UK Hygiene Industry Trends for 2024: What Businesses Need to Know

The Evolving Landscape of Commercial Hygiene

The commercial hygiene industry has undergone remarkable transformation in recent years, accelerated by the global pandemic but driven by longer-term shifts in technology, sustainability expectations, and workplace culture. As we progress through 2024, several key trends are shaping how businesses approach washroom and hygiene services.

At Doves Hygiene Services, we constantly monitor industry developments to ensure our clients benefit from the latest innovations. Here's our analysis of the most significant trends affecting UK businesses.

Trend 1: Touchless Technology Goes Mainstream

What was once a luxury feature in high-end facilities has become an expectation across all sectors. Touchless technology in washrooms—from automatic taps and soap dispensers to sensor-activated flush mechanisms and door systems—has moved from "nice to have" to "essential."

Why Touchless Matters

The hygiene benefits are obvious: reducing touchpoints minimises the spread of bacteria and viruses. But there are other advantages:

Implementation Considerations

For businesses considering touchless upgrades, the key is to think holistically. Installing one touchless tap next to a manual soap dispenser creates an awkward user experience. The most effective implementations cover the entire user journey, from entry to exit.

Trend 2: Smart Sensors and Data-Driven Maintenance

The Internet of Things (IoT) has reached the washroom. Smart sensors can now monitor:

This data enables predictive maintenance—addressing issues before they become problems. For example, if sensors detect that soap usage in a particular washroom has increased, additional supplies can be scheduled before they run out.

The Business Case

Smart monitoring reduces emergency callouts and ensures facilities are always ready for use. Early adopters report:

We're currently piloting smart sensor systems with select clients and will be rolling out data-driven service options later this year.

Trend 3: Sustainability as Standard

Environmental sustainability has moved from a niche concern to a central business consideration. In hygiene services, this manifests in several ways:

Product Sourcing

Recycled paper products, plant-based soaps, and biodegradable materials are increasingly standard rather than premium options.

Packaging Reduction

Concentrated refills, bulk dispensing systems, and reduced packaging are cutting plastic waste significantly.

Carbon Consciousness

Companies are demanding carbon footprint information from their suppliers. This includes not just product manufacture but delivery emissions and waste disposal methods.

What We're Doing

At Doves, we've invested heavily in sustainable options. Our fleet is transitioning to electric vehicles, we offer carbon-neutral product ranges, and we can provide full lifecycle environmental impact data for our services.

Trend 4: Mental Health and Washroom Design

"Clean, well-maintained facilities send a powerful message to employees: 'We care about your wellbeing.'"

There's growing recognition that washroom facilities impact employee mental health. Clean, well-maintained washrooms with good lighting and ventilation contribute to overall workplace wellbeing. Conversely, neglected facilities send a message that employee comfort isn't valued.

Progressive employers are viewing washroom quality as part of their mental health and employee retention strategy. This means investing in higher-quality facilities and more frequent maintenance.

Trend 5: Compliance Complexity

UK hygiene regulations continue to evolve. The Environmental Protection Act, workplace health and safety requirements, and sector-specific regulations (such as those affecting care homes and food businesses) create a complex compliance landscape.

Businesses increasingly want hygiene partners who can navigate this complexity for them—providing not just services but documentation, training, and audit support.

Trend 6: Hybrid Working Impacts

The shift to hybrid working has created interesting challenges for facilities management. Office washrooms may see lower average usage but more concentrated peak periods as employees cluster their in-office days.

This affects maintenance scheduling and consumable management. Smart sensors (see Trend 2) are particularly valuable here, allowing real-time response to actual usage rather than historical patterns that may no longer apply.

What This Means for Your Business

How Doves Can Help

We're committed to staying at the forefront of industry developments. Whether you're looking to upgrade to touchless systems, improve your environmental credentials, or simply ensure your facilities meet modern expectations, we can help.

Contact us on 01480 210999 for a free facility assessment and recommendations tailored to your business.