7 challenges to maintaining hygienic commercial spaces – and how to overcome them
In commercial settings such as hospitals, schools, food production facilities and leisure centres, hygiene isn't just a best practice, it's a necessity. Yet maintaining consistently hygienic spaces remains a major challenge for many businesses. At Hycom, we work with clients across a range of sectors who are all facing similar issues when it comes to creating and maintaining clean, compliant environments.
Here are some common hygiene challenges we see, and how they can be overcome.
1. Surface damage and deterioration
Walls and floors take a beating in high-traffic commercial spaces. Over time, surfaces crack, peel, or become porous, making them harder to clean and increasing the risk of bacterial growth.
Solution: Installing durable, impact-resistant wall cladding and flooring systems helps create a sealed, hygienic surface that stands up to wear and tear. For some of the benefits of hygienic wall and flooring systems read our blog.
2. Inconsistent cleaning practices
Even with a cleaning schedule in place, hygiene can fall short due to staffing shortages, time pressures, or lack of proper training.
Solution: Designing spaces that are easy to clean, like seamless wall and floor surfaces, reduces the effort required and supports consistent hygiene, even in busy environments.
3. Using the wrong materials
Many commercial spaces are built or fitted out with materials that simply aren’t suitable for hygiene-critical environments. For example, tiles with grout lines, painted plasterboard, and wood are common culprits that absorb moisture and harbour bacteria.
Solution: Upgrade to non-porous, wipe-clean surfaces that are designed specifically for hygiene, such as uPVC wall cladding or vinyl flooring. Read on to understand why hygienic wall cladding is a superior option to tiles.
4. Budget constraints
Delaying repairs or upgrades due to cost can lead to far bigger issues later down the line, both in terms of compliance and health risks which may come at an even higher price to pay.
Solution: Consider hygienic refurbishments as an investment. Many of our clients see long-term cost savings from fewer maintenance issues and improved compliance. For example, Altro’s hygienic wall cladding guarantees a life expectancy of up to 25 years across various ranges.
5. Confusion around compliance
Whether you're working to meet HACCP, CQC, or HSE standards, it can be hard to stay on top of what’s required. This often leads to unintentional non-compliance.
Solution: Work with approved product manufacturers like Altro who understand your industry’s regulatory landscape. As the UK’s number one e-commerce supplier of Altro products, at Hycom we help our clients choose the right materials and designs to meet sector-specific standards.
6. Hygiene as an afterthought in design
In many refurbishments or new builds, hygiene only gets considered once other decisions have been made. This often results in workarounds or compromises that don't fully meet hygiene needs. Or it can mean starting your project from scratch, resulting in wasted time and money.
Solution: Include hygiene considerations early in the design process. Collaborate with a specialist supplier like Hycom to ensure the materials and layouts you choose support long-term cleanliness and compliance.
7. High footfall and heavy usage
Busy environments like hospitals, schools, or commercial kitchens experience constant use, which can quickly wear down surfaces and compromise hygiene.
Solution: Choose robust solutions that can withstand frequent cleaning, impacts, and heavy usage without degrading. The right cladding and flooring will maintain a hygienic finish even under pressure.
Final thoughts
Maintaining a hygienic commercial space involves more than daily cleaning. It requires strategic design, the right materials, and future-proof thinking. At Hycom, we support businesses across healthcare, food production, education, and other sectors to create spaces that don’t just look clean, but truly are clean and can be stylish too! Take a look at our project portfolio to see the type of hygienic spaces we help our customers achieve.
If you'd like help with a specific hygiene challenge in your facility, we’re here to help. Get in touch or browse our product range to learn more.
