Heritage buildings are sensitive environments and require specialist on-site cleaning teams. These teams must meet site expectations, requirements and standards, and possess in-depth knowledge of how to protect collections, meet compliance standards and enhance visitor experience.
In this blog, we discuss our techniques and how we ensure our staff can keep your heritage sites clean to the highest standard.
Understanding the Unique Challenges of Heritage Cleaning
Heritage sites are unique, with each site holding its own significance and history. It is crucial that these pieces of history are preserved and well cared for.
Preserving History While Maintaining Cleanliness
Heritage cleaning solutions are not just for appearance. These services enhance preservation and improve visitor experience. Ensuring preservation of heritage is crucial for protecting the past, while meeting modern standards of safety and sustainability.
Effective cleaning can be difficult for those who are not trained. With historical artefacts, fixtures and features becoming weathered overtime, it is important for cleaning operatives to not see this as removable dirt build-up. If an operative makes a mistake on this detail, the use of excessive cleaning can damage artefacts rather than preserve them.
Recognising Material Sensitivity and Architectural Details
Understanding and being able to identify sensitive materials on fixtures is important to know which techniques are required with the cleaning service. Using too much pressure, utilising the wrong cleaning agent and equipment can strip away centuries of history or destroy fragile details.
Carefully trained cleaning operatives can work with conservation specialists and curators, following detailed cleaning plans that are tested and approved before work begins. With thorough assessments being required before any intervention of the site, is it key that operatives can recognise common heritage materials, such as marble, sandstone, aged wood, gilded metal.
Balancing Modern Techniques with Traditional Methods
Modern cleaning techniques can be used within heritage site cleaning, however, traditional methods may have to be implemented for certain fixtures, such as skirting, walls and flooring. Having highly experienced cleaners that are aware of these different techniques is essential for cleaning operations.
Examples of modern tools and techniques which are appropriate for heritage cleaning:
- Low-pressure Steam Systems: Removes biological growth and surface grime
- Micro-abrasion Tools: Cleans fine details under magnification
- HEPA-filtered Vacuums: Protects air quality and captures micro-particles
Modern techniques can be balanced with traditional methods with eco-friendly agents. Equipment which is non-abrasive and eco-friendly solutions are better suited towards heritage sites. These cleaning tools can include features such as softer bristles and microfibre components.
Training for Cleaning Teams at Heritage Environments
Our people are at the heart of everything we do, which is why we invest in our people. with a detailed training matrix that combines theory and practice, we provide our employees with everything they need to deliver service with excellence.
1. Specialised Education and Certification Programmes
Digital learning platforms can provide 24/7 training documents and materials. These systems ensure on-site staff receive consistent, accredited training that covers:
- Material recognition and sensitivity
- Approved cleaning methods and tool selection
- Health & safety compliance and COSHH regulations
- Environmental sustainability standards
We utilise UhUb training to provide our employees with written theory and visual training. With this, we can engage with our employees and track their progress through various modules.
2. Hands-On Training and Mentorship
Applying theory knowledge to practical practice is crucial for effective works. Each on-site operative works under the guidance of experienced senior staff and heritage specialists. This approach allows staff to:
- Observe experienced and effective heritage cleaning in progress
- Practise delicate cleaning techniques under guidance and supervision
- Learn to identify risk factors and adapt methods accordingly
- Understand how to communicate with site curators and conservation officers
Research by Devlin Peck shows that 70% of employees learn their skills through hands-on learning and only 10% of their skills are developed through formal training. Their research also showed how staff can be 17% more productive than those who do not receive the training they need and want. With the combination of hands-on learning and experienced oversight of others, this allows our operatives to develop in their roles, be confident in their tasks and
3. Continuous Learning and Adapting to New Standards
Standards apply for cleaning service as well as heritage building and facility maintenance. Standards evolve constantly, staying up to date with recent rules, regulations and standards is crucial for compliance. Providing regular refresher courses and alerts on any new standards allows us to adapt our services and training.
Through the use of Facility Apps, we are able to send new information and communication around new standards and regulations to all our team members. This ensures our services are compliant for cleaning regulations, national heritage guidelines, environmental policies, and client expectations.
Become one of DOC Cleaning’s Heritage Partners
Partnering with a specialist cleaning provider can make all the difference in preserving your site.
At DOC Cleaning, we specialise in and understand the responsibilities that come with maintaining heritage environments. From complex and sensitive materials to developing standards and compliance rules.
Get in touch with our teams today to begin your journey in preserving your site for future generations.