Need-based cleaning in Iceland – an experience that takes cleaning to a new level

October 2024 was special for our team – we were able to work with specialists from a large Icelandic cleaning company, Solar ehf, for 2 weeks to develop and streamline their cleaning processes.

Our goal was to find practical solutions that would help make cleaning more efficient and needs-based, and to improve the quality of the service. This opportunity opened up thanks to the Erasmus+ mobility project 2023-1-EE01-KA121-VET-000133792, which supported our learning mobility and gave us the opportunity to share our knowledge and experiences in an international environment.

Cleaning in Iceland – Current Situation and Challenges

Iceland has a population of approximately 376,000 people, with a significant portion working in the service sector, including the cleaning industry. A large number of cleaning professionals in Iceland come from Poland, making the workforce international and diverse. Cleaning quality in Iceland is assessed using the INSTA800 standard—a quality assessment system that allows for objective measurement and control of cleaning results.

How Did We Improve Solar ehf Cleaning?

1. Analysis of Cleaning Methods and Equipment

Our first step was to conduct a comprehensive review of the cleaning methods and tools in use:

• How often is cleaning performed, and what principles guide it?
• What is the reasoning behind the current selection of cleaning soaps and equipment?
• What are the biggest challenges in cleaning today?

Based on our analysis, we provided recommendations to help simplify and improve the work. Our goal was not to change things for the sake of change but to find solutions that would solve existing problems and make cleaning more efficient.

2. Optimizing the Moistening of Cleaning Textiles

A major focus was placed on the correct moistening of cleaning textiles. We conducted tests on microfiber cloths, determining the exact amount of liquid needed per cloth and describing the moistening process. Through these tests, we found that for Solar efh cloths, the optimal moisture level was 20 ml per cloth. These test results were also documented in training videos, ensuring a consistent understanding among employees.

3. Optimizing the Use of Cleaning Soaps

Our analysis showed that the cleaning company used various cleaning soaps, many of which were stored in spray bottles. After reviewing usage data, we found that in one year, the company consumed 974 bottles of cleaning solution.We conducted a test and discovered that emptying a single spray bottle required 800 sprays—a highly repetitive motion that is physically demanding and ergonomically unfavorable for cleaning staff.

As a result, we identified that a single universal cleaning soap is sufficient for daily cleaning, with one additional product needed in winter to remove salt residues. One of the biggest challenges was finding the easiest and most convenient dosing solution. Together with the team, we tested several solutions, including measuring spoons, cups, and pipettes. The final solution turned out to be a tablet-based system, where the cleaning solution is prepared in the cleaning room using water and a dissolvable tablet. This ensures precise dosing and reduces chemical exposure.

4. More Efficient Floor Cleaning

During the development process, we conducted a test comparing two floor-cleaning methods:

• The current method, using traditional mops
• A new method, using a floor squeegee combined with cloths

The results were significant. To clean the same area, the current method required 1.5 kg of mops, while the new method only needed 150 g of cloths. This means that by adopting the new method, the amount of textiles requiring laundering could be reduced by 10 times, leading to substantial savings in water, energy, and detergent usage.

Results and Impact

✅ Solar’s key personnel gained new knowledge and skills, enabling them to better organize daily cleaning operations.
✅ Training videos ensure that all employees understand cleaning processes in the same way, improving consistency and efficiency.
✅ Reduced consumption of cleaning soaps, leading to lower environmental impact and more sustainable cleaning practices.
✅ Reduced physical workload for employees, as physically demanding tasks were replaced with more ergonomic solutions.

A Valuable International Experience

Training in Iceland was also a great learning experience for us as a company. We had the opportunity to share our decades of experience, apply our expertise on an international level, and prove that our knowledge and approach to cleaning are world-class. This experience reinforced our belief that cleaning can be simple and highly effective when approached with knowledge and purpose.

Solar’s feedback on our work was overwhelmingly positive—they stated that there are no better trainers and cleaning industry practitioners in the world than the Puhastusekspert team! This is a huge recognition for us and a strong motivation to continue our mission—to create a cleaner world through knowledge and expertise!