ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, has partnered with popular actor, host and confessed germaphobe Howie Mandel to create the “Rethink What Clean Means” campaign. Mandel is the frontman for a series of fun online videos called, “Howie Clean It.” The goal is to educate the public about the importance of cleaning, while supporting the businesses that make cleaning a priority.
“If there’s one thing everyone knows about me, it’s that I’m a clean freak,” said Mandel. “However, what clean means to one person, might mean something totally different to another. Knowing we have experts, like ISSA, setting the standard for cleanliness gives me peace of mind when I’m at a hotel, out at restaurants or performing in large venues.”
Mandel is joined by ISSA cleaning expert Gavin Macgregor-Skinner in the videos. They take viewers on a journey to discover the hidden dirt and germs in seemingly clean spaces. They visit a hotel room, restaurant and public restroom.
In the hotel room, Macgregor-Skinner checks the bedspread and pillows with a UV light and, luckily, they’re clean. He does find grime on the TV remote and in the shower. He cleans both with a disinfectant spray and microfiber cloth.
At the restaurant, Macgregor-Skinner wipes the table with a cleaner and disinfectant, teaching Mandel how to use long, horizontal strokes to remove the invisible dirt.
In the public restroom, Macgregor-Skinner swabs the sink, counter, soap dispenser, urinal and toilet and runs tests in a hand-held ATP meter to check for bacteria. The tests are all negative. He warns that because the toilet doesn’t have a lid, there can be spray in the area called a “toilet sneeze.” Luckily, Macgregor-Skinner points out that nearby walls can be cleaned with “pressure-based systems and the right cleaning chemistry.”
Meanwhile, ISSA is out with a new survey about how important cleanliness is to Americans. Some findings include:
- 57% of respondents are more concerned about the cleanliness of businesses they frequent because of COVID.
- 56% have thought more about how clean a business is over the last two years.
- 59% are more aware of surface cleanliness when they’re out in public.
- 51% say they’re more likely to frequent a business if it provides evidence that the facility is properly disinfected.
- 82% would do or say something if a business isn’t cleaned to their standards, including 54% who would not come back.
Data like this reinforces the importance of the work we do every day, to help ensure our customers’ workspace is clean, safe and healthy.