{"id":23497,"date":"2025-10-30T10:01:51","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T08:01:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/articles\/needs-based-cleaning-in-iceland-an-experience-that-elevates-cleaning-to-a-new-level\/"},"modified":"2025-10-30T10:01:51","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T08:01:51","slug":"needs-based-cleaning-in-iceland-an-experience-that-elevates-cleaning-to-a-new-level","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/en\/articles\/needs-based-cleaning-in-iceland-an-experience-that-elevates-cleaning-to-a-new-level\/","title":{"rendered":"Needs-based Cleaning in Iceland \u2013 an Experience that Elevates Cleaning to a New Level"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_13801\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13801\" style=\"width: 538px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13800\" src=\"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/DSC01600-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"538\" height=\"358\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13801\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Iceland and Puhastusekspert Team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-start=\"154\" data-end=\"487\"><strong data-start=\"154\" data-end=\"171\">October 2024<\/strong> was special for our team \u2013 for two weeks, we had the opportunity to work with specialists from the large Icelandic cleaning company <strong data-start=\"280\" data-end=\"293\">Solar ehf<\/strong> to develop and optimize their cleaning processes.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"154\" data-end=\"487\">Our goal was to find practical solutions that would help make cleaning more efficient and needs-based, and to improve service quality. This opportunity arose thanks to <strong data-start=\"514\" data-end=\"593\">Erasmus+ mobility project no. 2023-1-EE01-KA121-VET-000133792<\/strong>, which supported our learning mobility and provided an opportunity to share our knowledge and experience in an international environment. <\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"489\" data-end=\"701\">Cleaning in Iceland \u2013 Current Situation and Challenges<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"768\" data-end=\"996\">Approximately <strong data-start=\"788\" data-end=\"807\">376,000 people<\/strong> live in Iceland, a significant portion of whom work in the service sector, including cleaning. A large number of cleaning staff are from Poland, which makes teamwork international and diverse. In Iceland, the quality of cleaning work is assessed according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/teenused\/koristuskvaliteedi-hindamine\/\"><strong data-start=\"1043\" data-end=\"1065\">INSTA800 standard<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 this is a quality assessment system that allows for objective measurement and control of cleaning results.  <\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"768\" data-end=\"996\">How We Improved Cleaning<\/h2>\n<h3 data-start=\"1325\" data-end=\"1375\"><strong data-start=\"1329\" data-end=\"1375\">1. Analysis of Cleaning Methods and Supplies<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1376\" data-end=\"1467\">First, we conducted a thorough review of the methods and supplies currently in use:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1468\" data-end=\"1636\">\n<li data-start=\"1468\" data-end=\"1523\">How often is cleaning performed and according to what principles?<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1524\" data-end=\"1580\">Why have the current cleaning agents and supplies been selected?<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1581\" data-end=\"1636\">What are the biggest current challenges in cleaning?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1638\" data-end=\"1727\">Based on the analysis, we made recommendations to simplify the work. Our goal was not to make changes just for the sake of change. We aimed to find solutions that solve problems and make cleaning more efficient.  <\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1729\" data-end=\"1785\"><strong data-start=\"1733\" data-end=\"1785\">2. Optimizing the Dampening of Cleaning Textiles<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1786\" data-end=\"1981\">We placed great emphasis on the dampening of cleaning textiles. We conducted experiments with <strong data-start=\"1811\" data-end=\"1842\">dampening<\/strong> cleaning cloths to find the exact amount of liquid needed to dampen one cloth and described the dampening process. As a result of the testing, we found that specifically for Solar ehf&#8217;s cloths, 20ml of moisture per cloth worked best. We also documented the test results in <strong data-start=\"1937\" data-end=\"1955\">training videos<\/strong> to ensure a consistent understanding within the company.   <\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1983\" data-end=\"2033\"><strong data-start=\"1987\" data-end=\"2033\">3. Optimizing the Use of Cleaning Agents<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2034\" data-end=\"2265\">We identified that the cleaning company used various cleaning agents, and several of them were in spray bottles. Analyzing the data revealed that, for example, <strong data-start=\"2111\" data-end=\"2126\">974 bottles<\/strong> of cleaning agents were used annually. We conducted an experiment where we determined that to empty one spray bottle, it had to be sprayed <strong data-start=\"2202\" data-end=\"2215\">800 times<\/strong> \u2013 such an activity is strenuous and unergonomic for the cleaning operative&#8217;s body.  <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2267\" data-end=\"2613\">We found that, in fact, <strong data-start=\"2323\" data-end=\"2362\">one universal cleaning agent<\/strong> is sufficient for daily cleaning, with only one additional cleaning agent for salt removal during winter. A major challenge was dosing \u2013 how to find the easiest and simplest solution for dosing? We jointly tested several solutions using measuring spoons, cups, and pipettes. The solution turned out to be a <strong data-start=\"2449\" data-end=\"2474\">tablet-based system<\/strong>, where the cleaning agent solution is prepared in the cleaning room using water and a tablet \u2013 this ensures <strong data-start=\"2560\" data-end=\"2612\">precise dosing and reduced chemical load<\/strong>.   <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13806\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13806\" style=\"width: 439px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13805\" src=\"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/20241025_110935371_iOS-scaled-e1739862965911.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"439\" height=\"327\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13806\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">On the left, 150 g of cloths, and on the right, 1.5 kg of mops.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 data-start=\"2615\" data-end=\"2649\"><strong data-start=\"2619\" data-end=\"2649\">4. More Efficient Floor Cleaning<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>During the development work, we conducted an experiment where we cleaned the same area with the mops previously in use and, for comparison, with a floor squeegee and cloths. As a result of the testing, it was found that cleaning the same area in the current manner required 1.5 kg of mops, compared to 150 g of cloths with the new method. This means that by adopting the new tool, the <strong data-start=\"2920\" data-end=\"2991\">resources spent on washing cleaning textiles can be reduced 10-fold<\/strong>!  <\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2999\" data-end=\"3023\"><strong data-start=\"3002\" data-end=\"3023\">Results and Impact<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"3024\" data-end=\"3451\"><strong data-start=\"3027\" data-end=\"3091\">Solar&#8217;s key personnel acquired new knowledge and skills<\/strong> that will help them better organize their daily work.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3024\" data-end=\"3451\"><strong data-start=\"3149\" data-end=\"3163\">Training videos<\/strong> create an opportunity for all employees to understand the cleaning processes uniformly.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3024\" data-end=\"3451\"><strong data-start=\"3239\" data-end=\"3268\">Cleaning agent consumption decreases<\/strong>, which means a smaller environmental impact and more sustainable cleaning.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3024\" data-end=\"3451\"><strong data-start=\"3341\" data-end=\"3373\">Employee workload decreases<\/strong> because physically demanding activities were replaced with more ergonomic solutions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"517\" data-end=\"793\">Training in Iceland also greatly developed us <strong data-start=\"559\" data-end=\"574\">as a company<\/strong> \u2013 we were able to share our <strong data-start=\"594\" data-end=\"627\">decades of experience<\/strong> and put our <strong data-start=\"641\" data-end=\"686\">skills to the test on an international level<\/strong>. This was a valuable experience that proved that our knowledge and approach to cleaning are world-class, and that <strong data-start=\"3517\" data-end=\"3609\">cleaning can be simple and effective when done consciously and purposefully<\/strong>! <\/p>\n<p data-start=\"795\" data-end=\"1085\"><strong data-start=\"795\" data-end=\"844\">Solar&#8217;s feedback on our work was outstanding<\/strong> \u2013 in their estimation, there are no better trainers and cleaning service practitioners in the world than the <strong data-start=\"934\" data-end=\"963\">Puhastusekspert team<\/strong>! This is a great recognition for us and gives us motivation to continue our mission \u2013 to jointly create a consciously cleaner world!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"154\" data-end=\"487\"><strong data-start=\"154\" data-end=\"171\">October 2024<\/strong> was special for our team \u2013 for two weeks, we had the opportunity to work with specialists from the large Icelandic cleaning company <strong data-start=\"280\" data-end=\"293\">Solar ehf<\/strong> to develop and optimize their cleaning processes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/en\/articles\/needs-based-cleaning-in-iceland-an-experience-that-elevates-cleaning-to-a-new-level\/\" class=\"read-more\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":13801,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23497","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"blocksy_meta":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23497","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23497"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23497\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23497"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23497"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/puhastusekspert.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23497"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}