Rapid Blog – Rapid Clean

What to Include When Requesting a Commercial Cleaning Quote

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:00:16 GMT

When looking for a new commercial cleaning provider, requesting a quote is often the first step. But to get an accurate, reliable proposal, it’s important to provide the right information upfront.

Without clear details, quotes can vary significantly - leading to unexpected costs, gaps in service, or misunderstandings later on.

Here’s what you should include when requesting a commercial cleaning quote to ensure you receive a service that truly meets your needs.

1. Size and Type of Your Facility

One of the first things a cleaning company will need to know is the size of your premises.

This can include:

Total square footage
Number of floors
Types of spaces (offices, washrooms, kitchens, communal areas)

Different environments require different cleaning approaches. For example, a healthcare setting will have very different requirements compared to a standard office.

Providing accurate details helps ensure the quote reflects the true scope of work.

2. Cleaning Frequency

How often you require cleaning is a key factor in determining cost and scheduling.

Consider:

Daily, weekly or periodic cleaning
Daytime or out-of-hours services
High-traffic areas that may need more frequent attention

Clear expectations around frequency allow cleaning providers to build a realistic and effective schedule.

3. Scope of Work

Being specific about what you need cleaned will help avoid confusion later on.

This might include:

General cleaning (desks, floors, surfaces)
Washroom sanitation
Kitchen or breakout area cleaning
Window cleaning
Specialist services (carpet cleaning, deep cleans, disinfection)

The more detailed your scope, the more accurate and tailored your quote will be.

4. Current Challenges or Pain Points

If you are switching cleaning providers, it’s helpful to explain why.

For example:

Inconsistent standards
Poor communication
Missed tasks or lack of reliability

Sharing these challenges allows a new provider to address concerns from the outset and build a service that works better for your business.

5. Site Access and Operational Requirements

Practical details about how your site operates are just as important as the cleaning itself.

This can include:

Access times and security procedures
On-site parking or restrictions
Health and safety requirements
Any areas with restricted access

These factors help cleaning teams plan efficiently and avoid disruption to your day-to-day operations.

6. Budget and Expectations

While not always essential, having an idea of your budget can help guide the conversation.

It allows cleaning providers to recommend solutions that align with your expectations - whether that’s a comprehensive daily service or a more focused, cost-effective approach.

Why Getting It Right Matters

A well-prepared quote request doesn’t just save time - it leads to better results.

It ensures:

Accurate pricing
Clear expectations
A service tailored to your environment
Fewer issues down the line

Ultimately, it sets the foundation for a strong, long-term working relationship.

Partnering with the Right Cleaning Provider

At Rapid Clean, we take the time to understand your requirements in detail before creating a tailored cleaning plan.

We work closely with businesses across a range of sectors, delivering reliable, high-quality cleaning services that support safe, professional environments.

Request a Tailored Cleaning Quote

If you’re looking for a commercial cleaning partner you can rely on, we’re here to help.

Get in touch with Rapid Clean today to request a tailored quote built around your exact needs.

What Are the Recommended Cleaning Schedules for UK Primary Schools?

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:00:02 GMT

Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is essential in UK primary schools. With hundreds of pupils, staff and visitors moving through the building each day, germs can spread quickly if cleaning routines are not well managed.

A structured cleaning schedule helps ensure classrooms, communal areas and facilities remain safe, hygienic and welcoming for everyone. While every school is different, there are recommended cleaning frequencies that help maintain high standards throughout the week.

Here’s a helpful guide to typical cleaning schedules for primary schools.

Daily Cleaning Tasks

Daily cleaning forms the foundation of school hygiene. High-traffic areas and frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected every day to reduce the spread of germs.

Typical daily cleaning tasks include:

Cleaning and disinfecting desks and classroom surfaces
Wiping down door handles, light switches and handrails
Vacuuming carpets and mopping hard floors
Emptying bins and replacing liners
Cleaning washrooms and restocking supplies
Sanitising dining areas and shared equipment

Daily cleaning ensures pupils and staff return to a fresh, hygienic environment each day.

Weekly Cleaning Tasks

Weekly cleaning helps maintain areas that may not require daily attention but still need regular care to maintain hygiene and presentation.

Common weekly tasks include:

Deep cleaning classroom floors
Cleaning internal windows and glass surfaces
Wiping down skirting boards and furniture
Cleaning inside kitchen appliances and cupboards
Disinfecting lockers and storage areas

These additional tasks help maintain cleanliness throughout the school while preventing build-up of dirt and bacteria.

Termly or Periodic Deep Cleaning

Alongside daily and weekly routines, many schools schedule periodic deep cleaning throughout the academic year.

This may include:

Carpet cleaning or floor polishing
Deep cleaning washrooms and changing areas
Cleaning ventilation grilles and high-level surfaces
Detailed cleaning of sports halls or assembly spaces

Periodic deep cleaning helps protect school facilities and ensures the environment remains safe and well maintained for long-term use.

"We have been using Rapid Clean for a few years at our school. Always attentive to our needs and our Contracts Manager comes out each month to check on the cleaning by the daily cleaners. He has been great at keeping the good work standard up. Thanks from the L & L team."

- Lyne & Longcross CofE Primary School - Chertsey (Surrey)

Flexibility Around the School Timetable

Primary schools operate on busy schedules, so cleaning services often work outside teaching hours to avoid disruption.

Professional cleaning teams typically carry out most tasks after school or early in the morning. This allows classrooms, corridors and communal spaces to remain fully operational during the day while still maintaining high cleaning standards.

Why Professional School Cleaning Matters

A structured cleaning schedule not only improves hygiene but also supports student wellbeing and staff productivity.

Clean, well-maintained environments help reduce illness, create positive learning spaces and demonstrate care and professionalism to parents, staff and visitors.

Why Choose Rapid Clean?

At Rapid Clean, we understand the unique challenges involved in maintaining primary school environments.

Our experienced teams work closely with schools to develop tailored cleaning schedules that align with the school day and maintain high hygiene standards throughout the year.

Ready to Review your School’s Cleaning Schedule?

Get in touch with Rapid Clean today if you’re looking for a reliable partner to support your school’s cleaning needs, Rapid Clean would be happy to help.

Celebrating Milestone Work Anniversaries - Q1 2026

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:34:44 GMT

At Rapid Clean, our people are central to everything we do. Their commitment and care are what enable us to deliver exceptional cleaning services day after day.

As we reflect on the first quarter of 2026, we’re delighted to recognise our team members who have reached an important milestone work anniversary with us. Each of these colleagues has contributed greatly to our success, and we’d like to say a huge thank you for their continued hard work and loyalty.

Celebrating 10 Years with Rapid Clean

Beata Kasztelan currently works for the Diocese of Chelmsford , Essex, and celebrated her 10‑year anniversary on 4th January .

Celebrating 5 Years with Rapid Clean

Hilda Johnson works at Achieve Lifestyle - Egham Orbit , Surrey, and celebrated her 5‑year anniversary on 4th January .

Benjamin Amoafo currently works at Richmond Medical Group , Greater London, and celebrated five years with Rapid Clean on 25th January .

Hamadou Traore works at Gander & White , Greater London, a nd reached his 5‑year milestone on 15th February .

Juliana Tavares Da Silva is based at eValue Ltd , Berkshire, a nd celebrated her 5‑year anniversary on 1st March .

Charles Weathers works at Peckham Leisure Centre , Greater London, and reached his 5‑year milestone on 22nd March .

Joseph Sobre currently works at The Colne Practice , Hertfordshire, and c elebrated his anniversary on 24th March .

Noreen Shahbaz works at Iver Heath Infants & Nursery School , Buckinghamshire, and rea ched five years with Rapid Clean on 29th March .

Head Office Anniversaries

Amy Quinnell , our Operations Support Coordinator and recently crowned #RecyclingHero at Rapid Clean Head Office , Berkshire, celebrated five years with us on 1st March .

These are just a few of our devoted and reliable team members. Congratulations to all on reaching your work anniversaries!

Want to join the Rapid Clean family? We’re always looking for great people; click the button below to see our latest job openings.

What KPIs Should I Look for in a Healthcare Cleaning Contract?

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:00:21 GMT

In healthcare environments, cleaning is about far more than appearance. It plays a critical role in infection prevention, patient safety, and overall operational standards.

When selecting a cleaning provider, it’s important to understand how performance will be measured. This is where Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) come in. Clear, measurable KPIs ensure accountability, consistency, and high standards across your facility.

Here are the key KPIs to look for in a healthcare cleaning contract:

1. Cleaning Quality Scores

One of the most important KPIs is the overall quality of cleaning.

This is typically measured through:

Regular site audits
Spot checks
Scoring systems based on cleanliness standards

At Rapid Clean, audits are typically carried out monthly with the customer present, ensuring full transparency. Results are shared following each visit using a clear traffic light system:

Green - no improvement required
Amber - improvement required, to be actioned by the next audit
Red - immediate attention required

Consistent, high audit scores indicate that cleaning is being carried out thoroughly and to the required standard.

2. Infection Control Compliance

In healthcare settings, infection control is critical.

KPIs should measure:

Adherence to hygiene protocols
Correct use of cleaning products and disinfectants
Compliance with industry guidelines and regulations

This ensures that cleaning practices actively support infection prevention and patient safety.

3. Response Times

Healthcare environments are fast-paced, and cleaning needs can change quickly.

KPIs should include response times for:

Emergency cleaning requests
Spillages or contamination incidents
Ad-hoc cleaning requirements

A reliable cleaning provider should be able to respond quickly and effectively when needed.

4. Staff Training and Competency

The quality of a cleaning service depends heavily on the people delivering it.

KPIs may include:

Staff training completion rates
Ongoing competency assessments
Compliance with health and safety procedures

Well-trained staff are essential for maintaining consistent standards in sensitive environments.

5. Consistency and Attendance

Consistency is key in healthcare cleaning.

KPIs should track:

Staff attendance and reliability
Completion of scheduled cleaning tasks
Adherence to agreed schedules

This helps ensure that cleaning is carried out regularly and without disruption.

6. Communication and Reporting

Clear communication is essential for a successful partnership.

KPIs in this area may include:

Frequency of reporting and reviews
Responsiveness to feedback
Issue resolution times

A strong cleaning provider will offer transparency and regular updates, helping you stay informed and in control.

Why KPIs Matter in Healthcare Cleaning

Without clear KPIs, it can be difficult to measure performance or identify areas for improvement.

Well-defined KPIs:

Set clear expectations
Improve accountability
Support continuous improvement
Help maintain safe, compliant environments

They ensure that cleaning services are not just delivered - but delivered to the highest possible standard.

Partnering with a Trusted Cleaning Provider

At Rapid Clean, we understand the critical importance of maintaining high standards in healthcare environments.

We work closely with our clients to define clear KPIs, carry out regular audits, and deliver consistent, high-quality cleaning services that support patient safety and compliance.

Looking for a Reliable Healthcare Cleaning Partner?

If you’re reviewing your current cleaning contract or looking for a new provider, we’re here to help.

Get in touch with Rapid Clean today to discuss your requirements and build a cleaning plan that delivers measurable results.

Spring Reset: Raising Cleaning Standards this April

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 08:00:08 GMT

As natural light floods back into the workplace and footfall begins to increase, spring has a way of highlighting what winter hides.

Marks on glass, dull flooring, and dust build-up in corners all become far more noticeable once brighter days arrive. April is therefore more than just “spring cleaning season”; it’s an opportunity to raise professional cleaning standards across your commercial space.

For offices, schools, and shared facilities, this seasonal reset can make a visible and measurable difference.

Why Spring Exposes Cleaning Gaps

Winter tends to be reactive. Cleaning focuses on managing mud, moisture, and increased illness. Once Spring hits, the priority shifts…

With longer daylight hours, higher footfall in customer-facing spaces, and allergy season in full swing, workplaces need a renewed focus on presentation, air quality, and detailed cleaning.

Natural light in particular is unforgiving - it quickly reveals streaks on glass, dust on skirting boards, and worn or dull flooring.

Beyond the Traditional “Spring Clean”

A one-off deep clean can certainly help refresh a space. However, professional environments benefit most from structured seasonal adjustments rather than a single intensive visit.

April is an ideal time to review:

Carpet condition and staining
Hard floor polish levels
Internal glass clarity
High-level dust build-up
Ventilation grilles and air circulation points
Upholstery and soft furnishings

Addressing these areas not only improves appearance but also contributes to healthier indoor air quality.

First Impressions Matter More in Brighter Months

As the days become lighter, businesses often see increased client visits, events, or seasonal activity.

Reception areas, meeting rooms, and communal spaces should feel bright, fresh, and well maintained. Dull flooring or marked glass can undermine an otherwise professional environment.

Spring provides the perfect checkpoint to ensure your workplace reflects the standards your business represents.

Supporting Staff Wellbeing

Allergy season brings its own challenges. Dust, pollen transfer, and air circulation issues can impact employee comfort and concentration.

Thorough vacuuming with appropriate filtration, regular dust removal, and attention to ventilation systems help maintain a more comfortable working environment.

A visibly refreshed workspace can also have a positive psychological impact - reinforcing a sense of organisation, care, and professionalism.

“We've had some struggles in getting the right people in to meet our high standards of cleaning. Our cleaning staff and our Contracts Manager leave me no room for any complaints! They meet our high standards exceptionally well.”

– Eton Bridge, Windsor (Berkshire)

A Seasonal Standard, Not a Seasonal Fix

Spring cleaning shouldn’t be a one-off reaction to brighter days. Instead, it should form part of a structured cleaning programme that adapts throughout the year.

Professional commercial cleaning providers understand how seasonal pressures affect buildings - from winter illness management to spring presentation and summer footfall.

Adjusting cleaning focus in April ensures your workplace remains consistently clean, compliant, and welcoming as the year progresses.

Ready for a Spring Reset?

If your workplace could benefit from a seasonal refresh, April is the ideal time to act.

At Rapid Clean, we provide tailored commercial cleaning schedules designed to maintain high standards throughout every season.

Contact Rapid Clean today to arrange a free site visit and discover how a structured spring reset can elevate your workplace environment.

Safeguarding in Schools: Why Robust HR Practices Matter

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:28:19 GMT

Safeguarding in education is not an optional extra - it is a shared responsibility for everyone working in a school environment. As a service provider supporting over 170 schools across the South of England, we recognise that contractors are held to the same safeguarding expectations as school staff.

From an HR perspective, safeguarding is not simply a set of checks. It is a culture embedded throughout recruitment, training and day to day conduct. Our approach is aligned with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) to help schools maintain a safe and compliant environment.

Safer Recruitment: Getting it Right from the Start

Effective safeguarding begins with safer recruitment. For all staff working in schools, we complete:

Enhanced DBS checks, including Children’s Barred List checks where required
Identity and right to work verification
Employment references confirming suitability to work with children
Overseas criminal record checks where applicable
Clear records of all checks

These steps ensure individuals are thoroughly vetted before beginning work in an educational setting.

Supporting Single Central Record (SCR) Requirements

Schools must maintain an accurate Single Central Record, and documentation must meet the expectations of Ofsted, Trust Boards and auditors.

We help by providing written confirmation of:

Type of DBS check completed
Date checks were carried out
Barred list information (where relevant)
Identity and right to work status

Our processes help schools keep their SCR compliant and up to date.For most offices, daily professional cleaning is recommended.

Supervision and Safe Deployment

Where a DBS certificate is pending, appropriate supervision and risk controls are put in place.

Clear communication with schools ensures shared expectations from day one.

Training and Professional Conduct

Safeguarding continues well beyond recruitment. All school-based operatives receive safeguarding training during induction, covering:

Professional boundaries
Appropriate behaviour within school settings
Immediate reporting of concerns
School specific safeguarding procedures

Contracts Managers reinforce these expectations during routine site visits and audits.

Alongside daily maintenance, offices benefit from regular deep cleans.

Responding When Concerns Arise

If a safeguarding concern is raised, we act quickly and responsibly. This includes:

Conducting a thorough investigation
Working closely with school leaders
Referring matters to statutory bodies or the DBS where required
Implementing disciplinary action if appropriate

Our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of children.

Embedding Safeguarding into Everyday Practice

Safeguarding is not a single policy or checklist. It is a continuous process involving HR, Operations and Compliance working together to maintain and strengthen standards.

We understand the expectations placed on schools, from governors to Ofsted, and the importance of robust documentation and safe working practices.

Safeguarding is, above all, a culture. One that we are committed to upholding every day.

How Often Should Offices Be Professionally Cleaned?

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:01:58 GMT

A clean office supports productivity, protects employee wellbeing, and reinforces a professional image. But one question many businesses ask is: how often should our office actually be professionally cleaned?

The answer depends on several factors, including the size of your workspace, the number of employees, and how the space is used. While every environment is different, here are our recommended guidelines for maintaining consistent and effective hygiene standards.

Why Cleaning Frequency Matters

In an office environment, shared desks, meeting rooms, kitchens, washrooms, and communal equipment are used continuously throughout the day. Without structured cleaning, bacteria and viruses can spread quickly, leading to illness, reduced morale, and avoidable disruption.

Professional cleaning ensures hygiene standards are maintained consistently rather than reactively. The right schedule prevents build-up, protects assets, and keeps your workplace running smoothly.

Daily Cleaning: The Essential Foundation

For most offices, daily professional cleaning is recommended.

This typically includes:

Vacuuming carpets and mopping hard floors
Sanitising desks and high-touch surfaces
Emptying bins and replacing liners
Cleaning and restocking washrooms
Wiping kitchen surfaces and communal areas

Daily attention prevents dirt and bacteria from accumulating and maintains a consistently professional environment for staff and visitors.

High-traffic offices, shared workspaces, and businesses with regular visitors may require more intensive daily cleaning, particularly in washrooms and kitchens.

Weekly and Periodic Tasks

In addition to daily cleaning, certain tasks should be scheduled weekly or fortnightly.

These may include:

Deep cleaning kitchen appliances
Cleaning internal glass and partitions
Dusting high-level surfaces
Polishing hard floors

Regular periodic tasks ensure standards do not gradually decline over time.

Quarterly or Biannual Deep Cleaning

Alongside daily maintenance, offices benefit from regular deep cleans.

Quarterly or biannual deep cleaning may include:

Carpet and upholstery cleaning
Hard floor machine cleaning
Ventilation and high-level dust removal
Detailed washroom descaling

Deep cleaning improves air quality, removes hidden bacteria, and extends the lifespan of furnishings and fixtures. Scheduling it during quieter periods - such as the summer months or over Christmas - allows businesses to carry out a thorough refresh with minimal disruption.

It also means employees return to a cleaner, healthier environment, giving the workplace an immediate boost in morale and productivity.

Factors That Influence Cleaning Frequency

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Cleaning schedules should reflect:

Number of employees and visitors
Office size and layout
Use of hot-desking or shared workstations
Industry compliance requirements
Seasonal illness trends

A professional cleaning provider will assess these factors during a site visit to create a tailored schedule that aligns with your business operations.

"Rapid is a fantastic cleaning company, superb services, and customer service. I would recommend to all."

- Unison Woking (Surrey)

The Risk of Under-Cleaning

Reducing cleaning frequency to cut costs can often result in higher long-term expenses. Increased staff sickness, faster wear on flooring and furniture, and damage to brand reputation can outweigh short-term savings.

Consistent professional cleaning is an investment in productivity, health, and presentation.

A Structured Approach Makes the Difference

The most effective cleaning programmes combine daily maintenance with scheduled deep cleans, clear supervision, and measurable standards.

At Rapid Clean, we tailor office cleaning schedules to suit your workspace, working hours, and operational needs. Our approach ensures your office remains clean, safe, and professional throughout the year.

Create a Cleaning Schedule That Works for You

If you’re unsure whether your current cleaning frequency is sufficient, it may be time for a review.

Contact Rapid Clean today to arrange a free site visit and discuss a professional office cleaning schedule designed to support your business.

Listening to Our Cleaning Team: What We Learned from Our Latest Employee Survey

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:15:01 GMT

At Rapid Clean, our people are at the heart of everything we do. From delivering outstanding service, to supporting our clients every day, our cleaning teams play a vital role in our success. We recently invited colleagues across our cleaning teams to take part in our latest employee survey.

The aim was simple – to listen, understand what we’re doing well, and identify how we can continue improving the experience for everyone who works with us. We’re delighted to share that the results were extremely positive, with strong engagement and encouraging feedback from our teams.

A Strong Response from Our Teams

The survey saw fantastic participation from our cleaning colleagues across multiple sites. This level of engagement shows how invested our teams are in helping shape the future of Rapid Clean. Many colleagues shared positive comments about teamwork, supportive supervisors, and the pride they take in maintaining high standards for our clients.

Pride in the Work We Deliver

Our cleaning teams take enormous pride in the work they do, and the survey results clearly showed this.

An overwhelming number of colleagues told us they feel proud of the service they deliver to our customers every day . This pride is reflected in the consistently high standards our teams maintain across all locations.

I feel proud of how I represent Rapid Clean when I'm at work - 98%

Feeling Supported at Work

One of the strongest results from the survey was how supported our cleaning teams feel in their roles.

The vast majority of respondents said they feel supported by their supervisors and management teams. This reflects the strong working relationships that exist across our sites and highlights the importance of clear communication and approachable leadership.

It's easy to get help from my manager when I need it - 94%

Positive Team Culture

Teamwork also came through as a key theme in the feedback. Many colleagues highlighted the positive relationships they have with their co-workers and the sense of community within their teams.

Strong teamwork is essential in the cleaning industry, and it’s fantastic to see how much our colleagues value supporting each other and working together to achieve great results.

I feel I am part of a motivated team - 96%

Strong Net Promoter Score

Our latest Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 59 highlights the positive sentiment across the Rapid Clean network. The majority of respondents ( 67% ) are Promoters , meaning they would actively recommend Rapid as an employer, while 25% are Passives and just 8% are Detractors . These results reinforce the strong engagement and confidence within the network, and provide another valuable benchmark as we continue working together to strengthen the Rapid Clean community.

We are extremely pleased to see a significant increase from last year's NPS of 48!

Turning Feedback into Action

Whilst we’re very pleased with the results, we know that listening to our people is an ongoing process. We’re carefully reviewing all feedback provided in the survey to identify opportunities to build on what’s working well and make improvements where needed. Employee insight is invaluable in helping us create a workplace where everyone feels supported, valued, and motivated to succeed.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey and share their feedback. Your voices matter, and your input helps shape the future of Rapid. We’re incredibly proud of the dedication, professionalism, and positivity our cleaning teams bring to their roles every day.

Why Cleanliness Is a Foundation for Successful Schools

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:00:02 GMT

Successful schools are built on strong leadership, engaged students, supportive staff and a positive culture. But underpinning all of these factors is something far more practical: a clean, well-maintained environment.

Cleanliness plays a fundamental role in creating the conditions where students can focus, teachers can perform at their best, and schools can operate smoothly day after day

Supporting Attendance and Consistency

High attendance is central to educational success. When cleaning standards are consistent and thorough, the spread of illness can be significantly reduced.

Schools are high-footfall environments. Classrooms, corridors, dining areas and washrooms are shared by hundreds - sometimes thousands of pupils and staff each day. Without structured, professional cleaning, germs can spread quickly, leading to increased absences and disruption to learning.

Maintaining hygiene standards helps protect the continuity that schools rely on to deliver strong academic outcomes.

Creating an Environment That Encourages Focus

The physical environment has a direct impact on behaviour and concentration.

Cluttered, poorly maintained or unhygienic spaces can be distracting and demotivating. In contrast, clean classrooms and communal areas promote calm, organisation and pride in surroundings.

When students feel that their school is cared for, they are more likely to respect the environment themselves. Cleanliness reinforces expectations and supports positive behaviour across the school community.

"Thank you, Rapid Clean, for cleaning our school so well. Our Contracts Manager is always on hand for any issues we have, and is very accommodating when we require extra help!"

- St Augustine's Catholic Primary School Frimley (Surrey)

Protecting Facilities and Budgets

School buildings and resources represent significant long-term investment.

Regular cleaning and maintenance of floors, carpets, furniture and washroom facilities help prevent premature wear and costly repairs. Dirt build-up, neglected spillages and overlooked maintenance can shorten the lifespan of fixtures and fittings.

By protecting assets through structured cleaning programmes, schools can reduce reactive spending and better manage their budgets over time.

Reflecting Standards to Parents and Visitors

First impressions matter.

Parents, governors, inspectors and prospective families form opinions quickly when they enter a school site. Clean entrances, well-maintained washrooms and tidy communal areas reflect professionalism, care and strong management.

While academic performance remains central, the overall environment contributes to how a school is perceived. Cleanliness supports confidence in leadership and reinforces a culture of high standards.

Supporting Staff Wellbeing and Morale

Teachers and support staff perform demanding roles. A clean, organised working environment helps reduce additional stress and allows them to focus on delivering quality education.

Professional cleaning also ensures that shared staff areas, offices and facilities remain hygienic and comfortable, contributing to overall morale and workplace satisfaction.

A Structured Approach Makes the Difference

Maintaining a consistently clean school requires planning, supervision and clear standards.

From daily classroom and washroom cleaning to periodic deep cleans during holidays, a structured approach ensures no areas are overlooked. Professional cleaning teams understand how to work around school timetables, minimise disruption and maintain high standards throughout the academic year.

Cleanliness is not a standalone task - it is a foundation that supports attendance, behaviour, reputation and long-term sustainability.

At Rapid Clean, we work in partnership with schools to deliver reliable, high-quality cleaning services tailored to each site’s needs.

Ready to raise your school’s cleaning standards?

Get in touch with Rapid Clean today to discuss how we can help create an environment where students and staff can thrive.

Signs it’s Time to Review Your Cleaning Contract

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:00:16 GMT

A commercial cleaning contract should deliver consistency, reliability, and peace of mind. When it’s working well, your workplace remains clean, safe, and professional - without you having to think about it.

But over time, standards can slip and business needs can change. Staff numbers fluctuate, hybrid working reshapes office usage, and hygiene expectations continue to rise. If your cleaning contract hasn’t evolved alongside your organisation, it may no longer be delivering the value you expect.

Here are the key signs it may be time for a review:

Standards Are Slipping

One of the clearest indicators is inconsistency.

You may begin to notice areas being missed, fluctuating standards between visits, or a general decline in presentation. Washrooms may not feel as well maintained as they once were, and high-traffic areas may not be receiving the attention they require.

Common issues can include:

Bins not emptied consistently
Dust build-up in overlooked areas
Washrooms not restocked properly
Floors appearing worn or poorly maintained

If these concerns are becoming recurring rather than occasional, it may suggest gaps in supervision, training, or scheduling. A professional cleaning partner should maintain consistent standards throughout the contract - not just at the start.

Your Workplace Has Changed

Businesses rarely stand still. If your cleaning specification was designed for a different working model, it may no longer reflect how your space is used today.

You may now have:

Hybrid working patterns
Shared desk spaces
Increased client visits
Expanded or reduced floor space

A contract review ensures cleaning frequencies, staffing levels, and task schedules align with your current operations - so you’re paying for what you need, no more and no less.

Poor Communication or Limited Visibility

Strong cleaning partnerships rely on proactive communication and transparency.

If you struggle to:

Reach your contracts manager
Resolve concerns quickly
Receive regular quality checks
Access clear reporting or documentation

…it may be time to reassess the level of contract management you are receiving.

Modern commercial cleaning should be measurable. You should have clarity around what is included, how standards are monitored, and reassurance around compliance, health and safety, and staff training. Cleaning should feel supported and well-managed, not reactive.

"We have their team show up everyday and do a fantastic job on keeping our depot looking clean and tidy. They act quickly and rectify any concerns we raise, which is very rare."

Iveco - Farnborough (Hampshire)

You’re Receiving Internal Complaints

Employee feedback is often the first warning sign.

If staff or visitors are raising concerns about hygiene, kitchen cleanliness, or washroom standards, these signals should not be ignored. Cleanliness plays a significant role in how your organisation is perceived and directly impacts morale and productivity.

Even small issues can influence confidence in your workplace standards.

Reviewing Doesn’t Always Mean Replacing

Reviewing your cleaning contract does not automatically mean changing provider.

In some cases, a simple adjustment to the schedule, clearer communication structures, or a revised specification can resolve concerns quickly. However, if issues persist, exploring alternative support may be the right decision.

Clean, well-maintained environments protect health, reinforce professionalism, and contribute to productivity across offices, education settings, healthcare facilities, and leisure venues.

If you’re questioning whether your current cleaning arrangement is still fit for purpose, it may be time for a fresh perspective.

At Rapid Clean, we offer free site visits and contract reviews to help ensure your cleaning provision aligns with your organisation’s needs - both now and in the future.

Ready to simplify your cleaning and keep your business spotless year-round?

Get in touch with Rapid Clean today to discuss a bespoke cleaning contract that works for your space, schedule, and budget.

How Often Should Car Showrooms Be Professionally Cleaned?

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:30:03 GMT

Car showrooms are customer-facing spaces where cleanliness directly influences perception, trust, and sales. A spotless environment ensures vehicles look their best and reflects the professionalism of your brand.

Why Cleanliness Matters in Car Showrooms

Smudged glass or marked floors can quickly undermine the customer experience. A clean showroom not only allows vehicles to shine but also reinforces confidence and trust among visitors.

Recommended Cleaning Frequency

Most car showrooms benefit from a tiered cleaning schedule:

Daily cleaning: Floors, glass, regular touchpoints, and customer areas
Weekly detailed cleaning: Displays, edges, and hard-to-reach areas
Periodic deep cleans: Specialist floor care, upholstery, and high-level dusting

The exact schedule should reflect your showroom’s footfall, layout, and opening hours.

Areas Requiring Particular Attention

Showroom floors
Vehicle display areas
Reception desks and waiting areas

Customer toilets and staff facilities

Why Professional Cleaning is Key

Professional cleaning ensures delicate surfaces are treated correctly, finishes are protected, and cleaning is completed efficiently without disrupting trading hours.

Rapid Clean’s Approach

Rapid Clean delivers tailored showroom cleaning services designed around your operating hours and business needs. Our trained teams work discreetly to maintain consistent standards across all areas, from frequently touched surfaces to delicate vehicle displays. We use specialist products and equipment to ensure every surface is spotless, prolonging the life of flooring and upholstery, while enhancing the overall customer experience.

By partnering with Rapid Clean, car showrooms can maintain a professional, welcoming environment that leaves a lasting impression on every visitor.

Common Warehouse Cleaning Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:01:58 GMT

Warehouses are demanding environments. Constant movement, machinery, and large floor areas make maintaining cleanliness a challenge, especially without the right approach.

Understanding potential issues helps businesses put effective solutions in place. Let’s dive into some of the most common challenges of maintaining a clean warehouse (and how to overcome them)...

Dust and debris build-up

High-level racking, beams, and machinery collect dust that is often missed during routine cleaning. Over time, this can affect air quality and safety.

The solution:
Scheduled specialist and high-level cleaning removes built-up dust safely and thoroughly.

Limited access during operating hours

Busy warehouses rarely stop moving, making cleaning difficult without disrupting operations.

The solution:
Out-of-hours or phased cleaning plans allow professional teams to work around your schedule.

" We have been using Rapid Clean for the 2+ years I have been managing the site. Really pleased with how the team are regularly managed. If we ever have issues or questions, our Contracts Manager is available through email and site visits. Hugely valuable to have a contracts manager available to speak with and walk round at site. Any concerns are always a short time from sorting."

- Frogmore Leisure Centre , Yateley (Hampshire)

Spillages and hazardous materials

Oil, chemicals, and product spillages present serious safety risks if not handled correctly.

The solution:
Trained cleaning teams use appropriate methods and equipment to manage spillages safely.

Inconsistent standards

Relying on ad-hoc or in-house cleaning can lead to missed areas and uneven results.

The solution:
A structured, professional cleaning contract ensures consistency, accountability, and coverage across the entire site.

Benefits of a Consistently Clean Warehouse

A clean warehouse isn’t just about hygiene – it improves safety, operational efficiency, and staff morale . Well-maintained floors reduce trip hazards, clean surfaces prevent equipment wear, and a professional environment helps boost overall productivity.

How we can help

Rapid Clean designs bespoke warehouse cleaning plans that address real operational challenges, with experienced teams and Contracts Managers ensuring high standards at all times.

Who Has Won the Crown of Rapid Superstar...?

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:29:10 GMT

Once again, our cleaning team has impressed us all with their commitment to going above and beyond. We were spoiled for choice when it came to crowning our Rapid Superstar for 2025 Q4. Read on to find out who came close to winning, who won and why…

Rapid Superstar Winner!

Raheela Bibi who cleans at Lea Nursery School in Slough

Raheela has been part of the Rapid Clean team for two years and was both delighted and surprised to receive the Rapid Superstar Award - she says she’s still in shock!

When asked what she enjoys most about her role, Raheela shared that she enjoys working with children and collaborating with different school departments. Her positive attitude and dedication help keep Lea Nursery School shining every day.

Outside of work, Raheela enjoys nothing more than relaxing with a good book.

This is what Rapid's Contracts Manager, and Lea Nursery School had to say about Raheela:

Dariusz Lapiak, from Rapid Clean, said:

"I have received a lot of positive feedback regarding her work and attitude. She is always an excellent timekeeper, has never missed a shift, and consistently demonstrates a high level of professionalism. The client has also commented that Raheela is a lovely person who always completes her tasks to a very good standard and follows all school procedures carefully. I am very proud to have Raheela as part of our team, and I believe she truly deserves this nomination."

Lea Nursery School said:

"I am genuinely pleased to hear that Raheela has been nominated for this award, as she is an incredibly valued member of our school community. Raheela is consistently punctual, reliable, and takes real pride in her work . She communicates effectively and if any concerns arise, she raises them promptly and professionally. What stands out is her thoughtfulness in how she approaches her work - she plans how to zone and rotate her cleaning across different areas each week, ensuring the whole school remains clean, safe, and well-maintained. We see Raheela as an integral part of our school team ; she embodies the inclusive culture we value at Lea Nursery School and contributes positively to our shared ethos. She always arrives with a smile, takes the time to ask how we are, and encourages open two-way communication - something we really appreciate. Raheela truly goes above and beyond her role, and I fully support her nomination."

The Nominees

To show our appreciation, each nominee will receive a personalised letter and a small gift:

Marcio Marques Machado who cleans London Women’s Clinic in Berkshire

Edina Muller, from Rapid Clean, said:

“Marcio is simply one of the nicest, helpful individuals I have ever met. He never complains, is always there to help with no ask being too much for him. He always has the biggest smile, and generally just so happy that it makes you feel a little better too on any bad days. It is an absolute privilege to work with him. Both of our clients absolutely adore him as well. I hope he wins, as he deserves a recognition for the work he does.”

London Women’s Clinic said:

“He consistently provides an excellent standard of cleaning across the areas he is responsible for and is always reliable and professional in his work. His positive attitude and attention to detail have not gone unnoticed, and he has been a great support to our team. Marcio is a valued member of the cleaning staff here, and I’m very happy to endorse his nomination for the Rapid Superstar Award.”

Elizabeth Asantewaa who cleans The COATS Centre in Berkshire

Bernice Anim, from Rapid Clean, said:

"She is doing an incredible job."

The COATS Centre said:

"Since Elizabeth started cleaning for me, the place has been totally transformed, it is 100% more clean than before. I have not had the pleasure of meeting Elizabeth yet, but I feel she takes great pride in her work. I call her (without her knowing) “my cleaning fairy” because when I leave the building each day it’s grubby and upon my return in the morning its sparkling clean. I feel Elizabeth should win and deserves this award."

David Blakesley who cleans Canada Water Leisure Centre in London

Ingrid Antonio, from Rapid Clean, said:

"On every occasion that I have been on site, David has received consistently high praise from the client. She regularly highlights his willingness to go above and beyond, particularly when the team is short-staffed. David is always ready to assist with setting up classes, escorting members to the appropriate areas, and supporting the smooth running of the facility. In addition to his helpful and proactive approach, David takes great pride in his work and consistently ensures that the gym is presented to an excellent standard, with everything clean, organised, and ready for members upon arrival.”

Canada Water Leisure Centre said:

"Dave has been a part of our team since before the centre opened and has truly become a fixture of the building. He is extremely helpful, well respected by the entire team, and very well known by our members, many of whom know him by name and regularly laugh and joke with him. He consistently goes above and beyond his job role, genuinely caring about the centre and taking great pride in his work. The building is always kept clean and tidy to a high standard, and his positive attitude makes a real difference to both staff and members alike. We would genuinely be lost without him. Based on his dedication, professionalism, and the positive impact he has on the centre, I fully support his nomination for this award."

Robert Barber who cleans at Medicana in Hampshire

Anne Sheen, from Rapid Clean, said:

"At a drop of a hat, Rob will cover Cupernham Lane School at 5am in the morning. He also stepped up to a new contract at Christmas; we started on 17th December and after an unexpected absence, Rob stepped up again to cover."

Tracey Hunter who cleans at Cranford School in Hampshire

Diana Stone, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Without Tracey we would have had a lot of missed cleans. She is covering a lot of sites, even covering at the weekend; she made sure Stockham Primary School was deep cleaned along with myself and other staff on New Year’s Eve - she even worked the Saturday to get this finished."

Alina Kolasinska who cleans at St Saviours Infant School in Somerset

Jolanta Kusznerko, from Rapid Clean, said:

"During very difficult time in her personal life, she never failed to attend her shifts, went above and beyond to complete cleaning up to required standards, and on top of that, she even helped with the cover on other sites. Whenever I am visiting site, her work is always complimented by school staff."

Theresa Burberry who cleans at Minety CE Primary School in Wiltshire

Karolina Podralska, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Throughout this quarter, and during every day since she started, Theresa has been an incredible support to me. She has consistently stepped in to help with deep cleans and has always been willing to assist whenever someone was unable to work. Theresa is always happy to help and has never refused to offer her support. Her work is consistently carried out to a very high standard, and it is a real pleasure to work with someone who has such passion for their job, takes great responsibility for her work, and genuinely enjoys what she does. Since Theresa started cleaning at the school, I can confidently say that the overall standard has improved and the school environment looks noticeably better. She is truly exceptional, and I am very grateful to have her as part of my team."

Marzena Fiks who cleans at Hampden Veterinary Hospital in Buckinghamshire

Melania Balza, from Rapid Clean, said:

"She is reliable, works so hard, and she does a good job."

Cleci Prochnow who cleans at Softcat Marlow in Buckinghamshire

Mirela Tudorache, from Rapid Clean, said:

"During the supervisor’s holiday in December, Cleci showed great commitment by helping and guiding the cleaning cover staff. Her support helped the team work well and keep good standards at the site.”

Mirsade Halaj who cleans at West Byfleet Infant School in Surrey

Natalia Kalka, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Between October and December, she has consistently gone over and above in her role. She is always hard working, reliable, and takes real pride in her work. Mirsade is polite and professional, and she is always willing to help whenever needed.”

James Love who cleans at Binks in Dorset

Michael House, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Since I took on the role as Contracts Manager, he made himself known to me and offered me help. As you could imagine, December was really difficult for cover due to me not knowing the cleaners and it being the Christmas period. Without James I wouldn't have been able to complete my jobs throughout December because I would have been covering everywhere. He has been an absolute star covering hours and doing so with no complaints from clients.”

Pepa Mihova who cleans at Loughton Manor First School in Buckinghamshire

Aukse Lekaviciute, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Pepa is a good cleaner and was very helpful for me by covering another site (Vitalscan) on a few occasions, including in an emergency with only 15 minutes notice. If I ask/guide her, nothing is too much. People like Pepa are a massive asset to my team.”

Carlos Da Costa Ferreira Da Silva who cleans at The Retina Clinic in London

Margarida Moreira, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Carlos is very polite and ready to help out; he is keen to learn and is on hand when needed.”

Francine Stafford who cleans at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Essex

Kevin Twinley, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Francine manages her workload incredibly well and is excellent with her communication and covering where possible. Her cleaning standards are consistently high and she is incredibly reliable.”

With so many outstanding nominations, the decision was incredibly difficult. Huge congratulations to Raheela , who consistently demonstrates our company values in everything she does.

How to Maintain Safe and Hygienic Standards in Health Clubs and Leisure Centres

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 09:00:25 GMT

Health clubs and leisure centres are busy, shared environments where hygiene directly affects safety, member experience, and reputation.

With high footfall, shared equipment, and wet areas, maintaining consistent standards requires more than surface-level cleaning.

Why hygiene is critical in leisure environments

Poor hygiene can lead to:

Increased spread of bacteria and viruses
Slip hazards and mould growth in wet areas
Equipment wear and damage
Reduced member confidence and retention

A clean, well-maintained facility reassures members and supports a positive experience from arrival to departure.

High-risk areas that need regular attention

Leisure facilities include multiple zones with different cleaning needs:

Gym floors and equipment
Changing rooms, toilets, and showers
Poolside and other wet areas
Studios and communal spaces
Reception desks and touchpoints

Each area requires the right cleaning methods and frequency to remain safe and hygienic.

" We have been using Rapid Clean for the 2+ years I have been managing the site. Really pleased with how the team are regularly managed. If we ever have issues or questions, our Contracts Manager is available through email and site visits. Hugely valuable to have a contracts manager available to speak with and walk round at site. Any concerns are always a short time from sorting."

- Frogmore Leisure Centre , Yateley (Hampshire)

Daily cleaning and scheduled deep cleans

Daily cleaning helps manage visible dirt and hygiene risks, including wiping equipment, sanitising touchpoints, and maintaining floors and wet areas.

Regular deep cleaning is equally important. It tackles bacteria build-up, improves air quality, and keeps surfaces and flooring in good condition over time.

At Rapid Clean, we can offer periodic deep cleans as part of a regular cleaning contract.

Why professional cleaning matters

Professional cleaning teams are trained to clean safely, efficiently, and consistently, using specialist products that protect surfaces and equipment while maintaining high hygiene standards.

Our approach

Rapid Clean delivers tailored cleaning solutions for health clubs and leisure centres , working around opening hours to minimise disruption. Our Contracts Managers ensure consistent standards across all areas of your facility.

Why Specialist Cleaning is Essential for Dental Practices

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:53:36 GMT

Dental practices operate in one of the most hygiene-critical environments in any commercial setting. Patients expect visible cleanliness, but behind the scenes, infection prevention and regulatory compliance are just as important.

Specialist cleaning plays a vital role in protecting patient safety, supporting staff wellbeing, and maintaining confidence in your practice.

Why general cleaning isn’t enough

Dental clinics have a high turnover of patients each day, and are frequently exposed to bodily fluids, making a high level of hygiene crucial for patient and staff safety. Without specialist cleaning methods, bacteria can easily spread between treatment rooms, communal spaces, and staff rest areas.

Professional cleaning in dentists helps:

Reduce the risk of cross-contamination
Maintain strict infection control standards
Support compliance with CQC and healthcare guidance
Create a calm, professional environment for patients and staff

A consistently clean practice reassures patients and reinforces trust from the moment they walk through the door, helping towards repeat visits, and word of mouth referrals.

Areas requiring specialist attention

Certain areas in dental surgeries demand enhanced cleaning and careful handling, including:

Treatment rooms and dental chairs
Waiting areas and reception desks
Frequently touched surfaces such as door handles and switches
Floors, sinks, and waste disposal areas
Staff break areas

Professional cleaning companies, particularly those with experience cleaning dental practices, understand how to clean each area safely and thoroughly without disrupting daily appointments.

"I have had a great experience with Rapid Clean in my dental clinic. I have good communication with my Contracts Manager, Ingrid, and the service is great!"

- Invisiblebraces4u , London

Supporting inspections and compliance

Dental practices are subject to regular inspections and strict hygiene expectations. A professional cleaning schedule helps demonstrate due diligence, reduces risk, and ensures your practice is always inspection-ready.

How Rapid Clean supports dental practices

Rapid Clean provides specialist cleaning services tailored to dental environments. Our trained teams follow strict cleaning protocols using industry-approved products, with Contracts Managers overseeing quality and consistency.

If you’re reviewing your current cleaning arrangements, Rapid Clean can help you maintain the highest standards of hygiene with confidence.

Simpler Recycling: Are You Up To Speed?

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:05:07 GMT

Simpler Recycling: Workplace Recycling Regulations

Global Recycling Day is coming up on the 18th March. This is a day for the world to come together to put our planet first. Are you following the government guidelines in your workplace to promote correct waste disposal?

The Simpler Recycling policy , put in place by the government in March 2025, aims to improve how recyclable materials are sorted, helping businesses contribute to sustainability efforts.

Let’s break down the rules, how they might affect your business, and how commercial cleaning companies can help ensure compliance.

Understanding the 'Simpler Recycling' regulations

The 'Simpler Recycling' regulations are designed to make recycling more efficient by introducing clear and consistent waste separation rules for businesses. The key requirements for waste separation are:

Sort Dry Recyclable Materials: This includes plastic, metal, glass, paper, and cardboard. Some waste collectors may require paper and card to be separated from other recyclables.
Separate Food Waste: Any food waste must be disposed of separately from other types of waste.
Manage Residual Waste: Any materials that can’t be recycled will go into general waste.

How does this impact businesses?

To stay compliant, this is what businesses need to do:

Set up clearly labelled bins for different waste types
Train staff on correct waste separation practices
Ensure waste is collected by an appropriate waste management provider*

*Please be aware that there are costs associated with waste management and each borough has different charges and suppliers. You can contact the organisation in your region if you have any questions: https://www.gov.uk/dispose-business-commercial-waste/contacts

These steps not only help businesses meet legal requirements but also contribute to a more sustainable workplace.

Is this a legal requirement for workplaces?

Yes! As of March last year (2025), businesses must take reasonable steps to comply with the Simpler Recycling regulations. Micro-businesses (companies with fewer than 10 employees) have until 31st March 2027 to comply.

Failure to comply with the regulations could result in enforcement actions , such as compliance notices. But beyond avoiding penalties, adhering to the rules can enhance your company’s reputation by demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.

Is my business affected by the Simpler Recycling changes?

If your workplace produces waste similar to household waste, you need to follow these rules. This includes a wide range of businesses and organisations, such as:

Offices
Retail and wholesale
Transport and storage
Hospitality, such as cafes, restaurants, and hotels
Places of education, such as schools, colleges, and universities
Healthcare places, such as GP surgeries and hospitals
Care homes
Charities and those registered as charities
Places of worship
Penal institutes
Charity shops selling donated goods that came from a domestic property
Residential hostels that provide accommodation to people with no other permanent address (or who are unable to live at their permanent address)
Premises used only or mainly for public meetings

This list is not exhaustive, so it’s worth checking the full legislation if you’re still unsure.

The Role of Commercial Cleaning Companies in Ensuring Compliance

While businesses are responsible for ensuring compliance, commercial cleaning companies can provide valuable support. They can:

Offer expert guidance on best waste management practices.
Help to maintain clean and compliant workplaces with efficient waste disposal services.
Enhance your business image by promoting a commitment to sustainability.

That said, it’s crucial for businesses to educate their teams on proper waste separation and provide the right resources to make compliance easy.

Customisable services to suit business needs

The Simpler Recycling regulations represent a positive step towards more sustainable business practices across the UK, providing an opportunity for businesses to lead the way in environmental responsibility.

For full details, check out the UK government’s guidance on workplace recycling:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/simpler-recycling-workplace-recycling-in-england

The Great Big School Clean 2026: Inspiring Pride, Responsibility and Cleaner Learning Environments

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:16:01 GMT

The Great Big School Clean 2026 - will your school get involved?

Schools are more than places of learning - they are shared environments where values are shaped, habits are formed, and responsibility is learned. The Great Big School Clean 2026 , part of Keep Britain Tidy’s wider Great British Spring Clean campaign, provides a valuable opportunity for schools to extend learning beyond the classroom and encourage pupils to take pride in their surroundings.

As a professional cleaning partner to schools, we understand the importance of clean, safe and well-maintained environments in supporting education. This national initiative aligns closely with the standards schools strive for every day - respect for shared spaces, wellbeing, and community responsibility.

Why the Great Big School Clean matters

Outdoor spaces play a crucial role in school life - from playgrounds and sports areas to entrances and community-facing grounds. Keeping these areas clean helps to:

Reinforce positive behaviour and respect for shared environments
Support pupil wellbeing and safety
Create welcoming spaces for families, staff and visitors
Encourage environmental awareness from an early age

The Great Big School Clean, taking place 13th - 29th March 2026, turns these principles into practical, age-appropriate action, helping pupils understand that small efforts can have a meaningful impact.

Learning through action

What makes the Great Big School Clean particularly powerful is its educational value. By involving pupils in safe, supervised activities - such as litter awareness sessions or simple clean-up actions - schools can:

Embed environmental responsibility into everyday learning
Encourage teamwork and cooperation
Foster pride in the school environment
Link real-world action to subjects such as PSHE, science and citizenship

These experiences help pupils see cleanliness not as a task done for them, but something they help maintain together .

How schools can take part

Participation can be flexible and tailored to each school’s needs. Examples include:

Organising a short, supervised litter-picking activity within school grounds
Holding assemblies or classroom discussions around litter, waste and care for the environment
Encouraging classes or year groups to make a collective pledge
Sharing involvement with parents and carers to reinforce the message at home

Keep Britain Tidy provides free resources specifically designed for schools, making it easy to take part in a way that is safe, engaging and manageable.

Supporting schools beyond the campaign

Professional cleaning plays a vital role in maintaining learning environments, but initiatives like the Great Big School Clean highlight the importance of shared responsibility. When pupils, staff and cleaning teams work towards the same goal, it strengthens respect for the space and for each other.

By taking part in the Great Big School Clean 2026, schools demonstrate a commitment not only to cleanliness, but to education, wellbeing, and community values that last far beyond spring.

Together, we can help create cleaner schools, stronger habits and brighter futures.

The Great British Spring Clean 2026: A Shared Responsibility for Cleaner, Healthier Spaces

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:15:06 GMT

The Great British Spring Clean 2026 - will you get involved?

Every spring, communities across the UK come together with a shared goal: to care for the places we live, work, learn and heal. The Great British Spring Clean 2026 , led by Keep Britain Tidy, is more than a litter-picking campaign - it’s a national reminder that clean environments support wellbeing, pride and responsibility.

As a professional cleaning company working across education, commercial, healthcare and leisure settings , we see first-hand the impact that clean, well-maintained spaces have on people’s health, morale and behaviour. This year’s campaign is an opportunity for organisations to extend that impact beyond their walls and inspire positive action across their wider communities.

Why it matters to professional environments

Cleanliness is not just aesthetic - it’s fundamental.

Schools benefit from cleaner outdoor spaces that reinforce respect for shared environments and support positive learning behaviours.
Offices see improved wellbeing, employee engagement and a stronger sense of corporate responsibility when teams take pride in their surroundings.
Healthcare settings understand better than anyone the link between cleanliness, safety and public confidence.
Leisure and community facilities thrive when visitors feel welcomed by clean, cared-for spaces.

The Great British Spring Clean, taking place from 13th to 29th March 2026 , offers a simple but powerful way to connect these everyday standards with wider environmental action.

Small actions, collective impact

Participation doesn’t have to be large-scale to be meaningful. Whether it’s a staff-led litter pick, a school-wide awareness activity, or encouraging teams to take responsibility for the spaces around their buildings, every action contributes to a cleaner, healthier environment.

What’s more, involving staff, students or service users helps foster:

Ownership of shared spaces
Environmental awareness
Community connection
Pride in place

These values align closely with the principles that underpin professional cleaning - consistency, care, and long-term thinking.

How organisations can get involved

Here are a few practical ways professional environments can take part:

Organise a short, safe litter-picking activity on or around your site
Incorporate environmental responsibility into assemblies, briefings or staff communications
Encourage teams to pledge participation individually or collectively
Share your involvement internally to inspire others to take part

Keep Britain Tidy provides guidance and resources to support organisations of all sizes, making participation accessible and manageable.

Supporting cleaner spaces, together

As professional cleaners, our role is to maintain high standards day in and day out. But campaigns like the Great British Spring Clean remind us that cleaner environments are a shared responsibility - one that extends beyond contracts and schedules.

By taking part, organisations demonstrate leadership, care for their communities, and a commitment to environments that are not only clean, but respected and protected.

This spring, let’s work together to make a visible difference - one bag, one space, one community at a time.

How to Find a Trustworthy Cleaning Company

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:00:05 GMT

Choosing a cleaning company is about more than just cost. A trustworthy cleaning partner plays a key role in maintaining hygiene, protecting your premises, and supporting your business reputation. With so many providers available, knowing what to look for can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Look for experience and industry knowledge

A reputable cleaning company should have proven experience across commercial environments. Different spaces - such as offices, gyms, warehouses, and healthcare facilities - all have specific cleaning requirements.

An experienced provider will understand industry regulations, best practices, and the importance of using the right products and methods for each environment.

Check reviews, testimonials, and references

Customer feedback is one of the strongest indicators of reliability. Look for genuine reviews, testimonials, and long-term client relationships that demonstrate consistent performance.

A trustworthy cleaning company should be happy to share references or case studies that highlight their standards, communication, and service quality.

"The service and contract at all levels has been excellent and the communication regular and reliable. We have confidence in Rapid and would happily recommend them to any company requiring support in maintaining their facilities."

- Bowman House Business Centre, Swindon (Wiltshire)

Ask about training and quality control

Professional cleaning teams should be fully trained and supported. Ask how staff are trained, supervised, and assessed to ensure consistent results.

Reliable companies will also have quality control processes in place, such as regular site inspections, audits, and dedicated management support to maintain standards.

Ensure flexibility and clear communication

Your business needs may change, so flexibility is essential. A good cleaning partner will tailor services around your operating hours and adjust schedules when required.

Clear communication is just as important. You should have a reliable point of contact who responds promptly and addresses any concerns quickly and professionally.

Confirm insurance, compliance, and safety standards

A trustworthy cleaning company will hold appropriate insurance and comply with all health and safety regulations. This protects both your business and their staff.

They should also carry out risk assessments and use approved, professional-grade cleaning products suitable for your environment.

Transparency in pricing and services

Clear, honest pricing is a sign of a reputable provider. You should receive a detailed breakdown of services, with no hidden costs or unclear terms.

A professional cleaning company will take the time to understand your requirements before recommending a cleaning plan that suits your space and budget.

Why choose Rapid Clean?

At Rapid Clean, we believe trust is built through consistency, communication, and quality. Our experienced teams are fully trained, supported by dedicated Contracts Managers, and committed to delivering high standards across every site we manage.

We create tailored cleaning plans, maintain regular quality checks, and work closely with our clients to ensure their spaces remain clean, safe, and professionally maintained.

If you’re looking for a cleaning partner you can rely on, Rapid Clean is here to help.

What Are the Additional Benefits of Professional Cleaning Services?

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 08:00:06 GMT

Professional cleaning is often seen as a basic necessity - but its benefits go far beyond simply keeping spaces tidy. From improving wellbeing to protecting your business reputation, professional cleaning services play a key role in creating safer, healthier, and more efficient work environments.

Whether you manage an office, gym, warehouse, or commercial site, investing in professional cleaning delivers long-term value.

A healthier environment for staff and visitors

Professional cleaning helps reduce the spread of germs, bacteria, and allergens by thoroughly cleaning high-touch areas and communal spaces. This leads to fewer illnesses, reduced absenteeism, and a more comfortable environment for everyone using the space.

Consistent standards and reliable results

One of the biggest advantages of professional cleaning services is consistency. Trained cleaning teams follow structured schedules, detailed checklists, and quality controls to ensure the same high standards are met every time.

This reliability removes the pressure from in-house teams and ensures no areas are overlooked.

Protecting your facilities and assets

Professional cleaners use the correct products, techniques, and equipment for different surfaces and environments. This helps protect flooring, furnishings, machinery, and equipment from damage caused by incorrect or infrequent cleaning.

Over time, this can extend the lifespan of your assets and reduces costly repairs or replacements.

A more professional business image

Clean and well-maintained premises make a strong impression on clients, customers, and visitors. Whether it’s an office reception, gym floor, or healthcare space, cleanliness reflects professionalism and attention to detail.

This can directly influence trust, reputation, and customer confidence in your business.

Time and cost efficiency

Outsourcing cleaning allows your team to focus on their core responsibilities, rather than managing cleaning tasks internally. Professional cleaning services are also cost-effective, reducing the need for equipment purchases and staff training.

With a tailored cleaning contract, you're paying for exactly what you need, and how often you need it.

Flexible and tailored cleaning solutions

Professional cleaning companies can adapt to your schedule, operating hours, and specific requirements. From daily cleaning to periodic *deep cleans, services can be customised to suit your space and minimise disruption.

This flexibility ensures your premises remain clean without impacting productivity or customer experience.

Why choose Rapid Clean?

At Rapid Clean, we go beyond basic cleaning. Our tailored cleaning services are designed around your environment, compliance needs, and operational demands.

With experienced teams, professional equipment, and dedicated Contracts Managers overseeing quality, we deliver consistent, high-quality results you can rely on.

If you’re looking to get more value from your cleaning services, Rapid Clean is here to help keep your space spotless, safe, and ready for success.

* Please note that deep cleans are only offered as part of a full cleaning contract, and not as a standalone service.

Celebrating Milestone Work Anniversaries - Q4 2025

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:18:18 GMT

At Rapid Clean, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their dedication to excellence allows us to deliver outstanding cleaning services every day.

In a fast-changing industry, long-term commitment like this is truly special. We are proud to celebrate important work anniversaries and recognise the team members who have reached major milestones with us in the final quarter of 2025!

Celebrating 10 Years with Rapid Clean

Desmond Tutu currently works for Canbury Medical Centre in Kingston-Upon-Thames for his entire employment with us and celebrated his 10 year anniversary on 2nd November.

Celebrating 5 Years with Rapid Clean

Nardevi Gurung has been working at Didcot Primary School since 2020 and celebrated her 5 year anniversary on 2nd October.

Kayleigh Small currently works at Orion Electrotech, in Reading, since 2023. Before then, Kayleigh was working at Vistra International, in Reading, and celebrated her 5 year anniversary on 2nd November.

Olha Dobryanska currently works at Broadway Dental Boutique in Crawley where she was crowned our first Rapid Superstar of 2025 . Olha has also cleaned at Manorfield School, in Horley, and celebrated her 5 year anniversary on 4th November.

These are just a few of our devoted and reliable team members. Congratulations to all on reaching your work anniversaries!

Want to join the Rapid Clean family? We have plenty of roles available; click the button below to see our latest job openings.

How Often Should a Warehouse Be Professionally Cleaned?

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 08:00:08 GMT

Warehouses are busy, high-demand environments where cleanliness can be easily overlooked. With constant movement of goods, machinery, and staff, dust, debris, and spillages can build up quickly - impacting safety, efficiency, and compliance.

So, how often should a warehouse be professionally cleaned? The answer depends on your operation, but regular professional cleaning plays a key role in maintaining a safe and productive space.

Why warehouse cleaning matters

Warehouses may not be customer-facing, but cleanliness is just as important. Poor hygiene can lead to slip hazards, damaged stock, pest issues, and even breaches of health and safety regulations.

A clean warehouse supports safer working conditions, protects your inventory, and helps operations run smoothly day to day.

Factors that influence cleaning frequency

The right cleaning schedule will depend on several factors, including:

The size of your warehouse
The type of goods stored
Footfall and vehicle movement
Industry regulations and compliance requirements
Presence of dust, chemicals, or spill risks

For example, food storage, pharmaceutical, or manufacturing warehouses often require more frequent and specialist cleaning than general storage facilities.

Daily and weekly cleaning tasks

Many warehouses benefit from regular in-house cleaning to keep on top of everyday mess. This may include:

Sweeping and mopping floors
Clearing walkways and work areas
Emptying bins and removing waste
Cleaning staff welfare areas

These tasks help maintain basic cleanliness and reduce immediate safety risks.

How often is professional cleaning needed?

Professional warehouse cleaning is typically recommended on a daily basis to ensure a healthy workspace for staff and storage of goods.

Professional cleaning services can include:

Deep cleaning floors and hard-to-reach areas
High-level cleaning of racking, beams, and ceilings
Removal of built-up dust and debris
Cleaning loading bays and external areas
Specialist cleaning for spillages or hazardous materials

Regular professional cleans help prevent long-term build-up and ensure areas that are often missed receive proper attention.

Health and safety and compliance

Warehouses must meet strict health and safety standards. Regular professional cleaning helps support compliance, reduce accident risks, and demonstrate a commitment to employee wellbeing.

A clean, well-maintained warehouse also makes inspections and audits far less stressful.

Why partner with Rapid Clean?

At Rapid Clean, we create bespoke warehouse cleaning plans tailored to your operation, schedule, and compliance requirements. Our trained teams use professional equipment and industry-approved products to deliver safe, thorough results with minimal disruption.

With experienced Contracts Managers overseeing quality and consistency, you can trust us to maintain high standards across your warehouse environment.

If you’re unsure whether your current cleaning schedule is doing enough, Rapid Clean can help you review and improve it.

Ready to simplify your cleaning and keep your business spotless year-round?

Get in touch with Rapid Clean today to discuss a bespoke cleaning contract that works for your space, schedule, and budget.

Gym Cleaning 101: Why It’s Important to Keep Your Gym Clean

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 08:00:03 GMT

Gyms are high-traffic environments, with members using shared equipment, changing rooms, and facilities throughout the day. From sweat and bacteria to dirt and dust, it doesn’t take long for hygiene standards to slip without a proper cleaning routine in place.

Keeping your gym clean isn’t just about appearances - it plays a vital role in protecting member health, maintaining your reputation, and extending the lifespan of your equipment.

Protecting member health and safety

Gyms are full of high-touch surfaces, from weights and machines to lockers, door handles, and showers. Without regular cleaning and disinfection, bacteria and germs can spread quickly, increasing the risk of illness and infection.

A consistently clean gym helps reduce the spread of bacteria, creating a safer environment where members can focus on their fitness without concerns about hygiene.

Creating a positive member experience

First impressions matter. A clean, fresh-smelling gym makes members feel comfortable, confident, and valued. On the other hand, dirty equipment, overflowing bins, or untidy changing rooms can quickly put people off - and may even lead to cancelled memberships or negative reviews.

Maintaining high cleaning standards shows professionalism and reassures members that their wellbeing is taken seriously.

"Since employing the services of Rapid, there has been a marked improvement in the standards of cleanliness and presentation of the building. There has been an increase in the number of customers who would recommend Balham Leisure Centre citing that the building is ‘clean and has a modern feel’. This is a testament to the cleaning team who work tirelessly to achieve these very high standards."

- Places Leisure , Balham SW London

Protecting equipment and facilities

Gym equipment is a significant investment. Sweat, dust, and grime can cause wear and tear if left unchecked, leading to damage, breakdowns, and costly repairs.

Regular professional cleaning helps protect surfaces, flooring, and machines, keeping them in good condition for longer and reducing long-term maintenance costs.

Supporting compliance and hygiene standards

Fitness facilities are expected to meet strict health and safety and hygiene requirements. Regular cleaning helps ensure compliance with these standards, particularly in changing rooms, showers, and communal areas.

A documented cleaning schedule also demonstrates due diligence and commitment to maintaining a safe environment for staff and members alike.

The role of professional gym cleaning

While daily in-house cleaning is essential, professional cleaning services provide a deeper, more thorough clean. This includes specialist equipment, commercial-grade products, and experienced teams who understand the specific challenges of gym environments.

Professional cleaners can work around your opening hours to minimise disruption while ensuring consistently high standards across your facility.

Why choose Rapid Clean for gym cleaning?

At Rapid Clean, we understand that no two gyms are the same. Our tailored cleaning plans are designed around your space, usage levels, and operating hours.

Our experienced teams use gym-safe, professional-grade products to maintain hygiene, protect equipment, and create a welcoming environment for your members. With regular audits and dedicated Contracts Managers, you can rely on consistent results you can trust.

A clean gym is a successful gym. If you’re looking to improve hygiene standards or review your current cleaning schedule, Rapid Clean is here to help.

What are the common tasks involved in gym cleaning?

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:00:12 GMT

Gyms and fitness centres are busy environments where hygiene and cleanliness are essential. With people constantly using shared equipment, changing rooms, and facilities, maintaining high cleaning standards helps protect both members and staff while keeping the space looking professional.

So, what exactly does gym cleaning involve? Here’s a breakdown of the most common tasks that keep these spaces safe, spotless, and ready for every workout.

Daily equipment cleaning

Gym equipment is one of the main touchpoints for germs and bacteria. Wiping down machines, weights, and mats with disinfectant after each use – and performing a thorough daily clean – helps prevent the spread of illness and keeps everything fresh for members.

Floor and surface care

Floors in gyms see heavy foot traffic and can quickly collect dirt, sweat, and debris. Regular sweeping, mopping, and machine wipe-downs help maintain a hygienic and slip-free surface. Cleaning other high-contact surfaces such as benches, counters, and door handles is also key.

Changing room and shower maintenance

Changing rooms and shower areas require consistent cleaning to prevent odours, mould, and bacteria buildup. This includes disinfecting lockers, sanitising showers, polishing mirrors, and ensuring toiletries and bins are regularly replenished and emptied.

"Our team from Rapid Clean have been brilliant with keep our gym clean every night. Our members and visitors are always complementing on how spotless our gym facility is."

SN Hub, Poole (Dorset)

Air quality and ventilation

A fresh, well-ventilated environment is essential in fitness spaces. While air conditioning filters are typically maintained by specialist HVAC engineers, Rapid Clean ensures vents and grilles are thoroughly cleaned as part of your regular service. This helps reduce dust build-up and supports better overall air quality, creating a more pleasant workout environment for members.

Professional support for hygiene standards

Partnering with a professional cleaning team ensures that every area of your gym is cared for with precision and consistency. From daily cleans to periodic deep cleaning, professionals like Rapid Clean help maintain a safe, inviting, and compliant environment for staff and members alike.

Ready to raise your gym’s hygiene standards?

Get in touch with Rapid Clean today to arrange a tailored cleaning plan that keeps your fitness space spotless, safe, and ready for every workout.

The Impact of Cleanliness on Customer Satisfaction

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:01:14 GMT

First impressions matter - and when it comes to your business, cleanliness plays a big part in shaping them. Whether it’s a leisure space, healthcare facility, office, or showroom, the state of your premises instantly affects how customers perceive your brand.

A spotless, well-maintained environment shows professionalism and care, while cluttered or dirty surroundings can leave a lasting negative impression. In fact, studies show that cleanliness directly influences customer satisfaction and loyalty; meaning your cleaning standards can have a real impact on your success.

Clean spaces build trust

Customers are far more likely to feel comfortable and confident in a clean environment. It communicates attention to detail and respect for those who visit your business. A hygienic space not only improves the overall experience but also reassures customers that you value their wellbeing.

Boosting brand reputation

Cleanliness doesn’t just make your space look good – it reflects your brand values. Businesses that prioritise hygiene are seen as more professional, reliable, and customer-focused. Whether you’re veterinary surgery looking after our furry companions, or a car showroom welcoming clients, a clean setting reinforces your brand reputation and encourages repeat visits.

Encouraging positive reviews

With so many customers sharing their experiences online, maintaining cleanliness can directly impact your ratings and reviews. A spotless environment is one of the simplest ways to create a positive experience that customers want to talk about; and that word-of-mouth can go a long way.

The professional advantage

Partnering with a professional cleaning company ensures that every detail is handled to a high standard, from sanitising touchpoints to keeping floors, windows, and bathrooms pristine. With expert support, you can focus on your customers while knowing your space always looks its best.

Want to make a lasting impression on every customer who walks through your door?

Get in touch with Rapid Clean today to discover how our professional cleaning services can help elevate your brand, boost satisfaction, and keep your business spotless.

Our Chosen Christmas Charity 2025

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:51:22 GMT

At the end of every year we ask our head office staff to nominate a charity that they would like to support at Christmas. This year we were inundated with worthy nominations. Please read on to find out more about this year's Christmas charity...

Why Bliss (for babies born premature or sick) Matters

Our Head of People and Culture, Emily Hunter, put forward Bliss , a charity that means a lot to her. She has very kindly shared her family's story on why Bliss is especially important:

In 2020, during the height of the global pandemic, I was pregnant with my first child. Like many expectant parents at that time, it was an incredibly uncertain and isolating experience. Professionally, I was HR Manager at Rapid Clean, helping our 1000 staff navigate site closures, furlough, and the unknowns of COVID-19.

As the months went on, my pregnancy became high-risk. I attended appointments alone, received difficult news without support, and couldn’t see family or friends, like many others. At 31 weeks, I was admitted to hospital in early labour. Doctors hoped to keep the baby until 34 weeks, but little CJ arrived at 32 weeks, weighing just 3 lbs (1.3 kg). He was immediately taken to neonatal intensive care.

Because of COVID restrictions, I didn’t meet him until six hours after birth. Our first visit lasted around 30 minutes. After that, we had to call reception in the morning and ‘book’ short time slots each day, arriving in full PPE, even though I was still an inpatient myself. For most of the time, CJ was alone in his incubator, cared for by amazing nurses doing their best under strict distancing r ules. He remained in hospital for five more weeks.

As CJ grew stronger and moved to lower dependency care, we were allowed longer visits, but under strict conditions. We had particular visiting hours, couldn’t leave once inside our neonatal cubical, couldn’t arrive together, and had no access to basic facilities like a kitchen or vending machine. Along with feeding CJ through a tube, his various desaturations and generally recovering from childbirth myself, in a global pandemic - it was exhausting and emotionally overwhelming.

This is where Bliss made a difference. Bliss is the UK’s leading charity for babies born premature or sick. They campaign for better neonatal care and parental access, and provide practical and emotional support to families during the most challenging times. Their resources helped me understand how to care for a premature baby, and their trained volunteers offered emotional support when I felt completely lost. Even after CJ came home, still under lockdown, Bliss continued to provide guidance and connection, ensuring families like mine never feel alone.

Today, CJ is thriving, and I will always be grateful for the role Bliss played in our journey. Their work campaigning for parental rights, funding research, and supporting families, is vital. I’m really pleased that Rapid Clean is making a Christmas donation to Bliss. Every contribution helps them continue their mission to give vulnerable babies the best possible start in life, while supporting their families when we need it most.

How Do Commercial Cleaning Contracts Work?

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:30:02 GMT

When it comes to maintaining a clean, professional environment, many businesses choose to work with a commercial cleaning company. But what exactly does a cleaning contract involve, and how does it ensure consistent results?

Whether you manage an office, leisure space, or healthcare facility, understanding how cleaning contracts work helps you get the best value and service for your business.

What is a commercial cleaning contract?

A commercial cleaning contract is a formal agreement between a business and a cleaning company that outlines the scope of services, schedule, and cost. It’s designed to ensure clarity, consistency, and reliability; so both sides know exactly what’s expected.

Rapid Clean provides long-term, ongoing cleaning contracts tailored to each business. These agreements typically include details such as the size of the premises, cleaning frequency, the specific tasks required, and any specialist needs like periodic deep cleans or high-level dusting.

Long-term contracts ensure a dependable cleaning routine, consistent standards, and a team who understands the building and its requirements over time.

Tailored to your business needs

No two businesses are the same, which is why cleaning contracts are usually customised. For example, an office might need daily vacuuming, bin emptying, and touchpoint disinfection, while a warehouse may require high-level dusting or industrial floor scrubbing.

At Rapid Clean, we take the time to understand each client’s environment, challenges, and priorities before creating a contract that fits seamlessly around their operations. Our goal is to deliver high cleaning standards with minimal disruption to your working day.

Transparent pricing and accountability

A well-structured contract provides transparency on costs and services, helping businesses budget effectively and avoid hidden fees. It also ensures accountability, as the agreed terms make it easy to monitor performance, request adjustments, and maintain high standards across every visit.

The benefits of a professional cleaning contract

Consistency: Regularly scheduled cleaning keeps workplaces safe, hygienic, and professional.
Quality control: Clear standards ensure every clean meets expectations.
Peace of mind: With a reliable cleaning partner, you can focus on your business – not the mess.

Why partner with Rapid Clean?

With years of experience across commercial, healthcare, and educational environments, Rapid Clean provides professional cleaning services backed by flexibility, reliability, and attention to detail. Our contracts are transparent, our team is fully trained, and our standards never slip.

Ready to simplify your cleaning and keep your business spotless year-round?

Get in touch with Rapid Clean today to discuss a bespoke cleaning contract that works for your space, schedule, and budget.

Healthy Learning Environment: The Importance of Cleaning in Schools

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:00:20 GMT

A clean learning environment is essential to keeping students and staff healthy, focused, and motivated. From classrooms and corridors to dining halls and sports facilities, schools are high-traffic spaces where germs can spread quickly; especially if cleaning standards slip. Regular, professional cleaning in schools not only supports hygiene, but can enhance overall wellbeing and academic performance.

Reducing the spread of illness

Children and young people are especially susceptible to viruses and bacteria, and school environments can easily become breeding grounds for germs. Regular cleaning and disinfection of shared areas, such as desks, door handles, and washrooms, can significantly reduce the spread of illness. Fewer absences mean a more consistent learning experience for students and less disruption for teachers.

Creating a positive space for learning

A tidy, fresh, and organised environment can make a big difference to how students feel. Clean classrooms can improve focus, while bright, hygienic communal areas foster a sense of pride and respect in the school community. It also helps visitors, parents, and inspectors see the school in a positive light, reflecting professionalism and care.

"The cleaning team is fantastic; Carol supervises brilliantly, and all the cleaners are very much part of the school team. Rapid Clean’s Contracts Manager comes in to carry out the monthly audit and meets with our Site Manager to ensure he is happy."

St John the Evangelist CE Primary School, Carterton (Oxfordshire)

Supporting long-term maintenance

Beyond day-to-day hygiene, professional cleaning protects school facilities and resources from wear and tear. Regular maintenance of floors, carpets, and furniture can help extend their lifespan, reducing repair and replacement costs over time.

Partnering with professionals

At Rapid Clean, we understand the unique challenges of maintaining large educational environments. Our team works around the school timetable to ensure minimal disruption, offering flexible cleaning schedules that keep classrooms safe, spotless, and ready for learning.

Ready to raise your school’s cleaning standards?

Get in touch with Rapid Clean today to discuss your school cleaning needs and arrange a tailored cleaning plan.

Gym Cleaning Checklist: Daily, Weekly & Monthly Guide

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:00:04 GMT

Gyms see hundreds of people passing through every day - and with that comes sweat, bacteria, and plenty of wear and tear. Keeping equipment clean isn’t just about appearances; it’s about protecting member health, maintaining your reputation, and ensuring your equipment lasts.

A consistent cleaning schedule helps keep your gym safe, hygienic, and ready for every workout.

Daily cleaning: keeping standards high

Daily cleaning is essential in any fitness environment. It helps prevent the spread of germs and ensures every visitor enjoys a fresh, welcoming space.

Your daily gym cleaning checklist should include:

Disinfecting all high-touch surfaces and equipment after use.
Cleaning mats, benches, and weights with antibacterial products.
Emptying bins and removing rubbish.
Mopping and sanitising changing rooms, toilets, and showers.
Wiping down mirrors, reception areas, and door handles.

These small, regular tasks make the biggest difference when it comes to hygiene and member satisfaction.

Weekly cleaning: tackling the hidden build-up

Even with a strong daily routine, dirt and dust can build up over time - especially in high-traffic areas. Weekly cleaning targets the spots that daily wipes might miss.

This can include:

Deep cleaning of cardio and strength equipment.
Vacuuming vents and air conditioning units.
Washing windows and glass doors.
Scrubbing floors and grout lines to remove sweat residue.
Polishing stainless steel fixtures for a professional finish.

A weekly deep clean keeps your facility fresh and prevents long-term wear on equipment and flooring.

"We have been using Rapid Clean the 2+ years I have been managing the site. Really pleased with how the team are regularly managed. If we ever have issues or questions, our Contract Manager is always available through email and site visits. Natalia regularly visits sites to go over monthly audits and standards. She also, if needed attends site to help cleaning team with areas of extra detail. Hugely valuable to have a contracts manager available to speak with and walk round at site. Any concerns are always a short time from sorting."

- Frogmore Leisure Centre, Yateley (Hampshire)

Monthly cleaning: the deep refresh

Monthly cleans go beyond the everyday, reaching areas that need periodic attention.

This includes:

Machine maintenance cleaning to remove internal dust and build-up.
Steam cleaning carpets and soft furnishings.
Full disinfection of locker rooms and communal facilities.
Detailed checks on cleanliness standards across all zones.

Regular monthly deep cleans help maintain compliance and give your gym a renewed feel every month.

Why partner with Rapid Clean?

At Rapid Clean, we know that every gym is different - from small personal studios to large fitness centres. We create tailored cleaning schedules that fit your operating hours, minimise disruption, and maintain exceptional hygiene standards.

Our team uses professional-grade, gym-safe cleaning products and equipment designed to protect surfaces, extend equipment lifespan, and keep your members safe.

With Rapid Clean as your cleaning partner, you can focus on what matters most - helping your members reach their goals in a spotless, healthy environment.

Time to Share our Latest Rapid Superstar!

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 11:23:01 GMT

Our amazing cleaning team has once again impressed everyone, and we couldn’t be prouder! With so many lovely comments, we had our work cut out choosing a winner. One standout team member rose above the rest. Keep reading to find out who our Rapid Superstar for Q3 is!

Congratulations to Our Superstar Nominees in Q3 of 2025

To show our appreciation, each nominee will receive a personalised letter and a small gift:

Francis KUSI who cleans Bearwood Primary School & Chiltern Way Academy Trust in Berkshire

Bernice Anim, from Rapid Clean, said:

“He ensures that if a member of staff on the cleaning team doesn't show up he will make sure the site is clean before he leaves and he does a good job too.”

Chiltern Way Academy Trust said:

"I do know with the area he cleans, we have never had any issues with this since he has been with us. He is also very reliable and never causes any issues (missing shifts or showing up late etc). I have been here when he has been in for deep cleans during the school holidays and he’s always polite and friendly.”

Irina ROSCA who cleans The Unicorn School in Oxfordshire

Dariusz Lapiak, from Rapid Clean, said:

"From day one she has been very helpful, polite, and has demonstrated excellent communication skills. Her cleaning standards are consistently high, and we have received very positive feedback from the client."

The Unicorn School said:

"Irina has been our standout shining star since starting with us at the school… we have incredibly high standards which Irina lives up to superbly… she has also proactively helped our other operatives with advice, guidance and support and is a breath of fresh air when it comes to communicating. Irina proactively reports back to me with genuine authenticity and passion, when she identifies areas where improvements could be made. Staff around the school feed back to me on how amazing Irina is and she is like an absolute trojan when you watch her work. Utterly committed, passionate about her work and always concerned that her colleagues are also reaching the same high bar. Dariusz identified the same superb traits and, with my absolute endorsement, has taken the swift decision to make Irina our supervisor, which was absolute music to my ears. Irina is quite simply a superstar in my eyes and someone I would never wish to lose from our team. "

Simone DA SILVA who cleans Physiolistic in Berkshire

Edina Muller, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Simone does an exceptional job, takes pride in what she is doing, and the client loves her. They have also built a very friendly relationship with her. Her standards are outstanding, there are never any issues, and she is one of my best cleaners. She is also friendly and very sweet. So far, every single audit was almost 100%. She is a true asset to the company.”

Physiolistic said:

"From our side, we have been extremely happy with Simone. She has a lovely personality, is always friendly and punctual, and she has been fantastic in terms of the cleaning of the clinic. It is nice to arrive in the morning to a clean and neat clinic! I can definitely say that she is fully deserving of the Superstar Award."

Maria MARTINS who cleans a Production Site in Bristol

Jolanta Kusznerko, from Rapid Clean, said:

"I would like to nominate Maria Martins for her outstanding work. She is always willing to help and cover, even with last minute sickness. On the day she did this, the bus was cancelled so she walked 40 minutes to the site! She is a breath of fresh air and is very much needed on site."

The production site said:

“Maria is an excellent worker, attentive and a fast learner of new techniques and skills. She is always willing to go above and beyond, and the cleaning standard has improved significantly since she started at the company.”

Byron AVAIENT who cleans at White Horse Medical Centre in Wiltshire

Karolina Podralska, from Rapid Clean, said:

"He is truly the right person in the right place - highly competent and an excellent leader for his team. He also arranges cover whenever someone is absent, ensuring everything runs smoothly. I honestly wish everyone could have such a wonderful person in their team."

White Horse Medical Centre in Wilshire said:

"Byron's contribution extends far beyond his core duties, making him a true Unsung Hero and a massive asset to the team's operational excellence and spirit. He consistently demonstrates extraordinary initiative and dedication. Byron works seamlessly with Tony to ensure the premises are always immaculately clean and tidy, going above and beyond to get the best results. He attends monthly IPC meetings, providing valuable input and advice that significantly helps maintain the highest safety standards. Every Friday, Byron lifts the spirits of the entire staff by preparing and serving his legendary bacon and sausage sandwiches. This act of kindness has become a cherished weekly tradition that visibly boosts team morale, fosters positive relationships, and showcases his genuine care for his colleagues' well-being. Simply put, for Byron, nothing is too much trouble. He is a consistent example of outstanding commitment and a true morale-champion.”

Lesley RUMBLE who cleans at Total Laminate Systems in Dorset

Natalia Kalka, from Rapid Clean, said:

"I would like to nominate Lesley for her great work and reliability. She is a very good cleaner. When she saw the advert for a cover cleaner, she immediately called me to offer her help, showing real initiative and team spirit. She’s a dependable and valued member of the team.”

Total Laminate Systems said:

"Lesley is a lovely Lady, and she always does a great job of cleaning for us, she is like one of our own.”

Maria DA SILVA MARTINS who cleans at Farnborough Hill School and Peppers Cable Glands in Hampshire

Karolina Podralska, from Rapid Clean, said:

"I would like to nominate Maria for her outstanding work at Peppers Cable and also in Farnborough Hill school. She consistently maintains a very high standard of cleaning and takes great pride in her work. Her attention to detail and reliability have made a big difference on site. Maria is a valued member of the team and truly deserves recognition."

Farnborough Hill School said:

"Maria is extremely hard working and conscientious, she is also very loyal; she has been working here at Farnborough Hill for a lifetime and is always smiling. Maria is very deserving of your Superstar Award in my opinion."

Sharon COULDREY who cleans at BUPA Dental in Halstead

Piotr Szulc, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Sharon is proactive and handles things on her own. The client is happy, and the site is clean."

Ilse BASCO who cleans at Softcat Marlow

Mirela Tudorache, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Despite my extended absence, she has done an outstanding job maintaining standards and keeping everything running smoothly on her own. We’ve been in touch over the phone, and she has consistently stayed on top of everything."

Edyta NICZYPORUK who cover cleans at Meonstoke Church of England School

Anne Sheen, from Rapid Clean, said:

“Edyta is doing cover cleaning for me, and nothing is too much trouble for her. She currently drives to Meonstoke which is an hour from her home to do 3 hours cleaning then an hour back home.”

Butts ATKINS who cleans at Moulsford Prep School

Diana Stone, from Rapid Clean, said:

"He definitely goes above and beyond on the school and has been a brilliant help covering whilst staff have been off. The school are happy with him, and the site is spotless. He is a very good cleaner.”

Helena DEDAA who cleans at Oxford Playhouse Theatre

Melania Balza, at Rapid Clean, said:

"She's very responsive and very respectful and proactive.”

Rapid Superstar Winner!

Mutiat JAYEOLA who cleans at Camberwell & Peckham Leisure Centre in London

This is what Rapid's Contracts Manager, and Camberwell Leisure Centre had to say about Mutiat:

Ingrid Antonio from Rapid Clean, said:

"For the reason why I would give her this vote, you can see all the sites she has impacted on. She is one exceptional supervisor who goes above and beyond at the drop of a hat. She works tirelessly to help us retain this contract, and leads with as much passion as myself."

Camberwell Leisure Centre said:

"Mutiat is truly an asset to have, she consistently goes above and beyond her duties every day, approaching her work with a positive attitude that uplifts those around her. Her dedication, reliability, and attention to detail do not go unnoticed. She has developed a fantastic rapport, not only with the Rapid Clean team, offering guidance to new staff and providing support wherever needed, but also with the wider leisure centre staff. Her friendly and professional approach makes her a valued member of our environment, and we regularly receive positive feedback about her work. In our opinion, Mutiat is an outstanding example of excellence and a true credit to your company. We wholeheartedly support her nomination and believe she is very deserving of this recognition."

Once again, choosing a winner was incredibly tough with so many outstanding nominations! A big congratulations to Mutiat , who truly embodies our company values. Great job, everyone - keep up the amazing work! ��

The Importance of Office Cleaning for Workplace Hygiene

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 08:00:06 GMT

Cleanliness in the workplace goes far beyond first impressions. A well-maintained office supports productivity, protects employee health, and reflects positively on your business as a whole. In today’s working-world where shared spaces, hot-desking, and hybrid schedules are common - maintaining hygiene has never been more important.

Why office hygiene matters

Everyday office life involves countless shared touchpoints: desks, door handles, phones, and communal kitchens. Without regular cleaning, bacteria and viruses can spread quickly, leading to more sick days and a decline in staff morale.

A clean workplace also promotes focus and professionalism. Employees are more likely to feel comfortable and motivated in an environment that’s tidy, fresh, and hygienic.

The Benefits of a Clean Workplace

Regular, high-quality cleaning delivers clear benefits for your business, including:

Healthier staff – Reducing germs and allergens lowers the risk of illness and absenteeism.
Increased productivity – A clutter-free, clean environment helps employees stay focused.
Stronger first impressions – Clean offices reflect positively on your brand when welcoming clients or visitors.
Compliance with regulations – Meeting hygiene standards ensures a safe and compliant workplace.

Daily cleaning keeps offices running smoothly

Routine daily cleaning is essential for keeping germs at bay. This includes vacuuming carpets, sanitising desks and equipment, wiping down touchpoints, and maintaining communal areas such as kitchens and toilets.

When handled consistently, these small tasks prevent the build-up of dirt and bacteria, helping to maintain a safe and welcoming workspace day after day.

The role of deep cleaning

While daily cleaning keeps things ticking over, periodic deep cleans are just as important. These tackle areas that often get overlooked-such as upholstery, flooring, and ventilation systems-removing dust, odours, and hidden bacteria that can impact air quality and comfort.

Scheduling quarterly or biannual deep cleans helps extend the lifespan of furnishings and ensures your office always feels fresh and professional.

"We've had some struggles in getting the right people in to meet our high standards of cleaning. Our cleaning staff and our Contracts Manager leave me no room for any complaints! They meet our high standards exceptionally well. I really hope they are recognised for the outstanding work that they do!"

- Eton Bridge, Windsor (Berkshire)

Partnering with a professional cleaning company

At Rapid Clean, we understand that every office operates differently. Our tailored cleaning plans are built around your space, schedule, and staff needs-whether you require daily cleaning, flexible hours, or out-of-hours service.

Our experienced team uses high-quality, eco-friendly products to keep your workplace hygienic and sustainable, while our Contracts Managers oversee every detail to ensure consistent results.

Create a healthier workplace with Rapid Clean

A clean office is a productive office-and an investment in your business’s reputation and employee wellbeing.

If your cleaning schedule could use a refresh, we can help. Contact Rapid Clean today to arrange a free site visit and discover how our professional office cleaning services can keep your workspace spotless, safe, and ready for success.

Are you familiar with the national standards of healthcare cleanliness for your medical facility?

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 08:00:13 GMT

Cleanliness in healthcare isn’t just about appearances – it’s about protecting patients, supporting staff, and meeting strict national requirements. In the UK, every healthcare setting must follow the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025. These standards were updated earlier this year and provide a clear, measurable framework for infection prevention and hygiene management across hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities.

For busy medical environments, where hundreds of people move through waiting rooms, wards, and treatment areas every day, maintaining these standards is critical. They not only reduce the risk of infection but also build public confidence, showing patients and visitors that their safety is being taken seriously. Falling short, on the other hand, can lead to compliance issues, reputational damage, and – most importantly – risks to health.

What the standards mean in practice

The National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025 go beyond surface-level cleaning. They introduce risk-based routines, ensuring high-risk areas such as operating theatres receive rigorous daily attention while lower-risk areas like offices follow proportionate schedules. They also place a strong emphasis on staff training, consistent auditing, and visible indicators of compliance so that patients and staff can feel reassured about the environment they are in.

If you’d like to explore these updates in more detail, take a look at our previous blog NHS Cleanliness Standards 2025 - What You Need to Know , where we outlined the key changes introduced by NHS England and what they mean for healthcare providers across the UK.

In practice, the standards require facilities to demonstrate that cleaning is:

Consistent – with clear routines and accountability across all spaces.

Measurable – backed by auditing and reporting to prove compliance.

Transparent – with visible indicators showing patients that standards are being met.

It’s no longer enough for a healthcare facility to look clean – it must be able to prove cleanliness.

How professional cleaning makes the difference

For healthcare providers, keeping up with these requirements while managing day-to-day operations can be challenging. This is where working with a professional cleaning partner makes a huge difference. At Rapid Clean, our teams are trained to deliver services that align with national standards, combining daily routines with the detailed reporting needed to stay compliant.

We understand the unique demands of healthcare environments, from the safe use of cleaning products to the handling of sensitive areas, and we create tailored cleaning plans that ensure every part of your facility meets the highest expectations. By outsourcing to experts, healthcare facilities can focus on patient care while knowing their environments are consistently safe, compliant, and hygienic.

“I am sooo happy with the cleaning; love the cleaners and our Contracts Manager! We passed infection control with flying colours - the cleaning scored 100%! I can't thank Rapid Clean enough for the standard of cleaning your provide us. I would recommend Rapid to any healthcare provider. It's worth the extra money 100% to have this standard of cleaning."

- The Village Practice, N. London (Greater London)

Supporting safer, cleaner healthcare

At Rapid Clean, we see ourselves as more than a cleaning provider – we’re a partner in building safe, trusted spaces that meet national standards. From GP surgeries and clinics to larger hospitals, we help healthcare facilities stay compliant, protect patients, and maintain the confidence of everyone who walks through their doors.

Ready to review your healthcare cleaning standards?

Contact Rapid Clean today to find out how we can help your facility stay compliant, hygienic, and trusted.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products in Schools

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:00:24 GMT

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products in Schools

Schools are at the heart of every community - full of energy, activity, and hundreds of daily interactions. With so many pupils, teachers, and staff sharing the same spaces, maintaining a clean environment is essential. But beyond simply keeping classrooms and corridors tidy, schools also have an opportunity to make choices that benefit both people and the planet. One of the most impactful changes is switching to eco-friendly cleaning products.

Why Eco-Friendly Cleaning Matters in Schools

Traditional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can irritate skin, trigger allergies, or cause respiratory issues. In busy school environments, where children and staff spend hours every day, the products used make a real difference to wellbeing. Eco-friendly cleaning solutions are designed to be safer, gentler, and more sustainable - without compromising on results.

The Key Benefits

1. Healthier for Students and Staff

Eco-friendly products minimise exposure to strong chemicals, reducing the risk of headaches, asthma flare-ups, and skin irritation. With fewer sick days and healthier classrooms, everyone benefits.

2. Better for the Environment

Many eco-cleaning products are biodegradable and made with natural ingredients, meaning they break down safely after use. By reducing chemical waste, schools can lower their environmental footprint and contribute to wider sustainability goals.

3. Cost-Effective in the Long Run

Concentrated formulas and multi-purpose eco-products often last longer, helping schools get more value from their budgets. A sustainable choice doesn’t have to cost more.

4. Supporting a Culture of Responsibility

By adopting eco-friendly products, schools send a strong message to pupils about the importance of protecting the planet. It’s a practical way to model sustainability in everyday life.

A Safer, Smarter Choice

Switching to eco-friendly cleaning doesn’t mean compromising on cleanliness. These products are tested for effectiveness and can handle the daily demands of a busy school environment – from sticky classroom desks to high-traffic corridors.

Partnering With Rapid Clean

At Rapid Clean, we understand that every school has unique needs. That’s why we recommend solutions that balance effectiveness, safety, and sustainability. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your daily cleaning products or refresh your entire routine, we can help create an approach that supports both your staff and your sustainability goals.

Ready to review your school’s cleaning schedule?

Get in touch with Rapid Clean today to explore eco-friendly cleaning solutions tailored for your school.

How to Maintain Commercial Gym Equipment with Professional Cleaning

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:30:12 GMT

Running a busy gym means your equipment takes a lot of use - and abuse. Sweat, dust, and constant handling don’t just affect appearance, they can shorten the lifespan of machines and put members at risk of illness. A structured cleaning approach keeps your gym safe, compliant, and welcoming.

Here’s how to do gym cleaning right:

1. Daily Wipe-Downs Aren’t Enough

Encouraging members and staff to wipe equipment after use is essential, but it only tackles surface-level dirt and germs. Professional cleaning ensures deep sanitisation of high-touch points like handles, buttons, and seating.

2. Protect Equipment Investment

Moisture, sweat, and dust can corrode metal, wear down upholstery, and damage electronics. Professional cleaners use the correct products and techniques to extend the lifespan of treadmills, weights, and strength machines.

3. Safeguard Member Health

Gyms are hotspots for bacteria, fungi, and viruses that cause skin infections and illness. Routine disinfection keeps your members safe, showing them you take hygiene as seriously as fitness results.

- Places Leisure, Balham (London)

4. Maintain a Positive Reputation

First impressions matter. A clean, fresh-smelling gym reassures members and attracts new ones. Professional cleaning keeps equipment and communal areas spotless - from mats to mirrors to showers.

5. Stay Compliant

Health and safety standards demand high levels of cleanliness in gyms. Working with a professional service means you’re always audit-ready and fully compliant.

Why Choose Rapid Clean?

Specialist gym and fitness facility cleaning expertise.
Use of high-grade, gym-safe disinfectants.
Flexible schedules to avoid disruption to members.
Tailored cleaning schedules that cover equipment, studios, and shared areas.

A professional cleaning routine is the best way to keep gym equipment in peak condition, protect your investment, and create a healthier space for members. With Rapid Clean as your cleaning partner, you can focus on helping clients reach their goals while we keep your gym spotless.

Celebrating Milestone Work Anniversaries - Q3 2025

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:07:08 GMT

In an industry known for frequent change, it’s something special when people choose to stay and grow with us.

At Rapid Clean, we’re proud to celebrate our team members who reach milestone anniversaries - their commitment and consistency are at the heart of our success.

Celebrating 10 Years with Rapid Clean

 Radostin Dimitrov currently works for Bohunt School in Berkshire and celebrated his 10 year anniversary on 9 ^th September.

Celebrating 5 Years with Rapid Clean

Maria Orozco Giraldo works at Seven Islands Leisure Centre in London. She also helps to cover clean at multiple other leisure centres in London and celebrated her 5 year anniversary on 22 ^nd July.

Francis Kusi currently works at Chiltern Way Academy Trust, Avia Technique, Bearwood Primary School and Winnersh Surgery, all located in Berkshire, and celebrated his 5 year anniversary on 10 ^th August.

Fausat Yusuf currently works at Dulwich Leisure Centre and as a cover cleaner at Station Road Surgery, in Dartford, Camberwell Leisure Centre and Peckham Leisure Centre. Fausat celebrated her 5 year anniversary on 2 ^nd September.

Sulaiman Bah is currently employed at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, in London, where he has worked since the start of his employment with us. He celebrated his 5 year anniversary on 14 ^th September.

Agnes Takyi celebrated her 5 year anniversary with Rapid on 14 ^th September and has worked at multiple sites in Berkshire. Agnes currently works at Our Lady’s Prep School, in Berkshire, since 2023.

Head Office Employees Celebrating Work Anniversaries

Holly Godwin , Assistant Accountant, celebrated her 5 year anniversary on 28 ^th September.

These are just a few of our devoted and reliable team members. Congratulations to all on reaching your work anniversaries!

Want to join the Rapid Clean family? We have plenty of roles available; click the button below to see our latest job openings.

Impact of a Clean Office Environment on Productivity

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 08:00:08 GMT

When you think about workplace productivity, things like technology, training, and management usually come to mind. But there’s another factor that plays a huge role in how effectively employees perform - the cleanliness of their working environment.

A clean, well-maintained office doesn’t just look professional; it directly influences how employees feel, focus, and perform. Here’s why investing in professional office cleaning services is an investment in your business’s productivity.

Reduced Illness and Staff Absence

Workplaces are hotspots for germs, especially shared spaces like kitchens, meeting rooms, and desks. Without regular cleaning, viruses and bacteria spread quickly, leading to higher rates of staff sickness. A hygienic office reduces illness-related absences and keeps your team present and productive.

Improved Concentration and Focus

Clutter and mess can be mentally distracting. Employees working in a clean and organised office are better able to focus on their tasks without unnecessary stress or disruption. A tidy desk often leads to a tidy mind.

Boosted Morale and Motivation

The state of the office sends a powerful message about how much a business values its staff. A fresh, clean environment boosts morale, creates a sense of pride, and motivates employees to maintain higher standards in their own work.

"Our experience with Rapid Clean has been very positive. They have offered a professional and efficient service and our offices are always cleaned to a high standard. I would recommend Rapid Clean to anyone wanting a high-standard cleaning company."

- LA Micro Group, Bracknell (Berkshire)

Professional Image for Clients and Visitors

First impressions matter. An immaculate office creates a sense of professionalism and reliability, not just for staff but also for clients, investors, and visitors. This enhances your company’s reputation and builds confidence in your brand.

Protecting Office Assets

Regular cleaning extends the life of furniture, carpets, and equipment. From preventing dust build-up in electronics to maintaining flooring, proper care reduces long-term costs and disruptions caused by repairs or replacements.

Why Choose Rapid Clean for Office Cleaning?

At Rapid Clean, we specialise in professional office cleaning that supports both staff wellbeing and business performance. Our tailored cleaning schedules cover everything from daily upkeep to deep cleans, ensuring your workplace remains spotless and productive.

Flexible cleaning around your working hours
High-grade, safe cleaning products
A dedicated contracts manager for ongoing support

Ready to Improve Productivity?

A clean office is more than just a nice-to-have - it’s a business advantage. Contact Rapid Clean today for a free site visit and personalised office cleaning plan.

Why Is It So Important to Work With a Specialist Veterinary Cleaning Service?

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 08:00:04 GMT

From busy waiting areas to treatment rooms, every corner of a veterinary practice needs to meet consistently high standards of hygiene. Ordinary cleaning methods aren’t always enough.

So, why does working with a specialist veterinary cleaning service make such a difference?

Infection Control is Critical

Animals can carry bacteria, parasites, and germs that may spread quickly if cleaning isn’t thorough. A specialist cleaning team understands how to disinfect surfaces safely and effectively, reducing the risk of cross-contamination between animals, staff, and visitors.

Different Zones, Different Standards

From waiting rooms and kennels, to surgical suites and consultation areas, each part of a veterinary practice has unique cleaning needs. Without a clear cleaning contract and schedule, critical areas may be missed or not cleaned to the right standard. While a specialist cleaning company should follow zoning protocols to ensure the right methods are applied in the right areas.

Protecting Pets, Owners, and Staff

Harsh or unsuitable cleaning products can be harmful to animals. Professional veterinary cleaning uses animal-safe, high-grade products that are effective against pathogens, but gentle enough for sensitive paws and noses.

Compliance and Peace of Mind

Veterinary practices must comply with strict hygiene regulations, including COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health). Specialist cleaners are trained in these standards, helping reduce risk, support your team, and give practice owners confidence that they’re always patient-friendly and inspection-ready.

Why Choose Rapid Clean?

At Rapid Clean, we know veterinary cleaning inside out. Our team is fully trained in infection control, COSHH compliance, and veterinary-safe cleaning protocols. We:

Use cleaning products suitable for animal healthcare environments.
Work flexibly around your surgery hours to minimise disruption.
Provide tailored cleaning schedules and a dedicated contracts manager.

Whether it’s daily upkeep or deep cleaning for high-risk zones, we deliver consistent, high-quality results that keep your practice safe, compliant, and welcoming.

Looking for a veterinary cleaning partner you can rely on? Contact Rapid Clean today for a free site visit and personalised quote.

How Often Should Schools Be Cleaned?

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 08:00:05 GMT

Schools are some of the busiest environments around; With hundreds of pupils and staff sharing the same spaces every day, dirt and germs can build up quickly. A structured cleaning routine isn’t just about appearances - it’s about protecting health, supporting learning, and keeping educational facilities at their best.

Daily Cleaning Keeps Schools Running Smoothly

The most effective cleaning schedules include a strong daily routine. Classrooms, toilets, corridors, and frequently used touchpoints such as door handles all need regular attention. Without daily cleaning, germs can spread easily, leading to higher levels of sickness and absence for both students and teachers.

The Role of Weekly and Termly Deep Cleans

Of course, not every job needs to be done every day. Weekly tasks such as cleaning sports halls , canteens, and windows help maintain standards, while more intensive deep cleans - often scheduled for half-term or summer holidays - refresh the entire school. These can include carpet cleaning, floor treatments, and sanitising specialist areas like science labs or kitchens.

By combining daily upkeep with scheduled deep cleans, schools provide a healthy environment that lasts all year.

"Happy, happy, happy! Rapid took over the cleaning at both of our schools and I'm happy to say well done. Nice team managed well by our Contracts Manager. If any issues are raised they will be resolved by end of the day... I personally would recommend Rapid for your cleaning. Brilliant service!"

Earlswood Federation Schools, Redhill (Surrey )

Why It Matters

The frequency of cleaning has a direct impact on school life:

Student health is protected by reducing the spread of illness.
Focus and learning improve in a clean, uncluttered space.
Reputation is enhanced, with parents and visitors noticing well-maintained facilities.

Compliance with strict hygiene and safety regulations is easier to achieve.

A Tailored Approach With Rapid Clean

Every school is different. That’s why at Rapid Clean, we don’t offer one-size-fits-all schedules - we create tailored cleaning plans to match your building, timetable, and budget. From daily cleans to end-of-term deep cleans, we make sure your school stays spotless, safe, and welcoming all year round.

Ready to review your school’s cleaning schedule?

Get in touch with Rapid Clean today to find out how we can help.

How to Keep Performance Venues Safe & Welcoming

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 08:00:00 GMT

When people head to the theatre, they expect more than just a great performance - they expect an experience. From the moment they step into the foyer to the time they leave, the cleanliness of your venue shapes how they feel about their visit. With large audiences, busy schedules, and food and drink often involved, keeping theatres spotless is a challenge that requires a professional touch.

The Challenges of High Footfall

Theatres welcome hundreds of guests in a single evening. Spilled drinks, dropped snacks, and heavy restroom use are part of the reality of live events. Add in carpets, upholstered seating, and shared spaces like stairways, bars, and foyers, and the need for consistent, professional cleaning becomes clear.

More Than a Quick Tidy-Up

Theatre cleaning isn’t just about emptying bins or a fast sweep between shows. Upholstery, carpets, railings, armrests, and ticket counters all need regular attention to stay fresh and hygienic. Without proper routines, odours and bacteria can quickly build up, leaving a poor impression on guests.

Health, Safety & Compliance

In venues where refreshments are served and large groups gather, hygiene standards must be especially high. From reducing slip hazards in busy walkways to keeping restrooms immaculate, cleaning plays a direct role in audience safety and regulatory compliance.

Cleaning Around the Curtain Call

Every theatre has a unique schedule of matinees, evening performances, and special events. That’s why a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. Rapid Clean offers flexible cleaning services designed to fit around rehearsals and performance times, ensuring your venue is spotless without disrupting staff or audiences.

Why Choose Rapid Clean?

Flexible cleaning tailored to your performance schedule
Infection-control trained staff
Eco-friendly, high-quality cleaning products
Dedicated contracts manager to oversee quality

At Rapid Clean, we know that a clean theatre is part of the performance. By keeping your venue safe, fresh, and welcoming, we help you deliver a premium experience to every guest while supporting your staff and protecting your reputation.

Ready to raise the curtain on a cleaner theatre? Contact Rapid Clean today for a tailored cleaning plan designed for your venue.

Who Has Won Rapid's Superstar Award this Time?!

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 10:55:39 GMT

Once again, our incredible cleaning team has received glowing praise, making us proud beyond words. With so many kind comments, choosing a winner is never easy -but one star stood out. Read on to discover who earned the title of our Rapid Superstar for Q2!

Congratulations to Our Superstar Nominees in Q2 of 2025

To show our appreciation, each nominee will receive a personalised letter and a small gift:

Kinga MALKIEWICZ who cleans Medicana in Hampshire

Anne Sheen, from Rapid Clean, said:

"I don't very often need to get involved here as she sorts all cover, sickness, holiday etc. She works hard for us, 8 hours a day Monday to Friday."

Medicana said:

"I fully support this nomination - Kinga is a superstar. Nothing is too much trouble. She is kind and polite at all times, friendly to all of our staff and patients and is happy to help wherever and whenever needed. She is a huge part of our workplace and everybody knows her and enjoys having her around - as well as the fact that she does an amazing job and to an exceptional standard!"

Ana TAVARES who cleans eValue Ltd & Azets in Berkshire

Edina Muller, from Rapid Clean, said:

"She is an absolute pleasure to work with. She is so efficient, never once have I had any complaints from any of her sites. She's arranged her own cover when she went on holiday. She just messaged me that she will be on holiday on such and such dates, but I shouldn't worry, as the cover is already sorted. Sends her orders promptly. She is just so unproblematic. Both clients speak so highly about her. Whenever I do an audit, it is always almost perfect."

eValue said:

"She has worked with eValue for many years and is a very loyal, trusted, and hard-working member of your team. She is our superstar, always willing to help, and nothing is ever too much trouble for her. She uses her initiative to sort out situations, so they don't escalate. We cherish her at eValue, and Rapid Clean should be very proud to have her as an ambassador for the company. In our opinion, she truly deserves a Rapid Superstar Award."

Milika TABUA who cleans Princecroft Primary School in Wiltshire

Michael Correia, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Milika is extremely reliable and is always happy to help, she works to excellent standards. She has been a huge help with covering the shortfall in sites and never says no when asked. This includes being taken to sites that are quite a distance from where she lives. Her cleaning standards are great and she is a such an asset to the Swindon area. Her help is truly appreciated."

Princecroft Primary School said:

" I am so pleased to hear Milika’s hard work has been recognised! She is wonderful, her attention to detail is fantastic and she goes above and beyond every day. We really hope she is successful in receiving the Superstar award."

Kalsoom ASSI BISHENDEN who cleans at The Bulmershe School in Berkshire

Bernice Anim, from Rapid Clean, said:

"She is doing a good job in the school by filling in the gaps and helping to organise all the cover cleaning required by communicating effectively with the team. She deserves a pat on the back to say thank you for her hard work."

Karolina STOLARSKA LAPIAK who cleans Meath School in Surrey and Meadlands Primary School in Greater London

Dariusz Lapiak, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Over the past few weeks, she has supported me across several sites, including helping with deep cleans. I’ve received numerous compliments about her attitude and work performance. Additionally, this week Karolina helped us start at a new school in Ashley, which I truly appreciate. I believe she genuinely deserves this award for her dedication."

Sandra ROSE who cleans at The Drayton Surgery in Hampshire

Fahim Aziz, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Sandra is not only an excellent cleaner but also a dedicated and dependable team player. She is always willing to step in and support her colleagues whenever someone is absent, ensuring that the team's performance remains consistent. Over the past three months there have been no complaints from this site, which speaks volumes about the high standard she upholds. One of our most positive Google reviews came from The Drayton Surgery’s Practice Manager, and Sandra played a key role in making that possible. The client has expressed great satisfaction with Sandra and her team’s work. It is a tremendous asset to have someone as reliable, proactive, and committed as her in the role of Cleaner Supervisor. I wholeheartedly nominate her for recognition."

Justyna BLADEK who cleans at St Saviours Junior School in Somerset

Jolanta Kusznerko, from Rapid Clean, said:

"She was working with another cleaner on the site and decided to take his hours when he left. The area of the school that she has taken was really bad and she worked extremely hard to bring it back to fantastic standards. The caretaker at school is praising her and they are really happy with her."

Kyle BLACKMORE who cleans at The Corsham School in Wiltshire

Karolina Podralska, from Rapid Clean, said:

"He is an absolute star on site. Whenever I need support with cover or there's anything he can help with, he is always the first to offer his assistance. He is a very responsible young person and consistently shows great dedication to his work. That's probably the best way I can describe him- he gives his best every single day, and I truly believe he deserves this recognition."

Ernestina TWUMASI who cleans at St David's Prep School in Kent

Kevin Twinley, from Rapid Clean, said:

"She is so helpful, covers in the school break when she really doesn't have to and is extremely hard working and a great cleaner. A pleasure to have on my staff team; an absolute star. Whenever I need support with cover, or there's anything he can help with, he is always the first to offer his assistance. He is a very responsible young person and consistently shows great dedication to his work. That's probably the best way I can describe him - he gives his best every single day, and I truly believe he deserves this recognition."

Michael MORENO who cleans at Graven Hill Primary School in Oxfordshire

Melania Balza, from Rapid Clean, said:

"He is always helpful, he covers for the other cleaner and does a good job, he is very reliable."

Ilse BASCO who cleans at Softcat in Marlow

Mirela Tudorache, from Rapid Clean, said:

"She is very reliable, and I know that when Ilse is on site, any issues are resolved promptly. She is always on top of her work and consistently goes above and beyond to keep the site running smoothly."

Tatiana MARKOVSKA who cleans at St Peters C of E Junior School in Hampshire

Natalia Kalka, from Rapid Clean, said:

"Tatiana is an essential part of our team who consistently goes above and beyond to keep our workplace clean, safe, and welcoming. Always reliable and hardworking, she takes pride in every task with a positive attitude. A true unsung hero and a well deserving Superstar!"

Rapid Superstar Winner!

 Rosemary BREAKSPEAR who cleans Stockham Primary School in Oxfordshire

This is what Rapid's Contracts Manager, and Stockham Primary School had to say about Rosemary:

Diana Stone, Contracts Manager at Rapid Clean, said:

"She’s always happy to help out when we’re short-staffed and can’t find cover, and never has any issues in doing so. She works hard, and hardly ever takes a day off. She’s been cleaning at Stockham for 27 years , and nothing is ever too much trouble for her."

Stockham Primary School said:

"Rosemary has been part of our school community for many years. In more recent times it has been more difficult for her with changes in staffing etc but she has been consistent and reliable. We appreciate her continued efforts and it is refreshing to see that Rapid Clean shares these thoughts."

Once again, choosing a winner was incredibly tough with so many outstanding nominations! A big congratulations to Rosemary , who truly embodies our company values. Great job, everyone - keep up the amazing work! ��

NHS Cleanliness Standards 2025 - What You Need to Know

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 14:55:49 GMT

This year, the NHS has raised the bar on cleanliness across healthcare settings. On 5 February 2025, NHS England released the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025, replacing the 2021 version. These changes affect hospitals, GP surgeries, care settings – and for the first time – ambulance and patient transport services. At Rapid Clean, we are proud to support NHS healthcare settings in meeting these new expectations.

Key Updates in the 2025 Healthcare Standards

You can of course read the full NHS cleanliness standards for 2025 , but it can sometimes be difficult to establish the key headlines when new legislation is introduced. On this occasion, we've done the hard work for you:

Ambulances Included - cleaning protocols now cover vehicles;

Area-based Functional Risk Cleaning - standards emphasise maintaining cleanliness across full functional areas (not just individual items);

Star Ratings on Display - sites (excluding ambulances which is optional) must now show star ratings in patient-facing areas, making cleanliness performance visible to staff, patients and visitors;

Audits on Process Not Just Outcomes - checks now look at how cleaning is done (technique, PPE, chemicals) as well as the results;

Commitment to Cleanliness Charter - every healthcare setting must display a charter outlining responsibilities and standards.

Why This Matters

These updates put a stronger emphasis on transparency, accountability and patient confidence. Cleanliness is no longer just about appearances - it's about consistent standards, visible quality assurance, and safer environments for everyone.

How Rapid Clean Can Help

Our cleaning teams are already working to the new NHS standards, with training, audit support and cleaning schedules tailored to meet the latest requirements. Whether you're a small GP surgery, large medical practice, or a hospital, we make sure every environment is safe, compliant and reassuringly clean.

If your NHS site needs support with the new 2025 standards, we would be happy to help.

�� Get in touch today to discuss how we can keep your site compliant, safe and spotless.

The Future of Office Cleaning: What’s Next for the Workplace?

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 08:00:19 GMT

Workplaces have changed dramatically in recent years. Hybrid working, flexible hours, and new expectations around hygiene mean the role of office cleaning is evolving too. No longer just about empty bins and vacuumed carpets, cleaning now plays a key part in employee wellbeing, productivity, and even company culture.

At Rapid Clean, we’re always looking ahead. Here’s what the future of office cleaning looks like – and why it matters for your business.

A Focus on Wellbeing

Modern employees expect their workplace to support both their health and productivity. Clean, hygienic environments help reduce the spread of illness and create a space where people feel comfortable and motivated.

Dust-free desks, sanitised shared spaces, and fresh-smelling air are no longer “extras” - they’re essentials that influence how staff feel about coming into the office.

Smarter, More Sustainable Cleaning

Businesses are increasingly looking for eco-friendly cleaning solutions. The future of office cleaning lies in sustainable products, and reduced water and product waste.

Using the latest cleaning machinery and technology allows us to work more efficiently- saving time and reducing costs, while maintaining high standards.

At Rapid Clean, we use high-quality, environmentally responsible products to ensure workplaces are safe for staff, visitors, and the planet.

“Flexibility is key for us, and we get that from Rapid Clean. We want the job doing well, not just hours being fulfilled. The Rapid Clean team feels like an extension of our team rather than an external company.”

- The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Cookham (Berkshire)

Flexible Cleaning for Flexible Work

With hybrid schedules and variable office attendance, the days of rigid cleaning routines are fading. Offices need cleaning that adapts - whether that’s daily touchpoint sanitising, weekly deep cleans, or reactive support for busy periods.

Tailored schedules mean you only pay for what you need, while keeping standards consistently high. Every customer is treated as an individual, with cleaning schedules designed to suit your specific requirements - whether that’s 2 hours one day and 4 hours the next, as long as the minimum of 10 hours per week is met.

Compliance and Professional Standards

Health & Safety, COSHH regulations, and duty-of-care responsibilities remain at the core of office cleaning. The future will see even greater emphasis on accountability and transparency, with cleaning records and quality checks becoming the norm.

Rapid Clean stays ahead by publishing COSHH data on our website and providing customers with the reassurance that every product and process is safe, effective, and compliant.

The Rapid Clean Approach

We understand that no two offices are the same. Our approach combines:

Flexible schedules to suit your team’s working patterns
Eco-conscious products and processes
Uniformed, professional staff trained in infection control
A dedicated contracts manager ensuring consistent quality

With Rapid Clean, your office is always welcoming, safe, and ready for business.

Ready for the Future?

If your office cleaning contract needs to catch up with the times, we’re here to help.

Get in touch for a free site visit and a tailored cleaning plan designed for your workplace.

How to Improve Patient Experience in Your Private Medical Practice

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:02:35 GMT

For private medical practices , patient experience is everything. From the first step into reception to the moment they leave, every detail shapes how people feel about their care. Cleanliness plays a much bigger role than many realise – it’s not just about appearances, but about trust, comfort, and confidence in your service. Recent updates to the NHS National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness emphasise the importance of maintaining rigorous hygiene practices, making it even more crucial to have professional cleaning support in place (link to your blog post here).

At Rapid Clean, we know that a spotless, hygienic environment is at the heart of an excellent patient experience. Here’s how the right cleaning support can make all the difference.

First Impressions Matter

The reception and waiting area are the first things your patients see, and they’ll instantly make a judgement about your practice based on what they find. Fresh-smelling, dust-free, and well-kept surroundings help put people at ease, reducing anxiety before an appointment.

A consistently clean environment tells patients you care about every aspect of their wellbeing, not just the treatment they receive.

Hygiene in Treatment Rooms

In consultation and treatment rooms, cleanliness goes hand-in-hand with professionalism. Surfaces, floors, and equipment areas must be sanitised to prevent cross-contamination and ensure a safe clinical environment.

Patients may not see the fine details, but they feel reassured when a room is immaculate. Regular professional cleaning allows your clinicians to focus on care, knowing the environment supports infection control standards.

"Some companies come in and make promises that I know they cannot deliver - I’ve been in this game for many years! Rapid spoke my language, and I therefore discounted the other companies. My gut instinct told me to go with Rapid and we are delighted!”

- Theatre Manager, Ashtead Hospital (Surrey)

Supporting Staff and Operations

A clean practice isn’t just for patients, it’s essential for your staff too. Well-maintained workspaces, rest areas and offices boost morale, reduce stress, and create a more productive team. When your staff are supported with hygienic surroundings, they can deliver better care to patients.

Staying Compliant

Private medical practices must meet strict regulations, from CQC requirements to COSHH standards. Having a reliable cleaning partner ensures you stay compliant without the worry of audits or inspections catching you off guard.

At Rapid Clean, all our cleaning products undergo a COSHH risk assessment, and the full data is available on our website for easy access, giving customers complete peace of mind. We know exactly what’s needed to keep healthcare environments safe, compliant, and audit-ready.

The Rapid Clean Approach

Our team specialises in cleaning private medical practices and understands the unique challenges of healthcare settings.

We offer:

Flexible cleaning schedules to minimise disruption
Infection-control trained staff
Medical-grade, healthcare-safe cleaning products
Monthly audits by the Contracts Manager

Whether you need daily cleaning, deep cleans, or tailored support for specialist areas, we’ll design a plan that works for your practice.

Ready to Enhance Patient Experience?

If you want to create a cleaner, more welcoming environment for your patients and staff, we’re here to help.

Get in touch today for a free site visit and tailored quote for your practice.

Top 10 Benefits of Having a Clean Classroom

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 07:51:11 GMT

When you step into a classroom, the environment can make just as much of an impact as the lesson itself. A tidy, hygienic space doesn’t just look good - it directly affects student health, learning, and overall wellbeing. With pupils spending around six hours a day in school, the importance of a clean classroom cannot be overstated.

So, what are the real benefits of keeping learning spaces spotless? Let’s explore the top 10.

1. Reduced Spread of Germs & Illness

Classrooms are high-contact environments. Shared desks, books, and equipment can quickly spread germs. Regular cleaning helps reduce sickness, meaning fewer absences for both students and teachers.

2. Better Concentration

Clutter and mess are proven distractions. A clean, organised classroom allows students to focus fully on their lessons rather than their surroundings.

3. Creates a Positive Learning Environment

A fresh, well-maintained space sets the tone for learning. It communicates care and professionalism, encouraging students to take pride in their work and their school.

4. Protects Building & Furniture

Routine cleaning preserves desks, chairs, floors, and equipment, preventing costly damage and extending their lifespan.

5. Improves Air Quality

Dust and allergens can build up in classrooms, especially in older buildings. Proper cleaning and ventilation improve indoor air quality, which is vital for students with asthma or allergies.

6. Enhances Reputation

Parents and visitors notice the condition of a classroom immediately. Clean, welcoming spaces reflect positively on the school and its standards.

7. Supports Teacher Productivity

Teachers are more effective in an organised and hygienic environment. A clean classroom reduces stress and helps them focus on what matters most: teaching.

8. Encourages Responsibility in Pupils

When children see their learning space well cared for, they’re more likely to respect it. Clean classrooms help instil good habits and responsibility in students.

9. Meets Health & Safety Standards

Schools must meet strict health and safety regulations. Clean classrooms help ensure compliance and create a safer environment for everyone.

10. Promotes Inclusion

For students with medical conditions, allergies, or sensory sensitivities, a clean classroom makes education more accessible and inclusive.

The Bottom Line

A clean classroom does more than keep germs at bay - it builds a positive, safe, and productive learning environment for everyone. At Rapid Clean, we provide professional cleaning services tailored to schools, ensuring every classroom is a space where students and teachers can thrive.

Back-to-School Ready: Summer Deep Cleans

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:14:14 GMT

As schools closed for the summer, our cleaning teams stepped into action to commence school deep cleans . Rapid Clean currently provides a daily cleaning service to over 170 schools; thanks to our tailored contracts, more than 60 of those received a full deep-clean during the holidays.

A Summer of Deep Cleaning – Beyond the Surface

Summer break is more than a quiet time, it’s a vital window for schools to be reset, refreshed, and ready for the new term. With classrooms empty and corridors clear, our team carried out cleaning tasks that go far beyond the day‑to‑day upkeep.

From buffing hard floors and shampooing carpets, to sanitising kitchens, scrubbing toilets, and dusting high‑level fixtures, no corner was overlooked!

Tasks like these cannot be completed during term time, due to logistical constraints and disruption to learning. By tackling the deep clean during this ideal period, schools not only uphold hygiene and safety standards, but also prolong the lifespan of their facilities. A summer deep clean helps prevent slip hazards, reduces allergens, protects flooring and equipment from decay, and ultimately saves schools time and future maintenance costs

Celebrating Our Teams: The Unsung Heroes of Summer

Our marketing team recently visited several local schools to gather content and watch our crews in action, and what they saw was inspiring! The cleaning team's attention to detail was exceptional as they worked their way through the deep clean schedule to ensure schools would be pleased with the transformation.

Take a look at this video which includes some of the footage we took whilst onsite...

Why It Matters - and Why It Inspires

Deep cleaning is a cornerstone of health, safety, and readiness at schools. As students and staff return for the new term, they step into bright, clean spaces that foster focus and confidence.

Clean environments reduce the spread of illness, allergens, and odours, and they signal that the school cares. That reassurance resonates with parents, teachers, and other staff alike.

At Rapid Clean, these summer deep cleans are both a service and a statement. Cleaning over 170 schools, and delivering deep cleans to more than 60, demonstrates our operational strength, commitment to quality, and respect for both the spaces we serve and the people who use them.

Take a look at the finished results below...

Our summer deep cleans don’t just prepare schools, they fill them with a renewed sense of pride, wellness, and readiness for the challenges and joys ahead.

To our cleaning operatives who work tirelessly behind the scenes: thank you. And to the schools entrusting us with summer deep cleans, here’s to clean, safe, and inspiring spaces this new school year and beyond.

Why Specialist Cleaning Matters in SEN Schools

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 07:00:06 GMT

Understanding the Unique Cleaning Needs of SEN Schools

SEN (Special Educational Needs) schools are more than just places of learning; they are safe, nurturing environments designed to support pupils with a wide range of additional needs. In these schools, every detail of the environment plays a role in helping children feel calm, supported, and ready to learn, and cleanliness is at the heart of that.

Here, cleaning isn’t just about keeping things looking neat; it’s about creating calm, consistent, and hygienic surroundings where all children, whatever their needs, can feel secure and thrive.

From sensory rooms and therapy spaces, to playgrounds and dining areas, each space has a specific purpose, and each deserves special attention to detail when it comes to cleaning.

Understanding the Needs of Staff and Students

Many students in SEN settings experience sensory sensitivities. Loud noises or too much surrounding activity can feel overwhelming or distressing. That’s why our cleaning teams and schedules work in a way that minimises disruption to pupils and staff.

For example, daily cleaning tasks (particularly vacuuming and other noisy tasks) can be arranged outside of school hours, so lessons and learning activities can continue undisturbed.

Promoting Wellbeing and Hygiene

Wellbeing and hygiene go hand in hand in SEN schools. Many pupils work closely with teaching staff, therapists, and each other, often sharing equipment and learning spaces. This makes regular, thorough cleaning essential for reducing the spread of germs and allergens.

We give extra care to high-touch areas like door handles and desks. If you’d like to go even further, we can often arrange carpet cleaning at weekends or outside your opening hours for maximum convenience.

At Rapid Clean, our cleaning schedules are always tailored to the school’s unique layout, facilities and requirements. We can also include end-of-term deep cleans, to ensure every corner is ready for the next term.

Consistency and Reliability

Consistency is crucial in SEN environments. Seeing the same friendly, familiar faces each day helps build trust and reassurance for pupils and staff alike. That’s why we assign dedicated cleaning staff who are fully trained and experienced in educational settings.

To make sure your service runs smoothly, a local Contracts Manager oversees the work, carrying out regular quality checks and staying in close contact with your team. This way, any concerns can be addressed quickly and proactively.

A Cleaning Service as Unique as Your School

What do SEN Schools have to say about Rapid Clean?

Our professional cleaning teams have hands-on experience cleaning SEN Schools , such as WEMMS Education Centre in Surrey, which we’ve been cleaning since September 2023. Here’s what they had to say about Rapid Clean:

" Good communication, very friendly staff always willing to help. The management are very professional and always make things easy for their clients. Would recommend to anybody. BRILLIANT SERVICE! "

Looking For A Reliable SEN School Cleaning Provider? We’d Love To Help

If you’re reviewing your current cleaning arrangements, or planning ahead, get in touch to arrange a free site visit and personalised quote. Find out how we can support your SEN school’s needs, so you can keep your time focused on your students.

The Challenges of Keeping Veterinary Surgeries Clean (And How to Overcome Them)

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 07:00:19 GMT

Veterinary practices are places of care, comfort, and often chaos. With patients that shed, scratch and (lovably) drool, keeping a surgery spotless is no easy task. But just like in human healthcare settings, hygiene in veterinary environments is absolutely essential for safety, compliance, and peace of mind.

Let’s take a closer look at the key challenges of keeping your veterinary surgery clean and, more importantly, how to overcome them.

Cleaning for More Than Just Appearances

From the waiting area to the examination table, every space in a veterinary practice must be maintained to the highest standards. This isn’t just about keeping things looking tidy - it’s about preventing infections, controlling odours, and ensuring the safety of the pets, their owners, and the veterinary staff.

Hair, bodily fluids, dirt, and dander are everyday realities. Without regular, professional cleaning, these can quickly build up and pose serious health risks.

Biohazards, Zoning, and Specialist Surfaces

Veterinary surgeries deal with a variety of biohazards, such as blood, faeces, urine, vomit, and more. Cleaning protocols need to be thorough and clearly defined, especially between different zones like treatment rooms, kennels (if present), reception areas, and surgical suites.

Different surfaces require different approaches. Stainless steel tables need regular disinfection, while floors must be slip-resistant and sanitised without leaving harmful residues.

Staying Compliant

Veterinary environments must meet strict health and safety standards, including COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations. Having a professional cleaning partner who understands these requirements can help reduce risk, support your team, and provide peace of mind.

At Rapid Clean, we prioritise safety and compliance by ensuring all the cleaning products we use undergo a COSHH risk assessment, allowing us to identify potential hazards and implement the necessary control measures to protect both animals and humans in your veterinary clinic. All COSHH data is published on our website for easy access by operatives and customers.

The Rapid Clean Approach

At Rapid Clean, we deliver specialist cleaning services tailored to veterinary practices. Our team is trained in infection control and understands the unique challenges of animal healthcare spaces.

We use veterinary-safe, high-grade cleaning products
We work around your opening hours to avoid disruption
We follow strict zoning and hygiene protocols

From tailored cleaning schedules, to a dedicated contracts manager, we’ve got your practice covered.

Need Help Keeping Your Practice Clean?

If your veterinary surgery needs consistent, high-standard cleaning from a reliable team, we’re here to help.

Get in touch for a free site visit and personalised quote, or learn more about our veterinary cleaning contracts below.

Keeping Your Golf Club Centre Spotless, Safe and Impressive

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 11:20:50 GMT

Golf clubs are more than just places to play – they’re social destinations. From early morning tee times to elegant evening events, your venue is expected to deliver a premium experience, day in and day out. One detail that underpins it all? Cleanliness.

At Rapid Clean, we understand how important a spotless environment is for member satisfaction, staff wellbeing, and smooth operations. Here’s why professional cleaning should be part of your club’s winning formula.

First Impressions Are Everything

Whether it’s a new visitor, a long-standing member, or a guest attending a function, people take notice the moment they arrive. Sparkling floors, fresh-smelling restrooms, and well-maintained communal spaces instantly reflect the quality and care your club puts into every experience.

A clean environment builds trust, encourages loyalty, and enhances the overall prestige of your club.

Shared Spaces Deserve Special Attention

Changing rooms, showers, restrooms and locker areas see a high level of daily use. Without regular and thorough cleaning, these spaces can quickly lose their shine and become breeding grounds for bacteria and odours.

A professional cleaning company like Rapid Clean will help to ensure that even the most used areas of your facility remain hygienic, fresh and presentable at all times.

Clubhouses, Kitchens & Hospitality Areas

From casual lunches to black-tie dinners, golf clubs often double as hospitality venues. With food preparation, dining, and event hosting comes the need for consistent, high-standard cleaning.

We help you maintain front-of-house elegance and behind-the-scenes hygiene, so your team can focus on delivering seamless service.

“We have been using Rapid Clean at our Golf Club for a few years now and the service has been wonderful! The staff are reliable and the work is regularly monitored by management. Our Contracts Manager has very high standards of her staff and the smallest things are addressed during her regular checks without me having to ask. Highly recommend.”

- Flackwell Heath Golf Club, Buckinghamshire

Support for Your Team

A clean environment doesn’t just benefit guests, it supports your staff too. Well-kept workspaces reduce risk, improve morale, and promote pride in the job. Whether it’s admin offices, kitchens or staff facilities, we ensure every corner is cared for.

Stay Compliant & Audit-Ready

Golf clubs must meet a wide range of regulatory standards – from food hygiene to workplace safety. Our professional team helps keep your venue audit-ready all year round, giving you peace of mind and helping you avoid last-minute scrambles before inspections or events.

Tailored Cleaning for Your Club

No two golf clubs are the same – that’s why we offer flexible cleaning solutions that fit your space, schedule, and footfall. Whether you need daily maintenance, seasonal deep cleans or event-specific support, we work around you with minimal disruption.

Why Choose Rapid Clean?

We bring years of experience across commercial and hospitality settings, delivering cleaning services that are reliable, discreet, and held to the highest standard. Our uniformed teams are trained, trustworthy, and always respectful of your environment.

Let’s Talk Golf Clubhouse Cleaning

If you're reviewing your current cleaning arrangements or planning for the season ahead, we’re here to help.

Get in touch today for a free site visit and tailored quote.

5 Ways to Ensure Your Office Cleaning is Effective

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 16:26:34 GMT

Office cleaning might seem straightforward, but surface-level tidiness can often mask deeper hygiene issues. In shared workspaces, high footfall and close contact mean germs spread quickly; and without a clear, consistent approach to cleaning, the risks only increase.

So how do you know if your office cleaning routine is really doing the job?

Here are five ways to make sure your cleaning is not just happening, but happening effectively.

1. Start With a Clear Checklist

An effective office clean starts with a proper plan. A tailored checklist helps ensure that no areas are missed, especially those easy-to-forget corners like skirting boards, bin lids, or under desks.

It also helps with accountability. A cleaning provider who works through a consistent checklist will deliver a reliable, repeatable standard every time. For example, every Rapid Clean customer has a cleaning schedule that has been agreed at point of sale. A copy is located on site as a reference for the cleaning team and the cleaning schedule forms part of the monthly audit carried out by the dedicated Contracts Manager.

2. Focus on High-Touch Surfaces

Door handles. Light switches. Shared desks. Kettles. These are the places germs love most.

High-touch points should be cleaned and disinfected daily, especially in hybrid offices where people are moving between spaces. This step is crucial to reducing the spread of illness and yet it’s one of the most commonly overlooked.

3. Use the Right Products for the Job

Not all cleaning products are created equal. Office surfaces range from keyboards and screens, to wood, laminate, glass, and metal. Each material requires the correct treatment to avoid damage while ensuring cleanliness.

Professional cleaning teams will know which products to use where, and how to apply them effectively (and safely).

"The Rapid Clean team has kept up a constantly high standard since the contract started 18 months ago. Our workplace was left in quite a state from our previous cleaning company so they did have their work cut out. Mirela is our Contracts Manager, she has very high standards of her staff and the smallest things are addressed during her regular checks without my having to ask. Highly recommend."

- Lanes Group, Slough

4. Schedule Regular Deep Cleans

Daily or weekly cleaning covers the basics, but deeper issues like carpet dirt, upholstery grime, and kitchen buildup need extra attention.

A regular deep clean helps keep the whole workspace looking fresh and feeling healthy. It also extends the life of your fixtures, fittings and furniture.

At Rapid Clean, we can discuss integrating periodic deep cleans into your cleaning contract.

5. Communicate With Your Cleaning Provider

Effective cleaning is a partnership. Whether it’s flagging a problem area, adjusting the schedule, or asking for something extra ahead of a visitor’s arrival, staying in touch with your cleaning team helps everything run more smoothly.

A responsive, professional provider will welcome regular feedback, and use it to deliver an even better service. At Rapid Clean, we put a communication file on site so that our customers can leave messages for the cleaning team, and we have an online helpdesk for customers to flag any issues to the main office.

The Rapid Clean Approach

At Rapid Clean, we provide bespoke commercial cleaning services for offices of all sizes. From daily cleans to ongoing customer support, we help create safe, hygienic work environments that support your team’s productivity and wellbeing.

Want to Feel More Confident in Your Office Cleaning?

Let’s talk. We offer free site visits and bespoke cleaning quotes to help you get the service your workplace really needs.

Get in touch today , or find out more about our office cleaning contracts below.

Celebrating Milestone Work Anniversaries - Q2 2025

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 12:30:36 GMT

People often come and go in the cleaning industry; at Rapid Clean we make it a priority to celebrate those who stick with us and hit milestone anniversaries.

The majority of the amazing people in today’s post have spent their whole careers with Rapid Clean at the very same site!

Celebrating 10 Years with Rapid Clean

Alain Paz Do Espirito Sant is a cover cleaner, working at various sites across Berkshire, such as Brookside Surgery and Hamilton Rentals. He celebrated his 10 year Rapid work anniversary on 16th June.

Celebrating 5 Years with Rapid Clean

Sarah Crickmay currently works for Our Lady's Abingdon School and celebrated her 5 year anniversary on 1st April.

David Barrett currently works for Our Lady's Abingdon School and celebrated his 5 year anniversary on 1st April.

Kevin Chalkley currently works for Our Lady's Abingdon School and celebrated his 5 year anniversary on 1st April.

Cherie Louch is currently employed at Our Lady's Abingdon School and celebrated her 5 year work anniversary on 1st April.

Dhan Rana celebrated her 5 year anniversary with Rapid on 6th April and has worked at St Augustine’s, in Surrey, since the start of her employment with us in 2020.

Navin Limbu has worked at Didcot Primary Academy for the whole 5 years. She celebrated her work anniversary on 8th June.

Head Office Employees Celebrating Work Anniversaries

Emily Hunter , Head of People and Culture, celebrated her 10 year anniversary on 2nd June.

These are just a few of our committed and hardworking team members. Congratulations to all on reaching your work anniversaries!

Want to work with Rapid Clean? We have many roles available within the organisation; click on the button below so to see a list of our vacancies.

When to Switch Cleaning Companies (and How to Do it Right)

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 12:59:59 GMT

Hiring a Professional Cleaning Service Should Make Life Easier — Not More Stressful

Hiring a professional cleaning company is meant to give you peace of mind, not create more problems and admin. But what happens when your cleaning provider begins to let you down? Whether it's missed cleans or audits, declining standards, or poor communication, there comes a point when what was meant to be a help becomes a hindrance.

Below we explore the clear signs your cleaning company isn’t working out, what you can do to resolve things, and how to find a reliable, high-quality service that meets your needs.

Signs Your Cleaning Company Isn’t Working Out

If you're consistently experiencing any of the following, it may be time to reconsider your current cleaning arrangement:

Frequent no-shows or late arrivals
A drop in cleaning quality over time
Lack of communication or slow response times
Unexpected charges or unclear pricing
Unprofessional behaviour or poor customer service

Your cleaning service should offer reliability, consistency, and respect. If that’s no longer the case, it’s worth taking a closer look at your options.

What to Do If You're Not Satisfied with Your Commercial Cleaning Service

It can be frustrating when your cleaning company isn’t delivering the desired standard, but it’s wise to take a structured approach if you’re considering a change:

1. Review Your Cleaning Contract

Look through your contract for details on cancellation policies, service guarantees, and notice periods. Understanding your terms will help you take the right next steps.

2. Keep Records

Document missed appointments, substandard work (with photos, if possible), and communication attempts. This builds a clear case, should you need to escalate things.

3. Raise the Issue

Speak directly with the company—via phone or email—to explain your concerns. Be specific, calm, and respectful, and outline what you want to see improve. Clear, professional communication can sometimes turn things around.

Professional cleaning companies should have an official 'improvement notice' clause, allowing you to exit the contract for poor performance. State clearly that this is the route you want to go down.

4. Allow for Resolution

Some companies may offer a free re-clean or adjust your service plan to address your concerns. If they show willingness to improve, it might be worth giving them another chance.

5. Decide Whether to Stay or Switch

If the problems continue, or the response falls short, it’s time to move on. Don’t feel guilty about making a change that benefits your business.

How to Find a Reliable Cleaning Service

Once you’re ready to make the switch, here are some things to prioritise:

Look for consistently positive reviews – Reliability, professionalism, and attention to detail are key themes to watch for.
Ask the right questions – What training do staff receive? Are they background-checked? What happens if I’m not satisfied?
Ensure they’re fully insured and certified – This protects you in case of any damage or liability issues.
Look for a fully managed cleaning company - They are likely to provide better flexibility and tailor their service to meet your specific requirements.
Ask for references - Ask the company if they can provide a reference from an existing customer in a similar location/industry.

Use keywords like "how to find a reliable cleaning service" in your search to filter through the noise and find a provider that ticks all the boxes.

At Rapid Clean , we understand that trust is earned. With over 25+ years of industry experience, we offer:

Professional, trained and motivated staff
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
Service guarantees and flexible plans
Friendly, responsive customer service

Whether it’s a one-off deep clean or a regular contract, we tailor our services to your exact needs. Contact us today for a no obligation cleaning quote .

Your business deserves a cleaning company that makes your life easier, not harder. If your current provider is falling short, don’t settle. With the right approach, you can find a trusted cleaning partner that delivers exceptional results, every time.

Ready to make the switch… Why not consider Rapid Clean? We offer a fully managed cleaning service across a wide range of regions in the south of the UK. See why our clients choose us and explore our full range of commercial cleaning services .

Why is Cleaning Important in Healthcare Facilities?

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:43:52 GMT

Why Is Cleaning Important in Healthcare Facilities?

Healthcare environments are places for care and recovery, where the reassurance of staff, patients and visitors is key. Without high standards of cleanliness, these trusted spaces can quickly become high-risk. Cleanliness in healthcare settings isn’t just about looking professional; it’s about protecting patients, supporting staff, and staying compliant.

Let’s take a closer look at why cleaning is such a critical part of healthcare.

Clean Spaces Save Lives

Infection prevention and control is one of the biggest responsibilities in any healthcare setting. Hospitals, GP surgeries and dental clinics, all see high volumes of people - many of whom are vulnerable to contagious diseases.

Regular, thorough cleaning of surfaces, treatment rooms, and high footfall communal areas helps reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses like MRSA, Norovirus, and COVID-19. Professional healthcare cleaning isn’t just about hygiene, it’s about safety.

First Impressions Matter

In healthcare, confidence matters, and a clean environment goes a long way. From the moment someone walks through the door of any healthcare space, they’re forming an impression.

A clean, well-maintained premises reassures patients that they’re in safe hands. It builds trust, improves comfort, and reflects positively on the care they expect to receive.

Supporting Your Team

Healthcare teams work incredibly hard. Clean, organised, and well-kept environments help them do their job safely and effectively.

Not only does cleanliness reduce workplace hazards and infection risks, it also boosts morale and pride in the workplace. It’s easier to retain great people when they feel safe, supported, and respected by their surroundings.

Compliance Isn’t Optional

Healthcare providers must comply with strict health and safety legislation, such as CQC (Care Quality Commission) regulations . We first received our official CHAS accreditation back in 2020. This year we went one better and obtained the advanced accreditation! Our customers can be confident that Rapid Clean is compliant with the UK's health and safety requirements. A reliable healthcare cleaning service ensures your space stays compliant with meticulous cleaning and hygiene protocols, keeping your space safe, clean and audit-ready all year round.

The Rapid Clean Difference

At Rapid Clean, we work closely with healthcare providers to deliver tailored cleaning solutions that prioritise patient experience, staff wellbeing, and industry compliance.

Our experienced team understands the demands of working in sensitive, high-pressure environments. From large hospitals and medical centres , to GP surgeries and dental clinics , we’re here to help your healthcare space stay safe, clean and compliant.

Let’s talk healthcare cleaning.

If you're reviewing your current cleaning arrangements or planning ahead, get in touch for a free site visit and personalised quote. Or find out more about our healthcare cleaning contracts below:

Another Superstar to Add to the Collection!

Fri, 23 May 2025 10:17:06 GMT

With a new year comes a new Rapid Superstar Award! Once again, some amazing words shared by our customers for our cleaning team, leaving us beaming with pride. We were spoiled for choice on who to choose as our winner; read on to find out who was crowned the first Rapid Superstar of 2025!

Congratulations to Our Superstar Nominees in Q1 of 2025

As a token of our appreciation, all nominees will receive a letter and a small gift:

Barbara BAJER who cleans i n Thatcham, Berkshire

Edina Muller from Rapid Clean, said:

"She is always going above and beyond to make sure that the site's cleaning runs smoothly. She drops everything on the spot if anyone calls in sick and goes to work to cover the shift (most of the time she is already on her way when I message her). She trains all new members; no ask is too much for her. Everyone at the site loves her. Overall, she is a wonderful person, who works really hard."

The customer said:

"Barbara is a highly valued member of the team and is very well respected by a lot of colleagues that she interacts with. She continually goes above and beyond and has done this since day one. She constantly makes herself available at short notice to cover shifts when other cleaners are sick or on holiday, often working longer hours than required during a working day. Her very personable character and work ethic is exceptional, and this shows in the service that her team delivers, making sure the site is cleaned to the high standard that is expected. She is therefore very well deserving of this Rapid Superstar Award, and I hope she wins."

Rosa GAMINO SANCHEZ who cleans Audley Travel, Safety Services and St John the Evangelist School in Oxfordshire

Melania Balza from Rapid Clean, said:

"Rosa is really good cleaner, very reliable and always a big help."

St John the Evangelist School, said:

" It is great to hear that once again Rapid Staff from our school have been nominated. All the Rapid staff here go above and beyond of what would normally be expected and are very much part of the wider school team. Rosa has only been with us a short while, however, from what I have seen she has integrated well within the team and works well with the other staff. She is very personable and Teaching staff have commented on how friendly she is and that she works silently in the background whilst they are still working after school.Rosa is a credit to the Rapid staff, who are a relatively small team in a large Primary School. "

Elba ANGULO DE REYES who cleans White Horse Medical Centre and Marlborough St Mary's School in Wiltshire

Mark Barnes from Rapid Clean, said:

"She has been a huge help with covering the shortfall in sites and never says no when asked. This includes being taken to sites, quite a distance from where she lives. Her cleaning standards are great and she is a such an asset to the Swindon area. Her help is truly appreciated."

White Horse Medical Centre, said:

" Elba has been a great member of the Rapid team when she has done cover work at White Horse Medical Practice. She is always well dressed, polite and has excellent timekeeping. Her standards of cleaning are very high. However, most importantly Elba is happy to help whenever she is asked and always has a smile on her face. She would greatly deserve an award. "

Andrea BISHENDEN who cleans Brook Community School in Ashford, Kent

Kevin Twinley from Rapid Clean, said:

"Not only is she an amazing cleaner, but she helps me cover other sites for holiday. She's extremely hard working and is an absolute pleasure to work with."

Wendy MOORE who cleans Gestra UK & Penton Andover, Hampshire

Anne Sheen from Rapid Clean, said:

"Wendy gets along great with the customers and I get no complaints at all from those sites. Wendy puts stock orders in on time arranges her cover when possible with the cleaner."

Hiago MARTINS DE MATOS who cleans at The Abingdon Surgery, Oxfordshire

Diana Stone from Rapid Clean, said:

"Hiago has been absolutely brilliant with cover work, and has been so helpful when it has come to translating. He is really good at his job and is a credit to Rapid Clean."

Gloria KANKAM-DIXON who cleans at Avia Technique in Wokingham, Berkshire

Bernice Anim from Rapid Clean, said:

"She has been so helpful covering a few sites for me, she is not just covering but does a good job. This goes to her to say we appreciate her hard work."

Emilia STOYKOVA who cleans at Softcat in Bristol

Jolanta Kusznerko from Rapid Clean, said:

"Emilia has been an incredible help with the movement of the site, she has helped to make it a smooth transition, and has excellent communication standards."

Lauren GODDARD who cleans at Sherfield School in Basingstoke, Hampshire

Natalia Kalka from Rapid Clean, said:

"She is such a good supervisor. She is following all the tasks at work. I can see massive change from the beginning. We are not receiving any complaints from the site for the last 2 months. Communication between me and her is really good. Lauren is a nice and friendly person."

Melissa MCCHEYNE who cleans at St Margaret's School in Bushey, Hertfordshire

Mirela Tudorache from Rapid Clean, said:

"Her ability to adapt to different situations, support the team, and maintain high cleaning standards with a positive attitude makes her the right candidate for this award. She constantly goes above and beyond to make sure everything is covered and everyone is treated fairly, all while being incredibly easy-going and flexible in any challenge that arises."

Gareth Philip LOVE who cleans at Innovation Fitness in Poole, Dorset

Michael Correia from Rapid Clean, said:

"Since taking in the contract the clients could not be happier which was obvious during my last audit. The client expressed just how happy they were with the cleaning standards and how spotless the area has been. So much so, that the client wants to give us a 5* review without me having to bring it up. They are doing great work there and myself and the client couldn't be happier."

Kunjalben UPADHYAY who cleans at Hambrook House School in Burgess Hill, West Sussex

Fahim Aziz from Rapid Clean, said:

"Kunjalben has worked for us at Hambrook School and has covered many shifts at RF Solutions with the utmost sincerity. She is a very committed and reliable member of staff. I have never heard any complaints from clients about her. In fact, clients from RF Solutions have praised her work several times."

Jose SOUSA DE ABREU who cleans at St Agathas Catholic Primary School in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey

Dariusz Lapiak from Rapid Clean, said:

"He is very flexible and such a helpful person! We've had lot of good feedback regarding the cleaning at the school and he is always happy to help support if we need cover."

Rapid Superstar Winner!

Olha DOBRYANSKA who cleans Broadway Dental Boutique in Crawley, Sussex

This is what Olha's Contracts Manager and Broadway Dental Boutique had to say about her:

Ingrid Antonio, Contracts Manager at Rapid Clean, said:

"The client loves Olha! She is always there and willing to help, and does her job extremely well."

Broadway Dental Boutique said:

"Olha is a fantastic cleaner...she is so very helpful and always goes the extra mile! We are not the most green fingered here at the practice and we have had a number of house plants which we have over/under watered and Olha took them home, nurtured them and brought them back to life for us. She is efficient, helpful and works hard to leave the practice clean and tidy. We really appreciate her being part of the team and really feel she deserves this recognition. Thank you Olha for all you do!"

Once again, it was so hard to choose a winner from the amazing nominations we received! Huge congratulations to Olha, who represents our company values extremely well. Keep up the fantastic work everyone ��.

Office Cleaning Checklist: What to Expect from Your Cleaning Company

Mon, 12 May 2025 12:00:01 GMT

Office Cleaning Checklist: What to Expect from Your Cleaning Company

A clean office is more than just a tidy space - it’s a reflection of your business’s professionalism and a key factor in employee well-being. But how can you be sure your cleaning company is meeting your expectations? Our comprehensive Office Cleaning Checklist will guide you through the essential tasks and areas that should never be overlooked, along with a few extra considerations that can make a big difference.

Office Cleaning Checklist

Dusting surfaces and cleaning glass doors
Vacuuming carpets and polishing hard floors
Emptying bins and replacing liners
Disinfecting high-touch surfaces (handles, switches)
Wiping down desks and computer equipment
Cleaning kitchen appliances and surfaces
Sanitising washroom facilities
Restocking supplies (soap, paper towels)

Reception & Common Areas

Your reception is the first impression staff and visitors get of your business, making it crucial to keep this space spotless and therefore welcoming. Regular cleaning should include dusting surfaces, cleaning any glass surfaces such as doors or mirrors, and disinfecting high-touch points like door handles. Floors should be vacuumed or mopped, and communal bins emptied regularly.

Workstations & Offices

Employee workspaces should be clutter-free and germ-free. This means wiping down desks, cleaning computer equipment, and emptying personal bins. Regular dusting, sanitising phones, and ensuring clean carpets or polished floors are also essential for maintaining a clean and hygienic office space.

Kitchen & Break Areas

A clean kitchen is essential for employee health and morale. Regular cleaning tasks should cover countertops, sinks, and kitchen appliances. This includes emptying and re-lining bins, disinfecting surfaces, restocking essential kitchen supplies, and wiping down tables and chairs. Regularly clean microwaves, fridges, and cupboards to prevent food build-up should also be considered. Also, making sure kitchen floors are cleaned regularly can reduce the risk of slipping on any spillages, as well as improving overall hygiene in a communal space with high footfall.

Toilets & Washrooms

Maintaining good hygiene standards in washrooms is non-negotiable. Your cleaning service should include cleaning and disinfecting toilets, sinks, and urinals, replenishing soap, toilet paper, and paper towels, and mopping floors with a disinfectant solution.

Floors & Carpets

Office floor cleaning is essential for maintaining a professional appearance. This includes regularly vacuuming carpets, mopping hard floors, and addressing spills or stains promptly. For offices with hard floors, polishing may also be part of the routine - frequency of such items should be agreed as part of your professional cleaning contract up front for clarity.

Stock Cupboards

Keeping stock cupboards neat and well-organised is vital for efficient cleaning operations. Ensure cleaning supplies and first aid kits are always restocked, properly stored, and within easy reach. An organised supply area not only helps cleaners but also avoids disruption due to missing essentials.

Additional Considerations

A professional cleaning service goes beyond basic cleaning. To get the most out of your chosen office cleaning company, look for:

Regular cleaning reports for transparency
Eco-friendly cleaning options using non-toxic products
Flexible cleaning schedules that suit your office hours and your budget
Compliance with health and safety standards
Correct separation and disposal of waste

Each business and office has unique cleaning needs, but you can use this checklist to identify the scope of service you require. You may wish to categorise tasks into different frequencies - for example, daily floor cleaning with a weekly polish - which can help keep costs down while ensuring high standards of cleanliness are maintained.

Ready to experience the difference of a truly thorough cleaning service? Contact Rapid Clean today for a quote.

Celebrating Milestone Work Anniversaries - Q1 2025

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 10:58:16 GMT

Given the high rate of employee turnover in the cleaning sector , we take care to publicly recognise and honour all staff members who have achieved significant anniversaries.

Many of the individuals highlighted in today's post have spent their entire careers with Rapid Clean working at the same location!

Celebrating 10 Years with Rapid Clean

Adenir Wolf currently works at 4 sites across Berkshire and Oxfordshire. He celebrated his 10 year Rapid work anniversary on 14th January.

Nisle Wolf also currently works at 4 sites across Berkshire and Oxfordshire. She celebrated her 10 year Rapid work anniversary on 14th January.

Carol Wilson has worke d at St John the Evangelist C of E Primary School, in Oxfordshire, for 10 years. She's done such a great job here that she was nominated for our Rapid Superstar Award in Q2 of 2024 . Sh e celebrated her 10 year Rapid work anniversary on 2 February .

Tanya Metcalf currently works at Ditco Business Services, in Surrey, where she was crowned our Rapid Superstar Award in Q1 of 2024 (the kind words from Ditco are a must-read !). She c elebrated her 10 year anniversary on 30th March.

Celebrating 5 Years with Rapid Clean

Jerzy Miadowicz currently works Cambridge Access Surgery Malling Health Ltd, in Warrington, & Huntsman Advanced Materials UK Ltd, in Cambridgeshire. He has also worked at other sites in Cambridgeshire over the past 5 years and celebrated his 5 year anniversary on 20th January.

Sandra Morris has worked at Poole Grammar School ever since she started working at Rapid and celebrated her work anniversary on 21st January.

Susan Bundhoo celebrated her 5 year anniversary with Rapid on 3rd February and has worked at Vonage Business Ltd, in Hampshire, since the start of her employment with us in 2020.

Maria Da Silva Martins has worked at Farnborough Hill School, in Hampshire, for the whole 5 years. She celebrated her work anniversary on 3rd February .

Nicola Deamer has worked at Farnborough Hill School, in Hampshire, for the whole 5 years. She celebrated her work anniversary on 3rd February.

Buddhi Lechharbo has worked at Farnborough Hill School, in Hampshire, for the whole 5 years. She celebrated her work anniversary on 3rd February.

Jonathan Frimpong has been working at The Pines School, in Berkshire, since 2020. He also works at Our Lady's Prep School, in Berkshire, and celebrated his 5 year work anniversary on 29th February.

Katarzyna Girzynska works at Beaufort Community Primary School, in Surrey, for the past 5 years and celebrated her work anniversary on 4th March.

Richmond Boateng Owusu has spent 5 years working St Mary's C of E Primary School, in Hertfordshire. He has also covered at The Colne Practice, in Hertfordshire, and celebrated his work anniversary on 9th March.

Loreta Dudaviciene celebrated her 5 year anniversary with Rapid on 24th March, and has worked at Manorfield School, in Surrey, since the start of her employment with us in 2020. She also works at Broadway Dental Boutique, in West Sussex.

Head Office Employees Celebrating Work Anniversaries

Claire Jealouse , Head of Finance, celebrated her 10 year anniversary on 17th March.

This is just a handful of our dedicated and hard working team members. Congratulations on your work anniversaries!

Want to work with Rapid Clean? We have many roles available within the organisation; click on the button below so to see a list of our vacancies.

Spring Clean Your Cleaning: Is it Time to Rethink Your Commercial Cleaning Contract?

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:18:41 GMT

Spring Clean Your Cleaning: Is it Time to Rethink Your Commercial Cleaning Contract?

As the days grow longer and the sun starts shining through your windows a little more brightly, one thing becomes clear - literally. Dust, grime, and missed spots that might have gone unnoticed all winter suddenly take centre stage. Spring has always been associated with a fresh start, and that makes it the perfect time to ask the question: Is your current commercial cleaning contract still working for you?

Whether you manage an office , school , medical facility or leisure business , a clean, well-maintained environment isn’t just about appearances; it’s about health, safety, performance and longevity. And if your cleaning service is falling short, spring is the ideal time to make a change.

Why Spring is the Season to Reset

There’s a reason we associate spring with cleaning. It’s a natural point in the year to hit refresh. Budgets are being reviewed, staff are re-energised, and in some cases, entire school terms or reporting periods are ending.

But potentially higher footfall, warmer weather, and allergy season also mean your space is under more pressure than eve r. A one-off spring clean won’t cut it - but a reliable cleaning contract that keeps your facility consistently clean year-round? That certainly will.

Warning Signs Your Current Cleaning Contract Might Be Falling Short

Not sure if your current provider is still the right fit? Here are a few things to look out for:

You’re getting complaints about cleanliness or maintenance from staff, students, or visitors
Your cleaners miss key areas or rush the job
Cleaners arrive at inconsistent times and there’s no clear schedule or scope
Communication is slow or unresponsive, particularly when issues arise

If any of this sounds familiar, it might be time to explore a more reliable commercial cleaning contract.

What to Expect From a Professional Cleaning Contract

With that in mind, it’s important to know what to expect from a professional cleaning contract to help guide your conversations. Ultimately, a well-structured cleaning contract should offer more than just routine surface cleaning. Look for:

A tailored schedule based on the unique needs of your space. Offices, schools, medical practices and leisure spaces all have different requirements and priorities.
Consistent staffing, including trained, vetted cleaners who will get to know your facility.
Transparent service logs or reporting so you always know what’s been done and any issues raised.
Responsive communication and flexible support throughout your contract and for any issues that arise.

The Benefits of a Long-Term Cleaning Partner

When you work with a dedicated commercial cleaning provider on a long-term basis, you gain more than just a tidy workspace. A reliable cleaning contract gives you transparent costs, the gift of additional resource, and the peace of mind that your facility is being cared for by a team who understands your space, standards, and priorities.

Over time, cleaners become familiar with the rhythms of your site, helping them work more efficiently and effectively. Most importantly, a long-term partner ensures your workplace remains consistently clean, compliant, and welcoming, no matter the season.

Make Spring a Fresh Start with Rapid Clean

If it’s been a while since you reviewed your commercial cleaning contract, or you’ve been relying on ad-hoc services, it might be time to reassess. A consistent, professional cleaning schedule can make a world of difference to health, morale, and your bottom line.

At Rapid Clean, we specialise in contract cleaning for offices, schools, medical facilities and leisure businesses, and we’d love to help you spring clean your cleaning contract! Contact us today for a free contract review or a no-obligation site assessment.

Celebrating Employee Appreciation Day 2025

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 10:27:21 GMT

Employee Appreciation Day (EAD) is a very important day to us at Rapid Clean. While we appreciate our employees every day, we welcome the opportunity to dedicate some time for celebration. With more colleagues now than ever, 2025 marks the third year of celebrating EAD and we upped the ante. Read on to find out how we are celebrating employees in 2025...

Rapid Clean has been employing people since 1999 and in the October of last year we celebrated our 25 year anniversary! We would not have made it to 25 years without our amazing team, based both in our Wokingham head office and site-based, so we had to mark Employee Appreciation Day in a big way.

Our Motivated Team of People

25 years later, we have a huge team of people who we are very proud to celebrate on Employee Appreciation Day. A few fun facts about our team below:

�� 58 different nationalities are represented within the team

�� 45% of head office colleagues have worked with us for more than five years, 22.5% for more than ten years!

�� 175 of our current site-based cleaning colleagues have been working with us for five or more years

How We Celebrated Employee Appreciation Day 2025

We have employees based all over the south of England, from Dorset to Cambridgeshire, so getting everyone together is not the easiest... But we did it anyway! Our Contracts and Operations Managers cleared some space in their (very) busy diaries to gather at our Wokingham head office. In true Rapid style, we prepared a buffet of picky bits accompanied by Ingrid's Caribbean delights. The spread was as varied as us, from Jerk chicken, Greggs sausage (and vegan) rolls, fruit kebabs, sandwiches and plantain.

Our cleaners are the unsung heroes of many different businesses; there is nowhere that doesn’t need cleaning. We encourage all happy customers to share the love and sing their praises...and they delivered!

In 2024 we received a whopping 32 5-star Google reviews. We made sure to pass this praise onto the cleaners. A small snippet of feedback can be found below! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It can be challenging to reach our cleaners, as they are very busy keeping our customers happy. To show our appreciation, we ran a prize draw for 1 lucky cleaner to win a £100 voucher!

Employee of the season

EAD was the perfect time to crown our employee of the season. Every quarter one of the team is crowned as Employee of the Season by their colleagues, for going above and beyond. This season one of our Contracts Managers won the award...

We were very proud to announce Mirela Tudorache as the winner this season! Mirela looks after our customers in Berks, Bucks and Herts, is attentive, pro active and helpful for both customers and colleagues. Visit our LinkedIn post to read Mirela's heart-warming nominations.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Professional Cleaning Company for Your School

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 12:45:11 GMT

With countless students, staff, and visitors circulating through school premises daily, maintaining cleanliness is about more than appearances; it's about promoting health and well-being. Achieving and sustaining high cleanliness standards requires expertise and resources that may not always be readily available in-house.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the key factors to consider when selecting the right professional cleaning company for your school.

Assess Your School's Cleaning Needs

Before starting the process of selecting a cleaning company, it's important to assess your school's specific cleaning requirements. Consider factors such as the size of the premises, the number of classrooms, common areas, toilets/cloakrooms, and any specialist areas such as physical education spaces or laboratories. Identifying your school's specific cleaning needs will help you narrow down your options and communicate effectively with potential cleaning service providers.

Ask the Cleaning Company About their Experience

When hiring a professional cleaning company for your school, be sure to verify their credentials and experience. You’ll want to look for a company that is properly licensed and insured. Ask them about their experience in cleaning educational spaces; a company with a proven track record in school cleaning is more likely to understand the unique challenges and requirements involved such as DBS checks, Local Government Pension Schemes, TUPE, to name but a few. It would also be prudent to find out if they have any relevant industry accreditations such as ISO, CHAS and BICSc.

Review Cleaning Processes and Products

There are industry standards when it comes to professional cleaning, particularly with regard to schools and other educational institutions. Speak to your potential cleaning provider about their cleaning processes, how they comply with any regulations and whether they use safe, environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Assess Staff Training and Background Checks

The cleaning staff looking after your school should be well-trained, professional, and trustworthy. Talk to the company you’re considering about their hiring process, including background checks and training procedures for their cleaning staff. This will help to give you confidence in the integrity and reliability of the company.

Ask the Company for References

Before making a decision, why not ask the cleaning company for references from other schools or educational institutions they service? An experienced, confident company should have references on hand that they’ll be happy for you to contact. This will allow you to speak to someone in the educational sector about their own experiences with the cleaning company, including their level of satisfaction, reliability, and responsiveness to issues.

Compare Pricing Proposals from a Like for Like Perspective

There’s no getting away from the fact that cost is a factor when it comes to the decision-making process, but try to stop it being the determining factor. When comparing pricing proposals from different cleaning companies, ensure that you’re comparing like for like in terms of services offered. Be sure to review any terms and conditions carefully, paying particular attention to cancellation policies, renewal clauses and any hidden fees.

Choosing the right cleaning company for your school requires careful consideration. By assessing your school’s specific cleaning needs, verifying the company’s credentials, reviewing their cleaning processes, and seeking references, you can make an informed decision. Factoring in all the above will help to ensure a clean, safe and healthy environment for your students, staff and visitors.

At Rapid Clean, we understand the importance of cleanliness in educational settings. With almost 25 years of experience and commitment to excellence, we're dedicated to delivering reliable, high-quality cleaning services tailored to your school's unique requirements.

Congratulations to our Latest Rapid Superstar!

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 17:16:18 GMT

Congratulations to all Our Superstar Nominees in Q4 of 2024

We've had some fantastic feedback on our cleaning team last quarter, which leaves us with the nice problem of choosing just one person to crown Rapid Superstar! Every person mentioned here will receive a letter and a small gift of appreciation; keep reading to the end of the post, when the winner will be announced.

Sharon MOGRIDGE who cleans PEI-Genesis in Southampton, Hampshire

Anne Sheen from Rapid Clean, said:

"Sharon really knows the site inside out and, despite a few changes with the staff and hours, there have been no complaints. She has adapted so well."

PEI-Genesis, said:

"Sharon is indeed a valued member of the small cleaning team that operates at PEI-Genesis, Sharon is consistent in her approach to the work & the site in general, always on time, polite & friendly. I understand that recently Sharon has taken on the supervisor role for the site & this is also good news, as PEI-Genesis trusts Sharon to carry out this role to a high standard. I hope Sharon is successful in her nomination, as it would be well deserved"

Rosani MOREIRA DA SILVA who cleans a production site in Bristol

Karolina Pajak from Rapid Clean, said:

"Rosani has been such a helpful employee, and has covered many times. She is a very hard worker and is simply brilliant."

The production site, said:

"First off, she is a very hard worker, with great attention to detail, consistent and proactive. We have had several members of the cleaning team leave at short notice for personal reasons and Rosani has always been flexible and willing to pick up other areas. Without her, cleaning at our site would have ground to a halt. I am really pleased to hear she has been nominated for the Superstar Award and I believe she is a worthy recipient."

Kingsley ASAMOAH who cleans The Sash Window Workshop Trading in Bracknell, Berkshire

Bernice Anim from Rapid Clean, said:

"He has helped a lot by covering a few sites this quarter, and not only does he cover but he does a good job too."

Joanne WEBBER who cleans Cranford School in Moulsford, Oxfordshire

Charlie Gibbs from Rapid Clean, said:

"She has been faced with challenging times at her site and always goes above and beyond within her job role; working additional hours and as a supervisor is very organised and shows good leadership. She has also helped at additional sites when we were in urgent need."

Mutiat JAYEOLA who cleans Camberwell, Dulwich & Peckham Leisure Centres in London

Ingrid Antonio from Rapid Clean, said:

“Mutiat circulates around all 3 sites, and is always such a help, and on call for cover work. She is simply amazing, and is always a tremendous help."

Thalita SANTOS FELIXE who cleans University Medical Group in Reading, Berkshire

Larainy Rosa from Rapid Clean, said:

" Thalita has been working with Rapid for a few months and, from day one, she has consistently proven herself to be a hardworking and dedicated professional. She communicates effectively and is always willing to help. She takes her responsibilities very seriously. Her overall performance is definitely above the standard, and we are fortunate to have someone as reliable and committed as her."

Chloe LEWIS who cleans Kings Meadow County Primary School in Bicester, Oxfordshire

Melania Balza from Rapid Clean, said:

"She has been so helpful and covered for other cleaners."

Frank OSAYANDE who cleans Christchurch Medical Centre in Christchurch, Dorset

Michael Correia from Rapid Clean, said:

"Frank has always given it his all... It is very rare to come across an employee like Frank whose work ethic is above and beyond, gives it 110% every single day, and does it all without complaining. If I could call anyone on my team a superstar, as of right now, it would be Frank."

Ufuoma Efe ACHUGBUE who cleans Deceuninck Ltd in Calne, Wiltshire

Mark Barnes from Rapid Clean, said:

"Ufuoma has been very helpful during that past quarter. She has been covering holidays and other absences for us at a few sites, usually at a very short notice. She is a lovely and a smart person who is currently writing a dissertation - we wish her good luck with that!"

Sharmain FOX w ho cleans Claytons Primary School in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire

Mirela Tudorache at Rapid Clean, said:

"She is a hard-working person, always there to help and cover sickness if needed."

Nicola DEAMER who cleans Farnborough Hill School, Hampshire

Natalia Kalka at Rapid Clean, said:

"Nicola is a great employee and a great supervisor. She didn't miss a single day of work when I joined Rapid Clean. She is always willing to help and I think she manages the team very well."

Hiago MARTINS DE MATOS who cleans The Abingdon Surgery, Oxfordshire

Anna Dabal at Rapid Clean, said:

"Hiago is a super-reliable employee, always willing to help, proactive and caring about his job. I wish we had more people like Hiago at Rapid Clean!"

Rapid Superstar Winner!

Sharon MANTELL who works at West Heath in Kent

This is what Sharon's Contracts Managers and West Heath School had to say about her:

Kevin Twinley, Contracts Manager at Rapid Clean, said:

"She's done an amazing job as a supervisor and she's a pleasure to work with. She's kept the school clean and goes above and beyond to keep the school happy."

West Heath School said:

"Sharon is very approachable and reacts to any requests asked of her. She seems to have a very good grasp of our school and her staff deployment. She is always reactive, reliable and actions all tasks in a very professional manner. This recognition is much deserved and a mention to her team should also be added, as I am a firm believer that you are only as good as your team in the workplace."

Once again, it was so hard to choose a winner from the amazing nominations we received! Huge congratulations to Sharon, who represents our company values extremely well. Keep up the fantastic work everyone ��.

Simpler Recycling: Changes to Workplace Recycling Regulations

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Big changes are coming to workplace recycling! Starting on March 31, 2025, the UK government will roll out Simpler Recycling , a new policy designed to standardise waste management across England. The goal? To make recycling easier and more efficient for both households and businesses.

Simpler Recycling: Changes to Workplace Recycling Regulations

These new regulations aim to improve how recyclable materials are sorted, helping businesses contribute to sustainability efforts. While the changes may feel like a challenge at first, they also create an opportunity for businesses to enhance their environmental impact.

Let’s break down what these new rules mean, how they might affect your business, and how commercial cleaning companies can help ensure compliance.

Understanding the 'Simpler Recycling' Regulations

Sort Dry Recyclable Materials: This includes plastic, metal, glass, paper, and cardboard. Some waste collectors may require paper and card to be separated from other recyclables.
Separate Food Waste: Any food waste must be disposed of separately from other types of waste.
Manage Residual Waste: Any materials that can’t be recycled will go into general waste.

How will this impact businesses?

To stay compliant, businesses will need to make some adjustments, such as:

Setting up clearly labelled bins for different waste types.
Training staff on correct waste separation practices.
Ensuring waste is collected by an appropriate waste management provider.*

These steps not only help businesses meet legal requirements but also contribute to a more sustainable workplace.

Is this a legal requirement for workplaces?

Yes! Businesses must take reasonable steps to comply with the Simpler Recycling regulations by 31st March 2025. However, micro-businesses (companies with fewer than 10 employees) have until 31st March 2027 to comply.

Failure to follow the regulations could lead to enforcement actions , such as compliance notices. But beyond avoiding penalties, adhering to the rules can enhance your company’s reputation by demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.

Will my business be affected by the Simpler Recycling changes?

If your workplace produces waste similar to household waste, you’ll need to follow these rules. This includes a wide range of businesses and organisations, such as:

Offices
Retail and wholesale
Transport and storage
Hospitality, such as cafes, restaurants, and hotels
Places of education, such as schools, colleges, and universities
Healthcare places, such as GP surgeries and hospitals
Care homes
Charities and those registered as charities
Places of worship
Penal institutes
Charity shops selling donated goods that came from a domestic property
Residential hostels that provide accommodation to people with no other permanent address (or who are unable to live at their permanent address)
Premises used only or mainly for public meetings

This list is not exhaustive, so it’s worth checking the full legislation if you’re still unsure.

The Role of Commercial Cleaning Companies in Ensuring Compliance

While businesses are responsible for ensuring compliance, commercial cleaning companies can provide valuable support. They can:

Offer expert guidance on best waste management practices.
Help to maintain clean and compliant workplaces with efficient waste disposal services.
Enhance your business image by promoting a commitment to sustainability.

That said, it’s crucial for businesses to educate their teams on proper waste separation and provide the right resources to make compliance easy.

Customisable Services to Suit Business Needs

The Simpler Recycling regulations represent a positive step towards more sustainable business practices across the UK. While they may require some operational adjustments, they also provide an opportunity for businesses to lead the way in environmental responsibility.

For full details on how to prepare, check out the UK government’s guidance on workplace recycling:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/simpler-recycling-workplace-recycling-in-england

Celebrating Milestone Work Anniversaries - Q3 and Q4 2024

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 13:37:00 GMT

Celebrating 10 Years with Rapid Clean

With employee turnover high in the cleaning industry , we make it a point to publicly appreciate and celebrate all employees who have reached milestone anniversaries.

A lot of those mentioned in today's post have dedicated their entire employment with Rapid Clea n to working at the same site!

Abdulhai MOHAMED currently works at Bristol Grammar School and has been there since the start of his employment at Rapid Clean. He celebrated his 10 year Rapid work anniversary on 13 August.

Nathan Gregory MULLINGS-BRADSHAW currently works at Bristol Grammar School and has been there since the start of his employment at Rapid Clean. He celebrated his 10 year Rapid work anniversary on 8 September.

Svetlana VELINOVSKA currently works at Crowthorne Dental. She has worked for Rapid at various other sites since 2014 and celebrated her 10 year anniversary on 16 September.

Celebrating 5 Years with Rapid Clean

Jennifer BONSU currently works at AVK SEG, in Maidenhead. She has worked for Rapid at various other sites since 2019 and celebrated her 5 year anniversary on 16 August.

Rosa FERREIRA DE FREITAS has worked at Surrey Docks Leisure Centre & Seven Islands Leisure Centre in Greater London for the whole 5 years. She celebrated her work anniversary on 17 August.

Kamala THAPA celebrated her 5 year anniversary with Rapid on 2 September, and has worked at St Peters C of E Junior School in Farnborough since the start of her employment with us in 2019.

Sarsa Devi CHHANTYAL has worked at St Peters C of E Junior School in Farnborough, for the whole 5 years. She celebrated her work anniversary on 2 September.

Ayesha ANDLEEB h as worked at Beaufort Community Primary School in Woking, Surrey, since the start of her employment with Rapid. She celebrated her work anniversary on 9 September.

Ilse BASCO was working for Rapid at St Neot's Preparatory School Nursery in Eversley, Hook, in 2019. Isle now works at Softcat Plc in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, since 2020, where she was nominated for Rapid Superstar in Q3 2024 ! She celebrated her 5 year work anniversary on 16 September.

Joao LOPERA BASCO was working for Rapid at St Neot's Preparatory School Nursery in Eversley, Hook, in 2019. He now works at Softcat Plc in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, since 2020. He celebrated his 5 year work anniversary on 16 September.

Leszek ZIOLKOWSKI works as a cover cleaner Oxfordshire for many sites since 2019. Leszek celebrated his work anniversary on 24 September.

Grzegorz MUZOLF started working with Rapid in Ascot, Berkshire at The Marist School and Sunninghill Dental. He has also worked at Index House Serviced Offices in Ascot and Cudd Bentley in Sunninghill. He celebrated his work anniversary on 11 October.

Martin AKWA-OTU celebrated his 5 year anniversary with Rapid on 22 October , and has worked at Westmill Foods in Enfield since the start of his employment with us in 2019.

Stephen CLIFFORD works at Poole Grammar School since 2019, celebrating his anniversary on 22 October.

Deborah VICKERS works at Poole Grammar School since 2019, celebrating her anniversary on 22 October.

Jolanta KLEINOVIENE works at Poole Grammar School since 2019, celebrating her anniversary on 22 October.

Samiat OLUSI works as a cover cleaner with Rapid in the Buckinghamshire area at a wide range of sites for the past 5 years. She celebrated her work anniversary on 19 November.

Joseph MENSAH BOAMPONG is working at Prisym in Wokingham, Berkshire, since 2021. Before this, he also worked other sites in the area including The Workstation and St Michaels School. He celebrated his work anniversary on 2 December.

Georgina FOSUH has worked at Avia Tech in Wokingham, Berkshire, since April 2022. Before then, she was working at a South Lake Primary School in Reading, Berkshire, from 2019 and has covered multiple sites in the Berkshire area. She celebrated her work anniversary on 2 December.

Priscila HORTENCIO has worked at Field System Design in Dorking, Surrey, since the start of her employment with Rapid. She celebrated her work anniversary on 2 December.

Margaret ANTWI worked at Navigator Terminals Thames in Grays, Essex, since the start of her employment with Rapid. She celebrated her work anniversary on 5 December.

Head Office Employees Celebrating Work Anniversaries

Gareth LOVE , Operations Manager, celebrated his 20 year work anniversary on 16 August.

This is just a handful of our dedicated and hard working team members. Congratulations on your work anniversaries!

We currently have various roles available within the organisation; click on the button below so to see a list of our vacancies.

3 Key Focal Points for Cleaning in Leisure Centres and Gyms

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 15:19:06 GMT

Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in leisure centres is paramount for ensuring the health and satisfaction of visitors. This is never more important than in January when new year's resolutions tend to include resurrecting the gym membership!

A clean and well-maintained environment not only promotes a positive experience, it also contributes to the overall safety and reputation of the facility. In this blog post we will explore three focal points for effective cleaning in leisure centres and gyms, highlighting their significance in creating a welcoming and hygienic space for all.

1. High-Traffic Areas

High-traffic areas in leisure centres are crowded with activity and require special attention to maintain cleanliness and minimise the spread of germs. These areas include entrances, reception desks, corridors, and common spaces where visitors gather. Thorough and regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, handrails, and seating areas, is essential to reduce the risk of infections. Additionally, diligent floor maintenance, including sweeping and mopping, ensures the removal of dirt, dust, and debris, reducing slip and fall hazards.

While in-house cleaning may seem like a viable option, engaging a professional cleaning company such as Rapid Clean , will enable you to get on with your area of expertise, safe in the knowledge that the cleaning is being looked after by experts. By leveraging advanced cleaning techniques and quality disinfectants, Rapid Clean ensures that germs and bacteria are effectively eliminated from high touch-points, reducing the risk of infections and creating a healthier environment.

2. Changing Rooms and Washrooms

Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in changing rooms and washrooms is of utmost importance in leisure centres. These areas directly impact the satisfaction and comfort of visitors and members. Thorough cleaning and sanitisation of high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, faucets, countertops and lockers, is necessary to eliminate germs and minimise the risk of cross-contamination.

Adequate supplies of hand soap, sanitisers, paper towels, and toilet paper are crucial to promoting good hygiene practices among visitors. As part of our service to customers, we can proactively monitor stock levels, place orders, and promptly replenish these essential items as needed. This allows your staff to focus on other important aspects of maintaining an exceptional leisure centre.

3. Maintaining Gym Equipment and Exercise Studios

Leisure centres often house a wide range of exercise equipment and facilities that require regular cleaning and maintenance. Effective cleaning protocols for exercise equipment, including handles, seats, and touchscreens, are crucial to minimise the transmission of germs and maintain a safe workout environment.

There is nothing worse than attending a gym class when the floor is dusty and the mirrors are covered in smears! It's crucial to provide members with a positive and enjoyable experience, contributing to satisfaction and loyalty.

Rapid Clean goes the extra mile by delivering comprehensive facility maintenance services and ensures a spotless and visually appealing environment. By partnering with Rapid Clean, leisure centres can have peace of mind knowing that their equipment and facilities are expertly cared for, prolonging their longevity and enhancing the overall cleanliness and professionalism of the centre.

Rapid Clean provides a professional cleaning service to around 50 prestigious golf courses, leisure centres, health clubs, theatres, gyms and other recreational facilities across the south of England. We understand the importance of ensuring that any front-facing business is cleaned with utmost precision and attention to detail. We strive to exceed expectations and deliver reliable, professional solutions to all our valued clients.

Clean Off Your Desk Day: Benefits of a Tidy Workspace

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 14:52:10 GMT

Clean Off Your Desk Day: Benefits of a Tidy Workspace

In the fast-paced world of productivity, having a well-organised, clean workspace isn't just about aesthetics – it's a key factor for optimum performance. This Clean Off Your Desk Day , let's dive into the perks of maintaining a clean and tidy work environment that go beyond the shiny surface of a spick-and-span desk.

Enhanced Productivity

A clutter-free workspace serves as a fertile ground for enhanced productivity. A clean desk minimises distractions, allowing the mind to focus on the task at hand without the intrusive presence of unnecessary items. Studies have shown that individuals with tidy workspaces demonstrate a significant increase in productivity compared to their cluttered counterparts.

Reduced Stress and Anxiety

A tidy work desk can be a sanctuary of calm amid the chaos of professional life. The visual orderliness of a clean desk has a therapeutic effect, reducing stress and anxiety levels. When confronted with a neat workspace, the mind is better equipped to tackle challenges with a composed and focused demeanour.

Time Efficiency

Ever heard the saying, "A place for everything and everything in its place"? Well, it holds true for your work desk. A clean and organised space means less time wasted on hunting down misplaced documents or tools. This efficiency translates into a smoother workflow and overall effectiveness.

Professional Image and Impression Management

First impressions matter in the corporate world, and your desk plays a starring role. A tidy workspace isn't just a sign of professionalism; it shouts attention to detail. Colleagues, bosses, and clients are likely to form a positive impression when they encounter a workspace reflecting order and discipline, boosting your professional standing.

Cultivation of a Positive Work Environment

A clean desk isn't just about respect for your work; it sets the tone for a positive work culture. When colleagues see your commitment to orderliness, it inspires a collaborative and harmonious work environment. Teamwork and mutual respect thrive in a clutter-free space.

Improved Physical Health

Beyond mental well-being, a clean desk positively impacts physical health. Regular cleaning reduces the build-up of dust and allergens, contributing to a healthier indoor environment. Ergonomically, a tidy workspace ensures tools and equipment are in their proper places, minimising the risk of musculoskeletal issues.

Boosted Creativity and Innovation

Contrary to the chaos-creativity myth, research suggests that a clean and organised environment sparks creative thinking. A clutter-free zone provides the mental clarity needed for innovative ideas to flourish, unburdened by disorder.

The perks of a clean and tidy work desk go way beyond aesthetics. From a productivity boost and stress reduction, to shaping a positive professional image and promoting physical health. Embracing the habit of keeping your workspace organised isn't just a chore – it's an investment in your professional skills and overall well-being. Remember, a clean desk isn't a sign of an empty mind; it's a canvas waiting for brilliance to unfold.

So, what are you waiting for? This Clean off Your Desk Day get tidying, get organised, and watch your productivity soar. Check out this post for more tips on how to clean your desk efficiently and effectively.

Our Chosen Christmas Charity 2024

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 10:10:06 GMT

At the end of every year we ask our head office staff to nominate a charity that they would like to support at Christmas. We always receive so many worthy nominations, and this year was no exception. We are pleased to share the charity who will be receiving our gift this Christmas...

Why We Chose Parkinson's UK

Our Payroll Manager, Sophie Herring, put forward Parkinson's UK , as it is a charity that means a lot to her and her family:

"This is something close to my heart as my dad has Parkinson’s, he has even participated in trials to help them get better understanding and hope of finding a cure. I would love them to be supported."

Parkinson's UK is the largest European charitable funder of Parkinson's research. They've invested over £100 million in vital research that has delivered groundbreaking discoveries, new medications and better care . And right now new treatments are within their grasp.

Parkinson's UK has a specific mission that they are looking to achieve by the end of 2026. You can read more about how they will do this here . Some of the things they will be focusing on include:

Translate cutting-edge research into practical ways to manage Parkinson’s
Review new technology and devices that can help people live better
Provide information on the most effective exercises and therapies for people with Parkinson’s, at every stage of the condition
Bring people opportunities to shape and take part in pioneering research.

We are pleased to be playing a very small part in helping Parkinson's UK achieve these vital goals.

Congratulations to our Latest Rapid Superstar!

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:25:11 GMT

Congratulations to all Our Superstar Nominees in Q3 of 2024

Hayley BATCHELOR who cleans South Wilts Grammar School in Wiltshire

Anne Sheen from Rapid Clean, said:

"I would like to nominate Hayley Batchelor who is the supervisor at south wilts grammar school. The school can be difficult to manage but Hayley does this on a daily basis without much input from myself. We have come a long way with Hayley being site supervisor...she arrives every day smiling and keeping the staff motivated ."

South Wilts Grammar School said:

"Hayley is always very polite and friendly and is always happy to help and do her best."

Saikha PARVEEN who cleans Iver Heath Infants & Nursery School in Berkshire

Charlie Gibbs from Rapid Clean, said:

"Saikha is a long term employee who works extremely hard. Since taking on the school's contract, which did have it's previous issues, it is clear Saikha has gone above and beyond to get the school's cleaning standards back to where they should be. She has excellent communication and organisation skills, and we have received no complaints or issues."

Iver Heath Infants & Nursery School, said:

"Saikha clearly has a passion for a job well done and takes enormous pride in the cleaning service she and her team provide. Although I don't see her often, as our site is cleaned in the evening, whenever I have had the opportunity to meet with her, she is friendly, warm and helpful. I am sad that she will be coming in the mornings after half term - as I will see even less of her - but I am confident we will know when she has been!

Aleksandra DURACZEK who cleans Beaufort Community Primary School in Woking, Surrey

Dariusz Lapiak from Rapid Clean, said:

"Aleksandra is a very responsible supervisor, and is always helpful and very polite with staff. She is always looking for a positive resolution, faces issues head on, and is helpful with cover. After discussing with the school, they are very happy regarding Aleksandra, and are in agreement that she has good communication and perfect attendance.

Beaufort Primary School said:

"Aleksandra is a delight to have working on our site. She is always cheerful and quick to smile. Any issues that may arise, once informed Aleksandra tends to them immediately, or directs one of her team to address it. No request is too much and she is always willing to help. "

Jack BOLLAM who cleans Poole Grammar School in Dorset

Michale Correira from Rapid Clean, said:

“Jack has recently been made a supervisor and has shown great leadership, outstanding teamwork but more importantly, he has shown willingness, and that he would go above and beyond for both our staff and our clients. Since Jack's promotion to supervisor, poole grammar has not faced any complaints and is a very pleasurable site to look after."

Poole Grammar School, said:

"Jack has really stepped up into the supervisor role and is working very well with the team, he goes over and above to try and meet our needs and really cares about doing a good job. Individual team members have mentioned that they really like working for him as well."

Susan BUNDHOO who cleans Vonage in Basingstoke, Hampshire

Natalia Kalka from Rapid Clean, said:

"Susan has worked for us at Vonage for such a long time. She is a very committed member of staff, reliable and always promotes a high standard of cleaning. She is always helpful to cover the site if needed. Whenever I'm on site everyone says that she is amazing and looks after the site well. I'm happy that she is there, and I know that the customer is so happy with her work as well."

Vonage said:

"Sue is so valued here at the office, she gives her all and nothing is too much trouble, whatever we ask her to assist with, or get stuck in with, is done with a smile and to the highest standard. I have never had any concerns with Sue since having her here as a cleaner, the staff see her as a colleague and not just as someone who picks up after them. She knows the office inside and out and she looks after us so well. To lose her from this office would just upset everyone that works with her, that's how valued she is."

Maria MELO DUARTE who cleans The Wymering School in Portsmouth, Hampshire

Sylwia Wnuczek from Rapid Clean, said:

"She is a very good, reliable cleaner. Truly committed to the job. A key holder who has a great relationship with the cleaning team and the customer."

The Wymering School, said:

"Maria is fantastic. She does a great job, is extremely trustworthy. She motivates & guides the rest of the team. She always goes the extra mile and nothing is too much trouble."

Kalsoom ASSI who cleans Bulmershe School in Reading, Berkshire

Bernice Anim from Rapid Clean, said:

"Kalsoom (Kaz as everyone calls her) works at Bulmershe school as a supervisor, she is a hard-working individual and a dedicated employee."

Ransford BOAKYE who cleans Lock Stock and Barrel in Newbury, Berkshire

Larainy Rosa from Rapid Clean, said:

"Since he started working at this site, he has gone above and beyond to ensure the clients are happy. Though he works for our cleaning company, the pub staff consider him part of their team due to his dedication and willingness to help whenever needed. He has a warm, friendly personality, and his positive attitude has made him a beloved figure at the pub. His hard work and commitment make him a real asset to Rapid Clean."

Chrisbin THOMAS who cleans Lord Williams School (Lower Site) in Thame, Oxfordshire

Melania Balza from Rapid Clean, said:

"Chrisbin Thomas works at Lord Williams Lower School, he is really helpful and reliable."

Ilse BASCO who cleans Softcat in Marlow, Berkshire

Mirela Tudorache at Rapid Clean, said:

"I would like to nominate Ilse working at Softcat- supervisor position. She is very good at her job, and a big help to me. Everyone loves her at Softcat, and we can see the difference when she is away. She is on top of everything, always thinking ahead to avoid any complaints."

Rapid Superstar Winner!

Sibel IBRAM who works at Michael Hall School, Moatfield Surgery, and Oakmead Dental Surgery, in Sussex

Sibel works at not one but three Rapid Clean sites! We are clearly very fortunate to have her working as part of the team. This is what her Contracts Managers and customers had to say about her:

Ingrid Antonio, Contracts Manager at Rapid Clean, said:

"Sibel goes above and beyond to carry out any cover work, helps in recruiting , and will go the extra mile to solve any issues as soon as possible. A few more staff like her would be great!"

Kevin Twinley, Contracts Manager at Rapid Clean, said:

"I'd like to nominate Sibel who works at Moatfield surgery, and Oakmead dental. She is always willing to help or cover staff sickness and is a pleasure to have as part of our staff ��"

Michael Hall School said:

"Sibel has evolved positively in her supervisory role at the school, which should be commended as we have such a large and challenging site. She always assists us in solving cleaning issues that arise and she is attentive to the changing needs of the school."

Oakmead Dental Surgery said:

"She is a sheer delight to have as our cleaner! We have struggled to find someone who is willing to work as hard as Sibel does and meet with our very high standards as a dental practice. She never lets us down even though she has had some of her own struggles this year. I don’t know how we managed without her before she came and what we would do without her! She can never leave! Sibel so deserves this, I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving."

Once again, it was so hard to choose a winner from the amazing nominations we received! Huge congratulations to Sibel, who represents our company values extremely well. Keep up the fantastic work everyone ��.

Why Hiring a Contract Cleaning Company is a Worthwhile Investment

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 17:02:49 GMT

Why Hiring a Contract Cleaning Company is a Worthwhile Investment

In an increasingly health and safety conscious world, maintaining a clean and tidy work environment is essential for businesses. From improving staff wellbeing, to creating lasting impressions on clients, cleanliness plays a pivotal role in operational success, no matter your industry.

Managing cleaning in-house can be costly and inefficient. Hiring a contract cleaning company offers a solution that is both time and cost effective. Read on to discover why outsourcing your cleaning needs is a worthwhile investment for your business.

Professional Standards and Compliance

A professional contract cleaning company will employ trained professionals who adhere to industry best practices and UK health and safety regulations. Cleaning staff will be trained with specialised knowledge, and use professional-grade equipment to deliver superior results.

At Rapid Clean, we carry out monthly on-site audits so that you can trust your premises will not only look its best, but also remain safe and compliant. This includes the likes of CQC compliance for any of our customers in the medical sector. We also ensure DBS checks are carried out on all staff in the interest of safeguarding vulnerable groups, such as schools.

Cost Efficiency

Outsourcing your commercial cleaning can reduce overheads. Employing and training in-house cleaning staff, along with purchasing equipment and supplies, can quickly add up. Contract cleaning companies provide all necessary resources, saving you time and money. Plus, in the long term, maintaining a clean environment reduces wear and tear on fixtures and equipment, further lowering maintenance costs.

With a commercial cleaning company like Rapid Clean, you also benefit from tailored cleaning packages, meaning you only pay for the services you need. Cleaning contractors will also cover sick pay, holiday pay and, most recently, the National Insurance contribution - meaning even more cost savings for your business.

Improved Employee Productivity and Morale

A clean workplace is a healthy workplace. By reducing dust, allergens, and bacteria, contract cleaning can minimise staff illnesses and absenteeism. A well-kept environment fosters a positive atmosphere, boosting morale and creating a workspace where employees feel valued and motivated. They also won’t be distracted or de-motivated by an untidy or poorly maintained environment.

One Less Thing on Your To-Do List!

Managing in-house cleaners can take up valuable time and resource. With Rapid Clean, all of our commercial cleaning contracts include a dedicated Contracts Manager, who is responsible for making sure your cleaning contract is running smoothly, and that we are delivering a reliable, professional service. This includes regular cleaning audits; we use an online system that enables the Contracts Manager to audit the full cleaning schedule and send an action plan back to our office, keeping you in the loop at all times.

Maintain Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Practices

Many contract cleaning companies are committed to environmentally friendly practices. Using green cleaning solutions and sustainable methods, they can help to reduce your business' carbon footprint. Aligning with these practices not only benefits the environment but improves your corporate social responsibility profile, appealing to environmentally conscious clients and customers.

Customisable Services to Suit Business Needs

One of the greatest advantages of hiring a contract cleaning company like Rapid Clean, is flexibility. Cleaning schedules can be arranged around your business hours, minimising disruption. Furthermore, services can be tailored to suit your specific requirements, whether you run an office, healthcare facility, or school. This flexibility ensures your premises receive the care they need without compromising your daily operations.

If you’re ready to elevate your workplace standards, get a quote from Rapid Clean today. With our commitment to excellence, we provide reliable and tailored cleaning solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Tips for Managing Commercial Spaces During the Festive Season

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 14:50:22 GMT

The festive season is a time of joy and celebration, but it has its share of challenges when it comes to managing commercial spaces. As a professional commercial cleaning service , we understand the importance of maintaining a pristine and inviting environment for your customers and employees.

Tips for Managing Commercial Spaces During the Festive Season

Prioritise High-Traffic Areas

During the festive season, the influx of visitors means your commercial space will mean that focusing on high-traffic areas such as entrances, corridors, and communal spaces, is essential. The winter weather might cause leaves, mud, snow and other seasonal debris, to impact the cleanliness of these areas. As the frontline of your business image, ensuring these areas are immaculate is crucial; a good cleaning team will be flexible and willing to change tasks at your request.

Dusting Decorations and Ornaments

While festive decorations elevate the holiday atmosphere in your commercial space, they also call for specialist cleaning services to maintain their allure. Ornaments, wreaths, and lights can gather dust, which is why they should be regularly cleaned to keep their sparkle throughout the season.

Keeping Toilet Facilities Stocked and Spotless

The toilet facilities are probably the most-frequented space by anyone in an office! Increased holiday traffic and visitors make it essential to pay extra attention to cleanliness. Regular cleaning and restocking of supplies like toilet paper, soap, and paper towels ensure a positive impression. Rapid Clean's professional cleaning team can maintain your facilities to the highest standards with most cleaning schedules including stock control and replenishing supplies as part of the daily tasks.

Extra Floor Care

Winter weather can bring in dirt, salt, and slush from the outside, making your floors susceptible to stains and damage. While you might consider handling floor maintenance yourself, it's important to understand the benefits of hiring a commercial cleaning service. Our experienced team knows the ins and outs of floor care, using the right techniques and equipment to ensure your floors not only stay clean but also maintain their aesthetic appeal.

By entrusting us with your floor care needs, you can save valuable time and resources while enjoying the peace of mind that your floors are in expert hands. Consider placing mats at entrances to capture dirt and moisture before they spread throughout your space. You might want to increase the frequency of floor cleans during this period.

Post Event Clean-Ups

The festive season is a time of celebrations, which can sometimes lead to spills and additional cleaning needs. Some of our customers request a one-off post event cleaning service to swiftly restore their space to its original state.

Looking For A Professional Cleaning Service for Your Office?

Rapid Clean has a wealth of experience in cleaning commercial spaces, looking after a growing number of buildings in this sector. We take pride in our attention to detail and commitment to excellence, ensuring that your business continues to shine brightly even during the busiest time of the year.

Customers can choose a contract that suits their needs and those utilising the space to minimise disruption. To find out more and request a no-obligation quotation, click here:

Rapid Clean Welcomes Sir Julian Hartley’s Appointment as CQC Chief Executive

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 09:00:02 GMT

Rapid Clean Welcomes Sir Julian Hartley’s Appointment as CQC Chief Executive

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has recently appointed Sir Julian Hartley as its new Chief Executive, a development poised to impact the standards within the healthcare sector, including professional cleaning services. Rapid Clean, which provides cleaning services to medical facilities across southern England, views this appointment as a commitment to enhanced quality and safety standards in healthcare.

Hartley was previously the CEO of NHS Providers, where he championed safety and quality improvements. His background in healthcare leadership aligns with the CQC’s commitment to elevate standards and ensure safe, high-quality care.

With this expertise, CQC regulations are expected to strengthen, reinforcing the demand for meticulous cleaning and hygiene protocols—an area where Rapid Clean is well-prepared to support healthcare providers.

Speaking of the appointment, Ian Dilks, Chair of CQC , said: "Sir Julian is an experienced and highly respected Chief Executive with a track record of leading organisations through challenging times, balancing the need to both improve short term performance and evolve strategy alongside a passionate commitment to improving people's care.”

Dilks later said: “I am confident that Sir Julian has the qualities and experience to lead the organisation through the challenges ahead and help to ensure that we make the right changes to become the strong effective regulator that people who use and work in health and social care services need and deserve."

Speaking of his appointment , Sir Julian Harley said: "I am delighted to be joining CQC at a time when effective regulation which supports improvement across the health and care sector and good, safe care for people who use services has never been more important.  

"I have spent my career in the NHS and I will do my utmost to bring all I have learned to serve people who use services and to work with CQC staff and with providers to deliver high quality regulation which drives improvement across the health and care system."

Under Hartley’s direction, the CQC aims to increase accountability and adapt regulatory measures to address the sector’s evolving needs. This shift will impact healthcare cleaning companies like Rapid Clean, as cleaning standards are essential to meeting CQC guidelines. Healthcare settings, in particular, are under increasing scrutiny to maintain high cleanliness levels to prevent infections and enhance patient safety.

For medical cleaning companies like Rapid Clean, this heightened focus on quality presents an opportunity to align with CQC’s goals by further refining our cleaning practices and protocols. With Hartley emphasising quality across care environments, Rapid Clean is readily positioned to meet and exceed these standards, supporting healthcare facilities in delivering safe, compliant care.

Find out more about how Rapid Clean can help your healthcare facility meet national cleanliness standards:

5 Ways to Save Money on Your Office Cleaning

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 17:06:00 GMT

Our number one priority as a cleaning provider, is to offer our customers the best value for money. We know that many companies are striving to reduce costs at the moment, so we are keen to assist where we can. In this blog post, we will run through various ways in which you can save money on your cleaning bill...

Ways to Save Money on Your Office Cleaning

1. Operate a Central Bin System

We have helped many customers make savings of up to 10% by moving away from individual desk bins to a central bin system. Emptying individual bins on a daily basis is very time consuming and often unnecessary in a modern working environment. Central general waste and recycle options also reduce the need for bin-liners saving costs and impact on the environment.

2. Reduce the Number of Cleaning Days

Many offices now have hybrid working and certain days when their office is very quiet. Have you considered whether you really need cleaning on a daily basis? Cleaning only 3 times a week can even work for larger offices if employees are responsible for doing the basics like washing up their own cups and mugs. An alternative is carrying out a sparkle clean (toilets, emptying bins, cleaning the kitchen) 2 days a week and a full clean on the other days.

3. Spend Less Time Cleaning Cups and Mugs

It really is amazing how much tea and coffee one individual can consume in a day! To reduce the time your cleaner spends collecting 3-4 cups per desk, consider asking your employees to place their mugs in the kitchen at the end of the day. To take it one step further, why not invest in a dishwasher that will save the time spent manually cleaning?

4. Get Friendly with Your Neighbour

At Rapid Clean we generally price on a minimum of 2 hours cleaning per day to make it worthwhile for the cleaner. If your site doesn’t require the full 2 hours, but your next door neighbour is in a similar position, why not consider clubbing together and sharing the cleaner? This can work well for companies that are all operating out of the same building.

5. Keep Your Building Tidy

This sounds like an obvious point, but the tidier the building, the less time the cleaner needs to get it looking ship shape. By encouraging a clear desk policy in your workplace, you will save time and therefore money.

Following the recent government budget announcement, we know how important it is for businesses to save money where they can. If you want to find out how Rapid Clean might be able to assist you in reducing costs, please contact us.

A Month of Celebration!

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 11:36:06 GMT

As October draws to a close, we would like to take the opportunity to reflect on a month in which celebration has featured heavily. It's easy for businesses to get caught up in making the wheels turn, but stopping to celebrate success should be an important part of what we do.

In our previous post , we mentioned various ways in which we were intending to celebrate and thank all those involved in helping us reach 25 years in business. One of the key plans was to invite our head office team to gather at our premises in Wokingham, to reflect and celebrate all that we have achieved since conception in 1999.

No Rapid Clean celebration is complete without two key things: cake and competition! A company quiz was therefore top of the agenda and although a close run thing, Rapid Rabbits were the winning team.

We would not be where we are today without an amazing bunch of people making it happen. One of the things we discovered during our time together, is that more than 50% of those present have been a Rapid Clean employee for over 5 years. A couple are still with us from the very early days of our office in Eton, Berkshire back in the early 2000s!

It's difficult to stand out in a saturated market, but one thing that we feel sets us apart, is our company culture. We value integrity over anything else and our Chairman, Jeff Whitton, took the opportunity to remind everyone of this as we gathered together to raise a toast. There are many ways for a company to measure success, but having a team of people that represents the company well and wants to come to work every day, is Rapid Clean's primary success marker.

This month has also featured our operations team visiting various customers who deserved a personal 'thank for' playing their part in helping us reach 25 years in business. These customers are a key part of our history, having been using our service for more than 10 years. We are grateful to Richard from Twogether Creative, who we managed to persuade into a photograph with Rapid's Contracts Manager, Mirela, and Rapid's Operations Manager, Sabeeh.

And finally, we want to thank our founders - Jeff Whitton and Paul Claxton - for their courage to take a risk 25 years ago. There have been many challenges along the way, but as an organisation we are committed to building on their legacy. We are excited to see what the next 25 years brings!

The Crucial Role of Cleaning in Healthcare Facilities During Winter

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 13:20:01 GMT

As winter approaches, healthcare facilities face unique challenges in maintaining a clean and safe environment. At Rapid Clean, we understand the critical importance of specialist healthcare cleaning services in settings such as hospitals, doctors surgeries and medical centres, especially during the colder months. In this blog, we'll explore why effective cleaning is vital in healthcare facilities during winter and how Rapid Clean can help.

Enhanced Infection Control

Winter is synonymous with a spike in flu cases and other viral infections. The risk of cross-contamination and the spread of germs is significantly higher in healthcare facilities. Rapid Clean's professional healthcare cleaning service prioritises infection control through thorough sanitisation practices, focusing on high-touch areas like door handles, patient beds, and medical equipment. Our use of high-grade disinfectants and adherence to stringent cleaning protocols, ensures a germ-free environment, which is crucial for patient and staff safety.

Surface Cleaning

During winter, the need for thorough surface cleaning becomes even more critical. Rapid Clean's team pays special attention to cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces, including floors, walls, and countertops. This not only helps in reducing the spread of germs but also maintains the aesthetic appeal of your healthcare facility.

Reception Area Maintenance

Recognising the importance of first impressions in healthcare settings, Rapid Clean places emphasis on the cleaning and maintenance of reception areas. During winter, these areas can become hubs for germ transfer due to increased patient foot traffic. Our services include regular cleaning and disinfection of seating areas, reception desks, and other surfaces in these high-traffic zones. By maintaining a pristine and welcoming entrance, we help ensure a positive and safe environment for patients, visitors, and staff.

Floor Care and Safety

Slippery floors are a common hazard in winter, with the increased likelihood of water and debris being tracked in from outside. Regular mopping and drying of wet areas, accompanied by the placement of absorbent mats at entry points can help keep these areas safe and clean. We can recommend the right matting type for your entrances and include regular floor cleaning as part of your tailored cleaning schedule.

Tailored Cleaning Schedules

We recognise that healthcare facilities operate around the clock. Our flexible cleaning schedules are designed to provide minimal disruption to healthcare operations. We work with you to create a tailored cleaning plan that suits your facility's specific needs and timings, ensuring that cleaning is conducted efficiently and effectively. During certain seasons, extra cleaning might be required due to increased patient turnover or the prevalence of seasonal illnesses. In such cases, a temporary change to the cleaning schedule can be discussed with your local Rapid Clean Contracts Manager to ensure continuous, high-quality cleanliness in your facility.

Why Choose Rapid Clean?

At Rapid Clean , we are committed to delivering exceptional cleaning services that meet the unique demands of healthcare facilities. Our team of experienced professionals is trained in healthcare cleaning standards and equipped with the latest tools and technology to provide superior cleaning solutions.

This winter, let Rapid Clean be your trusted partner in maintaining a clean and safe healthcare environment. Our dedication to quality and attention to detail ensures that your facility is not only clean but also a safe haven for patients and staff. Join the many healthcare facilities that rely on Rapid Clean for their cleaning needs, especially during the challenging winter months.

To find out more about our specialist healthcare cleaning services and to request a no-obligation quote, please Get In Touch.

Celebrating 25 Years in Business | Rapid Clean

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:09:55 GMT

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

When Jeff Whitton and Paul Claxton decided to pool together their experience and knowledge of the cleaning industry, neither of them envisaged Rapid Clean continuing much beyond 5 years.

They have fond memories of those early days back in October 1999, featuring crack of dawn pub cleans, followed by a quick change into a suit to visit potential new customers!

25 years later, Jeff and Paul have taken Rapid Clean to a thriving business with more than 450 customers, 1000 permanent employees, and a turnover of close to £13 million per annum, all from organic growth. We think this is worth celebrating!

The following short video reflects on various milestones over the last 25 years...

Throughout the month of October 2024, we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary by thanking various groups of people who have helped us get this far.

Our cleaning team is an integral part of our business, but sadly it's not all that easy to celebrate in person with 1200 people! They will each be given the opportunity to participate in a prize draw. We are looking forward to celebrating with our head office team at our site in Wokingham - pictures to follow on this one!

A number of our customers, ones who have been using our service for 10+ years, will be hand-delivered a commemorative bottle of bubbly by their Rapid Clean Contracts Manager.

Thank you to all our employees, suppliers and customers - past and present - who have contributed to helping us reach 25 years in business. There have been many hurdles along the way, but we are proud of what we do and the difference that it makes.

Celebrating our Latest Rapid Superstar

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 16:43:42 GMT

We received some fantastic feedback on our cleaning team last quarter, which leaves us with the nice problem of choosing just one person to crown Rapid Superstar! Every person nominated will receive a letter and a small gift of appreciation; keep reading to the end of the post when the winner will be announced...

Congratulations to all Our Superstar Nominees this Quarter:

Maria MELO DUARTE who cleans The Wymering School in Portsmouth

Sylwia Wnuczek from Rapid Clean, said:

"She is very reliable, always on time and is very committed to the work. Maria promotes very high standards of cleaning, always happy to help other operatives and have a great relationship with the customer."

Site Manager at The Wymering School, said:

"Maria is fantastic. She does a great job, is extremely trustworthy. She motivates & guides the reast of the team. She always goes the extra mile and nothing is to much trouble."

Alvaro DOS PASSOS TAVARES who cleans The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) in Maidenhead, Berkshire

Mirela Tudorache from Rapid Clean, said:

"Alvaro is very polite and respectful. He is very happy with the supervisor position and always tries to do his best. I have only heard good things about him from CIM staff."

General Manager at CIM, said:

"Alvaro is great, he is very flexible and always willing to do what is required and not just what the contract agreement states. He gives a very personal touch to the client relationship and makes the Rapid Cleaning team feel very much part of the CIM team here on site. We were having trouble with our previous cleaning supervisor and were considering other cleaning companies but with the introduction of Alvaro, I am confident in saying that this is not the case now. Quite simply he has saved the contract remaining at CIM. We really value his input and service to the site and he is a great asset to Rapid."

Katarzyna SZYMECZKO who cleans Amherst Medical Practice in Sevenoaks, Kent

Kevin Twinley from Rapid Clean, said:

“Katarzyna works so hard, I never receive any complaints and she has a great attendance record. She is always helpful and it is a pleasure to work with her."

Practice Manager at Amherst Medical Practice, said:

"Katarzyna has been a wonderful cleaner and we've certainly noticed the difference in standards since she has been on annual leave.
She richly deserves recognition for her skills and being a wonderfully competent cleaner. "

Kelly THOMPSON who cleans Preshute CE Primary School in Wiltshire

Warren Stein from Rapid Clean, said:

"Kelly had managed to carry on when another cleaner couldn't continue. She took the 5 hours and has been amazing. Her cleaning has been so good and there are no issues. The feedback from the client was unbelievable and she definitely deserves this. "

Natalia MOCKO who cleans Harris Hill & Gibbons in Trowbridge, Wiltshire

Mateusz Kolasinski from Rapid Clean, said:

"Since we started the contract, Natalia is always there, on time and cleans effectively to meet good standards. The client and other staff at Harris Hill & Gibbons are fully satisfied of what she is doing for them. She is very communicative person and loves spending time cleaning as she treats her workplace like her own house �� Also she really likes to have a little conversations with staff that works on site - that really works well and they treat her as part of their team!"

Sandra MORRIS who cleans Poole Grammar School in Dorset

Iwona Rudnicka from Rapid Clean, said:

"Sandra is ready to help you if you just ask her. She has been helping at every single section we’ve got at Poole Grammar School. Her attendance is great and you can always count for her help. An amazing lady!"

Mary ODURO who cleans The Brookside Group Practice in Berkshire

Bernice Anim from Rapid Clean, said:

"Mary takes pride in her job. If there is no cleaner available to cover a clean, she will do all she can to ensure the site is covered before she leaves. She never lets me down."

Jeffrey IBALE who cleans Keep Hatch Primary School in Wokingham, Berkshire

Larainy Rosa from Rapid Clean, said:

"Jeffrey is extremely helpful and consistently demonstrates a can-do attitude. He maintains excellent relationships with his colleagues and ensures cleaning is always performed to the highest standards. I’m very pleased to have him on our team."

Myra MENDOZA who cleans Beauchamp House Surgery in Chelmsford, Essex

Piotr Szulc at Rapid Clean, said:

"Myra joined us when we were 1 cleaner down. She covered the vacancy and additional area without any problems. She has great attitude. The other Cleaner called me and said that Myra is fantastic very hard working."

Maria Elizabeth VASQUEZ CALAPINA who cleans Southwark Park Sports and Athletics Centre & The Castle Centre in Greater London

Ingrid Antonio at Rapid Clean, said:

"I have nominated Maria for her dedication and commitment to keep the centres going when I am not always around."

Adama DEMBELE who cleans The Chalice Foundation & Sir William Burrough Schools in Greater London

Mohamed Toure at Rapid Clean, said:

"Adama always acts very professionally and has amazing attention to detail. This is conveyed by very positive feedback from the school."

Parbati THAPA who cleans Iveco in Farnborough, Hampshire

Sabeeh Tahir from Rapid Clean, said:

"Parbati is a very reliable and hardworking member of the team. She is very kind and flexible to adopt duties on site to meet customer's expectations to work around their schedule. I get good feedback from client about her."

Susan GALE who cleans Stephen Austin in Hertfordshire

Melania Balza at Rapid Clean, said:

"Susan is really reliable, helpful and a good cleaner. The customer is happy with her performance."

Laxmi TAMANG and Chok TAMANG who cleans Oakhurst Community Primary School in Swindon, Wiltshire

Anna Dabal at Rapid Clean, said:

"Laxmi & Chock are so helpful, reliable and hardworking."

Carol WILSON who cleans St John the Evangelist C of E Primary School in Carterton, Oxfordshire

Xenia Pradas at Rapid Clean, said:

"She always goes over and above, she is organised, responsible, reliable, a great supervisor that everyone respects. The school loves her and she works to very high cleaning standards."

Our Rapid Superstar Winner!

Scott Alexander PARNELL who cleans The Thames Club in Staines, Surrey

Dariusz Lapiak, Contracts Manager at Rapid Clean, said:

"Scott is always helpful, always listens, takes on board feedback and instructions from the supervisor and has brilliant communication."

Kevin, Facilities Manager at The Thames Club in Staines, said:

"I am pleased to recommend Scott for the Quarterly Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions as a cleaner. Scott has consistently demonstrated an exceptional work ethic, reliability, and attention to detail in his role. His commitment to maintaining a clean and welcoming environment not only enhances the overall atmosphere of our workplace but also positively impacts the well-being of all staff and members.

Scott approaches every task with a positive attitude, often going above and beyond to ensure that all areas are impeccably maintained. His proactive nature and willingness to help others make him an invaluable member of our team. Time and again, he has shown that he takes great pride in his work, and it does not go unnoticed.

I wholeheartedly support Scott's nomination for the quarterly award and believe he truly deserves this recognition for his consistent good work."

Huge congratulations to Scott, who is clearly highly valued by the Thames Club team. Keep up the fantastic work everyone ��. It's always a privilege to read such wonderful feedback on our cleaning team.

6 Steps to Creating a Bespoke Cleaning Schedule for Your School

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 11:32:55 GMT

Maintaining a clean and healthy environment in schools is integral for student well-being and success. However, every school is unique, with varying needs depending on factors like size, footfall, and special facilities. In this blog post we look at how you can create a bespoke cleaning schedule tailored to your school's specific needs.

1. Assess the School's Needs

Start by evaluating the different areas of the school. Classrooms, science labs, toilet facilities, dining halls, sports halls, and staff rooms all have different cleaning requirements. For example, toilets may require multiple cleanings per day due to high use, while classrooms might only need one thorough cleaning after school hours.

Key Considerations:

Number of students and staff
Frequency of use for each area
Types of activities conducted in each space

2. Identify High-Traffic Areas

Certain areas of the school, like hallways, entrance ways, and lunch areas, experience heavy foot traffic. These areas are prone to dirt and debris buildup and often require more frequent cleaning. Identifying these areas will help prioritise daily cleaning tasks.

High-Traffic Areas to Focus On:

Main entrances and exits
Hallways and stairwells
Communal and dining areas

3. Consider Scheduled Events and Seasonal Needs

Schools often host events, such as sports days, parents evenings, or school fairs, which can lead to increased cleaning needs. Additionally, seasonal factors like flu or allergy season may require enhanced cleaning measures to prevent the spread of illness.

Special Considerations:

Post-event cleanups
Extra disinfection during flu season
Deep cleaning during school breaks

4. Develop a Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Cleaning Plan

Once you’ve identified the school's needs, create a cleaning plan that covers daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Daily cleaning might involve sweeping floors and vacuuming carpets, emptying bins, and disinfecting desks and other surfaces.

Weekly tasks could include more thorough vacuuming, window cleaning, and deeper disinfection, while monthly tasks might focus on deep-cleaning carpets, maintaining HVAC systems, or sanitising less-frequented areas.

Sample Cleaning Schedule:

Daily: Clean and disinfect toilets, empty bins, wipe down desks, sweep/vacuum high-traffic areas

Weekly: Mop floors, clean windows, dust surfaces, deep clean toilet facilities

Monthly: Carpet cleaning, deep cleaning of sports equipment, maintenance checks

5. Organise Termly Deep Cleans

Scheduling and organising deep cleans every term with a professional cleaning company can ensure a reduction in dirt and grime build-up across the year, making regular cleaning less intensive and allowing more time to be focused on specific areas. As well as this, it means that staff and students will return after their term break to a clean and welcoming environment.

6. Collaborate with a Professional Cleaning Company

Partnering with a professional cleaning company can make a significant difference in maintaining a clean and healthy school environment. A Professional School Cleaning Company like Rapid Clean can help you assess your school's needs and create a tailored cleaning schedule that ensures no area is overlooked.

Benefits of Professional Cleaning:

Expert knowledge of effective cleaning practices
Access to specialised cleaning equipment
Consistent, high-quality cleaning results

7. Monitor and Adjust as Needed

A cleaning schedule is not static. Regularly review and adjust the plan to accommodate changes in school activities, seasons, or any new challenges that arise. Flexibility ensures that your school remains a clean and healthy space for students and staff year-round.

Creating a bespoke cleaning schedule for your school is an essential step in ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. By assessing needs, prioritising high-traffic areas, planning for special events, and collaborating with professional cleaners, you can develop a schedule that keeps your school and its students shining every day.

Our School Deep Clean Team Has Worked its Magic!

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 14:49:39 GMT

We currently provide over 170 nurseries, schools and colleges, with a daily cleaning service; this equates to more than one third of our business. Every customer in this sector has differing needs, so we tailor the contract and cleaning schedule to suit their individual requirements. The majority of schools opt for at least one week's worth of deep cleaning during the summer holidays.

Schools are not Dormant in the Holidays!

A common misconception is that schools lie empty and redundant during the summer holidays - they would be wrong! At Rapid Clean , the planning for deep clean season begins at the end of May when our 16 local Contracts Managers contact their customers to find out when they would like their deep clean carried out.

Deep clean calendar slots are filled on a first-come-first-served basis, so that we ensure the work load is spread across the 6-week period. Every school has their own tailored deep-clean schedule that is laminated and left on-site for the cleaning team to refer to.

How Does a Deep Clean Differ from a Regular Clean?

The deep clean schedule is discussed and created as soon as a customer chooses Rapid Clean as their provider. The new customer can choose to change our standard deep clean schedule, switching things around to suit their building's needs.

As well as the usual daily cleaning tasks, a deep clean typically involves moving all furniture on wheels, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, buffing and polishing floors, removing marks on the walls, sanitising toilet partitions and appliances, high level dusting (within reach from the floor), and the list goes on!

The Results Speak for Themselves!

Our Operations Team has worked hard and are proud of the results achieved this summer. Take a look at this video created at a school in Wiltshire...

Our school cleaning service makes up more than one third of our business and we are experts at what we do. If you would like to find out how Rapid Clean could transform your school, college or university, click on the link below or request a quote .

Celebrating Milestone Work Anniversaries - Q1 and Q2 2024

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 12:24:15 GMT

Celebrating 10 Years with Rapid Clean

Employee turnover is notoriously high in the cleaning industry . This is just one of the reasons why we take the time to appreciate, and celebrate publicly, all employees who have reached milestone anniversaries. Many of the people mentioned in today's post have worked at the same site for their whole employment with Rapid Clean !

Andrea Carla DE OLIVEIRA BEZERRA works at Bechtle Ltd and Softcat in Bristol. She celebrated her 10 year Rapid work anniversary on 13 February.

Julie TANN has worked at various sites during her 10 year employment with Rapid. She has worked at St Paul's C of E Junior School in Wokingham, Berkshire since her first day! She celebrated her work anniversary on 22 April.

Sirlei Pereira RODRIGUES currently works at Twogether Creative Limited and Harleyford Golf Club in Marlow. She has worked for Rapid at various other sites since 2014 and celebrated her 10 year anniversary on 9 June.

Celebrating 5 Years with Rapid Clean

Mark BARRETT works at Peckham Leisure Centre & Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Sports Facility in Greater London, and has been there since the start of his employment with Rapid. Also helps with cover, predominately in the leisure sector. Mark celebrated his work anniversary on 2 January.

Mariusz WILGORSKI has worked at Beaufort Community Primary School in Woking, Surrey, since the start of employment. He celebrated his work anniversary on 10 January.

Ana DA CUNHA SILVA celebrated her 5 year anniversary with Rapid on 14 January, and has worked at Seven Islands in Greater London since the start of her employment with us in 2019.

Cameil LEWIS has worked at Rathfern Primary School Greater London, for the whole 5 years. She celebrated her work anniversary on 4 February.

Michelle TOFTS h as worked at Gateway Primary School in Oxfordshire, since the start of her employment with Rapid. She started at St John the Evangelist C of E Primary School in May 2020 and has worked at both sites since. She celebrated her work anniversary on 6 February.

Dorota SZUBAN works at Wenlock C of E Junior School in Luton, Bedfordshire, and has been there since the start of her employment with Rapid. She celebrated her 5 year work anniversary on 11 February.

Jamiu AWOSANYA has worked at Camberwell Leisure Centre & Peckham Leisure Centre in Greater London, since the start of his employment with Rapid. He celebrated his work anniversary on 25 February.

Krystyna KOT works at Crocus Medical Practice and The Gold Street Surgery in Cambridgeshire. Krynstyna celebrated her work anniversary on 25 February.

Maria DOS PASSOS has worked at Softcat in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, since the start of her employment with Rapid. She celebrated her work anniversary on 4 March.

Sophia ASUBONTENG started her employment at Rapid as a cover cleaner, working at many different sites in the Reading area. Sophia started working permanently at The Female Health Clinic in Surrey, in 2023. She celebrated her Rapid work anniversary on 11 March.

Craig Jack LOVE has helped to cover multiple sites since the start of his employment in 2019 and has worked permanently at Carlisle Fluid Technologies UK Ltd in Dorset, since 2022. He celebrated his work anniversary on 15 March.

Joseph SENTI has worked at Highgate Golf Club , Perritt & Perritt Ltd in Greater London, since the start of employment 5 years ago, and started working at St Stephen's CE Primary School in September 2021. He celebrated his work anniversary on 25 March.

Amadou FOFANA has worked at many different sites as a cover cleaner. He celebrated his work Rapid work anniversary on 26 March.

Joanne FOWLE works at Cuffley School in Hertfordshire and has been there since the start of her employment with Rapid. She celebrated her work anniversary on 1 April.

Mary BONSU has worked at Hamilton Rentals in Wokingham, Berkshire, since the start of her employment and has worked at Prisym ID Ltd since October 2020. She has also helped to cover many sites. She celebrated her work anniversary on 8 April.

Dal THAPA has worked at Iveco Farnborough since the start of his employment with Rapid. He celebrated his work anniversary on 8 April.

Parbati THAPA has worked at Iveco Farnborough since the start of his employment with Rapid. He celebrated his work anniversary on 8 April.

Debbie TAYLOR has worked at PEI-Genesis Ltd in Southampton, since the start of her employment with Rapid. She celebrated her work anniversary on 29 April.

Sharon MOGRIDGE has worked at PEI-Genesis Ltd in Southampton, since the start of her employment with Rapid. She celebrated her work anniversary on 29 April.

Joao DE FREITAS has worked at Surrey Docks Leisure Centre & Seven Islands Leisure Centre in Greater London, since the start of his employment in 2019. He celebrated his work anniversary on 1 June.

Mercy BOADI has worked at BJP Insurance Brokers and Hamilton Rentals in Wokingham, Berkshire, since the start of her employment with Rapid. She celebrated her work anniversary on 3 June.

Edyta NARAZINSKA-MUZOLF has worked at Index House Serviced Offices and Sunninghill Dental Practice in Berkshire, since the start of her employment with Rapid and has additionally worked at Cudd Bentley Consulting Limited since April 2021. She celebrated her work anniversary on 3 June.

Jonathan FRIMPONG works at The Pines School in Bracknell and Our Lady's Preparatory School. He celebrates his Rapid work anniversary on 18 June.

Head Office Employees Celebrating Work Anniversaries

Beth ABBOTT , Business Coordinator, celebrated her 5 year work anniversary on 26 February.

Mohamed TOURE , Contracts Manager in Greater London and Essex, celebrated his 5 year work anniversary on 5 March.

Victor OLOWU , Contracts Manager in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Greater London, celebrated his 5 year work anniversary on 12 June.

This is just a handful of our dedicated and hard working team members. Congratulations on your work anniversaries!

We currently have various roles available within the organisation; click on the button below so to see a list of our vacancies.

Will You Join the Plastic Free July Challenge?

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 10:48:19 GMT

This month marks Plastic Free July, an inspiring initiative by the Plastic Free Foundation aimed at creating a world without plastic waste. Since its modest beginnings in 2011, this award-winning campaign has flourished through hard work and dedication.

At Rapid Clean, we deeply value environmental stewardship. As an ISO 14001 certified company, we adhere to the highest standards of environmental management and continuously strive to make our operations as sustainable as possible.

In line with our commitment, our Environmental Task Force recently implemented a soft plastic recycling bin initiative at our Head Office. This simple yet effective measure encourages responsible waste disposal, making it easy for everyone to recycle correctly and effortlessly. By offering these specific recycling bins, we empower our staff to make a meaningful contribution towards reducing plastic waste. Every small effort adds up, making a significant impact on our planet.

As an organisation, we're proud to utilize the Triple 8 Dosing System, renowned as the market leader for minimizing single-use plastic waste. Its highly concentrated formula not only ensures exceptional cleaning power but also promotes environmental sustainability.

We proudly collaborate with customers who are dedicated to minimizing chemical usage, helping them discover alternative eco-friendly solutions.

Plastic Free July goes beyond using reusable cups or bags; it empowers individuals to rethink their habits and make impactful changes. By participating, you’ll discover sustainable alternatives that can become lifelong practices. The best part? Everyone can join in! Whether you take small steps or dive into a bigger challenge, every effort counts. Let’s embrace this opportunity to make a positive difference together!

Sign up for weekly emails , filled with tips and tricks to keep you motivated throughout the challenge: https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/take-the-challenge/

Get inspired and explore the menu options: https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/get-involved/what-you-can-do/

Read inspirational stories from participants who are successfully reducing single-use plastic waste at home, work, and in their communities https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/what-others-do/

Consider donating to Plastic Free July - your contribution helps the Plastic Free Foundation develop vital resources, provide essential tools, and inspire people worldwide to cut down on single-use plastics https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/donate/

Celebrating our New Rapid Superstar

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 10:33:56 GMT

Congratulations to all Our Superstar Nominees in Q1 of 2024

We've had some fantastic feedback on our cleaning team last quarter, which leaves us with the nice problem of choosing just one person to crown Rapid Superstar! Every person mentioned here will receive a letter and a small gift of appreciation; keep reading to the end of the post, when the winner will be announced...

Debbie MILLS who cleans Newtown Soberton and Meonstoke Schools in Hampshire

Anne Sheen from Rapid Clean, said:

"Debbie works in a difficult area to recruit for and she has proved a god-send at both schools"

Finance Officer at Meonvalley Federation, said:

"I'm delighted to have Debbie on board at the Meonvalley Federation. She is very friendly, and excellent at communicating with us. We are really starting to notice the improvement in cleanliness since Debbie has been part of the team."

Kenneth WADE who cleans Selsey Medical Centre in Chichester

Sylwia Wnuczek from Rapid Clean, said:

"Kenneth is very reliable and a dedicated cleaner. He puts in a lot of effort to ensure the surgery looks clean and well maintained. I really appreciate his attention to detail and consistent hard work."

Assistant Practice Manager at Selsey Medical Practice, said:

"I was delighted to see that Kenneth has been nominated for this quarter's Rapid Superstar Award. Kenneth is an asset to your team. He is very helpful & willing to go the extra mile for Rapid and Selsey Medical Practice."

Hannah MAIYEKOGBON who cleans Poole Grammar School in Dorset

Iwona Rudnicka from Rapid Clean, said:

"Hannah joined us in January and from the very beginning she showed her professional skills. She was always willing to help, she learned very quickly, she has a positive attitude. In February, I asked Hannah to take over as Cleaning Supervisor for this school, and she agreed. Hannah did a great job and together we worked to improve every element of cleanliness in the school and we succeeded. Thank you"

Business Manager at Poole Grammar School, said:

"I do not know Hannah very well, but a couple of months ago we were in quite a bad place in terms of cleaning, but with the removal of a few individuals and the starting of Hannah, plus her manager Iwona, this has turned around and standards are now much better. I am sure that Hannah has played a part in this for which we are very grateful."

Nicholas MASON who cleans Princecroft Primary School in Wiltshire

Mateusz Kolasinski from Rapid Clean, said:

“Nick is always on time, reliable and helpful when needed. He is working for the school for such a long time and they are really grateful for what he is doing for them, as am I."

Pinecroft Primary School, said:

"Nick is such a hard worker, always enthusiastic and engaging. He is reliable and always goes above and beyond to ensure a really thorough job is done. He is committed and reliable, has developed so much confidence and has shown resilience through changes. He is so much more chatty with staff too, which is lovely. Also, he does a good job!"

Ana Paula TAVARES who cleans Evalue in Newbury

Larainy Rosa from Rapid Clean, said:

"Even though I have recently taken over this contract, I can already say that Ana Paula always goes above and beyond what is expected! This has resulted in a strong relationship between the site and Ana Paula. We received a call from Evalue wishing to nominate her for Rapid Superstar!"

Office Manager at Evalue, said:

"Ana – or Paula as we all know her here - has worked with EValue for many years. She is very loyal, trusted and hard working. Paula is OUR superstar, always willing to help, nothing is ever too much trouble. She uses her initiative to sort out a situation so that it doesn’t escalate to a greater problem. We cherish Paula here at EValue, and Rapid Clean should be very proud to have Paula as an ambassador for the company. In our opinion she truly deserves a Rapid Superstar Award."

Sarah WALDOCK who cleans RAF Benson Community Primary School in Oxfordshire

Xenia Pradas from Rapid Clean, said:

"Everybody loves Sarah! She works very hard and she is an amazing person. Always smiling, even when things aren't easy :) "

Site Manager at RAF Benson School, said:

"We totally agree with this nomination! Sarah definitely goes that extra mile every day to keep our school looking good. She has also been mentoring our new cleaner."

Anna ZACZEK who cleans Lanes Group in Slough

Mirela Tudorache from Rapid Clean, said:

"She helped me to get familiar with the job when we started in January, and she also helped to translate when I did the training for the evening cleaner."

Facilities Coordinator at Lanes Group, said:

"The office cleaning has much improved since the start of our contract with Rapid Clean. I recognise this is a team effort, but Anna has been a key member of the team undertaking any task requested of her. Anna has been a valued part of the cleaning team for the past six years, and over this time her cleaning has consistently exceeded requirements. Any additional work required is done without complaint and to a high standard...Anna has always kept me informed of minor maintenance issues, such as faulty cisterns and lights."

Beata RABCZAK who cleans Houghton Conquest Lower School in Bedfordshire

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean, said:

"It was a very challenging time when we started the contract, but luckily Beata joined and since then the client has been happy with both Beata's service and ours."

Business Manager at Houghton Conquest Lower School, said:

"She is just simply amazing, always goes the extra mile with a smile on her face. She is an asset to your company and we are so glad she cleans at our school; we would be lost without her!"

Kelly and Kara THOMPSON who clean St Mary's Primary School in Marlborough

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean, said:

"Within the first week of starting the contract, I was greeted by a few teachers wishing to express how amazing the girls' work is. Everyone noticed the difference immediately and kept praising what a fantastic job the girls do. They are both super-conscientious, hardworking, always striving to go above and beyond, and always giving their best. True stars!"

Pamela WELCH who cleans The Pines School, Bracknell

Bernice Anim at Rapid Clean, said:

"Pamela's motivation to work hard every day is inspirational. She works really hard so deserves to be praised."

Francis Arthur HUGHES who cleans St Peter's C of E Infant School, Oxted

Ingrid Antonio at Rapid Clean, said:

"Francis is a god-send! Shows true dedication, travelling to remote site on a push-bike in the dark. Makes a big effort with his work and is truly marvellous."

Adama DEMBELE who cleans Clapham Family Practice and Sir William Burrough School in Greater London

Mohamed Toure at Rapid Clean, said:

"Adama always acts very professionally and has amazing attention to detail. This is conveyed by very positive feedback from the school."

Cathy HOWES who cleans Fawcett Primary School in Cambridge

Piotr Szulc from Rapid Clean, said:

"Cathy is a consistently hard worker with a positive attitude."

Nicola DEAMER who cleans Farnborough Hill School in Farnborough

Sabeeh Tahir at Rapid Clean, said:

"Nicola works very hard, not just at this site, but she helps in other ways, whether through suggesting ideas to improve, or to supply staff."

Rapid Superstar Winner!

Tanya METCALF, who works at Ditco Business Services in Addlestone, Surrey

Dariusz Lapiak, Contracts Manager at Rapid Clean, said:

"We always receive positive feedback from the site. Tanya is always helpful, perfect at timekeeping, and has a top cleaning performance."

Fiona, Officer Manager at Ditco, said:

"Our cleaning operative, Tanya (Metcalf), is simply a joy to have around. She is professional, hardworking, conscientious, and frequently goes way above and beyond her standard cleaning remit. She has also assisted us on a few occasions with building matters due to her operating hours, for which we are extremely grateful.

The staff and tenants all love her, and she treats them as if they were family and we in turn like to think of her as another Dixcart member of staff. We would be thrilled if Tanya were to win this quarter’s Rapid Superstar Award, as she is a truly a worthy contender."

Once again, it was so hard to choose a winner from the amazing nominations we received! Huge congratulations to Tanya Metcalf, who is clearly a cherished member of the Ditco team, and someone who represents our company values extremely well. Keep up the fantastic work ��.

The Role of Professional Cleaning for Allergy Management in Schools

Thu, 30 May 2024 14:18:03 GMT

The Role of Professional Cleaning for Allergy Management in Schools

Schools are a lively, active environment, where children learn, play and socialise, building skills they’ll take with them throughout their lives. A clean environment with minimal exposure to allergens is important at any time of year, but particularly in the Spring and Summer where hayfever is rife. For many students, allergies are more than just a nuisance—they can significantly impact their health, wellbeing, and ability to focus in the classroom. Professional cleaning services play a crucial role in helping to create a healthy school environment where students can thrive.

Allergies among school-aged children are increasingly common, with triggers ranging from dust to pollen and other environmental factors. These allergens can lurk in carpets, upholstery, ventilation systems, and even on surfaces like desks and chairs. Exposure to these triggers have the potential to cause discomfort to school children and staff with sensitivities, impacting their daily performance and wellbeing. It is therefore integral that the school's professional cleaning services are well-considered and thorough.

Prevention

Maintaining a regular clean throughout the school helps to prevent the build-up of allergens. This proactive approach is especially beneficial in high traffic areas such as classrooms, and canteens.

Thoroughness

Professional cleaners are trained to identify and target areas where allergens accumulate. They use specialised equipment, such as vacuum cleaners with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) filters, to capture pollen, dirt and dust from carpets, upholstery and other surfaces where allergens hide.

Safe Products

Using eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products can effectively remove allergens without introducing harmful chemicals into the school environment. Promoting not only the wellbeing of students and staff but also the protection of our planet.

Compliance

Professional cleaning services help ensure that schools meet the COSHH regulations, helping to keep both the staff and students safe from any hazardous substance.

By investing in thorough cleaning practices, schools can mitigate allergen exposure and improve indoor air quality, creating a safer, more comfortable learning environment. With the correct measures in place, schools can effectively manage allergies and promote the wellbeing of their students and staff.

Choosing the right cleaning company for your school requires careful consideration. At Rapid Clean, we understand the importance of cleanliness in educational settings. With 25 years of experience and commitment to excellence, we’re dedicated to delivering reliable, high-quality cleaning services tailored to your school's unique requirements .

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your school's cleaning needs and support you throughout the allergy season.

Annual Company Meeting 2024 - Responding Not Reacting

Tue, 07 May 2024 09:59:54 GMT

Shortly after the end of every financial year, our head office team gathers to look back on the past 12 months, whilst considering plans for the upcoming year. This year some key changes to our strategic leadership team were announced...

Responding not Reacting

Rapid Clean was founded back in 1999 and it has gone from strength to strength over the last 25 years. One of the keys to that strength, is observing the need to make changes before it becomes an essential requirement. In other words...responding rather than reacting.

The first major change to our leadership team, is that Jeff Whitton, co-founder and Managing Director, will be stepping aside to become Chairman of Rapid Clean . This new role will allow him to look at the bigger picture of the company, connect with external organisations, and focus on the future strategy.

Our current Operations Director and co-founder, Paul Claxton, will be stepping into the role of Managing Director . This of course leaves space for someone to take on the leadership of our Operations Team. There was no need for us to look externally for this role to be filled, as we have a wealth of highly experienced people within our current team. We are pleased to announce that Eddie-Lawrence Kalule has been appointed as Head of Operations.

Eddie has worked for Rapid since the very early days. He was first employed as a cover cleaner, quickly moving into the role of Contracts Manager. In 2018 he was promoted to Operations Manager, and has made an incredible impact in this role. Most importantly, Eddie represents us well and reflects all of our company values - Respectful, Focused, Passionate and Honorable. Eddie will oversee our entire Operations Department, taking it to the next level.

Finally, our sales team has evolved many times over the last 25 years. In recent years we moved away from telemarketing, focusing our attention on marketing, whilst encouraging natural growth through nurturing current customers. We needed someone to step in and oversee this whole department, so Suzanne Whitton has become Head of Sales and Marketing . We are confident that Suzanne is the right person to bring these two departments together.

Time for Some Fun!

With so many people in our operations department working at various locations around the country, our annual company meeting is also a rare opportunity to catch up and have some fun together.

We started the day with a game; mixing up departments and challenging them to create the tallest tower. Two caveats to this:

only tools to be used were scissors, a single marshmallow, string, tape and raw spaghetti;
every three minutes, the leader of the challenge had to change.

The winning tower measured a whopping 1.2 metres and managed to stand alone without the need for human support! Congratulations to Table number 4.

It was fun to see the usual competitive sides come out, but also the different leadership and strategy styles.

Gathering as a whole team at least once a year, is a priority at Rapid Clean. We have an incredibly strong team of people currently; we look forward to going from strength to strength as an organisation.

We Have a New Winner - Employee of the Season Winter 23/24

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:57:42 GMT

Every season our head office team is given the opportunity to nominate a colleague who they feel has surpassed expectations in their role. Votes have been counted and we are pleased to share that we have a new Employee of the Season...

Our winner this season is Ramona Radu , who joined us as HR and Payroll Specialist in November 2023. It's clear to see that in just 5 months, Ramona has made a great impact right across the board. This is what her colleagues had to say about her:

She is a nice person and is always smiling. She is nice to be around. I feel like she’s settled into her position and is really part of the team

She is always very helpful, responds promptly to emails and is lovely

Ramona always puts in 110% at work cares about everything she does. She picks things up really quickly, works well with the team, and is always happy to help out. Ramona takes charge of her tasks and makes sure they are done quickly and accurately. We're so lucky to have her on our team - she definitely deserves a big shout out!

She has been doing so well from the day she started with Rapid, she works so hard every day

She has been a real help in all sorts of ways recently, stepping in when needed and nothing feels like too much trouble. She has a great attitude and really epitomises teamwork ��

She is always helpful and keeps trying to sort out all requirements

She has settled in very well, is always happy, and is always willing to help no matter how busy she is

Such a lovely person, very good in her role and is very responsive in getting back to us with any queries

I think she has made a great early impression and fits in so well with the team. Looking forward to see her career progressing here

It's always a privilege to crown someone Employee of the Season but especially when it is a landslide win! Congratulations Ramona, keep up the fantastic work. We appreciate you!

Earth Day 2024: How your office can contribute to a greener future

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 11:17:17 GMT

Today is National Earth Day, a day to celebrate our green planet and remember the importance of living sustainably.

This year, EarthDay.org is focused on their commitment to reduce the production of ALL plastics by 60% by 2040. With many of us now back working in offices, here are some things you and your colleagues can do to help towards this goal, and make your office more environmentally friendly.

Make it easy to recycle

It’s important to provide recycling bins so your staff are encouraged to dispose of their waste in the right way. Providing specific bins for papers, plastics, cans and general waste will help your staff recycle with ease and contribute to reducing the production of plastics.

Introduce a plastic-free kitchen

Another way to reduce plastic waste in your office is to stock your kitchens with plenty of mugs, glasses, cutlery and crockery to discourage the use of disposable counterparts. Ensure that there is enough of each for the number of staff you employ, and supply adequate washing up facilities so that they are always washed, dried and stocked back in your cupboard for the next day. To help with this, you can speak to your professional cleaning company about including kitchen cleaning in your contract.

Hire an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Company

Green cleaning relies on low-toxicity chemicals, natural cleaners, products with organic ingredients, as well as biodegradable materials. At Rapid Clean, we use the Triple 8 Dosing System, which is the best on the market for the reduction of single-use plastics, coming in a highly concentrated formula.

We work with our customers who are passionate about reducing the use of chemicals, to find alternative solutions. We are currently trialling plant-based, eco-friendly cleaning products, to ensure the highest standard of cleaning whilst also caring for the environment.

Other ways to help your office become greener

Encourage Cycling

Introducing a cycle-to-work scheme and providing adequate areas for safe storage of push bikes is a great way to encourage employees to swap driving for cycling and reduce harmful emissions. Not only does cycling to work support the environment, but it contributes to employee health and wellbeing. You can find government guidance on implementing a cycle-to-work scheme here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cycle-to-work-scheme-implementation-guidance

Install EV Chargers

For those who do need to drive to work, make electric vehicles a viable option by installing EV chargers and parking spaces for your staff. Knowing they can sufficiently charge their vehicle whilst at work will make it easier for staff members to make the switch from fuel to electric, reducing emissions on the road and helping the environment.

At Rapid Clean, we recognise the importance of looking after the environment, introducing various improvements over the years as part of our ongoing commitment. We are ISO 14001 certified, which is the International Standard for Environmental Management System and we strive to make our systems and practices as sustainable as possible.

If you want a professional cleaning company who cares about the environment and is making active steps towards a greener future, talk to us today.

Latest Feedback from our Cleaning Team

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 15:07:58 GMT

A satisfied cleaning team is crucial to the success of our business. The only way to find out how well we are doing in this area, is by asking for direct feedback. With that in mind, we sent out a survey to our cleaning team at the end of 2023 and the results are in...

Changes Since the Last Survey

Two years ago we sent out a similar survey (you can see the results here ). The data acquired from that survey, highlighted areas for improvement - mainly around improving communication. It's sometimes difficult to ensure on-site teams feel part of the bigger organisation, but we set about finding ways to improve on this.

Since the previous survey, we have introduced a digital newsletter which our HR department sends out to all cleaning operatives on a quarterly basis. The content varies, but generally consists of changes within the company, prize draw opportunities, highlighting our company values, award winners etc. For a bit of fun, we like to recognise our employees' birthdays, as well as milestone work anniversaries. We have also established the use of Whatsapp groups to aid communication between teams.

Improving communication is an ongoing goal; we are continually trialing new ideas to encourage greater teamwork.

This Year's Feedback and Action Points

This year we saw improvements in the majority of areas, but particularly with regard to communication from managers. This statistic went from 86% in 2021, to 89% in 2023, of people agreeing that their manager clearly communicates performance expectations.

We added some new questions this time round, and were pleased to discover that 91% of the 303 participants know the company's values , and 95% said that they felt our actions represent our values.

One element that we will be focusing on over the next 24 months, is improving our training process for cleaning operatives. We obtained some valuable feedback from the survey, that will help us steer our training efforts in a meaningful way. 81% of people said that they would appreciate refresher training; we will be considering online training tools to deliver this.

A huge thank you to all those who took the time to provide us with feedback. We have produced a short video with an overview of the results...

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 16:20:39 GMT

The average person in the UK emits 13 tonnes of CO2 per annum. According to data from the Carbon Trust, the average small-to-medium enterprise (SME) in the UK generates around 15 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) annually. In this post we are going to look at carbon footprints and what we are doing to reduce ours...

What is a Carbon Footprint?

All people, businesses and organisations, have a unique carbon footprint. The derived figure is based on the total amount of greenhouse gases, mostly carbon dioxide, that are released into the atmosphere due to the way we live our lives and do business.

A carbon footprint is the sum of all the direct and indirect emissions a business emits. It’s calculated by summing the scope of emissions from every stage of a product or service’s lifetime.

Most Common Sources of Carbon Emissions for Businesses

There are different types of carbon emissions - direct and indirect. Emissions are generally categorized into three scopes: Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from energy use), and Scope 3 (other indirect emissions like supply chains).

Some of the most common sources of carbon emissions by a company are as follows:

Energy consumption
Transportation
Supply Chain
Industrial Processes
Waste Management

The Benefits to Reducing an Organisation's Carbon Footprint

In 2020, businesses accounted for 18% of all UK greenhouse gas emissions. In December 2022, 30% of all businesses reported taking no action to reduce their carbon emissions . This is better than 46% in the previous year, but still a way to go!

The UK Government has urged businesses to take action to reduce emissions to contribute to the UK-wide net zero by 2050 target. There are a variety of advantages for a business in reducing their carbon emissions:

Cost savings (particularly on energy bills)
Improving brand image for all stakeholders
Long-term sustainability
Government incentives

Progress on Reducing Rapid Clean's Carbon Footprint

The truth is, no company can tackle everything all at once. We have recently gathered a small task force of people who are particularly passionate about improving our impact on the environment. One of the projects we have focused on, is reducing our energy usage (and costs) by implementing solar panels.

Solar panels were installed on our Wokingham head office building in April 2022. We checked to see how much our energy bill had been reduced by comparing April-Dec 22 with April-Dec 23. The results showed a massive 30% reduction in usage!

In addition, our task force has been focusing on improving our waste management scheme, particularly at head office. We were thrilled to receive a 2023 report from Grundon Waste Management, showing that in December 2023 (the month that we introduced more robust recycling measures) the amount of waste we recycled was almost equal to the amount of waste we were unable to recycle. Now to keep it up.

We have instructed an independent contractor, to assist us in calculating our current carbon footprint, with a view to putting together some workable goals to improve this over the coming months and years. Watch this space!

Celebrating Employee Appreciation Day 2024

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 07:30:00 GMT

Employee Appreciation Day is a great opportunity to thank our employees for all that they do and their commitment to Rapid Clean. It's a date we have been recognising for the last two years, and this year is no exception. Read on to find out how we are celebrating employees in 2024...

Rapid Clean has been employing people since 1999. From the day we took on our first cleaner, we knew that the success of Rapid Clean would rely heavily on finding good people, who are committed to the organisation's mission: 'To provide an unrivalled, fully-managed commercial cleaning service, delivered by a motivated team of people who strive to continually improve'.

Our Motivated Team of People

Almost 25 years later, and we have a huge team of people who we are proud to celebrate on Employee Appreciation Day (and every other day for that matter!). A few interesting statistics about our growing team of valued colleagues:

60 different nationalities are represented within the team
Over 40% of head office colleagues have worked with us for more than five years, 20% for more than ten years!
113 of our current site-based cleaning colleagues have been working with us for more than five years

It's not easy to draw people together when some are office-based, and close to 900 are working at sites all around the south of England. Despite this challenge, we aim to keep our operations team motivated through quarterly newsletters, regular opportunities to enter prize draws, inviting feedback through our annual surveys, and providing support from a head office team who are only a phone call away. Not forgetting our Superstar Award which is a highlight of the quarter.

We know that all of this is key to encouraging loyalty and thus providing a consistent service to our customers.

How We are Celebrating Employee Appreciation Day 2024

Today, our 947 employees will all be celebrated and thanked for their continual hard work and dedication to Rapid Clean. Our head office team will be fighting it out at the bowling alley this afternoon; our on-site cleaning teams will receive a thank you email including the chance to enter a cash prize draw.

We have put together a short video which really encompasses what we are all about - teamwork! We appreciate every single one of you and the contribution you make to our success.

Fully Managed Cleaning Service: What Rapid Clean Can Do For You

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 09:46:05 GMT

In the busy world of work, maintaining a clean and professional environment is crucial, no matter your industry. At Rapid Clean, we understand the significance of cleanliness in the workplace and offer a fully managed cleaning service that has been carefully designed to meet your needs. So, what do you get with this service, and why does it matter?

A Dedicated Contracts Manager

When you choose Rapid Clean, you gain a dedicated Contracts Manager. This person will be an experienced professional and your first point of contact to oversee the smooth execution of your cleaning contract, guaranteeing a reliable and professional service at all times.

A Personalised New Starts Process

During the initial weeks of your contract with us, your assigned Contracts Manager will spend dedicated time on-site to ensure a smooth start. A formal audit will then be carried out by the Operations team at the end of the first month, giving you the opportunity to discuss any adjustments and fine-tune the service to your satisfaction. There will also be a follow-up meeting with the Sales team member who you dealt with initially, to ensure that we’re delivering on expectations. This meeting will be booked in before your contract commences.

Continuous Monitoring with Cleanlink Auditing System

Our online auditing system, Cleanlink, empowers our Contracts Managers to conduct regular audits using iPads. This ensures that the cleaning schedule is consistently met to a high standard. Results, along with an action plan, are promptly shared with you and our head office.

Fully Trained Staff

To guarantee your cleaning requirements are fully understood, your Rapid Contracts Manager introduces the cleaning schedule to all staff members. New cleaning staff undergo on-site training , receiving a full induction, irrespective of prior experience, or whether they have been working at that site under a previous employer. We expect each cleaning operative to work to Rapid Clean’s standards. Regular assessments and re-training, if necessary, are carried out by our dedicated management team.

Clear and Easy Communication

Communication is key, especially when cleaning is conducted outside of working hours. Our daily communication log book, left on-site, allows direct communication between you and our cleaning staff. This two-way process ensures prompt attention to any issues that may arise.

Responsive Customer Support

Our Operations team is supported by a friendly and professional head office team, providing additional support whenever you need it. All cleaning audits are handed over to our Customer Services department, who will ensure any issues are resolved promptly, keeping you informed throughout.

Cloud-Based Help-Desk for Swift Resolutions & Tracking Progress

Our cloud-based help-desk enables us to respond to your queries promptly. You can easily create 'tickets' that are assigned to the relevant Operations team. The timeline and action plan are transparent, ensuring your satisfaction before closing the ticket.

24/7 Customer Service

Understanding that not every business is Monday-Friday, 9-5, our customer service line is available seven days a week, reaffirming our commitment to your unique cleaning requirements. As mentioned above, you will also have access to our support portal so you can log requests with us at any time of the day, and track progress in real time.

At Rapid Clean, we go beyond cleanliness – we provide a partnership dedicated to delivering excellence in every aspect of our service.

Meet our Latest Rapid Superstar

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 12:25:07 GMT

It's that time of the quarter, when we have the honor of crowning a new Rapid Superstar. All employees mentioned in this post have been put forward by their Contracts Manager, as someone deserving to win this award. Keep reading right to the end, when the winner will be announced.

Congratulations to all Our Superstar Nominees in Q4 of 2023

Susan WILLIAMS who cleans The Thames Club in Staines

Dariusz Lapiak from Rapid Clean said:

"I've seen a great improvement in Susan's skills in managing the team. She is always communicating with the client and myself and supports the team if we need cover."

Team Manager at The Thames Club said:

"It's been a pleasure working with Sue. I find Sue hard working, organised and always willing to go the extra mile for us. She is well respected by the management, staff and members of the Thames Club. She is well deserved of this nomination."

Rose MANDRA who cleans Little Tots Nursery in Berkshire

Julia Cachinhama from Rapid Clean said:

"My nomination goes to Rose Mandra for her exceptional dedication and commitment to work. Rose has consistently demonstrated an exemplary attendance record, never missing a day of work since she has joined Rapid. Her attention to detail, outstanding performance in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, and positive attitude are deeply appreciated."

Director at Little Tots Nursery said:

"Rose (we call her Adina). Is a huge asset to your company. She is always friendly with a big smile. She arrives promptly, and if she has to change her arrival time for any reason, she gives us plenty of notice. She is always reliable, never off sick.
The standard of cleaning has improved ten-fold since she started cleaning for us!"

Trevor PITTERSON who cleans Centre for Sight, Iveco & St Peter's C of E Infant School in Surrey

Ingrid Antonio from Rapid Clean said:

"He has been amazing! During a tough period he has been with me and has helped whenever needed! All the clients love him and think he has done a wonderful job. I want to say a big thank you."

Chris Brydon from Iveco said:

"Trevor is a polite hard working individual who always has a smile and is willing to go the extra mile. Engages well with others."

Maryan ISMAIL who cleans East Acton Primary School in Greater London

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean said:

“Maryan has helped organise some staff to cover a few sites for me within this school whilst I was on annual leave. She is very hardworking and shows a lot of dedication to her job."

Jaculin ASIF who cleans RNA Waterlooville & The Wymering School in Hampshire

Sylwia Wnuczek from Rapid Clean said:

"Jaculine is our regular cleaner at The Wymering School and RNA Veterans Club. She is a very reliable cleaner and is always happy to help. She stays for some extra time when needed and she helps cover at our other sites. She has great relationships with all her colleagues at work and customers. She was especially very helpful over Christmas when she was not only working every day, but she also covered for others. In my opinion she really deserves to be appreciated."

Dorota SZUBAN who cleans Wenlock C of E Junior School in Bedfordshire

Melania Balza from Rapid Clean said:

"Dorota is a reliable person and she is always happy to help."

Sulaiman BAH who cleans St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Greater London

Mohamed Toure at Rapid Clean said:

"Sulaiman has been very helpful supporting at other local sites where there has been absence"

Henrieta MUDRA who cleans Granta School in Cambridgeshire

Piotr Szulc at Rapid Clean said:

"She started working for Rapid Clean very recently, but she works hard and has a very good attitude."

Deborah RUSSELL-WOODS who cleans The Head Partnership in Henley-upon-Thames

Eva Babicova at Rapid Clean said:

"Debbie is an absolutely great person, really hardworking and such a lovely personality. She deserve to be nominated because she is not just a very reliable and great employee always helping when needed but a really nice person."

Clare SAUNDERS who cleans Bohunt Education Trust in Berkshire

Bernice Anim at Rapid Clean said:

"Clare does her best to ensure all cleaners work to the best that they can, especially during the deep cleans. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work, even with it being tough sometimes."

Barbara BAJER who cleans a large site in Thatcham, Berkshire

Larainy Rosa at Rapid said:

"Barbara has always been available to help and she does a great job supervising the team. I really appreciate her dedication and her sense of humour is a plus."

Elisabete DA SILVA RAMA who cleans a large site in Thatcham, Berkshire

Larainy Rosa at Rapid Clean said:

"Elisabete has done SO much for us since she joined Rapid. I don't know what I would have done without her help. She has been absolutely brilliant. She covers full time shifts in the week and also works every weekend. She even worked on a bank holiday this year. She's currently deep cleaning all the carpets and hard floors, which is a hard job."

Cleci PROCHNOW and Maria DOS PASSOS who clean Softcat in Berkshire

Mirela Tudorache at Rapid Clean said:

"Cleci's and Maria's help was much appreciated whilst Ilse and João were on holiday. They both managed to lead the team properly, and meet the requirements of the position. Well done!"

Rapid Superstar Winner!

We had so many nominations this quarter, what a great problem to have! In the end, we chose someone who has worked for Rapid Clean for more than 10 years and is a much valued member of the team.

Carol HENDIN, Supervisor at Bristol Grammar School

Mateusz Kolasinski, Contracts Manager at Rapid Clean, said:

"Carol has been working at BGS for almost 10 years now, with the same commitment to work; both for us and the client. She is very helpful and organised in terms of keeping and managing the 25+ cleaners to make sure that all areas of the school are covered and prioritise them with the right manner to satisfy the client.

The management team at BGS really like her and what she is doing for them - same as me! Without her help I would struggle to achieve what has been achieved which is client trust, respect and confidence of what we do for them,

She fully deserves to be a winner!"

Claire, Facilities Administrator at Bristol Grammar School, said:

"Carol has been with us for over 9 years, and we couldn’t be happier with her work. We consider Carol a part of the BGS team and enjoy working alongside her. She manages a large team over several buildings, and always manages to cover all areas of the school despite staff absences and vacancies throughout the year. She is always reliable and professional, informing us of any problems, and working with the school staff to help enable a clean site. Carol understands the needs of the school and has been excellent at being flexible in her approach to work, and proactive in getting jobs completed. She is very deserving of a Superstar Award; we would give her a medal every week!"

Well done to Carol and all of the other nominees; we couldn't do what we do without you! Keep up the excellent work ��.

Celebrating Milestone Work Anniversaries - Q4 2023

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 17:25:51 GMT

Commitment is something that we value highly as an employer, and want to celebrate. Each quarter we share a little about the employees who are celebrating milestone anniversaries; some have stayed working at the same site for their whole employment with us!

Celebrating 5 Years with Rapid Clean

Irin ACTAR has worked for us at Chipping Norton Health Centre in Oxfordshire, for the whole 5 years with Rapid Clean. She celebrated her work anniversary on 3/12/2023.

Baffour GYEABOUR has worked at Sulivan Primary School in London for 5 years, and celebrated his work anniversary on 26/11/2023.

Marli PEREIRA RESENDE ESTR has worked for us at Riverside Surgery in Buckinghamshire for 5 years, celebrating her work anniversary on 6/11/2023.

Alpion JACKSON celebrated his 5 year anniversary with Rapid on 6/11/2023 and has worked at Riverside Surgery in Buckinghamshire for the whole 5 years.

Magdalena RYDZEWSKA has worked at Navigator Terminals Thames BV Ltd in Essex, for the whole 5 years. She celebrated her work anniversary on 15/10/2023.

Katarzyna LICHOGRA has worked at Navigator Terminals Thames BV Ltd in Essex, for the whole 5 years. She celebrated her work anniversary on 15/10/2023.

Linda AMPOFO has worked at various sites over the past 5 years, namely Instant Access Technologies and The Leafy Elephant in Wokingham, Berkshire. She celebrated her 5 year work anniversary on 3/12/2023.

Piotr SZULC is our Contracts Manager in the Cambridgeshire area. He has worked with us in this role since October 2018.

This is just a handful of our dedicated and hard working team members. Congratulations on your work anniversaries!

Would you like to find out more about working for us ?

Our Chosen Christmas Charity 2023

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 10:44:04 GMT

At the end of every year we ask our head office staff to nominate a charity that they would like to support at Christmas; we always receive so many worthy nominations. We are pleased to share the charity who will be receiving our monetary support this Christmas...

What is The Cowshed?

This year we have chosen to donate our Christmas gift to The Cowshed in Wokingham. This charity was founded back in 2018, out of a heart to provide practical support to people of all backgrounds, during times of personal crisis. They work with people in the local community, supplying them with good quality clothes, as well as essential items that they might otherwise go without. Since the start of 2019, they have helped more than 20,000 people.

In the charity's words:

"Our support extends to individuals of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds facing various difficult situations. From individuals escaping domestic abuse and families experiencing emergency rehousing, to those affected by health-related poverty, homelessness, or emergency custody situations, we stand by their side, offering support with clothing, shoes, bedding, curtains, school uniforms, baby equipment, and other essentials."

How Do Donations Help?

Each week the charity receives referrals from all sorts of local agencies - health visitors, social services, Foodbanks, schools, refuges, churches, doctors and local charities. They want to ensure that the items supplied to people are of excellent quality: "receiving support during challenging times should feel like a gift rather than a handout." They want to ensure that their clients feel valued and cared for, by offering a selection of high-quality items that can uplift and empower individuals, helping them navigate their personal crisis with confidence.

The Cowshed's donations centre is based just down the road from our head office in Fishponds Road, Wokingham. You can find more detail on what they would like to receive, here .

How is The Cowshed Helping People this Christmas?

Every Christmas, The Cowshed helps thousands of children who would not otherwise receive a present. Referrals are sent to them and gifts are lovingly wrapped and sorted, depending on age and interests. The local craft group makes the Christmas sacks and these are delivered to homes in time for Christmas. Last year, 3148 children received one of these precious gifts. We are pleased to play our part in that this year.

Celebrating Milestone Work Anniversaries - Q3 2023

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 12:42:42 GMT

We are proud of our employee retention rate and work hard to make all of our employees feel appreciated. That said, we love nothing more than celebrating employees who have reached a milestone anniversary. This quarter a number of people are celebrating five years and ten years with Rapid Clean.

Celebrating 5 Years with Rapid Clean

Zena CHANNELL has worked for us at PEI-Genesis Ltd (European HQ) in Southampton for 5 years, and came to us via TUPE transfer.

Rachid BELABBAS has worked at Seven Islands Leisure Centre in London, since the start of his employment in 2018. He has worked at Southwark Park Sports and Athletics Centre since 2021.

Dil Kumar GURUNG has worked for us at Frogmore Leisure Centre in Yateley, since the start of his employment with us in 2018. He was transferred to us via TUPE.

Lisa THOMPSON has worked for us since August 2018 and is currently a cover cleaner at Navigator Terminals in Essex.

Dana SHOVLIN has worked at The Belmont Medical Centre in Uxbridge, for 5 years on 20/08/2023. He joined us via TUPE at this same site.

Maria-Magdalena UNGUREANU works at Huntsman Advanced Materials UK Ltd in Cambridge and has been there for 5 years.

Anna DABAL is our Contracts Manager in the Oxfordshire area. She has worked with us in this role since August 2018.

Celebrating 10 Years with Rapid Clean

Abdul MUTEBI has worked at The Mall Tavern in London since 2015 and worked at other Rapid Clean sites prior to that. He also works at Basuto Medical Centre in London.

Thank you to these valued team members, who have all shown great loyalty and dedication to Rapid Clean. Congratulations on your work anniversaries!

Would you like to find out more about working for us ? Please click on the button below.

Announcing Our Latest Rapid Superstar!

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 16:40:53 GMT

It's been a busy time in our operations department, welcoming lots of new Rapid customers as well as making sure our existing customers are being serviced well.

Once a quarter we have the opportunity to recognise outstanding cleaners, and their contribution to the team effort. All employees mentioned in this post have been put forward by their Contracts Manager to win the title of Rapid Superstar...

Congratulations to Our Superstar Nominees

Mitko IVANOV who cleans Cuffley School in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire

Melania Balza from Rapid Clean said:

"Mitko has worked for Rapid Clean at Cuffley School for several months. He is a very committed member of staff, reliable and always promotes a high standard of cleaning. He has great relationships with other operatives and the customer."

Head Teacher at Cuffley School said:

"I would be delighted to endorse Mitko! There is nothing that Mitko will not do - he will always go above and beyond. Mitko genuinely cares about his work and the service he is providing. He is always friendly, positive and professional. If anyone deserves an award, Mitko does!"

Site Manager at Cuffley School said:

"Mitko is held in extremely high regard by all the teachers in the areas he covers. He regularly goes above and beyond assisting the staff and always with a smile, he will often lend a hand without being asked, just to help them out. Mitko cares about the cleanliness of the classrooms and this is shown in the effort that he puts into his work. He’s always well presented, polite, friendly and professional.He’s a genuine asset to the team."

Denise WHICKER who cleans The Pines School in Bracknell, Berkshire

Bernice Anim from Rapid Clean said:

"Denise has worked in the school for a long time and she retired on Friday 20th October. I really wanted to take this opportunity to recognise her hard work over the years; she was an asset to the school and Rapid. I wish her all the best for the future."

Thomas SLAUGHTER who cleans Richmond Medical Group in Richmond, Surrey

Dariusz Lapiak from Rapid Clean said:

"Thomas is very polite, always follows instructions and is very helpful. We have also had very positive feedback from the client. "

Tetiana BEVSKA and Larysa HAVDO who clean West Byfleet Junior School in West Byfleet, Surrey

Julia Cachinhama from Rapid Clean said:

“My nomination goes to Tetiana and Larysa from West Byfleet Junior School. I would like to thank these two ladies for the amazing job they did over the summer deep cleaning. They are reliable, committed and very hardworking people. It’s a pleasure to work with them ��”

Denise HARTWIG who cleans Linslade Lower School in Luton, Bedfordshire

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean said:

"Denise has been very helpful, whenever I ask her to do anything she is willing to do it with a positive attitude. She cleans to an excellent standard."

Jihene KHECHAREM who cleans Little Acorns Nursery in Didcot, Oxfordshire

Eva Babicova from Rapid Clean said:

"With a smile and positive attitude, Jihene will get it all clean. She is brilliant not only on the site she works in but all the cover cleaning she does"

Jesse Raquel JARDIM ANDRADE who cleans The Providence Surgery in Boscombe, Dorset

Luke Granger at Rapid Clean said:

"Raquel has always been consistent, reliable and gives it her all on a daily basis. She is always friendly and receptive to any criticism or suggestions."

Alessandra PANIGOS and Cesar DA SILVA who clean Bowman House Business Centre in Swindon, Wiltshire

Mateusz Kolasinski at Rapid Clean said:

"Cesar and Alessandra have worked for us at Bowman House for more than a year now. Both are really reliable and committed by coming in to work on time, as well as doing the job with passion and with attention to every detail, resulting in high standards of cleaning and great audits!

Every time I ask them for help they are there, always on site. I would like to nominate them both as an appreciation of really good work, as every single audit from January has been 100% and I am sure that it will continue. "

Chelsey MURKIN who cleans Dick White Referrals Ltd in Cambridge

Piotr Szulc at Rapid Clean said:

"Chelsey is new to the business and has already shown that she is a good cleaner with a good attitude. She is willing to work and help."

Rapid Superstar Q3 2023 Winner!

We are fortunate to be spoilt for choice every quarter, but we have managed to choose one overall winner...

Byron AVAIENT who works at White Horse Medical Centre in Faringdon, Wiltshire

Anna Dabal, Contracts Manager at Rapid Clean, said:

"Byron joined Rapid and was appointed as Cleaning Supervisor when we were creating a new team. It was the best decision ever, as he proved himself immediately and continues effective management of a small team. Outstanding performance, professionalism, communication and supervisory skills, conscientious and extremely well organised...he is simply a gem and a pleasure to work with. Byron has a well deserved respect at the White Horse Medical Centre and is always welcome with a smile. Oh, I must mention that he has culinary skills as well, which he uses at the workplace every Friday baking some bacon rolls!"

Practice Manager at White Horse Medical Practice, said:

"I would just like to pass on what a great initiative this is to be recognised for going above and beyond. I would like to say that Byron is by far the most professional cleaner I have ever come across. He is always ready to go the extra mile. He has completed his food handling course, as he cooks us bacon and sausages on a Friday, and he does all our legionella testing (also legionella trained). This really helps with morale! He is a huge asset to Rapid Clean and the WHMP and I think he thoroughly deserves this award!"

I think you will agree that Byron is a very worthy winner with such glowing feedback! Congratulations to Byron and every cleaning operative nominated this quarter, a small gift of appreciation is on its way to you.

Thank Your Cleaner Day Colouring Competition

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:13:43 GMT

We invited our education sector customers to participate in a colouring competition in honour of Thank Your Cleaner Day. All participants were in with a chance to win a prize for themselves and also for their school.

We were delighted that so many schools got behind the initiative, taking the opportunity to share with their pupils the valuable contribution that cleaners make to the day-to-day running of a school.

We asked our head office team to be involved in picking a winner from this amazing array of talent; it was not an easy task! After much deliberation, we chose two runners up and one overall winner.

Runners Up in the Thank Your Cleaner Day Colouring Competition

Our first runner up is 5 year old Oliver from Marsh Green Primary School, who did a fantastic job of staying within the lines and producing such a colourful picture. The second runner up is 8 year old Rose from West Byfleet Junior School, who opted for a night-time scene that stood out from all the other entries.

Well done to Oliver and Rose, a prize will be coming your way shortly.

There Can Only be One Winner!

The chosen winner was Elva from Keep Hatch Primary School in Wokingham. We had the privilege of being invited into the key stage 2 assembly to present Elva with her prize. The amazing colours and detail included in her picture, is what made it so special. Well done Elva, and thank you to the staff and pupils at Keep Hatch School who made us feel so welcome.

A few of the children presented our cleaners (Davina, Beatrice, Sebastaio and Jeff) with a gift of appreciation for their hard work and continued dedication to the school. We also gave a voucher to the school to purchase books or any items they might find useful.

Thank you to all the schools and children who took part in this year's Thank Your Cleaner Day colouring competition. It really was so difficult to choose a winner!

Top 5 Most Frequently Overlooked Cleaning Areas in Car Showrooms: A Crucial Check for Pristine Presentation

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 09:47:42 GMT

Car showrooms are more than just spaces where vehicles are displayed; they are the physical embodiment of a brand's reputation, ethos, and dedication to client experience. A clean, well-maintained showroom not only enhances vehicle appeal, but also communicates a message of quality and professionalism to potential buyers.

While general cleaning is fundamental, there are certain areas that are often neglected. In this blog, we will highlight the top 5 most frequently overlooked areas in car showrooms.

1. High-Touch Surfaces and Interactive Displays

In the era of technology and interactive customer experiences, many car showrooms use digital displays, touch screens, and kiosks to enhance the buyer's journey. However, these high-touch surfaces are prone to fingerprints, germs, and smudges, which can be easily overlooked despite their frequent use. Ensuring these areas are not only clean but also sanitised regularly is crucial, particularly in a post-pandemic world where cleanliness equates to safety. A sparkling, streak-free screen invites customers to interact and explore without hesitation, enriching their in-showroom experience and preserving the high-tech allure that these digital elements are designed to provide.

2. Toilet Facilities

While it might seem basic, toilets are a general sign of overall cleanliness and attention to detail in any commercial space, including car showrooms . While they may be cleaned regularly, there are often overlooked areas, such as behind toilets, under sinks, and inside cubicles, that might harbour unsightly dirt or grime. Rapid Clean places a keen focus on ensuring every corner of your toilet facilities are spotless and adequately stocked, underscoring a business’ commitment to excellence in all areas. Plus, a clean, fresh-smelling facility enhances the overall customer experience, reflecting positively on the showroom’s reputation.

3. Underneath the Vehicles

The spaces underneath the displayed vehicles can accumulate dust, dirt, and debris, often going unnoticed due to the challenge of accessing these areas. These unattended spots can harbour allergens and create an unkempt appearance when eventually noticed. A professional cleaning service , specialised cleaning equipment and techniques, ensures that even the most hard-to-reach areas uphold the showroom’s polished image.

4. Customer Waiting Areas

Though it may seem obvious, customer waiting areas can be a hub of overlooked cleaning needs. Attention to detail, such as clean upholstery, spotless windows, sanitised touchpoints (like magazines, tables, and chairs), and a dust-free environment, is vital. The condition of the waiting area sets a tone for customer expectations and their perception of brand quality.

5. Exterior Windows and Facades

First impressions matter. The exterior of a car showroom - especially windows and facades - should always exude cleanliness and professionalism. Dust, streaks, and bird droppings on windows, as well as dirt and grime on the building’s facade, may divert attention from the splendid vehicles inside. Ensuring that the exterior is as immaculate as the interior reaffirms a commitment to excellence.

Looking For A Professional Cleaning Service for Your Car Showroom?

Here at Rapid Clean, we have a wealth of experience in cleaning commercial spaces, looking after a growing number of buildings in this sector. We understand that every business has different needs, so aim to be as flexible as possible.

Customers can choose a contract that suits their needs and those utilising the space to minimise disruption. To find out more and request a no-obligation quotation, click here:

Announcing Our Rapid Superstar Nominees and the Winner

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 15:04:17 GMT

All the employees mentioned in this post, have been put forward by their Contracts Manager to win the title of Rapid Superstar. Make sure you read to the end when our latest winner will be announced...

Congratulations to Our Superstar Nominees

Mariusz WILGORSKI who cleans Beaufort Community Primary School in Woking, Surrey

Dariusz Lapiak from Rapid Clean said:

"Mariusz always supports if any issues arise. He is very polite and is always willing to help. He works closely with the school caretaker."

Keith from Beaufort Community Primary School, said:

"The award would be well deserved in my opinion. Always punctual, happy and polite. A real asset to the team and we as a school are delighted to have him on board. I will keep my fingers crossed for him."

Amanda JONES who cleans Horningsham Primary School in Warminster, Wiltshire

Mateusz Kolasinski from Rapid Clean, said:

"Amanda consistently demonstrates her hard work and punctuality since starting with Rapid Clean in January. She has never been absent due to illness and pays close attention to detail, which greatly contributes to her impressive performance. Whenever I visit the site, I always have a smile on my face because I know that the customer is highly satisfied with her exceptional standards. Amanda is also always willing to assist others and takes on additional cleaning tasks without hesitation."

Carol at Horningsham Primary School, said:

"Mandy is an outstanding member of your team - nothing is too much and she goes above and beyond in all she does. She takes professional pride and care in the school and ensures that our site is maintained at a high level. Our buildings and school site are not easy - with many stairs and outbuildings and an old listed building to contend with, but she maintains a high standard in all areas at all times. Most importantly she thinks about the children - she recognises that this is their environment and always wants to make sure things are clean and safe for the children for the next day. She has even left them messages in the classroom, which the children love and she is widely respected by the children and all the staff.

Mandy is more than our cleaner - she is a complete team player who has a strong work ethic and moral code and we are fortunate to have her working in our family school; she more than deserves recognition."

Louisa CHAMBERLAIN who cleans Abbeys Primary School in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean, said:

"Louisa is a wonderful member of staff who goes above and beyond. She manages the day to day running of the site well. She has worked so hard and it's nice that the school recognise her efforts. "

Sue, School Business Manager at Abbeys Primary School, said:

"Louisa is very deserving of a superstar award because that describes her perfectly - A Superstar!

She has a really positive, can-do attitude (which we like!) - one of her phrases is "that's no problem/we'll get it sorted". Sometimes a primary school classroom can be a bit of a mess at the end of the day - even despite the teacher and children trying their best tidy up - we do like glitter! She is flexible and manages the team of cleaners well to ensure the school is kept to a good standard of cleanliness and particular areas of need each day are addressed. She also works super-hard herself and takes pride in her work, communicates well and displays professionalism at all times."

Rodrigo MARQUES DA SILVA and Bruna MARCELLO DA SILVA who clean St Walburga's Catholic Primary School in Bournemouth, Dorset

Luke Granger from Rapid Clean, said:

"They both do an excellent job at St Walburgas school, very reliable and consistent."

Caroline, School Business Manager at St Walburga's, said:

"All our cleaners are amazing and work very hard. We would love them all to get an award.
All staff remark on how clean the school is kept and very grateful to them all. 100% cleaning, all stars! So if there is a team/site award please put ours forward."

Veronica SALVATERRA who cleans St Walburga's Catholic School in Bournemouth

Caroline, School Business Manager at St Walburga's, said:

"All our cleaners are amazing and work very hard. We would love them all to get an award and particularly our lead cleaner Veronica whose attention to detail is second to none. She worked here previously with our last contractor and we were thrilled when she came back to us working for you. As soon as she started back here we could see the difference as we had had a rocky start with cleaners leaving and down to none at one point, outstanding in every way.

All staff remark on how clean the school is kept and very grateful to them all. 100% cleaning, all stars! So if there is a team/site award please put ours forward."

Michael VASS who cleans Dogs Trust in Uxbridge

Mirela Tudorache at Rapid Clean, said:

"Michael is very reliable and is responsive when it comes to feedback; he always listens and is happy to resolve and issues.
The client and all the team from Dogs Trust always have positive feedback about his commitment and dedication."

Linda BEDIAKO who cleans Redstor in Reading, Berkshire

Larainy Rosa at Rapid Clean, said:

"Linda has been doing an awesomeme job at Redstor. The whole office always looks very clean, she is attentive to detail and if I pick up any cleaning issue during the audits, she will promptly take care of it."

Marie CHARLOTON who cleans The Pines School in Bracknell, Berkshire

Bernice Anim at Rapid Clean said:

"Marie does an excellent job and her work is to a very good standard."

Ruth BATTEN who cleans Cranford House School and Moulsford Prep School in Wallinford, Oxfordshire

Eva Babicova at Rapid Clean said:

"Ruth has worked at Cranford House school for two years as well as helping everywhere around that area. Her optimism, willingness and can-do attitude is admirable, as well as her energy at work whilst being mum of 4 children!"

Abdul ISHAK who cleans R Collard Environmental in Southampton

Sylwia Wnuczek at Rapid Clean said:

"I am very happy with the standard of cleaning Abdul provides. He is also very nice person to work with, always happy to help and cover for others."

James BROWN who cleans Premier Limpet Ltd in Cambridgeshire

Piotr Szulc at Rapid Clean said:

"James has great attendance and a good attitude to work. I think that he really does a good job."

Fitnete KRASNIQI who cleans Holy Trinity C of E Primary School in Walthamstow, Greater London

Melania Balza at Rapid Clean said:

"Fitnete is amazing! She helps all the time with covering absence."

Rapid Superstar Winner!

It has been a really tough choice as usual, with so many amazing employees being nominated! But there could only be one winner...

Grace NAKAYIZA who works at various Rapid Clean sites, but namely Comper Foundation Stage School in Oxford.

Anna Dabal, Contracts Manager at Rapid Clean, said:

"Grace is a lovely person and a very conscientious cleaner. Her presence at the sites she works at changed a lot - we have satisfied customers with high cleaning standards. I am proud that Grace represents Rapid the way she does. It's a pleasure to work with someone like Grace!"

Alice Lidell, Business Manager at Comper Foundation Stage School, said:

"We would enthusiastically recommend Grace for an Award! She is extremely polite and always friendly, coming in every day with a smile and always making the effort to say hello to myself and other staff in school. I don't think she has had a single day off since she started working here either!

As a nursery school, we often have a lot of weird and wonderful things lying around which are not always easily distinguishable as either rubbish to be thrown away or creations the children have made (sometimes I find it hard to tell!) but she always comes and checks if she is unsure...we love having Grace coming to Comper every day!

Having worked in other schools in the past where the cleaners are really unreliable and/or poor, it does make a big difference to have a great cleaning team and to be well supported by Anna who is also really lovely and helpful."

We are proud of our team and embrace the opportunity to recognise hard work and dedication whenever possible. Congratulations to Grace and every cleaning operative nominated this quarter. Thank you for your continued hard work.

An Invitation to Take Part in Thank Your Cleaner Day™ 2023

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 12:08:31 GMT

Thank Your Cleaner Day™ was first introduced in New Zealand, back in 2015, by the local trade organization for Building Services Contractors (BSCNZ) in cooperation with Kärcher. This year, the UK is one of 46 countries participating.

When Was the Last Time You Thanked Your Cleaner ?

Our current team consists of more than 1000 cleaners, who work tirelessly, sometimes during the night, to ensure that offices, schools, medical centres and leisure facilities, are ready to go the next working day.

Cleaners are an essential part of every workplace but their work often goes by unnoticed, something which seems especially true if they are doing a good job! We want to highlight Thank Your Cleaner Day™ as an opportunity to recognise your cleaners, and show appreciation in person.

We All Like to Feel Valued and Appreciated

At Rapid Clean we will be thanking each of our cleaners personally, offering them the chance to participate in a competition. We will also be encouraging our primary schools to celebrate, by entering a colouring competition to win a prize for their pupils and the school.

We've come up with some ideas on how you might be able to recognise your cleaner and show them that you value their hard work. Most of these will work even if your cleaner comes to your premises outside of working hours:

Write each cleaner a personal card or letter of thanks, signed by the staff
Encourage each of your staff to personally say a word of thanks to the cleaner, using their name (sounds simple but it often doesn't happen)
Consider giving your cleaner a gift voucher for a local shop, restaurant or attraction
Feature your cleaning team on your company's social media using #ThankYourCleanerDay
Leave out some of their favourite snacks as a 'thank you' (you might need to use detective skills to find out what they like!)
Create a 'wall of appreciation' in the cleaning cupboard - use sticky notes and ask your staff to write something encouraging

Whether you’re putting together a gift basket or writing a simple Thank You card, a little bit of recognition goes a long way. If you do decide to participate in the day, don't forget to tag us on social media ( LinkedIn , Twitter ) and/or send us an email with a photograph to info@rapidclean.co.uk.

Playing our Part in World Cleanup Day 2023

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 15:52:31 GMT

World Cleanup Day is an annual global social action program coordinated by the Let's Do It World NGO. It's easy to think that one small organisation won't make any difference, but by playing our part, we can make our world a cleaner place. With that in mind, last Thursday we took a team of people to the streets of Wokingham...

60,000 Tons of Waste Collected in One Day!

World Clean Up Day is a fairly new initiative; it has engaged more than 71 million (known) volunteers since 2018. In 2022, 190 countries took part, collecting a total of 60,000 tons of waste. It takes a LOT of people to make that happen and we were pleased to play a small part here in the UK.

How Much Did We Collect?

Our head office is situated on Oaklands Business Park in Wokingham. We were unsure as to how much rubbish we would find on a business park, but we soon discovered that a small group of people can collect a lot of waste in the space of an hour! We used litter pickers and ensured we separated waste from recyclable items.

You won't be surprised to learn that the most collected items were cans, empty bottles, and cigarette butts. Did you know that worldwide we produce approximately 6 trillion cigarettes every year, generating over 1.2 million tons of cigarette butt waste. These are incredibly harmful to the environment as they release toxic chemicals into streams, rivers, and oceans .

Thank you to our willing volunteers who gave up an hour of their day to take part in World Cleanup Day 2023. All of this rubbish from a small corner of the business park, shows how important it is to play our part!

If you would like to take part in World Cleanup Day next year, there's a helpful step-by-step guide on how best go about it, here .

The Importance of Hiring a Specialist and Insured Commercial Cleaning Service for Schools

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 14:24:58 GMT

Schools play an integral role in our communities. They are places where our children learn, grow, and flourish. As such, ensuring a clean and safe environment is of utmost importance. While some may think that any cleaning service will do, the reality is that schools need a specialist and insured commercial cleaning service. Read on to find out why...

1. Health and Safety Come First

Schools are busy environments with hundreds, if not thousands, of students and staff passing through daily. This high traffic makes them more susceptible to the spread of germs and bacteria. Hiring a professional cleaning service guarantees a thorough cleaning that not only looks good but is also hygienic and safe. All aspects of healthy safety are important to us; our HSQE Manager ensures compliance at all times.

2. Properly Trained Professionals

A specialist cleaning service ensures that the cleaning operatives have been properly trained to handle a wide variety of cleaning tasks. This is especially vital in schools where different areas – like science labs, kitchens, and gymnasiums – have specific cleaning needs. Only a team that has been trained properly knows how to tackle these unique challenges effectively.

3. Using the Right Products

Schools need to be cautious about the cleaning products used. A specialist cleaning service understands the importance of using safe, eco-friendly, and effective cleaning agents. They prioritise the health of students and staff, ensuring no harsh or harmful chemicals are used.

4. Accountability and Reliability

With a specialist cleaning service , there's a level of professionalism and responsibility. Schools can rest assured that the cleaning tasks will not only be done right but also on time. If there's ever a concern or issue, having a specialist service means there's a governing body that holds them accountable.

5. Financial and Legal Protection with Insured Services

Accidents happen. But when they do, you don’t want to be left in a vulnerable position. An insured cleaning service, like Rapid Clean, ensures that in the unlikely event of an accident or damage, the school is not held financially liable. This layer of protection is crucial for peace of mind.

6. Long-term Savings

While hiring an insured and specialist cleaning service might seem like a significant upfront investment, it offers long-term savings. With professional cleaning, equipment and infrastructure have a longer lifespan. Plus, a clean environment reduces the risk of disease outbreaks, which can be costly both in terms of finances and academic disruptions.

7. A Reflection of the School's Standards

First impressions matter. A clean school is not just beneficial for the health of its occupants; it’s a reflection of the school's commitment to excellence. By hiring a reputable, specialist, and insured cleaning service, schools send a clear message about their dedication to providing the best environment for their students and staff.

The decision to invest in a specialist and insured commercial cleaning service, like Rapid Clean , is not just about cleanliness; it's about safety, reliability, and commitment to excellence.

Choose a Package That Suits you

At Rapid Clean, we are committed to providing the highest quality cleaning services to our clients in the education sector. Our 'term time plus deep cleans' package has proven to be a popular choice among our customers, as it allows for a thorough cleaning during term time, with additional deep cleans scheduled during breaks and holidays.

We understand that each educational institution has its own unique cleaning needs, which is why our Contracts Manager works closely with each client to tailor the deep clean schedule to their specific requirements.

Back to School with Rapid Clean

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 08:49:31 GMT

Before a Summer Deep Clean

We encourage all of our education sector customers to opt for a 'term time plus deep cleans' contract, giving them the flexibility to choose how many equivalent weeks of deep cleaning they would like, and when to use it. The deep clean is our opportunity to get schools back to the level of cleanliness we expect, and the staff and pupils deserve.

After a very long term, the summer holidays is a popular time for deep cleans to be carried out. Our operations team ensure that all sites have a convenient slot booked into the calendar, and a comprehensive, tailored, deep cleaning schedule printed out for the cleaning team to refer to.

Below is a selection of photographs from some of our schools at the end of a long academic year!

As well as the usual daily cleaning tasks, a deep clean involves moving all furniture on wheels, carpet cleaning, buffing and polishing of floors, removing marks on the walls, sanitising toilet partitions and appliances, high level dusting (where we can), and the list goes on!

After a Summer Deep Clean

Under the guide of our education specialist, Anna Dabal, our operations team has been working their socks off this summer to ensure that all schools are ready for 'back to school' week. We wanted to share some fantastic results!

Some of our customers kindly sent us feedback upon their return to school:

"The school looked very clean when I arrived today. Thank you for arranging."

"The school looks and feels clean, refreshed and ready for the new school year."

"This is easily the best deep clean I've had since joining the school 4 years ago!"

"We are really happy with the deep clean, amazing job from Larainy and her team."

"Just to say thank you to the cleaners for doing a very thorough job of the deep clean during the summer holiday this year."

Well done to our operations team for coordinating the cleaners and making this happen. We are proud to play a vital role in ensuring 'back to school' goes smoothly for everyone.

The Impact of a Clean Office on Productivity

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 10:31:34 GMT

Have you ever considered that the physical environment in which you work plays a vital role in determining your productivity? A study by the Staples Corporation found that 94% of workers reported feeling more productive in a clean workspace, while 77% said they felt they produced a higher quality of work in a cleaner environment.

A clean and organised office is not just aesthetically pleasing but can significantly impact your ability to focus, innovate, and perform at your best. This is where professional cleaning services such as Rapid Clean come in, helping you create a workspace that enhances your team's efforts. In this blog we will explore often overlooked areas that can significantly boost productivity:

Workstations and Shared Spaces

Office desks, conference rooms, and shared spaces see a lot of activity during the day. From coffee spills to the accumulation of paper clutter, these areas can quickly become disordered and dirty. A clean workstation not only reduces distractions but also promotes mental clarity, enabling employees to focus on the task at hand. Similarly, a pristine conference room sets a positive tone for meetings, fostering collaboration and innovation.

Regular cleaning of frequently-touched surfaces, like keyboards, phones, and tabletops, is vital to limit the spread of germs, especially during flu seasons. This not only promotes health but can also reduce sick days.

While some offices opt for a DIY approach to cleaning, there's a distinct advantage to professional cleaning . By choosing an expert service such as Rapid Clean , businesses can focus on their core operations, trusting that their office environment is in capable hands. Our team utilises the latest cleaning technology and high-quality products to ensure every corner of your office shines and is germ-free.

Kitchen and Break Rooms

Break rooms are the heart of an office – a place where employees recharge and connect. Keeping this area clean is paramount not only for health reasons but also to create a space where employees truly want to relax. A clean kitchen and break room can enhance employee morale and provide much-needed respite during busy days.

In addition to regular cleaning, Rapid Clean can manage the tidying up of used mugs, washing up dirty dishes, or even emptying and stacking the dishwasher. This ensures that your break areas (and work stations!) remain organised and efficient, reducing the clutter and potential for dirty dishes to pile up.

Entrances and Reception Areas

The entrance and reception are the first points of contact for visitors. A clean and welcoming reception area makes a strong first impression, signalling professionalism and attention to detail.

Dust, dirt, and smudges can easily accumulate in these high-traffic areas. Entrusting this crucial space to professionals like Rapid Clean, means always having a pristine entrance that’s ready to greet clients and partners.

A clean office environment plays a pivotal role in promoting productivity. It fosters a positive work atmosphere, reduces stress, and promotes overall well-being. Plus, with a growing global emphasis on hygiene, cleanliness is now more important than ever.

A Flexible Cleaning Service Tailored to Your Needs

Here at Rapid Clean, we have a wealth of experience in cleaning offices , looking after more than 140 buildings in this sector. We understand that every business has differing needs so aim to be as flexible as possible.

Customers can choose a contract that suits their needs and those utilising the space to minimise disruption. To find out more and request a no-obligation quotation, click here:

Celebrating Milestone Work Anniversaries

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 15:55:55 GMT

Employee loyalty tends to be rare in the cleaning industry, so we love nothing more than celebrating employees who have reached a milestone anniversary. This quarter a number of people are celebrating five years, ten years and fifteen years with Rapid Clean!

Celebrating 5 Years with Rapid Clean

The following cleaners started their employment with Rapid Clean between April and June 2018...

Christopher KRATY transferred across to Rapid Clean's employment in April 2018. In June 2022 he began cleaning our head office building.

Faustina TAGOE started working for us as a cover cleaner in 2018. In October 2018 she began working at Mibelle Brands in Wokingham, on a permanent basis. In 2019 she took on a cleaning role at Enterprise DB in Bracknell and remains working at both sites today.

Eva NOTIN has worked at Brakes Group on Bristol, since the start of her employment in May 2018. She has also been helping out as a cover cleaner locally.

Fahmo ABDIRAHMAN ALI has worked at Bristol Grammar School since the start of her employment in June 2018.

Gladys Maria VASQUEZ PASTRANA has worked at Everyone Active's The Castle Centre in Greater London, for the full 5 years of employment.

Celebrating 10 Years with Rapid Clean

Jessica LOOMES-HART joined us in May 2013 as Field Sales Executive. During her time with us she has won our biggest single contract, got married, and been promoted to Sales Manager!

Celebrating 15 Years with Rapid Clean

Karen HENRY-ARTHUR joined the head office team as Customer Services Manager in June 2008. Karen loves nothing more than talking on the phone and getting to know people. She now works as Customer Relationship Manager, keeping in contact with our customers to ensure they are receiving the best possible service.

Thank you to these wonderful team members who have all shown great loyalty and dedication to Rapid Clean. Congratulations on your work anniversaries!

Would you like to find out more about working for us ? Please click on the button below.

3 Reasons Why Professional Healthcare Cleaning in Veterinary Practices is Important

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:07:56 GMT

When it comes to maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, veterinary practices have unique needs. Professional healthcare cleaning services play a crucial role in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for both animals and staff.

1. Preventing the Spread of Infections

Veterinary practices are susceptible to the spread of infectious diseases due to the close proximity of animals and the potential for cross-contamination. Professional healthcare cleaning services, such as Rapid Clean , are trained and equipped to implement stringent cleaning protocols that effectively combat the transmission of pathogens, this includes:

Thorough Disinfection

Professional cleaners understand the specific requirements for veterinary practices and have access to hospital-grade disinfectants and cleaning techniques. They meticulously clean and disinfect examination rooms, waiting areas, surgical suites, and other high-touch surfaces to eliminate harmful microorganisms.

Biohazard Waste Management

Veterinary practices generate biohazardous waste, including used syringes, surgical waste, and contaminated materials. Professional cleaners are knowledgeable about proper disposal methods and adhere to strict regulations outlined by the NHS health authorities to ensure the safe removal and disposal of biohazardous materials, mitigating the risk of infections.

2. Enhancing Air Quality

Maintaining clean and healthy indoor air quality is paramount in a veterinary practice. Animals shed fur, dander, and potentially harmful allergens, which can negatively impact both staff and patients. Rapid Clean uses techniques to improve air quality and reduce allergens, this includes:

HEPA Vacuuming

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters can be used to trap small particles and allergens, preventing them from re-circulating into the air. When necessary we can provide HEPA vacuums to remove pet hair, dander, and other pollutants from carpets and upholstery, contributing to cleaner and healthier air.

Odour Control

Animals in veterinary practices can generate strong odours, which can be unpleasant for both staff and clients. Professional cleaners use specialised products and techniques to effectively neutralise and eliminate odours, creating a more pleasant and welcoming environment.

3. Meeting Regulatory Standards

Veterinary practices must adhere to strict regulatory standards and guidelines set forth by governing bodies such as the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and local health departments . Professional healthcare cleaning services are well-versed in these regulations and can help veterinary practices maintain compliance.

Ongoing Training and Education

Professional cleaners receive ongoing training and education to stay updated with the latest cleaning techniques, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. They can offer valuable insights and recommendations to veterinary practices to help them maintain a clean and compliant environment.

Veterinary practices can rely on Rapid Clean, a trusted professional cleaning service, to provide the expertise and specialised cleaning protocols necessary to keep facilities in optimal condition. Contact us today to learn more about our tailored cleaning solutions for veterinary practices.

Rapid Clean has a track record of providing high-quality, reliable contract cleaning services to veterinary practices across the south of England, and has resulted in many customers remaining consistently loyal. We clean over 70 buildings in the medical sector and understand that every business has differing needs so aim to be as flexible as possible.

To learn more about how Rapid Clean can meet your veterinary practice cleaning needs, contact us today.

Team Building and a New Employee of the Season

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 15:16:38 GMT

Annual Company Meeting 2023

The nature of our business means that more than half of our head office team spends most of their day out on the road. We therefore like to take the opportunity to get together to have some fun and inspire each other. This year our meeting was focused on how we are doing as a company, feedback from our employee survey, and looking at which areas we want to concentrate on improving over the next 12 months.

Before the serious bit, we spent an hour in teams working out 'Who Dunnit' in a table top escape game courtesy of Escape Game Events . Most of us love a bit of competition; some more than others! Below are the (very proud) winners, who worked out the answer in just 45 minutes!

Our Latest Employee of the Season

Whilst we were all together, we took the opportunity to present our Employee of the Season Award. Votes were collated from employees nominating a colleague who they felt had gone above and beyond in their role during the previous season. Whilst many people were nominated, we had a clear winner for Spring 2023 with 5 nominations in total - congratulations Larainy Rosa!

Larainy joined Rapid Clean as a Contracts Manager last year and looks after customers in Berkshire . She works quietly and diligently, and has made a great impression on customers as well as colleagues. These were the nominations Larainy received...

Always very polite and unassuming. The feedback I have received from operations, sales and support functions has been very positive. A real credit to our team.

Always happy, friendly and responsive at all times, a great asset to the Rapid team.

I think this person has been doing really well recently, they are so helpful and kind and always have a smile on their face when they come into the office!

They always come across really positive and seem to care a lot about their job, customers and staff. A lovely person to speak to and work with!

This person is a great CM to work with. She has picked up Ezitracker and the processes amazingly! All her hard work and dedication makes the processing of her payroll so much easier. Keep up the good work.

And if all that wasn't enough...Larainy was also in the winning Escape Game team! Well done Larainy, you are a fantastic asset to the Rapid Clean team.

Comper Foundation Stage School, Oxfordshire - School Cleaning Case Study

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 11:21:57 GMT

Comper Foundation Stage School is a 'safe, welcoming and nurturing school' looking after sixty 2-4 year olds, from the east Oxfordshire community. We were privileged to be appointed as their new cleaning provider in March 2022.

Ensuring a Safe and Clean Learning Environment

We currently have the privilege of cleaning close to 150 schools in the south east of England. We are therefore skilled and knowledgeable about what is required and take great pride in ensuring a clean and safe learning environment for pupils.

At the heart of Comper Foundation Stage School's ethos, is providing a 'safe' environment for the children they look after. Ensuring that environment is clean, is a crucial part of that. When their previous cleaning company's performance began to wane, a timely email from us led to a discussion on how we might be able to partner with Comper, in their mission.

An "Exceptional Cleaning Service" from an Exceptional Team!

We recently received an email from Phoebe, the school's Administration Manager, with some feedback that we couldn't wait to share...

"I'm thrilled to share this glowing testimonial for Rapid Clean. They have truly been a game-changer for us, providing exceptional cleaning services with a level of reliability and professionalism that we had struggled to find in the past.

First and foremost, I want to give a big shout out to Anna, our Contracts Manager at Rapid. Anna is a rockstar when it comes to managing the contract and coordinating with the cleaners. Her communication skills are top-notch, and she always keeps us in the loop. With Anna on board, we can just sit back and relax because she takes care of everything! She's a time-saver, and whenever we have a question or concern, she's very reliable and prompt in getting back to us.

Speaking of cleaners, we have two gems in our team - Michael and Grace. These two are wonderful when it comes to cleaning. They show up on time without fail, ready to tackle any mess that comes their way. Michael and Grace are thorough, detail-oriented, and they never cut corners. Our school has never looked better, thanks to their hard work and dedication.

Finding a reliable cleaning company has always been a challenge for us, but Rapid has changed the game. They have set the bar high with their professionalism and commitment to delivering outstanding results. We no longer have to worry about the cleanliness of our school because Rapid Clean has proven time and again that they can be trusted.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Rapid to anyone in need of top-notch cleaning services. Anna's management skills are second to none, and she truly cares about customer satisfaction. And let's not forget about Michael and Grace, who keep our school shining bright. Rapid has been a blessing to us, and we are grateful for their excellent service.

Thank you Rapid Clean for going above and beyond to make our school a clean and welcoming environment for our students and staff. We couldn't ask for more!"

If you would like to find out more about our school cleaning service and how we might be able to improve your cleaning standards, we would love to hear from you.

St John the Evangelist C of E Primary School, Oxfordshire - School Cleaning Case Study

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 13:24:15 GMT

St John the Evangelist CE Primary School in Carterton, Oxfordshire, is a voluntary aided school with around 450 pupils attending on a daily basis. Rapid Clean has been providing a cleaning service to this school since 2015 and we thought it was high time we caught up with the Business Manager to see how things are going.

A Long History with Rapid Clean

John, the school’s Business Manager, remembers our original site visit back in 2014…

“We were in-house at the time and being in a rural location, were constantly having staffing issues. When one person was off, we never had any cover and this was becoming a problem. Outsourcing seemed a sensible solution.”

We asked John what made him choose Rapid Clean over the other providers…

“When we looked at all the companies who came out to visit, Rapid Clean was competitively priced and seemed to have a lot of experience in the TUPE process and managing of staff.”

TUPE law dictates that all staff on site must be given the option to transfer to the new cleaning provider. Not all staff choose to transfer, but we recognise good staff when we see them and thankfully, Carol Wilson became a Rapid Clean employee. Carol quickly became the supervisor on site and was in fact our first ever Rapid Superstar in December 2015 !

Celebrating Great Teamwork!

In our experience, great teamwork is the key to a successful contract…

“The cleaning team is fantastic; Carol supervises brilliantly, and all the cleaners are very much part of the school team. Anna, Rapid Clean’s Contracts Manager, comes in to carry out the monthly audit and meets with our Site Manager to ensure he is happy. It all works really well.”

In fact, John couldn’t say enough about the hard-working, dedicated cleaners on site; when asking how the team faired under pressure…

“During Covid they worked brilliantly, doing extra work to ensure that all surfaces were sanitised daily. If cover was needed at any time, Rapid managed to provide it.”

There’s no getting away from the fact that a school that is based in a rural location can sometimes be difficult to staff; we asked John whether the issue with absences has been rectified…

“Rapid has managed to acquire local ‘bank’ staff to ensure that any shortfalls are covered. We rarely have absences, but if we do, Anna covers what she can and the local bank staff do the rest!”

A great working relationship thrives when values are aligned. St John the Evangelist clearly has the same commitment to valuing excellent people and encouraging teamwork. We thank John and all the staff at St John the Evangelist School, for their dedication to the Rapid Clean team. And a huge thank you to our loyal and hard-working cleaners at this site – Carol, Tiegan, Ivor and Michelle - we couldn’t do it without you!

St John the Evangelist CE Primary School is just one of the 150 establishments that we currently service in the education sector. If you would like to find out more about our school cleaning service and how we might be able to improve your cleaning standards, please make an enquiry.

Congratulations to our Latest Superstar Nominees and the Winner

Wed, 31 May 2023 15:41:42 GMT

Please join us in celebrating with the following employees who have been nominated to win the title of Rapid Superstar this quarter. Please continue reading to the end when our winner will be announced...

Superstar Nominees

The following cleaning operatives were all nominated for this quarter's Superstar award. Each one has received a letter of appreciation and a small gift...

Nurdzhan SMAIL who cleans Chipping Norton Health Centre in Wiltshire

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean said:

"Nurdzan worked at Chipping Norton Health Centre as a Cleaning Operative, and after a long break returned to Rapid as a Cleaning Supervisor. He proved to be exceptionally great in this role. The overall standards and consistency improved immediately and never dropped down! The feedback from the management of the centre is always fantastic. Nurdzan is outstanding in ensuring all the jobs are done, the shortfall is covered and both employer and the client is happy. He has excellent communication and teamwork skills, he is professional and very diligent"

Yolanda Elliott at Chipping Norton Health Centre, said:

"Nurdzhan is the most wonderful Cleaning Supervisor we have ever had! Everything is spic and span on a daily basis. Not only that, but everything seems polished and done as requested every time. He has never let us down and is consistent throughout! His work is commendable. Also his response in replying to my weekly emails to him is very quick and always very polite. Any problem is sorted within 24 hours. Our building has never been as shiny, clean, hygienic since he started. Here at CNHC we all hope he will receive the Rapid Superstar Award!"

Karolina STOLARSKA LAPIAK who cleans Meath School in Surrey

Dariusz Lapiak from Rapid Clean, said:

"I have very good feedback from Meath school; he said she is always happy to help support the school and always comes to work with a positive attitude."

Paul Gorman, Premises Manager at Meath School, said:

"Karolina is so good. Every day she has a big smile and does a great job with the cleanng."

Suxia LI who cleans St Michael's C of E Aided School in Wiltshire

Mateusz Kolasinski from Rapid Clean, said:

"Suxia's cleaning standards are excellent and she has great attention to detail. The site is always clean and the school are happy with her work. She recently cleaned the whole school by herself without me asking her to. I had asked her to help with deep cleans, but was not expecting her to do it all! She did an incredible job; the school was spotless. I was asked to visit by the customer just to see her great work."

Sarah Hampton, School Business Manager at St Michael's C of E Aided School, said:

"I am delighted to hear that Suxia has been nominated for this award. Suxia carries out various roles at St Michael’s and goes above and beyond in each one. She is an amazing member of our team with a “nothing is too much trouble” attitude. I am unable to think of anyone who deserves recognition for her hard work more than Suxia.

With regard to her role as cleaner, Suxia always ensures that the areas under her responsibility are cleaned to the highest standard. She will often step up to help both the school and Rapid Clean in times of staff absence. Her standards are high and she is 100% reliable. If only all cleaners worked in the same way as Suxia Li!"

Mohamed Ali RIAHI who cleans Tyler's Green Middle School in Buckinghamshire

Mirela Tudorache from Rapid Clean, said:

"Mohamed has worked for us at Tyler's Green Middle School for many years. He is reliable and is always there to help if we are struggling with the staff. He has a great relationship with the caretaker and the customer"

Elin Chalk, School Business Manager at Tyler's Green Middle School, said:

"Mo is a very dedicated, reliable, highly able and super friendly staff member who has been so good to our school and he has been here for a long time. He comes highly recommended for this award!"

Chloe MOXHAM who cleans Collaborative Software Ltd in Dorset

Luke Granger from Rapid Clean, said:

"Chloe's done an outstanding job at Collaborative Software Limited since day one. I can never find a fault with her work when carrying out an audit, and she's always kind and friendly."

Sarah Fox, Administrator at Collaborative Software Ltd, said:

• A very nice person
• Paperwork/communication spot on
• Cleaning to a very good standard
• No issues at all

Izabela JANECKA who cleans Drumgrange Ltd in Surrey

Andy Hinde, Logistics and Stock Coordinator at Drumgrange, said:

"I cannot speak higher of Isabella. Firstly, I would like to praise Isabella and her approach to her job. Genuinely appreciate her positive smiling outlook, and hard work. From what I know, she is married with two young children, which speaking from experience myself is challenging, however her approach to what she does, and general output, is nothing but excellent. Everything I ask is never an issue and she was dearly missed when she was away on leave."

Anita TUFFOUR who cleans Easthampstead Surgery, The Pines School and Westende Junior School, Berkshire

Bernice Anim at Rapid Clean said:

"Anita works at a couple sites for Rapid. She is not only a good cleaner, but she takes pride in what she does. She works fast but cleans very well. She is a true reflection of the level of service we promise to our customers."

Danielle MCKECHNIE who cleans Northbourne C of E Primary School in Didcot, Oxfordshire

Eva Babicova at Rapid Clean said:

"Danielle is very committed to her work at Northbourne Primary School. She has great working ethics and she is efficient and hardworking, always going above and beyond every time."

Adenike ODUNSI who cleans Dulwich Leisure Centre in London

Ingrid Antonio at Rapid Clean said:

"Adenike is always available to help cover at the last minute. She is amazing and is such a great help!"

Shenaz BEGUM who cleans Highover JMI School in Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Melania Balza at Rapid Clean said:

"Shenaz has been really helpful covering shortfalls"

Benedicta YANDIMA MBU who cleans Gorillas in London

Mohamed Toure at Rapid Clean said:

"Benedicta has been very helpful covering staff holiday at another site"

Nicola DEAMER who cleans Farnborough Hill School in Hampshire

Julia Cachinhama at Rapid Clean said:

"Nicola works as a Site Supervisor at Farnborough Hill School. She is a very hardworking person and gets along very well with all the cleaning staff. She keeps records of staff attendance, arranges cover and ensures that all areas are properly cleaned, according to the school standards. I would like to say a big thanks for her commitment to cleaning. She has always been so professional in handling the school's needs and resolving any problems. She's doing a great job!"

Salia SARKO ADU who cleans Watford Woodside Leisure Centre, Gade Surgery, Witton House Surgery in Hertforshire

Victor Olowu at Rapid Clean said:

"Salia has been really helpful, and travelled from site to site to help cover a few areas where we were short staffed."

William PEARSON who cleans Dick White Referrals in Cambridgeshire

Piotr Szulc at Rapid Clean said:

"William is a very nice guy, is reliable and has a great sense of humour. It was a pleasure to work with him to start the new Dick White contract. I wish we had more people like him working for us and I’m so pleased he joined us via TUPE!"

Rapid Superstar Winner!

It has been a really tough choice this quarter but finally we are pleased to announce our winner...

Louise ELSTON who works at Park View Primary School in Basingstoke . Louise has been providing a first-class cleaning service to Park View Primary School for many years but transferred across to our employment when we took over the contract in September of last year.

Paul Claxton, Julia Cachinhama and Sabeeh Tahir from Rapid Clean, went to visit Louise and all the staff at Park View Primary School.

Hannah Palmer, Business Manager at Park View Primary School, said:

"If you awarded this to Louise you couldn't have picked a better person. We have known her at school in a number of different guises and she unfailingly gives of her best. Louise will not stop until the work is done and at a standard that would merit note from your company. She is also good humoured and you would never guess if staff are absent, late or not there for any reason, as she just picks up the baton and gets the job done. I would thoroughly endorse the recommendation for Louise to be chosen for this award and I hope that she is successful."

Julia Cachinhama, Contracts Manager at Rapid Clean, said:

"Louise has worked at Park View Primary School for many years and transferred to Rapid Clean via TUPE in September 2022. She's recently been working as a temporary Site Supervisor to help cover sickness absence.

She is a very hard working person and gets along really well with all the school staff, including teachers, the Senior Site Manager & the Business Manager, as well as her Rapid Clean colleagues.

She keeps records of the school supplies and always let me know about consumables stock levels, she arranges cover and ensures that all areas are properly cleaned, according to the school's standards.

I would like to say a thank you to Louise for her commitment to cleaning. She has always been so professional in handling the school's needs and when resolving any problems. She is doing a great job!"

We are immensely proud of our team and embrace the opportunity to recognise hard work and dedication whenever possible. Congratulations to Louise and every cleaning operative mentioned this quarter. Thank you for your continued hard work; we appreciate you!

The Most Commonly Overlooked Areas in School Deep Cleaning

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Wed, 10 May 2023 15:59:38 GMT

Keeping schools clean and sanitised is essential for the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff. While regular cleaning can help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria, there are certain areas that are often overlooked and require deep cleaning by a professional cleaning service.

Here are some of the most commonly overlooked areas in school deep cleaning:

Classroom Carpets and Rugs

Carpets and rugs in classrooms can harbour dust, dirt, and allergens. This is why it is incredibly important for carpets to be vacuumed and hard floors swept and disinfected daily.

However, vacuuming alone is not enough to remove all the dirt and bacteria that accumulate in carpets and rugs. Using professional machinery can help thoroughly clean these surfaces and improve indoor air quality and prevent respiratory problems. We would recommend a full deep clean of these surfaces at least once a year by a reputable professional cleaning company .

Changing Rooms

Changing rooms are areas that are prone to bacteria and mould growth due to moisture and high humidity levels. Professional cleaning services have the equipment and experience to clean and disinfect these areas thoroughly removing limescale from sinks, taps, plugholes and showers. This removes unpleasant odours and prevents the spread of illnesses like athlete's foot and MRSA. As part of our deep clean schedule, all hard floors in changing rooms are machine scrubbed for extra vigilance and improved appearance.

Classroom Fittings

Classroom fittings and surrounding areas can harbour germs and bacteria, especially if they are not cleaned regularly. It is important to deep clean around movable furniture (on wheels) to ensure that they are free from bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. This includes the finer details such as dusting and wet wiping all skirting boards/picture frames.

Door Handles and Light Switches

Door handles and light switches are high-touch areas that can easily spread germs and bacteria. Deep cleaning of these surfaces is essential to prevent the spread of illness.

It is essential to work with a professional cleaning service such as Rapid Clean that can provide a thorough and effective cleaning service. Regular deep cleaning and disinfection can help prevent the spread of illnesses and promote a healthy and safe learning environment.

Choose a Package That Suits you

At Rapid Clean , we are committed to providing the highest quality cleaning services to our clients in the education sector. Our 'term time plus deep cleans' package has proven to be a popular choice among our customers, as it allows for a thorough cleaning during term time, with additional deep cleans scheduled during breaks and holidays.

Introducing Rapid Clean's HSQE Manager

Wed, 03 May 2023 13:13:51 GMT

To save you searching any further – HSQE stands for Health, Safety, Quality and Environment. A role that is essential within any FM organisation and one we take extremely seriously at Rapid Clean.

With a strong background in health and safety, we were looking forward to Caroline Mcfarlane bringing her extensive knowledge and experience to Rapid Clean. Three months in, we thought it would be wise to catch up with Caroline to find out how she’s settling in, as well as sharing how stakeholders will be impacted by her role…

How did you first become interested in health and safety?

Back in the late 1990s, I was working for a house building company in the administration department. One day, a director requested that I go to site delivering PPE equipment and ensuring that everything on site was in order. I admitted to knowing nothing about health and safety, but quickly learnt on the job and my interest was ignited.

After that I started my formal health and safety training, as well as delivering it. I worked largely in the property industry, for managing agents and during that time I took my NEBOSH national general certificates and became IOSH accredited. I also qualified to be a member of the IFWM (Institute of Facilities and Workplace Management).

Training and keeping up to date with legislation is so important. If I get it wrong, that comes back on me. I never forget the successful businessman who I once worked for, pointing out a fire exit that was blocked and saying to me: ‘if there ever was a need to use that exit, lives would be lost’. That comment never left me.

What is it about health and safety that sparks your interest?

I’ve worked on some really diverse sites over the years; what I love most is the responsibility of looking after people’s safety. I love seeing the progress that we are making in the world of health and safety – I remember the days of people working on a building site with denim shorts on, tops off and a cigarette hanging out of their mouth!

I enjoy learning and want to stay ahead of the game; there is so much opportunity to do that in this field.

What are you looking to focus on at Rapid Clean in the immediate future?

A key part of keeping our ISO14001 status, is ensuring we are sustainable, efficient, and reducing our carbon footprint wherever possible. There are some more changes we can make at Rapid Clean to improve - reducing the use of paper is up there on my to do list!

I am currently looking at lone workers and ensuring that CMs are aware of our procedures and making sure that anyone working alone is safe. We have recently gone electronic on EET (Electrical Equipment Testing) and all of our new CMs are now fully trained.

In the first few weeks of this role, I mobilised us putting in insulation in the roof of our head office. Last month we had some solar panels, with a view to reducing our energy usage. It's all going in the right direction.

How will Rapid Clean customers be impacted by your role?

A lot of what I do is driven by customers and their specific site needs. This week I’ve been working with a customer who has a cleaner with a very serious food allergy. I needed to ensure that all chemicals on site have the correct COSHH data and this particular cleaner is not at risk.

I will be visiti ng individual customers to ensure that our procedures are efficient and everything on site is in order. I hope to get round as many as possible.

When you’re not at work, where can we find you?

Most likely outdoors, down at the riding stables caring for my rescue pony Millie. I adore motorbikes and love being a granny to my grandchildren ranging in age from 3-15. I’m working hard at renovating my new house at the moment and starting to get to grips with what is required in the garden!

As you can probably tell, Caroline is bursting with energy and enthusiasm for all things but especially her role as HSQE Manager at Rapid Clean. We are confident that she will actively build on the progress we have already made in this area.

Any customer that feels they would benefit from Caroline's input, can contact her on 0845 0742891 or caroline.macfarlane@rapidclean.co.uk.

The Importance of Cleaning in a Dental Surgery

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 11:35:59 GMT

Dental surgeries play a crucial role in maintaining good oral health. However, they can also be hotspots for the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses if they are not cleaned and disinfected properly.

The Benefits of Dental Surgery Cleaning Services

Preventing the Spread of Infections

Dental surgeries can be high-risk environments for the spread of infections due to the close proximity of patients and the use of shared equipment. Proper cleaning and disinfection protocols can help prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria that can cause illnesses such as the flu or COVID-19. Hence why it is a requirement of The National Standards of Cleanliness for external surfaces to be cleaned daily to protect patients, employees and surgeons.

Maintaining Sterile Conditions

Certain dental procedures require a sterile environment to ensure patient safety and health. Cleaning and sterilisation protocols are necessary to prevent contamination and reduce the risk of infections.

Improving Patient Safety and Comfort

Patients who visit a clean and well-maintained dental surgery are more likely to feel comfortable and at ease during their appointment. A clean environment also demonstrates the dentist's commitment to patient safety and can improve patient trust and satisfaction.

Meeting Regulatory Standards

Dental surgeries must meet strict regulatory NHS Cleaning Standards and guidelines for infection control and cleanliness. Failure to adhere to these standards can result in fines, loss of licence or legal action.

By hiring a reputable professional cleaning company such as Rapid Clean, you can rest assured that your facility will meet the requirements of the cleanliness charter and responsibility framework. We will help you create a fully compliant cleaning specification that will support regulatory audits. As well as your achievement of the star ratings set out by the NHS Healthcare and Cleanliness Standard.

Enhancing the Longevity of Equipment

Cleaning and maintenance of equipment used in a dental surgery can help to extend the lifespan of the equipment and improve its performance. This can save the surgery money in the long run by avoiding costly repairs or replacements.

In summary, cleaning and disinfection protocols are crucial in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for patients and staff in a dental surgery. By following best practices for infection control and cleanliness, dental professionals can ensure that their patients receive the best possible care while minimising the risk of infection and illness.

Rapid Clean’s track record of providing a high-quality, reliable contract cleaning service to dental surgeries across the south of England, has resulted in many of our customers remaining consistently loyal. With our tailored cleaning schedule you can rest assured that your medical centre will meet the new NHS Cleanliness Standards required on a regular basis.

If you are concerned that your cleaning practices are not meeting the standards required by the NHS, get in touch now.

Celebrating 5 Year Work Anniversaries

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 13:30:46 GMT

At the end of every quarter we like to highlight Rapid Clean employees who have reached a milestone work anniversary. You will see that some cleaners have worked at the same site for the whole 5 year period which is definitely something worth celebrating!

Celebrating 5 Years with Rapid Clean

The following cleaners started their employment with Rapid Clean at the start of 2018...

Luciana RODRIGUES has worked for Rapid Clean at Lock Stock & Barrel, Newbury and Strawberry Medical Centre, Surrey, for the full 5 years.

Fozia CASEYR has worked at Bristol Grammar School for the full 5 years.

Bernard AMPONSAH works at Freeborn Citroen, Molecular Devices & St Pauls C of E Junior School all in Wokingham. He has worked at The Brookside Surgeries in Berkshire for the whole 5 years of employment.

Noe QUINTEROS has worked at various sites for Rapid Clean but currently works at Everyone Active's Seven Islands Leisure Centre in east London.

Marvalin SPENCE has worked at Everyone Active's Peckham Leisure Centre in London, for the full 5 years.

Fowsiyo OSOBLE works at Bristol Grammar School and has been there for the full 5 years.

BENNEY Christine has worked at Bristol Grammar School for the full 5 years.

Ivy ASARE has worked at Longmeadow Surgery and The Nap Surgery in Hertfordshire since the start of her 5 years with Rapid Clean.

Jeremy HOWARD works at Softcat in Marlow and has been there for the full 5 years.

Tiegan TOWNS has worked at various sites but c urrently works at St John the Evangelist School in Oxfordshire.

Sacdiya XASAN CALI has worked at various sites for Rapid Clean but currently works at Bristol Grammar School

Iwona WEGRZYN has worked at Everyone Active's Spelthorne Leisure Centre in Staines for the full 5 years.

Loyalty can be difficult to find in the cleaning industry so we want to take this opportunity to celebrate commitment and hard work. Thank you to these wonderful team members who have shown great loyalty and dedication to Rapid Clean. Congratulations on your work anniversaries!

Would you like to find out more about working for us ? Please click on the button below.

CIM - Office and Conference Centre Cleaning Case Study

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 11:05:56 GMT

The Chartered Institute of Marketing runs out of Moor Hall, an impressive conference and training centre set in the stunning countryside of Cookham, Berkshire. With 80 bedrooms, 24 conference rooms and a restaurant, Moor Hall requires a reliable and professional daily cleaning service to ensure the smooth running of the facility.

Good Management Makes a Difference!

During the summer of 2022, CIM's General Manager was becoming increasingly frustrated by an unsatisfactory cleaning service…

“The cleaners were working throughout the night and there was no flexibility on the time of clean. Standards were poor. We wanted greater visibility and input into the service being provided.”

CIM had heard good things about Rapid Clean from other local companies so knew already that we could be what they were looking for. Upon visiting, it became apparent that the lack of management from the previous cleaning company, was a major problem. We have a strong operations team with a local manager in every area and were therefore confident that we could make a significant difference. We asked CIM’s General Manager, Daniel, if this was the case in practice…

“Our Rapid Clean Contracts Manager is fantastic – you say it one day and it’s done the next. She listens, is proactive, and comes to us with solutions before we’ve even noticed there is a problem!”

Anyone can send in cleaners, but a big part of what sets us apart from other cleaning companies, is a proactive management team that works with the cleaners and the customer.

“Mirela has built up a great rapport with the site supervisor which ensures a smooth-running service. The Rapid Clean team feels like an extension of our team rather than an external company.”

Treating Customers as Individuals

It’s important to us that we meet the differing needs of our customers. Daniel was keen to have greater input in the day-to-day cleaning, so early on we changed the time of clean to suit their opening hours. We asked Daniel if he was happy with the service he is receiving from Rapid Clean…

“Flexibility is key for us, and we get that from Rapid Clean. We want the job doing well, not just hours being fulfilled. I would definitely recommend Rapid to other businesses.”

We look forward to developing our relationship with CIM, ensuring that their building remains clean so that they can concentrate on providing a great service to their customers. Well done to our Berkshire team .

Moor Hall (CIM) is just one out of the 150 buildings that we currently service in the office sector. If you would like to find out more about our office cleaning service and how we might be able to improve your cleaning standards, please make an enquiry.

Celebrating Employees March 2023

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 10:24:42 GMT

Employee Appreciation Day 2023

We love an opportunity to celebrate at Rapid Clean and what better excuse than Employee Appreciation Day? This day was first created in 1995 when Dr Bob Nelson - founding member of Recognition Professionals International - did his doctoral dissertation on why managers do or do not recognise their employees. Studies show that receiving recognition and feeling valued are major drivers in employee happiness and wellbeing and this is really important to us at Rapid Clean.

Our HR department worked hard on putting together something for everyone - a personal message to cleaners and the opportunity to enter a monetary prize draw, along with some lunchtime fun for our head office team.

Introducing our winning quiz team!

Our Latest Employee of the Season

Whilst we were all together, we took the opportunity to present our Employee of the Season award. Votes were collated from employees nominating a colleague who they felt had gone above and beyond in their role during the previous season. Whilst many people were nominated, we had a clear winner for Winter 2022/3 - congratulations to Dariusz Lapiak!

Dariusz has been working as Contracts Manager, looking after customers in south west London, since June 2022. He's a fantastic asset to the team and as you will see from the comments below, has made a great impression on colleagues as well as customers...

Dariusz is very hard working and is getting excellent customer feedback in writing

Dariusz goes above and beyond looking after his customers. He has been exceptional in implementing a difficult new start, all of which has settled down and the customer is extremely happy

Dariusz has worked hard to meet expectations, especially with clients as well as getting referrals. We have been receiving good feedback about him from customers. He has been excellent with Ezitracker considering how new he is to the system, and considering how many sites he is currently running

He is conscientious and works so hard to make sure that every customer is treated as an individual and he gives them excellent care and attention.

Keep up the good work, Dariusz!

Commonly Overlooked Areas to Clean in Your Medical Centre

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 10:41:40 GMT

For the protection of patients and staff, medical centres and clinics must be clean environments. Whilst you're no doubt aware of the importance of cleaning a medical centre both before and after every surgery or appointment, your cleaning checklist may overlook some areas that the new National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness have highlighted as needing attention.

4 Areas that can be overlooked when cleaning a medical centre:

External Surfaces

Many surfaces and objects in a bathroom have high touch point areas we subconsciously forget about. Toilet roll holders, hand dryers, hand wash and paper towel dispensers are items touched multiple times in a day and can quickly accumulate bacteria, viruses and other particularly dangerous contaminants. The longer it’s left untouched, the more build-up will occur, hence why it is a requirement in The National Standards of Cleanliness for external surfaces to be cleaned daily to protect both patients, employees and surgeons.

By hiring a reputable professional cleaning company , you can also make sure these untouched areas are cleaned frequently outside of working hours.

Floors

Surfaces like tables might seem like the most germ-prone area in a medical centre, but the floors aren't far behind. Bodily fluids and other substances can land on the floor during the day, requiring prompt cleanup. The NHS Cleaning Standards require carpets to be vacuumed and hard floors swept and disinfected daily.

Rapid Clean has a track record of providing a high-quality, reliable contract cleaning service to medical centres across the south of England, which has resulted in many of our customers remaining consistently loyal. Find out more

Waiting Rooms

The waiting room, if not carefully cleaned, can increase the spread of viruses in a medical clinic. Therefore, it is vital that high-touch items, such as children’s toys and books, be disinfected daily. If the items are unable to be disinfected, such as soft toys and dolls, they should be discarded. If an item shows signs of wear and tear, or if it is getting old, it should also be discarded.

If there is something eye-catching in the waiting room, such as a fish bowl, cleaners should ensure that it is actively cleaned. Fish tanks are high-touch items.

Hard-to-Reach Areas

Although there are specific protocols in place for cleaning the actual equipment, the space surrounding (or underneath) shouldn’t be ignored. Hard-to-reach areas include corners, nooks and crannies, and behind any medical equipment or furnishings in an operating room. Items on wheels should be regularly moved so that dirt, grime, or other contaminants that may have migrated during a procedure are addressed in a timely manner.

Find out more about keeping your medical / healthcare centre clean.

Rapid Clean’s track record of providing a high-quality, reliable contract cleaning service to medical centres across the south of England, has resulted in many of our customers remaining consistently loyal. With our tailored cleaning schedule you can rest assured that your medical centre will meet the new NHS Cleanliness Standards required on a regular basis.

If you are concerned that your current standards are not meeting the standards required by the NHS, get it in touch now.

St Stephen's CE Primary School, Hammersmith - School Cleaning Case Study

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 11:01:38 GMT

St Stephen's CE Primary School , is based in Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith. With just short of 450 pupils attending daily, it’s a busy school both during term time and in the holidays. In 2017, the school’s Facilities Manager contacted us as he no longer felt they were getting value for money with their council-organised cleaning provider, and communication was problematic.

Cheapest Doesn't Always Mean Best!

Rapid was one of six companies that visited to assess the school’s cleaning requirements. Whilst all of the quotes were relatively similar in price, ours wasn’t the cheapest. With tight budgets to meet, many schools place great importance on price but cheap doesn't always mean best. Adam confirmed the reason why Rapid Clean won the contract...

“We didn’t choose based on price, the end decision was down to the people we met from Rapid Clean both in the sales and operations departments, who seemed competent, approachable and knew what they were talking about.”

One of the key problems that Adam wanted to solve, was the managing of the cleaning team. With the old company, if the cleaner didn’t turn up then it was Adam who had to sort out a solution. In short, they were paying for a company to manage the contract, but in reality were mostly doing it themselves.

Never Underestimate Face-to-Face Contact

During the first few weeks we worked hard with Adam and the cleaning team, to ensure that the distribution of time and labour, was as efficient as possible. We inherited one of the cleaners through TUPE, Esther, who the school was eager to keep. Finding an additional cleaner that suited the school and the team there, was crucial…

“The cleaning team we have now is brilliant. Joseph is amazing! The teachers really like him, he is friendly, competent and flexible. You did well as a team finding him and we want to keep him!”

As an organisation we work hard to keep good people, which is especially important in today’s labour market . Keeping a contract is largely thanks to an excellent cleaning team but we asked Adam what else confirms that he made the right choice back in 2017…

“The monthly site audits are really useful. It’s an opportunity to see our Contracts Manager face to face. I can get hold of him on the phone whenever I like, but knowing that he will always be there once a month if I need to show him something physically, is a comfort.”

We are pleased to have been providing a cleaning service for St Stephen’s CE Primary School since September 2017. During that time, Adam has recommended our service to various schools in the local area. We hope that our relationship goes from strength to strength.

St Stephen's CE Primary School is just one out of the 150 schools that we currently service. If you would like to find out more about our education cleaning service and how we might be able to improve your cleaning standards, please make an enquiry.

Celebrating Our Latest Rapid Superstar

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 16:31:39 GMT

We are back once again to share with you all the amazing Rapid cleaners who have been nominated to win our Superstar Award. Some new faces this quarter and some excellent feedback from customers as well as Rapid Clean managers...

Superstar Nominees

The following cleaning operatives were all nominated for this quarter's Superstar award. Each one has received a letter and a gift of appreciation...

Shannon DENTON who cleans PXG UK in Esher, Surrey

Dariusz Lapiak from Rapid Clean said:

"Shannon is a very polite person who is always happy to help. She has a very good relationship with the customer, looks after the cleaning equipment, has great attendance and time keeping and communicates well with me. I have had great feedback from the customer about her."

Sarah Hersey at PXG said:

"PXG would love it if Shannon was nominated for this award. Shannon is not only a lovely, warm & friendly person but she goes above & beyond & takes great pride in her work. Her approach to the job in hand is second to none & we have never had such a clean building, she is always on time & works tirelessly when she is on site. I hope this helps with your decision & I can’t recommend Shannon enough, she is a real asset."

Carole CRAVEN who cleans European Electronique Ltd and Eynsham Dental Care in Witney, Oxfordshire

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean, said:

"Carol has been exceptionally diligent, helpful and reliable. Her hard work is appreciated by the clients and myself. She was even keen on travelling on the bus for two hours one way by bus to cover, for a whole week! Carole likes to spoil everyone with her delicious homemade cakes, which she brings to work quite often."

Marcus Hall, Warehouse and Operations Manager and European Electronique said:

"I think Carole would be a worthy winner! She does a fantastic job of cleaning our office and has become a very friendly face around the building.
Her work ethic is great and she takes pride in everything she does."

Rob at Eynsham Dental Care said:

"I can say that our team is VERY particular about the cleanliness of our surgery. It is absolutely paramount that all parts of our premises are immaculate. This is exactly as it is every morning we walk in. We leave after work and when we arrive in the morning it is perfect. Not a spec of dust, nothing out of place and ready for the next day's patients. I know that one of my staff has a habit of checking all the difficult or more unusual places which in the past have been missed. She has not come to me with anything, so I know all those corners, and awkward areas are also as clean as we need them to be (which for a surgery is spotless)."

Veronica SALVATERRA who cleans Poole Grammar School in Dorset

Luke Granger from Rapid Clean, said:

"Veronica has recently started as a day time cleaner for us at Poole Grammar School. She has been a vital part of the team in carrying out mini deep cleans in the areas that need it most. It is with her help and the help of others that we have managed to ensure great standards are met. Not only that but she has been helpful in lending cover and does an excellent job everywhere she goes."

Jonathan Stiby, Bursar at Poole Grammar School said:

"Thank you for making contact. It has been fantastic that Veronica has been able to join us again. She is a fantastic cleaner and we really value her day time cleaning and attention to detail throughout the school. Veronica would be a worthy winner."

Carol CRAWFORD who cleans The Vet in Southampton

James Saunders from Rapid Clean, said:

"Carol is consistent, has excellent attendance and works to excellent standards. Communication is exactly what we expect.
Every time I attend the site, the staff tell me how pleased they are with Carole. On my last visit, the manager gave me a glowing endorsement of how she is a credit to Rapid. It really does please me when I hear how happy a client is about our staff. Carole has never let us down and I feel that she deserves recognition for being a true Rapid Superstar."

Nick THUILLIEZ, Area Manager at The Vet said:

"Since I joined the business over 3.5 years ago I have been very impressed by the standards of cleanliness in our client facing areas. For such a key part of our estate, the area where clients make their first impressions, this is extremely important. It is not just about how sparkling clean Carol gets our client facing areas though, it is how she does it too! Carole is always friendly, helpful and professional, the team love her and she feels like one of them. If Carol was one of my team she would definitely be a regular winner in any recognition scheme."

Ilse BASCO who cleans Softcat Plc in Marlow, Berkshire

Mirela Tudorache from Rapid Clean said:

"I have had this nomination in my mind for a long time. Ilse has worked as a Supervisor during the day for more than 2 years and in the evening for around a year. Since she started in the evening, the shift has run smoothly, and there have been no issues. The client is always happy when I go there for the monthly audit and Ilse has a very good relationship with them. Ilse is reliable and always helps find a solution when we are short staffed. She has helped me a lot with other sites too, offering to cover and is always there to help."

Maria Diaz, Facilities Manager at Softcat said:

"Ilse has started to work at Softcat as cleaning supervisor taking on a team of cleaners that were used to not being supervised, which was a difficult period of adaptation, but she did a great job to overcome any issues. All Softcat staff, including Directors, noticed the difference in cleaning standards and Ilse has been praised ever since. She is very organised and professional and, even not working for Softcat, she blends effortlessly with the Facilities team. She is always happy to help and is ready for any challenge. The last quarter has been really busy for my team and I; Ilse has jumped in with a smile on her face to help with anything that I would ask."

Pamela WELCH who cleans The Pines School in Bracknell, Berkshire

Rachel Evans, School Business Manager at The Pines School said:

"Pamela is always happy, singing and says hello to everyone she meets. She does a lovely job of cleaning the offices and nothing is too much trouble for her. She even gives the windows a wipe over making sure that we are always spic and span."

Anita TUFFOUR who cleans Easthampstead Surgery, The Pines School and Westende Junior School, Berkshire

Bernice Anim at Rapid Clean said:

Danielle MCKECHNIE who cleans Northbourne C of E Primary School in Didcot, Oxfordshire

Eva Babicova at Rapid Clean said:

"Danielle is very committed to her work at Northbourne Primary School. She has great working ethics and she is efficient and hardworking, always going above and beyond every time."

Adenike ODUNSI who cleans Dulwich Leisure Centre in London

Ingrid Antonio at Rapid Clean said:

"Adenike is always available to help cover at the last minute. She is amazing and is such a great help!"

Shenaz BEGUM who cleans Highover JMI School in Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Melania Balza at Rapid Clean said:

"Shenaz has been really helpful covering shortfalls"

Benedicta YANDIMA MBU who cleans Gorillas in London

Mohamed Toure at Rapid Clean said:

"Benedicta has been very helpful covering staff holiday at another site"

Nicola DEAMER who cleans Farnborough Hill School in Hampshire

Julia Cachinhama at Rapid Clean said:

Salia SARKO ADU who cleans Watford Woodside Leisure Centre, Gade Surgery, Witton House Surgery in Hertforshire

Victor Olowu at Rapid Clean said:

"Salia has been really helpful, and travelled from site to site to help cover a few areas where we were short staffed."

William PEARSON who cleans Dick White Referrals in Cambridgeshire

Piotr Szulc at Rapid Clean said:

Rapid Superstar Winner!

And finally, we are pleased to announce that this quarter's winner is Selina ROUTLEY who works at Fairfield Farm Trust in Westbury, Wiltshire . Rapid Clean has been providing a cleaning service to Fairfield Farm Trust since November 2021, Selina has been working on site there since the start.

Jeff Whitton, our Managing Director, went to visit this inspiring school to meet the team, and present the award to Selina.

This is what Rapid and Fairfield Farm Trust had to say about Selina:

Gareth Love from Rapid Clean said:

"Selina really does do a fantastic job. She supervises the team well, has an excellent relationship with the client, and overall just ensures the contract runs smoothly."

Dr Graeme Athey, Principal at Fairfield Farm Trust said:

"Selina is one of the team. She is kind, approachable and always willing to help. She brings a sense of pride and realism to the role and is excellent with the young people. A recent example of this is owing to her superb relationship with students, we now have young people using her as a role model and wanting to be cleaners ‘just like Selina’. We are really proud to have her with us."

What fantastic feedback for Selina and everyone else mentioned here! Once again we are grateful for an amazing team of cleaners who keep our customers happy and Rapid Clean going from strength to strength.

If you would like to find out more about working for us, please click on the link below.

Cleaning Measures to Reduce the Spread of Strep A in Schools

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:58:36 GMT

Group A Streptococcus (GAS), often known as Strep A , is a bacterial infection that is commonly found on the skin or in the throat. GAS infections often manifest as impetigo, cellulitis, and a slight sore throat (also known as "strep throat").

Concerns have been raised by the UK Health Security Agency as a result of a rise in lower respiratory Group A Strep infections in children in recent months, which have resulted in a number of fatalities and severe illness. It is crucial for schools to implement cleaning measures to stop the spread of Strep A and ensure the safety of students, teachers, and parents when they enter school facilities. These include:

Disinfecting Surfaces

It is not surprising that schools are great breeding grounds for colds, flu, and infections such as Strep A. Maintaining clean and hygienic classrooms is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illnesses within the school environment, so staff members must use all available means to achieve this aim.

Be sure that staff members take the time to clean and sanitise all work surfaces, including desks, laptops, and shared whiteboards, in between classes and at the end of the school day. By hiring a reputable professional cleaning company , you can also make sure these areas are cleaned frequently outside of school hours.

Hand Washing

The strep A infection can spread through close contact, confined spaces and shared contact with surfaces such as door plates, handles and taps. So it is essential that hand washing remains the most important step in preventing the spread of such infections.

Deep Cleaning

According to the Outbreak Control Team (OCT), deep cleaning is considered an additional control measure that should be taken by schools to reduce the spread of Step A.

Guidelines state that equipment should be cleaned regularly during the outbreak, followed by a "very thorough terminal" once the disease has ended. Throughout the day, it is advisable to routinely clean door knobs, tap handles, toilet flush handles and other touch points. Daily vacuuming of soft furniture and carpets is recommended.

This requires specific cleaning methods and for the best results, it is recommended you use a professional cleaning service. At Rapid Clean we have a wealth of experience in cleaning education facilities and understand that every education facility has differing needs. Within our school contracts, we encourage termly deep cleans .

Promote Healthy Practices

To keep children and employees safe, consider buying hand sanitiser bottles to put on desks or even investing in automated hand sanitiser stations that students can use as they enter the classroom. Encouraging students to use hand sanitiser on a regular basis in educational settings will promote general good hygiene, so it is well worth implementing.

To remind everyone of their responsibilities, it is also a good idea to display hand-washing and other health and safety posters around the school to promote good cleaning habits.

At Rapid Clean , we have a wealth of experience in cleaning education facilities and understand that every education facility has differing needs, so we aim to be as flexible as possible. Our team of qualified and professional cleaning operatives are carefully selected, and DBS-checked.

Cleaning Services for Colleges and Universities: Why Cleanliness Is Crucial For Your Campus

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 09:15:00 GMT

When searching for the ideal college or university, both students and parents take a number of aspects into account. Given that students will spend a significant portion of their lives in these facilities, one of the important considerations is how clean the facilities are.

A clean institution promotes a healthy learning environment for the students and teaches them to respect the property and the environment that they are in. It also gives parents peace of mind about student safety. In this day and age, cleaning in educational facilities is more challenging than ever. Here are some of the ways partnering with Rapid Clean can benefit your campus.

Reduced Health Risks

Given that the pandemic is still fresh in everyone's thoughts, knowing that your college or university is routinely and thoroughly cleaned by experienced cleaning services, will comfort students, parents, and staff, that you are doing everything possible to keep people safe. The most efficient strategy to stop the spread of viruses and bacteria is to keep all surfaces clean, including classrooms, lecture theatres, equipment, floors, sports facilities, canteens and toilets. Consistency is the key to keeping the facilities free of germs and stopping the spread of infections and viruses.

A Positive First Impression for Visitors

The initial impression a college or university makes on a potential student, parent, Ofsted inspector, or visitor, is critical. By hiring a reputable professional cleaning company, you can make sure that your first impression is positive, from neat classrooms and polished floors, to spotless dining halls and windows. It demonstrates that both private and public colleges and universities take pleasure in their appearance and are dedicated to giving everyone who uses it a safe and healthy environment.

A Better Learning Experience

The quality of learning is greatly influenced by our environment; studies have shown that educational facilities that are cleaner, do better than those that aren't. Students' performance within education will also be impacted by an unclean learning environment; a survey showed that 44% of students felt they would gain a better qualification if their surroundings were cleaner and more organised. Additionally, a tidy, organised, and clean learning environment, can help students focus on tasks much more easily than a chaotic one, which can cause students to get sidetracked.

Reduced Absences

It is only natural for teachers and staff to get ill when students do. Viruses can live on surfaces for up to 72 hours before spreading to everyone who touches them. High-traffic areas such as desks, doorknobs, computer keyboards, and other teaching materials, should be frequently sanitised. When the institution is maintained well, it leads to fewer absences, improved classroom interaction, and consequently a more fulfilling learning environment.

At Rapid Clean we have a we alth of experience in cleaning education facilities and understand that every education facility has differing needs, so we aim to be as flexible as possible. Our team of qualified and professional cleaning operatives are carefully selected, and DBS-checked.

Rapid's Employee of the Season Winners - December 2022

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 16:48:26 GMT

We love to celebrate people here at Rapid Clean. Announcing the winner of our Employee of the Season award is a highlight of every season but never more so than at Christmas time!

This season we had two amazing winners who were voted for by their colleagues. Holly works in our Finance Department and Julia works out in the field in our Operations Department. This is the fabulous feedback they received...

Holly Godwin - Finance Administrator

"Holly has really excelled in her role in finance, picking up responsibilities and just soaking up information and becoming more and more knowledgeable. Holly is always happy to help, no job is above or below her, she just gives her all and does so with a smile. Well done Holly, a great team member."

"She is always helpful, friendly, patient, working restlessly."

"Holly has carried out a few bits and pieces for me and the speed and info she has given has been impressive. She is incredibly easy to work with and I really like her attitude."

"Holly has taken on a lot more responsibilities in the finance team and is always asking for ways she can help! She supports her team in all ways she can and is blossoming in her role."

"She has really stepped up a gear recently and has taken on the running of the consumables working party with enthusiasm, even though I know it pushed her out of her comfort zone."

Julia Cachinhama - Contracts Manager

"She seems to really care about her staff and customers and always wants to do her best for them. She is very efficient, keeps everyone updated and is a lovely person to work with."

"Whenever I speak to Julia she is always polite and friendly, she seems to be working really hard to get her area using Ezitracker too which is excellent. Whenever I ask for something from her e.g. more paperwork for the onboarding process or DBS checks, it’s never too much trouble and she always responds quickly with all the answers required. They are just all round amazing!"

"Julia is a pleasure to work with. She responds quickly and has everything under control. Not only that, but she is a genuine person with lots of positive energy."

"Julia because she is extremely organised and always has a smile on her face!"

"She works really hard and smart! She is organised and she tries to build good relations with customers and represents Rapid very well."

Congratulations to both Holly and Julia. Keep up the good work :)

Celebrating 5 and 10 Year Work Anniversaries

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 16:30:00 GMT

We have a number of cleaners who have worked with us for a considerable length of time and we want to take this opportunity to celebrate their commitment and hard work.

Celebrating 10 Years with Rapid Clean

The following cleaner is celebrating his 10 year work anniversary with Rapid Clean...

Germain KOOM-DADZIE started working for us as a cover cleaner back in 2012. He has worked permanently at BJP Insurance Brokers in Wokingham, Berkshire, since 2021 and also helps to cover other sites when needed.

Celebrating 5 Years with Rapid Clean

The following cleaners have been working for us for the last 5 years...

Justyna PARUS has worked at Veyron Group in Weybridge, Surrey, for the full 5 years

Emilio NOVOA IZQUIERDO has worked at Surrey Docks Leisure Centre in Greater London, for the full 5 years

Suzanna VYE started working for us as a cover cleaner back in 2017 but has worked permanently at Linwood School in Bournemouth, Dorset, since September 2021

Emmanuel KWADWO-AGYEKUM started working for us as a cover cleaner in 2017 but has worked permanently at The Sash Window Workshop Ltd in Bracknell, Berkshire, since Jan 2020

Ana TAVARES has worked at eValue Ltd for the full 5 years. She now also works at Wilkins Ken Newbury and has been there since September 2020.

Helena APPIAH works at Coach House Dental Practice Ltd in Camberley, Surrey and St Augustines Catholic Primary School in Frimley, Surrey

Naomi LOVE works for us full-time at Carlisle Fluid Technologies Ltd in Bournemouth, Dorset

Romerito VIEIRA ETERNO DA SILVA has worked at Harleyford Golf Club for the full 5 years.

Thank you to these wonderful team members who have shown great loyalty and dedication to Rapid Clean. Congratulations on your work anniversaries!

Would you like to find out more about working for us ? Please click on the button below.

Our Chosen Christmas Charity 2022

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 16:27:09 GMT

At the end of every year we ask our head office staff to nominate a charity that they would like to support. As always, we were inundated with incredibly worthy causes, but below you will read about our chosen charity for Christmas 2022.

First Days is a charity very local to us in Wokingham, Berkshire. It all began back in 2013 when the CEO and Founder, Emma Cantrell, noticed a need and wanted to meet it. Put simply: 'there were people with stuff they didn't need and people who desperately needed it' .

There are currently 4.3 million children living in poverty in the UK (43,000 in Berkshire alone), a number that is sadly on the rise. First Days reduces the long term effect of poverty on children by equipping them with the essential items they need for their early years and at school.

How is First Days Supporting Families this Christmas?

C hristmas is a time when every parent wants to give their child a Christmas to remember. For many families, especially this year, this is just not their reality. First Days is helping families in the following ways:

Working alongside Wokingham Council and other local charities (Foodbank, Share Wokingham) to give identified families the opportunity to choose some gifts for their children and items for a food hamper;
Offering local residents a comfortable and inviting space to 'keep warm, have a hot drink and access other services whilst charging devices and even doing some washing of clothes '.

So far, First Days has supported over 600 children with presents, all chosen for them by their parents/carers. They believe that all parents deserve the dignity and choice of this experience, so they can make Christmas magical for their children.

Ongoing Support for Families

First Days works tirelessly all year round with the aim of relieving the stresses and strains that poverty brings to families. Their work is only likely to increase during the current cost of living crisis.

Throughout the rest of the year they 'offer peer support and one to one coaching to parents, whilst providing everyday essentials for children who need them. We distribute school uniforms, new baby essentials, beds and bedding, travel equipment, toiletries, safety items, furniture, toys and books and much more' .

Head to the First Days website if you'd like to find out more about what they do or make a donation .

As a local business, we are pleased to be supporting the work of this charity. We hope that it goes a small way towards helping ease the strain that local families are currently facing.

3 Key Focal Points For Cleaning Gyms

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 13:28:26 GMT

With the new year guaranteeing new customers, a clean and well-kept gym is more welcoming, encouraging people to work out more often. Studies have shown that gym member retention rates can increase by 20% when gyms implement and maintain a regular cleaning schedule.

Disinfecting surfaces and exercise equipment is likely the first thing that comes to mind when you think about gym cleaning. While this is unquestionably an essential component of cleaning, it is not the only aspect that needs consideration.Here are 3 focal points for gyms to prioritise:

1. Cleaning Showers

Have you ever seen the thick orange grime that coats the grouting and low-level areas in showers? Well simply said, that slime is merely the residue from body fat, and if not cleaned regularly this can cause Athlete’s foot. This fungal infection thrives in damp and warm environments. This is why it is incredibly important to ensure your facilities are clean and well-maintained before you start to lose out on potential and current customers.

So how can you handle this problem? Hire a professional cleaning service that uses the correct equipment and cleaning products guaranteed to clean all types of dirt. At Rapid Clean , we have a wealth of experience in cleaning health clubs, golf clubs, gyms, leisure centres, theatres and other recreational facilities to a high standard. One of our leisure clients commented:

“Since employing the services of Rapid, there has been a marked improvement in the standards of cleanliness and presentation of the building. There has been an increase in the number of customers who would recommend Balham Leisure Centre citing that the building is ‘clean and has a modern feel’. This is a testament to the cleaning team who work tirelessly to achieve these very high standards.”

- Balham Leisure Centre

2. Sauna and Steam Room

How often do you look for dirt and grime in your steam room and sauna? The ideal time to check is when the heat is off and the room is warm. Examine the areas under the seats, the ceiling, the walls at head height, and the spaces between the seat grooves. If you have never addressed these areas, you will immediately see the same thick slime that consists of bodily fat in showers. Before you lose customers, it is vital that you deal with this situation. This requires specific cleaning methods and for the best results, it is recommended you use a professional cleaning service .

3. Washrooms and Changing Areas

Since changing rooms are perhaps the most frequently used area in the gym, it is crucial that you hire a professional cleaning service to maintain these particular areas regularly rather than depending just on your staff.

Rapid Clean will take care of all your demands and create an effective cleaning schedule to get these areas cleaned without interfering with regular activities.

Congratulations to Our Rapid Superstars

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 17:22:15 GMT

Once again we invited our operations team to suggest people in their cleaning team who have gone above and beyond in their role this quarter. We had another great set of nominations for our Rapid Superstar award.

Superstar Runners Up

The following cleaning operatives were all nominated for this quarter's Superstar award. Each one has received a letter and a gift of appreciation...

Aimee FROUDE who cleans Wantage Primary Academy in Oxfordshire

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean said:

"Aimee's been fantastic - she has a can-do attitude, never complains, and always has a smile on her face. Aimee cleans the whole school and does a very good job - the school's feedback is always positive. She is an integrated part of the school family, both as a Cleaning Operative and as a school staff member, which is lovely to see."

Leah Basilone, Principal at Wantage Primary Academy, said:

"Aimee is a fantastic employee who goes above and beyond to ensure the school is clean. The cleaning of the school is to an impeccable standard because of Aimee's attention to detail."

Simona-Niculina ROSU who cleans Imber Court Sports Club in Surrey

Dariusz Lapiak from Rapid Clean, said:

"We have a lot of positive feedback from the client and she is always happy to help."

Debbie at Imber Court, said:

"We were delighted to read Simona has been nominated. She is an absolute asset to us here at Imber Court. The standard of her work is exemplary and her commitment to ensuring that she maintains the quality is unquestionable. Simona always has a smile, it is a pleasure to have her as part of our team here. She certainly gets our vote, we hope that she receives the recognition award because that is exactly who she is; a Super Star."

Elea-Nuti IONITA who cleans St Neots Preparatory School in Hampshire

Julia Cachinhama from Rapid Clean, said:

"Elena-Nuti has worked for us at St. Neots Preparatory School for several months. She is a very committed member of staff, is reliable and always promotes a high standard of cleaning. She has great relationships with other operatives and is always willing to help when needed with covering. There aren’t enough words to express how pleasant it is to have her in our team. Keep up the good work."

Harriet Cairns, Operations Manager at St Neots Preparatory School, said:

"Elena-Nuti is very polite and pleasant."

Foos BARRI who cleans Belmont Primary School in London

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean, said:

"Since Foos became the supervisor, things are going well at the school. She works hard to ensure the cleaning runs smoothly."

Molly LOVERIDGE who cleans Didcot Health Centre in Oxfordshire and other sites

Eva Babicova from Rapid Clean said:

"She is exceptional, getting on brilliantly with any sort of cleaning including deep cleans and covering where needed. She is very efficient, hardworking, reliable and absolutely great!"

Nilse WOLF who cleans Sand Martins Golf Club in Berkshire

Larainy Rosa from Rapid Clean said:

"Nilse has worked hard to improve the cleaning standards resulting in a happy client."

Rapid Superstar Winner!

And finally, we are pleased to announce not one but TWO winners this quarter!

Nubia ROSA TAVORA and Eduarda DOMINGOS BONFIM CANDIDA who clean schools in Buckinghamshire

Mirela Tudorache from Rapid Clean, said:

"Nubia and Eduarda work at three schools: Chestnut Lane School; Marlow C of E Infant School & St George's C of E Infant School. I've had very good feedback from the clients, especially Marlow School, saying that they did a very good job over the summer. They helped a lot, being flexible and managed to do a very good job in all three schools. Being on holiday, it meant a lot to me to know that I could count on them."

Sarah Jane McKevit, Bursar at Marlow C of E School, said:

"Both Nubia and Eduarda showed great flexibility when the refurbishment of the school was delayed and they needed to adapt to ensure the premises was clean before the start of term. They both showed resilience in bringing the standards back up after a short period in February when the school was cleaned by temporary staff."

Nubia and Eduarda are a great addition to the Rapid Clean team. It's always a privilege to reward people for their hard work. If you would like to find out more about working for us, click on the button below.

Combatting the UK Recruitment Crisis in the Cleaning Industry

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 14:32:20 GMT

The Covid-19 pandemic taught us many things, but the importance of cleaning was a major one. It will be a long time before any of us forget the 'hands-face-space' campaign of 2020/21! It seems ironic therefore that we are now experiencing a severe shortage of cleaning staff here in the UK.

UK at Risk of not Meeting Adequate Cleanliness Standards

The pandemic led to a sharp rise in requests for deep cleans, particularly in schools, as well as the daily cleaning of touch points. Rightly so, these demands have not gone away. However, with this current recruitment crisis , our country is at risk of not reaching the cleanliness standards required for fighting infection.

T here are many reasons for this staff shortage, the key ones being:

reduced migration post Brexit;
UK workforce has reduced by 245,000 post pandemic as people are not returning to work;
competing industries are offering more attractive pay and training opportunities.

Attracting the Best Cleaners

We receive daily calls from organisations that have historically employed cleaners in-house, unable to recruit effectively. As an established organisation, we are better-placed to find cleaners than an individual company looking to employ direct and we work hard to ensure that our cleaners are well looked after meaning that our retention rates are much higher than the industry average.

However, everyone in the cleaning industry is currently being impacted by this national shortage, so what are we doing at Rapid Clean to combat this problem? Primarily, we are working hard to attract the best cleaners. A few ways we are doing this include:

1. Generous Pay

The current cost of living crisis makes it vital that we remain competitive and pay our staff fairly for the role. In an ideal world we would match what other industries are offering in terms of a pay incentive but as with everything, there is a cap which is usually driven by how much our customers are prepared to pay. That said, where possible we do pay above average for this industry. Our aim is to meet the Living Wage amount and in certain areas, we go well beyond this.

2. Flexibility on Cleaning Times

A job will be more attractive to a cleaner if the times of clean are not fixed and being trusted with the keys to a site is even better! This widens our pool of potential cleaners to someone who may already work during the day but would like to supplement their income outside of regular hours.

3. Location Matters

The recruitment crisis in this industry means that we are sometimes having to turn away business. This is not a decision that we take lightly but we are acutely aware that putting our operations team under increasing pressure is unsustainable and ultimately will result in unhappy customers. It's therefore crucial that we consider where a site is, before providing a cleaning quote.

When visiting a potential new site, all three of these elements are considered before providing a quote e.g. if the site is in a rural location, the cleaner pay exceeds the living wage for that area, if we don't have keys to the site and are unable to be flexible on timings, we need to ensure there are good public transport links and the rate of pay is generous.

This could mean that our cleaning quotes to newer customers will seem higher than they are used to. Experience tells us that we will not be able to fulfill a contract unless two out of three goals are met.

If you're currently struggling to recruit cleaners and are looking for a fair quote from an organisation that knows what they are doing, please get in contact.

3 Reasons Why Professional Healthcare Cleaning in Hospitals is Important

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 14:57:06 GMT

Whether it’s a small doctor’s office or a surgical suite, cleanliness in hospitals is essential, as they are responsible for safeguarding the health of millions of people every day.

Protecting patients from potential bacteria is an integral part of making sure they stay safe. So here are 3 reasons professional healthcare cleaning in hospitals is essential:

1. Meeting Environmental Cleaning Standards

The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) requires healthcare facilities in the UK to follow specific cleaning standards. According to NHS Standards, hospitals must be visibly clean at all times; free from non-essential items and equipment, dust and dirt; and acceptable to patients, visitors and staff. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) also requires hospitals to have a written cleaning schedule, making it imperative for hospitals to hire professional cleaning services . Hospitals that don't comply risk fines and possibly closure. If patients or employees experience major health problems due to an unclean environment, facilities that don't prioritise compliance may be held legally accountable.

2. Maintaining a Professional Appearance

A hospital that is unclean and unhygienic is unlikely to be viewed positively, as patients will not want to return to an environment that isn’t professionally maintained. In addition to disinfecting the medical side of their offices, hospitals should thoroughly clean the public sections as well. Unclean seat cushions in the waiting area, overflowing bins, and obvious dirt or grime on the floors suggest that a hospital does not take its obligation to maintain a safe and healthy environment seriously.

Having cleaned over 60 sites in this sector, including Ashtead Hospital , Rapid Clean is committed to exceeding the health and safety standards required, creating a safe and clean environment for staff and patients.

“Some companies come in and make promises that I know they cannot deliver - I’ve been in this game for many years! We have no regrets whatsoever in moving our business across to Rapid Clean.”

Sonia, Ashtead Hospital’s Theatre Manager

3. Keeping Staff and Patients Safe

Hospitals are regularly exposed to dirt, germs, bacteria, viruses, etc so it is not only important that staff feel safe but the millions of vulnerable patients that seek treatment in hospitals. A clean and sanitary environment is vital in reducing the spread of illnesses, infections and most importantly saving the lives of patients.

It is important to note due to the high costs of medical malpractice claims, doctors, nurses and other hospital staff are unlikely to continue working with a hospital that does not meet environmental cleaning standards and regulations.

Rapid Clean has been exceeding NHS standards and providing a contract cleaning service to the healthcare and medical sector, for more than twenty years. Trusted to provide a thorough, reliable cleaning service to hospitals in the south of England, we recognise the need for extreme vigilance with regard to health and safety.

Rapid's Employee of the Season Winner - October 2022

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 11:07:58 GMT

If you aren't already aware, we love to celebrate people here at Rapid Clean. Our Employee of the Season award was introduced about 5 years ago now, and it has been an ongoing highlight of every season.

All head office employees are invited to vote for the person who they think deserves to be crowned the winner; someone who has gone above and beyond in their role. There was a very clear winner this season, with seven votes in total!

Positive Feedback from Colleagues:

"Sophie has always been lovely to me"

"I think Sophie has been a good addition to Rapid. She is the type of person who listens to any query you put across and acts straight away without any hesitation"

"She is amazing and really helpful. She works very hard every day and makes sure the payroll is completed on time. Also, she has an amazing personality, and we can all hear her laughing every day around the office!"

"This person is very good at explaining to staff and helping them to understand"

"Very hardworking and committed. She has made a real impact since she started"

"She has picked up her new role so well! It feels like she has been working with us forever"

"She has really hit the ground running in the payroll manager role. She is so knowledgeable and so good at what she does, as well as being a super friendly person to everyone at Rapid. Sophie is a great asset to the finance team"

Sophie is Rapid's Payroll Manager, joining the finance department back in May 2022. As you can see, she has hit the ground running and is a highly regarded member of the team. Well done, Sophie!

How to Participate in Thank Your Cleaner Day™ 2022

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 10:08:31 GMT

Cleaners are an essential part of every workplace, something we were all acutely aware of during the recent pandemic. Despite this, their work often goes by unnoticed. Sadly this seems especially true if they are doing a good job.

When Was the Last Time You Thanked Your Cleaner ?

Our current team consists of 950 cleaners who work tirelessly, sometimes during the night, to ensure that your offices, schools, medical centres and leisure facilities, are ready to go the next working day.

Thank Your Cleaner Day™ was first introduced in New Zealand, back in 2015, by the local trade organization for Building Services Contractors (BSCNZ) in cooperation with Kärcher. This year, the UK is one of 46 countries participating.

We All Like to Feel Valued and Appreciated .

At Rapid Clean we will be thanking each of our cleaners personally. If you're a customer of ours, we would also like to encourage you to participate in this opportunity. Why not let your cleaners know that you recognise and value their work, and you are aware of their vital contribution to your business?

We've come up with some ideas on how you might be able to do that. Most of these will work even if your cleaner comes to your premises outside of working hours:

Write each cleaner a personal card or a letter of thanks, signed by the staff
Encourage each of your staff to personally say a word of thanks to the cleaner, using their name (sounds simple but it often doesn't happen)
Consider giving your cleaner a gift voucher for a local shop, restaurant or attraction
Feature your cleaning team on your company's social media using #ThankYourCleanerDay
Leave out some of their favourite snacks as a 'thank you' (you might need to use detective skills to find out what they are first!)
Create a 'wall of appreciation' in the cleaning cupboard - use sticky notes and ask your staff to write something encouraging

Whether you’re putting together a major gift basket or writing a simple Thank You card, a little bit of recognition goes a long way. If you do decide to participate in the day, don't forget to tag us on social media ( LinkedIn , Twitter ) and/or send us an email with a photograph to info@rapidclean.co.uk.

5 Tips to Keep your Workplace Clean During Flu Season

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 09:45:00 GMT

The colder months are approaching, which means anything from the common cold or the flu, to Covid, could come your way. Don’t worry, we’ve got 5 tips to prevent them in your workplace.

TIP 1: Clean Touch Points Frequently

It goes without saying that regularly sanitising those frequently-touched areas of your office will prevent the spread of infections and viruses. However, this doesn’t just apply to those of communal use.

When it comes to preventing the spread of illness, it’s important to consider every surface on which bacteria can be spread. Everything from door handles and bannisters, to keyboards and computer mice, need to be regularly cleaned. A nasty bug can come from anywhere; it’s better to be safe than sorry.

TIP 2: Keep Your Personal Workstation Tidy

It’s commonly understood that a messy space is rarely clean. Therefore, by removing clutter and keeping the space clear of anything that could sit gathering dust or bacteria, will ensure that your workplace actually remains clean.

It’s worth noting that this doesn’t just prevent the spread of illness, but also minimises the chance of accidents in your workplace. By removing all clutter and potential hazards, you’ll make sure the space is safer & more sanitary.

TIP 3: Provide Additional Sanitisation Stations

Ensuring that essentials such as tissues and hand sanitiser are easily accessible to all employees, will help prevent the spread of bugs and viruses.

Not only that, but these stations will also do well to encourage good sanitisation habits for your employees. People never stop learning by example, so if you choose to implement this practice then be sure to use the stations yourself and your colleagues will follow your lead.

TIP 4: Maintain the Tidiness of Communal Areas

Keeping the breakout spaces and kitchen areas in your office clean and tidy by all who use them, will prevent mess and the build up of nasty bacteria.

This doesn’t mean you have to ask your colleagues to roll up their sleeves and clean under sofa cushions, but it’s worth politely reminding them to wash up a dish if they use one, as well as wiping any crumbs off the table when they’re finished. It’s not just about sanitisation, but overall courtesy.

TIP 5: Invest in Professional Cleaning

This final point is perhaps the most important, as it takes care of most of your workplace sanitisation for you. By hiring professionals to come in and give your workplace a thorough clean, you can be confident in knowing that it’s been done to a high standard.

Rapid Clean delivers a service performed by highly trained operatives, who can clean your workplace to an excellent standard. Cleaning over 140 commercial offices currently, we have extensive experience in offering a flexible approach and a thorough process.

National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness - November '22 Deadline

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 09:34:36 GMT

Meeting the New NHS Cleaning Standards for the Medical Sector

Any business operating in the medical sector will be acutely aware that NHS England’s National Standards of Healthcare Cleanline ss have been updated and that the November 2022 deadline for compliance, is almost here. To save you time, we have identified the key requirements outlined in this document.

Five key requirements for meeting the NHS standards of cleanliness:

A fully compliant cleaning specification
A commitment to cleanliness charter
A responsibility framework
A range of three different types of audits
Star rating certificates on public display

Supporting documents you will need to meet these requirements, can be found here .

How can Rapid Clean help you meet the new NHS cleaning standards?

We have been assisting the medical sector in meeting CQC standards for 21 years; it looks likely that the NHS cleanliness standards will form part of the CQC inspections going forward.

Although we can’t promise to step in and take all of this responsibility away from you (the government guidelines state that medical practices need to be responsible for their own audits, drafting in someone externally where necessary), we can make your life easier in certain areas:

1. Auditing - providing evidence of regular audits can feel overwhelming if this is not something you are used to. The new standards require 3 different audits (technical, efficacy, external). Whilst the guidelines state that each site is responsible for their own audits, we are in the process of updating our auditing system for the medical sector and this will go some way in assisting you. As part of our usual service, we also carry out periodic spot checks which are undertaken by our Health and Safety and Compliance Manager, as part of monitoring, measurement, analysis and the demonstration of continual improvement in accordance with ISO9001, CHAS and ISO14001.

2. Detailed Cleaning Schedule – the ‘commitment to cleanliness charter’ requires specific tasks to be carried out routinely and evidenced. Our Rapid daily cleaning schedule will help with this and can be adjusted to meet the requirements. We have thoroughly researched what is being required and have adjusted our cleaning schedules accordingly, to include the FR category.

3. Medical Sector Expertise – we understand the necessity for cleaning operatives to be diligent in practices and for the correct procedures such as cross contamination, hazardous waste disposal etc, to be evidenced, and followed at all times.

We are committed to assisting our customers in meeting the requirements of the cleanliness charter and responsibility framework. As your cleaning provider we can help you create a fully compliant cleaning specification. This will support regulatory audits (you will need to implement compliant audits yourselves as specified in the guidelines), as well as your achievement of the star ratings set out by the NHS Healthcare and Cleanliness Standard.

We fully understand the requirements placed upon our customers in the medical and social healthcare sector to comply with the NHS Healthcare and Cleanliness Standard, as well as the CQC regulations. If you would like to discuss how Rapid Clean could assist you in becoming fully compliant, please complete the form below.

Celebrating Work Anniversaries with Rapid Clean

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 10:27:13 GMT

This year in particular, it has been difficult to find good, reliable cleaners. There are many reasons for this, but it confirms just how important it is to celebrate our cleaning team, ensuring that commitment and hard work doesn't go by unnoticed.

Celebrating 5 Years with Rapid Clean

The following cleaners are celebrating their 5 year work anniversary with Rapid Clean...

Justinian VISAN who has worked at SLE Ltd in Croydon, since he started working for us in July 2017. This is what his manager had to say: "Thank you for your hard work and dedication to your role at SLE unit 5, over the last five years."

Margaret PHIRI who has been a Rapid Clean for 5 years but has worked on site at Brayley Honda in St Albans for almost 10 years! Margaret won Rapid Superstar back in 2019 .

Alex KAGWA who currently works at Berkshire Maestros in Reading. This is what his manager had to say: "During the last 5 years, Alex has been a great assett to the company as he has worked and covered a number of sites during that period. I would like to appreciate his dedication and hard work."

Judith AGBABIAKA who has worked at Fulham Primary School, since joining us in July 2017.

Sharon HALL who works at Queens Manor Primary School in London, and has been there since we won the contract in July 2017.

Dina MENSAH who has worked at Sulivan Primary School in Fulham, for 5 years.

Douglas TRINDADE ACCORSI who works at Burdwood Surgery in Thatcham, and has been there since July 2017.

Anna BLASZCZYK who has worked at Huntsman Ltd in Cambridge, for the last 5 years.

Sory CISSE, Mariette KOUYATE, Joy OMO and Oluwaseum ODUNSI who have all worked at Dulwich Leisure Centre (Everyone Active) in London since August 2018, when we won the contract.

Guillermo Efrain LEMA MOPOSITA who has worked at The Castle Centre (Everyone Active) in London, for the last five years.

Rosemarie ORMSBY who has worked at Queen's Manor Primary School in London, since August 2017 when we took over the contract.

Esther AFAAGO who works at St Stephen's C of E Primary School in London, and has been there since we won the contract in September 2017.

Amadou KEITA who has worked at Spelthorne Leisure Centre (Everyone Active) in Staines, for the last 5 years.

Maryan ROBLE, Sirad Ali OMAR, Sharif Hoodo HUSSEIN and Sahro Abukar AHMED who have been part of the Bristol Grammar School team since joining us in September 2017.

Olusola OLARINDE and Wahabi ALABI who have worked at Peckham Leisure Centre (Everyone Active) since we won the contract in September 2017.

Dorcas JACKSON who has worked at Cherry Orchard Primary School in London for the last 5 years.

Biljana MARINKOVA who works at The Berkshire Golf Club in Ascot and Henry Street Garden in Arborfield, where she has been working for 5 years.

Christine Ann CHESTER who has worked at Deublin Ltd and Gestra UK in Andover, since joining us in September 2017.

Mutiat JAYEOLA, Marta KNAVINA, and Olayinka OBADIMU who have all been working at Camberwell Leisure for the last 5 years.

Amanda Jane WIGGINS who has worked at Mill Lane Community School in Chinnor, Oxfordshire, since joining us back in September 2017.

Zuzana ZIMAN who has worked at Gems Didcot Primary School in Oxfordshire for the last 5 years.

The majority of these cleaners have worked at the same site for the whole of their five year working history with us, which is something worth celebrating! Every person mentioned here has received a congratulatory letter with a certificate, and small gift.

Celebrating 15 Years with Rapid Clean

We are pleased to announce that Bernice Anim, our Contracts Manager in the Berkshire area, celebrated her 15 year anniversary this month - a milestone that definitely deserves a mention! Bernice is an incredibly hard working person, who takes her job very seriously. She has built up an amazing cleaning team over the years and is ultra reliable. This is what Jeff Whitton, our Managing Director had to say about her:

"15 years of reliable, consistent and dedicated service to our customers and employees. Everyone who knows her will agree - Bernice is one of the kindest people you could wish to know."

Would you like to find out more about working for us ? Please complete the form below and we will get back to you.

Rathfern Primary School, Lewisham - School Cleaning Case Study

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 11:02:55 GMT

Rathfern School in Lewisham , is a large primary school catering for around 600 pupils. Rapid has been providing a cleaning service to the school since 2018. We spoke to Eugene, the Business Premises Manager, to get some feedback on Rapid's cleaning service...

Experience in the Education Sector

Rathfern had been unhappy with their existing cleaning company for some time - a combination of dealing with daily complaints from teachers about the standards, absence of staff without warning, and struggling to communicate with head office. Having realised that this was not going to change, Eugene, the school’s Premises Officer, invited 5 companies to provide a cleaning quote for the service.

It’s fair to say that cleaning companies will often submit quotes that on paper look similar, but Rathfern was looking for an improvement in the standards as well as communication. When asked what made them choose Rapid over the other companies, Eugene said:

“Rapid was the company that most impressed us. You had experience of cleaning schools which was important to us and the Operations Manager, Paul Twinley, came across as personable and wanting to help.”

Eugene says himself that the building is difficult to clean. The summer deep clean is a crucial time to ensure that the cleaning is thorough, to make it easier for the team to maintain the standard going forward. We spoke to Eugene just after the recent deep clean:

“Ingrid (Rapid’s Contracts Manager) was overseeing the team to ensure it went well. With our old company, I used to have to organise the cleaners on site myself. The cleaning team included additional areas in the deep clean and it was all spotless.”

In our experience, a successful school contract relies on a hands-on Contracts Manager, looking after a dedicated team of on-site cleaners. It’s always great to hear feedback like this:

“The supervisor on site, Charles, is very good. He goes and does anything we ask straight away. He seems motivated and has a good attitude to work.”

Communication is Key

Having a motivated team of cleaners is something we strive hard to achieve. It not only makes for a happier team but it improves the standard of work, resulting in satisfied customers. As our conversation drew to a close, we asked Eugene to share what makes Rapid different from the previous company he was using:

“Communication. I can contact Paul or Ingrid at any time if the on-site supervisor isn’t available. They always phone me back and I have peace of mind that the back up is there if a problem ever arises. Even when things don’t quite go to plan, people listen and put it right. I have no issues with Rapid at all; we are getting what we pay for.”

Rathfern is just one out of the 150 schools that we currently service. If you would like to find out more about our education cleaning service and how we might be able to improve your cleaning standards, please make an enquiry.

Keep Your School Clean with Rapid Commercial Cleaning Services: 4 Key Benefits of a Clean School

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Mon, 05 Sep 2022 11:15:48 GMT

With summer coming to an end, students and teachers everywhere are gearing up for the upcoming academic year. It’s a time of reflections and new beginnings for many, so it’s worth considering whether your school environment is being maintained to the highest of standards.

Here are 4 ways in which Rapid Clean would benefit your school:

1. You Won't Find a School Cleaning Service More Flexible

What we’ve learned from 20+ years of cleaning the education sector is that, much like its students, each school has a different set of needs. This is why we aim to be as flexible as possible, catering to a variety of schedules and academic calendars in order to make sure your school’s requirements are met to the highest of standards.

We’ve found this approach to be particularly beneficial throughout the pandemic, as every school in the country had a large question mark looming over their reopening schedule. This reinforced why Rapid Clean provides a range of different contracts, such as 39-week term-time only contracts, term-time plus deep cleans or full 52-week contracts.

2. Maintain Good Health, Hygiene & Safety Standards with Rapid School Cleaning

Schools are notorious for the spread of viruses and infections, from the common cold to the stomach bug–you name it, they’ve had it. This is why maintaining the hygiene standards in your school environment is so important, encouraging the health and wellbeing of both students and staff.

Not only do we perform highly thorough school cleans , but we ensure that safeguarding standards are adhered to by obtaining an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) where necessary. We understand the timescales involved in this process due to our extensive experience in the education sector and plan appropriately in order to fit your school’s schedule. On occasion we apply a 'buddying system' (someone with a DBS works alongside the person without) whilst we wait for the return of documents so as not to hold up the start date.

3. Rapid Clean has a Wealth of Experience in School Cleaning

With the education sector making up around one third of our entire client base, we’re no stranger to providing exceptional cleaning services to schools and colleges. Our knowledge and experience of the sector is what makes us stand out, as we pride ourselves on working hard with your institution in order to deliver a top-tier service.

We value school cleaning so highly that we even recently appointed one of our contract managers , Anna Dabal, as our Education Specialist, utilising her experience in the sector to oversee all school cleaning. In doing so, we’ve put an extra measure in place to make sure Rapid Clean’s school cleaning services meet the highest of standards.

4. Rapid Clean Values Continual Improvement

Like any school, we value growth and self-development as a philosophy. This is why we work closely with all clients and encourage regular feedback , ensuring that we continue to deliver a great service and are meeting your institution’s specific needs.

We also encourage our committed cleaning operatives to continuously develop. By making them feel valued, providing regular feedback & training and holding our Rapid Superstar Awards each quarter, we regularly reward their ongoing hard work. In doing so, we continue to grow and improve as the years go on; providing exceptional cleaning services for each and every school we work with.

At Rapid Clean , we’re proud to say that the education sector makes up over 30% of our customer base. This is due to the fact that our highly-trained staff are not only thorough, but incredibly flexible to the academic calendar.

Find out more and request your no-obligation quote now.

3 Reasons Why Commercial Cleaning for Your Office is an Investment, Not an Expense

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 08:00:18 GMT

With expenses rising, every business is considering how to spend carefully. Here’s why your cleaning budget isn’t the right place to cut corners.

When it comes to cleaning your office space, you may not give it a lot of thought. This is completely understandable when you have a business to run. Investing in commercial cleaning may not be on your radar – it’s an added expense, and, if your employees generally tidy up after themselves, it probably appears relatively clean and tidy already.

It may not seem like it, but improper cleaning has been proven to have a negative impact on businesses. Here are three reasons why you should invest in commercial cleaning for your office:

1. Improving Company Reputation and Client Satisfaction

Consider how important first impressions are when you have a visit from a potential client. They start asking internal questions from the moment that they walk through the door: What can you do to benefit them? How well will you do it? How much are they willing to pay for you to do it?

The way in which your office comes across is incredibly important. Having it professionally cleaned shows that you’re willing to invest in your business, so why shouldn’t they? It also shows that you care, and that you’re willing to do things to a high standard. By investing in the condition of your office space, you’ll definitely reap the benefits.

2. Improving Staff Wellbeing and Motivation

Unfortunately, staff get ill. It’s an unavoidable fact of life. However, the amount of times this occurs can be impacted by their working conditions.

The pandemic has reminded us how quickly germs can spread, and that regularly cleaning all surfaces isn’t something to be taken lightly. It’s important to ask yourself: if I don’t invest in commercial cleaners , how can I trust that the space remains sanitary? Especially considering how many surfaces employees come into contact with each day: keyboards, desks, door handles, light switches–the list goes on. Ultimately, making the decision to invest in properly cleaning your office is your first line of defence when it comes to preventing the spread of illnesses.

Furthermore, maintaining a well-cleaned office space is proven to boost productivity in employees and to help maintain motivation. This would be hindered by asking them to empty waste paper bins and wipe down their desks. With this in mind, investing in commercial cleaning services will help keep those in the office happier.

3. Protecting Your Assets

Everything in your office was once bought, and will cost money to eventually replace: equipment, fittings, furniture, carpets and the curtains unfortunately won’t last forever. Making sure they’re regularly cleaned is the best way to make them last.

By investing in professional cleaning , you’ll prevent embedded dirt from building up inside fabrics and do more to protect them from wear and tear. Commercial cleaning is a great way to prolong the lives of many physical assets in your office which, in turn, will make your money go further long-term.

There you have our three biggest reasons why you should consider commercial cleaning as an investment, and not an expense. To find out more on what we can do to help your business, visit our website now.

Rapid Clean has been delivering exceptional cleaning services to a range of sectors for 23 years. Our cleaning operatives are trained to the highest of standards, leaving your workspace in safe hands.

Find out more and request your no-obligation quote now.

Announcing Our Latest Rapid Superstar

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 15:54:48 GMT

We were pleased to see a bumper lot of nominations for this quarter's Rapid Superstar Award - brace yourself for an epic read! To follow are all the cleaners who were nominated by their Rapid Clean Manager, then those who have qualified as Runners Up (along with comments from the customer).

Superstar Nominees

Susan CRAWFORD who cleans Uplands Independent Hospital in Portsmouth

James Saunders from Rapid Clean said:

"Since the very start, Susan has had nothing but praise from the client...she works in a difficult environment, but has become an integral part of the team. She has built up relationships with the residents and Caretech staff, resulting in the smooth running of the contract and consistently great audits.
Sue has also helped train the weekend cleaner, outside of her usual hours, to ensure the service delivered on Saturdays and Sundays is as excellent as during the week. Her quality of work, excellent attitude and dedication to the highest standard of service means that she really is a Rapid Superstar."

Shukri Aways AHMED who cleans Hargreaves Landsdown in Bristol

Peter Soares from Rapid Clean said:

"Shukri is reliable, responsive, really helpful and very friendly too! She’s been working for Rapid for many years and she’s a great asset to our team."

Carla IQBAL who cleans Crawley Green Infant School in Luton

Melania Balza from Rapid Clean said:

"Carla has a fantastic attendance record and she is always willing to step in to help cover. She does her best to maintain high cleaning standards."

Danielle TATUM and Dawn PARRISH who clean The Pump House Surgery in Colchester

Piotr Szulc from Rapid Clean said:

"They never let me down and it's a pleasure to have them as part of the Rapid team. Their cleaning standards are high and if there are any issues they are rectified straight away."

Charlotte TRENTER who cleans William Harding School in Aylesbury

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean said:

"Charlotte has been so helpful despite the recent challenges with regard to staff shortages"

Superstar Runners Up

Trilochan LIMBU who cleans St Neot's Prep School Nursery in Eversley

Julia Cachinhama from Rapid Clean said:

"Mr. Limbu has worked for us at St. Neots Preparatory School Nursery for several months. He is a very committed member of staff, reliable and always promotes a high standard of cleaning. He has great relationships with other operatives and is always willing to help when needed with covering.
There aren’t enough words to express how pleasant it is to have him in our team. Keep up the good work ��"

Harriet Cairns, Operations Manager at St Neot's Preparatory School & Nursery, said:

"Trilochan is a very friendly and engaging individual. The areas he works are the areas I very rarely (if ever) get a complaint about...so he is held in high regard."

Kirsty NEIGHBOUR and Linda KING who cleans Horley Infant School in Horley

Ingrid Antonio from Rapid Clean said:

"Kirsty and Linda work in an area where it can be difficult to recruit and there have been some occasions where we have struggled with staff at the school. They always step in and go out of her way to help cover without me having to ask - they are both superstars!"

Jason Walters, Head Teacher at Horley Infant School, said:

"Both Lynne and Kirsty have worked incredibly hard over the past year with some incredibly challenging circumstances. They have often absorbed the responsibilities of other cleaners due to challenges within recruitment and retention and are always here with a smile, ready to take on the challenges of cleaning our school. They are flexible and accommodating when we have school events and are always there to respond to incidents when needed. We are grateful for their hard work and dedication during this challenging time."

Rhonda Joy WARD and Sharon Christina LOADER who clean Aeronautical & General Instruments Ltd in Poole

Craig Love from Rapid Clean said:

"I thoroughly enjoy visiting the staff at the contract, they are very bubbly and always happy in addition to providing an extremely high standard of cleaning. They have never let me down and are both extremely reliable. They are so well liked at AGI having cleaned there for a number of years they get invited to company functions, fun days etc. Keep up the good work."

Bradley Smith, Facilities Officer at Aeronautical & General Instruments Ltd, said:

"I am very pleased to hear that both lovely ladies are up for nomination. I am lucky enough to see them every morning and they always have a smile on their face. They are both extremely helpful and they have never questioned me when asked to do that little bit extra when needed. I am extremely grateful for the hard work they do for us but unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to say that one is better than the other because they are such a good team together. I know if I had it my way, they would both get a superstar reward."

Max HERBERT who cleans Hagbourne C of E School & Civic Centre Didcot Town Council

Eva Babicova from Rapid Clean said:

"He has gone beyond and about doing his job and covering for his colleague, putting lots of hours and showing great commitment to this job."

Katie Gilbert at Hagbourne School, said:

"Max is a valued member of our cleaning team here at Hagbourne School and we are more than thrilled to hear that he has been nominated for this award. Max goes above and beyond his duties at the school and will work longer hours to ensure everything is perfect and to a good cleaning standard."

Ivor TRUMAN at St John the Evangelist School in Oxfordshire

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean said:

"I would like to nominate Ivor for his amazing performance and reliability. His work ethic is great and the site audit results are always very good. He is a fantastic team player and a very entertaining person. Well done Ivor!"

John Andrews, School Business Manager/ICT Administrator at St John the Evangelist School, said:

"Ivor is reliable, is always on time and always completes his tasks and goes beyond what is expected. His cleaning is top class and nothing is too much effort, he is a valuable member of staff - very personable, he is a team player and will help others without question and he has a great sense of humour and an outstanding attitude to work. All the cleaning staff and school staff appreciate the work Ivor does on a daily basis."

Rapid Superstar Winner!

And finally, we are pleased to announce our winner...

Christopher KRATY who cleans our Head Office in Wokingham

Bernice Anim from Rapid Clean said:

"Since I have worked with Christopher he has never let me down. His cleaning standards are great, he is polite and a lovely person."

Emily Hunter, HR Manager at Rapid Clean said:

"Since Chris has been working at our office, everyone has found him to be really friendly and easy to get on with. He works so efficiently and to a high standard. He really cares about his work and it's a pleasure to have him."

Left to Right: Karen Henry-Arthur (Rapid Clean), Christopher Kraty, Bernice Anim (Rapid Clean), Emily Hunter (Rapid Clean)

Chris started working for us here at head office, when his previous role as cleaner at Global Knowledge in Wokingham, ended. This was due to a closure of their Wokingham site. We were very keen to ensure that Chris' dedication and excellent cleaning skills, were used elsewhere. We certainly got lucky and hope to keep him here for as long as possible!

Lightning Fire Safety Systems - Office Cleaning Case Study

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 15:27:56 GMT

Lightning Fire Safety Systems is based in Waterlooville, Hampshire. As an organisation, they aim to protect property and save lives by keeping businesses safe, compliant and able to trade.

Back in September 2021, Mark, our Business Development Manager in the Hampshire area, noticed that a new business was moving to Waterlooville and would likely need a cleaning service. Historically, Lightning Safety Systems had rented properties, so moving into their own building and outsourcing facilities, was a new experience for them. Mark had called at just the right time!

Team Work is Key

The office opening party was due to take place that week. Once the contracts had been signed, Mark, along with James, the Rapid CM in Waterlooville, assisted the cleaner in getting the building pristine and ready to welcome guests.

One of the benefits of having a Contracts Manager who lives locally, is that where necessary, we can get things up and running quickly and efficiently. We asked Aaron, the Operations Director at Lightning Safety Systems, for some feedback about James:

“Our Contracts Manager, James, has been very supportive throughout. He regularly conducts audits and keeps me in the loop by sending me his reports and exchanging emails, or when on site he will pop his head in to say hello.”

We mustn’t forget the cleaner, who came on board back in October 2021 and has been cleaning diligently ever since...

“Joy is brilliant and has always been very friendly and respectful if we see her; most of the time we don’t as she comes in when we are not around as to not disturb us. Her attention to detail is good and the office is always cleaned well.”

Almost One Year into the Contract

It’s always satisfying when we start a new contract, and the feedback is so positive. We hope for a long and happy working relationship with the team at Lightning Safety Systems.

“The level of service we receive is exactly what we were promised, which is always what you hope for. Thanks again to the Rapid team for a top job.” Aaron, Operations Director

Please read more about our office cleaning service and if you would like to find out how Rapid could help your organisation then complete the form below or call us.

Employee of the Season July 2022

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 08:00:00 GMT

Every quarter we ask our head office team to nominate one of their colleagues who has gone above and beyond in their role. The person who gets the most votes, receives the auspicious title of Employee of the Season!

Announcing our Latest Employee of the Season

This is a great opportunity to recognise the importance of team work and the difference that we can make for our colleagues. Our winner this season, received a total of 4 votes:

This person has really shown development in her role. She has become more confident, is always so professional, and I know her helpfulness towards the operations team is much appreciated
Calm, friendly and always on it straight away
I always notice her working hard and being straight on it. She is also very lovely and kind ��
She has a good attitude, is open to direction, and her direct nature gets her what she wants every time! She has blossomed in her current role, and I have every confidence that she will go from strength to strength.

And the Winner is...

We are delighted to announce that this season's winner is Amy Quinnell, our Business Administration Apprentice. Amy joined the Rapid team at the beginning of 2021 and has gone from strength to strength in her role. Day-to-day she supports our operations team with any administration requirements and often liaises with suppliers and customers too.

Amy is almost at the end of her apprenticeship and is already a hugely valued member of the admin team. Keep up the fabulous work, Amy!

Goodbye Social Distancing: How to Keep Your Medical / Healthcare Centre Clean

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 15:15:57 GMT

Earlier this year, NHS facilities said goodbye to social distancing measures, returning to pre-pandemic physical distancing in all areas.

But while hospital settings are saying goodbye to social distancing, rigorous cleaning is here to stay. NHS England bosses stated that the NHS must adapt to operating with Covid-19 in "general circulation and with the virus likely to remain endemic for some time to come".

With a wealth of experience cleaning over 60 hospitals and medical centres , at Rapid Clean, we are experienced in providing a fully managed service that meets CQC health and safety standards. Having helped a wide range of medical facilities adapt to the demanding cleaning requirements during Covid 19, we are now helping sites tackle changing advice as we move out of the pandemic.

Here are some of our proven processes to keep medical and healthcare facilities clean:

1. Limit Cross-Contamination Between Areas

Tackling the cleaner areas first decreases the likelihood of spreading pathogens from the dirty areas to the cleaner ones. For each area, we supply disposable mop heads and different coloured clothes to further prevent cross-contamination. This makes our process more effective and safer.

2. Don’t Forget to Clean Less Frequently Visited Areas

Even areas that don’t get used frequently can become dirty and result in a breeding ground for organisms. If not cleaned regularly, these can spread to other areas. Leaving no corner untouched, our experienced cleaning team is efficient at cleaning every area to the highest standard.

3. Select the Right Disinfectant

All of the disinfectants we use have been assessed for their effectiveness, safety, and environmental impact. We use high-quality cleaning products along with a Triple 8 Dosing system (a chemical that comes in a highly concentrated format with an easy dosing system so we can dilute chemicals on site). This allows us to reduce our use of single-use plastics whilst opting for the best cleaning products for your facilities.

From hospitals and doctors' surgeries , to veterinary practices and dental facilities , we are trusted to carry out an exceptional service to a wide range of medical sites. Let our experienced cleaning operatives take care of your cleaning regime with a fully managed service that will ensure your premises are cleaned to the highest standard.

Find out more and request a no-obligation quote .

Ashtead Hospital, Surrey - Private Hospital Cleaning Case Study

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 15:05:37 GMT

Ashtead Hospital is one of Surrey’s leading private hospitals and demands a high level of professional cleaning on a daily basis. Back in December 2021, the hospital’s existing cleaning company was providing a very poor service, which was having a negative impact on their cleaning audits.

Specialist Medical Sector Cleaning

Following an internet search for reputable cleaning companies in the medical sector, Ashtead Hospital invited Rapid Clean (along with 3 other companies) to quote for the cleaning of their theatres, recovery rooms, Endoscopy Suite, changing rooms, toilets/shower rooms, corridors, restrooms and offices.

Jessica, Rapid’s Sales Manager, did an outstanding job of convincing the team at Ashtead Hospital, that Rapid had the right level of experience and could deliver what was being promised. Sonia, Ashtead's Theatre Manager, was very impressed:

“Some companies come in and make promises that I know they cannot deliver - I’ve been in this game for many years! Rapid spoke my language, and I therefore discounted the other companies.”

Nick, the Hotel Service Manager, didn’t need persuading either:

“Jessica was professional and honest. Rapid felt credible and after speaking to some other Rapid customers, we were convinced.”

Motivated and Driven to Deliver High Standards

In the medical sector, it is essential that the cleaning is consistent and reliable. In our experience, good management of the cleaners is at the heart of a successful contract. Ingrid is Rapid’s Contracts Manager looking after Ashtead Hospital; both Sonia and Nick noticed an immediate improvement in the standards:

“Ingrid is clearly motivated and driven to achieve high standards. She managed to turn around a cleaner who was previously very poor and is now doing a great job! She gets stuff done and is a great asset to Rapid Clean.”

Since starting the contract in March 2022, the team has instructed Rapid to do various other deep clean work across the hospital and Nick has been “100% pleased with the results”.

We pride ourselves on having the depth of knowledge required to provide an excellent cleaning service to the medical sector . Our senior management team visits Ashtead Hospital once per quarter, to ensure that everything is running smoothly, which is all part of the service we committed to.

It’s so encouraging to get positive feedback from a happy customer - you can’t get much better than this:

“We have no regrets whatsoever in moving our business across to Rapid Clean.” Nick

“My gut instinct told me to go with Rapid and we are delighted!” Sonia

If you are interested in finding out more about our hospital cleaning service , please get in touch.

Celebrating Five Years with Rapid Clean!

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 15:16:26 GMT

You may have noticed that celebrating our work force is a top priority at Rapid Clean. There is a simple reason for this - without our amazing cleaners, we would not have a business at all!

Happy 5th Work Anniversary

Some members of our hard working team have recently celebrated their 5 year work anniversary. We wanted to make sure that this didn't go by unnoticed. Our HR team has been busy behind the scenes, sending out congratulatory letters with a certificate and small gift, to the following people:

Sarah OPPONG who has worked at Beaufort Community Primary School in Woking, Surrey, ever since we took over the contract in 2017. This is what her manager had to say: "Thank you so much for all your dedication and never miss that good mood. Keep smiling :)"

Sania MAZZAR who also works at Beaufort Community Primary School and has been working there since April 2017.

Julia SUTTIE who has worked at Carterton Community College in Oxfordshire since April 2017, when our contract started. This is what her manager had to say: "Julia deserves appreciation for always ensuring all the jobs are done to a good standard. Keep up the excellent work".

Marlene PEARCE who also works at Carterton Community College . This is what her manager had to say: "Marlene is a supervisor and she deserves appreciation for always ensuring all the jobs are done to a good standard. Keep up the excellent work Marlene!"

Daniela MATEI who works at Nine Mile Ride Veterinary Hospital in Finchampstead, Berkshire. This is what her manager had to say: "I want to express my appreciation and satisfaction for Daniela’s hard work. One of the things I admire about Daniela is her positive attitude even when something is not going well. Her smile lights up the Nine Mile Veterinary Hospital. Once again, thank you for being with and for Rapid Clean over the last five years."

Muna MAHMOUD who has worked at Bristol Grammar School for 5 years. This is what her manager had to say: "Muna is consistent, rarely absent and really helpful as she works extra hours when needed, covering staff absences and also during deep cleans. Keep up the good work!"

Rosemary BREAKSPEAR who works at Stockham Primary School in Wantage, Oxfordshire, and has been there since June 2017 when we started the contract.

Valerie CLINKER who has also worked at Stockham Primary School since we won the contract back in June 2017.

Bennet Atto Brown MENSAH who has worked for Rapid Clean since June 2017 and now cleans Warfield C of E Primary School in Berkshire.

Kadiatu PETERS who has worked at Fulham Primary School in Greater London, for the last five years.

Many of these cleaners have worked at the same site for the whole of their five year working history with us. This demonstrates a massive commitment to Rapid Clean and also our customers, for which we are truly grateful. We hope you will all be with us for many years to come.

3 Reasons Why You Should Contract a Commercial Cleaning Company for Your Leisure Business

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 14:49:57 GMT

Cleaning in any front-facing business is of utmost importance. But when it comes to the leisure industry, it is even more of a priority, with hygiene and cleanliness a vital component to the upkeep of facilities and daily use.

The cleaning in these businesses is demanding, with many spaces requiring almost constant attention. It is likely in these instances that a fully dedicated cleaning team will be required, which is where we come in. At Rapid Clean, we provide a flexible cleaning service to golf courses, leisure centres, health clubs, theatres, gyms, and other recreational facilities across the south of England.

Here are some reasons why you should consider using a commercial cleaning service, such as Rapid Clean, for your leisure business:

1. To Save Time

If you run a leisure business, there’s likely to be a lot of cleaning to keep on top of. Your staff will be employed for a specific purpose, and therefore will likely not consider cleaning part of their job. Contracting commercial cleaners to take care of the cleaning for you will make more financial sense - giving your staff time to focus on their professional job, while the vast amount of cleaning is taken care of for you.

2. Professional Cleaning Equipment

While you may own a mop, a bucket and some cleaning spray, there are actually a lot of cleaning materials and equipment required to effectively clean leisure facilities. At Rapid Clean, we have everything needed to carry out professional and effective cleaning, saving you the hassle of purchasing products and equipment yourself. We also have the capability to bring large machinery such as scrubber dryers, buffing and carpet cleaning machines on site, to carry out more heavy duty cleaning.

3. Fully Trained Staff

We have over 1200 fully trained cleaning operatives at Rapid Clean who are familiar with ensuring that cleaning standards are met. The teams on each site are managed by a dedicated Contracts Manager, allowing you to concentrate on running your business while we take care of the cleaning team. The Site Manager will take care of any holidays or staff sickness, allowing us to carry on operating our regular cleaning throughout the year. Cleaning quality is regularly monitored in a monthly audit to ensure that our high standards are maintained.

Why Rapid Clean?

We have a wealth of experience in cleaning theatres, golf clubs, gyms, leisure centres, health clubs and other facilities in the leisure sector. We currently clean over 50 sites in the leisure industry.

We understand that every organisation has different needs, so we always aim to be as flexible as possible. Customers can choose a contract that suits their needs and those utilising the space to minimise disruption.

Find out more and request a no-obligation quote .

In Support of World Environment Day 2022

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 10:00:00 GMT

Only One Earth

The global campaign for this year's World Environment Day is #OnlyOneEarth. Focus is on the need to live sustainably in harmony with nature, and our possibilities for shifting to a greener lifestyle through both policies and individual choices. “Only One Earth” was the motto for the 1972 Stockholm Conference . 50 years on, the motto is as pertinent as ever – this planet is our only home, and humanity must safeguard its finite resources.

As an organisation we are always looking for new sustainable improvements to add to our environmental objectives and are passionate about ensuring we are doing all we can to preserve our planet.

Did You Know?

The UK produces more that 100 million tons of waste every year. In less than two hours, waste produced in the UK would fill the Royal Albert Hall in London. Each ton (1000kg) of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space, 4000 kilowatts of energy and 7000 gallons of water.

Changes must be made, not just within the commercial cleaning sector, but in all industries. If we do not act now:

Temperatures will continue to rise
Frost-free seasons (and growing season) will continue to lengthen
More droughts and heatwaves (freak weather)
Sea levels will continue to rise
Loss of wetlands
Wildlife and loss of habitat

All of which will have catastrophic consequences on our world.

What Difference is Rapid Clean Making?

The latest IPCC report warns governments to make emergency changes to keep the global temperature rise to below 1.5 C with a 45% cut of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. Tremendous changes are required in a very short space of time to reach climate goals and cut greenhouse gases.

We have continued to focus on reducing our impact on the environment in line with the IPCC report, doing what we can, where we can. Although small by comparison to the enormous task ahead, it seems appropriate to be announcing on World Environment Day, that last week we were awarded ISO14001 for the second year running. Our efforts include, but are not limited to:

Raising awareness of environmental impacts across the organisation
Continual training of all employees on how to reduce our carbon footprint
Working with our approved suppliers on providing customers with environmentally friendly products
Switching to environmentally kind cleaning products where possible

Every Little Helps

Rapid Clean is committed to contributing to the fight of saving our planet; a planet that humans have neglected with historic pollutions having a devastating impact. A united change across the globe is imperative to potentially reverse the damage made by man, and to give the next generation the learning tools and knowledge required to keep the earth thriving and alive.

It's our planet, it’s our responsibility to protect the environment and undo the damage created by man over decades. We are doing our small bit to assist in the plight, are you?

Celebrating our Rapid Superstar

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Tue, 31 May 2022 09:38:36 GMT

Our Latest Rapid Superstar

It's a sad but well-known fact that cleaners get very little recognition; in fact they are usually only noticed when something goes wrong! At Rapid Clean we are acutely aware that without our fantastic cleaners, we wouldn't have a business. We therefore like to recognise hard work and reward it whenever we can. Our Superstar Awards run every quarter and are the perfect opportunity to do just that.

To follow are all the cleaners who were nominated by their Rapid Clean Manager, along with comments from the customer...

Superstar Nominees

Selina ROUTLEY who cleans Fairfield Farm College in Somerset

Peter Soares from Rapid Clean said:

"Selina is very committed and organised, leading the team with efficiency and effectiveness. Selina has a great relationship with the client and College staff, as well as the cleaning team. She’s an essential part of the team and also a very positive person, taking the responsibilities of the job with great pride."

Hilda JOHNSON who cleans Lyne and Longcross School, Ferrari Express and Regency Freight in Surrey

Aga Skupien from Rapid Clean said:

"She is a hard working operative, paying so much attention to detail and going over and above to keep excellent standards on the sites."

Fatma AMARA who cleans Ramridge Primary School in Luton, Bedfordshire

Melania Balza from Rapid Clean said:

"She has been so helpful covering and assisting with deep cleans at other sites."

Ildiko GUDRICZA who cleans Perspectum Ltd in Oxford

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean said:

"Ildiko is a fairly new employee, but already a rising star. She has that rare combination of traits - high level of responsibility, diligence, politeness, friendliness, proactive approach and great performance."

Superstar Runners Up

Pattraporn (Joy) MARSTON who cleans Lightning Fire Safety Systems in Waterlooville, Hampshire

James Saunders from Rapid Clean said:

"Joy has a fantastic attitude to work and is extremely reliable. She has now worked for Rapid on two occasions and I was delighted when she returned, as I can always trust that her cleaning is to the standards our customer expects. Joy has also helped out, often at short notice, at other local sites and I would really like it if she was recognised for being a fantastic member of Rapid’s staff who simply does a brilliant job quietly and effectively."

Aaron Freeman, Operations Director at Lightning Fire Safety Systems, said:

"Joy has been our cleaner since we moved into our new premises in October. She has always been very friendly and respectful if we see her (most of the time we don’t as she comes in when we are not around). Her attention to detail is good and the office is always cleaned well. I cannot speak for other customers but she certainly does a great job for us. I would say she is certainly deserving of the award."

Lynn OWENS who cleans Northbourne C of E Primary School in Didcot, Oxfordshire

Eva Babicova from Rapid Clean said:

"Lynn has worked for us at Northbourne Primary School in Didcot for a few months. She is super committed, caring, reliable and always promotes a high standard of cleaning, as well as managing the team to perform their tasks well. She has great relationships with the other operatives and the customer."

Rachael Stewart, School Business Manager from Northbourne Primary, said:

"Not really had much to do with Lyn, specifically, her areas are usually cleaned well... I know she has covered at short notice (come in on the weekend for example) which has been helpful."

Rapid Superstar Winner!

Fernando LOPES DE ALMEIDA JUNIOR who cleans Perspectum Ltd in Oxford

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean said:

"Fernando is simply exceptional! I can easily say that he is one of my best assets. Loved and appreciated by the clients for his professional approach, diligence, modesty. Conscientious and cheerful, interesting personality, polite manners, positive attitude. And he often sings at work to colour his shifts!"

Tracy Hemblen, Community Diagnostics Centre Administration Manager at Perspectum Ltd, said:

"Fernando is always very punctual, he is polite and gets on well with all our staff and interacts with them accordingly. Fernando has a very cheerful outlook not only towards members of staff but to his work, and this shows. Fernando is a very thorough and methodical cleaner, conscientious, and always keen to give his best at all times. Fernando understands the needs of the Community Diagnostic Centre, is always very courteous around the patients, not imposing on their space. He is a hard worker giving 110% at all times.

He is an all-round SUPERSTAR !"

Left to Right: Tracey Hemblen from Perspectum, Gareth Love (Rapid Clean), Fernando Lopes de Almeida Junior, Anna Dabal (Rapid Clean)

Another great set of nominations this quarter. We wish that everyone could win but rest assured that each cleaning operative nominated receives a letter and a small gift to say 'thank you' and 'well done'.

A final congratulations to Fernando, who has clearly made a huge impression on everyone at Perspectum .

Eco-Friendly Office Cleaning: Why Going Green Is Best

Mon, 23 May 2022 08:00:04 GMT

Concerns about global warming and environmental health risks, along with many companies committing to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), has led to businesses choosing cleaning companies that use eco-friendly cleaning products and practices.

What is Green Cleaning?

Eco-friendly office cleaning refers to the use of cleaning methods and procedures designed to preserve human health and the environment. It typically involves the use of green chemicals, equipment and processes.

What Products are Used for Eco-friendly Cleaning?

Many mainstream cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that are bioaccumulative, leaving traces that build up in the bodies of those who come in contact with freshly-cleaned offices each day. Green cleaning relies on low-toxicity chemicals, natural cleaners, products with organic ingredients, as well as biodegradable materials.

At Rapid Clean, we use products such as the Triple 8 Dosing System, which is the best on the market for the reduction of single-use plastics, coming in a highly concentrated formula.

What are the Benefits of Green Office Cleaning?

Saves Money

Many businesses think that going green means taking a more expensive option, but in reality, green cleaning is far more cost-effective than people realise. Today, sustainable cleaning products cost roughly the same as normal ones, with some organic products even costing less. Plus, green practices decrease water and energy expenses and increase recycling, all of which add up to create effective cost savings for businesses.

Improves Indoor Air Quality

Research has found that asthma-related symptoms and conditions are often linked to chemical cleaning products . By using more eco-friendly products, the air quality in your office will be improved, and therefore improve well-being and health of staff.

Reduces the Spread of Germs

Office workers regularly come into contact with surfaces, handles, keyboards, phone receivers and more, so surfaces are regularly exposed to germs. Using safe, eco-friendly, chemical-free products on high-contact surfaces can reduce the spread of germs around the office.

We are currently trialling eco-friendly vacuum cleaners as well as ethically-sourced, sustainably-sound, products, with environmentally-responsible packaging. Take a look at our commitment to the environment .

We have a proven track record of providing high-quality contract cleaning services to offices across the south of England (contact us below to get a quote). If you're already a Rapid customer, you can find out more about our eco-friendly consumable products here .

Our New Employee of the Season

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Thu, 12 May 2022 12:08:43 GMT

It feels like a long time since we have had the opportunity to nominate one of our colleagues to win the Rapid Employee of the Season award. It's inspiring to see so many people receiving positive affirmations about their commitment and hard work. Every person who received a nomination should feel proud of their achievement.

This season's winner received a total of four nominations from various colleagues. This is what they had to say about her...

"She always does an amazing job and is so on top of things, it’s scary! She works extremely long hours covering sites and looks after her cleaners and her clients, not an easy balancing act."

"I think she really deserves it as she has been working non-stop recently and still manages to make me laugh on the phone."

"She goes over and above to please her customers, starts contracts at short notice, and is a loyal employee and representative for Rapid Clean."

"For all the effort she has put in. She works extraordinarily hard for the company and puts every effort in to make it work."

And the Winner is...

Ingrid Antonio, who works as a Contracts Manager covering south east London and Kent. We waited until our recent company meeting to announce Ingrid as the winner.

Ingrid has been working at Rapid since April 2017 and is a hugely valued member of the team. This is what Jeff Whitton, our Managing Director, had to say about her...

"Ingrid is our leisure sector specialist who has a talent for organising large teams working on difficult shift patterns on 7-day-a-week contracts. A stand out when it comes to passion."

Huge congratulations to Ingrid for her long overdue win ��

Are all Cleaning Companies the Same? - Refocusing After Covid

Wed, 04 May 2022 15:46:07 GMT

At least once a week our sales team hears the words: 'All cleaning companies are the same'. This is usually from potential customers who are disillusioned by the industry, and the service they are receiving from their chosen contractor.

Are all Cleaning Companies the Same?

It would be fair to say that the cleaning industry has a reputation for low wages and unappreciated workers, delivering a mediocre service at a high price. When Paul and I first started Rapid Clean back in 1999, we were determined to change this. Our long-term company vision remains the same today:

'Change our stakeholders' perception of the cleaning industry by recognising the value of what we do, and the difference that we make, evidenced by an increased demand for our services '

For our customers, suppliers and employees to see a difference in Rapid Clean, we need our daily mission to be lived out:

'Provide an unrivalled, fully-managed cleaning service , delivered by a motivated team of people who strive to continually improve'

In our annual company meeting last week, we focused on our mission and what makes Rapid Clean different from other cleaning companies. We have a number of key values that we believe sets us apart in this industry:

Focused – do fewer things to an excellent standard (rather than lots of things to an average standard)
Passionate - proud of what we do and the difference that it makes
Honourable - act with integrity, honesty and empathy
Respectful - everyone is equally valued, we look for opportunities to empower others.

The last two years have been challenging for everyone. As an organisation we have spent time building up a strong team of people who want to be here, and want to live out our mission and values. Last week's meeting was a great opport unity to refocus as an organisation.

We look forward to proving to our employees, customers and suppliers, that not all cleaning companies are the same!

Let's Get Baking!

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 11:02:24 GMT

Bake for Dementia - w/c 25th April 2022

Dementia describes a group of symptoms that include problems with memory, thinking or language, and changes in mood, emotions, perception and behaviour. Dementia is a progressive disease, which means symptoms may be relatively mild at first, but they get worse over time. There are many types of dementia but Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.

Bake for Dementia is just one of many fundraising events that the Alzheimer’s Societ y is holding to help raise funds for people affected by dementia. We’ve decided to get involved and help to raise money for this cause.

How Your Money Will Help

The Alzeheimer's Society offers many different types of help and support from groups, arts and crafts, singing in care homes, and daily care for those affected by dementia. Donations help to fund all of these services as well as investing in ground-breaking research into better ways of treating and caring for people with dementia.

How is Rapid Clean Getting Involved?

On 25th April 2022 we will be hosting a Bake for Dementia event at our head office in Wokingham. Some will be baking, others will be eating, either way everyone will be getting involved! And for those Rapid employees who are not based at head office, this is how we are suggesting that people get involved:

Donate to our Just Giving Page
Bake for friends, family, or work colleagues, and ask them to contribute a small amount in order to raise some money (we recommend £1 per slice)
Take part in our quiz for a bit of fun
Spread the word – get everyone involved to raise some money for a good cause.

If you would like your organisation to get involved, it's not too late! You can read more on how to go about doing that here .

Appreciating Our Employees

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 08:30:03 GMT

An Update on Employee Appreciation Day 2022

At the beginning of last month, we celebrated Employee Appreciation Day 2022. You might remember that we put together a blog post full of ideas on how you could show appreciation to your employees. Did you use any of them?

We have around 900 employees at Rapid, a small percentage of which are based at our head office in Wokingham, Berkshire. The majority are either moving around from site to site looking after our cleaners and customers, or working hard on site actually doing the cleaning. As you can imagine, it wasn't easy trying to think of ways to ensure that the whole team felt appreciated for their hard work.

A Celebratory Breakfast

Our head office tea m was treated to a buffet breakfast on arrival. Each person was given a small present and a personalised Thank You card from the two directors, Jeff and Paul.

A Thank You Video and a Competition

Our cleaning team is spread across the whole of the south of England. For ease, we decided to send every cleaner an email including a thank you video message from Jeff, our Managing Director. Within that email there was the chance for all cleaning operatives to win a cash prize.

The worthy winner was Bernard, who has been working for Rapid since 2018 and cleans five of our customer sites! When asked what they appreciate about working for Rapid, we received some amazing feedback from our cleaners...

"Rapid Clean is a great company. Very good on payment and if you call there is someone to talk to"

"They care about their staff"

"Flexibility in terms of working hours"

"I appreciate the company's dedication to delivering a high standard clean to all their clients"

"I'm listened to"

"My Contracts Manager is so lovely and approachable"

"Diversity and Inclusion"

"They care about their staff"

"The kind support and advice I receive"

"The communication - very clear where/when you are working"

We also asked everyone to let us know what we could do to improve as an employer; our HR department is working through these and coming up with some actions. Our last Employee Survey highlighted some requests for better communication, so we were pleased to see this come up in the list of things that people appreciated ��.

Last but Not Least

And finally, we have given a small budget to all of our Operations Managers to take their Contracts Managers out to thank them personally for all that they do to ensure cleaners are looked after and contracts are running smoothly. We hope to share some of the photographs in due course!

5 Reasons Why You Should Appoint a Contract Cleaner for Your School

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 14:53:55 GMT

When parents are looking for a suitable school for their children, you will be surprised how many of them take note of the cleanliness standards. There's a good reason for that - a clean environment can make all the difference to pupils and staff.

Benefits of Hiring Commercial Cleaners to Clean Your School:

1. Improved Learning Experience

I think we can all agree that if our office environment lacks order and cleanliness, our productivity is down. This is no different in a school - the state of the learning environment has a huge impact on how well pupils perform. In short, cleanliness should be top of the agenda if schools want to ensure that pupils are reaching their full potential.

2. Reduction in Sick Days

It will take a long time before we are able to erase the memory of Covid-19 and the impact it had on all of our lives. Schools continue to be affected which demonstrates just how quickly germs can spread when children are in close proximity. Although a good cleaning regime will never eradicate germs altogether, it can significantly reduce them. Consistency is key to preventing the spread of infections, as well as a thorough cleaning schedule.

Don't forget that this will also prevent the disruption of having teaching staff off sick.

3. Promoting Good Habits

Hands up if your child has ever returned home from school moaning about the state of the school toilets? Even I can remember the unpleasant smell that hit you as you walked into the toilets at break time!

Children tend to learn behaviour through habit and routine; in other words, if they see a clean environment they will learn to respect it and thus practice it in their own lives. To help pupils develop good, safe habits, it’s imperative that they are surrounded by a clean environment (which includes the toilets!).

It’s also worth noting that a clean environment promotes good mental health .

4. Healthy, Productive, Enthusiastic Teachers

Point 1 also applies to the teaching team who will undoubtedly be more inspired if their classroom is clean . And as we all know, enthusiasm is infectious! In addition, learning can suffer when teachers aren’t feeling 100 percent; in a clean environment teachers and employees will work more effectively, having a direct impact on how students learn and complete tasks.

5. Sense of Pride

To sum all of this up, every student, teacher, and employee will feel a great sense of pride in their school if it is kept clean. A clean environment will encourage its inhabitants to ensure it is kept tidy at all times. Show me a school that doesn't want to encourage this ethic in its pupils!

If your school needs a reliable, professional cleaning service that will be fully managed from day one, call us or complete the form below.

5 Tips for Keeping Your Desk Clean and Germ-Free

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 09:30:00 GMT

How to Spring Clean Your Desk

The Coronavirus pandemic has made cleaning more important than ever. Whether you are working in an office or from home, it is vital that you keep your desk clean and germ-free. If you want to ensure a thorough job is done, we have put together a helpful guide for you to stay clean and safe from germs.

1. Keep Your Desk Tidy

Regularly removing or filing unnecessary paperwork will help to keep your desk clean. As will throwing away any rubbish such as old post-it notes or food wrappers.

2. Wipe Down All Surfaces

Start with the desktop itself. Antibacterial cleaners target bacteria such as those likely to cause illnesses like MRSA, while antiviral cleaners will kill viruses such as the Flu or Covid-19. Alternatively, a solution of white vinegar and water in equal parts can adequately clean a desktop, however this will not be antiviral.

Wipe in an ‘S’ shaped motion from top to bottom, rather than a circular motion, to avoid cross contamination between the clean and dirty areas of your desk.

3. Clean Desktop Devices

When cleaning your office telephone it is important to remember to use a ‘mild’ cleaner as anything too strong could cause skin irritation or key symbols to fade. Phone sanitizer may be the best option for keeping your staff safe and protecting your equipment. If you are a Rapid customer, we can provide phone sanitizer for you, simply contact your Rapid Contracts Manager.

Be sure to clean all areas of the phone: mouthpiece; handset; earpiece; wires; keypad.

4. Thoroughly Clean Your Keyboard

One of the areas we touch most at our desks is our keyboard or laptop keypad. It is very important that you turn off your keyboard or laptop and completely unplug the device either from the mains or any other device, before cleaning.

Gently tip your keyboard or laptop upside down and lightly shake to allow any debris to fall out. Compressed air may be very useful for cleaning areas such as in-between keys or vents where dust and dead skin cells can collect. Alternatively, a vacuum can be used to suck away the debris.

Use isopropyl alcohol to gently clean as this kills both viruses and bacteria. Avoid damaging the keyboard’s hardware by mildly dampening your cleaning tool to avoid dripping. You can use a cotton wool bud to gently scrub between keys, a microfibre cloth against your flat palm to clean the tops of keys, or wrap a dinner knife in a microfibre cloth to slide in between keys.

5. Clean Frequent Touch Points

This includes draw handles, chair arm rests, wires or plugs as well as stationery. For a deeper clean you may wish to remove all items from your desk space including internal drawers or filing stations. Simply clean all of your equipment prior to returning, to be sure they are free of germs.

Add some or all of these tips into your daily or weekly routine to help keep you safe while you work.

Albea Group - Cleaning Case Study

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 16:47:02 GMT

Based in Colchester, Essex , Albea Group is the only producer of laminate tubes in the UK, supplying approximately 750 million per annum to the UK, Europe, and other global locations. Rapid has been providing them with a comprehensive cleaning service since November 2013.

As part of the budgeting process, the Planning and Purchasing Manager at Albea, regularly assesses the performance of suppliers. The cleaning service is included in this process and in August 2013, Rapid was invited to tender.

“Having placed one of her business cards on the reception desk just days earlier, I invited the Rapid Sales Executive to join the other two cleaning companies who would be tendering.”

Good Management Can Make all the Difference

Eric admits that there was nothing wrong with the actual cleaning being provided at the time, it was more the company and their lack of management:

“The cleaners were doing a good job but they were disillusioned with their employer. I was constantly having to resolve issues and act as the go between – something we were paying the cleaning provider to do.”

Rapid provided a competitive quote and in Eric’s words, Rapid's Sales Executive “asked a lot of questions and showed a clear understanding of our needs”.

When Rapid took over, nearly all of the cleaners transferred under the TUPE law . The competence of the cleaners had never been a concern of Eric’s, the question for him was whether a new employer would change the unhappy demeanour of the staff, thus reducing his involvement in the day to day cleaning.

Eric noticed a difference almost immediately: “I no longer have to deal with the day to day issues, in fact I’m rarely involved at all….Rapid is doing a great job of managing them.”

Eight Years Later...

A year later Eric described the cleaning team as “happier and more relaxed” . The building remained clean and Rapid was doing a successful job of managing the contract – so much so that Eric recommended us to other potential customers. Eight years later and although Eric has moved on from that role, we are still enjoying a great relationship with the team at Albea Group!

You can read more about our office cleaning servi ce here or if you would like a cleaning quote , please get in touch.

Announcing the Latest Rapid Superstar

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 15:53:03 GMT

Our Latest Rapid Superstar

It's that time of year again when we get to appreciate one individual who has gone above and beyond in their role as cleaning operative. We are always inundated with fantastic nominations and this quarter is no exception. Below are all the cleaners who were nominated by their Rapid Manager and customer, including the runners up and finally the winner!

Superstar Nominees:

Sarah SMITH who cleans Poole Grammar School, Dorset

Craig Love from Rapid Clean said:

"Sarah commenced working for me on an ad hoc basis to cover absence at Poole Grammar school. Since starting she has become an integral part of the team and taken on an area at the school permanently. Her attention to detail and commitment to helping the workforce during staff shortages has been second to none."

Adama DEMBELE who cleans Gorillas Technology Ltd and Sir William Burrough School, London

Mohamed Toure from Rapid Clean said:

"I would like to nominate Adama for their support during the Christmas holiday period."

Maryan ALI who cleans Belmont Primary School, London

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean said:

"Maryan has been so helpful with getting Belmont primary school stable."

Superstar Runners Up:

Shannon MCGAW who cleans Skylark Golf and Country Club, Fareham

James Saunders from Rapid Clean said:

"Through a difficult end of 2021, Shannon has simply been a Rapid Superstar. Originally employed as a morning cleaner at Skylark Golf Club, Shannon has slowly grown into an integral part of the team in the South Coast, covering gaps and absences with professionalism and high standards. To date now she has covered and familiarised herself with no less than 11 of my sites.."

Derek, General Manager at Skylark Golf and Country Club said:

"Shannon is a true ambassador for your company. She works extremely hard at the club and cares a lot, she has a bubbly personality and never moans and groans when she is under pressure."

Mohamud HASSAN and Naimo OMAR who clean BLOC Climbing Centre, Bristol

Peter Soares from Rapid Clean said:

"They're great cleaners, are reliable, hard workers and are always showing their commitment to the job. It's a pleasure having them on our team!"

Paul from BLOC Climbing Centre said:

"Both Mohamud and Naimo are punctual and reliable staff who have helped keep the cleaning standards at Bloc Climbing to a high standard. They have integrated with our team well and maintain a constant standard of professionalism."

Carol WILSON who cleans St John the Evangelist School in Oxfordshire

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean said:

"Carol has been working for Rapid for years now. As a supervisor she remains professional at all times - no matter the situation. Always perfectly organised, excellent mediator and supportive team player. In Carol's world procrastination does not exist. She is a great person who always puts her colleagues before her, fights for their rights and looks after them. I appreciate and respect her a lot!"

John, School Business Manager at St John the Evangelist said:

"Carol Wilson leads a great team of operatives. She always goes above and beyond to ensure that our school is kept clean and tidy, even during the difficult COVID times. Considering the small amount of operatives on our site they do an amazing job and this is down to the leadership, friendship and compassion that Carol shows on a daily basis. We consider all the operatives at St John the Evangelist CE (VA) Primary School John’s as part of the school. Carol has been with us for several years, and in that time nothing has been too much or difficult for her and her team. They are a credit to Rapid Clean and a very well lead team."

Klaudia KULAKIEWICZ who cleans Crawley Green Infant School in Luton, Bedfordshire

Melania Balza from Rapid Clean said:

"She is a cover cleaner and is very helpful."

Michelle from Crawley Green Infant School said:

"She was always here on time and worked hard and was willing to help in other areas when needed, I am very disappointed she isn't here full time."

Dorota SZUBAN who cleans Wenlock C of E Junior School in Luton, Bedfordshire

Piotr Szulc from Rapid Clean said:

"She has worked at the school since the beginning of the contract. Her attendance is perfect, her cleaning standards are very good and I never have any issues with her performance."

Neil, Site Manager at Wenlock Junior School said:

"Nothing is too much trouble for Dorota and not only does she carry out her cleaning duties to a very high standard, she is always willing to help out when needed. At times, I haven't even asked Dorota to help out but she has seen that my in-house cleaners are stretched because of absences and she has just gone along and lent them a hand. I cannot recall hearing one negative comment about her cleaning from school staff. Dorota gets on well with everyone she comes into contact with in the school whether it be other members of the cleaning team or class teachers. As a school, we have been very fortunate to have a cleaning operative such as Dorota placed with us."

Nicola DEAMER who cleans Farnborough Hill School in Hampshire

Sabeeh Tahir from Rapid Clean said:

"She is very reliable and hard working. She always motivates the team and keeps a good relationship with the client."

Sam, Head of Housekeeping at Farnborough Hill School said:

"Nicola has stepped up well in taking on the Supervisor’s role. She is willing and helpful and has ensured that the standard of cleaning in her area of responsibility is of a good standard. Nicola has worked at the School for a considerable time and she continues to be a very loyal, dedicated and hardworking member of the team."

Superstar Winner:

Grzegorz MUZOLF who cleans Index House in Ascot, Berkshire

Aga Skupien from Rapid Clean said:

"I would like to nominate Grzegorz for his hard work, being reliable and taking pride in his work."

Karina, Manager at Index House Serviced Offices said:

"Grzegorz is extremely helpful, great with our clients, has good communication skills and does a cracking job! He's recently taken on all the cleaning here at Index House along with his wife and the standard has definitely improved. I really hope he wins - he deserves it!"

Left to Right: Karina from Index, Aga Skupien, Gzergorz Muzolf, Paul Claxton

We have been providing a cleaning service to Index House since 2014. Grezgorz has been cleaning on site since February 2020 and has clearly made a great impression on the customer and Aga, his Contracts Manager. Congratulations Grzegorz, a thoroughly deserved win!

Employee Appreciation Day 2022

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 12:46:06 GMT

How Are You Celebrating Employee Appreciation Day on 4 March '22?

Of course it's important to convey appreciation every day, but Employee Appreciation Day provides a fantastic opportunity to lay it on extra thick! We have a number of secret plans up our sleeve to ensure every Rapid employee feels appreciated for the work that they do.

If you're looking for some ideas on how you can show appreciation to your employees, below are some ideas that we may or may not be using (you'll have to follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter to find out what we actually go with). If this has taken you by surprise and you now realise that you only have 24 hours to organise something, we've kept them very simple...

8 Easy Ways to Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day

1. Thank You Notes

A simple hand written note often means more than any grand gesture. Ask your senior management team to write a personalised note to every employee and put it on the desk when they come into work.

2. Phone Call or Email

It's not always possible to see every employee in person so why not take the time to pick up the phone and tell your employees what you appreciate about them? If you would prefer to put it in writing so that they can keep it then this is also an excellent way of conveying your appreciation.

3. Organise a Special Breakfast

Why not surprise your employees with a special breakfast laid out for them when they arrive into work? This will not only help people feel appreciation but it will encourage social interaction between colleagues.

4. Let Your Employees Choose an Activity

Have you got teams out in the field who might not be able to enter into the office festivities? Give them a small budget to celebrate together as a team with an activity of their choosing.

5. Fun Awards

We have the serious awards , how about creating some of your own fun awards that celebrate the more unique attributes or personality traits of your employees? Humour always goes down well!

6. Donate to Charity

Instead of giving a monetary reward direct to employees, consider asking for some charity nominations and giving a donation. It doesn’t need to be a huge amount, but your team members will appreciate the fact that you’re expressing interest in something they believe in or care about.

7. Thank You Video

If there are a large number of employees in your organisation, a thank you video from the Managing Director could add a really personal touch. Upload it to Vimeo or another suitable hosting platform and share it on an email.

8. Company Newsletter

If you don't have one already, now would be a great time to start a newsletter! Use this space to recognise exceptional workers and celebrate achievements with the rest of the organisation.

In short, as long as it's positive, you can't go wrong! Have fun celebrating your employees on Employee Appreciation Day and do share with us on social media if you use any of these ideas.

Happy Employees Equals Happy Customers

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 18:00:46 GMT

Employee Survey Results

As an organisation we are passionate about providing customers with a team of cleaners who are committed to the organisation and therefore want to provide a great service. Our reasoning? A happy team = happy customers.

How do we know if our cleaners are happy?

Earlier this year, we sent out a comprehensive survey to all of our cleaners, asking them for feedback on many aspects of their working role. We were delighted to receive feedback from over 200 team members , providing us with a good overview on how we are doing as an employer.

We thought it would be helpful for both current and potential employees/customers, to see some of that feedback.

94% of Rapid cleaners are satisfied in their work

In addition, over 90% feel that they are part of a motivated team - something that as an organisation we have always strived to achieve. We were delighted to see these results!

Of course there is room for improvement and as a progressive company, we are continually looking for ways to do that. Employees were encouraged to leave further comments and suggestions, all of which have been read by our HR department. During the first quarter of this year, we will be looking closely at all of the results, making concrete plans on how to move forward and make Rapid Clean an even better company to work for.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences of working for Rapid Clean. Below are just a few of the many positive comments that we received...

Kingham Primary School, Oxfordshire - Cleaning Case Study

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 16:23:10 GMT

Kingham Primary School in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire is responsible for educating around 240 pupils.

After a frustrating time with her previous cleaning provider, Business Manager, Helen, made contact with us during the Coronavirus outbreak. Helen was keen to find a company that would provide a fully managed cleaning service and most important of all, keep the school clean.

“We’d previously had no management and dreadful cleaners…the school was getting dirtier and dirtier. I asked around and a friend at another local primary school recommended Rapid Clean as providing a professional service with good management.”

Contract Cleaning is Worth Every Penny if Done Well

The existing cleaners had all left, so TUPE did not apply in this situation. Our Contracts Manager, Anna Dabal, successfully sourced and trained local cleaners at very short notice. Helen had not been used to getting such an efficient service; with her previous contractor, the cleaners were not managed properly and she was paying a premium for very little return. This is something that often concerns people about outsourcing to a contractor but Helen confirms that done well, it’s worth every penny…

“Cost matters because we are a state-funded school but it needs to be clean. With Rapid I feel that we are getting good value for money – the cost is reasonable and the school is gleaming!”

Our main aim with every new contract is to get it to a good standard of cleanliness and quickly. Kingham Primary invested in a thorough deep clean initially and the results surprised everyone…

“The whole place was impeccable, staff thought that we had had a new floor laid! The smell of cleanliness hits you as soon as you walk in the door and it still does, every day. People can take pride in working here and we are all keen to keep the standards up.”

It’s crucial that the cleaning standards in all schools are high; never more so than since the arrival of Coronavirus. We pride ourselves on finding the right team of cleaners to ensure that this happens. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with Helen and the team at Kingham Primary School.

If you would be interested in outsourcing the cleaning at your school , please get in touch.

Our Latest Employee of the Season

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 16:05:55 GMT

And the Winner is...

Sharn Kirby - Payroll Manager

We asked our head office team to nominate one person who they thought had excelled in their role during the autumn months of 2021. Sharn received a whopping 7 nominations which I think is a record over the many years that we have been running these awards.

This is what her colleagues had to say about Sharn and the work that she carries out in the payroll department...

I’d like to vote for Sharn as she’s doing great work in mentoring Cinzia to gain skills, knowledge and confidence in her payroll support role. She’s also an incredibly hard worker, a positive supportive presence for the rest of Finance and has a big heart ��

I would like to vote for Sharn. My reason for this is, she always has a positive attitude when coming into work. She also drives me to the bus stop often .

I nominate Sharn for her friendly courteous manner and her swiftness with any requests.

I vote for Sharn because she helps me all the time and she very good as well.

Since Sharn has started I have found her to be very helpful, proactive and a nice person to deal with. She has been working long hours to put reports together, learning her way round Ezitracker and feel she should be rewarded for all her efforts.

I would like to vote for Sharn Kirby as she is nothing but positive vibes in the offices.

Sharn is always happy and friendly and willing to help anyone in all areas if she can. She is definitely a team player and great to have within our little Rapid family!

Sharn only joined the accounts team in July of this year; it's clear that she has made a great impression on many of her colleagues. It's always good to celebrate hard work, especially when it's done with a smile and a positive attitude. Well done Sharn!

Rapid's Latest Superstar

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 16:03:19 GMT

Our Latest Rapid Superstar

We are a little behind announcing this month's Superstar but we've had so many excellent cleaners nominated that it was difficult to choose. What a great problem to have! Below are all the cleaners who were nominated by their managers and customers, including the runners up and finally the winner...

Superstar Nominees:

Leila DEAN who cleans Claytons Primary School in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire

Frank Twum from Rapid Clean said:

"We have been short of staff in the school, but she goes out of her way to make sure the school is spotless every day - she is amazing!"

Dilek OZKALI and Sandra KAZUTINA who clean Highover JMI School in Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Piotr Szulc from Rapid Clean said:

"Great attitude, willing to work hard, willing to help and good cleaners."

Superstar Runners Up:

Jack PAREDES VASQUEZ who cleans Surrey Docks Leisure Centre and Castle Centre in London

Ingrid Antonio from Rapid Clean said:

"He is reliable, never lets me down and does a great job. He is always willing to step in and help at other sites when needed."

Trevor Pardoe, General Manager at The Castle Centre said:

"We are so happy Jack is back he is a real credit to the Castle team; always helpful and willing to go above and beyond."

Anna CELEJEWSKI who cleans St Stephen's Church in Hammersmith, London

Aga Skupien from Rapid Clean said:

"As an operative she is very committed, reliable and responsible and goes over and above to help. She is a real angel."

Nicola from St Stephen's Church said:

"I’m delighted to hear that Anna has been nominated for this quarter's Rapid Superstar Award! We are very pleased with the standard of cleaning and attention to detail that Anna undertakes. Anna is also reliable which is appreciated. We are a busy church and we have seen improvements in cleanliness recently. This has been recognised. Many thanks and ‘good luck’ to Anna!"

Esther DUNCAN who cleans William Harding School in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean said:

"Esther is a very hard worker, reliable and her commitment to work is second to none."

Jennifer, Business Support Manager at William Harding School said:

"Esther is possibly one of the nicest people I have ever met. She is methodical, enthusiastic, organised (she literally thinks of everything before I do!) and incredibly conscientious. Throughout the COVID restrictions she was flexible no matter what new rule was thrown her way and always just adjusted and got the job done to the best of her abilities. She manages the team so well and is always smiling. She has high standards and if something isn't right she is is very quick to fix it and stop it happening again. If ever I heard of a more fitting award for Esther then 'Superstar' would be it."

Iveta TVRDIKOVA who cleans Chipping Norton Health Centre in Oxfordshire

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean said:

"I nominate Iveta Tvrdikova for amazing performance and being the spine of this contract! She is simply fantastic and the client will confirm with flying colours."

Yolanda, Medical Secretary at Chipping Norton Health Centre said:

"I am writing again, as I did last year, about the wonderful Iveta who works for us at Chipping Norton Health Centre. Every day, without fail, the building is immaculate from top to bottom. Any little extra or ‘clean this instead of that today’ is immediately acted upon. We run many Covid Vaccination Clinics at the weekend, for which extra cleaning has been required. Again, she took this in her stride, and made sure everything was beautifully cleaned every weekend, frequently coming in herself. It also takes a lot of organising. I highly commend Iveta for the Rapid Superstar award and sincerely hope this time she will be the winner rather that the runner up, as she so deserves it."

Kay GRAY and Maureen FEWINGS who clean Wicor Primary School in Fareham, Hampshire

James Saunders from Rapid Clean said:

"Kay started with Rapid as a cleaner but was promoted to Supervisor late last year. She has taken to her new role like a duck to water and has thrived with the extra responsibility. Kay and her colleague Mo work closely together and the results have been noticeable. The school is cleaner and the work is much more organised. Communication with myself and the client is brilliant. Maureen has been with us for around 2 years and has been fantastic for Rapid. She always comes to work with a smile, and has never missed a day. Her cleaning is fantastic."

Amanda, Senior Admin Manager at Wicor Primary School said:

"Mo (Maureen) & Kay have both worked extremely hard, working very much as a team, and covering absence without hesitation. They are always very amenable when it comes to the requirements of the school and are an important part of our school community. It would be wonderful if they were to both receive the award, as they couldn't deserve it more."

Superstar Winner:

Stefan DAMYANOV who cleans Siemens Energy Ltd in Winscombe, Somerset

Peter Soares from Rapid Clean said:

"Stefan is a hard worker, smart, reliable cleaner, always delivering great cleaning standards at a very busy site."

Graham, Site Manager at Siemens said:

"Stefan has maintained the levels of cleanliness throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic and without his hard work I am sure we would have struggled to keep the site open. The numbers of positive cases have been minimal, which I'm sure are as a result of his hard work, he also is a pleasure to deal with and nothing is ever too much trouble, a really valued member of the Sandford Team."

Left to Right: Peter Soares, Stefan Damyanov

Huge congratulations to Stefan and all of those who were nominated this time round. It's always encouraging to get such positive feedback.

Rapid's Christmas Charity 2021

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 13:04:04 GMT

Chosen Christmas Charity 2021

For several years now, we have chosen to give money to charity rather than sending Christmas cards. We always enjoy this opportunity to give back and of course our environment also benefits, which makes it a win/win!

Our head office team was given the opportunity to nominate a charity that they feel deserves our support this year. The chosen charity for 2021, is Helen & Douglas House , a local charity that 'helps families cope with the challenges of looking after a terminally ill child who will die prematurely'.

This charity was nominated by our Sales Manager, Jessica Loomes-Hart, whose friends' little boy Albie, tragically died of a brain tumour just a few weeks ago. Helen & Douglas House were an invaluable support not only to Albie but to his mums as well. This is what Hayley and Lauren had to say about the charity:

"There was an instant sense of calm when we got there, no hospital hustle and bustle. As much as Albie was the priority, the staff were really keen to look after us. They kept us topped up with snacks, tea, coffee and diet coke! We were given access to a flat to "take time out" and they stressed the importance of looking after ourselves.

They provided a lot of emotional support and have continued to do so after Albie's passing; we will have access to them for a long time yet. During the short time there, the nurses naturally adored Alfie and even after his passing, they continued to talk to him like he was still with us.

We cannot thank them enough for helping us through those final days and moments. We will be forever grateful for all of their support."

Helen & Douglas House provides invaluable support at one of the worst moments of people's lives. We are so pleased to be able to support them in continuing to do this amazing work.

Rest in Peace little Albie. Our thanks to Hayley and Lauren for sharing their story. If you would like to find out more about Helen & Douglas House, please head to their website and consider giving a donation to this worthy cause.

Meet the New Team Members

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 11:00:59 GMT

A Warm Welcome to our Newest Team Members!

As an organisation we are proud to have a good track record for employee retention - on average, our head office staff remain with us for 8 years. Inevitably people do move on, or in this case, the organisation grows! Please join us in welcoming two new members to our operations team and one to the sales team.

Read on to find out a bit more about Melania, Mirela and Mark...

Mirela Tudorache - Contracts Manager

Mirela has joined Eddie-Lawrence Kalule's operations team and will be looking after customers in the Berkshire area . She has been working in the cleaning industry since 2019 and enjoys working face-to-face with customers. This is what she had to say about her new role:

"Being a Contracts Manager is a challenging and dynamic position which is what I was looking for. Every day is different and I have the opportunity to interact with so many different types of people from whom I can always learn something new"

Melania Balza - Contracts Manager

Malania has joined Paul Twinley's operations team. Living locally, she will be looking after customers in St Albans and the surrounding areas of Hertfordshire . This is what Melania had to say about joining Rapid:

"I am really enjoying the role so far. My colleagues are amazing - we work as a team, which means we always have help and support. I am looking forward to doing my best and growing with the company."

Mark Saunders - Business Development and Sales Executive

Living on the south coast makes Mark the perfect person to be looking after new business in this area ( Sussex , Dorset , Hampshire ). Although new to the cleaning industry he comes from a sales background and is a welcome addition to the sales team. This is what Mark had to say about his new role with Rapid:

"I enjoy meeting clients and really understanding the operational side of their business. I like building a personable relationship with my clients which does not end once they come on board. I bring business knowledge, hard work and a genuine hunger to do the best for my clients."

We've also had 99 new cleaning operatives join our team since October 2021! Welcome to all 102 new Rapid team members.

Announcing our Employee(s) of the Season - Summer 2021

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 16:26:09 GMT

Announcing Our Latest Employee(s) of the Season

Our Employee of the Season Award is an opportunity for employees to recognise the hard work of colleagues and ensure that it does not go by unnoticed. It remains a highlight for everyone, not just the winner!

We always have such a range of nominations and this season it was another tie-breaker.

Two Worthy Winners

This is what people had to say about the two winners:

Diana Marothy, Contracts Manager

Diana has always managed her own area exceptionally well. But recently there has been a noticeable shift in helping other managers who have been struggling – it is great to see!

Diana has really stood out for me. She is dedicated and really cares about her area. She also helps out with other CMs, even though she’s really busy herself. On a personal level, I think she is lovely, funny and a pleasure to work with ��

For being such a team player. She has been very helpful this quarter.

She is very committed and works hard. I think she has really stepped up and it should be recognised with this award.

Bernice Anim, Contracts Manager

She is working her socks off to ensure there are cleaners for her new sites, yet remains organised, efficient and good humoured. She’s an inspiration.

I know how hard-working she is and even if she’s under stress, she always remains pleasant and makes a point of asking how everyone else is when she comes into the office. She is also helpful and good at getting back to me and sorting out any little issues with customers.

My reason for voting for Bernice is the way how she has handled the working stress during these hard times. Bernice herself has been struggling and still struggling but never stopped helping other CMs even in different regions. She has stayed positive all the time, taking on new contracts with quick starts even without TUPE but never complained although she's working long hours and having little sleep. Bernice really deserves this award.

This person never stops working. Her dedication to the role, without moaning, is amazing. She is a delight to work with and such a great team worker.

Left to Right: Eddie-Lawrence Kalule, Bernice Anim, Diana Marothy, Jeff Whitton

Huge congratulations to Bernice and Diana! Here's a short video clip of the moment that they won...

Client Case Study: Softcat, Marlow, Buckinghamshire

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 09:29:56 GMT

Softcat is a leading provider of IT solutions and service s to businesses across the UK. Maria, the Office Manager in Marlow, Buckinghamshire , was looking for an ‘ efficient, reliable cleaning service ’, something they were no longer getting from their contractor of three years.

Investing in a Better Cleaning Service

Maria was keen to be removed from the day-to-day management of the cleaning and after contacting us for a quote in 2018, she was immediately impressed by the support structure provided by Rapid. The tailored cleaning schedule demonstrated the organisation that Maria was looking for, and being introduced to the local Contracts Manager for the Buckinghamshire area, helped to confirm that she would be well looked after.

Although the cost was slightly more than they were paying at the time, Maria felt this would be a good investment…

“We do pay a bit more money with Rapid, but we have a better service and the number of cleaners has increased. It has been worth paying a bit more money to get what we want; we are now getting good value for money.”

Flexibility has been key for Softcat. In 2020 they transformed the ground floor of their building into a Covid vaccination centre and the Rapid Clean team worked hard to help make this happen…

“We are so well looked after by the Rapid team; they are reliable, organised and just get things done. The Contracts Manager is easy to work with, responds to requests immediately, and has even helped us make savings in some areas.”

We asked Maria what has stood out for her in terms of Rapid’s service…

“Rapid is reliable, efficient in responding to our needs, and the management structure is excellent. I would definitely recommend Rapid to anyone.”

In March 2019, Rapid also took on the cleaning contract at Softcat Bristol. It's great to be able to support companies locall y and nationally.

Rapid provides a comprehensive service to many offices across the south of England . If you would like to consider Rapid for your office cleaning needs, complete this form and we will be in touch:

How Clean Is Your Office?

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 06:33:40 GMT

How Clean is Your Office?

It’s now almost two years since the first Covid-19 case occurred in the UK. Most weekdays our head office building in Wokingham sees around a dozen people entering its doors - slightly less than we are used to, but more than this time a year ago.

Things are slowly beginning to resemble our pre-Covid world but at Rapid we continue to operate with the two-metre rule in place, optional use of face masks, cleaning touch points 3 times per day, and discouraging additional staff from just ‘dropping in’ as they might have done in the past.

Over the Top or a Necessary Evil?

The above measures are no longer compulsory government rules but rather guidelines. As a cleaning company , it’s our responsibility to set an example, so we will be continuing with these measures as we go into the winter months.

There are no clear statistics on whether these precautions work but we have had one isolated case within our head office team of 35, with zero spread – take of that what you will!

Germs in the Workplace – Some Alarming Statistics

On a quest to find out if all this extra cleaning is really necessary, we came across some research carried out by Furniture at Work . Using a Hygiena ATP Monitoring System, they tested for bacteria levels on various surfaces (for reference, a perfectly clean and sterile surface would receive a reading of 0) and this is what they discovered:

The office door handle registered 648 RLU – 30 times more bacteria than the toilet seat
The kitchen was found to have three of the top five highest RLU count – sink (487), microwave (408) and kettle (288)
The office chair was found to be harbouring the most germs at a workstation, with a reading of 222
The keyboard came in at a fairly low 176, which you might have thought would be collecting the most germs.

The following images are courtesy of Furniture at Work and help demonstrate where germs typically collect around an office space.

The kitchen table only measured 2 RLU, the lowest of any area tested. The reason is likely because we will often clean this area first, suggesting the difference that regular cleaning can make to any surface.

3 Simple Tips to Keep Your Office Space Clean

Since Covid-19 first became known in the UK, we have increased our cleaning around the office.

Here are some recommendations:

1. Extra Touchpoint Cleans - If you have contract cleaners regularly coming into the office, ask them to include a midday touch point clean. For any Rapid Clean customers , this is something that we can incorporate into the contract as your office becomes busier.

2. Don’t Neglect Your Desk – Consider desk cleani ng and ensure all aspects are given a really thorough clean once per week (including the chair!).

3. Use Anti-Bacterial Products – A wipe down with a wet cloth won’t suffice, ensure that you use a product with an anti-bacterial component. If you're a customer and currently purchase consumables from Rapid Clean, we can point you in the right direction.

As workplaces become busier, it’s worth considering the health and mental wellbeing of your employees . Some people might be concerned about returning to the office; a few simple additions to your usual cleaning routine could put their minds at rest.

If you would like to find out more about our office cleaning service please make contact.

Bristol Grammar School - Cleaning Case Study

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 13:47:06 GMT

Founded in 1532, Bristol Grammar School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 4-18. The school is spread over a large campus with many buildings and houses.

We were delighted to be invited to tender for the cleaning contract of the school in 2014 and have been providing them with a fully managed cleaning service ever since.

Moving from In-House to Contract Cleaning

Bristol Grammar is a busy vibrant school with various events running after school, during the holidays and at weekends; the site is permanently in demand and the school’s cleaning requirements change on a daily basis. Having managed their cleaning in-house for a while, the Facilities Manager was looking to outsource:

“Managing the cleaners ourselves worked for a while but we didn’t have the necessary back up and that was becoming a problem. If staff were off sick, we didn’t have a full team and standards were beginning to slip. The school wanted to move forward and we knew that we would need a more professional solution.”

Initially they chose a local company to look after their cleaning requirements, but it soon became clear that they were not able to provide the flexibility or consistency required by Bristol Grammar. The Facilities Manager subsequently put the contract out to tender.

“We wanted a well-managed, professional cleaning company. We were looking at ways to make the school cleaning run smoother and Rapid made some good suggestions for supporting us in making the necessary changes.”

The team of 28 cleaners including a Day Janitor and Site Manager, means the school has Rapid Clean staff on site from 8am until 8pm, Monday to Friday and occasional weekends. The role of Day Janitor was a recent addition that the school was greatly in favour of.

“Having a janitor on site enables us to be proactive rather than reactive. It’s working really well for us and Carol is an excellent Site Manager.”

The Site Manager is supported by a Rapid Contracts Manager and Operations Manager who are on hand for advice and regularly visit the school. Jeff Whitton, Managing Director of Rapid continues to meet up with the team every quarter but as the FM says…

"Our relationship with Carol is so good that we rarely need to contact head office any more. This is what we wanted to happen and I can honestly say that since we got the right team of people here, it’s working really well."

We run a quarterly awards scheme exclusively for the cleaners at Bristol Grammar School, which has been great for morale. We recently provided the team with a celebratory lunch that enabled the whole cleaning team to meet Rapid’s Managing Director, Operations Manager and Contracts Manager.

If you would be interested in outsourcing the cleaning at your school , please get in touch.

Rapid Superstar Award Quarter 2 of 2021

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 15:10:06 GMT

Honoring hard work and dedication is at our core as an organisation. We are always thrilled to see so many cleaners who our management team , and customers , deem to be Superstars.

We are pleased to announce all those nominated as well as the overall winners of the latest Superstar Award.

Nominees:

Nenetter LUMBALA who cleans Belmont Primary School

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean said:

"Nenette does a very good job as the Site Supervisor. She manages the site and staff on a daily basis and helps to arrange cover when there is a shortage of staff ensures a great level of service. She ensures great standards across the site professionally and has great work ethic."

Trilochan LIMBU who cleans St Neot's Preparatory School

Frank Twum from Rapid Clean said:

"Since Trilochan started working at St Neot's the cleaning standards have been very high and he has been praised by the customer. He is always happy to help and he has recently helped to cover holidays, which he did around his other work commitments."

Dasilva MELEDJE who works as a cover cleaner

Mohamed Toure from Rapid Clean said:

"Dasilva has been very helpful with carrying out deep cleans. He is always happy to help out when I ask and he does a great job."

Mutiat JAYEOLA who cleans Camberwell Leisure Centre and Peckham Leisure Centre

Ingrid Antonio from Rapid Clean said:

"Always reliable. When I ask for her help, she is more than happy to do so. She will always jump in to help if needed with no complaints. She is very organised with managing the staff and is excellent when liaising with the clients."

Emma MCCANN who worked as a cover cleaner at Gestra UK

Craig Love from Rapid Clean said:

"She has been employed as a cover cleaner in Andover. After her first spell as cover, the customers at Gestra UK Limited could not praise her highly enough, the standards at the contract is extremely high but Emma exceeded these so much that the customer wanted to keep her. Thanks Emma, if the vacancy becomes permanently available I will offer you the job in a heartbeat."

Susan TURNER and Jacqueline STEPHENS who clean Oakhurst Community Primary School

Peter Soares from Rapid Clean said:

"They're great cleaners, extremely reliable and helpful too!"

Juliet ADJEI who cleans various sites

Bernice Anim from Rapid Clean said:

"She has been fantastic for the last couple of months covering sites where I have been struggling. She also does a good job ."

Runner Up:

Tanya METCALF who cleans Distrupol Ltd

Aga Skupien from Rapid Clean said:

"Tanya is very hard-working and is a kind person who goes over and above to make our customers not only satisfied with our service, but most importantly, grateful for having us."

Diane McLellan from Distrupol said:

"I'm glad Tanya is getting recognition. She is so valuable to us; she has worked single handedly as we reduced cleaner numbers due to COVID and with reduced numbers in the office. She often goes above and beyond by contacting me If she sees anything wrong in the office. She keeps us fully informed of any issues with availability and has come in at weekends if necessary if she’s had to take a Friday off, or needs to collect keys from a relief cleaner."

Lisa Cunningham from Distrupol said:

"I have only been at Distrupol for the last 8 weeks, but I totally agree, Tanya is above and beyond as a cleaner. She is a total superstar and we hope to keep her long term."

Rapid Superstar Winner:

Pamela and Darren HUDSON who clean Audley Travel in Witney, Oxfordshire

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean said:

“They represent a very high standard of cleaning, have excellent work ethics and outstanding performance in general. It's nice to have staff who care, go the extra mile to ensure the client is happy and take pride in what they are doing. Friendly, polite, hardworking, excellent organisational skills...- the list is long!"

Roger Chapman from Audley Travel said:

"We have been very happy with the level of cleaning experienced in the areas of the office that we believe are Darren & Pamela’s normal responsibility. It is great to know that each & every morning we walk back in to the office that the desks, kitchens & toilets will be spotless, especially at a time when cleanliness & hygiene are at the forefront of all of our minds. It offers us all peace of mind which is much appreciated. Thank you for all your hard work & effort."

Well done to everyone featured this quarter but a special congratulations to our winners, Pamela and Darren who we are proud to call 'Rapid Superstars'!

Glenlyn Medical Centre, Surrey - Medical Cleaning Case Study

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:41:28 GMT

Moving from In-House to Contract Cleaning

Glenlyn Medical Centre first contacted Rapid Clean as they were looking for an alternative cleaning solution. The cleaning had historically been done in-house, by one cleaner who was also doing other jobs on site. The cleaner was struggling to keep up with the cleaning, so they decided that outsourcing would be the best option.

The Practice Manager, Charlotte, invited various commercial cleaning providers to visit. Thankfully, once again, Rapid stood out from the rest…

“Rapid came up with the best price and the people I met gave me a good impression of the company.”

Charlotte admitted that she was initially daunted by the prospect of moving from in-house to a commercial cleaning provider. She thought that the process would be long-winded and painful but she was pleasantly surprised!

“Switching to a contractor really wasn’t as bad as I thought. I was putting it off as it felt like it would take forever. It was all set up within two weeks and it was much easier than I anticipated. The changeover was very smooth.”

We speak to many people who believe that commercial cleaning is too expensive and therefore not a viable option for them. We asked Charlotte whether she thought she was getting good value for money since outsourcing to us almost a year ago…

“Before, we were providing everything – all of the products, finding cleaning cover when needed, as well as managing the cleaner ourselves. Yes we are paying slightly more now but the service we get is so much better!”

It’s always good to hear from customers who have moved from in-house and are now completely converted to the benefits of contract cleaning . Our thanks go to Charlotte and Glenlyn Medical Centre, for being willing to share their experience of working with Rapid.

If you would be interested in outsourcing the cleaning at your medical practice, get in touch.

5 Ways to a More Sustainable Cleaning Regime

suzanne.whitton@rapidclean.co.uk (Suzanne Whitton) — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 08:30:08 GMT

Looking for some simple ways to look after our environment?

Looking after our environment is becoming increasingly important. Having recently obtained the ISO 14001 certification , we are constantly seeking ways to do better. To follow are five ways we can all move towards a more sustainable cleaning regime...

1. Reduction of Single Use Plastics

According to the WWF , eight million tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans every year, killing and harming marine life. It’s therefore important that we play our part in putting an end to this harmful use of plastics.

At Rapid Clean we use the Triple 8 Dose which is the best on the market for reduction of single use plastics. The chemical comes in a highly concentrated format with an easy dosing system. Our cleaning operatives re-use the trigger bottles over and over again, which eliminates single use plastics.

It also has the added credentials of reducing CO2 in transport; as it is concentrated, each box is smaller (a 1L bottle makes the equivalent of 100 trigger sprays) so this dramatically reduces CO2.

2. Re-using Consumables

Re-using consumables is a great way to avoid disposable items going into the waste stream. Microfibre cloths can be washed after every use which makes them a good tool to aid sustainable cleaning. At Rapid Clean we use these on every site.

Did you know that we can even source mops made out of old baby wipes? Or cleaning trolleys and buckets made from recycled plastics?

3. FSC Sourced Paper

The key with paper is to ensure it comes from FSC sources . The FSC system allows businesses and consumers to identify, purchase and use wood, paper and other forest products made with materials from well-managed forests and/or recycled sources .

Our aim is that all paper-based consumables come from a sustainably managed forest, so trees are planted to replace those harvested for paper usage.

Fully recycled paper is the most eco-friendly option but this is usually of a lower grade than "pure" tissue, so customers often prefer the latter. FSC sourced paper is a good alternative and our customers currently use a mixture of both.

4. Biodegradable Refuse Sacks

These do exactly what you expect - when put into the waste stream, they biodegrade instead of sitting in landfill as a plastic bag. Biodegradable sacks are currently quite a bit more expensive than standard refuse sacks so if you’re looking for something in between, green sacks are made from recycled farm bale so have a good environmental profile.

5. Reducing Journeys by Buying in Bulk

Our supplier, Castle (EU) Lt d, works hard to reduce their carbon footprint. They do this by distributing from a single location, rather than a multi-depot. They also use pre-established courier networks, which reduces carbon emissions by combining fleets.

Another way we can all assist in this mission, is by buying in bulk. It not only reduces the need for multiple journeys, but minimises packaging waste. If you have plenty of storage space, this can also reduce your costs which makes it a win/win!

If you're a Rapid customer and would like to enquire about the products mentioned here, or investigate sustainable versions of the products you are currently using, please contact us on 0845 0742981.

Credit to Castle (EU) Ltd for the facts and images.

Employee(s) of the Season - Spring 2021

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 08:00:21 GMT

Announcing Our Latest Employee(s) of the Season

Over the last 18 months, with so much disruption to the organisation, we paused our head office awards for a while. Voting in the Employee of the Season awards is a highlight (not just for the winner!) as everyone gets the chance to put forward a colleague who they feel has gone above and beyond in their role.

We are so pleased to see its return this season...

Not One, But Two Winners!

We had lots of nominations which is always good to see, but this season we had two winners who both received four positive comments. This is what their colleagues had to say about them:

Holly Godwin, Admin Apprentice

"In my opinion, Holly has really stood out in the last few months. She has taken on training another person, whilst also still learning new things herself and she has adapted to job sharing the accounts role really very well indeed. Holly always tries to do her very best and manages to still have a smile on her face, even when being pulled in so many directions. She is a pleasure to work with and that’s why to me she is the employee of the season."

"She is super polite, reliable and great to have her in our team. Looking forward to seeing her career develop."

"She doesn't work directly for me but she has such a lovely nature, is always willing to help out or do extra where needed, and I know she tries her hardest at everything she does."

"I would like to vote for Holly. She is so polite and is always smiling! She takes on any task with no complaints and is proactive in the way she works. She has great attention to detail and thinks about the bigger picture; a great asset to the company!"

Gareth Love, Operations Manager

"He has really gotten on with the EziTracker tasks that have been given to him and has just taken it in his stride. He’s even taken on the training side as well which is excellent. A great asset to the team and this task."

"He regularly replies to my emails, helps other Operations Managers with Ezitracker in his own time and I think he works hard. "

"I am going to vote for Gareth because of the support he has given me, especially with a new contract that has been difficult. He is always available on the phone or to meet in person. The main reason for my vote is that he helped me with an overnight floor polish as it was a big and important job, despite working all day himself he wanted to coach me on best practice and safety when carrying out this sort of job."

"Very supportive and helpful!"

Congratulations to Gareth and Holly, two very well deserving Employees of the Season!

How is a School Deep Clean Different from a Normal Clean?

chris@digity.co.uk (Chris Lunn) — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 15:57:27 GMT

Step-By-Step Guide to a School Deep Clean

Rapid Clean currently provides a cleaning service to around 200 education establishments in the south of England, many of which are schools . The majority of customers in this sector opt for a term-time contract with deep cleans during the school holidays. The amount of time allocated to deep cleans can be tailored to the building but is usually somewhere between 1 and 4 weeks of the usual weekly cleaning hours.

We are often asked what a school deep clean involves, so we thought it would be a good idea to share a blog post on the process.

Timing of a School Deep Clean

We prefer to do a deep clean when the school building is empty but can be flexible on the timing of it. We ask our customers to book in early to avoid disappointment (the last week of the school holidays is often popular!) but we try to accommodate where possible.

If any maintenance work is being carried out on site, which often happens during the holidays, then where possible, we will organise for the deep clean to take place after completion of works.

How is a Deep Clean Different to a Normal Clean?

Firstly, a deep clean is an intense clean with the equivalent of 1-4 weeks of cleaning all done at once. It is usually carried out by the regular cleaning team so that continuity and familiarity is maximised, however it is also common to involve additional staff with specialist experience.

As a deep clean is different to the team’s regular daily clean, the Contracts Manager is on site to ensure the cleaning staff have been fully briefed on all health and safety regulations, as well as being trained to work to Rapid Clean’s high standards.

To follow is the normal process of a school deep-clean:

1. Moving Obstructions

A deep-clean is the perfect time to focus on areas that are normally hard to reach or are not in the regular cleaning schedule.

This will often involve moving furniture/obstructions that the team doesn’t usually have time to do e.g. chair stacks, bookcases, cabinets, desks.

2. Detail Dusting

The regular cleaning schedule does not usually include high and low-level dusting of all areas; this is what a deep clean is for.

The cleaning team will focus on completely dusting and sweeping every area that is not easily reached e.g. light fittings, tops of shelving, skirting boards, behind all obstructions. Extension poles will be used where required.

3. Cleaning and Disinfecting

Once a full dust has been carried out, all areas will be wiped down and cleaned using a disinfectant. This will include table and chair legs, vision panels and partitioning.

Particular attention is paid to high touch points e.g. door handles, taps, toilet flushes, light switches etc.

4. Focus on Floors

A thorough floor clean can completely transform a school! Once swept clear of all debris, floors will be scrubbed using a scrubber/dryer machine.

Any carpet cleans or strip and seals of wood flooring, are carried out at an additional cost.

Where possible, the deep clean is checked by management before putting the classrooms back to how they should be, all ready for a new school term.

You can see the before and after photographs of a deep clean here .

Wheatley CE Primary School, Oxfordshire - Cleaning Case Study

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 10:48:06 GMT

Wheatley CE Primary School provides education for children aged 5-11 in the village of Wheatley, Oxfordshire . Heather Flint, the school’s Business Manager, initially spoke to us in July 2019 as she was unhappy with the existing contractor and looking to make a change…

Wheatley CE Primary School provides education for children aged 5-11 in the village of Wheatley, Oxfordshire . Heather Flint, the school’s Business Manager, initially spoke to us in July 2019 as she was unhappy with the existing contractor and looking to make a change…

“I had three companies out to tender but chose Rapid Clean for various reasons: a competitive price; the company’s ethos of looking after its staff; and Jessica’s (Sales Manager) conviction that she could deliver the kind of service we were looking for.”

Every new Rapid customer is introduced to the operations team a couple of weeks prior to the start date. Anna Dabal, Rapid’s Contracts Manager in Oxfordshire, visited the school and made a quick decision that it would require a deep clean in order to get it up to our standards. Heather was impressed by the transformation.

“The team took over at the start of Covid when some areas of the school were not being used. Anna decided to use the time and team wisely, to get the whole school up to speed – the before and after pictures in these areas were amazing!”

One of the down sides to starting off so well, is that we then have a reputation to live up to! Has Anna and her team delivered what Jess promised during her initial sales visit?

“Anna is extraordinary” said Heather “Her professionalism, commitment to Rapid, the school, and her team of cleaners, is second to none. She is kind, supportive and works with her team to get them on board. They now truly feel part of the school which is what we wanted all along.”

Current TUPE legislation means that we often inherit cleaners from the outgoing cleaning company. This can sometimes be a concern to potential customers as they believe the poor cleaning is down to the individuals. At Rapid Clean, we believe strongly that good management and dedicated training can change a situation.

“Anna inherited some cleaners but quickly got onto retraining them and she has done this again and again until they reached Rapid’s standards. They have been given a sense of pride in their work and this is thanks to Anna’s encouragement and nurturing style. Anna continues to seek improvement and maintain the standards with new staff.”

When asking Heather whether she would recommend Rapid to other schools …

“I already have! I’ve worked with many contractors and never before have I found one with such a total package of client care. The phone call from Karen in Customer Services to make sure we were happy four weeks in, was such a personal touch. I would highly recommend Rapid Clean to anyone.”

During what has been an extraordinarily difficult year for everyone, it’s been a privilege to work alongside Heather to keep Wheatley School clean and safe for pupils and staff. We look forward to a long and successful relationship.

If you would like to see what Rapid Clean can do for your school, get in touch:

Rapid Superstar Award Quarter 1 of 2021

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 15:48:05 GMT

It's never been more important to recognise hard work and dedication, than over the last 18 months. During the Covid pandemic our cleaning team has been on the front line, often going unnoticed.

We are therefore pleased to be able to publicly recognise some of those who particularly shone during quarter 1 of 2021.

Our operations team has nominated employees who they feel deserve to be considered for the Rapid Superstar Award. To follow are those who were nominated, the runners up, and finally, this quarter’s winner!

Nominees:

Margaret Mutuli who cleans UK Biocentre

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean said:

"Margaret is always on time, a very dedicated worker. What makes her different is she goes the extra mile when cleaning, one day I saw her on her knees scrubbing the toilet floor just because the scrubbing machine wasn't available."

Joao HENRIQUES DE FREITAS who cleans Carlisle Fluid Technologies

Craig Love from Rapid Clean said:

"When Joao started over a year ago he couldn’t speak any English but through perseverance and determination he can confidently and fluently converse with his peers and the staff at Carlisle. He applies this same determination to ensure that any of the tasks that he is requested to carry out is done to a very high standard and to the very best of his abilities.

I recently promoted him to deputy supervisor because I’m confident that in the absence of me or the site cleaning manager he will ensure that the site will run smoothly. He really is a superstar and an asset to Rapid clean."

Shukri Aways AHMED who cleans Hargreaves Lansdowne

Peter Soares from Rapid Clean said:

"I would like to nominate Shukri Ahmed from Hargreaves Lansdown. Shukri has been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic at a very busy site. She's extremely reliable, helpful and very friendly too!"

Runners Up:

Iveta TVRDIKOVA who cleans Chipping Norton Health Centre

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean said:

Iveta proved to be a perfect choice for the Supervisor's role. No matter our staffing levels, her sense of responsibility and diligence do not allow to rest until all the jobs are done to the highest standard... I am extremely grateful to have such a wonderful and dedicated supervisor. Regular weekly feedback from the Health Centre only echoes my opinion about Iveta and her work!

Yolanda Eden from Chipping Norton Health Centre said:

"Thanks to Iveta our building is now sparkling clean, and there are rarely complaints. We are so pleased with Iveta and how she manages the cleaning of the building and the difference since she’s been there is enormous. Everything (toilets, mirrors) sparkles, and she really goes the extra mile. She is an outstanding cleaner/supervisor, and I do hope she will get the award! Please let me know if she does!"

Mamadou BAH who cleans Tylers Green Middle School

Diana Marothy from Rapid Clean said:

“Mamadou is very reliable and he works hard at the school every day.”

Elin Chlak from Tylers Green Middle School said:

"Mamadou is a very valued additional help in our school. He is reliable and gets on with the job of keeping the school extra clean during these uncertain circumstances. He's always friendly and with a smile on his face. I will miss seeing him when the pandemic is over! I would very highly commend Mamadou and support his recommendation for this award."

Maria Elizabeth VASQUEZ CALAPINA who cleans The Castle Centre

Ingrid Antonio from Rapid Clean said:

Maria is a diamond! She is always willing to help organise the staff and she helps support the team at The Castle Centre. I have all the support I need to run the shifts when I am not around. She covers absences and is always happy to help.

Trevor Pardoe at The Castle Centre said:

"Absolutely would recommend Maria for this award. Although we have not worked as much as we normally do, due to lockdowns, when we have had Maria and her team in the centre, they do a fantasic job! Maria ensures that the centre is always spotless and even when I walk the centre looking for items to pick up on, Maria is always there to help and make right."

Zamzam WARZAME who cleans North Ealing Primary School

Frank Twum from Rapid Clean said:

"Sarah has been incredible. I can't put into words how great she is. Anytime she is there, she is so organised and never lets me down."

Sarah Gordan from North Ealing Primary School said:

"I can confirm though the standard of the cleaning in school has greatly increased and I am sure Sarah has contributed to that."

Ariadne LORENCI who cleans OKW Enclosures

James Saunders from Rapid Clean said:

"Ariadne has only been with us around 6 months but she has shown herself to be a model employee. Her attendance has been 100%, she has been very professional and courteous on site. Excellent communication and every audit has come back faultless. Ariadne’s conduct means that this contract runs extremely smoothly with excellent customer feedback and minimal management intervention. She is a highly regarded member of my team."

Ian Cox from OKW Enclosures said:

"I’m delighted to hear that Ariadne has been considered. I’ve only met her a couple of times, as she comes in after hours, but she’s very polite & clearly very diligent, as my team have no issues with the cleanliness of our facilities. She’s doing an excellent job for Rapid, reflected in the assessment scores given in James’s reports."

Rapid Superstar Winner:

Beata KORNAGA who cleans Wenlock C of E Junior School

Piotr Szulc from Rapid Clean said:

"Beata is doing a great job at Wenlock C of E Junior School; the client thinks that she is excellent!"

Neil Anderson from Wenlock Junior School said:

"Beata has been part of the cleaning team here at Wenlock Junior School for the past seven months and has proved to be invaluable. She is very reliable, which in a school is so important, rarely off and always turning up to work early. Her standard of cleaning is just fantastic which has been even more valued over recent months because of the pandemic and the need for extra cleaning in the school building. On the rare occasion where I may be short of a cleaner for whatever reason, Beata has no problem stepping in and helping the other team members cover that section.

All of us at Wenlock really appreciate the great work that Beata does for us and I feel that Rapid should be proud of having a cleaning operative such as Beata representing their company."

Congratulations to Beata for the amazing comments she received from both the customer and her line manager. All of the runners-up also received a small prize in recognition of their hard work.

Introducing Our Environmental, Health & Safety Team

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 22:57:09 GMT

At Rapid Clean, we recognise the importance of focusing on looking after our environment, as well as the health and safety of those we work with and for.

To reinforce our commitment, we recently created an Environmental, Health and Safety Team (EHS), headed up by Helen Walsh, Rapid Clean’s Health and Safety and Compliance Manager.

Helen wanted to ensure that we had a good representation from all levels of the company, so invited people with various roles within the organisation. The one thing they all have in common, is a commitment to ensuring that we are doing our very best by the planet, as well as the people we encounter.

Rapid's EHS Team

Quarterly EHS meetings will be an opportunity for team members to raise matters of concern, as well as put forward ideas and suggestions of how we could be doing things better with regard to health and safety and the environment. Outcomes will then be communicated to all parties within the business, from Rapid Clean customers to our valued cleaning operatives.

Environmental Goals for 2021

Benchmark energy usage throughout 2021 with the aim to reduce energy consumption year on year
Benchmark water usage throughout 2021 with the aim to reduce the amount of water used / wasted year on year
Delivery of environmental awareness training, including induction training to all staff throughout the business for completion by July 2021
Review/purchase new vehicles with lower CO2 emissions
Reduce our carbon footprint by communicating (where practical) by other means e.g. Zoom, Skype, MS Teams, to reduce the need for travel.

These goals will be added to as and when the EHS Team highlights any suitable revisions.

ISO 14001 Certification

We are thrilled to have been awarded ISO 14001 this month. ISO 14001 is the International Standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). It was designed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) to help businesses and other organisations to reduce their environmental impact.

Credit must go to Helen Walsh, who has been continually pushing us forward to meet the required criteria for this esteemed certification.

Is Contract Cleaning Worth the Money?

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 10:46:00 GMT

Like most service providers, we make contact with potential customers on a daily basis. We regularly find that those who have opted for in-house cleaning, have decided that contracting cleaning is not worth the money, without really looking into the benefits.

In our experience, there are 3 common reasons why companies are reluctant to take the leap from in-house, to contract cleaning:

1. Contract cleaning is too expensive

If you currently have more than 2 hours of cleaning per day, then you might be surprised to find that contract cleaning could be a cost-effective solution for you. When comparing costs, it is worth considering that an in-house cleaner will require you to pay for sick cover, holiday cover, maternity leave and National Insurance. Over time, all of these add up.

Outsourcing to a contract cleaning provider will result in no more last-minute searches for a cover-cleaner or worse still, having to carry out the cleaning yourself when you have so many other jobs to get on with.

Taking away the hassle of managing staff and dealing with time-consuming personnel issues, has the knock on effect of reducing your costs and enabling your company to run more efficiently. Andy Rapson, the Site Manager at Whiteknights School in Reading , discovered the benefits to contract cleaning and hasn’t looked back:

“I’m often not here at the time of clean but I’ve never felt the need to keep on top of the cleaners because Bernice (Rapid’s Contracts Manager) does that part. If I have got a problem, she sorts it out straight away. We’ve now got the set-up we wanted, and I am delighted with the service.”

A cleaning contractor is likely to benefit from buying chemicals and equipment in bulk. Any good supplier will usually pass these savings onto their customers – another cost and time reduction.

2. I am happy with my cleaner and don’t want to change

If you currently employ a cleaner who is providing a good service, it is very simple for the cleaning company to take over as employer. At Rapid, we are always keen to hire cleaners who have been recommended to us and in certain circumstances, the current TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) law will require us to do just that.

This law also states that the cleaning staff must be hired under the same pay and terms and conditions. We have written a detailed explanation of TUPE and how it affects your business, here .

3. I don’t want to be tied into a contract

There are a lot of initial overheads involved in taking on a new site: investment in equipment; training; advertising of staff; time etc. Yes there will be a contract but this has its advantages to you as the customer – a promise of what the cleaning company will commit to providing, written down and signed by both parties.

In this industry, contracts tend to have a duration of between 1 and 3 years, sometimes longer; ours is a 12-month term. You should find that any decent cleaning provider will have an exit clause for poor performance, protecting you as the customer. At Rapid, we work on a 14-day improvement notice if you are unhappy with our performance.

Making a change to the familiar is always a daunting prospect but hopefully this has helped you to better understand the advantages to contract cleaning and the benefits that this service could make to you and your organisation.

Rapid Superstar Award Quarter 4 of 2020

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 15:55:00 GMT

Good management is a vital part of providing a professional cleaning service. We are acutely aware however, that our cleaners are the ones carrying out the work on a daily basis which is why we introduced the Rapid Superstar Award.

Every quarter we ask our operations team to nominate anyone who has gone above and beyond in their role and deserves to be considered for this award. To follow are those who were nominated this quarter, the runners up and finally, this quarter’s winner!

Nominees:

Olwyn VENN-DUNN who cleans Willowcroft Community School

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean said:

“When Olwyn turned up at this site, it was like a miracle! At last I had a supervisor who I could trust. She is competent, experienced and an excellent team player. She goes above and beyond in her role and has excellent communication skills”

Isabela CARDOSA DA SILVA who cleans Basildon Primary School

Frank Twum from Rapid Clean said:

“Isabela has been so supportive during this pandemic and has helped me to cover different sites. If I have staff self-isolating or on holiday, she is always there to help.”

Demetrius ACHEAMPONG who cleans UK Biocentre

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean said:

“Demetrius has been so helpful with arranging staff and covering the site before and during the Christmas period.”

Caroline DANCER who cleans Siemens Energy, Sandford Substation

Peter Soares from Rapid Clean said:

“Caroline is doing a great job at a really busy site. She is always delivering excellent cleaning standards.”

Runners Up:

Sarah OPPONG who cleans Beaufort Community Primary School

Bernice Anim at Rapid Clean said:

“Since I took over managing the contract at Beaufort, I have noticed Sarah is such a hard-working individual. She ensures that the customer is happy and has helped us to retain this contract.”

Keith Gibson at Beaufort Primary said:

“I cannot tell you how happy I am that Sarah has been nominated…she is always smiling and is the glue that holds the staff together. She is such a valued member of our team…we can’t talk highly enough of this very special lady.”

Samuel GYEDU who cleans Keep Hatch Primary School

Sankulay Sowe at Rapid Clean said:

“Samuel has a great working relationship with the customer and goes above the requirements to ensure a great service is provided. He is a great cleaner and a pleasure to work with”

Wendy Taylor at Keep Hatch Primary School said:

“Sam is a pleasure to have in school – he is friendly, brings a smile to everyone’s face, is happy to be at work and gives a ‘keep calm and carry on’ aura. On top of that, he is a fabulous cleaner, going above and beyond in making everyone feel safer in terms of Covid.”

David NIVEN who cleans AB Precision:

Craig Love from Rapid Clean said:

“David has extremely high standards and is always actively looking for things to clean. He ensures the other cleaner is also at the top of her game. The site has never looked so clean and the customer is extremely happy.”

Graham Seddon at AB Precision said:

“David comes across enthusiastic every day, greeting everyone with a smile and a good morning. Nothing’s too much trouble and he deals with any issues immediately.”

Rapid Superstar Winner:

Alanna Morris who cleans Petersgate Infant School

James Saunders from Rapid Clean said:

“Alanna has never been absent; her attitude is fantastic, and her cleaning standards are great. The staff at the school have a lot of time for her, even celebrating her 18th birthday and making a fuss of her when she passed her driving test. She demonstrates the exact high standards I look for, it’s great to see that someone so young can really make a difference and represent Rapid in such a positive light. The last audit was 100% here and the customer was in full agreement.”

Julie Cook, Head Teacher at Petersgate Infant School said:

“Alanna is a fantastic member of our school team. She is always friendly and professional and I cannot fault her work. She is careful not to interrupt the work of the school in the mornings, yet will do everything she can to help her colleagues. She is a true credit to Rapid Clean.”

Paul Claxton, our Operations Director, was thrilled to present Alanna with her award and prize. What a fantastic asset she is to our team! All of the runners-up also received a small prize in recognition of their hard work.

The post Rapid Superstar Quarter 4 of 2020 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid’s Chosen Charity for Christmas 2020

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:15:00 GMT

For the last few years, rather than sending out Christmas cards, we have given our head office staff the opportunity to nominate a charity they would like us to send a donation to. This year more than any other, it feels wholly appropriate to be giving to others.

We had many worthy charities nominated but Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice was mentioned numerous times. We are therefore pleased to be sending them a donation to support the incredible work that they do.

If you’re not familiar with this charity, Phyllis Tuckwell is situated in Farnham, Surrey. They provide a range of free services to ensure that adult patients and families living with an advanced or terminal illness (such as cancer, heart, lung or neurological disease) can make the most of their lives.

We asked Becki Lee, our HR Generalist and Apprenticeship Lead, her reason for nominating this charity:

“I nominated Phyllis Tuckwell as they provide great support to their patients and their families. Personally, I know many that have witnessed the amazing work they do for end of life care. They are on hand 24 hours a day, whether at home or in the hospice, which is invaluable.”

Jeff and Suzanne Whitton have friends who are currently being supported by the wonderful team at Phyllis Tuckwell . This is what their friends had to say:

“The care and compassion that the team shows is phenomenal. The services they provide to patients and families are instrumental in ensuring that every day matters”.

Christmas is often a difficult time of year and 2020 has been so challenging for everyone. We are pleased to be able to support this worthy charity and the many people who they are helping.

We wish all of our staff and clients a safe Christmas. We hope that 2021 is a better year for all.

Rapid’s Superstar Q3 2020

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 12:03:00 GMT

We’ve really enjoyed gathering nominations for our Superstar Award this time round. It’s always good to celebrate the positives but never more so than this year!

2020 has been a particularly difficult year for everyone and cleaning has been in high demand. We have a number of cleaning operatives who really shone in their roles during quarter 3 (July-September) of 2020. Below you’ll find a list of those that were nominated, those that received the runners up prize and finally, our winner…

Nominees:

Fatuma JOEL who cleans The Pines School , Bracknell

Bernice Anim from Rapid Clean said:

“She has been helpful covering other sites when I need her to, cleans well and takes pride in her job.”

Demetrius ACHEAMPONG who cleans UK Biocentre , Milton Keynes

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean said:

“I would like to nominate Demetrius for his hard work and determination on the job. His dedication was one of the reason we got an increase in hours at the UK Biocentre”

Runners Up:

Mohamed Ali RIAHI who cleans Tylers Green Middle School, Tylers Green

Diana Marothy from Rapid Clean said:

“Mo is very helpful and never lets us down.”

Elin from Tylers Green Middle School said:

“Mo is an excellent cleaner, always ready to go above and beyond what he’s expected to do. He’s willing to listen and take on any client comments. He is punctual and reliable and very approachable and friendly. Everyone at school really appreciates him and gets on well with him.

He always makes sure the building is empty and secure before he locks up. If he gets stuck he will contact the caretaker who lives on site to come and assist him. We couldn’t praise him enough! The award would be well deserved!”

Anna BLASZCZYK who cleans Huntsman Advanced Materials UK Ltd, Cambridge

Piotr Szulc from Rapid Clean said:

“Anna has worked for us for a long time and is always willing to cover work in different areas. She is also good Supervisor and doing great job at Huntsman.”

Caroline from Huntsman Advanced Materials said:

“Anna is very deserving of an award! She works very hard, and always has a smile on her face. She goes over and above to ensure that the hours are covered when someone is off and she never complains. Her work ethic is second to none, and I have never heard a bad word said about her. She is cheerful and dedicated, and looks after her team. I’m so happy she has been recognised for being the superstar that she is!”

Michal SKRZYPIEC who cleans Bishopsgate School, Egham

Aga Skupien from Rapid Clean said :

“Michal shows continued commitment and goes above and beyond to please customers.”

Charlie from Bishopsgate School :

“Of the Rapid cleaners we have working on site, Michal is the most conscientious in regards to his role.”

Janos NEMETH who cleans Portico Shipping Ltd, Portsmouth

James Saunders from Rapid Clean said:

“ His leadership, site knowledge and client relationship is second to none. Since he has taken up the Supervisor role, he has transformed the contract and we have had two big increases. He covers leave and sickness without hesitation and he is a big reason for our success there. He has also covered 3 or 4 other local sites, often at short notice. I feel Janos is a very strong candidate this quarter and he deserves some recognition.”

Magda Storlarz at Portico Shipping said:

“Janos is a very hard working and proactive cleaner. His communication is excellent and attention to detail is second to none. I have every confidence in him leading the cleaning team here as I know he cares a great deal about the site and Rapid delivering a great service at Portico.”

Corinne COLE who cleans Finishing Brands, Bournemouth

Craig Love from Rapid Clean said:

“We have been short staffed on numerous occasions and when requested, Corrine, without question, assists with covering the vacant areas. She is an amazing lady who works extremely hard during her shift and is an asset to Rapid clean. I wish I had more employees like Corinne.”

Gareth Love from Rapid Clean said:

“I really would like to stress also, the feedback I get regarding Corinne is second to none. To reiterate, her maturity does not hold her back and she is more than willing always to attend at the drop of a hat, regardless of the unsociable hours.”

Rob Smith at Finishing Brands said:

“ I always Find Corinne is very dependable and goes about her work without fuss, and always to a great standard. She is always willing to help if asked to and I never get any negative comments from people in the areas she works in.”

Winner:

Maria (Marta) LESNIAK who cleans Didcot Health Centre, Didcot

Left to Right: Jeff Whitton (MD, Rapid Clean), Anna Dabal (CM, Rapid Clean), Maria Lesniak, Gill Suter

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean said:

“It was a turbulent period for us over there when Maria joined us. The regular cleaners left due to COVID-19 panic. We had a few cleaners in who could not cope with the expectations and their performance was not satisfactory resulting in many complaints and the client’s frustration.

Maria saved the contract – from day one she presented a very high standard of cleaning. Her understanding of the new COVID-19 regulations and her ability to adapt and cooperate with the client to create a minimal risk environment, was outstanding.

In a short period of time Maria gained trust and sympathy of the Health Centre’s staff. They respect and speak of her highly. It is a pleasure to go and audit the site knowing that one has to try very hard to find any faults at all! High attention to detail while working fast as a bullet, reliability, never complaining – these describe Maria’s work ethics.”

Gill Suter from Didcot Health Centre said:

“Marta is amazing. I cannot fault her thoroughness and attention to detail – and all at speed. She really cares about getting it right for the extra-stringent requirements of a healthcare setting. As you can imagine, this has been an incredibly tough year for us, and good infection control is central. But this team rose to the challenge without hesitation. Despite language difficulties, Marta and I get our message across to each other and have a lot of fun.

I also enjoy working with Marta’s daughter Alex who has been a great addition to our team when she steps up to cover any absence. Marta is thorough, flexible, and funny – I wish her luck and I couldn’t think of a more deserving, hard-working person for your award.”

Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for the Superstar Award this time round, it’s always so great to see compliments from our customers. Special thanks and congratulations to Marta who we are proud to call a Rapid employee.

The post Rapid’s Superstar Q3 2020 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Handling Customer Feedback Efficiently with Freshdesk

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 12:43:00 GMT

In many ways we would prefer not to be writing this blog post but pretending that we never get any ‘constructive feedback’ (our preferred terminology!) from customers, would be a) stretching the truth and b) unhelpful.

There are of course occasions when customers would like to request additional cleaning, more consumables or simply informing us about changes to their teams. Whatever the request or feedback might be, we are now using Freshdesk to help us handle everything more smoothly.

What is Freshdesk?

Freshdesk is a cloud-based customer support software and help desk solution. It enables us to create manual and automated ‘tickets’ every time a customer sends an email or calls in to head office with an issue or a request that needs to be actioned.

Each ticket is assigned to an Operations Manager who then creates a ‘service task’ for the relevant Contracts Manager. All relevant activities are then logged onto the system, including every follow up comment from the customer.

Once we believe a complaint to be ‘closed’, the customer is issued an email to say we are closing the ticket but they are able to re-open it if they are not satisfied with the outcome.

How will Rapid customers benefit from Freshdesk?

The addition of Freshdesk means that our customers can ensure that we are following every complaint through to a close and actioning every request made.

Customers will automatically receive an email every time a ticket is updated, ensuring that they know exactly what the plan is and/or what has been done to rectify the situation. Customers are also encouraged throughout, to provide feedback of their own.

What do Rapid customers need to do?

Historically, we have encouraged customers to communicate directly with their Contracts Manager if they have an issue. Whilst that still stands, Freshdesk adds a new layer by recording every conversation and action that has taken place.

The best way to ensure that an issue is logged and followed through to a close (no matter how big or small) is for Rapid customers to email support@rapidclean.freshdesk.com . This will automatically create a ‘ticket’ that will be seen by head office and the site specific Operations Manager.

Our aim over the coming months is to roll this out throughout our operations department so that we are using Freshdesk to its full capacity and all customers are benefitting from this additional tool.

Many Rapid customers are already using the system and we have received a number of emails to our support function. We are confident that Freshdesk will only improve our service going forward.

The post Handling Customer Feedback Efficiently with Freshdesk appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Employee of the Season – Summer 2020

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 16:54:00 GMT

The last nine months have been tough on everyone so it’s great to be able to share good news when we can. This week we invited the winner of our Employee of the Season award, James Saunders, into the office.

James has been working as Contracts Manager along the south coast , since August 2019. He has clearly made a great impression with customers and colleagues alike. We were pleased to be able to give him a socially distanced round of applause and share all the positive things that his colleagues had to say about him…

“Working throughout the lockdown period was difficult for all of us who were still at work, however all contact that I had with James was lovely. He has always been a pleasure to work with, but I feel that with less people working, it really highlighted his excellent work ethic. James is quiet in general but he always seems to be on top of everything and has it all under control; all in all they are a good egg. That is why I think he deserves this award.”

“James is super helpful all the time and he is always on the ball when it comes to his customers & what is happening at all his sites. He has been extremely helpful to me during the last 2 months answering questions or queries I have had very quickly and efficiently.”

“James is always so helpful and knows a lot about his staff and customers. He seems to really care about the work he does and he is a pleasure to work with.”

“James has really worked hard to make the area his own and has built an excellent relationship with his clients and cleaners which shows in his contract and staff retention. It is a real pleasure working with him.”

Congratulations to James who has fitted well into the team and is always keen to support other departments when he can. Keep up the hard work James, you’re a great asset to Rapid!

The post Employee of the Season – Summer 2020 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Why Start an Apprenticeship Scheme?

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 09:30:00 GMT

One of the best things we have done as a company in recent years, is introduce an apprenticeship scheme. One member of our team has recently completed her apprenticeship, going on to start a new role within the company, and we currently have two others at differing stages on the programme.

This initiative has been championed by our HR Generalist and Apprenticeship Lead, Becki Lee. We interviewed Becki to find out more about the scheme and how it has worked for us as a company…

When did we introduce the Apprenticeship scheme at Rapid and why?

We initially thought about introducing an Apprenticeship scheme towards the end of 2018 and our first Business Administration Apprentice joined the Company in January 2019. When researching the scheme, I was impressed by the training that they would receive, how it would benefit their skills and support their development within the company. The scheme has also been beneficial for us due to the wide range of skills and knowledge they have developed across many areas of the business, supporting all departments at Head Office where necessary. It is great to see our Apprentices doing so well!

How many apprentices have we had go through the scheme?

So far, we have had one member of staff complete their Apprenticeship . Upon completion, I was pleased to offer them a position within the HR department, after they showed an interest in developing and working in this area of the business. It has been great to see them develop since they first started and I am glad to have had the opportunity to support them with this. We currently also have two other Apprentices in our Admin team; I look forward to continuing to mentor them during their Apprenticeship.

What’s your role as an Apprenticeship lead?

I work closely with our Apprentices, managing them on a day to day basis, ensuring that they are receiving all of the required training, including allocated ‘off the job’ learning time and supporting them in their job roles. I also liaise with our Training Provider ‘Reach4skills’ to ensure that their learning, both relating to their Apprenticeship and their job role, are on track.

What do you look for in a new apprentice?

When recruiting for a new Apprentice, I look for those that demonstrate dedication, have an excellent work ethic and are committed to Continued Personal Development.

What are the advantages of doing an Apprenticeship with Rapid?

We have seen first-hand the benefits of the Apprenticeship scheme for both the employee and employer. Our Business Administration Apprentices are able to gain a lot of experience from various areas of the business including HR, Sales, Marketing, Accounts, Payroll and Customer Services , helping with their personal development. In return, we have found that our Apprentices are motivated to learn new skills and show a great dedication to their job roles and the Company.

What do you enjoy most about your role as Apprenticeship Lead?

It’s great to see our Apprentices gaining confidence and enjoying the work that they do; it is very rewarding to be a part of their progression.

Left to Right: Becki Lee, Louise Kay, Holly Godwin, Beth Abbott

The post Why Start an Apprenticeship Scheme? appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 10:05:00 GMT

This month is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, a topic that has sadly affected a couple of our employees recently.

Trigger Warning

We wanted to take the opportunity to raise awareness and particularly highlight the importance of talking. Huge thanks to Louise Kay, our business apprentice, who has bravely written this post…

Our wonderful sales executive, Mairead McAlpine, gave birth to her sweet baby boy, William Joseph Peter Evans, on 21 ^st May 2020. Sadly, William was born sleeping and Mairead’s pregnancy became one of the many (1 in 4 will end in miscarriage or stillbirth) that end this way.

Earlier this year, I too found myself becoming part of this unfortunate and surprisingly common, statistic. A surprise pregnancy during lockdown, sadly ended in a missed miscarriage at 11 weeks with my baby only growing to six weeks in size.

Speaking with Mairead, we found a common thread in our grief – this subject is just not talked about enough. As with most grief and trauma, when it’s not talked about, silence can lead to shame and sometimes depression. We need to be allowed to grieve our babies as any other parents would, and talk openly about our feelings.

Mairead has seen first-hand the more severe problems that this silence and lack of awareness can lead to. When William was born, Mairead and her partner Harry, were fortunate enough to be supplied with a cool cot. A cool cot is a piece of medical equipment that creates a refrigerated cot and allows parents valuable time with their babies. When your child is born sleeping, this extra gift of time is so precious; it allows parents to create memories which will be held so dear. While Mairead and Harry were fortunate enough to be able to use this cot, the hospital only had one available and therefore another couple sadly had to go home and then return.

Mairead has set about raising awareness and money towards cuddle cots and cool cots. So far Mairead and Harry have managed to buy four cuddle cots for the UK based charity 4Louis who support anyone affected by miscarriage or stillbirth.

Mairead is now taking on her next challenge by fearlessly doing a Skydive 20 days before William’s first heavenly birthday next year. “For those of you that know me, the idea of a skydive absolutely petrified me but yet here I am. I’ve been to hell and back through losing our beautiful boy, how hard can a skydive be right? When I’m up there I’ll be close to my boy.”

This time funds will go towards Sands who support families through their darkest times, fund bereavement courses for professionals and raise awareness on the subject of stillbirth and neonatal deaths.We hope you will join us in supporting Mairead and this worthy course in any way you can, by donating here .

I am grateful to Rapid Clean for allowing myself and Mairead to share our stories in this post and I hope that it encourages more employers to allow staff to share their experience in an open, supportive way. Miscarriage and pregnancy loss are a terrible thing but shining a light on this subject can only be a good thing for many women and their families. If this subject has affected you, please find support and information at Sands or Miscarriage Association .

The post Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid Superstar Results – Quarter 2 of 2020

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 15:38:00 GMT

During what has been a very difficult period, it’s always good to celebrate some positive news. Every quarter we ask our Contracts Managers and Operations Managers to nominate an employee who they feel has surpassed themselves in terms of hard work and commitment. We also ask the customer for feedback, which is always a joy to read.

Congratulations to all of our nominees, runners up and of course, the winner!

Nominees:

Fernando Lopes de Almeida Junior who cleans GEMS Didcot Primary Academy

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean said: “Fernando doesn’t disappoint, turns up to work every day, covers multiple sites, even remote ones if needed. He is enthusiastic, hard working and entertains the clients!”

Victoria Peebles who cleans Wildmoor Heath School and Crowthorne C of E Primary School

Sankulay Sowe from Rapid Clean said: “Victoria is hard working and performs well.”

Comfort Asante who cleans Meriden Surgery

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean said: “During the pandemic, Comfort has been helpful in covering various sites. She never disappoints and is very reliable.”

Sara Spooner who cleans The Clanfield Practice

James Saunders from Rapid Clean said: “Consistent high standards and excellent conduct. Since Sara moved to The Clanfield Practice, the standards have been raised to an outstanding level.”

Bryony Darlow who cleans Beaucroft Foundation School

Craig Love from Rapid Clean said: “Bryony has turned the school around. I can rest in confidence that the school will run flawlessly without my constant attention.”

Runners Up:

Taylor Collins who cleans Anytime Fitness, Welwyn Garden City

Piotr Szulc from Rapid Clean said: “She cares about her work and uses her initiative. Everybody thinks highly of her.”

John Turner from Anytime Fitness said: “ Great to hear Taylor has been nominated for this award, it is very much deserved. Taylor has been nothing short of excellent for us. She is reliable, she does a fantastic job and the members are always commenting on how clean the gym is and more importantly, how pleasant Taylor is. Obviously we have recently reopened after the Government enforced lockdowns and Taylor has been instrumental in maintaining our high standards of cleanliness and ensuring our members feel safe to train. I would highly recommend that Taylor receives this award.”

Oliver Young who cleans Axon and covers at The Marist School

Aga Skupien from Rapid Clean said: “Oliver always goes above and beyond to ensure that customer is happy. Consider the current COVID-19 situation, his commitment is second to none.”

Bal Ahluwalia at Axon said: “Oliver Young is a brilliant hard worker who gets on with the job and does not mess around or drag out his time. He pays attention to detail which was noticed by the staff in our office when he did the lunchtime shift for us. He definitely deserves an award.

Richard Amankwah who cleans Basildon Primary School

Frank Twum from Rapid Clean said: “I always get a great feedback from the client about Richard. He’s been helping me get staff to cover other sites and he is a very hard worker. He’s been very flexible, doing additional work and changing his time of working to help, following the site’s request.”

Pam Slingsby from Basildon Primary School said: “Richard is such a great all-rounder. He is great at his job, gives the staff space to continue what they are doing before coming back to clean, and listens to comments and acts on them. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Richard has gone above and beyond to support our daily operations. We would be lost without him!”

Nenette Lumbala who cleans Belmont Primary School

Ernest Bonney from Rapid Clean said: “Since the start of her employment, Nenette has been great and very helpful. The client did an interview for their school with Nenette, which I believe will be going in their school newspaper or website as they very happy with her. She is quite the back bone of the contract, she has been working quite long shifts at the client’s request with no complaints.”

Alison from Belmont Primary School said: “Nanette has done an excellent job at Belmont. She worked tirelessly despite it being so hot and she was working on her own and doing the toilets constantly all day, which isn’t fun for anyone. She never stops working and the pride she takes in her work is reflected in the standard of cleaning she achieves. She continued to supervise her team really well and keep them motivated and upbeat during a time when many of them were feeling nervous about working in a school. She is great fun to have around and a very interesting person to chat to. She featured in our school newsletter as one of the main interviews! She is a mum and she knows how to clean and work hard! We love her.”

Mariann Notin who cleans Brakes Group

Peter Soares from Rapid Clean said: “Mariann is extremely reliable and helpful, delivering an excellent service in a very busy site.”

Steve Horton from Brakes Group: “Marrian and Eva are great members of the team, they come to work with a smile on their face and nothing is too much trouble for them, All during this pandemic they have remained resilient and have made Portbury just a little bit better place to work. Treating them like our own members of staff would have helped this. Hope they win as they are a credit to your company.

Rapid Superstar Winner:

Left to Right: June Perry, Nathan Vye, Vicky Pilton, Jeff Whitton

Vicky Pilton who cleans Impact Call Centre

Nathan Vye from Rapid Clean said: “Vicky came back to work, following being on furlough and cleaned the full building to a great standard. The customer is really happy with the service being delivered.”

June Perry from Impact Call Centre said: “Vicky has been working with us for over 5 years now and is an extremely hard working, caring, trustworthy, loyal team member who always goes above and beyond, works well on her own and mucks in when needed. Vicky has personally had a really rough few years but despite her problems she has continued to work extremely hard taking great pride in her work…w ithout her “can do” attitude we would find life much more difficult, we are so glad that she is back working with us and she really does deserve this award.”

Massive congratulations to Vicky – a hard working lady who has clearly made a huge impact not only on us here at Rapid, but on the people at Impact Call Centre.

The post Rapid Superstar Results – Quarter 2 of 2020 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

A Bit of Happy Company News

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 10:28:00 GMT

Let’s get it out of the way and say that 2020 hasn’t exactly turned out the way that any of us thought it might. In amongst the doom and gloom, it’s good to celebrate the positives and we’ve had a number of happy things happening here at Rapid over the last few months.

On 24th July 2020, our HR Manager, Emily Hunter, gave birth to a gorgeous baby boy. Christopher surprised Emily and Chris by arriving 8 weeks early and weighing in at just 3lbs! He is thriving beautifully and should be coming home to be with his mummy and daddy very soon. We wish Emily, Chris and baby CJ all the very best.

Next up is some happy wedding news for our business admin apprentice, Louise Kay née Good. Louise and Tom decided to forge ahead with their wedding plans despite lockdown restrictions and based on their happy faces, it looks like it was the right decision!

Every lockdown wedding needs a photo of the wedding party in masks…

We would also like to take this opportunity to celebrate Beth Abbott who has not only passed her business administration apprenticeship with us but has gone on to be promoted into the role of HR Administrator.

Beth is a brilliant asset to the team and having won the title of Employee of the Season not once but twice since she joined us in 2019, we wanted to keep her here for good! Best of luck in your new role, Beth.

We hope that despite the extremely difficult period we are all experiencing right now, you’ve found some more positive moments to celebrate as well.

The post A Bit of Happy Company News appeared first on Rapid Clean .

CHAS Accreditation and What it Means for our Customers

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 13:00:00 GMT

Back in March of this year, Rapid received its official CHAS acccreditation . Our Health and Safety Manager, Magda Oswiata, worked hard at achieving this status so we wanted to catch up with her to find out what it’s all about and how being CHAS accredited will benefit our customers…

What is CHAS?

CHAS (The Contractors’ Health and Safety Assessment Scheme), is the Foremost Authority on UK compliance, Risk Mitigation and Supply Chain Management. CHAS is a pre-approval scheme, which allows contractors to demonstrate to existing and potential clients, that they meet the required health and safety standards.

What does CHAS assess?

CHAS assesses your company’s Health & Safety Policy Statement, the organisation of your health and safety and your specific health and safety arrangements, to a standard which is acceptable to CHAS’s buyers and others.

Why did you think Rapid would benefit from becoming CHAS accredited?

CHAS is a nationally recognised accreditation scheme and there are a number of great benefits. One is that it can help with completing pre-qualification questionnaires – it reduces the time and effort, allowing more time to focus on other areas. It shows clients that we demonstrate a high level of compliance with health and safety law.

Being CHAS accredited can help provide opportunities to secure new and larger contracts. Registered organisations can access our business details from CHAS, meaning we can directly tender for those contracts.

What did the process involve?

Applying for CHAS challenges you to think about your health and safety. It allows you to focus on and improve different aspects, before you come to submit the application. There is a series of questions that you have to answer, then you need to provide evidence that what you say actually happens. The CHAS team carried out a lengthy audit of our training records.

How will Rapid customers benefit from our CHAS accreditation?

First and foremost, our customers can be confident that we are compliant with the UK’s health and safety requirement – our policy, organisation and arrangements have all been audited. In addition to health and safety, our commitments and policies in relations to quality, environment, diversity and financial management are all reviewed by the CHAS assessor.

We have been awarded a Covid-19 best practice verification – what does this mean?

The CHAS Covid-19 verification confirms that we are compliant with all the government requirements regarding working safely during Covid-19. Details of this can be seen on our website .

Online Cleaning Quotes Available

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 15:39:00 GMT

You don’t need us to remind you that we are living in unprecedented times, with things changing on a daily basis. At Rapid, we continue to provide a professional cleaning service, adjusting or increasing cleaning schedules as and when required.

Sadly, some of our customers’ doors remain closed for the time-being but we are keeping everything crossed that they will be back on their feet in the very near future. Despite a reduced number of staff at head office, we continue to supply potential customers with cleaning quotes and have recently welcomed a number of new customers.

Are You Looking for a Professional and Reliable Cleaning Service?

If it wasn’t already, cleaning is now high on everyone’s agenda. A professional and reliable cleaning service is crucial, particularly in the school and medical sectors but as the hospitality industry opens up, everywhere will be needing extra attention to detail.

If you aren’t satisfied with your current cleaning provider, now might be a good time to explore alternative options.

Are Your Cleaners Currently In-House?

We have been contacted numerous times over the last few months, by businesses who manage their own cleaners (in-house) which has caused no end of problems. If this applies to you, switching to a contract cleaning company would ensure that your cleaning needs will not go unmet if your cleaner is off sick – sick pay would be covered by us and cover cleaning is managed seamlessly.

If you would like to contract out just part of your building, keeping the rest in-house, then this is also possible.

Online Quotes Temporarily Available

If you would like to discuss your cleaning needs with a member of our sales team, we have temporarily revised our quote system. We can provide you with a bespoke cleaning quotation once we are in receipt of the following:

We have done this for a number of potential customers and have followed up with a telephone or video call to discuss. If this sounds of interest to you, please do complete our ‘request a quote’ form or call us on 0845 0742981 .

We are committed to keeping our customers and employees up to date with our response to Covid-19. Please do have a read of the blog post that we are revising as things change.

Wishing you well during this difficult time. Stay safe and remember that we are all in this together.

The post Online Cleaning Quotes Available appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid’s Employee of the Season – Winter 2019/20

Wed, 27 May 2020 15:13:00 GMT

Admittedly we are a little behind with presenting our Employee of the Season Award but despite lockdown, we managed to ‘crown’ our chosen winter winner via Zoom last week. What would we do without Zoom right now?!

If you’re familiar with this award, you’ll know that it is down to all Rapid employees to choose one of their colleagues who they think has gone above and beyond in their role. Each quarter, everyone is asked to anonymously nominate, citing why they think this person deserves to win the award.

After counting all the votes, Beth Abbott was crowned our latest Employee of the Season!

Beth has done a phenomenal job supporting all of our teams over the last year but has worked particularly hard during this strange Coronavirus pandemic. Having recently completed (in record time) her business apprenticeship, she is so deserving of the title. This is what her colleagues had to say about her…

The post Rapid’s Employee of the Season – Winter 2019/20 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Looking After Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Wed, 20 May 2020 10:47:00 GMT

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week here in the UK. Our Health and Safety Manager, Magdalena Oswiata, has put together some vital information and tips on how to look after our mental well-being during this time.

Public Health England’s (PHE) Every Mind Matters platform has launched new advice focused on looking after people’s mental well-being during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. With many feeling worried, anxious or isolated during these challenging times, Every Mind Matters highlights that there are lots of things we can do to look after our mental well-being and help others to prevent these concerns from becoming more serious.

To help get this vital message across, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are supporting Every Mind Matters and have narrated a new short film, which you may have seen on national TV recently. If not, you can watch it here…

5 Tips for Maintaining Mental Well-being During the Coronavirus Outbreak:

You can view these and more tips on Every Mind Matters , whilst also creating your personalised Mind Plan .

Good Luck George!

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 16:29:00 GMT

We love to celebrate the fact that employees are taking on challenges as well as raising money for charity. George Curtis, a new member of our sales team, has taken on a challenge that is very close to his heart; we wanted to support him by finding out a little more…

What is the run you are taking part in?

I will be taking part in the OX5 Charity run on Sunday 24th March in the grounds of Blenheim Palace. It is the biggest annual fundraiser for the Oxford Children’s Hospital which raised over £150,000 last year, helping to buy state of the art equipment at the children’s ward of the Horton General Hospital, Children’s Critical Care Unit at the John Radcliffe and Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Why did you choose the OX5 Charity Run?

This is a charity that is close to my heart. I was born prematurely at just 28 weeks gestation. I had sepsis, meningitis, fitting and heart murmurs. I weighed 2.5lbs and if it weren’t for the amazing care provided by the John Radcliffe Children’s Hospital in Oxford, I would not be here today.

What training are you doing in preparation?

I have taken part in a number of runs previously so know that training is key for endurance and stamina throughout the race. For this run, I have decided to join a local gym with state of the art cardio equipment, along with personal training, fitness and stamina classes.

How much money are you hoping to raise and how can people sponsor you?

My target from the charity was over £200 but so far I have raised an amazing £722! With 6 weeks to go until race day, I am hoping to raise over £1000.

Your sponsorship will really make a difference to thousands of children in hospital with a number of life-threatening conditions. Oxford Hospitals Charity transforms local hospitals by creating warm and welcoming environments for patients, with the latest specialist medical equipment.

If you would like to support me and the charity then you can make a one off donation here .

If you want to keep up to date with George’s progress and results then do follow us on social media. We all wish you every success George!

The post Good Luck George! appeared first on Rapid Clean .

What Impact will the Increase in National Living Wage have on the Cleaning Industry?

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 15:26:00 GMT

National Living Wage Increase

If you’re familiar with Rapid Clean, then you’ll know how much we value good workers. We are passionate about rewarding hard work through our quarterly Superstar Award and we ensure that all cleaning operatives are paid well for their work.

In this industry, wages have traditionally been low. The introduction of a minimum wage back in 1999, was something that we celebrated. Not all cleaning companies felt the same way, but we truly believe that our cleaners work hard and deserve to be paid ahead of the minimum requirement wherever possible.

Paying cleaners in excess of what is now known as the National Living Wage (25 year old workers and over), is something that we have always tried to do. It enables us to secure the best cleaning operatives, which in turn, ensures that our customers receive an excellent service that we are proud to deliver.

The National Living Wage has recently been increased to £8.72 per hour , effective from April 2020. In order to stay ahead of this we are having to increase charges to our customers. In our contract it states that prices remain fixed for a 12 month period but that excludes any change in legislation that we were unaware of at the time of pricing.

We understand that this hasn’t been a popular letter for our customers to receive but we hope that customers, and potential customers, agree with our reasons behind doing so. Margins are tight in the cleaning industry which means that we (and probably most) cleaning companies will be forced to pass this increase of 6.2% onto customers.

We are of course always flexible so if this increase is affecting you, we are happy to discuss ways of making savings by decreasing cleaning frequencies or adjusting the cleaning schedule.

Employee of the Season – a Clear Winner

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 15:52:00 GMT

This is without a doubt, one of our favourite times of the year – announcing our latest Employee of the Season. Last time we had three winners , each one receiving an equal number of votes. This time around, we had a clear winner who received seven votes from her colleagues!

This season’s winner is Becki Lee, our HR Generalist and Apprentice Lead. Becki works at head office and is such a fantastic addition to the team. Take a read of the lovely things that her colleagues had to say about her…

Our directors, Paul and Jeff, were away skiing, hence the snowy shot in the background! They sent their congratulations via video and the rest of us were thrilled to crown our latest Employee of the Season.

The post Employee of the Season – a Clear Winner appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid’s Response to COVID-19

Sat, 11 Jan 2020 07:50:00 GMT

Latest Update 11 January 2021

We continue to receive regular communication from customers and employees with regard to COVID-19, or Coronavirus as it is more commonly referred to. We thought it might be helpful to attempt to answer the most frequently asked questions.

Deep Cleans and Daily Cleaning Adjustments for Current Customers

A number of our customers have closed temporarily. Most of the buildings that remain open and still require cleaning, are in the education and medical sectors. Where possible we are still cleaning these buildings, revising the service on request.

If an area has been known to be contaminated, our employees will not enter that area for 72 hours (length of time the virus is believed to survive on hard surfaces). Once it has been cleaned and disinfected following the decontamination guidance* as set out by Public Health England, we can then enter. If you have a known infection in your building and you need a Covid deep clean, we can arrange for our supplier (who is fully insured and has the necessary equipment required to carry out this service) to provide a quote. Rapid can of course carry out a standard deep clean at any point after the required 3 day period.

For essential businesses that remain open, we can increase our cleaning hours to include repeatedly disinfecting contact points such as door handles, hand rails, toilets etc. A number of our customers in the medical and education sector, have asked us to temporarily increase their cleaning contract. If you would like to discuss revising your schedule temporarily then please contact your Contracts Manager in the first instance.

We have carried out an in-depth risk assessment at all sites. You can find our Covid-19 health and safety information here .

Rapid’s Cleaning Operatives

Firstly, and most importantly, we are reminding all Rapid employees that if they, or someone in their home, have any symptoms of Coronavirus they must stay at home.

Rapid employees should have all received training on infection prevention and control. Our Health and Safety Manager has put together a Toolbox Training module and we are continuing to roll that out among all of our cleaning staff. The material tackles topics such as ‘What is Coronavirus?’ ‘What are the symptoms of Coronavirus?’ ‘When should I seek medical help?’ and ‘How can I protect myself?’

In addition, we are ensuring that all Rapid employees have our current guidelines around PPE clothing and the colour coding system that will help prevent spread of infection.

Continuing Self-Audits

With a view to protecting everyone from unnecessary social interaction, Contracts Managers are now carrying out self-audits only. We are calling customers beforehand, to confirm agreement with this process and to ask for feedback with regard to any areas that might require special attention. As always, we will share the outcome via telephone and invite any comment.

If you would prefer to meet with your Contracts Manager then this can be pre-arranged; social distancing guidelines will be observed at all times.

Head Office Preventative Measures

At head office we are now operating with a skeleton staff, adhering to government guidelines and taking sensible precautions with regard to cleanliness. Some of those measures include:

We hope that this information helps. If you would like to discuss anything further then please contact your Contracts Manager or call head office on 0845 0742981.

*According to Public Health England: PPE ensemble is more enhanced than pandemic flu requirements due to COVID-19 being a novel coronavirus and the evidence base for transmission is limited. Therefore, this is based on expert opinion to date and may be revised as the situation evolves. Cleaning and decontamination should only be performed by staff trained in the use of the appropriate PPE (as above); in some instances, this may need to be trained clinical staff rather than domestic staff.

The post Rapid’s Response to COVID-19 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Our Latest Rapid Superstar – Quarter 3 of 2019

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 17:02:00 GMT

Yet again we were inundated with possible contenders for our Rapid Superstar Award. As always, we like to ensure that every employee nominated gets a mention here on the blog. Please do take the time to read all of the appreciative comments from our Contracts Managers and customers. It was a tough choice!

Nominees:

Sandra Foster who cleans Cloisters

Mohamed from Rapid Clean said: “ I would like to vote for Sandra for her help with supporting 3 different sites.”

Akpene Margaret Norgbey who cleans J S A Group Ltd

Victor Olowu from Rapid Clean said: “Margaret has been a very good worker and she is always willing to help with anything that may be asked of her, including helping with communicating and translating.”

Desmond Tutu who cleans Canbury Medical Centre

Ernest Bonney from Rapid Clean said: “He’s been doing an amazing job at Canbury Medical.”

Runners Up:

Goran Velinovski who cleans The Marist School

Aga Skupien from Rapid Clean, said: “I am nominating Goran for being proactive, well organized and a pleasure to work with. He’s a huge asset to the company.”

Bursar from The Marist School’s said: “I am happy to nominate Goran given that this is a new contract with multiple buildings and requires all staff to have a DBS. He has had a challenging start and has coped well. He is very customer orientated and is regularly looking for feedback and ways to improve service.”

Patricia Harrison who cleans Clanfield Primary School

Anna Dabal from Rapid Clean, said: “She has been TUPE transferred and is an amazing example of someone who has the right attitude and reliability. She takes pride in her work; she is a perfectionist and yet so modest when it comes to her work performance. Not only are the standards very good, but her organisational skills and commitment are excellent! It is her initiative to take cloths home for washing every day! She is respected and trusted and she is seen as part of the school family. Her attendance is 99%, even when she is unwell she comes in so that not to let anybody down.”

Business Manager from Clanfield Primary School said: “I was so delighted to read this nomination and cannot praise Mrs Harrison highly enough. Without her hard work ethic, resilience and reliability we would not be the school we are today. She is certainly a real asset.”

Bozena Budzynska who cleans Dunstable Downs Golf Club

Piotr Szulc from Rapid Clean said: “Bozena started working for me as a cover cleaner at 2 sites and then began a permanent role with us at Dunstable Downs Golf Club and is doing a great job! Although English is not her first language, she overcomes obstacles and has never let me down so far.”

General Manager from Dunstable Downs Golf Club said: “She is a pleasant lady who just goes about her work quietly and efficiently. One plus that I have to mention, is that since she started cleaning here, I have had no complaints at all from Club members about the cleanliness of the premises or standard of cleaning, which is a great improvement on our previous arrangement.”

Mariette Kouyate who cleans Dulwich Leisure Centre

Ingrid Antionio from Rapid Clean said: “Mariette is doing a wonderful job and keeps calm in intense situations.”

General Manager from Dulwich Leisure Centre’s said: “She is an asset to the centre, very polite, professional and does a sterling job at the toughest time of the day! And always with a smile on her face!”

Jordan Clarke who cleans Finishing Brands

Craig Love from Rapid Clean said: “Since Jordan has re-joined Rapid, he has proved to be an extremely fundamental team member. He is always courteous to the other Rapid and Carlisle staff. When we are let down by other team members, Jordan is the first to offer additional support and is willing to do any overtime or extra jobs at little or no notice.”

Site Services Manager said: “It is good to hear that Jordan has been nominated for this quarter’s Rapid Superstar Award, it is definitely well deserved. I find Jordan a polite and helpful member of the cleaning team. I feel he has a great work ethic and whenever I see him he is always busy working hard. He will also go that extra mile and is always willing to help with additional tasks.”

Lidia Rusin who cleans Bowman House Business Centre

Peter Soares from Rapid Clean said: “Lidia is very reliable, keeping the cleaning at consistently high standards. Recently, she’s also prevented a possible incident on site and the client was really pleased!”

Business Centre Coordinator said: “Lidia is an excellent cleaner who always leaves our buildings beautifully clean. If there is anything left in our meeting rooms that I have not had time to tidy away, she always uses her initiative and tidies the room. All the clients at Bowman House are very happy that they can trust her in the offices. When we had a water leak a few weeks ago she discovered it and straight away rang our out of hours security team to inform them; this saved the damage becoming any worse. Over all she is the best cleaner we have ever had here at Bowman House.”

Mubarak Mohamed Farook who cleans Inigo Business Centre Basingstoke & Hackwood Surgery

Zoran Marinkov from Rapid Clean said: “He is very helpful and is a great member of the team.”

Hackwood Surgery Practice Manager said: “He is always very cheerful and brings a smile to everyone he comes across.”

Rapid Superstar Winner:

Left to Right: Jeff Whitton (Rapid Clean), Maria Dias (Softcat), Leiticiana, Diana Marothy (Rapid Clean)

Leiticiana Alves Da Silva who cleans Softcat

Diana Marothy from Rapid Clean said: “Leiticiana is a very hard worker and has worked long hours for almost a year now to help us cover; she never lets us down.”

Softcat’s Office Manager said: “Everyone at Softcat loves Leiticiana! She is so reliable, she comes in every day and knows what she’s doing. Always with a smile on her face and willing to help her team out. She is very conscious of how it is to work in a day cleaning job in an office with 500 people, not easy but she adapts to it perfectly. This is a very well deserved recognition and I am sure you cannot find another nominated employee to compete with her this quarter!”

Congratulations to Leiticiana; a very well deserved winner of the Rapid Superstar Award.

The post Our Latest Rapid Superstar – Quarter 3 of 2019 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Happy Christmas from Everyone at Rapid Clean

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 16:58:00 GMT

Every year we choose a charity that we would like to donate money to, in place of sending out Christmas cards. All head office employees are invited to nominate a charity that they have a personal connection with.

Last year, our gift went to Crisis at Christmas and this year our chosen charity is Alzheimer’s Society . This is what Nicola had to say about her nomination…

“My nanny was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012 but was showing signs for months beforehand. My lovely granddad covered this up pretty well while he was with us. When he passed away on New Year’s Eve 2013, she declined rapidly and was put into a care home. She had been coping pretty well for years, keeping relatively healthy and was only affected by the memory loss. Unfortunately in the last few months she has lost the ability to walk and carry out most tasks independently. She is fine in herself, but this disease is so horrible for the family. We lost her in 2013 when she forgot who we were, but she is still here 6 years on. I would absolutely love to still be around to see a cure for this heart-wrenching illness.”

Alzheimer’s Society has confirmed that all donations go towards ‘helping support people affected by dementia today and searching for a cure for tomorrow.’ I am sure you will all agree that this is a very worthwhile cause.

A huge thank you to all of our employees and customers for your continued commitment to Rapid in 2019. We hope that you all have a happy and peaceful Christmas 2019.

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Employee of the Season – Three is a Magic Number

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 11:56:00 GMT

We’ve been running our Employee of the Season Award for a good for years now. It’s a great opportunity for people to recognise hard work and a positive attitude in their fellow colleagues.

This season we had not one but THREE people who received an equal number of nominations. Looking at the nominations, you’ll see below why Anna, Paul and Jade are worthy winners this time round…

Anna Dabal – Contracts Manager

Paul Twinley – Operations Manager

Jade Bonner – Accountant

Huge congratulations to Anna, Paul and Jade, all very worthy winners of this prestigious award. Thank you for your continued commitment and dedication to Rapid, as well as to your colleagues. We hope you enjoy your bubbly and vouchers!

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Rapid Superstar - Quarter 2 of 2019

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 16:34:00 GMT

It’s that time of year again when we get the opportunity to congratulate some outstanding cleaning operatives for their hard work and dedication. We have a strong team of around 1000 cleaners here at Rapid so anyone who receives a mention, has certainly gone above and beyond in their role.

You’ll see from the list that we have a number of people who have been nominated, some who we have been given the title of ‘runner up’ and one overall winner. Please do take the time to read through the feedback from their Rapid line manager and the customer.

Congratulations to everyone who has received a mention this quarter.

Nominees:

Anna Dabal nominated Valdete DE SOUZA PEREIRA who cleans Oxford Playhouse

“For fantastic work ethics, excellent performance, taking pride in her work, friendly and helpful attitude. The client supports my opinion and never misses to say something flattering about Valdete. She is really liked there and treated like part of the family, they like how organised and fast paced she is in her actions/work.”

Gareth Love nominated Anna MILLS who cleans Chichester Stoneworks

“Very good standards and willing to help out.”

Ingrid Antonio nominated Mutiat JAYEOLA who cleans Peckham Leisure Centre and Camberwell Leisure Centre

“She is a great leader and is extremely reliable. I always know that anything asked of her will always be done to a high standard. A consistent Superstar in my eyes.”

Frank Twum nominated Parbati THAPA who cleans Iveco

“She is doing a wonderful job and I always get good feedback from the client. She always covers different sites for me as well.”

Aga Skupien nominated Joanna WOLAK who cleans The River Bourne Club

“For being a reliable, hard working person and paying attention to detail.”

Ernest Bonney nominated Donet WALTERS who cleans St Joseph’s Catholic Infant and Junior Schools

“I see her as very resilient, a good team player and compassionate. She’s always first to help if she sees amen Ernest if the team struggling.”

Runners Up:

Ana TAVARES who cleans Strawberry Hill Medical Centre, Inigo Business Centres and eValue Ltd

Rapid’s Contracts Manager, Peter Soares said:

“She’s been working for Rapid for a few years now and she’s always willing to help, delivering consistent results. She’s a great asset!”

Eilidh, Office Manager at Evalue said:

“It is certainly an honour to give feedback. Ana – known to us here at EValue as Paula – is a delight to work with as she is so professional & reliable. She always takes great pride in her work and is a great ambassador for Rapid. Ana is certainly a Rapid Superstar and we are delighted that she has been put forward for this award – we wish her every success.”

Melinda MESZAROS who cleans Buckinghamshire Building Society

Rapid’s Contracts Manager, Diana Marothy said:

“She is a very hard working and reliable cleaner. She never lets us down and there is never a complaint on site. The Client makes a comment about her hard work every month when I do my audit.”

Dave, Head of IT at Buckinghamshire Building Society said:

“I have personally passed on lots of great feedback about Melinda to her manager Diana. This was based on unsolicited comments from several members of staff here about how friendly, efficient and conscientious she is and we have seen a great improvement since she has been looking after us. She has been a great representative of your company and fully deserves her nomination, and indeed in our view should be a clear winner!”

Vivian DWOMOH who cleans Christie Digital Systems, Clifton Ingram, Nouveau Solutions Ltd and The Pines School

Rapid’s Contracts Manager, Bernice Anim said:

“She is a fantastic cleaner and a very hard working lady.”

Sam White, Business Manager at Pines School said:

“I don’t have much contact with Vivian but whenever I have done she has always been very friendly and polite, and her cleaning is great.”

Adele, Office and Facilities Manager at Nouveau Solutions Ltd said:

“Vivian is a very happy lady and has an amazing smile that lifts the room , she is very thorough with her cleaning and conscious not to get in anyone’s way , we look forward to seeing her every day and radiates happiness.”

Sue, Office Manager at Clifton Ingram said:

“Since Vivian took over there has been a marked improvement in the general cleaning of the offices. The kitchen especially looks very clean every morning.”

Rapid Superstar Winner:

Larissa MARTINS FERREIRA who cleans DB Schenker

Rapid’s Contract Manager, Craig Love said:

“We have had the contract for just under a year and I have had nothing but compliments from the customer about Larissa’s high standards and her general demeanour. She is reliable and extremely conscientious.”

Julie, Operations Manager at DB Schenker said:

“From my point of view, Larissa is a great girl. Totally committed to her job of which we cannot fault. She is always smiling and happy, very reliable and on time every day. Her work is superb and the standards are second to none. We actually miss Larissa when she is on holiday.”

Linda, Commercial Support Specialist at DB Schenker said :

“I think Larissa is amazing she works quietly, politely and cleans the office to a very high level, everything is clean and sparkling when she leaves, never a corner missed. I have experienced many cleaners working in various companies and Larissa is second to none she really is an example to many and the trade.”

Feedback from other employees at DB Schenker:

“Everything always clean, always restocked. Above and beyond any previous cleaner we have ever had.”

“I think she is the best cleaner we have ever had consensus, hardworking, trustworthy and always goes the extra mile. Caring and always has a smile.”

“Larissa is an asset to our company, she is very friendly and efficient, she does an amazing job in cleaning our office, she is very thorough and professional, we miss her when she goes on holidays. I hope Larissa wins the quarters’ Rapid Superstar Award as it would be very much deserved.”

Larissa has certainly earned the Rapid Superstar title! Thank you Larissa for your commitment to Rapid Clean and your tireless efforts to ensure that our customers are happy with the service we are providing.

The post Rapid Superstar | Quarter 2 of 2019 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Summer Fun at Rapid

Mon, 02 Sep 2019 16:06:00 GMT

It’s the beginning of September which means two things: the new school year begins and summer has now officially ended. Whilst the latter is a sad prospect, we have enjoyed reflecting on the summer past and all of the fun things that we got up to here at Rapid.

If you love looking at other peoples photographs, you’ve come to the right place…

Summer Fun Day

Apparently, we purchased the largest order ever recorded at Nando’s in Wokingham! The fact that it took three people to carry it all to the car should give you a clue as to how much chicken was consumed.

With our appetites sufficiently sated, we headed out to the field for a traditional game of rounders and the slightly roudier version – football rounders. The teams were captained by Regional Manager Paul Twinley and Sales Executive Natalie Roberts, who ended up winning a game apiece.

Our Contracts Manager Bernice, somehow managed to play on both teams. Nobody noticed until it was too late but she had a great time!

The egg and spoon race became hugely competitive, and just when we thought Gareth’s team had done it, Eddie’s team pipped them to the post!

We then came back to the office and had ice creams all round to cool off.

Cheese & Wine Tasting

One sunny Friday evening in July, our dynamic duo Nicola McKelvie and Becki Lee, organised a cheese and wine evening at head office.

There were 12 participants in total, including Regional Manager Eddie-Lawrence Kalule, who had never eaten cheese before – how do you get to the ripe old age of *cough* 35 without eating cheese?!

There was a selection of red, white, rose and sparkling wine. With each one, there were four different cheeses, including Gouda which since discovering it has anti-ageing properties, has been a staple on everyone’s weekly shopping list.

Thank you Becki and Nicola for organising such a fun event.

Mariama’s Baby Shower

After crowning Beth as Employee of the Season , Mariama received her baby shower gifts, presented in a room full of ‘baby girl’ themed decorations.

From everyone’s generous contributions, we were able to get a huge selection of baby clothes, bibs, blankets, cloths, a caddy of toiletries and baby care items. We also had a nappy cake made, which included 3 tiers of nappies, fixed together with even more baby clothes and trinkets. Luckily Mariama’s eldest son was around to help load up the car.

Our HR Assistant Becki, spent a week of spare time baking for the event and after Mariama received her gifts, we tucked into the most amazing ‘baby girl’ themed cupcakes, rock cakes, scones, jam tarts, fondant fancies and lemon slices. There was no way we could finish it all on the day, so we got our fill for the rest of the week too. We now can’t wait to meet the baby girl!

Rest assured that in between the socialising, we’ve been hard at work but it does us all good to have some down time every now and again.

The post Summer Fun at Rapid appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Employee of the Season – Beth Abbott

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 15:14:00 GMT

It’s that time of the year again…our head office employees have been eagerly nominating the person who they feel is most deserving of the title ‘Employee of the Season’.

This season we had a clear winner, with an outstanding seven nominations! Beth joined Rapid back in February of this year as our Business Administration Apprentice.

Left to Right: Paul Claxton, Beth Abbott, Jeff Whitton

Beth has quickly become a highly valued member of the team. This is what her colleagues said about her…

Congratulations Beth, we hope that this is the start of a long and happy career with Rapid. Keep up the fantastic work!

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Rapid Superstar - Quarter 1 of 2019

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 15:13:00 GMT

Due to the launch of our new website, we are a little behind with updating you on our latest superstar nominations. Rest assured it has all been going on behind the scenes however and as always, we have had some excellent nominations.

You will see below that there are three categories:

Nominees – the cleaning operatives who received a nomination from their Contracts Manager

Runners Up – the operatives who received a nomination from their contracts manager and amazing feedback from the customer

Winner – the operative who we feel deserves the title of ‘Rapid Superstar’.

Nominees:

Mariama Jalloh nominated Victoria Lockhart who cleans Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre

“Victoria is very dedicated and is always there to cover any shift. I really appreciate her commitment.”

Andy Hollister nominated Amanda Walton who cleans Draper Head Office

“Amanda is a perfect example of someone who deserves the superstar award. She has worked for us for a number of years, starting as a cleaning operative and promoted to supervisor. She is always reliable, very well organized, completes starter paperwork and interviews, inducts new employees, gives training and monitors performance at the site with support from CM.”

Bernice Anim nominated Helena Appiah who cleans Portesbery School

“Helena is a very hard working individual. We do not have a supervisor at the school but she makes sure the standard in the school is kept to the highest level. I think it will be nice to let her know Rapid as a whole appreciates her hard work and her commitment to the job, she is indeed an asset to the company.”

Ingrid Antonio nominated Marta Knavina who cleans Camberwell Leisure Centre

“Marta did a great job covering the supervisor on holiday and I really appreciate her hard work.”

Aga Skupien nominated Ewelina Stefanowicz who cleans West Byfleet Golf Club

“I am nominating Ewelina for her hard work, being committed, always providing excellent cleaning standards and communication.”

Zoran Marinkov nominated Samuel Agyei who cleans Binfield Surgery

“Samuel is always here for me when I need someone to help me with the deep cleans or to cover someone. I really appreciate his commitment.”

Runners Up:

Natasha Vye who cleans Finishing Brands

Rapid’s Contracts Manager, Craig Love said: “Natasha is extremely reliable, conscientious and has impeccably high cleaning standards.”

Rob Smith, Site services Manager at Finishing Brands said: “I find Natasha a very hard working and charming member of the cleaning team who is reliable, dependable and always happy to help. She always goes about her work in an efficient and professional manner, and always does it with a smile, even if she is carrying out one of the more unpleasant tasks. Any award would be well deserved in my opinion.”

Wioletta Lisowska who cleans Da Vinci Dental

Rapid’s Contracts Manager, Piotr Szulc said: “She is a great member of staff and is loved by people on site. All the ladies from the front desk say she’s the best! The place is extremely clean and we have never had anything but good feedback about her.”

Nicola Mitchell, Practice Manager at Da Vinci Dental said: “We are very pleased with the service that Wioletta is providing. The premises always looks spotless when we arrive in the morning and our staff members that have spoken with her have commented at how pleasant she is. Communication is key for a good working partnership and Wioletta always communicates with us through the booklet you have provided if no staff are on site. She also requests feedback if we feel there is anything that needs improving. We wish her all the very best!”

Rebecca Tucker who cleans St Michael’s Primary School

Rapid’s Contracts Manager, Frank Twum said: “She works very hard and the client always gives good compliments about her. She is very well organized and a very good team leader.”

Kate Parietti (Headteacher) at St. Michael’s Primary School said: “ I would like to add my support to Rebecca’s nomination for employee of the quarter. She works incredibly hard to ensure that everything is ready for the children and nothing is too much trouble. Our school is always well presented and this is due to her incredibly high standards.”

Jackie Saunders who cleans Manor School Didcot Academy Trust

Rapid’s Contracts Manager, Peter Soares said: “She’s doing a great job, she’s reliable and very helpful. Jackie is always one step ahead, I’m glad she’s part of the team!”

Jo Coleman at Manor School Didcot Academy Trust: “I have no hesitation in recommending Jackie Saunders for the Rapid Superstar Award. Jackie has worked consistently well over a challenging period of time and proactively takes responsibility for areas outside her remit, taking pride in her work and performing her duties to a good standard.”

Fernando De Meira Lins who cleans Oxford Playhouse Theatre

Rapid’s Contracts Manager, Anna Dabal said: “Fernando hasn’t been with us for a long time, but has proved to be a very conscientious and dedicated employee. The client shares fantastic feedback every time we speak. He has high attention to detail, is proactive, stays behind to do extra work if needed. He definitely deserves to be appreciated.”

Dee Millard at Oxford Playhouse Theatre said : “We really can’t say enough nice things about Fernando’s work. His attention to detail is second to none, and he’s really got this backstage area shining. On top of that he’s a genuinely nice chap; we’re lucky to have him here. Many thanks and I hope he wins!”

Edimauro De Sales who cleans Softcat, Windrush Maidenhead & Windrush Howarth Road

Rapid’s Contracts Manager, Diana Marothy said: “Edi is a great guy and is so helpful. He never stops helping me over and above his job, such as translating for other cleaners on different sites and covering and finding cleaners for us. He has never let this company down.”

Maria Dias, Office Manager at Softcat said: “It is very nice to hear that Rapid recognises their employees in this way. I deal with Edimauro every day, he is dedicated and works very well with the team. I think because he is the evening supervisor he likes to have things organised in a certain way and he demonstrates that during his day shift as well. I am glad to know he has been nominated and that he can be recognised in some way.”

Rapid Superstar Winner:

Margaret Phiri who cleans Brayley Honda

Rapid’s Operations Manager, Sabeeh Tahir said: “Margaret has been very reliable and well-focused at her job. I get good feedback about her standards, she is always happy to carry out extra work at the last minute and goes the extra mile. I also believe she has long service with the company; coming up 7 years.”

Bob Molloy at Brayley Honda said: “Over the years that Margaret has cleaned my Showroom at Brayley Honda St Albans I have never had any reason to call with a compliant. I think that she does an outstanding job day in day out and the showroom and offices always looks immaculate following a days’ trading and for that I do think that recognition should be attributed to Margaret’s work ethic and attention to detail.”

Andy Doust, Aftersales Manager at Brayley Honda said : “I have worked at Brayley Honda St Albans for 17 years now and I often work late so I have the pleasure of actually knowing Margaret quite well (like an everyday work colleague), as do several other colleagues too. Margaret has always been very polite and is always very efficient. We are able to leave her a note if there is something extra we would like her to do and she always goes above & beyond to help. I would highly recommend Margaret to win this award as we at Brayleys believe she is a ‘Rapid Superstar’ and truly deserves the recognition.”

Margaret Phiri and Sabeeh Tahir, Rapid’s Operations Manager

Huge congratulations to Margaret, a valued Rapid employee who has clearly made a great impression both with her Contracts Manager and the team at Brayley Honda.

The post Rapid Superstar | Quarter 1 of 2019 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Latest Employee of the Season – Ingrid Antonio

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 13:26:00 GMT

The winner of our quarterly Employee of the Season award was announced last week. Every head office staff members was encouraged to nominate a colleague who deserves to be given this title. Despite there being a number of people who received more than one vote, there was a clear winner – Ingrid Antonio.

Ingrid has been working as a Contracts Manager at Rapid since April 2017. She is hard working, dedicated to ensuring that her customers and cleaners are happy and as if that weren’t enough…she makes a mean curry!

Left to right: Emily Hunter (HR), Eddie Kalule (Operations Manager), Ingrid Antonio (Contracts Manager), Jeff Whitton (Managing Director)

This is what Ingrid’s colleagues had to say about her…

I think you’ll agree that this award is thoroughly well deserved. Congratulations Ingrid – keep up the excellent work!

The post Latest Employee of the Season – Ingrid Antonio appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid Superstar Winner(s) – Quarter 4 of 2018

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 15:47:00 GMT

Another quarter ends and another Superstar is crowned! We had so many excellent cleaners nominated for a variety of reasons this quarter. The one thing they all have in common however, is their commitment to going above and beyond in their role as a cleaning operative.

Below you will see the nominees with a comment from their Rapid line manager, the runners up who have received feedback from their line manager as well as the customer and finally, the two winners who have received amazing feedback from the school where they clean.

Nominees:

Bernice Anim nominated Comfort Agyei – SCC Europe Ltd & Snap-On Business Solutions

“She has been an incredible cleaner, she is always working the best that she can. No job is too hard for her to do, so I think it’s time to say a ‘Thank you’ to Comfort so she knows that the company appreciates her hard work.”

Ingrid Antonio nominated Yves Privat Zamble – Walnuts Leisure Centre

“For going over and above in helping when a member of the public needed emergency first aid. He stayed with the individual until the paramedics arrived and was highly commended by the customer!”

Di ana Marothy nominated Rute Raposo de Oliveira Anjos Henri – Softcat

“She is lovely, reliable and a very good cleaner. She never says no when she is asked to help and she works very hard for us.”

Sabeeh Tahir nominated Mehul Bava – CP Electronics (and cover at a variety of sites)

“Mehul has been a supervisor at one of my difficult sites and he helps out a lot with covering other sites and deep cleaning at the last minute. He has been working for Rapid since early last year and has been a big help since that day until now.”

Craig Love nominated Claudia Zapata Pineros – MLS International College

“Claudia is extremely conscientious, runs a tight ship and has very high cleaning standards. Her communication is fantastic and audit results for the site are consistently high.”

Aga Skupien Jacek Artur Mossakowski – Grove Medical Centre & The River Bourne Club

“I would like to nominate Jacek as he is reliable, conscientious and a role model for every cleaner.”

Dominkia Duda nominated Ana Pereira – Bunzl

“She is the best cleaner that I have. She works very hard and I don’t have any complains about her work. I receive a lot of positive feedback. She always helps to cover any job.”

Glenn Shell nominated Janos Nemeth – Petersgate Infant School (and cover at a variety of sites)

“Janos has helped out myself, Gus and Dominika over the last few months covering short falls on sites.”

Runners Up:

Clair Osborne – Timbercroft Primary School

Rapid’s Contracts Manager, James Brand said:

“Clair is everything that keeps companies like Rapid growing and turning it into an established company. She got Rapid out of a hole and now we are going to grow the chain of schools by 7 more next time around. I’m completely indebted to her as I was also on my probationary period and Timbercroft’s turnaround was part of my probationary review.”

Janet Finch at Timbercroft Primary School said:

‘Clair seems to have everything under control here at Timbercroft and is very efficient and organised. She is always on time and deals with new staff when they arrive immediately and sorts deliveries of cleaning products as soon as she arrives. I would recommend Clair for this award for her professionalism and efficiency.’

Patricia Cracco Dias Bambirra – Co-Operative Childcare and John Radcliffe Hospital

Rapid’s Contract Manager, Anna Dabal said:

“Apart from being my best asset and great worker, Patricia is a truly fantastic, kind, generous person. She has brilliant work ethics and is incredibly helpful and cooperative. She has been with the company a few months but during this time her work has made a huge difference and contributed to raising the cleaning standards and improving relations with the clients. Patricia goes above and beyond to be a proud Rapid Clean employee and deserves more than anyone I know to be the winner.”

Sarah Pearson at Co-operative Childcare said:

“Since starting at our nursery, Patricia has done an amazing job keeping the nursery clean. Patricia often goes above and beyond to make sure that all of the rooms are spotless and we have never had cause for complaint. I would like to wish her the best of luck in winning the award.”

Maria Assumpcao Lopes – Buzz Gym Swindon

Rapid’s Contract Manager, Peter Soares said:

“Great attendance, time keeping and cleaning standards. She communicates well with the clients and she’s always smiling! I’m really pleased for having her as part of the team.”

Tee Koudoua at Buzz Gym Swindon said:

“Maria is fantastic, always happy, always on time and always willing to go above and beyond. Maria gets on with our whole PT team and cheers us up daily with her singing. There is no task that Maria won’t put all her effort into and still have a smile on her face. It is an absolute pleasure to have Maria here and I can only wish we had more of her! ????”

Rapid Superstar Winners:

Richard West and Janet Barrett from Keep Hatch Primary School, Wokingham

“They both work hard and it is greatly appreciated.” Zoran Marinkov

“Richard is absolutely brilliant and deserves a reward from the company… cheerful, motivated and meticulous!” Deputy Head Teacher

“I am delighted with the cleaning in my classroom – if children ever leave anything on their desks and the cleaner has to move these things, I always know where Richard puts them!” Year 6 Class Teacher

“Since Janet has started cleaning Foundation Stage, we have noticed a real difference – it’s so much cleaner. You can see that she takes real pride in her work and is so friendly whenever we see her. Nothing is too much trouble for her and she goes over and above. For example, if a table is particularly covered in glue/paint she will work over several days to make sure it’s sparkling.” Foundation Team

Left to Right: Zoran Marinkov (Rapid CM), Steve Southwell (Keephatch Primary), Janet Barrett (Rapid’s Superstar), Jeff Whitton (Rapid’s MD)

Unfortunately Richard couldn’t make the presentation at Rapid’s head office so Janet represented them both. Richard will of course receive the same bottle of bubbly, certificate and gift voucher. Congratulations to both Janet and Richard, we are proud to have you as part of the Rapid team. Keep up the good work!

The post Rapid Superstar Winner(s) – Quarter 4 of 2018 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid Superstar Quarter 3 of 2018

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 09:59:00 GMT

We’ve been running the Rapid Superstar Awards since 2013. Historically, we would crown one person the Superstar, and he/she would get all of the recognition.

As time has gone on, an increasing number of Rapid employees are being nominated by their Contracts Managers and customers are also giving great feedback. It’s a nice problem to have but we are finding it difficult to pick just one person!

We have therefore chosen to share with you the cleaning operatives who have been nominated by their Contracts Manager only, those who were nominated by their line manager as well as the customer, then of course the overall winner.

Nominees:

Michael Wilson Odai nominated by Sabeeh Tahir – Highgate Golf, The Hollybush, The Stag

“Michael has always been a helping hand which is one of the reasons why clients really appreciate him as well as his good standards of cleaning. His attendance has been excellent throughout the months I have been managing this area and I have heard the same from his previous managers.”

Sallum Said Hussein nominated by Andy Hollister – Reading Climbing Centre

“Sallum has helped me out at Micklands school with staffing the school at a really difficult time. Sam has been a real asset to the company in this respect and took ownership, recruited and helped with collecting documents too!”

Fahariya Nassor nominated by Goran Velinovski – The Wren School

“She is a star and I am very happy to nominate her.”

Jeanie Barr nominated by Peter Soares – Manor School

“Jeanie is honest, responsible and delivers very good standards. Jeanie communicates well and she’s always available to help when cover is required, even on weekends or short notice!”

Runners Up:

Svetlana Savcenko – Wise Production

Rapid Contracts Manager, Diana Marothy said: “She is a superstar! Not only is the customer very happy with her but all the staff on site absolutely love her. She is reliable, very efficient and her standards are extremely high.”

Charlie Laflin at Wise Productions said: “Svetlana is absolutely amazing. She is the reason we kept the contract with you as the previous cleaners were not trained to a satisfactory standard. She is super friendly, goes above and beyond, is organised and someone we class as a part of our working family.”

Ian Connolly – PEI-Genesis

Rapid Contracts Manager, Glenn Shell said: “Ian is always keen to go that little bit extra and help out.”

Jenny Griffin at PEI Genesis said: “Ian is always on-time, friendly & very enthusiastic about his work, with a ready smile. He works hard & is very conscientious about the cleaning duties Rapid Cleaning have on site. I hope our comment helps you decide on which cleaner deserves this quarter’s award.”

Bernadette Cunningham – ELE International

Rapid Contracts Manager, Solomon Adadevoh said: “Bernadette has worked for Rapid Clean for such a long time. She is totally loved by the clients and helps us with recruitment sometimes. She is a real superstar in my eyes.”

Laura Biggerstaff at ELE said: “I am very pleased that Bernie has been nominated for this award. We always find her extremely friendly and happy to go the extra mile for us, whether it is to do some urgent cleaning (especially when we have important visitors coming to our offices) or, as proved recently when we had our carpets cleaned, Piotr was cleaning the carpets way past the usual finish time and Bernie was more than happy to come back to the office to lock the premises and set the alarm. She is always very security conscious which obviously puts our minds at rest!”

Danilo Carminatti Alberto – Providence Surgery and Finishing Brands

Rapid Contracts Manager, Craig Love said: “He cleans at two of my contracts, the first being Providence surgery, where the client is always complimentary about his standards and even provided the company with a testimonial for the website. The second contract is Finishing Brands (Carlisle Fluid Technologies) where he goes above and beyond his duties by sweeping and mopping the area after his shift has finished. We also use him as a translator for the other Portuguese staff.”

Rob Smith at Finishing Brands said: “Danilo is carrying out part of the contract that has historically thrown up issues and problems. Since he has taken over this part of the contract it has improved no end. The issues are few and far between which is a great relief for me. Hopefully he can continue with his good work as we look to change how we manage this part of our waste disposal.”

Lester Ronnie Garcia – Jakks Pacific and Easthampstead Surgery

Rapid Contracts Manager, Aga Skupien said: “I would like to nominate Ronnie for his hard work, keeping a good relationship with the customer and great communication.”

Emma Witt at Jakks Pacific said: “Ronnie is conscientious and has a keen eye for detail. We now consider Ronnie to be one of the team. I hear nothing but good feedback from our office and the overseas visitors we have. He will show them around the office if they are having difficulty finding their way. He has even assisted myself in making coffees when we have large meetings. When we have had events over run and he’s been unable to clean an area, he offers to come back after his shift to complete this. We have had VIP’s over this year and Ronnie turns up for work in a shirt and tie to make a good impression. Ronnie is a fantastic representative for Rapid Clean.”

Rapid Superstar:

Delaine Reid – Judith Kerr Primary School

Rapid Contracts Manager, Ingrid Antonio said: “Delaine is our Cleaning supervisor at Judith Kerr Primary and has worked for us for several months. She is a very committed member of staff, reliable and always promotes a high standard of cleaning. She has great relationships with other operatives and a customer who cannot stop praising her on how good the school looks.”

Charlotte Finch at Judith Kerr Primary said: “What can I say about Delaine? She is known in our school as Superwoman, there is nothing that is too much for her. She is unfailingly positive, helpful and conscientious whilst going about her daily work. Her standards are exceedingly high and although she may seem to push her staff hard she never asks them to do something she wouldn’t do herself. In fact we have witnessed several occasions when she has come to work clearly unwell and hasn’t allowed that to cause a drop in standards.

She has a very friendly and approachable manner and deals with any issues that may arise in a courteous and professional manner. We would strongly support Delaine receiving this award and hope that this feedback will go some way to ensuring this will happen.”

Left to right: Paul Claxton (Rapid’s Operations Director), Delaine Reid, Ingrid Antonio (Rapid Contracts Manager)

Huge congratulations to Delaine who is a highly valued member of the Rapid team. Delaine and all of the cleaning operatives mentioned in this post, have been sent a letter and prize for their hard work and commitment. Keep up the good work team!

The post Rapid Superstar Quarter 3 of 2018 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Employee of the Season – Autumn 2018

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 09:02:00 GMT

The winner of the Rapid Employee of the Season award for autumn, is Sam Thackeray. Sam joined the Rapid team as Payroll Assistant, earlier this year and has proved to be a fantastic addition to the finance team.

As you will see from the following comments, his colleagues certainly seem to think so…

Congratulations on your win, Sam. Keep up the good work!

The post Employee of the Season – Autumn 2018 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Merry Christmas From Us to You

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 13:40:00 GMT

Instead of sending Christmas cards, every year we choose a charity to support. Our staff made some great nominations, all very worthy causes, but we finally opted for Crisis who support the homeless.

The 20 people we are sponsoring will receive:

Thank you for your support in 2018 and we wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2019.

The post Merry Christmas From Us to You appeared first on Rapid Clean .

What is TUPE and how does it affect your business?

Mon, 26 Nov 2018 12:00:00 GMT

TUPE (pronounced too-pee) is a word that seems to cause a lot of confusion within the cleaning industry. Speaking to potential customers, they are often unclear as to what it means and the subsequent implications on them as a business.

What is TUPE?

Firstly, the current TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings and Protection of Employees) regulations apply to every industry. It is not exclusive to cleaning. TUPE is a piece of legislation that the Government brought in to protect the employee’s rights when a contract transfers from one company to another.

How does TUPE affect the cleaner?

The new contractor is obliged to offer the cleaner a position, under the same terms and conditions (including rate of pay) as the previous company. The cleaner is not obliged to transfer, in fact they may have an option to work at another location with their existing employer.

How does TUPE affect the customer?

If you’re happy with the cleaner but unhappy with the management service provided by your contractor, then TUPE will hugely benefit you. The new contractor will take on the management of your existing cleaner and the service should dramatically improve – win/win.

If however you are changing contractors because of the poor cleaning service, then you might not be as thrilled with the idea. What then? The first thing to consider is that the cleaner may not be entirely to blame for the poor service. Very often it is the lack of management that is the problem – the cleaners are left to their own devices with no guidance, inspections or reviews. Sometimes, they don’t even realise they are doing a bad job.

That’s where the new contractor comes in – it is often simply a case of implementing some new quality control procedures and strong management skills. This might include re-training, regular check ups and better channels of communication. We have regularly seen poor performing cleaners turned around as a result of revised management skills. The reluctant customer is often astounded at the difference, assuming that we have employed a new cleaner!

If the service provided by the cleaner is consistently poor despite sufficient training and supervision, disciplinary procedures will quickly be put in place and a replacement cleaner found as soon as possible.

Where the cleaner is currently employed directly by the customer (termed as in-house), the same rules apply – the contractor must offer the cleaner a position under the same terms and conditions. The only change will be that the contracted company is now responsible for providing all holiday cover, sick cover, management and training.

How does TUPE affect the contractor?

The contractor has no choice but to comply with current TUPE legislation. It is therefore vital that they consult with the current cleaning staff early on, to establish who will be transferring across. The rate of pay and holiday entitlement must remain the same, meaning that the cleaning company will have very little flexibility in terms of pricing a contract. The cost of labour is the main expense and this has to remain fixed.

Although this can make things difficult for a contractor who is wanting to be considered in a very competitive market, it should reassure the customer, that the monthly price is realistic. If you find an enormous discrepancy between quotes, it is worth questioning whether the contractor is complying with the legislation.

Good cleaners like to work for good companies

In short, if you’re looking to make a change, don’t let TUPE be a barrier to you. Good suppliers are used to dealing with this legislation and will make changes if the staff are unable or unwilling to deliver, even after quality training has been given. Good cleaners like working for good companies, a change of employer to one that provides good, local support will work for them.

If you’re interested in getting a quote from a good cleaning company, you can request one here .

The post What is TUPE and how does it affect your business? appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Our Latest Rapid Superstar – Quarter 2 of 2018

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 14:47:00 GMT

Last week, we had the privilege of meeting the winners of this quarter’s Superstar Award – Carla Pais and Nuno Pereira. Carla and Nuno work on two of our sites, EValue and Florco; they been highly valued Rapid employees since 2015.

Jeff Whitton, Rapid’s Managing Director (far right) and Peter Soares (third from left), Rapid’s Contracts Manager, went to EValue’s site in Newbury. They spoke to Eilidh Huntley, EValue’s Office Manager (third from right) who gave this glowing feedback on Carla and Nuno’s work…

“We are delighted that Carla & Nuno have been nominated for this award. Carla and Nuno are both extremely hard workers, they are reliable and take great pride in their work. They go that extra mile to genuinely care about us as a client – reporting anything that they see that isn’t right before it could potentially become a greater problem e.g. leaks in the toilet/problems with the dishwasher etc. They are great ambassadors for Rapid Clean and we wish them both well.”

Congratulations to Carla and Nuno and thank you both for your continued commitment to Rapid Clean. All of the other Superstar nominees will have received a small gift in the post last week.

The post Our Latest Rapid Superstar – Quarter 2 of 2018 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Macmillan Coffee Morning Success

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 13:15:00 GMT

Bringing millions of people together for coffee and cake, Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning has become a British institution over the years – with thousands of events happening up and down the country.

On Thursday 4th October we hosted a Macmillan Coffee Morning to help raise vital funds for people living with cancer. As a company, we have long been a supporter of Macmillan. In 2015 we raised a total of £5188.33 through various sponsored and fundraising events.

Last week’s coffee morning was instigated by Sue Smitz, our Credit Controller, who did a fantastic job of rallying the troops. Our office staff were encouraged to bring in their favourite bakes as well as some pennies to purchase them. Our thanks go to Sue for organising such a successful event.

Speaking after the event, Sue said:

“We really enjoyed doing our bit for this year’s Coffee Morning. It was great to get people together, have a nibble and a natter and raise money for Macmillan at the same time. I am pleased to confirm that we raised £107.37 from the coffee morning last week. Thanks to all the bakers for supplying the delicious goodies and thank you to everyone for the generous donations!”

The post Macmillan Coffee Morning Success appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid Superstar Nominations – Quarter 2 of 2018

Mon, 20 Aug 2018 14:51:00 GMT

We have a number of excellent cleaning operatives who have been nominated to win our Superstar Award this quarter. Every person mentioned below has one thing in common: they go above and beyond in their role and their line manager wants to publicly recognise them for their hard work.

Ecaterina-Giorgiana Raban who cleans Brakes and Bright Water Inn as nominated by Craig Love

“The customer has asked for Ecaterina to be recognised for her impeccable standards and reliability, welcoming attitude and work ethic! She is an excellent cleaner really conscientious, especially as the customer wont sign the audit off unless its 100%!”

Sirlei Rodrigues who cleans Twogether Creative as nominated by Angela Knox

“The customer speaks very highly of Sirlei and she does a tremendous job for us with no problems at all. Audit results are always high.”

Anna Blaszczyk who cleans The Huntsman as nominated by Solomon Adadevoh

“Anna is a valuable member of the team. She works to cover extra hours and is always willing to go the extra mile. When Donald the supervisor was off, she stepped up and made sure the job was done without any complaints. She is a real superstar in my eyes.”

Marie Charloton who cleans Stericycle and Point to Point as nominated by Bernice Anim

“Marie is an outstanding member of staff and has helped at many sites. She also helped deep clean toilets at Prisym and South lake School which received really good feedback. I wish more people were like her!”

Mutiat Jayeola who cleans Camberwell Leisure as nominated by Ingrid Antonio

“Mutiat is one of my supervisors who understands what it takes to lead a team. She is willing to change her own shift times and to help to arrange cover and goes over and above expectations. This individual truly deserves the recognition.”

Carla Pais and Nuno Pereira who clean E-Value and Florco as nominated by Peter Soares

“Carla and Nuno work together to deliver a very good service. They’re reliable, hard workers and are really appreciated by the clients and managers! I know the customer is as keen as me to have them recognised.”

Priscilla Baodu who cleans Jarvis Homes, Harpenden Lawn Tennis Club and Inn on the Green as nominated by Sabeeh Tahir

“Priscilla is really good at her job! Her attendance is brilliant and she makes sure we deliver the cleaning as per schedule. If the client asks her for additional, one off help then she is always happy to oblige. All clients she works with give compliments about her and she has an excellent working relationship with them.”

Scott Parnell who cleans Thames Club as nominated by Diana Marothy

“Since Scott started working at the Thames club, I have had lots of positive comments about him from the customer. He is reliable, honest and is doing a brilliant job.”

Shobha Rana Thapa who cleans Cherrywood Community Childcare as nominated by Goran Velinovski

“Shobha is a very good member of staff and is always reliable; she never lets me down. Communication is good, she is honest and is a hard worker.”

Jana Subashi who cleans Axon as nominated by Aga Skupien

“Jana is extremely helpful, kind and goes above and beyond to satisfy the customer.”

Every person mentioned will receive a letter and voucher as a thank you for their commitment to Rapid but there can only be one winner. We will let you know who that winner is in due course…

The post Rapid Superstar Nominations – Quarter 2 of 2018 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid’s Summer Fun Day and Employee of the Season

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 13:57:00 GMT

Thankfully the fabulous weather continued for Rapid’s Summer Fun Day last Friday. We organise regular socials during the year, seeing them as a great opportunity to bring together all of our teams and this was no exception.

The barbecue was fired up to ensure we all had enough energy for the annual sports day.

Before embarking on the sports, we announced the winners of Rapid’s Employee of the Season award. Every season we ask all head office employees to anonymously vote for the colleague who they feel has gone over and above in their role during the previous few months.

We often find that more than one person wins, but this season it was a three-way tie!

Our first winner was Amy Moughal who has been working for Rapid since November 2017 as Accounts Assistant. This is what Amy’s colleagues had to say about her:

“She’s a lovely person to work with. Whenever I need help with anything she goes out of her way to do so with a smile as well.”

“Amy is hard working, very knowledgeable in her role & and is always happy to help others where she can.”

“Amy gets things done on time and is very efficient.”

Our second winner was Eddie-Lawrence Kalule who has worked in many roles over the 15 year s he has been with Rapid. This is what his colleagues had to say about him:

“He is always supportive of his team no matter how stretched he is with other things. He always look after the clients/company and employees. He never wants to lose any customers/staff and always goes the extra mile. I personally call him MR RAPID!”

“He’s had a difficult few months and he still motivates his team and helps where possible.”

“He is so good and he is always there when I need help.”

Last but not least was Bernice Anim who has worked as a Contracts Manager at Rapid for the last 11 years. This is what her colleagues said about her:

“She has really low termination rates and just gets on with it without any fuss. Bernice is really popular in the office and every RM that has looked after her say that she is a pleasure to work with.”

“She is a clever lady, hard worker, positive person, great communicator and she helps everyone!”

“Bernice is a pleasure to work with. I always know that anything asked of her will get done and she runs her area proficiently and without fuss. She is always willing to go the extra mile for others and she genuinely cares.”

Then it was time for rounders…

I don’t think there has ever been so many competitive people on one field!

Good fun was definitely had by all.

The post Rapid’s Summer Fun Day and Employee of the Season appeared first on Rapid Clean .

The Winner of Our Superstar Award is…

Mon, 18 Jun 2018 13:09:00 GMT

BJP Insurance

“Maxwell is polite, friendly and always gets the job done.”

The Pines School

“I think Maxwell is great – he is always cheerful and full of smiles which amazes me as our classrooms often look like wild beasts have rampaged through them in the day! Nothing is too much trouble for him and his good humour is a welcome tonic at the end of the day. He is also a great learner and completely deserves the Superstar award!”

What can we add to that? Congratulations Maxwell, you are clearly a huge asset to the Rapid team . We appreciate your hard-working attitude and loyalty to Rapid.

The post The Winner of Our Superstar Award is… appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid Superstar Nominations – Quarter 1 of 2018

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 14:50:00 GMT

We love to give credit where it’s due at Rapid and our long-standing Rapid Superstar Award is the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Our operations department has nominated the employee who they feel has gone above and beyond in their role during quarter 1 of 2018. Sadly only one person can win but each person nominated will receive a gift voucher to show how much we appreciate them.

To follow is a list of those nominated and the reasons why…

Lidia Rusin from Bowman House Business Centre – nominated by Contracts Manager Peter Soares

“She’s reliable and keeps the standards very high, as always and the customer is really happy. Lidia is a Super Star!”

Edimauro De Sales from Softcat – nominated by Contracts Manager Diana Marothy

“He is very reliable and a very hard worker. He helps to run this big contract so well.”

Anna Ostaszewska from Okanargon Ltd & Axon – nominated by Contracts Manager Aga Skupien

“Anna is always reliable and willing to help. She’s a very friendly person and an amazing team member.”

Maxwell Ampaw from The Pines School, Floreat Education Academies Trust & BJP Insurance Brokers – nominated by Contracts Manager Bernice Anim

“Maxwell has delivered marvellous good quality cleaning. He has stepped in and covered for Pine School when one of their in-house cleaners was taken sick, he washed the school carpets during the deep clean, he covered for an employee at BJP when they were sick and also covered for another employee when they were admitted to the hospital. He did not only cover but did a good quality job. He deserves praise on this occasion.”

Caranfil Nistor from Farley Hill School – nominated by Contracts Manager Zoran Marikov

“He is a good person and he always doing a good job, no matter how hard the job is.”

Madaline Diatta from Westmill Foods – nominated by Regional Manager Eddie-Lawrence Kalule

“Madaline is a site supervisor who takes full responsibility of the site including recruiting, inducting, and training new recruits. Last month she went the further mile by volunteering to be on site supervising subcontractors on her day off, without asking for any extra pay. She really deserves my vote.”

Ann Marie Scot t from Welbeck Street – nominated by Contracts Manager Ingrid Antonio

“Ann Marie works over and above what is required. She is always on hand to help at short notice and gives up her weekends.”

Rosemary Hamilton from Tiffin Girls School – nominated by Contracts Manager Sabeeh Tahir

“She works at Tiffin Girls School as a supervisor. She is very hard working and very supportive towards staff and the client. We have been short staffed due to recruitment issues, but she has done anything and everything to ensure that the client is happy. Rosemary is our back bone for the contract at Tiffin Girls School.”

Marciene Lopes Martins from MMD Shipping – nominated by Regional Manager Andy Hollister

“Marcien worked previously on another site for me but didn’t like the new company that took over from us. As I was experiencing problems with the cleaner at MMD shipping I recognised Marcien was the answer. Marcien is a lovely lady who can’t do enough for me and has turned the office around with exceptional results.”

Philip Fozie from Micklands School – nominated by Contracts Manager Angela Knox

“He has worked for us for some time and since I joined rapid clean, Philip has helped me massively and is always keen to help if asked. Philip is very hard working and has great relationships with the clients and the operatives. He definitely has my vote!”

Nathan Vye from Carlisle Fluid Technologies – nominated by Contracts Manager Craig Love

“He stepped up to the plate and covered my area while I was out of the business for three weeks due to illness and annual leave. He carried out some audits, covered sites, dropped off stock and followed up on concerns by visiting the sites on the day of the complaint.”

Millicent Akomea Omane from Anytime Fitness, Welwyn Garden City – nominated by Contracts Manager Solomon Adadevoh

“This lady, since working for us at this gym, has managed to almost eliminate complaints from the site. She always keeps her cool in challenging circumstances and gets the job done. I think she is worth recognising.”

Millicent Kabu from the George and Dragon – nominated by Dominic Diawuo

“Millicent’s dedication to work is second to none. Her workplace is in a remote part of town, where the bus system is not consistent. Her commitment to go to work even in the most unfavourable conditions and circumstances is admirable and commendable.”

Congratulations to all those nominated this quarter. The winner will be announced shortly.

The post Rapid Superstar Nominations – Quarter 1 of 2018 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Annual Company Meeting and the Latest Employee(s) of the Season

Mon, 21 May 2018 08:29:00 GMT

Every year at the end of April we invite our head office team to a company meeting. This year over 30 of us gathered at the very beautiful South Hill Park for lunch and to give everyone an overview of the last 12 months as well as our aims for 2018/19.

Over the last 12 months our head office team has gained 10 new employees, the majority of whom are in brand new roles created due to a year of exceptional growth.

We started the afternoon with a quiz. Questions ranged from ‘ How many times has Monique unloaded the dishwasher in the last 12 months? ‘ (clue: it’s been a rare occurrence) to ‘What age is our oldest cleaner? ‘ (FYI 83!).

There were some intense moments.

We also took the opportunity to announce the winner of our Employee of the Season as nominated by colleagues. This season we had three people who came out on top.

First up was Becki Lee , our HR Administrator who joined us in October 2017. It didn’t take long for Becki to make an impression on her colleagues…

“Becki is thoughtful in her work, more than happy to help where she can and is always a joy to be around.”

“She’s brilliant at her job. Gets things done effectively and on time. Very thorough and attentive.”

“Lovely colleague who is very helpful when needed…and she bakes the best cakes!”

“Very good guy. Always happy and willing to help.”

“A very calming influence. A great team player!”

“Sabeeh is most helpful when I am asking questions regarding his contract and he is very efficient in answering queries I have for him.”

Last but not least is Gareth Love who has been a Rapid employee since August 2004. Gareth is a popular member of the team and in fact this is the second time he has been crowned ‘Employee of the Season’. His colleagues certainly had some good things to say about him…

“It’s great to have a colleague that you can trust to get the important things sorted, without fuss. Gareth is humble, a laugh and will always offer to help, regardless of the situation.”

“If I ask him for any help I have never known him to say he is too busy or NO.”

“Overall a very positive person and I think he is a great asset to Rapid.”

“Gareth has worked for Rapid for many years, responsible for taking on our first few contracts on the south coast. He has been a big part of developing that geography over the years. When considering candidates for the directors’ award this year we looked at both a commitment to teamwork and continual improvement – Gareth has excelled in both of these areas! Not only has he done a great job in motivating and developing his own team, he has always been the first to offer help in other regions.”

Well done to our three very worthy winners.Thank you to all of our customers and employees who have helped make the last 12 months a success for Rapid. Our aim every year is to ensure that we continually improve our service offering by reinvesting in people, technology and business systems.

The post Annual Company Meeting and the Latest Employee(s) of the Season appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid Superstar Award Winner Q4 of 2017

Mon, 30 Apr 2018 14:51:00 GMT

We are pleased to announce that the winner of our Rapid Superstar Award for Q4 of 2017 is Brian Down , who works at Fenwick Hospital in Lyndhurst.

Last week our Managing Director Jeff Whitton, Regional Manager Andy Hollister, and Contracts Manager in that area, Craig Love, headed down to Lyndhurst to give Brian his award and prize.

Brian has been providing an excellent cleaning service to Fenwick Hospital since June 2015 and we are so grateful for his hard work and commitment to Rapid.

This is what Wendy from Fenwick Hospital had to say about Brian:

Congratulations Brian, you are a credit to Rapid and we are proud to have you as part of the team. Keep up the good work!

The post Rapid Superstar Award Winner Q4 of 2017 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Eddie’s Story: From Cover Cleaner to Operations Manager

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 07:55:00 GMT

Eddie-Lawrence Kalule started working for Rapid Clean back in 2002, providing cover cleaning at one of our first sites. Very quickly he was spotted as being a reliable, hard-working employee. When the original cleaner didn't work out we were straight on the phone to Eddie.

It was a 'key job' meaning that he could continue studying at college, whilst supplementing his income during hours that suited him.

Shortly afterwards he was given a new role as Specialist Cleaner; by then he had completed his college course, affording him more flexibility. Eddie remembers long treks to Wales where he would carry out upholstery and carpet cleans in the cinemas that Rapid Clean was servicing at the time.

Becoming a Full-Time Employee

Despite his initial reluctance to go into full-time work, when Eddie was offered the role of Contracts Manager in 2004, he took it. He made a great start, being awarded the title of Contracts Manager of the Year in 2005. This award was give to the Contracts Manager with the best retention rate; something that Eddie was, and still is, passionate about.

"My secret to a high retention rate is good relationship with both the customer and my cleaning staff. Without motivated cleaners, you cannot have happy customers. Whatever promise I make to my customers, I ensure it is fulfilled and encourage my staff to follow the same process."

Eddie is Rapid's longest standing employee, one who truly models our ethos of wanting to promote from within. In the 19 years that he has been with Rapid, he has worked his way up from part-time cleaner to Operations Manager. He is respected and liked by his cleaning operatives and is a valued member of the management team.

This is what our Managing Director, Jeff Whitton, had to say about Eddie:

“I remember recruiting and training Eddie way back in our early days at Rapid. He was an excellent cleaner back then – reliable, conscientious and hard working. It has been a pleasure to work with Eddie over all these years and see his career develop. He is a real asset to Rapid and a great guy.”

Rapid Superstar Nominations Quarter 4 of 2017

Mon, 05 Feb 2018 16:56:00 GMT

It’s time to announce the cleaning operatives who have been nominated to win our Rapid Superstar award for quarter 4 of 2017. We launched this award a few years ago and it has been a great opportunity to reward our cleaners who go above and beyond in their role.

Solomon Adadevoh nominates Donald Madega who cleans The Huntsman and Sawston Medical Practice.

“Donald is very helpful, he works extra hours to keep the site running if some of the other staff call in sick and he is also instrumental in the work being done at Sawston. He has also helped to find additional cleaners at The Huntsman when we were short. A real superstar in my eyes.”

Aga Skupien nominates George Andoh who cleans at Airport Bowl, Ferrari Express, Regency Shipping, St Matthews School and West Byfleet Golf Club.

“He is a great employee, always happy to help even with the most difficult tasks. He has a fantastic relationship with the customers. It is a huge pleasure to work with him and have him in my team. Considering the length of his service he truly deserves to be called a winner.”

Craig Love nominates Brian Down who cleans at Fenwick Hospital.

“The rapport that Brian has built with the client is second to none and he continually goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the site remains spotlessly clean. If it were possible I would clone Brian!”

Sue Kirby nominates Christina Salvalagio who cleans Poppies Beaconsfield and West Wycombe School.

“She is always very helpful she helped out Andy greatly while I was away.”

Peter Soares nominates Lidia Rusin who cleans at Bowman House, Swindon.

“She’s reliable and always keeps the standards very high. The customer is really happy with her and so am I!”

Goran Velinovski nominates Rebecca Ore who cleans at Swallowfield Medical

“She is a very good cleaner and never let me down. Standards at the site are always good and her communication is excellent with me and the customer.”

Bernice Anim nominates Frederick Otoo who cleans at Brookside Surgery, Buzz Gym Reading, Lifespring Church and South Lake Primary.

“This cleaner is such a good guy who considers every detail of his cleaning. If I have no one to cover for me, he steps in to cover and he does his job to perfection. Although he has been nominated before, he still deserves the praise.”

Dominic Diawuo nominates Mohammad Manir who cleans at Westminster Lodge.

“Mohammad was TUPE’d from another company and since he’s joined Rapid, he is a very committed supervisor. His work ethic and dedication has brought about a positive change during the transition period our contract at Westminster Lodge.”

Vaiva Petronyte nominates Margaret Norgbey who cleans at Watford Grammar School.

“Not only does she help in every way on her own site, she has helped me on numerous occasions in finding staff around surrounding areas on short notice etc.”

Ingrid Antonio nominates Gabino Quispe Huaraca who cleans at The Castle Leisure Centre.

“Gabino is a great member of staff and will do all he can to help when the going gets really bad. He moves from site to site to help.”

Joseph Rocha nominates Millena Oliveira who cleans at Pure Offices.

“Since her arrival the service has settled in really well and she has helped to deep clean numerous schools.”

Diana Marothy nominates Adna Laurindo who cleans at CIPHR.

“She is the kindest person and she is a very reliable and a good cleaner. She never lets me down.”

Our directors, Jeff and Paul, will choose the winner who will be notified in due course. All those nominated will receive a letter and a small prize. Good luck to everyone!

The post Rapid Superstar Nominations Quarter 4 of 2017 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

The Latest Employee of the Season is…

Mon, 08 Jan 2018 15:32:00 GMT

Holly McKelvie! Holly joined Rapid in June 2017 as Customer Services Assistant and has clearly made a great impression on her colleagues.

Every season we ask our head office staff to nominate a colleague who they feel has consistently gone above and beyond in their role. This is what Holly’s colleagues had to say about her…

Congratulations Holly, you’re a great asset to the Rapid team and we are lucky to have you. Keep up the good work!

The post The Latest Employee of the Season is… appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid Superstar Quarter 3 of 2017 – The Winner!

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 15:28:00 GMT

We had a fantastic number of nominations for this quarter’s Rapid Superstar Award, all of whom have now received their letter and small prize. As always, it was hard to choose just one overall winner from the list but our Rapid Superstar for quarter 3 of 2017 is Lorraine Ward .

Lorraine works at Total Gas & Power in Redhill, who we have been providing a cleaning service to, since March 2014. We caught up with Marion Driscoll, the Office Manager at TGP, to get some feedback on Lorraine:

“Lorraine is most definitely worthy of this title. Whilst not employed by TGP she is considered part of our ‘family’. Everyone loves Lorraine. When she is in the building, we know it. She is like a whirlwind, leaving everything in her wake shiny and clean.”

What an accolade! Congratulations to Lorraine and also to everyone who was nominated this quarter. Keep up the good work and thank you for your continued commitment to Rapid Clean.

The post Rapid Superstar Quarter 3 of 2017 – The Winner! appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Nominations for Rapid Superstar Quarter 3 of 2017

Mon, 20 Nov 2017 15:41:00 GMT

Nominations for last quarter’s Rapid Superstar are in! Celebrating hard work and dedication is important to us, so every person mentioned below will receive a gift voucher to say thank you for their continued commitment to Rapid Clean.

Mary Gribben-Welsh nominates: Lorraine Ward from Total Gas & Power

Lorraine is very loyal and hardworking, goes over and above her duties and is very much liked by our client.

Bernice Anim nominates: Mandy Howell and Kalsoom Assi from the Woodley Centre

It is not just that they are great at helping with cover but Mandy and Kalsoom are good cleaners who care about their job and are also liked by the customer. I am nominating them because they deserve to be praised.

Sue Kirby nominates: Jenny Pollard, Supervisor at Reading Girls School

Jenny has been employed by us for a while now and has taken to the role of Supervisor very well. She is always amicable, sorts things out before we are aware and always fills us in afterwards. Jenny has been an asset if Sue is on holiday, she is taking to her new responsibility in daily liaisons with our customer and has been in contact with us daily. An asset to Rapid and never absent, always willing to go the extra mile to make sure all is done at Reading Girls. In August/September she has also accompanied Sue on another school to deep clean when she was struggling.

Luke Dobson nominates: Valerie Harris from the New Clock Inn

Valerie never lets me down and her holidays are always booked weeks in advance. She is happy to do anything no matter the task. She’s also helped covering sites and lets me know what stock is needed before she has run out.

Craig Love nominates: Anne Harris from Oak Telecom

I am extremely confident visiting Oak Telecom that the standards will be excellent. The client has met Anne on occasions and voiced that she is very content with the standard of cleaning being delivered by her.

Solomon Adadevoh nominates: Leticia Akowuah from NeoNickel

Since I took over the contract, there has not been a single complaint about standards at that site. Leticia is always on time and goes over and beyond to please the customer. A real superstar in my eyes.

Aga Skupien nominates: Anna Ostaszewska from Axon, Okanargon and Riverbourne

Anna is a very hard working person, working on many of our sites. She is always happy to help on other sites and others managers. She really deserves to be nominated.

Manuela Ribeiro nominates: Ibrahim Adeyinka from the Pavilion

Ibrahim goes the extra mile every day to deliver outstanding service and he has the can do attitude that spreads to the rest of the team. Ibrahim takes ownership of the delivery of the contract everyday.

He manages problems efficiently and the client doesn’t even know that there was a problem. Ibrahim definitely deserves to be recognized for all his dedication to Rapid & Pavilion.

Eddie Kalule nominates: Bernadette Conger Thompson from Gladstone Park Primary School

Mrs Thompson has been excellent since we were called back into this school. She has helped all cleaning staff to settle in well taking on board issues and to sort them out with her staff without even needing my involvement, organising cover as well as having a good relationship with the customer. I think I am really lucky to have her in my team and she deserves my vote.

Peter Soares nominates: Ewa Ficek from the Reeds Arms

She’s a hard worker, committed, helpful and she’s always smiling. She’s been with Rapid for quite some time, she deserves to be nominated!

Ingrid Antonio nominates: Dennis Kallmeyer and Victoria Videou from The Spa Beckenham

Both these staff go above and beyond to help working the normal shift 2-7 and continue through to early morning and back the following afternoon. They are always there when needed.

Well done everyone! The winner will be announced later this month when they will be invited in to head office to receive their prize.

The post Nominations for Rapid Superstar Quarter 3 of 2017 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Announcing the Rapid Superstar – Quarter 2 of 2017

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 13:04:00 GMT

Our Superstar Award has been running since 2013. Since then we’ve awarded over a dozen different cleaning operatives with the title of Rapid Superstar of the Quarter.

One of the highlights of our quarter is looking through all of the nominations and reading the fantastic things that managers have to say about their cleaners. It’s always difficult to choose one person who deserves the award but this quarter, the winner is Andrea Dallaway who works at Capquest in Farnborough. This is what her manager had to say about her:#

“Andrea always comes in a bit earlier to make sure she deals with any requests from the client and works with her team very well. The site has very high requirements and everything seems to be in hand thanks to Andrea.”

Last week, Jeff Whitton (Rapid’s Managing Director), along with Andrew Hollister (Regional Manager), went in to present Andrea Dallaway with her Superstar Award and prize.

Andrea has worked at Capquest for over 10 years, becoming a Rapid employee when we took over the contract back in December 2016. She is a real asset to our team and the customer is clearly delighted with her contribution. This is what Dan Porter from Capquest had to say about her:

“Andrea has worked on our site (both our old office in Fleet and the current one in Farnborough) for over 10 years! Always done a superb job and I speak for everyone in the business when I say we are very lucky to have her on the team. She’s a real joy to behold and Rapid is very lucky to have her on the books.”

And a word from Andrea:

“I have worked for other contract cleaning companies for many years, but have never had senior management come to site and comment on my work. To win an award like this is amazing! Thank you”

Thank you for your valuable contribution Andrea. We are indeed delighted to have you on our team here at Rapid. Keep up the good work!

The post Announcing the Rapid Superstar – Quarter 2 of 2017 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Announcing Our Latest Employee of the Season

Mon, 02 Oct 2017 12:22:00 GMT

Due to a somewhat disappointing summer in the UK, we postponed Rapid’s Summer Fun Day to mid September. BBQ lit (or gas fired up) we enjoyed a burger before taking to the field for a game of rounders. It was certainly an amusing couple of hours out of the office.

The winner this season was Andrew Hollister, Regional Manager on the south coast. Andy has been nominated many times before and even won a Rapid Teamwork Award at our company meeting back in April. Joining Rapid in 2013 as Contracts Manager, he quickly proved his loyalty to the company and dedication to customers, being promoted to Regional Manager shortly after.

This is what some of his colleagues had to say about him:

“I would like to nominate Andy for employee of the season. He has always been really accommodating and happy to help with any questions that I’ve had about the business and how it works. As a newbie with lots of queries he has been useful to learn from.”

“Andy has had my vote a couple of times now but I feel he always gives extra to his job role, so it’s only fair for him to have another vote of mine! He is a great advocate for our Operations Team, always professional, friendly and helpful. He helps to bridge the gap between the team in the field and the team in HO, this really helps us all provide a better service to the business. I think he really holds Rapid Clean high on his priority list!”

“I’m nominating Andy for his hard work and willingness to help out if needs be, for both head office and/or the ops team.”

“He’s always so helpful with any questions I have. I never feel silly for asking anything, he is always willing to help out and has given me some great tips & tricks in dealing with difficult questions. He is a pleasure to work with too!”

“He is an all-rounder, deals with his customers very well and his staff are well respected by all.”

“He is always happy to help with any enquiries, provides a great example to the staff members and always has a smile on his face.”

“Andy is a pleasure to work with, always helpful, very organised and follows every task from beginning to end.”

Congratulations to Andy – a very deserving winner who was nominated a total of 7 times!

And finally, a little clip from our rounders tournament to brighten up your week…

The post Announcing Our Latest Employee of the Season appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Superstar Nominations – Quarter 2 of 2017

Mon, 04 Sep 2017 13:09:00 GMT

We had a number of great nominations for this quarter’s Superstar Award. As you can imagine, from our pool of 900+ cleaners it’s not always easy for our operations team to pick just one person who they feel has gone above and beyond in their role as cleaning operative.

We’ve been running this award for some time now and always enjoy publishing the names of those nominated and the reasons why. Below are this quarter’s choices…

Deana Cook nominated by Luke Dobson.

“Deana works at WPL Ltd and slips under the radar as I never have a problem at this site. Standards are always high and never an issue if asked to do something. Stock is always ordered with plenty of notice.”

Rose Hamilton nominated by Mary Gribben-Welsh.

“Rose is the supervisor at Tiffin Girls School . She is a very hard worker, sorts all the cleaners out and goes above and beyond in her duties. She deserves to be acknowledged and will be delighted if she even thought she would be nominated.”

Andrea Dallaway nominated by Sue Kirby.

“Andrea is the supervisor at CapQuest . She always comes in a bit earlier to make sure she deals with any requests from the client and works with her team very well. The site has very high requirements and everything seems to be in hand thanks to Andrea.”

Alain Paz nominated by Aga Skupien.

“Alain Paz works at Avnet . His cleaning standards have greatly improved over the years and he provides an excellent service. He cares about good relationships with the customer and is always happy to help. He deserves to be nominated.”

Maria Vasquez Calapina and Gabino Quispe Huaraca nominated by Ingrid Antonio.

“Maria and Gabino work at The Castle Centre . When I first started this contract it was very difficult to get it up to a good standard but thanks to Maria and Gabino’s hard work, it has been turned around. As the centre is used until late in the evening, for many weeks, even after their day shifts, they would go back to site in the early hours of the morning to just double check everything was still ok and ready for the morning. I really appreciate their hard work and dedication.”

Jose Eduardo Caleffi nominated by Craig Love.

“Jose works at Kaplan Aspect ILA . He orders the supplies, arranges cover, liaises with the client regarding issues and locks down the building…he even waters the pot plants! He ensures that any issues raised on the audits are corrected and calls me to inform me that these have been done. All in all a great guy and an asset to Rapid.”

Shelley Gordon nominated by Chudi Uzowulu.

“Shelly is the supervisor at Forster Park Primary School . She is so hard working and is excellent in helping to cover while we have been down a member of staff for over a month. She deserves the recognition.”

Brenda Saxby nominated by Peter Soares.

“Brenda works at Chippenham Golf Club . She is very good and hopefully the new manager at the site agrees.”

Hilda Kastiel nominated by Eddie Kalule

“Hilda works at two sites: Inn on the Green and Harpenden Golf Club . She is helpful and goes over and above for the customer to keep them happy, even if the request is outside of the work schedule. There have also been times where she has struggled with public transport but has always found a way to get to work and to not let us down, even if she has to pay for a taxi herself. She deserves my nomination!”

Anita Tuffour nominated by Bernice Anim.

“Anita works at two sites: Lodge Dental Laboratory and Miles 33 . She is just an incredible cleaner. All the sites she cleans adore her. She cleans to perfection and I think she deserves to be recognised.”

Francis Frimpong nominated by Solomon Adadevoh.

“Francis works at The Huntsman . He is dedicated and very committed to Rapid Clean , is always willing to cover absences and holidays.”

Mohammad Ali Howlader nominated by Goran Velinovski

“Mohammad works at Finchampstead Surgery . I have had no problems from that site in over 2 years because of Mohammad. He is a very committed member of staff, reliable and always promotes a high standard of cleaning. He has a great relationships with me, the other operatives and the customer.”

Zoran Marinkov nominated by Diana Marothy.

“Zoran works at the Thames Club . He is very reliable and hard working so therefore deserves my nomination.”

Stay tuned to find out who the winner is. We will be announcing it in the next week or so. In the meantime, congratulations to everyone who has been nominated. Out of 900+ cleaning operatives, that’s a pretty amazing achievement.

The post Superstar Nominations – Quarter 2 of 2017 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Who is our Latest Rapid Superstar?

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 14:47:00 GMT

This quarter’s winner of the Rapid Superstar Award works at multiple sites for us and is a huge asset to our cleaning team.

Madalina Iancu mainly works at Freeborn Citroen and Kaplan Business School in Southampton, but is more than happy to cover other sites when needed and always willing to step in at short notice.

Her flexibility and commitment to Rapid is the reason why she won the title of Rapid Superstar and we were pleased to award her with a certificate and prize. Madalina responded with the following:

“Thank you very much. You are very kind people. I really like my job at Rapid Clean.”

Congratulations Madalina! Keep up the good work.

The post Who is our Latest Rapid Superstar? appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid’s New Table Tennis Champion 2017

Mon, 03 Jul 2017 13:50:00 GMT

When we moved into our new office premises at the end of 2015, we wanted to provide our employees with an activity that would get them away from their desks for 15 minutes, improve morale, as well encouraging social interaction between staff.

A company called, ‘In the Loop’ suggests workplace table tennis as providing this and more! In fact they state 7 reasons why table tennis is the way forward:

With that list in front of us, it seemed like a no-brainer! We’ve been playing table tennis daily for two years now and can pay testament to the above list being true.

We’ve held three Rapid Table Tennis Championships so far, with our Managing Director, Jeff Whitton, winning the first one and our Sales Manager, Jessica Loomes, taking the title from him last year.

Jeff was knocked out in the semi-finals this year and the final took place earlier this week with Jessica Loomes (reigning champion) going head to head with Rapid’s Sales Executive, Steven Newton.

Steven started off strong, winning the first game with a 21-13 victory. Thirty minutes later and the score was 2 sets all in a ‘first to three’ match. It was anyone’s game, until the ping pong ball split in two just before the final set!

A three-day break left all the spectators on tenterhooks and the two finalists ready to go head to head for the last time.

It was a tense match but Steve finally took the crown with a score of 21-19 in the final set! Steven was only too pleased to take the title of Rapid Table Tennis Champion from Jess.

Congratulations Steve!

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Superstar Nominations Quarter 1 of 2017

Mon, 22 May 2017 14:11:00 GMT

We have enjoyed collating all of the nominations for our latest Rapid Superstar Award. Always great to see some new names on the list as well as some familiar names of cleaners who are consistently providing an excellent service.

To follow are the names of all those nominated, where they clean and the line manager who thinks they deserve the title of ‘Rapid Superstar’.

Premek Wrotnowski nominated Joseph Simpson who cleans Bunzl and St Martins

“Great communicating with clients, always helpful and positive – both very new sites.”

Craig Love nominated William Chucas who cleans at The Willet Arms

“The pub was refurbished and there was an increase in the area to be cleaned. For 5 weeks, William spent an extra 30 minutes per day cleaning for free, to ensure the site was cleaned to standard before they gave us an increase.”

Bernice Anim nominate Buarian Hounsome from Brookside Surgery

“Buarian works well, pays attention to detail, is reliable and always willing to help cover cleans. She was TUPE’d over and is a very good asset to the company. We need more people like her to move the business forward.”

Goran Velinovski nominated Sallum Said Hussen from Micklands, MTek and Reading Climbing Club

“Sam is a very amicable and valued employee. He has made such a difference especially since the hours have been increased at the climbing centre. I had a chat with Tom the Manager there who couldn’t speak highly enough of the great work and attention to detail Sam is currently doing. Micklands School is a tough school to clean and Sam never lets us down – he always covers the work if there is any absence. A lovely guy with a great sense of humour.”

Chudi Uzowulu nominated Ibrahim Adeyinka from The Pavillion

“We started the contract in Feb and it was very challenging but Ibrahim has gone over and above all expectations to sort the place out. He has since been made a supervisor which goes to show how committed he is.”

Luke Dobson nominated Madalina Iancu from Freeburne and Kaplan

“Madalina has recently started with Rapid Clean. She works to a high standard on multiple sites. Very reliable and happy to help out on other sites where needed.”

Aga Skupien nominated Katarzyna Cholewa from Lily Hill House

“Katarzyna is very reliable, pays attention to detail and is very keen to help. She is an amazing person and even better worker. Never complains and is always happy to help others.”

Eddie-Lawrence Kalule nominated Janet Amponsah from The Hollybush

“A few months ago I was having constant complaints about the cleaning at this site. When I spoke to Janet about the issues raised, everything changed. The cleaning has rapidly improved and the customer is now praising her attitude.”

Sue Kirby nominated Jennifer Pollard from Reading Girls School

“Since taking the role on, Jenny has excelled in supervising the cleaning team and keeping standards up to a good level. A challenging role but she has coped really well, communication and reliability have been top notch.”

Gareth Love nominated Edward Ssemwogerere from City Barge and Malden Golf Course

“Every time Diana and I have carried out a cleaning audit, results have been very good. He is very reliable and punctual also.”

Peter Soares nominated Tyrone Samuels from MM Teleperformance

“Tyrone’s been working for Rapid for many years. He’s reliable and helpful, communicating with myself, the customers and cleaners very well.”

Solomon Adadevoh nominated Christina Eva Salvalagio from Poppies Beaconsfield

“Christina is not only a good cleaner, she interprets for me anytime I need to communicate with some of our cleaners from the Brazilian/Portuguese community. She answers my calls and does all this extra work for me and the team in the High Wycombe area without complaining. She is truly a superstar.”

Best of luck to everyone nominated! The winner will be invited into head office to receive their prize and meet the rest of the team.

The post Superstar Nominations Quarter 1 of 2017 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Celebrating Victories and Teamwork

Mon, 08 May 2017 14:30:00 GMT

Every year we hold a company meeting at an external venue, inviting all of our head office employees as well as the Contract Managers and Regional Managers who work out in the field.

These meetings are a great opportunity for all departments to interact with one another as well as to celebrate success and share company updates.

We have had plenty to celebrate over the last 12 months including excellent client retention and quality new business, resulting in good growth. We have particularly focused on expanding the core sectors that we service; the education and medical sectors have seen significant growth.

None of this would have been possible without strong teams of people working well together. We took the opportunity to give a special thank you to 4 individuals who have really embraced teamwork over the last 12 months.

We chose one person from our Sales and Accounts departments, plus two managers from Operations.

Nicola McKelvie – Assistant Accountant

Monique Astruc – Telesales Representative

Goran Velinovski – Contracts Manager

Andy Hollister – Regional Manager

We also celebrated with a couple of people who have been Rapid employees for 10 years – what an achievement!

Bernice Anim is one of our longest standing Contracts Managers and a great asset to the team.

This year we also included a fun team building game which even saw people from different departments handcuffed to one another (there were understandably no photographs of that particular moment!).

We look forward to going from strength to strength in 2017, continuing to provide the excellent cleaning service that we pride ourselves on, whilst hopefully making Rapid an enjoyable place for people to work.

The post Celebrating Victories and Teamwork appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Introducing our Rapid Superstar of Q4 2016

Mon, 27 Mar 2017 14:49:00 GMT

Last week we welcomed William Gablah into our head office in Wokingham. We were pleased to present William with his prize and announce him as our Rapid Superstar of the last quarter of 2016.

Andrew Hollister (Regional Manager), Goran Velinovski (Contracts Manager), William Gablah (Superstar), Jeff Whitton (Managing Director), Paul Claxton (Operations Director)

William currently cleans for Rapid at 3 different sites – Highwood Primary School, The Six Bells and Balmore Park Surgery. He was nominated by Goran Velinovski who is our Contracts Manager in the Reading area.

Cindy Edwards, the Business Manager at Highwood Primary, said this about him:

“We are happy that William has been nominated. He is a good cleaning operative and a good leader of the team and standards have improved of late under his supervision. Keep up the good work William!”

We are thrilled to have someone as committed and reliable as William representing our company. This is what William had to say about his job and working for Rapid:

“I joined rapid clean when I was desperately looking for a job. I love working for Rapid because I have a good manager who is good to everyone. When working for a company, you should treat it like your own because it earns food on the table and you should have a good relationship with your work mates, which I do here. Communication is so important, especially if your Manager is good. It gives you hope and confidence even if the work is hard. I want to thank my manager Goran, for his hard work and thanks to the managers and members in the office with the amazing work you guys are doing – all nice people. Bless you all.”

Great to have you as part of the team, William!

The post Introducing our Rapid Superstar of Q4 2016 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Nominations for Rapid Superstar Q4 of 2016

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 16:43:00 GMT

It’s that time again, when we ask our Operations Team to nominate an employee who they feel is deserving of the title Rapid Superstar. This could be a cleaning operative who goes out of their way to build a relationship with the customer, someone who is flexible and happy to cover other sites when necessary, or a supervisor who looks to build their team and encourage others to do a good job.

The Rapid Superstar title isn’t given away lightly. This quarter we received the following nominations…

Gustavo Castano nominated Ronald Kalule from Ramblers Rest, Palmerston Accounts and St Mildred’s Church

“I nominate Mr Ronald Kalule who is a very hard dedicated worker that goes above and beyond to meet client expectations and my own. He has been working for the company for a very long time. He is highly valued by all of our customers at his sites, and I can always count on his sites to be extremely clean.”

Goran Velinovski nominated William Gablah from Highwood Primary School, The Six Bells and Balmore Park Surgery

“Mr William Gablah works for us at 3 sites and I’m very happy to nominate him. He is an extremely committed member of staff and always promotes a high standard of cleaning. He has great relationships with other operatives and the customer s.”

Sue Kirby nominated Carole Lock and Glenda Darlow from Reading Girls School

“Carole Lock and Glenda Darlow have worked on this site together for many years (Carole for 41 years and Glenda for almost 20 years) and when we took on the contract they were very helpful and still are. I never get complaints from their areas and if they are asked to do extras they just do it, even staying longer to finish the job. All the staff like them, they would be sorely missed by all.”

Luke Dobson nominated Ewa Korytkowska from Chichester Free School

“Ewa works as a supervisor at Chichester Free School with 4 other cleaners. This is a really difficult site as the school is always a hard clean every day. She keeps the team motivated to get the job done. She keeps me up to date on all the comments made by herself and staff in the communication file so I am always aware of what is happening. Ewa is extremely reliable and helps out with cover work on other sites. She is a tremendous asset to Rapid Clean.”

Chudi Uzowulu nominated Matondo Lumueni from Mullis & Peake

“I would like to nominate Matondo Lumueni from Mullis & Peake for her dedication for handling the site by herself whilst we dealt with recruitment and DBS’. Not once did she complain but always kept myself and Obie informed. She also sourced the cleaners we have now who have proved to be very good at what they do. She has good communication skills both with us and the customer, hence most issues are well diluted before they reach us. I absolutely believe she deserves this award.”

Aga Skupien nominated Katarzyna Blignaut from Axon and Orkanargon

“My nomination goes to Katarzyna Blignaut. She is a superstar as a colleague, supervisor and cleaning operative. A role model for everyone.”

Craig Love nominated Elison Queiroz Thome from the Daily Echo

“My nomination is for Elison Queiroz Thome at The Daily Echo. Always keen to please. Does everything I request and always asks for feedback on meetings with the clients and audits. A great asset to the company.”

Eddie Kalule nominated Margaret Phil from Brayley Honda

“My nomination goes to Margaret Phil working at Brayley Honda, St. Albans. Margaret has been a great member of staff to rapid for many years at this site. Paul, the owner of the business always has good compliments about her services. During the Christmas period she even went the extra mile in covering a couple of sites without asking us to cover the cost of her fuel. So I believe she deserves this quarter’s award.”

Bernice Anim nominated Josephine Lawrence from BJP Insurance

“This time I will nominate a lady who works for me at BJP insurance, her name is Josephine Lawrence. Josie, as we all call her, has been a cleaner for BJP for 15 years. I have changed a lot of cleaners on this site since we took it on but Josie is still there. She works hard and does a good job. She is very reliable too. I want to use this opportunity to let Josie know that as a company we value staff like her and appreciate all she does to keep the contract going on smoothly.”

Peter Soares nominated Marie John from Hartwell Citroen

“I would like to nominate Marie John, our cleaner working at Hartwell Citroen Bath. She’s been working there since August last year, doing a very good job. The standards are much better now as she’s reliable and communicates very well with myself, the customer and their staff. They all really like her as she’s always polite and helpful. Marie John is a Superstar!”

* * *

Congratulations to every cleaning operative nominated. Thank you for your hard work and commitment to Rapid, it does not go by unnoticed. Everyone will be receiving a personal thank you and small gift. The winner will be announced shortly.

The post Nominations for Rapid Superstar Q4 of 2016 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Congratulations to our Latest Employee(s) of the Season – Autumn 2016

Mon, 16 Jan 2017 15:55:00 GMT

Last Thursday was a morning of celebration here in the Rapid office as we crowned not one but TWO new Employees of the Season.

Having given all head office employees an opportunity to nominate one of their colleagues, we received 24 nominations with an even spread across all departments.

There was no clear winner so with three nominations each, we congratulated Claire Company in our sales department and Gareth Love, one of our four Regional Managers.

(Left to Right) Paul Claxton, Gareth Love, Claire Company, Jeff Whitton

Claire Company joined Rapid back in May of 2016 and quickly made a good impression. This is what her colleagues had to say about her:

“Such a bubbly character, always happy and smiling. Very good at what she does, building a good rapport with clients and does an excellent handover.”

“I would like to nominate Claire Company as she has been doing great with sales, is hard working and sold a big contract this month!”

“I would like to Nominate Claire Company – purely down to her hard work and a great working ethos.”

Gareth Love has been a Rapid employee since 2004. He joined us as a Contracts Manager initially, being promoted to Regional Manager last year. He’s certainly a popular member of the team:

“I would like to nominate Gareth. He is always happy, helpful and willing to give a hand when necessary.”

“Hard working, a pleasure to work with. Gareth is so polite he will always go out of his way to help. Gareth makes coffee and cares about his colleagues.”

“I will nominate Gareth Love because he knows his role and if any advice or help is needed, he is always ready to help . “

Congratulations to Claire and Gareth – two highly valued members of Rapid.

The post Congratulations to our Latest Employee(s) of the Season – Autumn 2016 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Proud to Sponsor WEFC – Under 12s Warriors

Mon, 19 Dec 2016 13:36:00 GMT

Every year we like to raise money for a charity or support a local cause. This year we decided to sponsor a local football team.

The Wokingham and Embrook Football Club was formed back in 2004 – merging Wokingham Town and Embrook Sports. The youth section now has a total of 40 teams with players ranging from under 7 to 17 years of age.

Their mission statement is ‘To enable every football player to reach his or her full potential whilst ensuring enjoyment of all aspects of the game’.

We were inspired to support the ongoing success of the Under 12s Warriors team. Having moved up a league this year, they are currently holding their own at number 4. We hope that they continue this success throughout the season.

Good luck WEFC Warriors!

The post Proud to Sponsor WEFC – Under 12s Warriors appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Introducing the Latest Rapid Superstar – Quarter 3 of 2016

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 12:11:00 GMT

We received many worthy nominations for this quarter’s Superstar award. It’s always difficult to choose a winner from a list where people are described as “hard working”, “reliable, punctual and committed”, “a good team player” , “polite and hard working – nothing is too much trouble”.

We are very privileged to be spoiled for choice every single quarter. But we did eventually pick a winner, largely due to the excellent feedback given by Joe Burgess, the manager at the site where she cleans:

“ Sue is a fantastic asset to the cleaning team here at the Thames Club, without her organisation and hard work the cleaning team would not function. Not only does she turn up on time and never moan, but she will clean whatever is needed. No job is too big or small! It makes it a lot easier for me to do my job as she will also communicate any issues I have not spotted around the club and is very welcoming with members!”

Our winner this quarter is Susan Williams who has been working for Rapid at The Thames Club since May 2014 when we took over the contract.

Diana Marothy (Rapid’s Contracts Manager), Susan Williams and Paul Claxton (Rapid’s Operations Director).

Sue was thrilled to have been nominated by Diana Marothy, her Contracts Manager. This is what she said about working for Rapid and her commitment to The Thames Club:

“I had been working at the Thames Club for a few years already when Rapid took over the contract. I transferred across as a Rapid employee because I feel very loyal towards the Thames Club. I really enjoy meeting and working with the membership and the staff at the Thames Club and also with Diana. The communication that I get from Diana is better than any manager I’ve had before. When she visits the club, she always involves me and I find her helpful and fun to work with.”

Giving out these awards is most definitely a highlight of our quarter. Congratulations to Sue on being our latest Rapid Superstar – a thoroughly committed and hard working member of the team.

The post Introducing the Latest Rapid Superstar – Quarter 3 of 2016 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid Superstar Nominations – Quarter 3 of 2016

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 11:36:00 GMT

We recently reached the end of Quarter 3 of 2016, which means one thing here at Rapid – time to choose another Superstar.

The winner will be someone who has shown dedication and commitment to the company, regularly going above and beyond in their role. As always, our Contracts Managers were spoilt for choice when nominating but below you will find all those who have been deemed worthy of the award.

Philip Cleave – The Reeds Arms

Philip was nominated by his Contracts Manager, Peter Soares: “Philip is doing very well – he’s a nice guy and works well with the customer”.

Frederick Otoo – South Lake School

Frederick was nominated by his Contracts Manager, Bernice Anim: “We were short of staff at South Lake but now Frederick will stay and make sure every section is covered. He is also a hard working young man and well liked everywhere you place him. I think he deserves to know that as a company we do appreciate all that he has done for us”.

Komlan Agbotse – Blanco UK

Komlan was nominated by his Contracts Manager, Eddie Kalule: “When Komlan first joined Rapid, we had an unhappy customer. Since then the contract has been running smoothly and the audit scores have increased steadily. He managed to galvanise his fellow workmates and now they love their job which was not the case before. His communication with both the customer and myself is brilliant. I always get good compliments from both the customer and his workmates about his professionalism, so I think he deserves my nomination.”

Fatouma Liddle – Index and Sunningdale School

Fatouma was nominated by her Contracts Manager, Aga Skupien: “Fatouma provides an excellent service and both clients really appreciate her work. She is very reliable, punctual, committed and a hard working person. It’s a huge pleasure and honour to work with such an amazing person like Fatouma.”

Susan Williams – Thames Club

Susan was nominated by her Contracts Manager, Diana Marothy: “Susan is reliable and never lets me or the club down. She can hold the whole team together and sorts out problems straight away.”

Katarzyna Dembowska – Mortimer Surgery

Denise Bayere Digbeu – Cooperative Child Care and Cooperative Nursery

Denis was nominated by her Contracts Manager, Joseph Muwonge: “After losing a contract at a Childcare site due to changes at the client’s head office in 2014 (where they wanted to go in-house) we were called back in 2016 and got Denise who has been praised by the Nursery manager. We were asked to cover a sister site in Charlton, which we have now signed up on full contract with a special request for Denise to be their cleaner. I have worked with Denise and due to her dedication and communication skills, I nominate her for Superstar of the quarter.”

Keith Davies – Albea

Keith was nominated by his Regional Manager, Obie Shipe: “Keith has shown his dedication to us as company on several occasions. Considering this is a major contract we can’t afford to have issues when the supervisor is away. Keith has saved us by being available to cover shifts at very short notice. Ever ready to listen to instructions, he is a good team player. His standards of cleaning are very good and he encourages his colleagues to work to the same high standards.”

Lorraine Ward – Total Gas and Power

Lorraine was nominated by her Regional Manager, Andy Hollister: “Lorraine is so efficient and loyal, I have known her for around 2 years. In a nutshell, Lorraine is the glue that holds the team together at Total Gas and I don’t know what we would do without her! She is polite, hardworking and nothing is too much trouble for Lorraine – she is an asset to our company and Total Gas.”

Karen Hyde – Mill Lane School

Karen was nominated by her Contracts Manager, Chudi Uzowulu: “Karen is dedicated and hardworking, dependable, committed and reliable. She has indeed made my work easy at the site and greatly deserves the recognition.”

* * *

Congratulations to everyone who has been nominated this quarter. The winner will be notified in due course and invited into head office to receive their prize.

The post Rapid Superstar Nominations – Quarter 3 of 2016 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Employee of the Season – Summer 2016

Mon, 10 Oct 2016 12:29:00 GMT

Nominations for ‘Employee of the Season’ Summer 2016, trickled in over a two week period. When counting up the votes, it was encouraging to see a good split across all departments – Accounts, Operations, Sales and the office team.

The winner has been a Rapid employee since 2010 and is clearly very well thought of by her colleagues. Monique Astruc works as part of our sales team and keeps us all highly entertained with her witty repartee on the telephone. Monique is responsible for our first school signing, a sector which we now have a strong foothold in.

This is what her colleagues had to say about her…

“I’m nominating Monique because she brings top banter every day!”

“Monique is always welcoming to everybody that comes in to the office and she tries so very hard to be helpful on the phone. All her sales calls are unique and she manages to sound chirpy as well as positive most of the time. A very well thought of colleague by all I think.”

“Monique brings a lot to the office by way of her welcoming attitude and her humour. The office is never as happy a place when she is absent.”

“Monique is such a character and brings so much fun to the office. It is obvious when she is off, the atmosphere is just not the same without her.”

Congratulations Monique! It is clear that you are hugely valued by your colleagues and we are privileged to have you as part of the Rapid team.

The post Employee of the Season – Summer 2016 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Conquering the Bournemouth Half Marathon

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:18:00 GMT

Some of you will know that in 2014, we committed to raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Over the year, we completed various events as a company and some of us took on personal challenges. By the end of the year, we had raised a total of £5188.33.

Although we had officially finished our year of support, some of us wanted to continue raising funds in an ad hoc fashion. Gareth Love, one of our Regional Managers, completed the Bournemouth half marathon yesterday. We wanted to catch up with him to find out how it went…

What made you sign up for the half marathon?

I’ve always been a part-time runner; I would go out maybe once a week for a 5k. It was really mid-July when I started to get a bit more serious, running 2/3 times a week. My sister than got me into the Park Run, a weekly timed 5k run, run by volunteers. The Poole Park Run is one of the biggest in the UK.

The Park Run was a great start. With a PB to try and beat each week, I guess this is what got me doing more and more. Surely it makes sense, the more I run…the better/quicker I’ll get?

As I was getting quicker, my sister asked if I would enter a marathon. Obviously I politely said ‘no’ but she sent me the link anyway. I noticed that there was also a half marathon. I entered myself and regretted it immediately – 13 miles is a long way!

What kind of training did you do before the run?

I signed up at the end of August, which gave me just over 5 weeks to train. Training sessions were upped to 4 times a week, running 10k plus each time.

Why did you choose to support Macmillan?

Macmillan is a charity I am familiar with through our fundraising as a company and with the works they have done in people’s lives who I am close to. They do such a fantastic job in the lives of people living with cancer that it really was a no-brainer.

How did you feel during and after the race?

Being cheered on throughout the race was fantastic. Sometimes the cheers came from friends and family but with my name being printed on my shirt, it meant that anyone could cheer me on – it really gave me such a push when I needed it.

Completing the half marathon was a great achievement. It is the first time I have punched the air after completing a race.

I think the only downside to having completed the race, is the fact it is over. On the upside to this, I have the bug for raising money for charity and pushing myself, so there will be more events going forward. Perhaps even the marathon next year. Watch this space.

How much money did you manage to raise?

I have so far managed to raise £450. My target was £515. So to be just £65 off is a great achievement. Saying that, anything I raised would be going to such a worthwhile charity and there’s still time to sponsor me if anyone would like to!

The link to Gareth’s Just Giving page is here . Well done Gareth, a fantastic achievement for a very worthy cause.

The post Conquering the Bournemouth Half Marathon appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Our Latest Rapid Superstar – Donald Madega

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 12:46:00 GMT

We are pleased to announce the winner of our latest Rapid Superstar Award – Donald Madega. Donald currently cleans for us at Huntsman in Cambridge, a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals.

From Left to Right – Chudi Uzowulu, Jeff Whitton, Donald Madega and Obediah Shipe

Donald has been a Rapid employee since May of this year and has clearly made a huge impact both with his line managers at Rapid and the customer.

This is what the customer had to say about his work:

“Donald is a fantastic chap, and everyone here on site has only positive things to say about him. He is extremely helpful, always smiling and friendly and goes out of his way to help wherever he can. He is an asset to your company with his positive can-do attitude, attention to detail and conscientiousness. Nothing is too much trouble for Donald, and his cheerful smile and happy greeting never fails to make my day. I truly hope he wins!”

Congratulations Donald. You’ve made a great impression in such a short space of time. We appreciate your hard work and dedication to the company.

The post Our Latest Rapid Superstar – Donald Madega appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid Superstar Nominations – Quarter 2 of 2016

Mon, 22 Aug 2016 11:30:00 GMT

As always, we had some fantastic nominations for our Superstar Award this quarter. Every nominee deserves recognition for their hard work and commitment to Rapid so with that in mind, to follow are the reasons why each Cleaning Operative has been nominated.

Simon Game and Pornpunsa Chetwyn work at Adas .

Simon and Pornpunsa were both nominated by their Contracts Manager, Joseph Muwonge.

“Both employees have managed to impress the customer and she actually submitted them for the nomination. Simon and Pornpunsa clean a big site which requires a lot of work and dedication. The two have persevered and the customer is very happy.”

Elzbieta Wilk works at The Twynersh and Kia Motors.

Elsbieta was nominated by her Contracts Manager, Aga Skupien.

“She is a great member of staff, who is always asking for extra hours. Despite not having car, she is happy to travel everywhere she is required.”

Mihaela-Luminia Jarcau works at Beechwood School, Bright Water Inn and Kaplan.

Mihaela-Luminia was nominated by her Contracts Manager, Luke Dobson.

“Mihaela works on several sites for Rapid and is always on time, never lets me down and is always happy to help out covering holidays and sickness on other sites at last minute notice. She works well within a team and helps other cleaners make sure their areas are cleaned correctly.”

Donald Madega works at the Huntsman.

Donald was nominated by his Regional Manager, Obie Shipe and his Contracts Manager, Chudi Uzowulu.

“Donald has shown total dedication in building a good relationship with the client. He has taken the cleaning to another level, and even the Director of Huntsman and his team send us complimentary emails of appreciation for this member of staff and standards that they have never seen from their previous contractors. He goes over and above to pick up all our staff to and from the site without any demands. He has now been promoted to Supervisor and continues to show full commitment to our company. He really deserves this nomination.” – Obe Shipe

“I nominate Donald, for his relentless dedication to making sure the site is running effectively” – Chudi Uzowulu.

Rebecca Tucker works at St Michael’s school.

Rebecca was nominated by his Regional Manager, Andy Hollister.

“Rebecca has come highly recommended by the customer for her loyalty, time keeping and sterling work she does at the school. The customer has personally asked for Rebecca to be nominated.”

Dione Kitov works at Sherfield Oaks Golf Club.

Dione was nominated by her Contracts Manager, Sue Kirby.

“The customer is very happy with her – she is scoring 100% on audits. Over the weekends when they have a private function, the site can be very messy but Dione just gets on with it and does a very good job.”

Mercedes Etingue works at Broadmead Primary School.

Mercedes was nominated by her Contracts Manager, Sabrina Sailman.

“Mercedes has come a long way in the last year. She is very proactive and takes responsibility for tasks and is a real team player.”

Margaret Nogbey works at Watford Grammar.

Margaret was nominated by her Contracts Manager, Eddie-Lawrence Kalule.

“Margaret is always helpful and leads by example, she’s proactive and a good communicator who always has pride in her work.”

Mandy Howell works at Woodley and Parkside Surgery.

Mandy was nominated by her Contracts Manager, Bernice Anim.

“Mandy is a very thorough cleaner, dedicated, hardworking and very reliable. She is currently helping out a great deal and I would like Mandy to know that Rapid as a company appreciate all that she does for the contract to run smoothly. Sometime staff call in sick at the last minute but Mandy will do everything to make sure the site is covered with no complaints.”

Sue Williams works at The George.

Sue was nominated by her Regional Manager, Gareth Love.

“She has had some family issues recently but is now back to working the way we expect and going above and beyond and covering shifts as well as her own work.”

Violeta Azukaitiene works at Wise Productions.

Violeta was nominated by her Contracts Manager, Diana Marothy.

“Violeta has very good standards and is extremely willing and reliable.”

Congratulations to every employee who has received a nomination. We will announce the winner in due course.

The post Rapid Superstar Nominations – Quarter 2 of 2016 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Rapid’s Employee(s) of the Season – Spring 2016

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 11:01:00 GMT

We have various awards in place here at Rapid: our ‘Superstar’ award is an opportunity to give recognition to one cleaning operative who has gone above and beyond in their role; our ‘Employee of the Quarter’ award, goes to the head office employee who receives the most nominations from colleagues. The winner can be anyone from our operations, accounts, sales or office team.

Not only is this award a great opportunity for our directors to recognise someone’s commitment publicly, it allows employees to encourage one of their colleagues. In a working environment, we are often quick to criticise but not always so quick to encourage. We hope that our ‘Employee of the Quarter’ award goes some way towards rectifying that.

This quarter, we have two winners as they both received an equal number of nominations.

Left to right: Paul Claxton, Dany Smith, Kate Campbell, Jeff Whitton

First up is Dany Smith , who has been employed as our Credit Controller for 6 years now. This is what her colleagues had to say about her…

“Dany continues to be a great asset to the team, so willing to help out, never a bad word to be said about anyone (just encouragement), and someone I know that I can rely on to do anything she is asked to do in a professional way.”

“Her efforts can go unnoticed to most of the Rapid team because of the nature of her role, but she works tirelessly hard to do an amazing job….I don’t know many people with the compassion, patience and positive attitude that Dany has (and expresses 24/7) and I think she is always always giving more than expected of her. Her job title may say Credit Controller but she does so much more than this and I think she is more than deserving of this award.”

“She always has time to share her skills. She is funny. She is very much a team player, and we miss her when she is on holiday as the team seems very different without her.”

“She is very helpful. Always ready to help me if I have too much work or need help with anything.”

* * *

Next up is Kate Campbell , our dedicated Customers Services Assistant who has been working in this role for the last 12 months. This is what her colleagues had to say about her…

“I would like to nominate Kate Campbell f or her ever so helpful and always on the ball support, regarding issues that arise. She is great to work with.”

“She is readily available to give out any kind of assistance regardless of the workload she has. Ever polite despite the pressure she is under.”

“She’s very nice and helpful, always trying to sort things out either internally (with all of us) or externally (with the customers).”

“Goes over and above supporting Ops. Two words that she says an awful lot: No problem.”

* * *

We are privileged to have both of these outstanding workers as part of our team. Congratulations to Kate and Dany, you are clearly highly valued employees and colleagues.

The post Rapid’s Employee(s) of the Season – Spring 2016 appeared first on Rapid Clean .

Introducing Our Specialist Cleaning Team

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 10:38:00 GMT

Rapid has always offered carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning, alongside specialist floor care treatments. Historically, this work has been carried out by our Contracts Managers. Demand has grown significantly over the last year or two, so we have decided to set up a dedicated team to deliver this service.

Having a dedicated team will result in the following benefits:

If you’ve been thinking for a while about giving your hard floors, carpets or upholstery a bit of TLC, then please contact us for a quote. Either call our head office on 0845 0742981 or contact Premek Wrotnowski direct at premek.wrotnowski@rapidclean.co.uk to get a quote.

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Rapid Superstar Quarter 1 of 2016 Winner

Mon, 06 Jun 2016 10:08:00 GMT

You will know that we had some incredible nominations for this quarter’s Superstar Award . Having received feedback from our customers, there was a clear winner – Ronald Kalule who has been a Rapid employee since November 2010.

Ronald has made a fantastic impression to both his employer and customers. This is what some of his customers had to say about him…

“I’m so happy Ronald has been chosen! He has worked at our company for quite a few years and has really made a difference. He is ultra reliable and anything pointed out to Ronald is always rectified immediately.”

Barbara, Palmerston Accounts

“Every day the centre is left spotlessly clean, with an air of freshness throughout – ensuring a great welcoming atmosphere for our users.

At weekends, our facilities are exceptionally busy yet Ron takes the challenge of the Monday morning cleaning in his stride, nothing is every overlooked and I often observe him doing those all important touches (such as cleaning the fingermarks off the glass doors).

The quality of Ronald’s work demonstrates the sense of personal pride and satisfaction he has doing his best and going that ‘extra mile’. We value the contribution he makes to St Mildred’s and he is a credit to your company.”

Richard, St Mildred’s Centre

“Ronald has been cleaning The Rambler’s Rest since I took over 4 years ago. In this time he has been very reliable and his standard of work is always consistent. On the rare occasion that something is missed or needs a bit more focus, he always ensures it is actioned straight away and without any fuss.

He is s a great asset to your company and I am very pleased to have him working here.”

Clint, The Rambler’s Rest

Left to Right: Jeff Whitton (Managing Director), Ronald Kalule, Peter Soares (Contracts Manager).

Congratulations Ronald, you are a fantastic asset to the Rapid team and we are very pleased to award you with the title of Rapid Superstar! We hope that you will be with us for many years to come.

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Rapid Superstar Award Quarter 1 of 2016 – Nominations

Thu, 12 May 2016 12:41:00 GMT

It’s always great to read the wonderful feedback that our cleaning operatives receive but better still, is the opportunity to put it into writing and share it here.

If you’re a Rapid customer or a Rapid employee, we hope that you will enjoy reading about this quarter’s Superstar nominees and join us in congratulating them for their hard work and dedication to the company.

Paul Gibson, Cleaning Supervisor at Albea.

Paul was nominated by Joseph Muwonge, Rapid’s Contracts Manager. This is what Joseph had to say about him:

“Paul is the supervisor and fulfills his duties diligently, communicates well and makes every effort to ensure that the site is serviced well.”

Michaela Jarcau, Cleaning Operative at Beechwood School, Brightwater Inn and Kaplan Financial.

Michaela was nominated by Andy Hollister, Rapid’s Regional Manager. This is what Andy had to say about her:

“Micheala is a valued employee who has never failed to accept extra work to cover employees’ holidays or sickness whatever the distance and time of day .

Michaela is a lovely person whom I have grown to know since she has been employed by Rapid.

Micheala has also just accepted a deep clean and exceeded the customer’s standards on a brand new contract in Winchester. She valued and appreciated member of the south coast cleaning team.”

Fatouma Liddle, Cleaning Operative at Sunningdale School.

Fatouma was nominated by Premek Wrotnowski, Rapid’s Regional Manager. This is what Premek had to say about her:

“Fatouma is very positive, proactive and always willing to help. She goes over and above in her role as cleaning operative.”

Patricia Teane, Cleaning Operative at Dage Holdings and Space Business Centres, Aylesbury.

Patricia was nominated by Obediah Shipe, Rapid’s Regional Manager. This is what Obe had to say about her:

“Patricia always completes her tasks with a smile and always helps with cover when she can. She has very good communication with me and customers.”

Marek Salinski and Mariola Paczkowska, Cleaning Operatives at Index.

Marek and Mariola were nominated by Aga Skupien, Rapid’s Contracts Manager. This is what Aga had to say:

“Marek and Mariola are both reliable, hard-working people and keep good relations with the client.”

Yeboah Kwasi Amponsah, Cleaning Operative at Radlett Golf Club.

Yeboah was nominated by Eddie Kalule, Rapid’s Contracts Manager. This is what Eddie had to say about him:

“Yeboah is very consistent, committed and reliable. He works 7 days a week in a difficult location to get public transport and it is an early morning shift. The customer always gives positive feedback about him, not only about his cleaning but also his cooperation with both club members and members of staff. He always works with a smile on his face.”

Kelly Williams, Cleaning Operative at South Lake School.

Kelly was nominated by Bernice Anim, Rapid’s Contracts Manager. This is what Bernice had to say about her:

“Kelly is a very hard working young lady, very conscientious about her work. She is reliable and always ready help. Kelly attended school at South Lake and the teachers will be very pleased to hear that we value and appreciate our operatives for their hard work.”

Michael Laryea, Cleaning Operative at The Swan.

Michael was nominated by Goran Velinovski, Rapid’s Contracts Manager. This is what Goran had to say about him:

” Michael is flexible, friendly and very good cleaner.”

Ronald Kalule, Cleaning Operative at Palmerston, Ramblers Rest and St Mildred’s Church.

Ronald was nominated by Peter Soares, Rapid’s Contracts Manager. This is what Peter had to say about him:

“Ronald works at 3 different sites in Croydon and has been a Rapid employee for years. He’s doing a great job and he’s very helpful, polite and reliable. I always receive excellent feedback from our customers.”

* * *

Well done to everyone. We will announce the winner of this quarter’s Rapid Superstar Award as soon as the decision has been made. All of the staff mentioned here will receive a small ‘thank you’ gift in appreciation.

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Rapid’s Latest Employee of the Season

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 11:24:00 GMT

We love celebrating success at Rapid and in particular, congratulating staff for hard work and dedication to the company.

With this in mind, every quarter we invite our head office staff to nominate one of their colleagues as their ‘Rapid Employee of the Season’ . This person can be a member of any of the teams: Accounts, Customer Services, Sales, Operations, Administration.

This current season (December – February) we had a number of nominations which is always good to see. But two people ended up as joint winners….

Peter Soares, Jeff Whitton (MD) and Emily Collins

Peter Soares works in our Operations Department as a Contracts Manager. He originally began working for Rapid in January 2014 as a cleaning operative. He was promoted within around 6 months of being with us. This is what some of his colleagues had to say about him…

His Paysheets are consistently well completed. He always has new starter Paperwork filled in correctly with the data required. I have talked to some of his staff – he is well liked.

Always good feedback about him from clients , very rare that any complaints come to the office from his clients if they do they are rectified efficiently as he always goes over and above to make sure he addresses anything to prevent it being escalated. Office staff in general find him really accommodating and helpful.

He really cares about his contracts and staff. Because of this, he always makes sure that he gets advice and does the right thing in a professional manner, whilst keeping the relevant people updated.

I would like to nominate Peter Soares, as he is consistently polite, helpful and always professional.

Emily Collins is our head of Human Resources. She has been a Rapid employee since June 2015. This is what some of her colleagues had to say about her…

I would like to nominate Emily Collins. She is always thinking of the team in one way or another. Offers tea etc. A very positive person in general.

Emily! Very efficient. That is all.

I am going to nominate Emily who is always there when I need help from sorting out phones, ipads, giving guidance when carrying out disciplinary with my staff to offering me chocolate when I am hungry.

* * *

Huge congratulations to both Emily and Peter – two hard-working, dedicated employees who deserve a pat on the back.

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Our Rapid Superstar for Quarter 4 of 2015

Wed, 17 Feb 2016 12:11:00 GMT

After so many heartfelt nominations, it was difficult to choose the winner this quarter but we eventually awarded the Superstar title to Iwona Mossakowska who cleans for two of our customers – Axon and Grove Medical Centre, both based in Egham,Surrey.

Aga Skupien (Contracts Manager), Iwona Mossakowska, Paul Claxton (Operations Director).

Iwona has been a Rapid employee since May 2013. She has worked at so many Rapid sites it would be difficult to mention them all! Iwona is incredibly reliable and willing to step in at a moment’s notice – one of the reasons why she is our Superstar for this quarter.

Iwona has worked at Axon since 2013 and Paula, Facilities Supervisor at Axon said this about her:

“I agree that Iwona should be given this award, I get good feedback about her! She is polite and gets on with her job.”

Congratulations Iwona, we are thrilled to be able to give you this award and hope that you will be with us for many years to come.

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Rapid Superstar Quarter 4 of 2015

Mon, 08 Feb 2016 10:13:00 GMT

We have had a whole host of nominations for our Superstar Award this time round. It really is nice to know that we have so many reliable and efficient cleaning operatives at Rapid.

Contracts Managers often find it difficult to single out one person, particularly when the site is cleaned by a group of cleaners, but here are the names of all those cleaners who have been nominated this time round and why….

Iwona Mossakowska works at Axon and the Grove Medical Centre . Nominated by Aga Skupien, who said the following:

“Iwona is a really committed worker and is always willing to cover when needed. She is always punctual and listens to instructions very well.”

Sirlei Pereira Rodriguez works at Poppies Bourne End, Poppies Marlow and Twogether. She was nominated by Tom Bagaza, who said the following:

“This cleaner works at three different sites and has been working for Rapid for years. She is consistent in everything she does, knowing exactly what our customers expect and very good with her time keeping. We have received excellent feedback from customers at all three sites and she has never ever let me down; not even one day.”

Ewa Korytkowska is the Site Supervisor at Chichester Free School. She was nominated by Tracie O’George:

“Ewa does a very good job even in challenging circumstances. She is so hardworking, stays on to help the Company and has been so helpful in covering another 2 sites for us nearby.”

Zoran Marinkov works at St Pauls School and Henry Street Garden Centre . She was nominated by Bernice Anim, who said the following:

“Zoran is very helpful, a good cleaner, reliable and trustworthy therefore he deserves to be nominated and also for him to know that Rapid appreciates his hard work.”

Nathan Vye is the Site Supervisor at Finishing Brands. He was nominated by Gareth Love, who said the following:

“Nathan is willing to go above and beyond to get the job done. He shows impeccable cleaning standards, punctuality and attendance.”

Lago Antoine Digbeu works at St John Fisher School . He nominated by Joseph Muwonge, who said the following:

“Lago took over a sensitive site, turned it around and always goes the extra mile when the need arises. The customer’s feedback has always been positive. I feel Lago’s services deserve rewarding.”

Philip Rowland Toms works at Rowan Tree Day Nursery . He was nominated by Eddie Lawrence Kalule, who said the following:

“Philip has been working at this site for more than 3 years now and he has never let me down. He is committed to the job and willing to help new staff that we bring in. I always get positive feedback from the customer and parents, whenever I visit the site and even when there is a vacancy on site he is always willing to cover the site by himself.”

Michael Laryea works at The Swan Pub in Reading . He was nominated by Goran Velinovski, who said the following:

“Michael has been working for Rapid for over 4 years and is one of the best cleaners in my area.”

Mputi Batekele works at the DSA and Addington Palace Golf Club . He was nominated by Peter Soares, who said the following:

“Mputi has been working for Rapid for several years and is a very hard worker, currently working on 2 different sites. He’s reliable and helpful, so he deserves the nomination.”

* * *

Congratulations to everyone who has received a nomination this time round. All nominees will be given a small gift to say ‘Thank You’ and the overall winner will be announced shortly. Watch this space…

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Here’s to the Future!

Mon, 01 Feb 2016 11:51:00 GMT

Many of you will know that we moved office premises at the end of last year. We spent the first few months working hard to turn the Wokingham building into a positive work environment for our employees and somewhere we would be proud to call Rapid’s ‘home ’.

In the middle of January, we held an opening party to celebrate our success as a company and to thank employees and customers for their continued support over the last 17 years.

We were thrilled to welcome Wokingham borough’s Deputy Mayor – Councillor Bob Pitts – who officially opened the building for us.

We also invited some of our neighbours – always good to know who we will be bumping into of a Monday morning! We envisage being here for a long time to come.

We were pleased to host some of our local customers and enjoyed chatting in a more informal setting.

And of course our suppliers who were keen to celebrate along with us and see us in our new place of work.

We rounded the party off with a short speech from Jeff Whitton, our joint founder and Managing Director, whilst raising a toast to the company’s future as well as its past successes.

If you came along to support us, thank you so much for making the event what it was.

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Our Latest Rapid Superstar

Mon, 07 Dec 2015 11:44:00 GMT

Our Managing Director, Jeff Whitton, had the privilege of informing this quarter’s Rapid Superstar that she had been awarded the auspicious title of Rapid Superstar!

Carol Wilson joined the Rapid team in February 2015, when we took over the cleaning contract at St John the Evangelist Primary School. She began working on site in 2012 but not as a Rapid employee, until earlier this year.

Carol will be the first to admit that she was nervous about transferring to a new employer but thankfully her fears were unfounded. She has a great working relationship with Tom Bagaza, her Contracts Manager and in her words, Rapid has proved to be a fantastic employer!

As Cleaning Supervisor at St John the Evangelist, Carol has organised her team very well and she clearly has a great working relationship with the school. Well done Carol, you are a fantastic asset to Rapid and a worthy winner of the Rapid Superstar Award.

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Employee of the Quarter – Autumn 2015

Thu, 26 Nov 2015 14:34:00 GMT

We’ve been running our Rapid Superstar scheme for quite sometime now. The idea behind this award is to recognise hard work and dedication amongst our cleaning operatives. So far it has been hugely successful and much appreciated by our staff.

But what about our head office team? Do they not deserve praise where it’s due? Of course they do!

With that in mind, we decided to launch a new award – Rapid Employee of the Quarter – our first one having just taken place. We gave all of our head office staff including Accounts, Sales and Operations, an opportunity to nominate one of their fellow employees – someone they feel deserves the recognition – with a reason for their decision.

We were thrilled to award Nicola McKelvie, our Accounts Assistant, with the title of Rapid Employee of the Quarter.

Nicola received an incredible 9 nominations and this is what her colleagues had to say about her….

‘Nicola is hard working, gets the job done, is a great communicator with customers, takes initiative in coming up with new ideas to improve processes and great fun to work with! She is a superstar!’

‘My nomination for employee of the quarter goes to Nicola, always willing to help, writes a great email and has made a great impact on the accounts team.’

‘I appreciate it is early days for a new person to receive such an award, but Nicola has such an enthusiastic approach to her work, and in the last few months has happily taken on additional workload to help cover the holiday period, and brings a wonderful positivity and happiness to the office environment.’

‘Nicola for her efficiency, can-do attitude and professionalism. A great team player!!’

‘Nicola is always helpful, has a smile on her face even when customers/clients and me, have asked questions.’

‘Nicola is a great asset to the organisation and fits in so well. She is always so willing to help with anything thrown at her and has been very supportive to Carol, Claire and Tony over the last few months.’

Congratulations Nicola, you are a great asset to the Rapid team.

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Rapid Superstar – Quarter 3 of 2015

Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:44:00 GMT

Our cleaners wouldn’t be working for us if they weren’t doing a fabulous job and in an ideal world, we would like to honour every one of them for their hard work. However, every quarter we like to pick out one cleaner who is going above and beyond in their current role and deserves the title of ‘Rapid Superstar’.

We recently asked all of our Regional Managers and Contracts Managers to put forward their chosen ‘superstars’ for quarter 3 of 2015 and the chosen few are as follows:

Carol Evans who works at Isis Innovation in Oxford, as nominated by Jean Jenkins who said the following:

“No matter if she is ill or not, Carol always comes to work. She’s reliable and a very good candidate for the superstar award.”

Carol Hendin who works at Bristol Grammar, as nominated by Cheryl Younger who said the following:

“Carol is a very reliable and committed member of staff. She is a great candidate for this award.”

Paul Gibson who works at Albea in Colchester, as nominated by Julie Busitil who said the following:

“Paul heads up the team of cleaners at Albea. This period has been extremely busy due to a couple of long- serving staff members leaving and they have covered all the areas and extra hours between them. The staff are very dependable and do what is necessary as a team to ensure an excellent service and delivery.”

Ronald Kalule who works at Ramblers Rest in Coulsdon, St Mildred’s Centre in Croydon, Palmerston Accountants in Purley, as nominated by Joseph Muwonge who said the following:

“He is dedicated to the job and well-liked by all the customers he works for. Ronald communicates well to his customers and I have had no issues on his sites since I started working with him.”

Carol Wilson who works at St John the Evangelist in , as nominated by Tom Bagaza who said the following:

“As soon as Carol started working with us at this site, she made an impact. Whenever I go to inspect the site, they always give great feedback. She tries her best to get into work and consistently goes the extra mile.”

Natalie Boweren who works at several sites in the local area , as nominated by Premek Wrotnowski who said the following:

“Natalie doesn’t require supervision, is very reliable and never lets me down. She always helps when needed.”

Sarah Jane Welch who works at Draper Tools in Eastleigh , as nominated by Gareth Love who said the following:

“Sarah is very efficient, willing and is happy to go above and beyond to get the job done.”

Alan Graham Smith who works at Wokingham Medical Centre , as nominated by Bernice Anim who said the following:

“An excellent worker and a person one can rely on. Alan is always willing to stay on and complete the task .”

* * *

Although every nominee will receive a small gift, we always invite the winner to our head office when he/she will receive a bigger individual prize for their hard work and dedication to the company. We will be announcing the winner in the next few weeks.

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Our New Home

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 10:48:00 GMT

Well we’ve finally moved office premises and it’s business as usual here at Rapid. In case you missed our last blog post , we have relocated to Wokingham in Berkshire.

It was all systems go on moving day….

We kept our staff busy by getting them to construct their own desks and chairs!

As you can imagine, out of our 500+ employees, most of them work on customer sites rather than at head office but our team is expanding rapidly (pardon the pun).

We hope to have enough space here to accommodate us for years to come.

The post Our New Home appeared first on Rapid Clean .

We Are On the Move….

Wed, 16 Sep 2015 13:26:00 GMT

Eight years ago, in September 2007, Rapid moved into its current office premises based in Sunninghill, Berkshire. During that time we’ve had the premises refurbished, installed a BICs training centre and expanded our teams beyond these four walls. Let’s just say that on certain days of the week, we are bursting at the seams here in head office!

With that in mind, as of 16th October 2015 our head office will be based in Wokingham, Berkshire – just 10 miles south of our current location.

Full Address: 1a Oaklands Business Centre, Oaklands Park, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 2FD

Telephone Number: Our main telephone number will remain as 0845 0742981.

We are excited by this new phase in our business and are looking forward to spreading out over an office that is twice the size of our present one. The building also has a large warehouse and a spacious area for BICs training.

More news to follow….

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Our Rapid Superstar for Quarter 1 of 2015

Fri, 03 Jul 2015 09:36:00 GMT

As always, it’s been a very tough decision to choose just one cleaning operative out of 700+ but this time, it was a little easier than most. The Rapid Superstar for Quarter 1 of 2015 is Henry Dube – a name that has been heard on more than one occasion in Rapid’s head office.

Henry cleans for a couple of our customers – Neonickle and Las Iguanas, both of which are located in Milton Keynes. He has been working for Rapid on a daily basis, for the best part of seven years and couldn’t be more committed to delivering the reliable, quality service that we pride ourselves on.

Only the other week, we received a telephone call from a neighboring site in Milton Keynes, requesting that we provide them with a cleaning service, under the proviso that Henry becomes their cleaner! He really is a credit to the company.

Thank you for your hard work and commitment to Rapid, Henry, you are very much appreciated.

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Farewell to Macmillan

Tue, 16 Jun 2015 13:02:00 GMT

For the last 12 months, Rapid has been supporting the charity Macmillan, in both a financial and practical capacity.

We’ve had great fun climbing mountain s, selling cakes on the streets of Sunninghill and cycling across the UK (static bikes on Ascot High Street to be precise!). We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers, suppliers and employees who have all got behind our mission, so much so that we’ve managed to raise the huge sum of £5188.33!

In addition to raising money, we’ve spent the year providing a cleaning service for some of Macmillan’s cancer patients. In total, we have donated approximately 50 hours of cleaning. This is what Macmillan had to say about our support this year…

“Macmillan would like to thank Rapid for the amazing contribution they have made to our Buddying service, by offering cleaning services to the people affected by cancer that we support. Sometimes it’s the simple day to day tasks such as cleaning, that can really become a burden when someone is going through a cancer experience, so the support that Rapid Clean have shown is really invaluable.”

As a company, we have thoroughly enjoyed having an outside focus for the year and being able to give something back to the community. And what better cause than Macmillan? Our thanks go to Natalie Hill and the Macmillan team for encouraging us and supporting us throughout the year.

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Rapid Superstar Nominations – Quarter 1 of 2015

Fri, 22 May 2015 12:17:00 GMT

Our Rapid Superstar award scheme recognises the hard work and dedication of some of Rapid’s best cleaning operatives. Encouragement is key in this industry and we want to stand out from the rest by publicly acknowledging the commitment of some of our team members.

This quarter, the names that have been put forward as cleaners deserving of the Rapid Superstar title, are as follows….

Madeline Diatta who cleans at Westmill Foods in Enfield.

“Since starting work with Madeline, I have notice good leadership skills, reliability, trustworthiness and a desire to do her job well. She has created a good working environment for her team and also the customer.” Joseph Muwonge, Contracts Manager

Susanna Pinto who cleans at Riverbourne Health Club in Chertsey.

“Susanna is a very reliable cleaner who consistently gets positive feedback from the customer. She is helpful and always willing to step in when needed, even if the site isn’t in her area.” Lawrence Kalule, Contracts Manager

Henry Dube who cleans at NeoNickel and Las Iguanas in Milton Keynes.

“Henry is a pleasant individual and his customers adore him. He carries the Rapid flag proudly and a former manager of Las Iguanas is ready to give us a new site, if Henry can be involved as a member of staff. If only every site had a Henry, and I don’t mean the vacuum cleaner!” Julie Busuttil, Regional Manager

Andile Cube who cleans at Testwood in Souhampton and Fenwick 2 in Lyndhurst.

“Andile is an outstanding cleaner whose standards are very good throughout both sites. His punctuality and attendance are exemplary. He is a credit to Rapid.” Gareth Love, Contracts Manager

Mike Petite who cleans at Brightwater Inn in Southampton.

“Mike has worked for us for a few years now and despite some personal difficulties, he always has a smile on his face and never misses a day’s work. His standards remain excellent and he always goes above and beyond in his daily role.” Andy Hollister, Regional Manager

Andrea Carla De Oliveira Bezerra who cleans at Designplan and Trimark in Sutton.

“Andrea has an outstanding attendance and cleaning standard. She is always willing to cover absences in many different areas.” Peter Soares, Contracts Manager

Katarzyna Blignaut who is site supervisor at Axon in Egham.

“Kat is a hard worker with a positive ‘can do’ attitude and real commitment to her role”. Premek Wrotnowski, Regional Manager

Agnes Kovacs who cleans at various sites around the Slough area.

“Agnes is a very good, reliable cleaner.” Diana Marothy, Contracts Manager

Adenir and Nilse Wolf who both clean at The Quince Tree in Henley.

“Adenir and Nilse are both exceptionally reliable and their time-keeping is impeccable. The customer is more than happy with their standard of cleaning . ” Tom Bagaza, Contracts Manager

The overall winner will be announced next week and each person mentioned here will receive a small gift in the post just for being nominated. Well done all and thank you for your hard work and commitment to Rapid.

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On Yer Bike – A Fundraising Success

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 13:21:00 GMT

We did it! We managed to cycle the full 189 miles from Bournemouth to Birmingham, whilst raising a phenomenal amount of money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Thank you to anyone who sponsored us, or donated on the day. The total amount raised came to £1225.73.

We would also like to thank Fitness Space in Ascot and Absolutely Fitness in Bracknell, who lent us their bikes for the day, free of charge. Even our Managing Director, Jeff Whitton and Operations Director, Paul Claxton, took their turn on the bikes….

Fantastic effort from all involved.

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Daisy, Daisy, Give Me Your Answer Do

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 10:30:00 GMT

As a company, we have been working very hard to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, over the past 12 months. To date, we have raised just short of £4000 and have supported a good number of cancer patients by providing them with £672 worth of cleaning in their homes.

Sadly our 12 months is coming to an end and in order to go out in style, we are planning a sponsored cycle ride on Friday 27th March . Our tag team of cyclists will be riding static bikes from 8.30 am until about 3.30 pm – however long it takes us to cycle 187 miles (the distance between our two furthest customers). The bikes, lent to us by Absolutely Fitness in Bracknell, will be parked in Ascot High Street, outside CE Lewis who have kindly agreed to host us on the pavement outside their shop.

We’ve heard all the excuses from “I can’t cycle in heels” to “the only exercise I do is walking the kids to school” but everyone is prepared to give it a go. We may just need to dust off the bikes first….

If you are anywhere near Ascot High Street on Friday 27th March, then please do come down and support us – for your own amusement if nothing else! If you want to go one step further, then we would love you to consider sponsoring us. We have put together a Just Giving page that you can find here . It’s all for a very worthy cause.

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Rapid Superstar – Quarter 4 of 2014

Tue, 24 Feb 2015 12:38:00 GMT

If you’re familiar with Rapid and our company ethos, then you will know that a lot of effort goes into making our team feel appreciated.

Without them, we would not have a business after all! With this in mind, every quarter we run something called the Rapid Superstar Awards and each one of our Contracts Managers is invited to nominate a member of their team, who they believe is worthy of this award.

Below is a list of the employees nominated this quarter and the reason for their nomination….

Stephen Mensah – Joe Macari Ferari. “Stephen is reliable and doing a great job.”

Ram Sansata – Pilgrim Progress. “General Manager singled out Ram for his outstanding work, time-keeping and attitude. Over Christmas I received a number of calls, offering additional assistance.”

Quelal Christian Santiago – Essex Service Group. “He is reliable, conscientious and goes the extra mile to get the job done satisfactorily.”

Terry Cole – Cynergy 3 and Miller & Carter. “Since Terry started, we have had excellent feedback from both clients. He has an excellent attitude and is very good at supervising others.”

John Wale Daniel – The Chequers Inn and Britannia Inn, Oxford. “John has turned around these two sites. He is very committed and never lets us down.”

Kofi Owusu Buabeng – Lily Hill House. “The client is really happy with Kofi’s work. He is proactive, committed and provides a very good service.”

As you can imagine, it’s always difficult to make the final decision on who deserves the title of Rapid Superstar – the calibre of staff is very high. Every employee nominated receives a £20 voucher, by way of a thank you.

This quarter we chose Ram Sansata as our winner and last week he came into the office to receive his cash prize. Thank you for your commitment to Rapid, Ram, you are very much appreciated!

Peter Soanes (Contracts Manager), Ram Sansata and Paul Claxton (Operations Director)

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10 Common Household Items You Didn’t Know Could Clean

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 10:39:00 GMT

This year we have focused hard on reducing our carbon footprint. Back in June of 2014 we introduced a Rapid Green Team with the aim of improving our awareness of the environment and controlling the impact we have on it.

You might recall us introducing a chemical dosing system in 2014, meaning that instead of carrying litres of chemicals around the country, highly concentrated liquids are now diluted on site.

In an attempt to go one ‘green’ step further, our operations team has been researching the use of household products (things that we would all find in our homes) that we can use as cleaning agents. I asked them to share some of the best they have discovered so far. I guarantee there will be a few ‘ well I never knew that ‘ moments!

1. Baking Powder and Lemon Juice.

Combine equal parts lemon juice and baking powder, spread on mildew, leave for two hours and rinse with warm water.

2. Hairspray.

Spray on walls and wipe to remove marks such as crayons.

3. Tomato Ketchup.

Rub on brass to give it a shine.

4. Tennis Ball.

Rub on scuff marks to remove from painted walls, tiles or woodwork.

5. Distilled vinegar.

Combine with water and use to remove coffee stains on carpets, marks on laundry, descaling shower heads and taps,cleaning glass.

6. Olive Oil

Use a soft cloth and a little olive oil to remove oil-based paint from your skin.

7. Bicarbonate of Soda.

Use in kitchens to sanitise fridges and worktops.

8. White Bread.

Small chunks of crustless white bread can be rubbed on wallpaper to remove scuff marks and fingerprints.

9. Shaving Foam

Old-fashioned white shaving foam squirted on the mirror and then wiped off with a soft cloth, not only cleans brilliantly but helps to keep the mirror fog-free after a shower.

10 Banana Peel

Rub the inside of a banana skin on plant leaves to remove dust and encourage shine. Also use to clean silverware, leather shoes and sofas – wipe off with a soft cloth afterwards.

Surprised? We might not be quite ready to throw out all of our cleaning chemicals just yet but it’s definitely worth thinking outside the box – it will not only save you money but the planet as well!

The post 10 Common Household Items You Didn’t Know Could Clean appeared first on Rapid Clean .

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