Erasmus+ Project “CleanMind Initiative”

Erasmus+ Project

Erasmus+ Project “CleanMind Initiative”

The international project “CleanMind Initiative” will take place from 2025 to 2027. The project involves three countries – Estonia, Finland, and Sweden. Its aim is to develop and test outcome-based cleaning practices that are grounded in actual needs, research, and environmentally sustainable principles.
As part of the project, various learning materials will be created to provide guidance for cleaning operatives, trainers, and service purchasers. The learning materials focus on implementing effective cleaning methods, using resources efficiently, and applying ESG principles in everyday work.

Description of Outcome-Based Cleaning

The goal is to develop and test outcome-based cleaning, which is guided by actual needs and measurable results, because currently public spaces are often cleaned too frequently and inefficiently. During the project, we aim to explore how people perceive cleanliness and the need for cleaning. We also want to determine how research findings and ESG principles can help shape more effective cleaning methods. The objective is to change people’s mindset about cleaning—finding ways to create cleanliness while using as few resources as possible.

How We Plan to Achieve Results

Conduct experiments in public restrooms to explore how people perceive cleanliness and the need for cleaning.
Review and analyse relevant research articles to inform our approach.
Develop learning materials for cleaning based on ESG principles, emphasizing environmental and social responsibility.
Create outcome-based cleaning guidelines drawing on experiments, research findings, and ESG principles.
Produce training videos on outcome-based cleaning.
Share insights and practices in outcome-based cleaning through a webinar.

Impact of Outcome-Based Cleaning on Different Resources

The next goal is to investigate how outcome-based cleaning affects working hours, the use of cleaning supplies and chemicals, and the level of cleanliness. We aim to clearly demonstrate whether research- and need-based cleaning can help reduce resource consumption, improve cleaning quality, and be more environmentally friendly. During this project, we will collect data, conduct comparisons, and carry out real-life experiments in three countries to find a balance between cleanliness, environmental sustainability, and resource use.

How We Plan to Achieve the Results?

We will map the current cleaning practices at three test sites and conduct experiments using different methods—INSTA800, ATP, and Hygicult—to assess working hours, the use of supplies and cleaning agents, and cleanliness levels.
Next, we will train the cleaning staff using the information obtained from the experiments. Then, we will conduct new tests to evaluate how effective the materials we have developed are.
Share the results through seminars and an international webinar to support mindset change and practical implementation.

Changing Mindsets to Realise the Benefits of Outcome-Based Cleaning

Finally, the aim is to focus on developing a web application and materials that help change attitudes towards outcome-based cleaning. We want to demonstrate that research- and need-based cleaning is not costly, but instead helps save time, resources, and money. This work package supports cleaning staff, trainers, and service purchasers in adopting new working methods and applying them in everyday cleaning practices.

How We Plan to Achieve the Outcome?

Develop a cleaning development calculator that analyses working time and resource use and shows whether and how need-based cleaning delivers benefits.
Record 12 cleaning-related podcast episodes to share practical tips and raise awareness in the cleaning sector.
Produce training videos and learning materials so that, after the project ends, outcome-based cleaners can be trained using the project outputs.
Organise international seminars and webinars to share the materials created in the project with as wide an audience as possible.

Project partners:

Puhastusekspert OÜ
Propuhtaus
Visera AB
Project news and updates are shared on the Puhastusekspert blog