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New approach to cleaning: more targeted, more efficient and more needs-based

The way our buildings are used has changed in recent years: flexible working hours, work from home, part-time and varying attendance times mean that some areas are used less than they used to be. We would like to reflect this in our cleaning arrangements as well.

A hand wearing a yellow cleaning glove reaches into the picture from the right-hand side and makes the ‘OK’ sign.

© Maksymiv Iurii/stock.adobe.com

The Department of Real Estate and Facility Management (GUT) is therefore updating its cleaning approach at TU Wien. The aim is to deploy existing cleaning resources where they are most needed. At the same time, necessary cost-saving measures must also be taken into account.

More cleaning in areas with greater foot traffic

Areas used by large numbers of people every day are especially important. These include, in particular:

  • Sanitary facilities
  • Lecture halls and seminar rooms
  • Study and common areas
  • Entrance areas and corridors
  • Kitchens and communal areas

In these areas, a high cleaning standard will continue to be ensured. The existing cleaning hours will therefore be focused more heavily on these areas. This will enable cleaning and the available resources to be deployed in a more targeted and efficient manner.

Office spaces will be cleaned once a week

The cleaning of office spaces is also being adjusted. In future, offices will generally be cleaned once a week as part of routine maintenance cleaning. The reason for this is the change in how many workspaces are used. Many offices are no longer occupied continuously on every working day. As a result, the level of everyday dirt and grime in many office areas has also decreased.

In contrast, sanitary facilities, lecture halls, seminar rooms and other communal areas are used by many people every day. Regular cleaning is particularly important in these areas. The new cleaning schedules allow the existing cleaning hours to be distributed more effectively whilst reducing costs.

Cleanliness is a community effort

For the new cleaning concept to work effectively, we also need to use the premises with care. Even small actions help. Food waste, for example, should be disposed of in the designated bins in kitchens or communal areas, and not in office wastepaper baskets. Workstations and shared spaces should also be left in such a way that they can be cleaned properly.

Routine cleaning ensures a basic standard of cleanliness and hygiene. At the same time, everyone who uses the premises at TU Wien contributes to a pleasant environment.

Different spaces require different solutions

TU Wien is a large and diverse institution. Buildings, work areas and ways in which the premises are used can vary considerably. For this reason, a single cleaning plan cannot work exactly the same way everywhere.

We will monitor the new procedures and adapt them if necessary. If there are any specific requirements, problems or sensible suggestions for improvement in individual areas, we welcome your feedback. Ideas and experiences from day-to-day operations are also appreciated. It is important that we work together to find solutions that make sense for each area whilst also enabling the cost-effective use of available resources.

Working together for efficient cleaning

With this new cleaning strategy, we aim to modernise cleaning practices at TU Wien. Cleaning services will be focused more on areas where large numbers of people gather and where hygiene is particularly important. At the same time, areas with lower usage will be cleaned at longer intervals. This will enable us to reduce costs, make better use of existing resources and continue to ensure a high standard of cleanliness in the key areas of TU Wien.

We would like to thank everyone who, by taking care of their workspaces and communal areas, helps to ensure a clean and pleasant environment at TU Wien.

Contact: gut@gut.tuwien.ac.at