As a care home manager, you and your team already have cleaning routines in place. However, with rising costs, stricter CQC standards, and growing demand for eco-friendly practices, basic cleaning isn’t enough. In this article, we’ll share two practical ways to take your cleaning to the next level: using data to cut costs and applying simple, green cleaning methods. We’ll also show how Acticare products can support these goals by helping your care home stay clean, save money, and go green.
Step 1: Turn Data into Actionable Takeaways
Instead of guessing where budgets leak, Acticare’s reporting tools turn raw purchase data into clear, actionable insights. Our proven process shows you exactly how much you spend on consumables per resident per day and why that matters.
1. Data Collection
We pull together your historic purchase records, product-usage logs, and delivery schedules across one or multiple homes.
2. Cost Analysis
Next, we calculate your average cost per resident per day by dividing total spending on consumables and equipment by the number of resident-days. Knowing that figure prevents broad-brush budgeting and reveals where small tweaks have a big impact.
3. Benchmark Comparison
Once we have your cost-per-resident figure, we compare it to similar-sized care homes in our network. For example, if your home spends £4.50 per resident per day, but a comparable home is at £3.30, we flag that 36% gap.
4. Action Plan
Based on identified anomalies in the data, we provide a clear set of tailored recommendations, whether it’s to switch to a more concentrated laundry detergent, change mop-head replacement intervals, or adopt our color-coded microfibre cloth program. Each suggestion ties back to measurable savings.
Why It Matters:
- Identify Hidden Costs: Look for areas where expenses increase, such as over-buying wipes or frequently replacing mop heads.
- Reduce Waste & Overspending: Ensure you’re only using what’s needed and identify where reusable options can replace disposable ones.
- Improve Budget Planning: Using exact data, you will be able to better estimate next quarter’s supply costs.
- Identify Product Misuse: Identify areas where a product isn’t being used that should be.
- Identify Areas for Product Consolidation: If multiple products are being used to achieve the same result, we will check if they can be streamlined to single products for efficiency and minimise stock holding.
Step 2: Lean, Green, and Cost-Conscious Cleaning Practices
With cost insights in hand, the next step is to optimise how cleaning is done. Rather than relying on pre-diluted solutions and single-use items, embrace washable tools and dilutable products that drive down both waste and spend.
1. Switch to Washable, Reusable Mop Heads
Disposable mops might seem convenient, but they add up quickly. Instead, use high-quality, microfibre mop heads that can be laundered at least 200 times before replacement. For example:
- Use Washable Hygiemix Microfibre Mop Heads: These capture dirt and grime with minimal detergent. Launder at 60 °C with our industrial laundry detergent to remove bacteria without degrading fibres.
- Cost Impact: For example, if one washable mop head costs £3 and lasts for approximately 200 washes versus a £1 disposable pad that’s single use.
2. Use Concentrated, Dilutable Cleaning Products
Switching to concentrated cleaning products can save you in the long term. This was demonstrated at St Monica Trust, where one bottle of our EC7 product replaced three bottles of the original cleaning product. Additionally, an automatic dosage machine was installed to use Acticare’s concentrated products. These products were diluted to ensure correct concentrations, further aligning with St Monica Trust’s sustainability goals. Here are some additional examples:
Dilute 50 ml in 5 L of water (1:100) for an EN 1276–tested disinfectant that tackles bacteria and viruses on all washable surfaces, from handrails to POLYFLOR flooring. Leaves behind a light, fresh scent without residue.
Pair this with wall-mount dispensers, colour-coded buckets, or countertop mixing stations to streamline refills and prevent cross-contamination, keeping your team efficient, your budgets lean, and your home greener.
An oxygen-based stain remover for linens, uniforms, and microfibre mop heads. Effective in cold washes, it cuts energy use and cycle times while keeping fabrics bright and hygienic.
Why It Matters:
- Lower Plastic Waste: A mid-sized home can reduce single-use plastic by up to 40% by adopting concentrate dispensers and microfibre tools. A large 5-litre or 10-litre container replaces dozens of single-use bottles.
- Consistent Dilution: Pre-measured dosing guarantees the correct mix every time, no over- or under-dilution.
3. Color-Coded Systems to Prevent Cross-Contamination
Pair your microfibre mop heads and cloths with a color-coding scheme:
- Red for bathrooms, Blue for kitchens, Green for general areas, Yellow for high-risk zones (e.g., medication rooms).
- Each set of cloths and mop heads is laundered separately. Over time, you’ll see exactly how many red cloths you need per week versus blue, further refining reorder levels.
4. Staff Training on Efficient Use of Supplies
Acticare’s staff cleaning training guide emphasises that well-trained housekeeping teams reduce risks and keep the care home environment hygienic.
Some practical tips that ensure tools last longer and chemicals go further are:
- Correct Dilution: Use a calibrated pump to achieve exactly 1:10 ratio, which ensures you use what you need, no more, no less.
- Proper Microfibre Care: Wash your microfibre cloths at 60 °C with our industrial laundry detergent, avoid fabric softener (it clogs fibres), and air-dry or tumble on low.
- Spot-Clean Before Full-Clean: Encourage staff to spot-treat stains immediately with a small spray of diluted floor cleaner before mopping the entire area.
Next Steps
You already know how to keep your care home clean. Now add data-driven cost reporting and lean, eco-friendly practices to elevate routine cleaning into a strategic advantage. Acticare can assist you by:
- Providing Reporting Tools that calculate your cost per resident per day, so you can benchmark it, and deliver an actionable plan.
- Supplying Cleaning Consumables that significantly cut plastic waste and lower per-resident spend.
- Offering Training Resources to ensure your team uses every pump and mop head correctly, maximising lifespan and efficacy.
Visit shop.acticareuk.com to explore our full catalogue of cleaning products, consumables, and record books. Contact Acticare to discuss how we can help you meet your sustainability goals.