Welcome to National Cleaning Week

National Cleaning Week began yesterday, a prominent reminder during a time of pandemic that cleaning professionals are essential and valued workers who help keep the public safe and healthy. Infection control specialists have valid concerns there are not enough people knowledgeable about the proper methods to clean and disinfect surfaces contaminated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. 

“One of the things that this pandemic is showing us is that we don’t have enough trained individuals,” says Patty Olinger, executive director of the Global BioRisk Advisory Council® (GBAC), a division of ISSA, that offers classes to teach professional cleaners the precautions and procedures necessary to safely combat the coronavirus. “This is potentially a gap in our industry,” she says, as reported in an article from NPR.

Fortunately, ISSA offers best practices, resources, and training to fill that gap. And cleaning professionals can spread the word about their qualifications and the important role they play in society during National Cleaning Week, March 22-28.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, people tended to take cleaning for granted. John Nothdurft, director of government affairs for ISSA, believes this week is the perfect time to elevate the profession which does so much to keep people healthy in schools, hospitals, and other public buildings as well as in homes.

“A lot of people assume cleanliness rather than demand it,” Nothdurft said. “We want the public to demand it.”

Cleaning professionals can use the week to draw attention to their own businesses by running special sales and promotions. They also can use the week to spread the importance of cleaning by getting involved in advocacy efforts that support the industry; promote cleaning week by using ISSA’s graphics (available at www.ISSA.com/NCW) on their social media, websites, and promotional materials; and sharing their cleaning impact stories with ISSA.

“Words matter, but stories persuade,” Nothdurft said.

Whatever your strategy this cleaning week, getting the word out will not only help your business and spread the message on the value of clean, it also will bring positive attention to those working in the industry to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 when many other workers are hunkered down at home.

“National Cleaning Week is as a good time to thank custodians and cleaners working on the front line,” said Nothdurft.