What is deep cleaning and why is it important?

In shared bathrooms, there is often a build up of limescale, organic matter and faecal deposits in the toilets and urinals, despite excellent daily cleaning. This build-up becomes a source for bacterial growth, leading to odours and cross contamination. This is where deep cleaning comes in.

Deep cleaning (also referred to as “Ablution Hygiene Treatment”) is a specialised hygiene service that requires specific skills, formal application methods and products that achieve hygienic results. It removes this build up from the ‘hard to reach’ areas which are inaccessible to daily cleaners. Think flushing rims, recesses of fittings and the outlets of ablution facility units.

Deep Cleaning focuses on the main causes of bacteria growth and malodours that daily cleaning doesn’t properly eliminate. Initial Hygiene uses patented bio-enzyme preparations dispensed through an ultra-low volume fogger to generate tiny droplets of specialist disinfectant that cover every surface in your bathroom. Antibacterial fogging is fast, efficient and extremely water-wise,  and provides an extra layer of protection against cross-contamination.

It is important to note that deep cleaning and daily cleaning are two different hygiene solutions that complement each other.

When should you deep clean your office bathroom?

Depending on the size of your company we generally advise that a deep clean (ablution hygiene treatment) be done on a quarterly basis to get the best out of the service, however, offices that have little traffic may reduce the frequency to twice a year combined with good daily cleaning.

Due to the residual effects of our deep cleaning solution which continues to work even after the service is finished, one does not need to deep clean as often as daily cleaning.

Is deep cleaning is similar to regular cleaning?

Even though both of these activities involve a form of “cleaning”, the methods, application, skillset and product preparations differ greatly.

The resident daily cleaners on-site play an important role in providing visible cleaning solutions. They ensure surfaces and floors are cleaned, paying particular attention to areas that contain dust, litter and dirt.

Deep cleaning, however, is a specialised hygiene service that requires specific skills, and products to achieve hygienic results. A deep cleaning service focuses on eliminating bacterial growth in hard-to-reach areas which are the main causes of malodour.

Find out more about what a deep cleaning service entails.

Are the cleaning products used in deep cleaning the same as the cleaning products that your daily cleaners use?

Initial’s deep cleaning preparations make use of bacterial cleaning agents.

The deep cleaning products that Initial utilises are biological preparations that contain live, beneficial bacteria that consume odour causing bacteria.

• These bacterial cleaning agents have a residual efficacy, meaning that they keep working by spreading “beneficial” bacteria through the system for at least two weeks.
• Bacterial cleaners are better for the environment as they are biodegradable.
• Biological products are highly effective in removing scale and organic build up without risk to the user, the facility and/or the environment
• These preparations do not have a damaging effect on surfaces.

Traditional cleaning products utilise chemical cleaning agents:

• Traditional de-greasers are highly alkaline, which is harmful to skin
• Traditional descalers are highly acidic. This is both damaging to skin and stainless steel.
• Over time, chemical cleaning agents cause damage to chrome/porcelain and plastic fittings as well as shorten the lifespan of equipment and surfaces.
• Chemical cleaners do not kill bacteria and yeast.
• Chemical cleaning products have no residual effect. As soon as a user has flushed, the effect of the chemicals is negated and there is the risk of bacterial growth, odour and cross contamination.

Read our blog: The dangers of harsh chemicals, and why we clean with bacteria for more insights

Is regular cleaning is more cost-effective than deep cleaning?

The biological preparations used in deep cleaning result in bigger savings than chemical cleaning agents:

• Deep cleaning services cause minimal disruption to colleagues and staff. The efficacy of bacterial cleaning agents allows for a speedier turnaround time, meaning facilities are out of use for a shorter time period.
• Non-caustic preparations are both skin and surface friendly; meaning minimal rinsing is required. This results in a significant reduction in water usage on site.
• Standard chemical cleaning agents require extensive rinsing to prevent skin burns which may be overlooked.
• By making use of a deep cleaning service, the risk of cross-infection is greatly reduced, meaning a reduction in employee absenteeism levels and an improvement in overall productivity levels in the workplace.

Deep cleaning versus general cleaning

Neither of these activities should be viewed in isolation. Daily cleaning and deep cleaning services complement each other in both the short and long term.

Your daily cleaners are responsible for your regular surface cleaning on a day to day basis, ensuring the cleanliness and presentability of your bathroom facilities. Deep cleaning treatments focus on sanitising areas out of reach to your daily cleaners. This is to prevent the growth of bacteria that cause odours, as well as cross infection that can lead to diarrhoea, urinary tract infections, vaginal thrush and the common cold, to mention just a few.

The frequency of deep cleaning services will depend on the premises size, daily cleaning routine, user profile and number of staff to mention several factors. On average, it is recommended that a deep cleaning service should take place every quarter, but it can vary between monthly services in extreme circumstances, to bi-annual services in less frequented spaces.