The big spring clean is just around the corner, and if you’re planning a deep clean of your premises then now is the time to check you’re not making any cleaning mistakes.

Here are 5 of the most common cleaning mistakes that our cleaners see, day in, day out. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that they will only affect the appearance of your premises; whilst they will certainly make your business look untidy and uncared for, they will also impact its hygiene standards, and may even result in damage to your equipment and machinery.

Make sure you avoid them all with our guide, or you could end up with expensive repairs or replacements, rather than clean premises that are fit for purpose.

1. Missing Forgotten Spots

On top of cupboards, beneath the machines, down the back of filing cabinets… These are all commonly missed areas, but forgotten does not necessarily mean out of sight.

Some of the things that British businesses forget to clean are the ones that they come into contact with the most; for example, door handles, light switches and equipment buttons. Whilst visible surfaces like countertops and floors are cleaned daily, these high-touch areas are often forgotten about until a hazardous amount of germs and bacteria have already built up on them, ready to be spread throughout the premises.

No one deliberately neglects these areas, but they are easy to miss, so add them to your checklist ahead of time to ensure they receive the proper attention.

2. Using The Wrong Cleaning Products

Using the wrong cleaning problems is one of the most common cleaning mistakes. You might think that most cleaning products deliver the same results, but this is not the case. Not all products are suitable for all surfaces, and using the wrong one will result in a poor clean and potential damage to your property.

This is particularly true for industrial-strength cleaning products, as they are formulated to cut through the residue left behind from manufacturing processes and are extremely concentrated. If you apply these products to an unsuitable surface then it may tarnish or corrode it, whilst using ones that are not strong enough will not get the job done.

Avoid damage by always using products that are safe for the surfaces in your facility, and check that new products are suitable by testing them out on a small, non-visible spot before spraying down a larger area.

3. Using Cleaning Product Incorrectly

Even if you have a full inventory of all the right cleaning products, you may not be using them properly. Make sure that you are not making these cleaning mistakes:

Using Too Much: Don’t simply spray a large amount of chemicals directly onto surfaces and leave them to cut through any dirt or grime. This is a guaranteed way to cause surface damage and leave heavy residues, so spray a little onto a cleaning cloth and use this to wipe down the surfaces evenly.

Not Using Enough: As long as the products you are using are suitable for the materials that you are cleaning, then you don’t need to be overly sparing with them. Make sure you use the recommended amount of cleaning solution to tackle excess residue, or you may end up having to apply much more elbow grease than is needed.

Failing To Give Products Time To Work: Some cleaning solutions must be left to sit for a set amount of time in order to be effective. Spraying a cleaning chemical, and then immediately wiping it down, will not adequately clean a surface, so always leave cleaning products for the recommended time before wiping them away.

4. Putting The Cleaning Off

If you do the majority of the cleaning in-house then the cleanliness of your premises relies heavily on your team having the time to do a good job, and the know-how to avoid common cleaning mistakes.

During busy periods, cleaning is often the first thing to fall by the wayside whilst your team is busy taking orders, manufacturing products, and shipping stock. In this time, dust, clutter, and bacteria can all accumulate unchecked and create health hazards that will become much harder to clean as time goes on.

Avoid any deep stains, hard buildup, or surface damage by maintaining a regular cleaning schedule that can be done regardless of how busy your team is. Whilst some areas require only weekly or monthly cleaning, there are some daily tasks that are non-negotiable, such as sweeping floors, wiping down manufacturing surfaces, and cleaning equipment – but if this sounds like more than your team can handle then we have the solution for you.

5. Not Contacting MCS

This final cleaning mistake is a big one, but it is also easily rectified!

Spending a few minutes at the end of each day cleaning up the clutter and getting the space ready for tomorrow is not enough to maintain a clean and efficient business. You need to:

Clear all manufacturing residue and debris.
Mop and buff all floors.
Descale all surfaces.
Sanitise all workstations.
Clean all machines with specialist cleaning equipment.

And much, much more to meet the relevant health and safety standards. Your premises deserve better, and MCS is here to give it to you with commercial cleaning services that are tailored to your specific needs.

Avoid Cleaning Mistakes With MCS

Avoid all of these cleaning mistakes entirely by contacting your local MCS branch today.

We provide factory and warehouse cleaning services, as well as other commercial cleaning services, to businesses across the UK, so get in touch with us directly to discuss your spring cleaning requirements.