Cleaning sports facilities is no walk in the park, especially as many sports clubs and operators have expanded their offering to include numerous additional sports. The popularity of gyms, climbing walls, bike parks or skate parks is matched by the difficulty operators face when it comes to keeping them clean and hygienic. But with a suitable cleaning concept, efficient cleaning technology and flexible cordless solutions in place, local authorities and service providers can fulfil these complex requirements efficiently and economically.
Keeping green spaces, car parks and footpaths clean significantly reduces the amount of dirt that comes into buildings. Targeted precautions in entrance areas will further minimise the amount of cleaning required inside the building.
In order to make an inviting impression to athletes and visitors alike, maintaining the cleanliness of outside areas is critical. But that's not the only reason for doing so: well-maintained outdoor facilities are also important for reducing the amount of dirt entering the indoor area, especially if there are bike tracks or skate parks around the site. A variety of technical equipment can help to organise this work efficiently. Vacuum sweepers can clean car parks, access roads and footpaths quickly and reliably. Loose dirt on paths, car parks and entrances can be removed with push sweepers in smaller areas, or with ride-on models over larger areas. A litter picker can be used to remove litter from outdoor areas in an ergonomic manner that's easy on the back.
Leaf blowers are a helpful tool for removing coarse debris, leaves and litter from the grounds. They effortlessly move and gather everything into areas where it can more easily be picked up by a sweeper or vacuum sweeper. Battery-powered leaf blowers have the added advantage of being quieter, which makes them less disruptive to the surrounding environment. They are also lighter and do not pollute the user with exhaust fumes. Plus, with no CO2 being emitted, the environment also benefits.
Larger sports facilities, stadiums and sports centres in urban areas often have multi-storey car parks to cover parking requirements during events and at peak times. Scrubber dryers are well suited for cleaning floors in multi-storey car parks. They can remove snow residue, rainwater, salt and stubborn dirt can be removed quickly and efficiently.
In the event of snowfall, the amount of snow and the nature of the affected area will determine the correct method of clearing and gritting. Generally, a snow shovel will be sufficient for any manual work. A small snow thrower can handle larger amounts of snow with ease.
Handheld machines with a carrying strap prevent workers from getting fatigued. Models with spring-loaded blowers are low-vibration and therefore particularly user-friendly.
Vacuum sweepers are very suitable for car parks, because they directly suck up any particles that are whipped up into the air, preventing dust from settling on parked cars.
Choosing the right lawn mower is crucial when it comes to maintaining green spaces. A suitable model should have a base unit with a collection bag, mulching function and side or rear discharge. A lawn mower with traction drive on both sides is recommended for precise tracking, especially on slopes and uneven surfaces. In addition, a central cutting height adjustment gives it flexibility for various applications. To minimise physical strain and maximise ergonomics, the machine should work as quietly and with as little vibration as possible.
Brush cutters with blades remove undergrowth or taller grass effortlessly and are also suitable for working on steep slopes. Blades that are sharpened on both sides can simply be turned over to extend the blade's service life. Machines with a trimmer head are useful for precision work around trees, columns or other objects, as the trimmer line does not cause any damage to objects. An ergonomic grip position is essential to prevent poor posture. Models made of lightweight aluminium are robust in spite of their low weight, which makes it noticeably easier to work for longer periods.
The ingress of dirt into the interior can be further reduced by means of dirt-trapping measures in the entrance area. Dust control mats offer a reliable solution for this. Depending on the degree of soiling, battery-powered backpack vacuums or upright brush-type vacuum cleaners can be used to remove loose dirt efficiently and in a user-friendly manner. This should be done several times a day if there is a lot of foot traffic.
Whether dining in a restaurant, shopping in a supermarket, furniture store or shopping centre, or visiting a doctor's surgery or a museum – often the first thing guests do upon arrival is to park their car and make a short walk to the building. There are a number of cleaning methods that can be used to make a positive impression right from the start, to prevent the risk of accidents and to stop dirt being brought in from outside.
Climate change and the transport revolution present winter service teams with immense challenges, including environmental impacts such as reduced snowfall, the sudden onset of winter weather or black ice. At the same time, cycle path networks are being massively expanded, as more and more road users switch to two wheels for the sake of the environment or to counter rising fuel costs. What methods are available for local authorities, municipal maintenance depots, external service providers and building service contractors to keep working ecologically, economically and ergonomically? Which implement carriers and implements are used for which jobs?
Mowing lawns, landscaping green spaces, keeping hedges and trees in check: the list of jobs for green space maintenance teams is a long one. Powerful cordless machines are now available on the market for many tasks, from brush cutters to pole-mounted pruners and hedge trimmers. There are also various types of mower designed for implement carriers, sustainable options for weed removal and safety vacuum cleaners to aid in the fight against the oak processionary moths.
Whether hotel multi-storey car parks, underground car parks at airports and shopping centres or public car parks, guests, passengers and customers are given a first impression the moment they park their vehicle. Cleanliness plays an important role here, because a well-maintained space is not only visually appealing, but also gives people a sense of reassurance. A structured approach to cleaning is therefore very important, with efficient cleaning technology taking the strain off staff and ensuring good results.
Grandstands frequently become heavily soiled – but with the right technology, cleaning forces can have the home advantage. Surface cleaners are ideal for all-weather running tracks, while sickle, front and centre mowers are well suited for the maintenance of natural turf. Even artificial turf pitches require regular maintenance to ensure that they retain their functionality for as long as possible.
The centrepiece of club life is not just its football pitch, but the fans in the stands as well. Regardless of whether a game ends in jubilation or disappointment, one thing is certain: there is always a lot of cleaning work to be done afterwards. To remove chip trays, napkins or drinks cups from the stands as quickly as possible, a leaf blower can be helpful. With a leaf blower, litter can be easily conveyed down through the aisles and then picked up with a sweeper or litter picker.
The best way to tackle stubborn, coarse dirt such as trodden-in food spills or soft drink stains is with high-pressure cleaners that use cold or hot water. Chewing gum stuck under seats or on railings doesn't stand a chance against a hot water high-pressure cleaner.
Stickers can be easily removed from stadium seats and other surfaces with dry ice blasters. For maximum flexibility in shorter applications, a model that produces its own dry ice is ideal.
Sickle mowers are ideal for turf maintenance thanks to their high area performance and adjustable cutting height. Front mowers are popular for their agility and good visibility of the implement. Their mowing decks are also easy to access and quick to assemble. Centre mowers gain plenty of fans thanks to their consistent driving characteristics even with the deck mounted. The compact system ensures cutting tracks are straight. The clippings can be conveniently transported overhead into a container using a lawn sweeper that picks them up via a roller.
Artificial turf pitches can be played on all year round and require much less maintenance than natural turf. Nevertheless, some regular maintenance is necessary to preserve its shock-absorbing properties and durability. It is also important to differentiate between infilled and unfilled systems. Infilled artificial turf pitches use rubber granules for stability and shock absorption, which require expensive specialised machinery for cleaning. Unfilled systems that rely on smaller supporting bristles are more environmentally friendly and require less maintenance. Cleaning is carried out using artificial turf kits for standard sweepers, which efficiently keep the lawn and surrounding hard surfaces clean.
By cleaning the sports facility in its entirety, including the footpaths and car parks, the amount of dirt that gets onto the artificial turf surfaces will be minimised.
Not only the stands and the playing field, but also the running tracks need to be regularly maintained in order to ensure an attractive environment and optimum conditions for athletes. Surface cleaners with a working width of 30 to 50 cm are very well suited for this purpose, since they provide a high area performance and usually remove the need for detergents. Combining power nozzles with the right water volume ensures a high collision force and thus a sufficient cleaning effect. For large tracks, implement carriers with spinning bars reduce the working time considerably.
Large scrubber dryers and autonomous scrubber dryer robots relieve the strain on cleaning staff when it comes to cleaning the floors of sports halls and multi-purpose halls. The fine chalk dust used in climbing facilities requires filter technology in vacuum cleaners. For indoor tennis courts, various machines are available for maintenance cleaning, intermediate cleaning and deep cleaning.
Despite the simplicity of their layout, it can still be a challenge to clean sports halls. For one thing, it's important that different floor coverings such as linoleum, PVC, polyurethane or parquet are all treated in the right manner. For another, the floors must not be too slippery, but not too slip-resistant either, as either state could lead to injuries whenever athletes need to suddenly stop or change direction. Therefore, the friction levels for floor coverings as specified in DIN standard 18032 Part 2 must be adhered to. To maintain these values and avoid the risk of injury, standard-compliant cleaning and wipe care products must be used.
Large scrubber dryers are the most efficient solution for floor cleaning in sports halls. As some of the floors are sprung floors and can only withstand limited point or wheel loads, it is important to ask the manufacturer about the maximum load limits to prevent damage. This also applies to the use of scrubber dryer robots, which can considerably help to relieve the pressure on cleaning staff. Autonomous models are available that empty, refill and charge themselves at a docking station.
In the colder months, it's particularly useful to occasionally carry out dust-binding mopping. This is because the increased use of the halls results in more dust, which in turn increases the risk of slipping. If wet cleaning is not carried out daily, a robotic vacuum cleaner can be used as an alternative.
In climbing facilities, the fine chalk or magnesium dust used by climbers is the biggest challenge for cleaning staff to take care of. Powerful vacuum cleaners with automatic filter cleaning and cartridge filters are essential for reliable floor cleaning. This is because flat pleated filters would otherwise quickly clog and become blocked with fine dust. This, in turn, impairs their performance. Holds and footholds in climbing walls and bouldering walls must be regularly dismantled for maintenance. Dust, skin oils and scuff marks from shoe soles can then be easily removed with a high-pressure cleaner.
To tackle stubborn dirt, we recommend pretreating holds and footholds with an alkaline detergent.
Ball lint abrasion is a particular challenge when cleaning indoor tennis courts. For larger facilities, carpet vacuum sweepers with antistatic rollers and large waste containers serve as a very good solution. Battery-powered upright brush-type vacuum cleaners or backpack vacuums are more suitable for smaller areas. A battery-powered spray extraction machine is recommended for dealing with localised soiling. This sprays water mixed with detergent onto the soiled area and then vacuums it away from the textile surface. Depending on the degree of soiling, the surface is treated once or several times, efficiently removing moisture and dirt with each pass. The surfaces then dry quickly and are ready for use again.
Oscillating single-disc machines in combination with a microfibre pad and a surfactant-free detergent can be used for intermediate cleaning. Thanks to the combination of orbital and rotary movement, the floor is cleaned from all directions, ensuring excellent results in a short space of time.
For deep cleaning, two-step spray extraction is a very efficient option. The cleaning solution is applied and, after it has had time to take effect, is then vacuumed up in a second step. For heavily soiled surfaces, the cleaning power can be further enhanced by combining this with a single-disc machine and a shampooing brush or a microfibre/yarn pad. Corners and edges will still need to be treated manually. Finally, the floor covering is thoroughly rinsed with clear water. As an alternative to spray extraction and the combination method, a carpet cleaning machine can be used instead.
Hygiene is an absolute must in gyms and sauna areas. Steam cleaners are ideal for sports equipment, while rapid disinfection is advisable for critical contact surfaces.
Many sports clubs now offer a gym in addition to indoor and outdoor sports facilities. Since visitors are in direct contact with the fitness equipment, it's essential to ensure these touchpoints are kept clean and hygienic. Steam cleaners are an efficient solution to this, as they reduce germs and effortlessly remove skin flakes, grease and sweat. No detergents or disinfectants are required for this either, which also benefits the environment.
The cleaning of large wall-mounted mirrors that usually extend from floor to ceiling is also important for creating the impression of a well-maintained space. Sets containing a telescopic lance, hook-and-loop system and microfibre cloth for shiny surfaces are a convenient choice for this particular task. Cleaning staff can easily carry this equipment around in a trolley so it is always within easy reach. Depending on the height of the mirror, window vacuum cleaners may also be a useful tool too.
For surfaces that come into frequent contact with hands and skin, a quick disinfectant can also be used.
Many sports centres offer their visitors a wellness area with a sauna for relaxation after a workout. Although this area is designed to be relaxing, keeping it clean is anything but. Countless surfaces that come into direct contact with skin, such as benches made from wood or PVC, as well as changing cubicles, must be kept hygienically clean. Manual cleaning with disinfection is likely to be necessary in this critical area. When using disinfectants, the rule of play is: as much as necessary but as little as possible.
To avoid any stains on wooden surfaces, disinfectants with oxygen-releasing agents should be used.
Depending on the available space, a steam cleaner is an ideal solution for deep cleaning walls, benches and loungers.
Larger areas can be cleaned efficiently with lint-free terry cloths and a large floor nozzle.
Changing rooms, toilet facilities and washrooms in sports venues are generally highly frequented and require intensive cleaning. However, disinfection is not always necessary to combat microorganisms.
Alternating between acidic and alkaline detergents removes both mineral and organic dirt. This removes the breeding ground for unwanted guests such as bacteria and fungi, and so the disinfection step can often be omitted. Nevertheless, cleaners must always be equipped with suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) and gloves whenever disinfectants or detergents are used.
To prevent cross-contamination during surface cleaning in toilet facilities and washrooms, it's a good idea to make use of the colour-coded system. Red cleaning textiles and buckets are used for toilets, urinals and splash areas. Yellow utensils are reserved for other tiled areas, as well as washbasins, taps, mirrors and shower cabins.
The cloth-folding method with pretreated cleaning cloths can also be used. The cloths are folded two or three times so that each surface can be wiped using a fresh side of the cloth. Once all sides have been used, the cloth is discarded and replaced with a fresh one.
A microfibre mop system is a good choice for the wet cleaning of confined floorspace in changing cubicles and toilet cubicles. By having several pretreated mop covers ready for use, there is no need for a bucket of water and detergent, which makes things particularly practical. This saves time, simplifies floor cleaning and minimises the risk of germs spreading.
Joints containing cement are sensitive to acids. They should therefore be well rinsed with water before any acidic detergents are applied.
Oxygen-releasing agents help to combat black mould in joints containing cement. However, if mould has developed on silicone joints, replacement is often the only option.
Phosphoric acid-based sanitary cleaners are the ideal solution for removing flash rust from stainless steel surfaces.
There are many reasons why careful cleaning is required in toilet facilities and washrooms: depending on the setting, toilets, showers and changing rooms in office buildings, production facilities, hotels, restaurants, sports halls or shopping centres are used by many people. This inevitably leads to people's skin coming into contact with various different surfaces that have been touched by practically all users of the facilities – including door handles, taps or toilet flush buttons. Consequently, microorganisms can pass from one person to the next. This must be prevented by means of defined cleaning sequences.
