Free UK Delivery (mainland) on orders over £150
As a business owner in the hospitality industry, you must consider numerous variables to ensure success. Recently, the industry faced economic challenges, with consumer spending in hospitality dropping to less than 70% of pre-pandemic levels in May 2021, and turnover one-quarter lower than in 2019. Despite these setbacks, the industry is experiencing a resurgence and steadier growth in 2024, projected to continue into 2025.
However, challenges remain, including evolving customer expectations, new health and safety regulations, and technological advancements. Businesses must continually adapt to stay competitive.
Clean Floors Boost Revenue in the Hospitality Sector | How does effective floorcare boost revenue?
One crucial aspect is cleanliness standards. In the UK, food and drink establishments must follow regulations to ensure cleanliness and food safety. Effective floor care can significantly boost revenue and overall business success. A 5-point increase in cleanliness scores can lead to a 1.3% boost in average monthly sales. For each additional star in a restaurant’s review related to cleanliness, revenue can grow by 5-9%. Cleaner locations consistently report higher customer satisfaction scores and significantly better sales. Now we’ve recognised the significance of cleanliness impacting revenue, let’s delve into some methods and practices that will ensure excellent floorcare.
How do you ensure efficient floorcare in Hospitality?
Floor cleaning (during business hours)
Ensuring you can have a schedule for your cleaning routine is essential. Creating an orderly routine outlining which employee(s) are responsible for each task.
Often, floor cleaning takes place after business hours because employees aren’t occupied with customers and it’s more convenient when the seating or dining area is empty. But you should ensure your cleaning tasks are taking place throughout the day. Clearing tables frequently becomes the primary focus, ensuring the area is ready for the next guest. But most people acknowledge the floor directly below their feet. And if guests have bags, nobody wants to place them on a dirty floor. You should try and ensure that when each table is cleared, the floor beneath, and the surrounding area is clear of rubbish and debris.
Solutions
Quick Sweeping: Use a broom to swiftly sweep the floor, this is a cost-effective solution, but you will need to ensure you can effectively pick up the debris rather than moving it somewhere else. You should also brush gently to avoid dirt and dust becoming airborne which could settle on surfaces and reduce air quality.
Handheld Cordless Vacuum: Alternatively, opt for a small, handheld cordless vacuum for efficient floor cleaning such as the Victor Nimrod
- Low Noise Level: Choose a vacuum with a low noise level to minimise disturbances to customers.
- Battery Life: Ensure the vacuum has sufficient battery life to last through daily operations.
- Swappable Batteries: Consider models with swappable batteries to double the available power.
- Mounting Solution: Look for vacuums with compatible mounting solutions for organised storage and convenient charging while mounted.
Floor Cleaning (outside of business hours)
Cleaning floors outside of business hours, when there are no customers present, is the best time for handling the bulk of cleaning tasks. This is when you’ll need to address the cleaning schedule for maximum efficiency. Here are the steps for effective floor care.
Solutions
- Remove or Clear Non-Fixed Furnishings: Start by stacking chairs or placing chairs on tables to clear the floor space. Don’t just clean around obstructions as you’ll miss areas but more than anything else, it is awkward and will take longer to clean the floor.
- Broom or Commercial Vacuum You could use a broom, preferably a wide broom. But be cautious when sweeping as dust and dirt can become airborne, reducing air quality, and causing the dust to settle on other surfaces. Additionally, using a broom can be physically demanding, especially in a large environment. An excellent example of a commercial vacuum is the Victor V9, which boasts industrial-standard suction and a high-visibility cable.
- Scrubber Dryer or Mop: After removing debris, use either a scrubber dryer or a mop. While using a mop is cost-effective, it can be laborious and time-consuming. You should also be careful not to leave the floor saturated as this could damage the floor and create a slipping hazard. Consider using a small scrubber dryer, such as the Victor Hyperglide, which resembles an upright vacuum cleaner, or the SD12 Scrubber Dryer, one of the most compact scrubber dryers on the market. Both machines are user-friendly and require basic maintenance. The benefit of using these machines is that they can easily pick up water after application, preventing saturation and reducing the slipping hazard. It also makes floor cleaning quicker and easier.
- Inspect Edges and Corners: Finally, inspect the edges and corners of the floor space where dirt often gathers. Skirting boards are frequently knocked and scuffed in busy environments. To clean these areas, use a damp cloth. For increased efficiency, consider using a tool such as the Victor Mini Scrubber, which is easily adjustable for a variety of tasks and is the perfect solution for cleaning confined areas.
Reactive Cleaning
Cleaning floors is required immediately when items are dropped, causing spillage or breakages.
Glass Smashing
When glass is smashed, smaller fragments can travel surprisingly far. Immediate action is crucial because you may not only have a wet floor, creating a slip hazard, but also a risk of severe injury if customers are exposed to the glass, especially those wearing open-toe shoes. Such injuries could lead to serious consequences. As the business owner, you could be liable for any claims made against you for negligence, and in some cases, people can claim significant amounts.
Spillages
You should be vigilant when it comes to spillages, as they can create health and safety hazards. Particularly in bars and pubs, this is likely to be a regular occurrence. Customers may not always inform staff when drinks are spilt, especially if it’s only a minor spill. Therefore, staff should make regular inspections of the floor space.
Solutions
Glass Smashing
- Wear Appropriate PPE: Always wear protective gloves to pick up larger pieces of glass.
- Broom/Dustpan & Brush: Sweep up larger fragments using a broom and dustpan. Be gentle to avoid scattering the glass.
- Commercial Vacuum: Alternatively, use a small handheld vacuum such as the Victor Nimrod which is a convenient solution for quick and effective pick-up of tiny shards that may be hard to see. However, be careful not to pick up large pieces, as they could damage the vacuum’s internal mechanisms.
Spillages
- Immediate Response: Clean up spills immediately to prevent slip hazards. Use absorbent materials like paper towels or mops. If it’s a large spill, we’d suggest using a machine such as the Victor Hyperglide, this machine is exceptionally straightforward and available in a cordless version & it’s also the size & weight of an upright vacuum so you won’t cause disturbance to customers.
- Signage: Place wet floor signs around the area until it is completely dry.
- Regular Inspections: Staff should perform regular checks of the floor space to identify and address any spills promptly.
Employee Retention & Training
Employees should not be expected to intuitively know the requirements for cleaning floors, as basic as it may sound. Staff should receive comprehensive training to ensure compliance with regulations, understand health and safety risks, and enhance their operational efficiency.
Unfortunately, the hospitality industry tends to have high staff turnover, averaging 73.8% annually. Employers should strive to retain skilled staff by ensuring fair wages, maintaining good morale, and offering promotion opportunities where possible. These efforts will contribute to a more motivated and stable workforce, which will be reflected in higher standards throughout the establishment.
Clean Floors Boost Revenue in the Hospitality Sector | Summary
We’ve reviewed methods and solutions for optimising your cleaning routine, which will hopefully provide valuable insights. Maintaining excellent standards in floor care will significantly contribute to your business’s success. A staggering 75% of customers would avoid a restaurant with a low hygiene rating. Additionally, implementing cleaner practices can increase foot traffic by 8%, thereby boosting revenue.
If you have a business in the hospitality industry that needs support with cleaning operations, speak to our team today.
