The changes we saw the world face in 2020 are not temporary. How we all adjusted last year is how we will continue to live this year, and, likely, in the years to come.
There has been a particular shift to more stringent cleaning practices in homes and public spaces alike. Of course, sanitation has been important even before the virus struck. But today, everyone is paying particular attention to how sanitized and well-maintained the different spaces they occupy are.
This poses a brand-new set of challenges going forward. But along with the unprecedented hurdles, the newfound prominence of cleaning and hygiene is also presenting opportunities for those in business.
The Growth of the Cleaning Industry
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s CO publication reports that commercial cleaning is among seven service-based businesses that will see growth after the pandemic. This is to be expected, as proper hygiene and meticulous cleaning are known to be simple yet effective ways of eliminating the virus. A key moment presents itself in the cleaning industry.
Firstly, entrepreneurs looking to explore new ventures can see many opportunities in janitorial franchises post-COVID-19. Businesspeople will do well to respond to the sustained high demand of cleaning services by opening their own service.
Existing cleaning companies, on the other hand, had to respond quickly to the need for practices that address COVID-19 concerns. Continuously understanding how and where the virus thrives allows them to adapt and remain ahead of competitors.
Cleanliness as a Marketing Strategy
The cleaning industry is not only seeing growth through new opportunities for service. Cleanliness has also become an important aspect of companies’ marketing strategies.
Leading cleaning brand Clorox has even had a couple of notable partnerships in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. One such partnership is with United Airlines. The airline is using Clorox products for their award-winning United CleanPlus program, which promises top-notch disinfection and cleaning for travel.
Just earlier this March, the National Basketball Association also announced Clorox as their and the Women’s National Basketball Association’s official cleaning partner. The brand is supplying cleaning products to the organization as part of their sanitation measures.
It doesn’t end with brand partnerships. People are also looking to Instagram’s “cleaninfluencers” more and more for tips and tricks on how to clean their homes. Business opportunities and marketing strategies have given the cleaning industry a fresh new platform to thrive.
How Sanitation Procedures Should Improve
The safety and sanitation protocols of businesses and commercial establishments must evolve after COVID-19. Aside from thorough regular sanitation, public spaces need to come up with smarter and more efficient solutions to safely bring employees back to work.
Wear Face Masks
Face masks can prevent the virus from spreading. For this to work in any setting, however, they must be worn properly. That is, masks must cover the nose and mouth to prevent the spread of droplets.
This simple instruction in a business setting is one of many effective preventive actions to fight the virus with. Employers should recommend that staff, especially those who work in enclosed spaces, wear proper personal protective equipment in office premises.
When enforcing mask wearing in the workplace, keep in mind that disposable masks should not be reused and are best replaced after every four hours. On the other hand, reusable cloth masks must be washed after every use.
Convert to Touchless Technologies
It is high time to innovate in the workplace. This means adopting contact-less technologies in various work areas.
For communal washrooms, go for motion-detecting faucets and toilets to minimize touching of surfaces. Forego using air hand dryers, too, as these may further spread germs inside the place.
Automatic doors for entrance and exits are also advisable. It is also best to maintain the practice of temperature checks and monitoring of symptoms upon entry even after vaccinations roll out. Have readily available disinfection areas, where sanitizers are also motion activated.
Keep Physical Distancing
Unfortunately, handshakes and pats on the back will have to wait. In addition to mask wearing, hand hygiene, and symptom monitoring, the best way to keep everyone safe while in shared spaces is to maintain a good distance from each other.
Two meters is the ideal distance between two people for physical distancing to be effective. This may also mean no meetings in small function rooms just yet. For smaller hallways, companies can employ a one-way strategy so that people going in different directions will not have to feel cramped in corridors.
Sanitation will remain at the forefront of businesses after the pandemic. To keep up, businesses should reassess and adjust their protocols to put emphasis on the necessity of cleanliness.