Spa therapy is known to improve mental and physical health, reduce absenteeism from work, and increase quality of sleep (SOURCE: WebMD, Florida State University, George Mason University). At the same time, spas are also known to contain environments where harmful bacteria and diseases like Legionnaire’s Disease can thrive (SOURCE: Philip Tierno Jr, PhD, NYU Medical Centre). Spas face the challenge of keeping guests and staff safe from infections while also trying to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction. Instead of independently balancing safety with quality of service, spas need an improved solution that will ensure the sanitation of their facilities and reduce risks of infection.

A spa is meant to be a relaxing getaway away from the hardships of life, but if a spa is left ineffectively cleaned and disinfected, that getaway can potentially turn into a nightmare for guests. Improperly cleaned spas are common, and since spas are not considered to be in the medical environment, the importance of cleanliness is less understood (SOURCE: 2012/2013 Cleaning for Health Report). In order to protect staff and guests from potentially harmful bacteria and diseases, spa facilities need to be fully disinfected, sanitized, and cleaned regularly by a team of knowledgeable professional cleaners.

British Columbia is the only province in Canada that does not have a regulated beauty industry (SOURCE: BCIT News, 2017). Without strict government regulations, many spas are forced manage their cleanliness independently without efficient guidelines that would assist in meeting health standards. This is especially concerning due to spas normally containing environments where bacteria tend to thrive. Common diseases, viruses, and bacterial infections that can be transmitted inside of a spa are (SOURCE: Alberta Health Services):

• Mycobacterium
• Pseudomonas
• Hepatitis B and C
• Legionnaire’s Disease
• Pneumonia
• Influenza A and B

Perhaps more troubling than these previously listed infections, are the increased risks that come with spa treatments like body exfoliation. Exfoliation has the potential to create microscopic tears in the skin, which could potentially allow blood-borne infections that are on un-sanitized surfaces to enter the body (SOURCE: Dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD). Ultimately, any break in the skin from a spa treatment can leave the skin compromised and create conditions that increase the chance of germ transmission. This proves that proper infection control is crucial in ensuring the safety of spa guests and staff.

Certain objects and surfaces in a spa are more prone to accumulating potentially harmful bacteria. Areas that are frequently in use are usually cleaned often, whereas less thought about surfaces may not receive the proper amount of cleaning they require to maintain a safe level of disinfection. Objects such as hot stones are usually not efficiently sanitized between guests, which is concerning because hot stones are normally placed directly on the surface of a guest’s body. Other problem-areas of spas include:

• Massage tables
• Floors
• Saunas
• Hot tubs and whirpools
• Steam rooms
• Tool and supply storage areas
• Door handles
• Reception Area
• Furniture to sit and lay down on
• Counters
• Magazines

Wet and warm environments are very common in the spa industry, especially in places like steam rooms or saunas. These conditions are perfect for harmful bacteria, organisms, and fungus to thrive. Furthermore, the vaporized water in a warm and wet atmosphere normally carries high amounts of organisms that can spread anywhere and even be inhaled by spa guests. Saunas and steam rooms that have porous surfaces (wooden benches, towels, etc.) most likely contain high concentrations of germs and bacteria (SOURCE: Dr. Robin Evans, MD). Many different skin-related ailments can be transmitted due to microorganisms in these environments such as: fungal and yeast skin rashes, impetigo, and other bacterial-based infections (SOURCE: Dr. Robin Evans, MD).

Potentially transmitting an infection or disease to your guests is undeniably the worst thing that can come from improper infection control, but there are further undesirable results that can occur to a spa’s business. If a customer comes to a spa looking to feel relaxed and rejuvenated, but witnesses unsanitary practice and unclean surfaces, the chances they would ever consider coming back is incredibly low. This can also lead to negative reviews, bad word of mouth, and ultimately lower customer retainment. Spas survive off guest’s satisfaction level, and an infection is simply not good for business, and someone could end up very sick. Spas should always be tidy, clean, and smelling great

Hiring professional cleaners to sanitize your spa is the most effective way to divert the risk of infecting your staff and your guests. At ICS (Innovative Cleaning Solutions), we want you and your guests to experience true relaxation, without having to worry about germs and bacteria!

Our goal has always been to provide the highest cleaning standard for businesses in British Columbia, while simultaneously utilizing environmentally friendly cleaning products that do not harm our planet. We understand that every spa is different, which is why we develop a custom Cleaning Maintenance Plan that is based on your specific needs. Our expansive cleaning and sanitation services include:

• Surfaces and furniture
• Deodorization
• High-touch (near patient) points
• Carpet care
• Floors
• Re-stocking supplies
• Bathroom disinfection
• Garbage removal
• Windows and interior glass
• Walls fixtures

We ensure that all the cleaning products we use are 100% biodegradable, non-toxic, and Green Seal certified. In our efforts to conserve water, we also use only 9 litres of water no matter how large a facility may be. We clean for the health of your staff, guests, and our planet.

We follow a strict process “Cleaning for Health” methodology that utilizes a 3-step system to ensure your facility is left disinfected and ready for use. Our process includes a detailed inspection, a verification process, and finally a resolution that assures the full sanitation of your spa. Our 3-step process is as follows:

• UV Inspection – An ultraviolet inspection tool that assists in detecting and identifying contaminated areas of your spa that have not been sufficiently cleaned.
• Verification – Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) detects the type of bacteria (to identify harmfulness) and the level of the bacteria in the environment.
• Resolution – Contaminated areas of your spa are cleaned, and micro-organisms and volatile compounds are broken down using Bio-Technology cleaners that are safe for the environment.

We take pride in how we clean and will strive to leave you with a result that you, your staff, and your guests are contented with.

As a spa, your goal is to relax and rejuvenate your guests, and we want to give you a result that relaxes and rejuvenates you and your business!