Beyond the surface: Survey of SME decision makers reveals 94% think more frequent cleaning is required.

In the dynamic landscape of workplace hygiene, the selection of cleaning products plays a pivotal role in helping to ensure a clean and healthy environment. However, attitudes towards cleaning products in the workplace can vary from business to business, particularly in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), where the person responsible for purchasing cleaning products can differ, and decision makers can often be influenced by many factors when it comes to purchasing specific brands for professional use. 

To better understand what influences the purchase of workplace cleaning products, SC Johnson Professional commissioned a survey of 210 people who are decision makers or have input into final decisions on cleaning products. 

The survey found that respondents felt workplaces needed cleaning more frequently, highlighted problematic locations and revealed the importance that recognisable brands play in cleaning product choices.

Which areas need to clean up?

Frequency of cleaning was reported as a big issue. When asked about their cleaning problems, 94% of respondents agreed that there were workplace areas that needed to be cleaned more often than they are currently. This is consistent with findings from a previous survey which states that 48% of people believe that hygiene standards in public buildings and workplaces fall short of expectations.[1]

Key areas that need more attention included washrooms, with 59% of respondents highlighting them as a workplace area that needs to be cleaned more often, as well as kitchen and food preparation areas, which were selected by 47% of respondents. When investigating specific cleaning issues in the workplace, it was found that 25% of respondents reported generally grimy or unclean surfaces as their biggest cleaning problem. 

Based on these findings, kitchens, bathrooms and workplace surfaces will likely require additional cleaning. 

Effective, multipurpose products are the most popular.

99% of decision-makers surveyed reported that they look for specific qualities when choosing cleaning products for the workplace. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (74%) look out for effectiveness, ease of use, and multi-purpose features. However, 80% of respondents also reported cost as one of the main factors that influence their purchase of cleaning products.

Brands are a big influencing factor for young people. 

Younger respondents had a stronger preference for well-known brands than older respondents. 78% of 18–24-year-olds reported well-known brands as a factor that influenced their choice of cleaning products compared to only 20% of 45-54-year-olds. For decision makers with a particularly young workforce, this could be an important factor to consider when choosing workplace cleaning products. 

Helping make regular, informal cleaning easier between professional cleaning may help cleanliness in key areas. According to previous research, a key driver supporting this informal cleaning throughout the day is the trust associated with a branded product.[2]

Women tend to look for scented products. 

Influencing factors in the survey were generally similar for male respondents and female respondents, however, women consider fragrance and scent as more important than men (66% of women felt scent was important compared to 42% of men). This means women are more likely to consider scented options when purchasing cleaning products than their male counterparts. Moreover, 22% of women felt unpleasant smells were the biggest cleaning problem at work, compared to 13% of men, suggesting that women tend to be more conscious of smells and odours in the workplace. 

People like to stick to what they know. 

The majority of people asked (79%) agreed that they tend to stick to the same brands they use at home when choosing products for the workplace, compared to only 2% of respondents who said they never opt for the same brands they would use at home. These findings align with data from the Janitorial and Housekeeping Cleaning Products report, which states that brands with the highest level of awareness in personal settings are likely to be purchased for individuals in professional environments as well.[3] Therefore, familiarity and positive experiences with these brands at home can influence the choice of products for workplace needs.

Cleaning brands you know and trust.

SC Johnson Professional’s survey found that many workplaces need to be cleaned more frequently, with a strong focus on kitchens, bathrooms and surfaces. The survey also identified that decision makers are more likely to choose products they use at home in professional settings. 

The SC Johnson Professional Trusted Brands range features a selection of cleaning products, suitable for professional use, with products to combat cleaning issues such as grimy bathrooms, blocked sinks, unclean surfaces, and more. Many respondents reported buying Trusted Brands like Mr Muscle (61%) and Duck (40%) products for the workplace. As the results of the survey show, well-known brands can be a key driver for purchasing specific cleaning products for the workplace, especially in younger demographics. 

SC Johnson Professional’s Trusted Brands are globally recognised, with high-performing formulas, in ready-to-use formats, to help make tough cleaning easy.

Head here to discover more about SC Johnson Professional’s Trusted Brands.

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All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from Censuswide. A total sample size of 210 people in the UK. Fieldwork completed between 5th Oct 2023 and 10th October 2023. The survey was carried out online. The respondent sample consists of people who have input to or are final decision makers for the purchase of workplace cleaning products in a business with fewer than 250 employees. They are also over the age of 18 and in work.