This week, we’re looking at a product that promises everything… and often delivers nothing.
Multi surface cleaners.
The Swiss Army knives of cleaning products.
But here’s the thing: if you wouldn’t use the same product on your toilet, your tables and your mirrors, maybe you shouldn’t be trusting one bottle to do it all.
Why Multi-Surface Isn’t Multi-Purpose
These products are designed to be “safe for most surfaces,” but that usually means they’re:
- Too weak to disinfect properly
- Too gentle to cut through grease
- Too generic to solve any specific problem
In short, they’re often watered down compromises.
And when staff think “this one bottle does it all,” the real risks start stacking up.
The Real Problems They Cause
- False Confidence
It smells clean, so staff assume it’s safe. But unless a product has proper kill time and proven efficacy, you might just be spreading germs around. - Cross Contamination
When one bottle is used on everything, from toilet seats to tables, you’re mixing bacteria from one area to another. - Surface Damage
Some products might look harmless, but over time they damage wood, paint, plastics, and stainless steel. That’s a costly mistake. - No Accountability
When everyone grabs the same bottle, it’s hard to track usage, monitor stock, or train properly. The whole system falls apart.
So, What Should You Use Instead?
🧼 Targeted products - Toilet cleaner for toilets. Degreaser for kitchens. Disinfectant for touchpoints.
📘 Clear labelling - Make it obvious what goes where. No guesswork.
🔵 Colour-coded systems - One colour, one task. Simple. Effective.
📋 Staff training - It’s not about using more products. It’s about using the right ones the right way.
How Blue Shield Does It Differently
At Blue Shield Hygiene, we don’t do vague.
Our product range is built with a clear purpose, bold branding, and simple systems that staff actually understand and use.
- Combat Clean for floors
- Foamzilla for 4-in-1 washroom power
- Flush Fury for toilet and urinal deep cleaning
- Lemon Assault for that squeaky-clean lemon gel finish
Every label tells you what it does. Every product does what it says.
And most importantly, none of them pretend to do it all.
Try This: Bin Your Bottles
Pick a random “multi-surface” cleaner from your cupboard. Check:
- What’s actually in it?
- What’s its kill time (if any)?
- Can it be used on food-contact surfaces and toilet seats? (🚩Red flag)
If you can’t answer those questions, don’t let your team use it.
Next Week:
“The Hidden Cost of Bad Smells” — how odour affects customer perception, and what your nose knows that your eyes don’t.
