As businesses embrace sustainability—driven by growing awareness and the United Nations' 2030 targets—many are asking how to adopt more sustainable cleaning practices. 

The answer is Green Cleaning. 

From 31^st March 2025 – so just a couple of months away – a new law will change the way businesses in England sort their waste and recycling.

Amid warnings of a possible ‘tripledemic’ of flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this winter as well as the rise of the new ‘XEC’ Covid variant, it’s time to think carefully about infection control measures and how best to reduce the transmission of viruses.

Have you heard about the ban on wet wipes? Government research and studies have found that wet wipes containing plastic, break down into microplastics over time which is not only harmful to our health but also disrupt our ecosystems.

In the world of cleanliness and infection control, the strategy of colour coding is more than just a trend; it's a game-changer. With its roots in the healthcare industry, colour coding has permeated into various domains, ranging from food manufacturing to educational institutions, transforming the way we approach hygiene management.

Wightman & Parrish are proud to work with SEBO, renowned for the quality and performance of their products. Made in Germany, SEBO machines are used in commercial environments throughout the world. Hospitals, hotels, airports, offices, shops - all appreciate the reliability, performance and productivity of SEBO vacuum cleaners. SEBO offer an extensive range of machines, so that whether it is for vacuum cleaners, hard floor polishing, and carpet cleaning, SEBO have it covered.

Within the Care environment, ensuring the safety and comfort of your residents is of utmost importance. To achieve this, you need the right care equipment that meets their everyday needs and promotes their well-being. But with so many options available in the market, it can be a daunting task to know which equipment is essential for your facility. To help you make an informed decision, we have put together a comprehensive guide on the care equipment essential range. Keep reading to know everything you need to know to create a safe and comfortable environment for your residents.

Overbed Tables

An overbed table is a versatile piece of furniture made to be conveniently used with a bed or a chair. They come in two designs: with legs that go under or around the bed or chair. Its tabletop is often adjustable in height, making it convenient to keep frequently used items, like books, snacks, and drinks within reach.

While overbed tables prove to be a practical bedside companion, not every type can accommodate every bed or chair. 

Commodes

Looking for a solution to make toileting easier for those struggling with illness, injury, or disability? Meet the commode chair. This handy aid provides a safe and convenient alternative to reaching the bathroom, offering users a comfortable place to relieve themselves. Say goodbye to the struggles of getting to the toilet on time with the help of a commode.

Commode chairs are designed to help with toileting outside of the bathroom. With the option to choose from models with or without wheels, these chairs can easily be moved wherever you need them most.

Shower commode chairs are usually found only in bathrooms and are designed to help make it easier for you to deal with your personal hygiene as well as toileting. With the added bonus of being wheeled, these chairs enhance your bathroom experience, making personal hygiene and toileting more manageable and safer, even in the shower.

Pressure Care Mattresses

Choosing the right Pressure Redistributing Mattress can be overwhelming, but it's crucial to prevent pressure ulcers, especially for those with reduced mobility or difficulties adjusting body weight. Pressure ulcers can lead to severe health complications and even be life-threatening if left untreated. Factors that can increase the risk include:

• Poor Circulation
• Obesity
• Continence issues
• Malnourishment
• Temperature
• Previous tissue damage

Thankfully, using a pressure redistributing mattress, like an alternating pressure mattress, can manage and reduce the risk of pressure ulcers by evenly distributing pressure and shear from bony prominences. These mattresses consist of individual air-filled cells that automatically and regularly adjust the distribution of pressure, making them suitable for those with a high risk of developing pressure ulcers.

From commodes and overbed tables, to pressure care mattresses, the care equipment essential range comprises a wide variety of equipment that aims to promote the safety and comfort of your residents. When selecting equipment, consider the specific needs of your residents and your facility’s requirements to ensure that you choose the equipment that meets their needs. Remember, investing in the right care equipment can significantly improve the quality of life for your residents, and at the same time, enhance the productivity and well-being of your staff.

SHOCK, the world’s lowest profile cleaning machine, launched at The Cleaning Show in London, and will be available in the UK from June. Designed to tackle the cleaning challenges presented by small spaces, such as washrooms, its low-profile design allows users to quickly and effectively clean around toilets, pedestals, under cubicles and along walls.

SHOCK was invented by Imre Killi and designed by a team of Product Design Engineers at MotorScrubber - the industry leader in powerful small-area cleaning. Following three years of intensive development and testing, SHOCK will transform the way the industry tackles cleaning difficult-to-reach areas, including edges, skirting boards, stairs, walls, toilet cubicles and more.

Enabling teams to clean faster, lower and better, MotorScrubber’s patent-pending SHOCK is incredibly customisable. Utilising its quick-connect seismic weight kit, users can choose between increased downforce or enhanced manoeuvrability to take on any cleaning challenge. Its hygienic MAGPlate magnetic pad system makes transitioning between cleaning areas swift and easy. And its soft-rubber glide wheels protect walls and floors during targeted edge cleaning.

MotorScrubber is also launching the revolutionary SHOCK Pad, the latest in cleaning pad innovation. Made up of thousands of micro-blades, each fibre is angled to agitate and gently scrape dirt from textured floors.

The SHOCK Pad has been developed to maximise SHOCK’s ground-breaking oscillating technology. Imre Killi, MotorScrubber’s CEO and the product’s inventor adds,

“When we began testing SHOCK we found that some existing pad materials didn’t respond well to the oscillating mechanism. Many round fibres absorb the oscillating movement rather than transferring it to the floor, resulting in poor cleaning performance.

We experimented with angled fibres at varying lengths, and in different cleaning situations. Our aim was to find a reusable and washable fibre which would disrupt and then lift dirt, magnifying SHOCK’s oscillating mechanism. The final result was the SHOCK Pad. This non-scratch material cleans all smooth and textured hard floor surfaces, delivering exceptional cleaning results with water alone.

We didn’t want to release a revolutionary cleaning machine which used the same pad as everyone else – so we developed our own to clean better and faster.”

Imre Killi, adds, “Not only have we created a machine that cleans lower and faster – we've also created a small area floor cleaning solution that considers the user experience.

“Musculoskeletal disorders are the biggest risk factor for professional cleaners. Setting high ergonomic standards, SHOCK is significantly lighter than other machines, features a telescopic handle to remove the need to bend, is powered by MotorScrubber’s GEN3 backpack which includes back support, and is easy to use, with isolated vibrations to protect the user.”

Every part within SHOCK has been considered, tested and refined to within fractions of a millimetre to guarantee a positively shocking clean. It’s going to transform the cleaning industry, and we can’t wait to see it see in action.”

SHOCK Pads will be available in June and will be supplied as standard with all SHOCK floor cleaning machines.

As well as the SHOCK machine, Wightman & Parrish offer several different Motorscrubber machines including:

• Jet 3 - Experience unbeatable cleaning results with the ultimate hard floor scrubber, tile and grout scrubber, carpet cleaner, and so much more all packaged in a single machine.
  
  
  
  
• STORM - STORM® delivers a targeted liquid layer of detergent and disinfectant, for effective cleaning and virus control. 
  

   
• BLADE - Designed as a wet and dry mopping system, the flexible squeegee effortlessly dries floors, while the ultra-microfibre mop head eliminates dirt.
  
  

The DHSC have released a timeline of when they expect to run out of stock of their free PPE (available here.) From March 2023, the DHSC stock of Nitrile and Vinyl gloves will start to run out. We have been in constant discussion with DHSC over the past few years to ensure we have a good supply of stock as they begin to phase out the supply of free PPE. Wightman & Parrish continue to have plenty of stock of Vinyl, Nitrile, Latex and Synthetic Gloves, available here at great prices. 

Did you know Wightman & Parrish offer e-learning and training courses? But why is e-learning important and useful to businesses? Keep on reading to find out more.