Industrial cleaning practices are essential for maintaining a clean, safe, and efficient work environment and here at Fleetclean we specialise in industrial cleaning equipment hire, sales and servicing to support your business in all aspects of your industrial cleaning requirements. We’re also helping more and more industrial businesses embrace green cleaning trends, which you can read more about here, but for this blog post, let’s crack on with answering a few more questions about industrial cleaning and how it can enhance the safety and efficiency of your business.

So, what is Industrial Cleaning?

Industrial cleaning refers to the process of cleaning and maintaining large industrial and commercial spaces such as warehouses, manufacturing plants and factories. It’s a highly specialised form of cleaning that requires a unique skill set, specialised equipment and techniques, and detailed knowledge of things like industrial degreasers to ensure the cleaning process is completed safely and efficiently.

Why is industrial cleaning important?

All industrial facilities whether they house manufacturing or raw materials are subject to a wide range of harsh chemicals, heavy-duty machinery and other contaminants that can cause wear and tear on the facility. A build up of these factors over time can seriously compromise the safety and efficiency of the facility.

What are the benefits of industrial cleaning?

Hygiene is an important aspect of leading a healthy life and as a business, industrial cleaning practices should be a part of your regular cleaning routine to ensure a healthy and hygienic work environment for your employees. Industrial cleaning safety should also be a top priority for any industrial facility, as it has many advantages for both the business, its staff, and its customers.

1. Improved safety

This is a key consideration for any organisation. Safety in industrial cleaning can help prevent slips, falls, and other accidents (one of the leading causes of injury in the workplace) simply by removing dirt, grease, and other contaminants from surfaces.

2. Improved efficiency

With regular industrial cleaning practices, equipment stays in good working condition. Dust and debris can build up in machinery over time impacting its ability to run effectively. A clean and well-maintained facility can help improve the workplace’s efficiency by reducing downtime due to equipment breakdowns or repairs.

3. Improved air quality

Regular cleaning can help improve air quality by removing dust, dirt, and other pollutants from the air. Scented cleansers will also add much needed fragrance to the air too for extra invigoration.

4. Improved employee health

A clean and well-maintained facility can help improve employee health by reducing the risk of respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other illnesses. A clean and hygienic environment will have fewer bacteria present and therefore a reduced risk of illness or disease.

5. Increased organisation and productivity

With regular efficient industrial cleaning processes in place, workplaces are kept tidier and free of clutter. This allows for a more organised work environment, ensuring that expired or unused products can be disposed of (particularly important with hazardous chemicals). A more organised workspace also allows employees to feel more comfortable and effective, resulting in increased morale and increased productivity.

Why should industrial cleaning be done regularly?

Without regular cleaning, industrial facilities can become hazardous. Many of these contributing factors such as dust, debris and pollutants build up over time. Therefore, keeping on top of your cleaning with a regular cleaning schedule will ensure overall safety and efficiency. The frequency of industrial cleaning can vary depending on the specific needs of the facility. Some facilities may require daily cleaning, while others may only need weekly or monthly cleaning, but it is essential that it is maintained regularly and consistently, which is why we offer flexible equipment hire terms and the opportunity to purchase cleaning equipment too.

Industrial cleaning practices are a critical process for maintaining the safety, efficiency, and overall health of industrial facilities. With the right equipment, techniques, and cleaning solutions, it is possible to keep these large spaces clean and free of contaminants, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all. Explore our range of cleaning equipment for hire or sale today or speak to our experts about how we can help with your industrial cleaning practices.

If you’re a business that relies on a fleet of vehicles to handle your workload, then chances are you’ll regularly find yourself tasked with cleaning those vehicles, and that can be an enormous task! Automotive cleaning is vital if you’re going to keep them in tip top working condition though and let’s not forget how a dirty vehicle can reflect on your brand and business. It is something that’s well worth taking seriously and investing time and money in buying or renting the right cleaning chemicals and equipment to do the job, and that’s where we come in. Here’s our complete guide to automotive cleaning including the equipment and chemicals we recommend…

How to clean vehicles properly…

1. Work in a cool space, so on hot days make sure you’re washing your fleet in the shade! This is important because working in a hot or sunny environment may cause water, soap and other cleaning chemicals used during the cleaning process to dry too quickly, causing unwanted streaks and smears on the paintwork.
2. Start with a rinse down. We recommend using a pressure washer for this as it will help remove any loose dirt and grit from the vehicle’s surface before you start scrubbing. This is important because starting to lather up with soap before any loose dirt is removed can cause scratches and damage to the paintwork. Don’t forget, when it comes to pressure washers you now have the option to go green as well, by using one of our revolutionary electrically heated pressure washers. They have low running costs, high performance and zero emissions.
3. Wash the vehicle top down with a traffic film remover (TFR). Our non-caustic traffic film remover is a great example of a TRF and it is the perfect cleaning solution for removing grease and road film from all manner of vehicles. It can be used in pressure washers too, which makes it super easy to apply, speeding up the entire automotive cleaning process. If you’d like to know more about traffic film removers and how to use them, then check out our other handy blog post that tells you everything you need to know about TFRs.
4. Rise down as you go. By rinsing as you go you can more easily avoid any soap marks drying onto the paintwork. This makes for a better finish overall and saves some elbow grease when it comes to drying and polishing later, if you’re aiming for a streak-free shine.
5. Dry the vehicle off. Similar to our point above about rinsing down, also taking the time to dry your vehicle properly is key for a streak free shine as well. The best things to use here are a chamois leather or a microfiber cloth.
6. Wax and polish to finish. Once the vehicle is clean and dry, following on with a wax and polish will help create a protective barrier on the vehicle paintwork, meaning fewer washes are needed in the future to keep it looking it’s best.

Don’t forget, cleaning the inside of a vehicle is just as important as cleaning the outside of a vehicle too and for that, you can’t get a better piece of cleaning equipment than a powerful professional vacuum cleaner and we have those for sale and to hire too! If you need to invest in cleaning equipment and chemicals to help keep your fleet looking it’s best, then speak to our experts today and we’ll find the right solution for you.

What is an industrial degreaser?

These chemicals are used in industrial settings such as factories, plants, and warehouses, to remove oil contaminants and grease from surfaces such as various types of flooring and heavy machinery. Degreasers remove any oily substances and of course grease, from the surface. What you should know though, is that there are a few different types of degreaser out there, and it’s up to you to figure out which is the best one for the job. There’s also the question of why you should use a degreaser compared to other cleaning products and this guide will give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about industrial degreasers, and how to choose which one is  best for you.

Why do I need a degreaser?

If you let too much grease build up on your machinery or flooring, it can over time cause corrosion, slipping hazards, overheating and increase electrical resistance in certain contact areas. Those, among a plethora of other issues, means there’s a lot at stake if you’re not using a degreaser.

What should I consider when choosing a degreaser?

There are a lot of factors that you should consider when it comes to picking a degreaser, as some will be more suited to certain environments and certain things you’ll be cleaning than others. For instance, some degreasers are often very flammable due to some alcohols and hydrocarbon solvents that are contained within them. The dielectric strength is also important. If you plan to clean powered equipment or machines, or you need to switch it on before the solvent has flashed off, this is a factor that should be considered. Does your equipment have plastic or rubber components? Check degreasers for how compatible they are with these surfaces too. Of course, remember how toxic degreasers can be. Check them for N-Propyl Bromide (nPB), Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Perchloroethylene (Perc) which are all very highly toxic chemicals, all commonly used in degreasers. Take care when using them and don’t forget, this information will also help you decide on the correct PPE to wear while using them!

Finally, always remember that degreasers are best at removing any organic matter from surfaces, so that’s things like fats, oils, and proteins. As a result, degreasers usually have a higher PH or in other words they are more alkaline than other types of cleaners. Our Fleetclean Ultrascrub is a great example of an alkaline degreaser that delivers a more effective cleaning solution of these specific types of stain. This product is also great for cleaning surfaces without the risk of causing fading or etching, which can happen with some degreasers which you may find in stores or online, so it’s always worth double checking if this is the case or not when picking which degreaser to use.

What is the best way to use a degreaser?

Degreasers generally work well when they are used manually. Using aerosols and trigger spray bottles are undoubtedly the most common and straightforward way to apply degreased for manual use. You could use soaking as a method for applying your degreaser as well, this is a method where you would leave small components in a container full of degreaser for some time, remove them, and then use wipes and brushes to get rid of any dirt with ease.

You could also use a Batch washer with a degreaser. This is where you would put stationary components in a rack or run on a conveyor, and the degreasing agent is sprayed over the parts. It all depends on what industry you work in and what you need degreaser for as to which method is best for you.

It may be that you don’t need to degrease a machine at all, but you need to degrease a floor instead. In that case, we’d recommend our Fleetclean power scrub, which is a degreaser based on natural citrus oils and blended with low foam detergents. It is designed for use in our range of floor scrubbing machines and it is the perfect choice for safely and effectively cleaning marble, terrazzo, concrete, and tiled floors.

We sell the toughest industrial degreasers and other specialist cleaning equipment on our website and if you have any questions regarding industrial degreasers or any other related topics, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with our cleaning experts today..

Traffic Film Removers (TFR) are a chemical that is formulated to break down dirt easily and swiftly, that a regular car shampoo would usually struggle to shift. A traffic film remover is designed to remove road grime without damaging the paintwork or mechanical parts of a vehicle. As you’re driving, a vehicle is likely to pick up a thin layer of grit, dirt and oil which can be quite difficult to scrub off with anything else. A good TFR will easily break down this grime and remove it, often without much effort on your part.

How to use a TFR

So how do you use TFRs? Well first and foremost, you’re going to want to pick the right one for you. Entry point wise, we’d recommend a non-caustic traffic film remover that will not corrode or burn the surface it is used on. Non-caustic traffic film removers like ours can be used through a power washer, applied with a snow foaming bottle, or applied directly to a surface if diluted down. It’s strong cleaning capabilities mean that you won’t have to put in much physical effort at all to remove the dirt and grime and it does not leave a residue if removed quickly.

Key points to remember

A TFR will loosen any grease and dirt, but it is recommended you use a brush and water as soon as possible to get rid of any leftover residue. It is also recommended not to use and clean with TFRs in hot weather or direct sunlight. If you must do this however, make sure you wash off as quickly as you can.

You shouldn’t use a TRF too regularly either. It is recommended to be used every few months or so. If you use traffic film removers too much,  they can fade vehicle paintwork. If the vehicle has been waxed recently, some removers can remove the wax too, so make sure you space out your cleans depending on your vehicle upkeep routine. It’s worth noting that a traffic film remover can’t clean everything. Lots of mud, dead flies for example, are a lot more resistant to TFRs, so be warned of this before you make a purchase – they won’t work!

Safety

Safety wise, traffic film removers are relatively safe, but it is important to acknowledge that this is a chemical, so expect a mixture of metasilicates and caustic within them. The higher the level of concentrate the greater risk of irritation to you. If you’re a home user, a pre-diluted mix would be recommended. If you’re a professional however, any strength should be safe, but remember to  follow appropriate precautions when handling chemicals, in accordance with COSHH regulations.

What do we supply?

Along with our non-caustic TFR as mentioned, we also have our Fleetclean 3000 and Fleetclean 4000 TFRs that work just as well to clean dirt from your vehicle, You can get them in bulk from our website, with a special buy one get one free offer if you buy four cans. Of course, we have a whole range of different cleaning chemicals to browse, so visit our chemicals store page to find out more.

What are the best floor cleaning equipment for warehouses, and why?

It’s imperative that you know how to clean your warehouse floor, and what the best tools are for the job. Warehouse floors are typically big and are bound to become unclean fast during the course of daily work. So, when it comes to cleaning warehouse floors, you need warehouse floor cleaning equipment that does the job, and does the job well.

The Floor Sweeper

It goes without saying, but a floor sweeper is a no-brainer when it comes to floor cleaning equipment. They are of course an integral piece of machinery that is used to collect and remove debris and dust from a floor, starting with smaller machines for smaller areas, to the bigger ride-on machines used for what we’re discussing here – warehouses.

Our recommendation here would be two ride-on models, the Lavor SWL R 1000 ET or the Lavor SWL R 1000 ST Bin Up. The former is easy to maintain and offers up to a maximum of 24,000 square meters of cleaning power on a full battery, offering high productivity and success. It can manage tough debris and can control fine dust super well, thanks to robust heavy duty sweeping and built-in dust control systems. The latter model is very similar, but its key feature is that the machine is equipped with an unloading mechanism which allows the collector tank to be raised up to 110cm in height and then emptied into a waste bin, alleviating any user fatigue.

The Scrubber Dryer

Scrubber driers are one of the first pieces of floor cleaning equipment that come to mind when we consider cleaning equipment for warehouses, however, the floors must be debris free to avoid damage. These work by using one or more rotating brushes which act on the floor surface and replicate the action of a scrubbing brush. A cleaning solution is then used in turn to get rid of the grit and grime from the floor. There are many different models and makes available, so it’s important to understand what the best scrubber drier for use in warehouses are, as some models are more suited to smaller spaces. In our expert opinion, the Lavor XS R 75UP is our scrubbier drier of choice for warehouse floor cleaning. It has been designed for maintaining and deep cleaning large areas, with a capacity to clean up to 4350 sqm. It is quite compact in its size and so has great manoeuvrability. This then allows for maintaining cleanliness in hard-to-reach places, making it an ideal problem solver for warehouse-based businesses. It is easy to use, cost effective and very user friendly.

Industrial Vacuums

Then of course we have vacuums. These are smaller than the previous machines mentioned but are great when it comes to certain aspects of warehouse floor cleaning, such as hard to reach places, stairs, or just for picking up specific types of waste. For instance, some vacuums specialise in picking up liquids and oils like the Kärcher IVS 100/55 M, whereas vacuums such as the Kärcher IVC 60/12-1 EC H Z22 ATEX are purposefully made to pick up combustible and explosive dusts of ST1, ST2 and ST3 CLASS, as well as your usual dirt and debris. It of course depends on your warehouse and what is it used for as to which vacuum is right for you, so if you’re not sure, feel free to get in touch with our team today and we can happily recommend the best vacuum cleaner for your warehouse.  

We’re not just experts on vacuums, scrubber driers and floor sweepers though, if you have any questions regarding what equipment you should use to clean your warehouse floors, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Fleetclean. Alternatively, you can look at all the products we have to offer by visiting our products page, or exploring what we have available to hire

It’s sad news in the world of industrial and commercial cleaning at the moment as one of the key businesses in the local area, Ankef has made the decision to close its doors. Here at Fleetclean, we’ve known Ankef for a long time. They’re based not too far from us, in Normantan, West Yorkshire and since their incorporation in 2005, they’ve been providing cleaning equipment, servicing and support to their customers, in much the same way as we do.

Like us, Ankef have seen their business change over the years. Our customers, typically commercial and industrial businesses, have seen their operating costs increase and this has meant a greater focus on keeping their overheads down wherever possible. As a result, many more customers have transitioned to longer term, more cost-effective lease agreements for their cleaning equipment and it’s easy to see why.

Leasing cleaning equipment for the long term means you have all the benefits of essentially “owning” that machine: it’s on site 24/7 ready to use, but without the expensive, up-front costs of purchasing it. Instead, the costs are spread out over your hire term, making it much more manageable and you don’t have to worry about costly repairs either. Most hire agreements like ours here at Fleetclean offer repairs and servicing as part of the deal, so can rest assured your equipment is in tip top condition, without costing you an arm and a leg.

This transition towards more long term lease agreements hasn’t been without it’s challenges for us though. It’s meant that as a business, we’ve needed to increase our stock of cleaning equipment to support those longer-term lease agreements. We’ve had to grow our equipment maintenance, servicing and training teams so we can support a more invested customer base and we’ve had to diversify our range of cleaning equipment too. What was the cleaning machine of choice 15 years ago, is not the cleaning machine of choice today, especially with the rising popularity of greener and more environmentally friendly cleaning solutions – something we’re very invested in here at Fleetclean as you’ll know if you’ve read about our recent work with bio sludge!

All in all, this has mean business like us and Ankef have had to adapt over the years, grow our teams and invest in more equipment and more space and the sad thing is, that’s not easy! Throw in almost two years with the country in lock down and greater hesitancy among business in general to spend their hard-earned cash and it’s easy to see why previously successful business are starting to struggle. Luckily for us, we recognised the changes many years ago and find ourselves in a position to help more and more businesses with their cleaning equipment needs. We’re specialising in more and more bespoke cleaning solutions and of course, those more environmentally friendly options. If you’re interested in cleaning equipment hire for your business, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

When it comes to cleaning, it’s important to know which is the right cleaning solution for the job. To do that, you first need to know what the four main types of cleaning solutions are, and that’s exactly what we’re discussing in this latest blog post. While there are many different cleaning products on the market, from a wealth of different brands, all cleaning solutions essentially fall into one of four main groups: detergents, degreasers, acids, and abrasives.

Detergents: what are they are where can you use them?

Detergents are man made cleaning solutions and they require liquid, most commonly water, in order to work. They are surfactants that lower the surface tension of the water, basically making the water “wetter” so that it’s more likely to interact with oil and grease. They do require either mechanical energy or agitation to pull the grime away once the detergent has bound with the oil or grease. For commercial or industrial cleaning projects, our range of floor cleaning equipment is designed with different brush and cleaning heads to provide this agitation when used with our detergents.

Detergents are great for emulsifying oils (allowing water and oils to mix), holding dirt in suspension, and given the liquid element, using as wetting agents. They are very versatile cleaning products than come in either gel, liquid, powder, or occasionally crystal form but be warned, there are some areas where a detergent might not be the best cleaning solution for the job. They should not be used on surfaces like hardwood flooring, mirrored surfaces or natural surfaces like silk and leather. At Fleetclean we offer a tried and tested range of detergents ideal for removing traffic film through our high pressure cleaners, including our Fleetclean 3000 and 4000 TFR Detergent.

Degreasers: what are they and where can you use them?

Degreasers are the perfect choice for removing organic matter like fats, oils, and proteins. That’s why many kitchen cleaning products are often sold as degreasers. Typically, degreasers have a higher PH or in other words they are more alkaline, like our Fleetclean Ultrascrub, allowing them to effectively cut through these types of stain. They are also great for cleaning surfaces without the risk of causing fading or etching.

Our Fleetclean power scrub is a degreaser based on natural citrus oils and blended with low foam detergents. It is designed for use in our range of floor scrubbing machines and it is the perfect choice for safely and effectively cleaning marble, terrazzo, concrete and tiled floors.

Acids: what are they and where can you use them?

An acid is a cleaning solution that has a PH of six or lower and they can range from relatively mild, to very strong. Acids are great for breaking down things like rust, mineral deposits, and certain types of mould. While mild acids can be used in a wide range of cleaning environments, stronger acidic cleaners should be used with caution and of course the right protective clothing and equipment. Acids can also cause damage to the surface being cleaned if they’re not used correctly, so it is vital to read the instructions before using any type of acidic cleaner to avoid mistakes.

Abrasives: what are they and where can you use them?

Whilst we are all familiar with abrasive cleaning agents like cream cleaners in our home environments, when it comes to commercial and industrial applications the abrasive element will usually be introduced to the job in a physical way via the machinery being used. For example, our range of scrubbing machines can be fitted with various different types of brushes or abrasive pads. These can also be fitted to high-speed burnishers to remove the top of, say, marble flooring, prior to repolishing.

Another accepted method of wet abrasive cleaning is the introduction of silica sand to the high-pressure water stream from a pressure washer using a sandblasting attachment. More specialised equipment can see the introduction of ice being used as the abrasive element where a more standard approach cannot be employed.

Please remember, it is very important to handle any cleaning agents carefully and safely. Exposure to some cleaning chemicals can lead to things like skin irritations so always ensure you follow any instructions on the label, wear the right protective clothing and if in doubt, speak to cleaning experts like us here at Fleetclean.

Here at Fleetclean we are very familiar with customers presenting us with unique cleaning problems, quite often with stains, product and detergents having to be taken into account, along with reducing manual inputs and efficiencies. This week’s problem solving opportunity took us to Peterborough, Cambridgeshire where our customer required a modern cleaning solution in their brand new site, cleaning IBCs used in the production of their popular food supplement.

Emissions and water usage were the forefront of this project. As the site isn’t connected to mains drainage, all waste must be transported off site at a cost so water usage was paramount – without compromising wash performance.

The solution?

Our electrically heated high pressure cleaner ensures that 80⁰c 200 bar hot water is readily available, whilst maintaining a green, low carbon footprint and zero emissions. With the soaring costs of fossil fuels, our electrically heated solution is not only economically effective, it also negates the need for fuel storage on site along with any COSHH red tape that comes with it.

Paired with our FC30 tank cleaning head, chosen specifically for its quick cleaning time, full 360⁰ internal tank coverage in just 3 minutes means minimal water use with maximum wash performance. In addition the custom built timer remote control unit ensures that the cleaning head can be started by the operator and then left to complete a wash cycle unattended without fear of being forgotten about, wasting water and energy whilst a key controlled override can allow for uninterrupted cleaning.

Built in our workshop and installed within the day at the prepared site allowed for our engineers to commission and carry out the operator training that the customer required to make sure the equipment is put straight to use.

Go GREEN with Fleetclean, ask about our range of electrically heated equipment and put us to the test to create a solution to your cleaning challenges!

2021 has seen a huge number of changes and upgrades to our tankwash and IBC cleaning operations.

First of all, we’ve had a number of personnel changes to the management team which have contributed greatly to an improvement in the overall operation. James Whitham took over as Engineering Services Manager in February 2021 and has progressively introduced equipment and operational changes which have improved reliability, reduced cleaning times and placed a greater emphasis on preventative maintenance.

Our pumping systems have been upgraded and are now more effective with some of the heavier products we clean, such as chocolate and flour. Our DAF effluent treatment system has received several upgrades and now operates with less fluctuation in output, thereby ensuring continuing compliance with our discharge limits, and we’ve installed a Sludge press which de-waters the sludge produced by the DAF Plant, and this dried sludge is then removed from site to be used to create biogas which is sent to generators to create electricity, and bio-fertiliser for farms.

In addition, Alice Bell, our Cleaning Services Manager took on additional responsibilities including those of tankwash personnel. Her first action was to promote one of our Senior Tankwash Operatives, Gav Haigh, to the position of Tankwash Supervisor. Gav oversees our two shifts which are headed up by Ian Downham and Jonny Norton ensuring that all tasks are completed to our quality standards and to customer satisfaction. And last, but not least, Danny Bennett-Brown is now in charge of our IBC cleaning operation, bringing his high standards to this function of the business.

These personnel changes have meant that we now have an exceptional team in place to ensure that tanks and IBC’s are cleaned to the highest standards at all times.

First, it is very important to express thanks to all employees who have been committed and managed to keep working through this difficult period.

We have managed to keep the operations going and continued to satisfy our customers service needs. Even more important, we have been able, with everybody’s help to ensure that there was continued employment for all.

Our aim is to have people back-to-work in the office in order that operations can continue to be 100% effective.

In order to ensure that we can all get back-to-work safely, not only have we carried out a risk assessment, but we have also established a phased plan.

All of the controls we have implemented are detailed within this briefing note and all employees must comply.

Remember, we have still had employees working in the office and this has been successful without any health issues.

Commuting to/from Work

When commuting to/from work it is important to protect yourself and others from catching or passing on the virus. If you have to use public transport, try to keep to yourself and use gloves to protect yourself from dirty surfaces e.g. door handles. Government guidance should be followed for the protection of yourself and others.
If you are car-sharing, try to ensure that the other people are taking similar precautions to you.

Wearing of Masks

There is no evidence at present that confirms the use of a mask will prevent you from catching a virus. Although, there is no harm in taking the precaution especially if using public transport. We will not be requiring any employee to wear a mask or face covering in the office.

Cleaning of Hands

The authorities consider hand cleaning to be the most effective way of controlling the spread of the virus. It is also important to note that alcohol gels are for general protection. The only way to ensure your hands are clean is to wash them with hot water and soap followed by drying them. Alcohol gels are to be used between hand cleaning, but following trips to the bathroom, kitchen and handling communal items, hand cleaning with soap and water must be done.
Upon entering and leaving the office, we request that you sanitise your hands with the sanitiser provided.

Using Equipment in the Office

Use only your own telephone and computer. If you have to use any communal equipment, please wipe any surfaces down after you have used it for the next person.

The office layout has not changed as it provides a good level of individual space without having to come close to others.

Hygiene and tidy desk rules should be adhered to in order that any risk is minimised.

Using the Toilets

We all must be vigilant about cleaning our hands especially after using the toilet. To try and prevent over-crowding, the following rules are in place:

Male Toilets – 2 people maximum.

Female Toilets – The female toilet is only designed for 1 person at a time.

These will be cleaned daily.

Using the Kitchen

The following rules apply to the kitchen and also for break/lunch arrangements:

We are allowing a maximum of 1 one person to use the kitchen at any time.

Reduce your Risk

You should try to refrain from touching your face, nose & mouth and this will reduce the risk of spreading any bacteria from your hands to areas that will allow the virus to get into the body.

Coughing and Sneezing

If you have to sneeze, you MUST try to catch it in a tissue and put the tissue in a closed container. Then clean your hands. The same applies to coughing, you must prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.

If you do not have any tissue at the time, use your hand or inner side of your elbow to catch the cough and sneeze. Then clean your hands.

Symptoms

It is still a personal responsibility to inform your Line Manager if you think you have any symptoms. Do not hide symptoms, let us know so we can assist you accordingly.

Items for Cleaning and Protection

Fleetclean continue to make orders for items such as tissues and alcohol gels. The alcohol gel is in short supply so we encourage you to carry your own if you have some.

Visitors

There will not be any non-essential visitors to the office unless expressly agreed by the Directors. Couriers will be met at the door and not allowed inside. If it is absolutely necessary for the Courier to enter the office, they must be restricted to the reception area.

Drivers at Tankwash

Drivers should under normal circumstances should remain in their cab. If they need to assist with the cleaning activity, try to maintain a safe distance.
Drivers may use the toilets, but only 1 at a time.

REMEMBER, CLEANING YOUR HANDS WITH HOT WATER AND SOAP IS THE PRIMARY WAY TO PREVENT CATCHING AND SPREADING THE VIRUS.

Do NOT take any chances. If you have a concern, have it checked.

There are many reasons to want or need to clean an IBC or Tote. It may be that you are a company who uses Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC’s) also known as Totes for transporting raw ingredients, chemicals or liquids.

Top Tips for Safe DIY IBC Cleaning:

• Check any product labels attached
• Ask questions as to the last use of the IBC
• If hazardous, do not take ownership or handle the IBC
• Assume the worst – If no labels are present or there is no available data regarding the last product – refuse the IBC or refer to a commercial cleaning station

Companies who use IBC’s will often require periodic cleaning to ensure no cross contamination of product or the IBC’s are safe for disposal. In some cases the IBC’s will require periodic testing and inspections to ensure they are fit for use. Companies who handle IBC’s will be aware of the legal requirements of IBC fleet management.

There are obvious differences in the clean required for a DIY enthusiast and a company who uses IBC’s. To effectively clean an IBC for reuse, particularly in the IBC fleet hire market, you would require a professional IBC clean which is recorded and traceable.

The DIY enthusiast may find a cold water rinse with the garden hose is all that is necessary. It all depends on the last product and the use for which the IBC is intended.

Why is the last product important?

IBC’s are widely used to carry hazardous products and IBC’s acquired for DIY use are often found in a ‘casual’ way. This creates potential risk of harm to the environment and human life.

Only IBC’s which can be positively identified as non hazardous should be cleaned by individuals. If no labels exist and there is no available data on the last product – you should assume that the last product is hazardous and ensure a professional clean is performed.

It is important that you know what the IBC last contained. Labels may be attached to the IBC, however this may not reflect the product it LAST contained as it may have been used many times since by different people, although these labels will give you some indication as to a product it ONCE contained.

Hazardous product is just that; hazardous, and so care must be taken when an IBC has hazardous labels attached.

The following signs indicate the IBC once carried a hazardous product. If your IBC or Tote has labels which contain these signs, please do not handle or take ownership.

To transport empty dirty IBC’s with a known hazardous product requires an ADR license so you may also be liable for the costs of transport, cleaning and disposal.

IMPORTANT – If no labels exist or there is no available data regarding the last product, you should ensure the IBC is cleaned by a commercial IBC cleaning Station.

So what is a Professional IBC Clean?

A professional IBC clean is performed by skilled operators, who understand hazardous chemicals and have the safety procedures, equipment and infrastructure in place to handle them.

Using high pressure water via omni-directional spinner heads and powerful pump sets, the IBC has every inch of its surface area cleaned with high pressure water. Where the last product is resistant to water, post wash preparation is performed while a chemical can be added to the wash water to assist product breakdown. The chemical and physical clean combined ensures the IBC is cleaned properly.

Along side this, the waste water is processed ready for clean water discharge or contained for lawful disposal. This is important when cleaning hazardous materials. IBC cleaning companies are bound by environmental and company law including Health & Safety Legislation which ensures a safe Cleaning process and environmentally friendly disposal of hazardous wastes.

A professional IBC Cleaning company will issue a Cleaning Document such as the European Cleaning Document (ECD) to evidence your IBC has been cleaned and poses no environmental or hazardous threats – effectively recording the IBC has been cleaned professionally.

Please contact us if you wish to learn more about our commercial IBC cleaning sales, hire and cleaning services we offer.

Fleetclean have been experimenting with Ultra High Pressure Cleaning (UHP) and the results are incredible. The experiment was performed to understand the effect Ultra High Pressure Cleaning would have on a stainless steel IBC and if any damage would be caused to the IBC structure and ancillaries.

We found that the UHP cleaning removed all of the stubborn stains and product from the IBC but did not effect the integrity of the IBC and its ancillary parts.

If you would like to discuss how Ultra High Pressure (UHP) cleaning could help you clean your IBC’s then please contact Fleetclean on 01977 607087.

Fleetcleans technical engineering team built this custom recirculation IBC Cleaning System to combat stubborn and difficult to clean products.

• Increased Cleaning Capabilities
• Reduced Effluent Processing
• Improved Customer Service Levels

Stubborn or difficult to clean products can take hours to clean using the high pressure total loss system we use for all our IBC and Tanker washes. The main issue being the additives required to bite into the product are not in sufficient dilution rates and are often expensive. A total loss system wastes much of these additives.

As this system recirculates the residues after filtration, the benefits are the water used can have more concentrated dilution levels of additives. These additives break down the product and provide a more aggressive clean – perfect for the more stubborn products.

This recirculation cleaning system has increased our cleaning capabilities and improved service levels of our IBC cleaning business. Initial trials have reduced cleaning times by up to 75%.

If you require a system like this or something similar Fleetclean can build one to your custom specifications.

High pressure cleaning heads are the equipment of choice when it comes to commercial cleaning of IBC’s. Cleaning heads, often referred to as spinners because of their cleaning action, are used widely throughout the tanker and IBC (Tote) cleaning industry in the UK and across the world.

Why use a cleaning head (spinner)?

The benefits of using omni-directional cleaning heads are:

• Efficiency
• Consistency
• Reliability
• Safety

In short, the cleaning heads provide a superior clean. A clean which is safe, quick, efficient and consistent. A clean which can be tailored to meet set requirements such as temperature, pressure and volume to ensure the most efficient clean is achieved considering the containers material and size.

As the cleaning heads are placed in the centre of the container and operate at high pressures (often up to 140 bar or 2000PSI), every inch of the IBC is consistently cleaned including the difficult to reach areas such as top corners. Something which cannot be achieved by a pressure washer lance or hose adapter.

Can you sanitise an IBC using a cleaning head system?

Yes – water at temperatures up to 90’c (195’F) can be pumped through the Spinner. Injection of a Chemical (sanitizer) can also be achieved.

How much do they cost?

There are many different cleaning heads available on the market today. The costs of which vary according to the equipment. Typically £2000 (GBP) would buy a cleaning head suitable for cleaning a road Tanker where an IBC which requires a low pressure “rinse” would cost a lot less. Cleaning Heads offer a superior costs saving on the alternative options while providing a faultless clean every time.

What else is required?

Entry level IBC Cleaning systems consist of a pump which will produce the pressure required to run the spinner of choice a water supply and a connecting hose. At the opposite end of the spectrum, fully automated IBC cleaning systems can be manufactured to customer specifications. It all depends on what it is you are trying to achieve, the resources you have and the budget you have to work with.

Where can I get more information?

Please contact Fleetclean on +44 (0)1977 607087. Fleetclean Ltd is a UK Based Commercial Cleaning Company who specialise in the Cleaning of IBC’s (Totes) and supplies IBC (Tote) cleaning equipment. With over 25 years in the Commercial Cleaning of Tankers and suppliers of commercial cleaning equipment – Fleetclean can advise, supply and fit the best equipment for your requirements.

The video below shows a real time IBC Clean. Please go to 1 minute 50 seconds to see the internal view of the cleaning head in action.

The current situation at Fleetclean is as follows:

Our washbays are currently operating normally, as is our sales hire and service operation.

Our staff are being temperature monitored at the start of their shift and the readings recorded. Any member of staff who shows signs of a fever or a persistent cough will be sent home to isolate as per government guidelines.

Similarly any member of staff whose family or house-sharer show signs of the virus must declare the situation and self-isolate as per government guidelines.

We have adopted social distancing and ask that all personal space, to a minimum of 2 metres is observed. Any visitor to site who does not comply with this condition will be refused entry to/ejected from site.

Fleetclean provide an essential service to the food and transport industries through the operation of their tanker cleaning bays, enabling food and chemical product to reach its destination on time and in prime condition. Without tanker cleaning there would be significant disruption to food supplies and production of goods. We therefore intend to keep our staff safe so they may continue to provide this vital service.

Similarly, our sales hire and service operation provide essential services to the cleaning industry, enabling our customers to provide a clean and safe environment for their staff to operate in. A hygienic workplace is clearly a safer environment in which to operate than a dirty one.

We will continue to provide these services to the best of our ability during this extraordinarily difficult time.

Please also read our Covid-19 Back to Work Plan.