Outsourcing your commercial cleaning can often be a better solution than in-house

stress-time-management-project-management-business-woman-with-paperwork-tablet-phone-call-hands-office-job-headache-anxiety-portrait-kpi-corporate-worker-administration_590464-83467

When it comes to outsourcing commercial cleaning, you might have a few concerns about the idea.

You might be worried about trusting an outside provider, or you might be concerned about how much it will cost.

But it can actually be less expensive than you think, and there are a lot of additional benefits to outsourcing your cleaning services.

In-house cleaning has a lot of hidden management and administration time

One of the things that takes a lot of business owners by
surprise is the amount of hidden management time that is involved in
managing your commercial cleaning internally.

Businesses need to manage recruitment, payroll, training,
HR and performance management of their internal cleaning team.

When opting for an in-house cleaning team, businesses will
also need to arrange for secure on-site storage of chemicals (often involving locked cabinets with designated keyholders), correct signage for storage, risk
assessments, incident reporting processes, and correct personal protective
equipment (PPE).

 

 

 

 

A lot of these factors are overlooked when businesses are evaluating whether to hire in-house for their cleaning or work with an outsourced partner.

 

 

Outsourcing commercial cleaning services can often be more cost-effective

There are also a lot of hidden costs involved in managing your cleaning internally.

One of the most obvious costs is equipment: PPE, vacuum cleaners, mops, cleaning products and other supplies can add up quickly.

There are also the National Insurance and Pension contributions for employers to take into account. For some schools and colleges in the public sector, the cost of employer pension contributions for a cleaner on the payroll can be significant.

So it’s worth carefully weighing up the financial implications of hiring an in-house cleaning team or choosing to outsource. Contrary to popular belief, outsourcing can often be more cost effective than employing people.

By using an outsourced cleaning service, you don’t have to worry about managing holiday cover or sickness cover

When you recruit an in-house cleaning team, you need to ensure that any holidays or periods of illness are suitably covered.

With an outsourced cleaning service, you don’t need to worry about that.

At MCS we have over 280 employees across the business, which helps ensure that there is no disruption to service when someone is away.

Our team of cleaners will continue to provide a high level of care and attention during any periods of illness or holidays.

By outsourcing commercial cleaning, COSHH, risk assessments and insurance are
handled for you.

If cleaning is completed by an in-house team, businesses
have a legal duty for ensuring that relevant risk assessments are completed to
comply with the Management
of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
 and The Control of Substances Hazardous to
Health (COSHH) Regulations.

COSHH regulations require employers to assess the risk of
using hazardous substances and take measures to control or manage this risk.
The regulations also require employers to give appropriate information,
instruction and training.

If hazardous chemicals are being used within your business, you’ll
also need to disclose this to any relevant business insurance companies. This
is likely to result in increased business insurance premiums.


 

By outsourcing your commercial cleaning to a reputable
company, you no longer assume the responsibility for training, COSHH, risk
assessments or insurance for cleaning staff.

MCS has a team of fully-insured and qualified staff that can
manage your commercial cleaning without you having to worry about the added
stress of COSHH, risk assessments or insurance. 

There is often a lack of supervision or escalation policies with in-house cleaning

When businesses choose to recruit in-house for their cleaning, they often hire a small junior team without senior oversight. This can lead to in-house cleaning teams not having anyone experienced to sign off their work.

If this is the case within a business, how do you know if the cleaning team is doing a good job? And how do you provide constructive feedback if cleaning services need to improve?

By working with an outsourced cleaning provider like MCS, all cleaning work is supervised and regularly inspected to make sure it consistently meets our award-winning standards. 

Professional outsourced cleaning delivers better results

Did you know that unhygienic and dirty workplaces are estimated to cost employers £1.56bn per year due to staff illness?  

With this is mind, it’s clearly important that your work premises stay clean.

But cleaning is only as good as the team behind it.

We’ve already touched on the challenges in sign-off and supervision from employing an in-house cleaning team.  

But you can also struggle to guarantee the consistent quality of work from certain budget cleaning agencies. Some cleaning companies outsource their staff or use temporary hires which means that quality is never guaranteed from job to job.

But when you choose an award-winning partner like MCS you can rely on a consistent high-quality cleaning service, delivered by our team of over 280 employees.

If you’re looking to save time and money by outsourcing your commercial cleaning, look no further than MCS Cleaning. We provide trusted commercial cleaning services in Loughborough, NottinghamBirmingham and the whole of the East Midlands.

We have bespoke pricing that’s tailored to your needs, and we can provide a no-obligation quote over the phone.

Interested? Get in touch by phone (01530 382 006), email or by completing our easy online form.  

SafeContractor Accreditation for MCS Cleaning and Maintenance

safe contractor

safe contractor

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve been SafeContractor approved for the seventh year in a row. This accreditation recognises MCS Cleaning’s commitment to best practice and our pursuit of the highest standards in health and safety.

At MCS Cleaning and Maintenance, the safety of our teams and clients is paramount, and we are committed to raising standards within the industry. With SafeContractor Approved status, we can prove this commitment to our partners and clients, showing Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) compliance.

As a founding SSIP member, Alcumus SafeContractor is a leading third party accreditation scheme that recognises extremely rigorous standards in health and safety management among contractors. Used by thousands of businesses in the UK, including SMEs and FTSE 100 companies alike, it is a trusted provider of risk management, certification and accreditation services.

What Is the SafeContractor Approved Accreditation?

SafeContractor Approved is the name of the Alcumus SafeContractor health and safety audit. This accreditation verifies that MCS Cleaning is a safe and responsible company, ensuring that all paperwork is compliant with current legislation and that processes are in place to ensure health and safety is managed within our business in the best way possible.

By achieving this accreditation, we’re able to prove that our business is fully compliant with relevant health and safety regulations. The award recognises MCS Cleaning as a safe, responsible business you can trust for all your commercial and domestic cleaning requirements.

What Does This Mean for Our Clients?

Our clients can rest easy in the knowledge that MCS Cleaning and Maintenance is a fully accredited contractor. We meet the necessary requirements around key health and safety topics and our status is displayed on the Alcumus SafeContractor approved contractor list, showing clients that we’re safe, stable and ethical to work with.

Our Existing Accreditations and Awards

As well as our Alcumus SafeContractor accreditation, we’ve also achieved a reputable Global Excellence Award for Best Professional Cleaning Services Provider 2019 – Leicestershire. In addition, we’ve been awarded the relevant certifications with the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). You can find more information about these below:

ISO 9001

The ISO 9001 accreditation is the international standard against which a business’s quality management system (QMS) is evaluated. ISO 9001 is the world’s most recognised QMS accreditation, and it aims to help companies meet the needs of their customers more effectively. Being an ISO 9001 accredited business demonstrates that we can provide a consistent quality standard in cleaning services.

ISO 14001

The ISO 14001 accreditation relates to the environmental management system (EMS) within a business. As an ISO 14001 accredited organisation, we continuously work to identify and control the environmental impact of our activities and services. This enables us to demonstrate our commitment to protecting the environment.

Why Choose MCS Cleaning?

As evidenced by our awards and accreditations, MCS Cleaning and Maintenance is a trusted and highly professional provider of high-quality cleaning services throughout Leicester and the East Midlands. Our values continuously drive us to improve and provide the best quality services to our clients.

  • Our team consists of the very best cleaning professionals — every member of our team is highly trained, fully insured, and background checked.
  • We love the planet, which is why we use non-toxic cleaning products and have upgraded to electric vehicles.
  • We offer bespoke cleaning packages just for you, so you never pay for more than you need to.
  • We use advanced cleaning processes and high-tech equipment to ensure the best results. 
  • We give back by encouraging our employees, rewarding performance and supporting local charities.
  • We’re a family-run business with many years of experience and are trusted by clients across many industries.
  • We always strive to be even better, completing monthly site audits to address areas for improvement.

MCS Cleaning offers bespoke commercial cleaning services for businesses of all shapes and sizes in Nottingham, Leicester and the East Midlands. Contact us today to discuss your cleaning needs and receive a no-obligation quote.

The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist

spring cleaning graphic

spring cleaning graphic

The days are getting longer and the sun is making an appearance more often — spring is here!

Which means it’s time for the annual deep clean. Rid your house of the dust and grime that may have accumulated during the dark winter months and prepare your home for summer by working through our handy spring cleaning checklist.

Cleaning room-by-room breaks what may seem like an insurmountable task into manageable chunks of time, which you can spread over several days or weeks. (Or if you fancy putting your feet up, why not give us a call and let our professional cleaners do the hard work?)

The Kitchen

This is where you prepare food and possibly eat your meals, so it must be germ and bacteria-free.

  • Clean the oven — remove all grease, fat and burnt food and make the stovetop shine. To do a thorough clean, you will need to separately clean all removable items, such as the glass sheet in the door.
  • Clean the fridge and microwave — remove all food items, clean any removable parts separately and dry before refilling.
  • Defrost the freezer — this should be done at least once per year but may be needed more often if ice builds up. Allow up to 24-hours for the freezer to defrost. Your freezer will run more efficiently when excess ice is removed.
  • Clean the kitchen cabinets — remove all items and clean inside the kitchen cabinets. Food remnants, germs and bacteria can quickly accumulate in dark, damp areas that remain untouched for months at a time.
  • Mop floors and clean surfaces — use an antibacterial spray to clean countertops and mop the floor at least once. You may need to use a cloth or sponge to get into the corners and edges between the floor and the cabinets.
  • Clean the drain — this one is often missed. Food particles, fats and grease can quickly build up in a kitchen drain. This can cause unpleasant odours and blockages. There are chemical drain cleaners available or you can try natural solutions such as baking soda.

The Lounge and Dining Room

Make sure the room you serve your family and guests in is spotless and germ-free.

  • Dust surfaces and furniture — dust can irritate your skin, throat and eyes. It is also an allergen for many people. Remove any dust that has built up on the table, sideboard, window sill and other surfaces.
  • Clean the curtains — many lined curtains cannot be machine washed so check the label for washing instructions. Vacuum the curtains, then take them down and wash by hand or take them to the dry cleaners.
  • Clean the upholstery — consider how much time you spend sitting on your sofa. Now think about how often it’s cleaned. A professional upholstery cleaning service will remove hidden dirt and bacteria while protecting your prized furniture.
  • Mop or Vacuum the floor — vacuum carpeted floors, then use a carpet cleaner to remove ingrained stains and odours. Mop and polish hardwood floors to make them shine.
  • Clean the windows — remove dirt on the exterior and interior of the windows. It can be difficult to reach some windows and achieving a professional finish is not always easy, so it’s worth investing in a professional window cleaning service.
  • Clean door handles and light switches — contact points such as door handles and light switches are a breeding ground for bacteria. Clean these thoroughly using antibacterial cleaning products.

The Bedroom

This is where you probably spend around a third of every day. It’s where you come to rest and rejuvenate, so make sure that it is free from dust mites and other allergens that could lead to health conditions and discomfort.

  • Let some air in — open the windows and give the room a good airing. This is a good tip when cleaning any room, especially if you’re using chemical cleaning products.
  • Wash the bedding — most bedding can tolerate a hot wash (check the manufacturer’s instructions), which will kill dust mites, and reduce allergens.
  • Clean your mattress — your mattress can be a haven for dust and bacteria. According to research by The Sleep Council, we lose up to half a pint of fluid each night and shed around 10gm of skin per week. Vacuum and rotate the mattress, then leave it to air for a few hours before remaking it.
  • Clean floors and curtains — follow the steps outlined previously for cleaning carpets and curtains.
  • Have a clear out — okay, so this isn’t strictly a cleaning job, but the annual spring clean is a great time to sort through your clothes and pass anything you don’t wear anymore to charity.

The Bathroom

You come to the bathroom to get clean, which is tricky to do if the room is unsanitary. The chances are you keep this room pretty clean on a day-to-day basis but we bet there’s a few hidden spots that go ignored outside of the annual spring clean.

  • Clean the tiles and grout — over time, the surface of tiles can collect dirt and debris. Grouting is porous and can also absorb dirt. Scrub your tiles using hot water to remove grime.
  • Clean and disinfect the bath and basin — remove any mildew or mould and get ready to scrub that tub. There are plenty of eco-friendly cleaning products available that will deliver results without harming the environment.
  • Vacuum the fan — this one is easily missed. Vacuum the dust around the bathroom fan, then use soap and water to remove tougher stains.
  • Disinfect the toilet — you may squirt a little loo cleaner around the toilet rim regularly, but during a deep clean you should add a powerful detergent to the bowl and leave it for a few hours to remove stains and germs.
  • Mop and scrub the floor — if your floor is tiled and grouted, it will need scrubbing, otherwise mop with an anti-bacterial cleaning fluid.

Customise this checklist by adding any additional rooms or spaces in your home. Using a checklist means that nothing gets missed or forgotten — and it’s satisfying ticking off another job done!

If this all sounds like a lot of work to fit in around work, childcare and other commitments, why not get in touch with MCS Cleaning and Maintenance? We have a team of professional and friendly domestic cleaners ready to spring into action and deep clean your home throughout. Contact us to discuss your needs and schedule a visit today.

How to Choose a Cleaning Company for Your Business

Woman using sponge and detergent for floor cleaning

Woman using sponge and detergent for floor cleaning

Maintaining a clean and hygienic workplace has never been so important.

As the government gradually eases restrictions imposed to control the spread of COVID-19, businesses are beginning to open their doors. With employees returning to the workplace and customers being welcomed onto business premises once again, employers have a responsibility to keep people safe by ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness.

A quick look online will probably reveal lots of cleaning companies in your area. But how do you know which one you can rely on? Use our handy checklist for how to choose a cleaning company.

1. Is the Company Insured?

You’ve spent years building up your business and creating a work environment that employees, customers and guests feel comfortable in. Why risk being left with unsightly damage that will cost a fortune to repair?

Check that any cleaning company you hire is fully insured. They should also be covered by special risk insurance that provides protection from specific damage to your property.

2. Do Their Prices Offer Value for Money?

“Value” does not always mean “cheapest”. Are the prices fair and reasonable for a professional cleaning service delivered by an experienced team using the most advanced equipment? Does the company offer to price match quotes provided by similar competitors?

When deciding if the company offers value for money, consider what else they offer besides the basic services. Can the company cater for your specific needs? Do they offer added value, for example using environmentally friendly products, investing in staff training and demonstrating a commitment to maintaining high standards of quality?

3. Does the Company Serve Your Location?

This may sound like a no-brainer, but there’s no point searching for “the best commercial cleaning company” and selecting the top choice if they don’t have the capacity to visit your premises.

Instead, narrow down your research by using phrases such as “cleaning services Leicester” or “commercial cleaning services near me”. And don’t rely solely on the internet. Ask around locally. Word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising — a recommendation from someone in your local business network is worth its weight in gold.

4. Does the Company Have Accreditations and Testimonials?

Look the company up on social media and see what their customers are saying about them. Are there positive reviews on Facebook? Do they have a good rating on Google Reviews?

Accreditations with industry organisations are also a good sign that a company is trustworthy and committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Look on the business’ website to see if the company has achieved any relevant certifications with the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). Have they received any industry awards?

5. Are Staff Well-Trained and Monitored?

Commercial cleaning requires a wide range of skills and experience. You may need industry-specific or bespoke cleaning services for your business. Does the company invest in training its people and regularly monitoring their performance?

If it’s not apparent from the company website, ask how staff are selected, trained and supported to develop. All employees should receive comprehensive induction and safety training as well as ongoing monitoring and support. This helps to ensure that quality standards are maintained and that working practices protect people from harm. Furthermore, well-supported employees who feel confident in their role are more likely to be motivated to perform at their best.

6. Does the Company Directly Employ Its Cleaners?

Some cleaning companies outsource their recruitment to agencies. This can result in a mixed bag of experience and professionalism. Agency staff will also be less committed to the company and its values than direct employees.

Small, family-run businesses have to work hard to build and maintain their reputation, so they will be highly motivated to do a great job. They will also have greater control over their workforce and are less likely to struggle with capacity — agency workers can choose not to work at the last minute, which could leave you high and dry.

7. How Organised Is the Company?

If you’re running a business, the service you pay for must be delivered on time and to the required standard.

Are there processes and systems in place to make sure that the service you have booked is delivered without fail? Is there a routine of monitoring and auditing the service? It shouldn’t be down to the business owner to keep tabs on the cleaning service and flag any issues.

How does the company ensure the highest standards of hygiene? Cross-contamination can spread germs and bacteria, resulting in illness and sickness absence, so there should be a system in place to prevent this — for example, using a colour-coding procedure.

8. When Is the Service Available?

Business hours will vary depending on the industry and potentially the season. Check that a cleaning service provider offers the flexibility to accommodate your preferred schedule before signing up.

Most organisations choose to have cleaning completed outside their main hours of operation to prevent disruption to employees and customers. If a cleaning company has limited availability, this could negatively impact your experience with them.

9. Does the Company Meet Your ‘Green’ Standards?

According to the HSBC’s “Made for the Future” report, almost half of UK companies are planning to increase their spending on eco-friendly initiatives before the summer of 2021. Recent research suggests that the coronavirus pandemic may also have made consumers more concerned with sustainability.

If your company is committed to boosting its green credentials and operating more sustainably, check that the cleaning company you hire has values that align with these objectives. Do they use eco-friendly products and packaging where possible?

Choosing a cleaning company for your business is a big decision. You need to be confident that the company can deliver the level of expertise you require and that they will provide a reliable service that meets stringent quality standards. Do your research and take the time to find a service that aligns with the specific needs and values of your business to avoid unnecessary stress, hassle and expense.

MCS Cleaning and Maintenance provides a wide range of commercial cleaning services that meet the needs of businesses across diverse industries, from retail outlets to educational settings and factories. We can also provide a bespoke service tailored to your specific requirements.

We are a small, family-run business with a highly trained team of cleaning professionals. Get in touch today to discuss your needs and request a quote.

How to Keep an Office Safe from Coronavirus — Reducing the Risk

Janitor wiping table in office

Janitor wiping table in office

With 2021 off to a shaky start due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been hard to predict what will happen to workspaces over the coming months.

Whilst some offices may remain shut forever, it is likely that more offices will begin to re-open in line with government guidance in the coming months. The new normal for working conditions is set to be a hybrid working approach, with employees given the ability to work both from home and in the office when required. With that in mind, knowing how to keep an office safe from coronavirus is vital.

Unsurprisingly, a reported two-thirds of employees are anxious about returning to work as lockdown measures are gradually relaxed. This anxiety stems from the lingering fear surrounding the risk workspaces might still pose in the transmission of coronavirus.

While it’s understandable to experience a little apprehension as we venture back to the office, at MCS Cleaning and Maintenance, we know that this nervousness can be eased by guaranteeing the office common spaces will be a healthy environment. Engaging in maintenance cleaning and office cleaning practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 comes down to the same basic tenets: having a solid plan and a great cleaning team.

Ways to Keep Your Office Safe from Coronavirus

Before businesses reopen their offices to allow employees back full-time or part-time, they need to implement optimal hygiene practices and solutions. This will enable them to reduce the risk of viruses and colds spreading (which is always welcomed, whether COVID-19 is a concern or not).

Some ways businesses can keep their offices safe are:

  • Increasing the availability of disinfectant wipes and virus-killing hand sanitisers and ensuring everyone knows how to use them effectively. As an added touch, good quality unscented lotion around the office will keep everyone’s hands from drying out from regular sanitisation. Encourage everyone in the office to commit to regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces.
  • Hiring a professional cleaning and disinfecting service for the office to reduce the occurrence of germs and bacteria in the workplace.
  • Where possible, implementing touch-reducing amenities — such as double-swinging push doors, motion-sensor lights and other hands-free interfaces — to reduce germs in high-traffic areas.
  • Requiring everyone to clean equipment, workstations and surfaces as soon as they leave or move to a different spot in offices with the option for flexible seating or desk sharing.

What’s the Right Office Cleaning Process?

While most people’s reaction to the virus has defaulted to “disinfect everything”, having a thorough cleaning process in place for everyday situations (as well as disinfection) is highly recommended when it comes to keeping your office safe from coronavirus. But what’s the difference between cleaning and disinfection?

Cleaning is for routine health and wellness. Washing down surfaces using a green cleaner or a simple soap-and-water solution can make them safe by removing dust and dirt. This also physically removes germs by picking them up (either in a paper towel or cloth) to safely remove them.

Disinfection kills germs using a chemical process. Disinfection is recommended only when risk is present. For example, someone has been working in or visiting the office while carrying a contagious illness; it doesn’t have to occur for routine cleaning.

Develop an Office Cleanliness Plan

Following a regular cleaning and disinfection schedule for the workplace is the best way to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, as combined, they help to maintain the hygiene of workspaces and the health of employees.

While no cleaning schedule is one-size-fits-all, a daily practice of cleaning high-touch areas — such as desks, chair backs and door handles — along with an intermittent practice of deep cleaning (including things like upholstery, window treatments and carpets) and sanitising surfaces can create a healthy environment year-round.

At MCS, we take all the hassle of developing an office cleanliness plan off of business’s shoulders. Our experienced management team will carry out a full survey of the office premises. We’ll then use our specialist scheduling program to devise a completely bespoke cleaning regime that is tailored to every individual office’s cleaning requirements and requested cleaning frequency. Our planning stages ensure that we maximise efficiencies and provide real value for money, helping to keep our rates competitive. Once we’ve prepared your custom-built office cleaning strategy and schedule, we’ll implement the office cleaning plan.

MCS Cleaning: Our Office Cleaning Services

Coming up with a plan and covering all the necessary areas is great in promoting a healthier, cleaner office environment. Once done, the objective is to maintain that level of enthusiasm within the office. At MCS, our family-run office cleaning services in Leicester can help you to do this, as well as aid in your preparation for the safe re-opening of your workplace by including:

  • Routine office cleaning, scheduled to fit your needs.
  • Comprehensive deep cleans that go over your office with a fine-tooth comb.
  • Ensuring your premises, including reception, offices, stairwells, corridors, workshops, kitchens, canteens and washroom facilities, are maintained to a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene.
  • High standards of workplace presentation for your staff, visitors and customers.
  • Office cleaning, undertaken at times that best suit your operations, whether that be in the mornings, evenings or throughout the day.

Is your business preparing a return to the workplace in the near future? MCS Cleaning has developed a fully comprehensive service for cleaning, hygiene and bacteria control in the workplace, helping your business to overcome this crisis and return to work safely. Plus, we throw in a free site audit each month to make sure your office is as clean and hygienic as possible. Interested? Contact a member of our friendly team for a bespoke cleaning quote.