The cleaning glossary

The British Institute of Cleaning Science, which sets skills standards and certifies cleaning operatives.

Decontamination after death, injury, contamination or hoarding, requiring PPE, bloodborne-pathogen training and controlled waste disposal.

A floor machine that polishes and restores shine to hard and resilient floors.

The first heavy clean of a newly built or refurbished space, removing construction dust, debris, paint and adhesive residue.

A figure-of-eight mopping technique that cleans large floor areas efficiently without going over dirty water.

Contamination-controlled cleaning of classified environments using non-shedding materials and ISO 14644 methods.

Using different coloured cloths and equipment for different areas (for example red for toilets, blue for general) to prevent cross-contamination.

The time a disinfectant must stay wet on a surface to work. Wiping too soon leaves it ineffective.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, the UK rules for using and storing cleaning chemicals safely, with data sheets for each product.

The card scheme evidencing health-and-safety competence to work on UK construction sites, needed for post-construction cleaning.

Dusting with a slightly moist cloth so dust is captured rather than dispersed into the air.

A fixed charge for a day of cleaning work, common for one-off deep or post-construction jobs.

A UK criminal-record check often required for cleaners working in homes, schools or healthcare.

A thorough, top-to-bottom clean reaching areas a routine clean skips, such as behind appliances, inside cupboards, grouting, skirting and light fittings.

An alkaline cleaner that breaks down grease and oil, used heavily in kitchens and workshops.

An acidic cleaner that removes limescale and mineral deposits from taps, tiles and equipment.

A chemical that kills most bacteria and viruses on surfaces. Effectiveness depends on the correct dilution and contact (dwell) time.

A low-moisture carpet cleaning method where a chemical crystallises around dirt so it can be vacuumed away.

A full property clean when a tenant moves out, done to the standard needed to return a deposit, covering the whole home including oven, windows and carpets.

A cleaner using biological enzymes to break down organic soiling such as food, protein and odour sources.

The coordinated management of building services including cleaning, often bundled into a single contract.

Dispersing a disinfectant as a fine mist to sanitise surfaces and air across a whole room, common in infection control.

A high-efficiency filter that captures very fine particles, used in vacuums for allergen and dust control.

Carpet cleaning that injects hot water and solution then extracts it with soil, often called steam cleaning.

The cleaning and servicing of guest rooms and public areas in hotels and hospitality.

A global certification body for restoration and cleaning, including water damage and carpet cleaning qualifications.

Clinical cleaning of healthcare settings to national standards using colour-coded systems and validated disinfection.

Certification for operating mobile elevating work platforms safely, relevant to high-level cleaning.

The industry body for rope-access work, used for facade and high-rise cleaning at height.

The international standard classifying cleanroom air cleanliness, governing contamination-controlled cleaning.

ISSA is the worldwide cleaning industry association; CIMS is its management standard for well-run cleaning organisations.

A fine synthetic cloth that traps dust and microbes mechanically, cleaning effectively with little or no chemical.

Removing mould growth and treating the underlying moisture cause, using containment and HEPA air scrubbing.

Transferring an existing cleaning contract from one provider to another, often with the staff.

Deeper tasks done on a set cycle (monthly, quarterly) on top of the daily clean, such as high dusting or floor stripping.

A gentle general-purpose cleaner safe on most surfaces including sealed stone and wood.

Builders and sparkle cleaning of new or refurbished space, handling heavy dust and debris before occupation.

A single-disc floor machine for scrubbing, buffing or polishing hard floors.

An agent that reduces microbes to a safe level, less powerful than a disinfectant but faster acting.

A machine that scrubs a hard floor and vacuums up the dirty water in one pass, leaving it dry.

Safety Data Sheet, the document listing a chemical’s hazards, handling, storage and first-aid information.

Service Level Agreement, the measurable standards a cleaning contractor must meet, often audited.

The final detailed clean after a builders clean on a construction or refurbishment project, leaving the space handover-ready.

The document defining exactly what is cleaned, how often and to what standard under a cleaning contract.

A device using pressurised steam to clean and sanitise surfaces with little or no chemical.

A formal process where an organisation invites cleaning companies to bid for a contract.

Frequent sanitising of high-contact surfaces such as handles, switches, rails and buttons to reduce infection spread.

The UK standard for cleaning ventilation and kitchen extract ductwork to control grease and fire risk.

UK rules protecting employees’ terms when a cleaning contract transfers between providers.

Cleaning an empty property between occupants, common in social housing and student accommodation turnarounds.

A telescopic pole delivering purified water for cleaning windows from the ground, up to several storeys.

A safety sign warning of a slip hazard while a floor is being cleaned or is drying.