A Helping Hand: Your Guide to Keeping Your Workspace Clean

Claudette B.
Feb 23, 2023
4 min read

Every workspace can get a little messy sometimes – it happens. From dust and debris from drilling holes in the wall to leaks in plumbing, it can be another job entirely to clean up after yourself.

That's why it's important to ensure that when spillages and messes do inevitably occur, you have the appropriate equipment to clean it easily; and where the mess poses a health and safety risk, to be able to do it fast. You should also have the tools to prevent germs from spreading in the workplace so that you are less likely to get sick at work. Regular upkeep of vacuuming and dusting should be prioritised, as well as sanitisation of your hands.

At UK Planet Tools, we offer a variety of items that can assist with workplace cleanliness that you can keep on hand in preparation of messes, as well as for the prevention of dirt accumulation. They include wet/dry vacuums, paper towel packs, hand sanitisers and more.

Let's take a look at 10 recommended products that'll keep your job site clean.

1) Makita DVC750LZ 18V LXT Brushless 7.5L L-Class Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner Bare Unit

We're starting with a wet/dry vacuum, because it is virtually the best gadget you can have for dealing with (as well as preventing) messes in the workplace. Whether you've got debris to clean from woodworking or a spilt tea to clear up, this machine can handle it all. It's also great for collecting the dust you can't see on floors and carpets, preventing dirt build-up. With a HEPA filter and cordless convenience, the Makita DVC750LZ is a lifesaver in all environments.

Brushless motor: With a built-in brushless motor, you'll never fall short of power. Brushless motors are key for ensuring stronger, faster and more efficient power tool performance
Variable settings: Variable suction power control allows you to change suction intensities at the flick of a switch, choosing between high or low. It couldn't be easier!
Wet & dry: Working in conditions far from ideal? Recently sprung a little leak? This vac has it all with wet & dry suction settings, so you'll clean up easily

2) TOUGH MASTER® Car Vacuum Cleaner Corded Hand Held Portable Vacuum with Powerful Suction & Extension Hose - 120 Watts (TM-CVC124)

While offering a similar function to the wet/dry vacuum (minus the 'wet' vacuuming function), a portable vacuum cleaner is necessary for use in smaller areas, like a work van. The TM-CVC124 from TOUGH MASTER goes perfectly in your car boot or glove compartment, since it has a compact design, and is lightweight to hold, too. With various accessories to get to every crevice of your van, it'll look cleaner than ever with this tool. Just plug it into your auxiliary power outlet and vacuum away.

Powerful suction: This car vacuum from TOUGH MASTER® has a high-performance 120W motor, with a powerful suction of 4500pa; enough to take in various materials
Durable materials: The hand held portable vacuum cleaner is made of high-quality, sturdy ABS plastic that is not only built to last, but is also better for you and the planet
Light and portable design: Weighing only 600 grams, this powerful hand hoover is extremely lightweight, meaning it is easy to carry and store

3) Scan Heavy-Duty 'A' Board Caution Cleaning

When cleaning on the job site (particularly in a busy area like a warehouse) it is incredibly important to inform your fellow colleagues that cleaning is in progress. This is to prevent workplace accidents from happening, such as slips and falls when mopping the floor. It also lets them know that there may be cleaning equipment in the way if they are hoping to push something (e.g. a pallet) through an area and tells them to be vigilant. A generic yellow sign will do the trick, like the SCA4703.

Durable materials: This caution cleaning sign is made from heavy duty polypropylene for high durability. This ensures it will withstand the toughest working environments
Universally recognised warning symbol: The double-sided caution sign has a clear warning symbol and text that is easy to read, ensuring all those around are vigilant
Easy storage and transportation: Thanks to its light weight and ability to fold flat, the 'cleaning in progress' sign can be stored away easily and moved from place to place

4) Scan Disposable Overshoes (20 pairs)

Where does most of the dirt come from on your floor? Your shoes, of course! That's why overshoes were invented – to allow you to wear your shoes without bringing in dirt. Scan's disposable overshoes are ideal for situations where you can't afford to get the floor dirty, such as when fitting new carpets or walking on recently washed floors. The pack comes with 20 pairs that are one size fits all, so there's enough to go around for you and the rest of your team.

Non-slip material: The Scan overshoes are made from non-woven chlorinated polythylene (CPE) which is a non-slip material ideal for use on floors and carpets
Highly durable: Deeply embossed CPE soles on the disposable overshoes increase their overall durability so that they can last for hours until they need to be disposed of
Elasticated edges: Elastic keeps the overshoes firmly on the shoe so that they don't slip off and expose the shoes. This ensures dirt does not transfer from shoe to floor

5) Scan Paper Towel Wiping Roll 2-Ply (Pack 6)

A job site is not complete without a bit of blue paper roll, here to wipe up all your spills. Their absorbent material will soak up any liquid in seconds, tackling coffee spills and leaks like a champion. And what's better than a bit of paper roll? A LOT OF PAPER ROLL! This 6-piece pack from Scan will keep you going for weeks, ensuring no spill is left unwiped. They even offer a great solution to drying wet, freshly-washed hands (take that, expensive-to-run hand dryer!) A versatile favourite, indeed.

100% recycled 2-ply paper: The paper towels are made from strong and absorbent 2-ply paper that is 100% recycled and better for the environment than non-recycled material
Versatile use: The pack of paper rolls can be used for a variety of uses on the jobsite, including cleaning up leaks, spilt drinks and food, drying hands, dusting and more
Quick-tear perforations: Blue paper roll is thin but effective at absorbing liquid, with quick-tear perforations that ensure you can grab the tissue quickly when a spillage occurs

6) Tough Master Patio Cleaner with Dual Washers & 360 Degree Brush (TM-PBC-01)

If your work involves getting your hands dirty in the great outdoors, don't just do up their garden, clean it too! Invest in a good patio cleaner like the TOUGH MASTER TM-PBC-01 for the best results. It's the perfect fit since it's not just for patios; it can be used for garden flooring, decking, steps and balconies too. It's also great for cleaning those pesky garage doors that love to attract dirt. Trust us – your clients will thank you for it if you go the extra mile.

Dual action rotary washer jets: Rotating jet washes offer a much more powerful cleaning performance than a standard lance jet. With dual action for an efficient cleaning solution
Splash-proof dome design: This patio brush cleaner has a perfectly domed design to control splashing, meaning you can clean your patios, decking, balconies, etc. easily
24mm wide 360° hard-wearing bristled brush: The brush on the washer can cover large surfaces. The bristle works to brush harsh areas without wearing it out

7) Scan Pocket Spray Hand Sanitiser

If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it's that we all need to wash our hands more. However, that can't always be done when you're on a job away from the sink (or if there's no soap to sufficiently wash the germs off). So, what's the next best thing to soap and water? It could only be hand sanitiser! The Scan Pocket Spray Hand Sanitiser is ideal for use during on-the-job tasks since it can fit neatly into your pocket, and can only be bought in packs of 20, so you won't have to top up for a while.

Kills 99.9% of bacteria: The Scan hand sanitiser helps to prevent the spread of disease by killing 99.9% of bacteria at the point of contact, reducing the risk of workplace illness
80% alcoholic formula: The alcoholic formula works as a strong deterrent to harmful bacteria and has a fast evaporation time, meaning you can get on with tasks quickly after use
Slim, compact spray bottle: The pocket hand sanitiser slides easily into your pocket since it has a small body, great for every day use on the go

8) Scan Hand Gel Dispenser

Another way to get your hands clean is to use a hand gel/soap dispenser. Once again, Scan is the brand to look out for when it comes to cleaning equipment in the workplace, offering great solutions to meet your needs. This dispenser can fit on your wall for easy access to your hand gel, so you're always just a few steps away from clean hands. It also means everyone can use it when they like, unlike a pocketed hand sanitiser that stays with one person (who may or may not like sharing).

1-litre gel capacity: The Scan Hand Gel Dispenser has a 1-litre refillable reservoir that stores gel or soap. It is easy to use and refill. Gel must be purchased separately
Press paddle design: This soap dispenser has been designed to allow for easy dispensing, with a press paddle that quickly distributes gel onto the hands
Supplied with wall fittings: The wall mounted hand gel dispenser is supplied with all the bits you need to put it on the wall, providing ease of access to the gel

9) Scan Drip Tray 28 litre

Leaks. There's nothing worse, is there? Whether it's brake fluid coming out of your work van or a ceiling leak causing it to rain indoors, they're pretty stressful to deal with, especially if you're not prepared. But thanks to Scan, you can make life a little easier by using a drip tray, which is designed to collect the drips so that they do not cause a slipping hazard or ruin the floor. What's more, it gives you the time to get to the root of the issue, so that it can be fixed without worrying about the mess.

Durable materials: The Scan drip tray is made from tough impact resistant plastic that is designed to last and catch drips and leaks from vehicles, machinery, hoses, etc.
Convenient use: Prevents floor contamination and the need for cleaning which is highly useful on the job site and reduces the number of tasks required to fix the problem
28-litre capacity: Scan's leak tray can hold up to 28 litres of liquid which will last for hours depending on the extent of the leak, and can simply be tipped out in a sink or bucket when full

10) Scan Spill Kit, General Purpose 18 litre

Plumbers in particular have to deal with a lot of non-aggressive leaks, like boiler leaks or water supply leaks from washing machine blockages. The best way to handle these leaks is to come prepared with a spill kit. This general-purpose one from Scan is ideal since it can absorb up to 18 litres of liquid, perfect for your water spills. Just pop the absorbent socks around the spill to ensure it doesn't spread, place down the absorbent pads, wipe, and dispose. Easy peasy.

18-litre absorption: This general purpose spill kit can absorb a variety of liquids including coolant, oil, water, solvents and non-aggressive fluids
Versatile use: Perfect for plumbers and other trades professionals, but can also be useful in the household for general spills or leaks
Full set included: This spill kit features everything you need to clean a spill, with 10 x 40 x 50cm absorbent pads, 2 x 8 x 120cm absorbent socks and 1 x disposal bag

Here's to a tidy (and safe) workplace

Now, using our products, you should be fully prepared for whatever messes and spills are thrown your way.

Just don't forget PPE – especially for handling chemical spills. Wear gloves, masks, sensible shoes, or even goggles where appropriate to ensure you are protecting yourself from hazardous elements.

So, with that in mind, let's get cleaning, shall we?