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Is hand hygiene still a priority as we move beyond the worst of the pandemic? The pandemic changed our behaviour, with governments around the globe encouraging citizens to take steps to prevent the spread of the virus. Mask-wearing became mandatory, we were forced to socially distance or isolate, and take extra measures around hygiene and sanitisation to protect ourselves and the most vulnerable in our communities. As we emerge from the worst of the pandemic, we are finally able to enjoy a level of normality and relax a little. But the virus hasn’t completely disappeared and we may yet face future spikes in case numbers . So, while we may breathe a sigh of relief hoping that the worst of it is over, are we remembering the things we can do to prevent any further spread of Covid-19, or any future virus spreading in the way Covid-19 did? A YouGov behaviour changes tracker , shows a clear trend of relaxation in people’s attitude towards the virus. It has been charting people’s approach towards improving personal hygiene (such as hand washing and using sanitiser) in relation to Covid-19 since February 2020, when the virus started spreading around the world. It records a significant downward trend in participants actively improving their personal hygiene, most prominently in Europe and the Americas. For example, in the UK, the tracker shows us that 77% of participants were taking measures to improve hygiene in April 2020, whereas in July 2022, this has fallen to just 29% and in the US a reduction from 69% down to 40%. Hand wash, creams and sanitisers are important to limit the transmission of, not just Covid-19, but other illnesses and viruses as well, to keep ourselves safe from bacteria and germs. Our extensive range of hand hygiene products will help you, your employees, customers, and clients to do that. Our Senses hand wash is designed for frequent use. It can be used to refill a wall-mounted soap dispenser and is available in three scents – Rose Lily, Peach, and Green Apple. Or if you are looking for a more luxurious range, try our Ast & Greaves products. Our carefully balanced, lightly perfumed hand washes are available in Jasmine & Apple Blossom and Black Pepper & Ginseng. We also provide a range of hand sanitiser products. Our 70% Alcohol Hand Sanitizing Gel or Spray, kill 99.99% of viruses and 99.999% of bacteria. Or if you are looking for a sanitiser that is kinder on the hands, try our Senses Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer designed for frequent use. It dries more slowly than alcohol-based sanitisers meaning you get better coverage (you rub your hands together for longer) with a more durable resistance on your skin. Find out more about how we are helping to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses: contact our sales team today, sales@cleenol.co.uk

Cleenol is delighted to be one of the key sponsors supporting Cleanology's initiative, bringing some of the biggest names in the cleaning and FM industry together to support the launch of a spectacular new annual fundraising event in aid of The Hygiene Bank. In September 2021, Cleanology held its first charity event which raised over £14,000 for The Hygiene Bank, a national charity that alleviates poverty by providing hygiene products to those in need. Due to the enormous success of that event, the wide publicity generated, and the amount of money raised through the raffle and auction, CEO of Cleanology, Dominic Ponniah is looking to make a bigger impact this year and will be hosting a higher profile networking event aimed at the cleaning and FM sectors to raise even more awareness and funds for The Hygiene Bank. The event has been backed by 6 of the biggest names in the industry: Bridge Recruitment, Cleenol Group, Darwin Clayton, Liberty Hygiene, Truvox International and Zep will join Cleanology to welcome industry representatives to the Private Dining Room of the prestigious Ivy Restaurant in central London on 27 September 2022, where guests will enjoy networking, drinks & canapes, a lively auction and raffle. Cleanology CEO Dominic Ponniah said: “Last year was our first fundraising event, and we managed to raise a staggering £14,000. This year, with these fantastic sponsors on board, we plan to make an even greater impact. I am incredibly grateful to all our sponsors for getting behind this important cause.” Tom Poynter, UK Chairman of The Hygiene Bank, said "We are thrilled to be working with Cleanology again to raise vital funds to tackle hygiene poverty. With the cost-of-living crisis pushing more of us to make increasingly tough decisions, these partnerships with brands and corporates are more important than ever. Cleanology champions this collaborative approach to tackling hygiene poverty, enabling and empowering brands and corporates of all sizes to make a real difference to communities throughout the UK." Ponniah welcomed the support of the sponsors, saying: “This commitment brings valuable extra funds, but we are also excited to be able to work collaboratively to tackle such an important issue. Figures show that one in three people have to go without hygiene essentials and, sadly, as the cost of living rises, we can only expect to see this number increase. The Hygiene Bank is really on the front line in supporting people through real crisis, and we welcome any companies that would like to join us to fight hygiene poverty.” Tickets are £38 +VAT each and available on Eventbrite, with all profits donated to The Hygiene Bank:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/383940886527

Food safety affects everyone without exception. From production to packaging and transportation to retail, cooks and chefs all the way to the end consumer, no-one is untouched by the need to uphold good food safety standards. Indeed every single one of us is a consumer so we all have an interest in the ensuring good levels of food hygiene. In 2018, the World Health Organization launched Food Safety Day which is held each year on 7th June to raise awareness of food safety and to ‘inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks’[1]. What are the risks around poor food safety? Poor food safety can result in foodborne diseases, which can range from mild illness, to severe disease and even death. Globally, one in every ten people fall ill from contaminated food each year[2], but this, for the most part, is preventable. The quality and state of food itself is of course important to prevent foodborne diseases because food must be in a state that is fit to be eaten in the first place. But it goes further than that. Proper hygiene and safety measures must also be upheld at every stage of the supply chain. So it’s not just about the food itself. It’s also about how it’s stored, transported, cooked and prepared. How, with what, and by who. The hygiene of the surfaces, prepping and cooking equipment, and even people the food comes into contact with, at whatever stage of the process, is also essential. Helping to uphold food safety best practice There’s an easy and practical way to ensure food safety best practice is upheld. That is, by implementing and adhering to an effective cleaning and hygiene regime, and by using the right products to support this. Since 1948, Cleenol has been a leading provider of hygiene and cleaning products. As our business has evolved, so have our products. We have a comprehensive range of cleaning products, developed specifically to help our customers achieve the optimum level of cleanliness and hygiene, including for the food and beverage sector. Our Virabact range for example, includes antiviral and antibacterial multi-surface cleaners, ready-to-use surface cleaners and sanitisers, as well as concentrated surface cleaners and sanitisers. We also have an extensive range of hand sanitisers, antibacterial foam soaps, ice machine cleaning kits, alcohol wipes and non-rinse floor degreasers. And our range of hand wash products, is perfect for kitchens and washrooms. If you’d like to find out more, contact our team today. [1] https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-food-safety-day/2022 [2] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/food-safety

Marking World Environment Day on 5th June to protect and celebrate our planet On 5th June it’s the UN’s World Environment Day. While this day is marked every year by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this year marks a particular milestone as it’s 50 years since the United Nations conference on the Human Environment was held in 1972, in Stockholm, Sweden[1]. What is World Environment Day about? World Environment Day has been held since 1974 and is the largest global environment platform, with over 150 countries participating. Its purpose is to engage individuals and organisations around the world to raise awareness of environmental issues and to celebrate actions taken to protect the environment. This year, to mark the 50 year anniversary since the first conference was held, the event will once again be hosted by Sweden. Only One Earth campaign This year’s Only One Earth campaign calls for ‘collective, transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet’[2]. The UNEP is calling on individuals, organisations, celebrities and businesses to get involved to raise awareness and spread the word. Our approach to sustainability At Cleenol, we’ve a long history of sustainability in business and have been ISO14001 accredited since 2010, meaning we manage our environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner that contributes to the environmental pillar of sustainability. We also operate an Environmental Management System, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements relating to environmental aspects of our business activities, products and services. In 2014, we launched our Envirological range, featuring only products that included no unnecessary raw materials, dyes, perfumes or harmful additives, were phosphate-free, septic tank safe, and packaged in reusable or renewable containers. We’re also committed to striking the right balance by ensuring that users of our products understand how to use them safely and avoid under dilution, which can have harmful effects on the environment, or over-dilution, which wastes water. This is why we adhere to the principle we call The Right Dose. All of our products carefully formulated to ensure that when used correctly, at the right dilution with the right equipment, the environmental impact is kept to a minimum and remains safe for people. Plus, our Easidose range is super-concentrated, meaning it’s compact, uses minimal packaging and is easily transportable – all of which helps to drive a lower carbon footprint. And all of the packaging is recyclable and where possible, reusable. Going further to help protect the environment Yet, as the effects of climate change and the human impact on the planet become ever more apparent, we can always do more. Concerns around sustainability and the environment are ever-increasing and businesses must continue to strive to do things better. That’s why we developed our new comprehensive environmentally friendly product range, edencleen. edencleen puts the environment first without compromise Our new edencleen range delivers the same high-quality performance as the rest of our product ranges, contributing to a cleaner, safer world, without compromise. The products in this new range have been developed around the following principles and ingredients: RSPO certified palm oil derivatives No animal derived products / cruelty free No parabens, formaldehyde, CMI/MIT, triclosan, phosphates, chlorine bleaches, optical brighteners or quaternary ammonium compounds VOC free and phosphate, EDTA, NTA free 100% bio-based surfactant made by using bio-based ethylene oxide, manufactured from biomass ethanol Uses bioethanol, naturally derived acids, sugar-based surfactants, bio-based solvents and low impact preservatives Minimal petrochemical derived products Recyclable / recycled packaging This new range range includes washroom cleaner, multi-surface degreaser, all-purpose sanitiser, toilet cleaner, laundry liquid detergent, fabric conditioner, washing up liquid and window and glass cleaner. So whatever your cleaning or hygiene needs, if you’re looking for high-performing products that are kind to the environment, contact our team today. Trust Cleenol, for a safer, cleaner world. [1] https://www.un.org/en/conferences/environment/stockholm1972 [2] https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/get-involved/get-involved

Striking the right balance with our professional cleaning supplies At Cleenol, we’re committed to contributing to a safer, cleaner world, and we also prioritise reducing waste. We know it’s critically important to get the right balance between the products we provide, their efficacy, and the environments they are used in. Using the right product at the right concentration level – The Right Dose Cleenol manufactures, warehouses and distributes a wide range of high-quality cleaning products to customers, paired with our efficient and personal service. We continually strive to minimise cost and the impact on the environment, while achieving professional results. We provide solutions across a range of industries from restaurants, catering and food production to gyms, schools, laundries and healthcare. Each of our products is carefully formulated to industrial strength for the professional market. In order to attain the professional results that our customers need, while trying to minimise harmful chemical footprints in doing so, we’ve carefully tailored our solutions to meet the demands of the industries and environments they are  used in. Choosing the right product range for your environment is the first step, and we help our customers to do that. But it doesn’t stop there. For example, we’ve carefully calculated dilution levels for concentrates to make our products go as far as possible and keep our customers’ costs low, while supporting safe use and respect for our environment. Respecting the environment during challenging times Cleenol has been helping to create a cleaner, safer world by providing cleaning products and services since 1948, so we’re no stranger to the needs of the industries we serve. But the Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a massive increase in the need to sanitise and disinfect on a global scale. While being mindful of the need to keep people safe, we need to consider the environment and the impact we have on the natural world. That’s why we’re committed to the prevention of over-consumption. Cleenol’s commitment to preventing over-consumption At Cleenol, we aim to prevent the over-consumption of cleaning, sanitising and disinfectant products via: The production and provision of cleaning products specifically tailored to the industries they are used within Clear instructions regarding product use across our range Specific dilution instructions for concentrates to ensure optimum performance while reducing waste or chemical overuse Training and development to ensure correct product use The provision of safety data sheets to support safe product use for storage, transportation and usage Information on ecological considerations such as toxicity levels, as well as safe disposal instructions A personal service to help customers make the right product choices for their industry areas Finding the right balance for the right industry Cleenol’s wide product offering includes a range of environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. To support our sustainability ethos, we ask that you please use our products responsibly at the recommended dilution levels. That way we can all contribute to a safer, cleaner world while minimising our impact on the environment.

World Health Day and how we’re contributing to a cleaner world and a healthier future Not only have we experienced a global pandemic for over two years, we’re also challenged by climate change, air pollution, water shortages, and an increase in adverse health conditions such as asthma, cancer and heart disease. Poor decisions made by individuals, and commercial and political entities are contributing to the health and climate crisis we are facing. The World Health Organization estimates that over 13 million deaths each year are attributable to “avoidable environmental causes” and considering 90% of the global population breathes polluted air [1] it's time to do things differently. The WHO World Health Day will be held on 7th April this year and its objective is to promote a healthier planet for both humans and the planet at large. A world where clean air, water and food are available to anyone, no matter where they are on the planet. It aims to raise awareness and make us think about our actions and how we can contribute to a healthier tomorrow. How can we contribute to a healthier future? We need to be responsible about the decisions we make and think about ways we can change how we live and work. But depending on the lifestyle we have, or the industry we operate in, these don’t necessarily need to be major. Changing the products or chemicals we use, the amount we consume, and the toxins we put into the air or water systems, can collectively help to achieve a healthier world. Committed to a cleaner, safer and healthier world Cleenol has been producing cleaning products with a contained environmental impact since the 1990s. We understand the effects that chemicals can have on indoor air quality and aquatic toxicity levels amongst other areas. As we’ve evolved over the years, we’ve seen the effects the human footprint has had on our planet and each other’s health and wellbeing, and we know we can do things even better. That’s why we’re once again evolving our product range to be kinder to both health, and the environment. A cleaning range that’s kind to our health and the planet All of our products are engineered to provide the best solution when used as directed, including the use of cold or warm water and diluted as instructed – more chemical isn’t always directly correlated to better performance.  Indicative of our commitment to the environment, we are on the cusp of bringing a new range to market that is entirely dedicated to the protection of the environment. edencleen will be launched at Interclean in May, so watch out for news closer to the event. Contact our team today   [1] https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2022

Cleenol has a long history of bringing new products to market, and as part of our recent refresh, we are looking back also at some of our early solutions that in todays world have new meaning and relevance. Cleaning and Hygiene Today recently featured our recently launched Easidose. Click here to read more

Another year, another successful certification that shows our commitment to our customers and the quality and standards of our products and processes.

Understanding the difference between various cleaning and hygiene terms was never more important than over the last couple of years. As we move towards a status of living with the virus, remembering what we learned remains key. Click here to find out more.

As a responsible manufacturer of cleaning and hygiene products, safety has always been one of our highest priorities both to the user and where the product is used. We've taken it a step further by ensuring that all of our manufactured products do not contain the below 14 common allergens: Cereals containing gluten (Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, Spelt, Kamut) and products thereof; Crustaceans and products thereof; Egg and products thereof; Fish and products thereof; Peanuts and products thereof; Milk and products thereof; Nuts (Almond, Hazelnut, Walnut, Cashew, Pecan nut, Brazil nut, Pistachio nut, Macadamia nut, Queensland nut) and products thereof; Soya and products thereof; Sesame and products thereof; Celery and products thereof; Mustard and products thereof; Sulphur Dioxide and Sulphites and products thereof; Lupin and products thereof; Mollusc and products thereof. We also confirm that the site area where Cleenol products are prepared and packed is free from these allergens or any derivatives thereof.

Thousands of children in the UK are at risk of food poisoning from unsanitary school canteens where inspectors have found mouse droppings, filthy plates and staff who handle the food without washing their hands. At least 60,000 children attend schools with dangerous food hygiene levels according to the Food Standards Agency. 41 schools and nurseries were given a one-star hygiene rating, meaning that they need to make 'major improvements' to comply with food laws.  Food hygiene ratings are published at the FSA website .   Children can be more susceptible to food-borne illnesses According to FSA, there are 2.4 million of cases of foodborne illnesses in the UK each year, including an estimated 380,000 cases of norovirus linked to food. They result in 180 deaths and hundreds of thousands of doctors’ appointments. Anyone can become ill from illnesses associated with bacteria or viruses in foods. Some groups are much more susceptible: the elderly, those with immune compromising diseases and children. Children can be especially in danger of food-borne illness, so school canteens must take extra precautions.   Tips for improving your school kitchen’s hygiene standards: Regular cleaning schedule and cross-contamination control All school kitchen catering staff must be aware of what the 14 different food allergens are and must prevent allergens from cross-contamination at all times. School kitchens need to be cleaned regularly to limit the transmission of food and hand borne infections. Hand hygiene Hand hygiene plays a big role in keeping foods safe for children to eat. Always, always wash your hands before you touch food, before and after you prepare meals, and after you have served the children. Additionally, always wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet and before going back into the kitchen.  To properly wash your hands, make sure the water is warm. Then, soap up your hands thoroughly, being sure to get between the fingers and under the nails. Also wash your wrists. Then rinse thoroughly and dry with paper towels, not a towel. Fabric will harbour bacteria and can transfer it to you thus transferring it back to the food. Use protective clothing and hair nets Do not allow your hair to hang over or touch foods – tie it back instead and secure with a net. Use proper protective clothing that is clean. Never reuse dirty aprons. Do not prepare food when you are ill Never prepare food if you have been ill unless you have medical clearance. Do not work while ill, especially if you have a food-borne illness. Sanitise chopping boards Sanitise and clean chopping boards properly before use. Never use the same chopping board for meats and other foods like fruits and vegetables. Even if you are chopping vegetables of different types, you should clean and sanitise the board between each use. Kept foods in sealed containers and refrigerated Safe storage of food involves appropriate labelling and dating of food items, temperature control, storage locations, and containers. Kitchen staff must be aware of what food items can and cannot be stored close to one another to prevent food poisoning. In the refrigerator, the meats should be sealed carefully and always placed on the bottom shelf. Meats should never be placed on a higher shelf where juices could drip and contaminate other foods.

A year like no other Sales of hand sanitiser soared by 255% [ 1 ] in February 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. With recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) to: “Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water” [ 2 ], the global hand sanitiser market has grown exponentially from $1.53 billion in 2019 to an expected $3.04 billion in 2020 [ 3 ]. Producers responded quickly by increasing production – here at Cleenol, we managed to increase production by a massive 40%. Despite these efforts, there was a point earlier this year when buying hand sanitiser was as challenging as finding toilet roll. To help the industry plug the gap in supply, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) started to fast-track applications to produce denatured alcohol, a key ingredient in hand sanitiser [ 4 ], to allow for an influx of new manufacturers.  Looking to the future Happily, over the last few weeks, we’ve seen scientific advances from across the globe that promise real hope with the introduction of new vaccines to protect against COVID-19 in the future. But we still need hand sanitiser — delivery of the vaccine will take time and the vaccines may not protect against future unknown pathogens. Clearly hand sanitiser, along with social distancing and localised lockdowns, will be in our future for a while to come.  Quality-assured hand sanitisers increase trust to your business Cleanliness and hygiene have always been an important part of hospitality and care service delivery, but this year’s pandemic has shone a light on this and linked it to safety. Enter hand sanitisers – an ideal step to protect staff, customers and care home residents. But one thing is abundantly clear – not all hand sanitisers are created equally and with so many new producers entering the market, coupled with the need for expedited delivery, errors creep in.   The Importance of a High-Quality Hand Sanitiser We have seen recent recalls of hand sanitiser for containing methanol, rather than ethanol. Methanol can be toxic if absorbed through the skin and if it is ingested it can be life-threatening. So being careful in your choice of hand sanitiser is essential.   What to Look for in a High-Quality Hand Sanitiser So, what do you need to look for in a high-quality hand sanitiser? There are two major considerations here: efficacy of the product and making the experience pleasant for the user.   Product Efficacy Alcohol content The WHO [ 5 ] and America’s CDC [ 6 ] recommend hand sanitisers with at least 60% alcohol content. Cleenol’s superior Medisan hand sanitiser contains 70% ethanol and kills all enveloped viruses within 60 seconds.   Quality testing To be sure that the hand sanitiser you are buying is fit for purpose, you can check that it has been tested against European Standards (EN). The relevant standards are: BS EN 1500 for Hygienic Handrubs, BS EN 1276 for killing 99.999% of bacteria and BS EN 14476 for killing 99.99% of enveloped viruses (coronaviruses are an example of enveloped viruses). Beyond the effectiveness of the hand sanitiser, the customer experience should be considered.   The Product Experience Viscosity Some hand sanitisers can be very runny and if you are dispensing in a public place, can easily run off the hands onto the floor creating a slip hazard, or run down your sleeve. Either way, the experience is less satisfying for consumers and so may be avoided, increasing the risk of cross-contamination. After effects Some hand sanitisers leave your hands feeling sticky, a sensation most people dislike. Again, if consumers don’t like how it feels, they’re less likely to continue to use the hand sanitiser, increasing your risk. Consider a hand sanitiser that includes a moisturising agent, such as Medisan 70% Alcohol Hand Sanitiser which contains glycerine.   Smell If you’re serving food, this will be of particular concern, as smell directly contributes to taste. If you provide a hand sanitiser that has a strong chemical smell that lingers, it can be unpleasant and alter the dining experience. Ultimately, you want to find a highly effective hand sanitiser to protect your business, staff and patrons whilst improving the customer experience, to benefit from customer trust, ongoing loyalty and repeat business.    Different hand sanitisers on the market: alcohol-free hand sanitisers vs. 70% alcohol hand sanitisers News reports had put in doubt the efficacy of alcohol-free hand sanitisers, however Cleenol, with decades of experience in the cleaning industry, recognises that both alcohol-based and alcohol-free hand sanitisers have their place, with advantages and disadvantages to both. Cleenol originally started developing alcohol-free hand sanitiser to satisfy a rapidly growing customer base in the Middle East, where the use of alcohol-based products is not permitted for those observing the Islam faith. Cleenol’s alcohol-free hand sanitiser is certified as Halal by the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC). Demand for alcohol-free hand sanitisers also grew in hospitals, care homes, prisons and schools with young children or students with special educational needs and disabilities. Alcohol-free hand sanitiser is more suitable for dry skin, and the risk of accidental ingestion of harmful quantities is low due to the relatively low toxicity of the active substances. Active ingredients could include Didecyldimethylammonium chloride ( DDAC ) or Benzalkonium chloride ( BKC ), which are both members of the quaternary ammonium compound ( QAC ) family of disinfectants. You would have to ingest a large amount of these before any ill effects were felt. Additionally, alcohol-free sanitiser can provide long-lasting protection from bacteria and viruses. As it dries, it leaves a protective layer on your skin which acts as a shield, protecting you for up to four hours. For a detailed comparison of alcohol-free and 70% alcohol hand sanitiser, take a look at Cleenol’s whitepaper on the subject.    Cleenol hand sanitiser products Our range of hand sanitisers includes:  Medisan 70% Alcohol Hand Sanitising Gel  > A 70% alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel which complies with BS EN 1500, BS EN 1276 and BS EN 14476, killing 99.999% of bacteria and 99.99% of enveloped viruses within 60 seconds. It is available in 5 litre, 500 ml and 50 ml bottles.   Senses Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitiser  > This hand sanitiser is mainly formulated from vegetable-derived bactericides and foaming agents. It is odourless and soft on the skin so perfect for frequent use. Ideal to be used in clinics, hospitals and food production environments, it has been tested against BS EN 14476 (killing 99.99% of enveloped viruses within two minutes), BS EN 1276 (killing 99.999% bacteria within five minutes) and also BS EN 1500. Available in 5 litre, 800ml, 500ml and 50ml bottles, and additionally as a foam hand sanitizer in 50ml bottles.   Sharing expertise Cleenol has been in the business of developing cleaning products for over 60 years and today we export to over 40 different countries. In 1992 we were one of the first companies in the industry to achieve the ISO9001 quality accreditation covering all business operations, and we’ve maintained this ever since. Quality, product and customer service, are at the very heart of what we do, and in this endeavour, we recruit the best in technical, scientific and industrial expertise.  With a view to supporting the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we have freely shared our knowledge to improve understanding; increased productivity of hand sanitiser products by 40%; and safeguarded supplies for customers in the defence, education and healthcare sectors.  A high-quality hand sanitizer should be easy to use, efficient, and pleasant.  If you have any questions or would like to try our hand sanitisers, please contact our Customer Service Advisor team at sales@cleenol.co.uk or by calling +44 (0) 1295 251721.