorative clean will get the store looking so fresh and new, customers will think the entire floor was re-done.
Preserving polished concrete
Polished concrete has been touted as a ‘maintenance-free’ floor system, with a long-life span and an attractive price tag. If properly maintained, polished concrete flooring can be a sound investment for your business, providing excellent traction and an easy and simple cleaning routine without the need for waxing, stripping, or buffing. Polished concrete is said to provide the highest level of consistent traction over other flooring choices. However, that does not mean that a polished concrete floor does not require regular care. There are certain best practices that, if carried out in a timely manner, will ensure that concrete flooring remains attractive and in good repair.
Employing asset management and business intelligence metrics
According to a survey from P&G Professional, 92 percent of consumers consider cleanliness an important aspect of becoming a repeat customer. Therefore, the importance of a sanitary, safe, and spotless store cannot be overestimated.
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With facility managers consistently being asked to do more with less, improving productivity can be key to cost effectively maintaining a consistently clean fleet of stores. While improving productivity is a key priority for 71 percent of in-house facility managers, many have not developed clear strategies to address this issue.
One of the reasons for this discrepancy is that they don’t have accurate data to determine where productivity might improve. If each facility manager is coming to their own conclusions, this can contribute to inconsistent standards of cleanliness from store to store.
Data-driven efficiency
Business intelligence metrics are increasingly employed to diagnose operational efficiency issues and help optimise the use of available resources. These asset management solutions offer the opportunity to monitor:
• overall cleaning costs
• machine usage, including average daily use
• critical alerts that require immediate attention
• trends and pinpoint opportunities for improvement
• the progress of specific organised efforts to increase productivity
Using the same assessment management technology means greater consistency
With labour accounting for 75 to 80 percent of most cleaning budgets, an asset management solution can help make the best use of employees’ time and reduce labour-related costs. If a particular machine demands more operator time, it may be time to update staff training and refamiliarise with best practices. On the other hand, if it appears every machine is over-utilised, it may be time to expand your cleaning fleet to improve productivity and decrease machine breakdowns. Detailed data can also be used to determine the quantity of equipment to purchase for a new site.
The
payoff
Both C-suite executives and retail facility managers may find this new technology intriguing, but is it worthwhile? Using
business intelligence metrics is a smart move for retail facility managers, providing a cleaner store that is more pleasing to customers through increased productivity. Using these technologies, retail managers can see continuous improvement in their productivity, and their bottom line.
Data driven cleaning fleets achieve higher productivity and higher customer satisfaction. The best way to make an impeccable first impression on customers from the moment they walk through the doors is to keep the business clean, bright, and welcoming; a goal you can achieve with a thorough floorcare programme.
Use this checklist as a guide as you develop a programme designed to increase sales and customer satisfaction with a safe, healthy, pristine space.
✔ Decide on a cleaning programme
Decide whether an in-house, outsourced, or hybrid cleaning programme is right for your store, your team, and your budget. Regardless of which option you choose, make sure you stay involved in the decision-making process to ensure the job meets your standards, as well as the standards of your customers.
✔ Select the correct equipment partner
As you research machine partners, consider one who can support all your stores and has a reputation for dependable, quality machines. The correct partner can also help you leverage new technologies to get the job done more efficiently and effectively.
✔ Consider the environment
Bolster your brand’s reputation and bottom line by using equipment that requires less power, reduces water consumption, and minimises use of harsh detergents. These greener programmes not only appeal to the 70 percent of consumers who prefer to shop brands that are environmentally conscious but can also help maximise the cleaning budget.
✔ Stick to a carpet and soft floor care schedule
Keep carpet and soft floors looking great by vacuuming high-traffic areas once a
day, medium traffic areas three times a week, and low-traffic areas once a week. Aim to complete deep stain removal every few weeks and complete an even deeper, restorative clean every six months to a year.
✔ Establish a hard floorcare plan
Choose hard floorcare products specifically designed for the materials installed in your stores and develop a schedule to match. Clean and burnish floors regularly to remove surface dust and dirt. Every six months to a year replace old floor coating to fully restore floors to their former glory.
✔ Protect and maintain polished concrete
Facilities managers will want to ensure that the shine of polished concrete remains as attractive as when they first purchased the material. Polishing solutions that produce minimal dust and operate quietly can be used even during normal operating hours.
Place mats in store entrances and sweep sand and grit immediately to prevent scratching the polish. It is also important to clean up spills promptly to prevent staining that often occurs with polished concrete floors.
✔ Maximise results with asset management software
Monitor overall cleaning costs and equipment usage with asset management software. Use this data to map productivity over time and ultimately maximise your budget and staff.
A clean store is one of the most important things you can deliver from a customer experience standpoint, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the most complicated. Simply checking each one of these seven tips, tricks, and strategies off your to-do list can ensure your floorcare programme delivers exactly the experience that customers deserve.
With products and solutions designed to help create a cleaner, safer, healthier world, Tennant Company can assist in building a cleaning programme that keeps your customers coming back. Tennant equipment is distributed by Goscor Cleaning Equipment, for more information visit: www.goscorcleaning.co.za
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High-tech shopping broadened to washroom experience
In this article, Tork manufacturer, Essity looks at the ways in which shopping is becoming increasingly high-tech and considers how smart systems may also be successfully applied to the washroom experience.
Retailer Checkers, through its ShopriteX innovation team, is currently piloting South Africa’s first smart trolley, called the Xpress Trolley. It allows customers to scan and bag items as they shop, track a running total, and pay directly on the trolley to skip checkout queues. The trolley also features a screen for in-store navigation and personalised promotions, changing the customer experience when shopping.
Meanwhile, Kenya is exploring the use of AI-powered inventory management systems and blockchainenabled supply chains. This move is claimed to be making Kenya’s retail sector one of the most future-ready on the continent. Egypt and Morocco are testing automated checkout systems, while Ghana is expanding its e-commerce regulatory framework to boost cross-border trade. Smart shopping is here; and it is transforming the customer’s retail experience.
This year it was also announced that robot assistants are being deployed in a Dubai shopping centre for the first time. Two avatar-style robots have been rolled out in City Centre Mirdif – a huge retail complex comprising 465 stores – where they are assisting visitors to navigate the mall.
Smart changing rooms have been installed at Hugo Boss’ new flagship store in Düsseldorf, Germany. These
feature a screen that reads clothing labels using RFID. This allows shoppers to view matching items and change the size and colour of the garment to be tried on. Such headline-grabbing moves signal a revolution in smarter shopping. But, the retail sector has been quietly heading down the technology route for years.
all to shop from home – and online retail has become an increasingly prevalent option over recent years as a result. This means physical shopping centres have had to raise their game and offer more enticing facilities to attract people back to the shops. Here again, technology has come into play. Some retail managers have reacted
Technology is being used in washrooms to ensure that dispensers are being topped up and that all cleaning issues are swiftly addressed. For example, Tork Vision Cleaning allows cleaners to check on dispenser refill levels via a smartphone or tablet. It also helps them to keep tabs on washroom traffic so that operatives can assess when it is time to carry out a clean.
Security tags that trigger an alarm when a tagged item is moved past a detection point have been helping to prevent thefts in stores since the 1960s, for example, with early versions using radio frequency technology. Self-service tills where people scan the items they wish to purchase and then pay via a screen have become increasingly commonplace worldwide.
Meanwhile, the advent of the internet has made it possible for us
to the online challenge by introducing high-tech options such as virtual reality gaming zones.
In our post-Covid world, shoppers expect the malls they visit to be spotless – from the escalator hand rails to the shop fronts and of course, the toilets. It can be hard for a retail manager to ensure that their premises always remain clean when footfall varies from day to day. And once again, technology can help.
An increasing number of shopping centres are using robots to carry out floor cleaning and scrubbing tasks. Today’s robot cleaners are increasingly able to operate safely around shoppers and cover large floor areas, freeing up human staff to concentrate on more detailed work.
Smart bins are being installed to alert staff members when they need emptying. Additionally, technology has been improving efficiency and speeding up traffic in the retail washroom. Automatic taps and flush systems avoid the need for visitors to touch potentially contaminated surfaces while also making the facilities more accessible for the less abled.
Traffic light systems that light up green when a cubicle is empty and turn
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red when it is engaged are speeding up queues in busy shopping centre toilets because they prevent the need for people to have to try each door.
Many large retail washrooms now incorporate “smiley” feedback panels that allow visitors to rate their washroom experience by pressing a red, amber or green button. Such systems provide valuable data for washroom managers and enable them to respond swiftly to any cleaning need.
Technology is being used in washrooms to ensure that dispensers are being topped up and that all cleaning issues are swiftly addressed. For example, Tork Vision Cleaning allows cleaners to check on dispenser refill levels via a smartphone or tablet. It also helps them to keep tabs on washroom
traffic so that operatives can assess when it is time to carry out a clean.
This means cleaners are no longer obliged to make multiple journeys to the facility to carry out random checks, saving them time and improving their working life while also reducing labour costs. And businesses using the technology report that their washroom dispensers are now full 99 percent of the time.
Technology in its many forms is proving to be a major asset in the retail sector. No doubt in future it will continue to improve the shopping experience while also ensuring optimum cleaning and hygiene outcomes throughout the precinct.
For more information visit: www.tork.co.za
The rise of “clean tech” in retail environments
Innovative smart cleaning tools like the i-mop have revolutionised the way retail stores maintain cleanliness. The i-mop is a lightweight, batterypowered floor scrubber that combines sweeping and scrubbing in one efficient device. Its ergonomic design allows cleaners to cover large areas quickly, with less physical strain, making it ideal for busy retail environments. The i-mop’s advanced technology ensures consistent cleaning quality and reduces water and chemical usage, aligning with eco-friendly practices. In addition to smart cleaning equipment, Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring systems are becoming increasingly popular in retail cleaning. These systems use sensors placed throughout the retail space to monitor cleanliness levels, foot traffic, and even air quality in real time. IoT monitoring enables store managers and cleaners to receive immediate alerts when certain areas require attention, allowing for timely interventions that maintain a consistently clean retail environment. This data-driven approach optimises cleaning schedules, reduces unnecessary tasks, and ensures resources are used efficiently.
Tools like the i-mop and IoT monitoring represent the rise of “clean tech” in retail environments, where technology
enhances both the effectiveness and sustainability of cleaning operations. By adopting these innovations, retail businesses can improve hygiene standards, reduce operational costs, and provide a safer, more inviting space for customers and employees alike.
Using data-driven maintenance schedules for efficiency
Data-driven maintenance schedules enable real-time adjustments based on store activity and events, allowing cleaning teams to respond promptly to spills, crowds, or other incidents that require immediate action. This flexibility not only maintains a consistently clean retail environment but also enhances operational efficiency by minimising downtime and disruption to customers and staff.
Benefits of eco-friendly cleaning products
Using green cleaning products reduces exposure to harsh chemicals and supports a healthier environment for both staff and customers. Adopting eco-friendly practices in retail cleaning not only benefits the environment but also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability that can enhance a store’s reputation. Switching to eco-friendly
cleaning solutions helps minimise the release of harmful substances into the environment, lowering the store’s overall ecological impact. Look for cleaning providers who follow recognised green certifications and standards, ensuring their products and methods meet strict environmental criteria. Implementing sustainable cleaning practices shows customers that your business values environmental responsibility, which can strengthen your brand image and attract eco-conscious shoppers. Cleanliness isn’t just a chore, it’s a marketing advantage. A spotless, organised retail space tells customers you care about their experience. From routine maintenance to professional deep cleaning, every step adds up to stronger trust, longer visits, and better sales.
Clean air tech can reduce clean energy costs
As commercial property owners and managers look for every available competitive edge to attract and retain good tenants, great indoor air quality (IAQ) has become more than just a compelling sales point. UV-C disinfection systems are not only delivering cleaner, healthier air, but can reduce energy costs by up to 25 percent.
South African commercial property is struggling to regain Covid losses and owners and managers are facing an almost catch-22 situation. With weak demand and oversupply, finding compelling differentiation, such as a healthier work environment, must be weighed up against the investment required to install or upgrade indoor air quality systems. However, when that investment shows itself to lower operating costs with a rapid ROI, the decision to move to UV-C is a simple one, according to Edward Hector, MD of the SFI Group, leaders in the field of HVAC maintenance, offering professional services that support building and facility managers in enhancing the performance of their asset.
Nature’s solution delivers powerful results
We are all familiar with the harmful effects of sunlight’s UV-A and UV-B radiation which can result in painful sunburns. But the UV-C wavelength has more than twice its energy and it is easily absorbed by organic substances, rapidly destroying molecular bonds.
This means UV-C can be used to safely eliminate and prevent the build-up of organic material on coils, drain pans, and interior air-handling surfaces. It improves airflow and can maintain and even return heat-transfer levels to ‘as-built’ capacity, delivering solid improvements in HVAC system efficiencies.
Clean systems reduce odours, as well as allergens or pathogens in airstreams
Clean systems also help sustain design temperatures and airflow, ensuring buildings meet all required IAQ codes and standards. The green technology can also eliminate chemical and mechanical (water) cleaning required for the regular cleaning of coils, helping to reduce waste disposal issues.
This cleaner environment means less energy is needed to provide the necessary amount of cooling and airflow to maintain system energy efficiency. We have found that UV-C installed, even in older systems, reduces energy use by 10 to 25 percent on average. What’s more, efficient air-handling units not only save energy, they reduce carbon footprints which has a big impact when it comes to accreditation and environmental reporting.
Quantifiable results
The move towards more efficient and environmentally responsible commercial spaces is gaining momentum with property shareholders looking to maximise returns.
Green technologies, such as UVC, have quickly demonstrated their business worth and the MSCI South Africa Green Annual Property Index shows that for 2021, green-certified offices showed a total return of 2.2 percent – 170bps above the non-certified offices’ return of 0.5 percent. What’s more, since the index’s inception six years ago, green-certified offices outperformed the non-certified sample by 19.1 percent. The report also shows the clear link between green-certified buildings and investment performance as well as lower vacancy rates, lower operating costs, and higher net operating income.
When it comes to UV-C’s benefits, one way of measuring the effectiveness of UV-C is based on various case studies using what is called the U-value. We use U-values to measure a cooling coil’s thermal performance. The higher the value, the more efficient the operation. In a recent case study of an office block, we saw annual chilled water volume reduced from 28,849 to 18,507 tonnes – a reduction of 35.85 percent. The client saw an annual savings of R10,000 for a single coil.
Futureproofing investments
More than just the hard cost savings, UV-C also offers compelling health benefits which can greatly add to a building’s competitive offering.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 30 percent of all commercial buildings have significant IAQ problems. In particular, ventilation systems have been implicated in the spread of infections and pollutants. In addition WHO analysis finds zoonotic outbreaks on the African continent have increased by 63 percent from 2012 to 2022 compared to the previous decade.
Offering companies the highest grade of protection from highly transmissible influenzas, tuberculosis, and other airborne diseases is a winning sales point in an environment where employers are trying to coax workers back to the office.
Employers have enormous choice right now and so decisions can rest on features like air quality and other health benefits. We are all more sensitive to what we put in our bodies and the air we breathe has the biggest impact. Disinfectant technologies, like UV-C, deliver unique selling points as well as real cost savings, making the immediate return on investment genuinely compelling.
For more information visit: www.sfigroup.co.za
Linen loss and mismanagement –the hidden cost in hotel operations
In the world of luxury hospitality, every guest touchpoint matters, from the warmth of a welcome smile to the crispness of the bedsheet. Yet, one of the most persistent and costly challenges hiding behind the scenes of star hotel operations is linen loss and mismanagement, according to Mohamed Altaf, Director of Laundry at St. Regis, Sheraton, Kuwait who shares some valuable insights.
Silent drain on hotel profitability
Linens are one of the largest recurring expenses in a hotel’s operational budget. Every day, thousands of pieces – bed sheets, towels, napkins, bathrobes – move through housekeeping, laundry, restaurants, and spas. In this fast-paced ecosystem, it’s easy for items to go missing, get misplaced, or be damaged beyond use.
Industry studies estimate that 5 to 20 percent of a hotel’s linen inventory may be lost annually due to poor tracking, mixing of loads, theft, or outsourcing inefficiencies. While the numbers might appear small per item, the cumulative annual financial loss is significant for large properties.
Common culprits
• Outsourcing without strict controls:
Linens are often mixed with those from other properties in external laundries.
• Lack of inventory tracking: Manual logs make it difficult to trace missing items.
• Departmental miscommunication: Linen counts between housekeeping and laundry rarely match.
• Guest misuse or accidental retention: Towels or robes sometimes end up leaving with guests.
Impact: Beyond cost
Linen loss doesn’t just affect budgets; it impacts service consistency and brand standards. When stock levels drop unexpectedly, operations may resort to using lower-quality substitutes, affecting the guest experience and the perception of luxury. It also erodes accountability. Without clear data, it’s difficult to identify where and why losses occur, leading to internal friction and inefficiency.
The smart technology solution
Modern hospitality leaders are turning to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and barcode tracking systems to regain
control. These solutions enable:
• Real-time tracking of each linen item throughout its lifecycle.
• Automatic inventory updates when linens move between departments.
• Data analytics to monitor usage patterns, loss rates, and replacement needs. Hotels that have implemented RFID systems report up to 90 percent reduction in linen loss and significant savings in replacement costs.
Building a culture of cccountability
Technology alone isn’t enough, success depends on combining systems with people and process discipline. Regular audits, training sessions, and clear handover procedures ensure that everyone understands the value of each piece of linen as part of the guest promise.
Conclusion
Linen loss may be a silent issue, but its impact is loud and costly. By embracing technology and accountability, star hotels can not only protect their bottom line but also uphold the highest standards of comfort and consistency. Behind every perfectly made bed lies a system, one that values precision as much as presentation.
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RBCCCI officially launched
The Regional Bargaining Council for the Contract Cleaning Industry (RBCCCI) registered on 22 August 2025 in Government Gazette 53216, was officially launched on 17 October 2025 at the premises of NBC Holdings in Johannesburg. The body is set to bolster the public profile of the industry, with all relevant parties having a permanent base, under one roof, to promote common interests in a sustainable industry. Representatives from the cleaning industry, organised labour, CCMA, Services SETA, trade unions, employers’ associations and the Contract Cleaning National Provident Fund (CCNPF) were in attendance to celebrate the occasion.
Safic annual festival
Safic Environmental Services held an annual Summer Festival during October at its premises in Johannesburg. The occasion brought together members of the cleaning industry and Safic staff to enjoy a fun-filled day to enjoy music, food, and drinks. Attendees were welcomed by Safic MD, Eric Platt, who also introduced the company’s business associates, ION Exchange and Cleanfix.
ACR visits Interclean in China
African Cleaning Review Editor, Johann van Vuuren attended the Interclean Shanghai exhibition held from 22 to 24 October in China. This annual exhibition arranged by the organisers of Interclean Amsterdam is regarded as the only international trade show in China dedicated exclusively to professional cleaning and hygiene.
The exhibition offers global visitors the opportunity to meet trusted Chinese suppliers face-to-face, explore the latest innovations, and find the right partners for long-term business relationships. The visit presented an interesting insight of the rapid growth and development within the Chinese professional
cleaning industry, especially relating to the prominence of robotics and AI. Furthermore, educational sessions addressing topics relating to healthcare cleaning, productivity, international business development, product launches, skills competitions, and expert forums contributed to a robust business development environment.
At the International Hub, van Vuuren presented a talk on the South African cleaning industry with insights on the fundamentals and role of professional cleaning standards in providing a clear benchmark for quality, reliability, and professionalism.
NCCA Western Cape branch elects new BEC
Following a National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA) Western Cape Branch EXCO meeting in November, it announced the election of new Branch Executive Council members including: Wessel Louwrens (Supercare) as the Branch Chairperson, Thabisa Sinyondo (Induclean) as vice Chair, Brynn Meredith (Cleaning World) as branch treasurer, and Peet Oosthuizen (Excellerate Services), Ongama Sepato (Tsebo), and Lizel Jacobus (Yonwabeli) as general Council members.
Cleanfix and Metabo cordless alliance powers strong partnership
Cleanfix Reinigungssysteme AG, a Swiss manufacturer of high-quality cleaning equipment, is setting new standards in professional cleaning with the integration of the Metabo Cordless Alliance System (CAS).
The partnership combines Swiss innovation with international battery technology and takes Cleanfix machines to a new level in terms of flexibility, mobility, and cost-effectiveness. With the introduction of CAS, there is no need for different battery systems, cleaning staff benefit from a significant reduction in workload and greater efficiency in their daily work. Whether it is industrial vacuums, backpack vacuums, or other cordless cleaning machines, CAS transforms a mix of isolated solutions into a single high-performance system.
The Cordless Alliance System is an open battery system initiated by Metabo, which now includes over 45 well-known brands. The big advantage –all batteries and chargers in this alliance are 100 percent compatible.
In the cleaning industry, this means that one battery can power both a Cleanfix industrial vacuum cleaner and a CAS battery-powered device from another manufacturer, eliminating cable clutter and manufacturer-specific isolated solutions.
CAS batteries deliver up to 2000 watts of power and with its LiHD technology, machines work reliably and at maximum power even under high loads.
Cleanfix cleaning equipment is distributed by Safic Environmental Solutions, for more information visit: www.safic.co.za
Introducing the D|13 sink hand dryer system
The D|13 Sink System featuring the XLERATORsync® hand dryer is a premier choice among highend establishments and represents the future of sustainable commercial washrooms. A masterpiece of form and function, the sink seamlessly fuses high efficiency fixtures on the sink deck allowing users to wash, rinse, and dry hands all in one place, and, as a result, no water is left on the floor. With flexibility in the choice of colour, shape, dimensions, and material, it is easy to have the sink system match washroom aesthetics.
This sink system is a collaboration between two industry leading manufacturers, the D|13 Group and Excel Dryer. The D|13 Group is in the business of designing, manufacturing, and supplying high-end commercial products.
Excel Dryer manufactures touchless, American-made hand dryers to help commercial facilities create a hygienic washroom environment. They manufactured the XLERATORsync Hand Dryer, which was integrated into this sink system to provide users with a way to dry their hands at the sink basin.
The D|13 Sink System’s XLERATORsync hand dryer features a new electrostatic HEPA (eHEPA®) filter which is proven to remove 99.999% of viruses and 99.97% of bacteria from the airstream. This is a more durable filter than traditional fiberglass media HEPA filters which are typically made from fragile Borosilicate glass microfiber, which is prone to tearing. Additionally, the XLERATORsync is Works With WELL Certified, a certification that highlights products that focus on the health and well-being of building occupants, making this the ideal product to make people feel safe using the washroom.
For more information visit: www.exceldryer.com
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r Vacuum Cleaners – Wet/Dry
r Ventilators & Ventilation Systems, Kitchen Extraction Systems – Cleaning
r Washroom Accessories & Consumables
r Waste Disposal Systems/Solutions/ Equipment
r Waste Environmental Management
r Water Treatment Systems
r Window/Solar Panel Cleaning
r Window-Cleaning Equipment
r Woven & Non-Woven Wipes
r Other (Please specify):
Buyer’s Guide 2026
Harness the power of this comprehensive reference manual containing products and services available within cleaning and related industries.
Ensure that your company is listed in the next Buyer’s Guide – the only reference tool for companies and individuals requiring information about hygiene, cleaning, maintenance, pest control, textile care, and waste- and facility management services.
EMAIL: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za in order to secure your copy entry in the African Cleaning Review 2026 Buyer’s Guide edition. Once-off charge: R585 excl. VAT for 365 days.
DEADLINE: NO ENTRIES CAN BE ACCEPTED AFTER 12 DECEMBER 2025
Please complete the form in BLOCK LETTERS
Company name: _____________________________________________
Head office address: _________________________________________
NB: Product Entries Tick in the appropriate block/s for services, products and equipment manufactured or distributed by your company. Please tick no more than 10 main products/services as additional entries can not be guaranteed.
