Tensions are high among facility occupants--teachers, students, customers, business owners, and employees--faced with the daily struggle of managing COVID lockdown and personal protective equipment requirements while trying to avoid getting sick.
The Role of Cleaning Amidst the Second Pandemic
Just when you thought it was safe to go outside, 2020 has yet another pandemic instore--COVID fatigue.
In short, everyone has had it.
According to CleanLink;
Health officials are warning of a second pandemic: COVID Fatigue.
People are tired of being cooped up, tired of being careful and they are tired of being scared.
The result is that many are getting careless and tempers are on the rise.
We all want to go back to how things were before the pandemic, but the reality is, abnormal is the new normal, and uncertainty is leading to intense and long-term stress.
What's worse is that many activities individuals used to cope with stress previously are currently off-limits.
One method for reducing occupant tension is a demonstrably sanitary facility, and that means a clean floor.
The Consequences of Dirty Carpets
Two of the first three things someone notices when they walk into your facility are bad odors and dirty carpets, leading to negative first impressions, and likely far worse.
According to Small Business Bonfire;
Countless studies have shown that smells can have a powerful effect on our emotions and state of mind.
Smell is also one of our built-in safeguards against dirty, polluted, and unsafe areas.
If we smell something bad, our instinct is to get out quickly. Good, fresh, clean aromas put people at ease and encourage them to stick around.
Similarly to smells, the cleanliness of your location can have a big impact on your customers’ state of mind and confidence in your business.
The interesting thing about cleanliness is that spaces often get dirty slowly over time.
You and your employees may not notice, while your customers, who are seeing it for the first time, do.
The First 3 Things Customers Notice When They Walk in Your Door
According to a recent Harris Poll of 2102 adults, conducted on behalf of Whittaker, when guests or prospective customers encounter a dirty carpet:
- 56% stated they would look for an alternate facility to patronize.
- 80% would form a negative opinion of a hotel with dirty carpet.
- 72% would think adversely about a long-term care facility with a dirty carpet.
- 70% would think less of an apartment/condo common area with dirty carpet.
- 66% would question the cleanliness of retail stores with dirty carpet.
- 64% would think negatively about office buildings with unkempt carpet.
- 58% of surveyed Americans would assume the facility is not clean.
- 50% would spend less time in the building.
- 47% would tell friends or family about the lack of cleanliness in the facility.
Source:
Cleaning Tips to Reduce Occupant Tension
A clean and odor-free workplace, classroom, store, or restaurant has always been critical to the success of a business and the performance output of its occupants.
Even before COVID-19, bad smells and dirty carpets triggered negative impressions of a facility, its management, and the products and services they produce--driving away business, leading to negative reviews and publications, and resulting in fines or financial failure.
Now, regardless of intent, obvious signs of low-quality sanitation and hygiene send loud and clear signals to your workforce, customers, and students that you don't care about their health or safety.
A simple, proven method for addressing this challenge is to:
- Clean your facility regularly in accordance with occupancy and use--the more people that come in and out, the more often it should be cleaned.
- Additionally, deep clean your facility according to the same occupancy and use premise, using deep penetrating floor scrubbers, no-touch scrubber-vacs, and carpet shampooers.
- Disinfect floors--a known transmission medium for SARS-CoV-2--at least once per day.
- Deep clean restrooms--a major focal point for both coronavirus transmission and a source of foul odors--at least once per operational day.
- Allow for proper ventilation to disperse SARS particles in the air, reduce odors, and keep the air clean and fresh smelling.
- Clean up spills and stains immediately, and;
- Only use products registered with the EPA and only allow trained or certified cleaning technicians to handle the equipment and products.
References & Resources
- How Dirty Carpet Impacts Perception Of Clean
- The Perception of Cleanliness
- Most Americans Say Facilities Lose Credibility With Dirty Carpet
Takeaway
If 2020 is wanting for anything, it is an absence of surprises.
COVID fatigue is real and easily observable.
High levels of stress reduce worker and student cognitive functions and productive output, as well as creating friction between prospective customers and making a purchase.
Providing an obviously clean, highly sanitary facility with enhanced processes focused on occupant health will reduce stress levels, lead to improved performance, and ultimately result in superior financial bottom lines, customer satisfaction, and student performance.
A proven and cost-effective method for ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness and safety is outsourcing daily and specialized custodial services to an experienced service provider.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation onsite assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Palmdale CA, or Lancaster CA, call (661) 371-4756
