Katrin Ferge

Hygiene training is already challenging, without the worry of keeping your cleaning teams engaged. Factors such as high staff turnover, limited time and resources, and repetitive content can turn training into a box-checking exercise. But when training is engaging, it can drive long-term behavioral change, empowering teams to follow cleaning and hygiene protocols and protect the facility’s reputation. Redoing the entire training curriculum isn’t necessary—a few tweaks can make the difference between staff boredom and attentiveness. Consider the following three strategies to make your organization’s hygiene training more engaging and effective. 1. Keep it visual and bite-sized Start by delivering information through visual assets in small, digestible moments. With staff juggling so much in one day, microlearning—short, focused learning bursts—can be an effective tool in improving comprehension and recall. For example, provide short, easy-to-access videos or infographics, either in-person or online. Then reinforce key information or tips with posters and signage placed in high-traffic areas. To ensure your staff gets the most out of these materials, customize them to specific job roles or times of the year, like cold and flu season. Consider rotating content regularly to keep it fresh and relevant. And be sure to ask staff members for regular feedback; their input can help ensure training is practical and motivating everyone to work toward shared goals. 2. Connect training to real-world impact Beyond health, hygiene can have a massive impact on facility operations, whether it’s an office building, sports venue, or transportation terminal. When hygiene training is tied to real outcomes, it becomes more than just a requirement—it becomes a shared responsibility. And when staff see how their actions contribute to a safer and more productive environment, they’re more likely to stay engaged and committed. During meetings and collaborative sessions, share stories of hygiene-related incidents and how the team learned from them. Don’t hesitate to share positive feedback, such as a guest complimenting a visibly clean space; this feedback creates a tangible and memorable real-world impact. Make recognition part of the training routine. Acknowledge consistent behavior by highlighting teams or individuals who lead by example—even simple gestures can go a long way in boosting morale. When staff understand the “why” behind executing hygiene excellence, and not just the “how,” they’re more likely to take ownership and remain committed. And the stakes are high. Among respondents of Tork Insight Surveys conducted in 2024 and 2025: More than half (52%) took action after a bad restroom experience, whether it was spending less time at a venue, limiting how much they ate or drank, or not returning to the venue at all. Poor restroom conditions were a serious enough problem for 17% to leave their job. Favorable restroom conditions can also lead to action. According to insights from Airports Council International, a 1% increase in customer satisfaction can lead to a 1.5% increase in non-aeronautical revenue in airport terminals, with restroom cleanliness being a key driver of that satisfaction. 3. Make it interactive Today’s employees are increasingly fluent in digital tools—and they expect training to reflect that. From onboarding to job-specific duties, hygiene training can benefit from the same digital approach. Interactive, hands-on learning doesn’t just make training more enjoyable—it encourages active participation and behavioral change, leading to better outcomes. Consider virtual reality (VR) for scenario-based training that you can tailor to different roles or facility types, or gamified “what would you do?” challenges to spark friendly competition and quick decision-making. For more traditional programs, team discussions or peer-led sessions can instill comfort and understanding. Incorporate the team’s lineup of cleaning and hygiene products into training to build familiarity, reinforce correct usage, and make the learning experience more relevant to daily tasks. Prioritize staff engagement An engaging hygiene training program isn’t just nice to have; it’s essential. Using the varied methods described in the three tips above can help transform hygiene training from a checkbox task into a meaningful experience. Investing in training that is interactive, visual, and grounded in real-world impact can help your team stay safe, compliant, and confident.

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Katrin Ferge

North American Regional Marketing Manager, Professional Hygiene–Commercial Segment, Essity

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