When things get hectic, a team member calls in sick, customers are queuing out the door, or there’s a delivery crisis what’s the first thing that gets skipped?
Cleaning.
It’s unintentional, but understandable. Under pressure, teams prioritise speed, sales, and survival. But ironically, that’s exactly when hygiene matters most.
Let’s look at how businesses get it wrong in a crisis and how you can stay protected, even when the heat’s on.
What Typically Happens in Chaos
- The “quick wipe down” replaces proper sanitising
- Shared spaces get missed entirely
- One cloth gets used everywhere
- Products aren’t given proper dwell time (or used at all)
- No time = no checks = no accountability
In short, everything starts to slide.
The Psychology of “Just Get It Done”
In high pressure moments, the brain defaults to what’s easy not what’s right. That’s not a failure in effort, it’s a gap in systems.
This is why processes that rely on “when there’s time” never work. You need hygiene that’s baked into the routine, not bolted on.
How to Prepare for the Chaos Before It Comes
- Pre dilute products in spray bottles so staff aren’t guessing or skipping
- Use bold labelling and colour coded tools for zero confusion
- Choose fast action products (like Foamzilla and Surface Hero) that do more in less time
- Break tasks into 30 second wins eg. “Wipe and spray toilet seats every hour”
- Display visible cues for customers to see cleaning happening this builds trust even during busy periods
Clean as a Constant, Not a Luxury
The businesses that protect standards during chaos are the ones that win long term.
Not because they never get busy but because their team knows what matters most.
And when everything else feels out of control, a freshly wiped counter or clean smelling toilet can be the small act of calm that reminds everyone:
We’ve got this.
