Hospitality and retail teams face intense pressure during peak periods. Foot traffic increases, service speeds up, and customers expect spotless spaces at all times. Staff must clean, restock and serve without slowing down.
Geoffrey Madkins, Marketing Manager SA at Unilever Professional, says small adjustments go a long way. “During the festive season every minute counts. Practical cleaning techniques save time and energy and help teams protect standards under pressure.”
Below are five time-saving cleaning hacks to help teams work smart, not hard.
1. Use one multipurpose cleaner
A single disinfectant cleaner for counters, mirrors, sinks, toilet seats and high-touch points cuts the need for multiple bottles. Staff spend less time switching products and more time delivering fast, consistent cleaning.
2. Switch to high-absorption microfiber
Tightly woven microfiber cloths clean surfaces in fewer passes. They leave no streaks and no lint. Counters, mirrors, glass, and display areas look polished after a single wipe. This simple change reduces repeated effort and speeds up turnover.
3. Keep pre-stocked cleaning kits on-site
Compact kits with a multipurpose cleaner, microfiber cloths, gloves and bin liners work well in high-traffic areas. Teams can store them under tills, reception desks or service stations. Staff respond to spills immediately instead of walking back and forth to storerooms.
4. Use predictive cleaning
By observing customer behaviour, teams can prepare for issues before they happen.
Breakfast rushes leave crumbs and spills. Dinner service produces more smudges on tables and glassware. Retail stores see peak traffic at midday and late afternoon, with floors, counters and change rooms taking the strain.
Placing cloths and tools in these hotspots improves response time and keeps spaces clean throughout the day.
5. Rotate cloths for speed and hygiene
Using one cloth while another rests in a small sanitiser container reduces cross-contamination. Staff wipe without stopping to replace cloths, maintaining flow in busy service periods.
Cleaning is moving into a tech-assisted future
While these hacks help now, new technology will shape hygiene in the years ahead.
Tools such as electrostatic sprayers, robotic vacuum systems, smart spill-detection sensors and AI-based housekeeping schedules will support staff and deliver faster, more precise cleaning. These solutions are not yet standard, but they will soon strengthen efficiency during peak seasons.
Madkins says the goal stays the same. Teams need to maintain clean, welcoming spaces even during the busiest days. Smart hacks and future technology will make that easier.
