A study by Reckitt’s Lysol^® Pro Solutions has found that soft surfaces can be contaminated when people with respiratory infections such as cold or flu cough or sneeze on them directly. The research examined whether germs present in the upper respiratory tract of the ill participants were also the dominant microorganisms found on fabrics after coughing and sneezing on them.

The results revealed the following insights:

• Thousands of organisms can be transferred to fabric from sick individuals in the process of coughing and sneezing on them directly.
• Sneezing leads to a higher average level of virus transfer to fabric compared to coughing.
• The germs responsible for flu and the common cold may be transferred relatively easily to fabrics.
• The virus that causes common cold can survive on fabric for at least six hours.

Contaminated fabrics can spread germs to people who encounter them, the study found. A potential risk also exists for the transfer of germs to individuals that touch fabric exposed to coughs and/or sneezes from people with upper respiratory infections.

A combination of good hand hygiene, hard surface disinfection and often forgotten soft surface disinfection can help prevent the spread of germs in facilities and help protect staff and customers from exposure to these germs.

“This study reinforces the importance of helping protect people from the spread of germs via soft surfaces, as a part of a holistic hygiene program,” said Ann Marie De Luca, Reckitt’s Lysol Pro Solutions R&D manager of microbiology. “Cleaning and disinfection efforts are often focused solely on hard, nonporous surfaces but our work reveals the importance of targeting soft surfaces in order to help protect both home and business environments.”

The U.S. commercial and residential cleaning services market is estimated to grow by an compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 6% to US$36.81 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio.

Rising popularity of multifamily dwellings in United States is driving market growth, with a trend toward increasing several strategic alliances. However, fluctuations in labor wages pose a challenge.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Commercial and Residential Cleaning Services Market in US 2024-2028

The commercial and residential cleaning services market in the U.S. is characterized by intense competition due to the presence of numerous local and international players. To stay competitive, vendors are focusing on enhancing their service offerings and expanding their customer base. Strategic partnerships have emerged as a popular strategy for gaining a competitive edge, such as ABM’s partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chase Field in March 2024 for providing janitorial services as a single source. These collaborations enable vendors to broaden their reach and offer comprehensive services through new distribution channels. The formation of such strategic alliances is expected to increase in number, thereby boosting the availability of commercial and residential cleaning services in the U.S. and driving market growth during the forecast period. 

The market continues to focus on maintaining high-hygiene standards for both business and home environments. General cleaning duties include various techniques and methods, such as deep cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfection, using specialized equipment and supplies. Customer experience is key, with trained cleaners ensuring dependability and cleanliness.

Industry trends include electrostatic spray disinfection, green cleaning, and adherence to strict cleaning standards. The market prioritizes health, hygiene, and customer experience, with specialized technology and trained cleaners ensuring cleanliness and dependability for various facility types.

Regarding challenges, the commercial and residential cleaning services market is subject to continuous fluctuations in labor wages, which can adversely impact market growth. Underpayment of labor results in low efficiency and challenges in hiring and training processes. Increasing labor costs are driven by supply-demand imbalances and government regulations on minimum wages. For instance, the U.S. government’s frequent updates to minimum wage rules can lead to increased base salaries or employee benefits. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, wages and salaries rose by 0.9% and benefit costs increased by 0.7% in 2023. These wage increases will negatively affect the revenues of vendors in the commercial and residential cleaning services market, hindering market growth during the forecast period.

The market also faces unique challenges in delivering quality cleaning solutions for various facility types. Office buildings, cleanrooms, medical facilities, healthcare facilities, schools, commercial kitchens, and domestic dwellings all have distinct sanitary and hygienic conditions. Effectiveness and dependability are essential, with industrial-grade equipment and green cleaning practices ensuring both. Bonded and insured services protect against property damage, and client expectations for cleanliness and adherence to standards are high. Layout differences, cleaning frequency, and cleaning intensity necessitate specialized equipment. Electrostatic spray disinfection and green cleaning further enhance the quality of cleaning offered. Ultimately, the goal is to maintain cleanliness and meet the unique cleaning needs of each facility type.