Preparing Your Winter Janitorial Supplies: What UK Businesses Need

Winter Changes Everything

The janitorial supplies that serve you well in summer won't necessarily cope with winter conditions. Wet floors, muddy footprints, increased illness, and shorter daylight hours all change what your premises need.

Smart businesses adjust their janitorial supplies ahead of winter rather than reacting to problems as they arise.

Entrance and Floor Care

The Mud Problem

Between November and March, your entrance areas bear the brunt of British weather. Essential janitorial supplies for this period:

Heavy-duty entrance matting — at least 3 metres of matting at every entrance to capture moisture and dirt before it reaches your floors

Wet floor signs — you'll use these daily rather than occasionally

Floor squeegees — for quickly clearing standing water

Absorbent granules — for dealing with tracked-in mud and water

Floor Cleaning Adjustments

Winter means cleaning floors more frequently. Your janitorial supplies stock should increase:

Floor cleaner consumption typically rises 30-40% in winter

Mop heads wear faster with increased use—keep spares ready

Consider switching to a more aggressive floor cleaner for the winter months

Illness Prevention

Hand Hygiene Products

Cold and flu season puts extra demand on washroom janitorial supplies:

Hand soap — consumption increases as people wash hands more frequently

Hand sanitiser stations — position at building entrances, lifts, and communal areas

Paper towels — usage rises alongside hand washing

Anti-viral surface cleaners — for desks, door handles, and shared equipment

Surface Disinfection

Touch points need more frequent cleaning during winter illness season:

Door handles

Lift buttons

Shared keyboards and phones

Breakroom surfaces

Light switches

Stock sufficient disinfectant wipes or spray to support twice-daily cleaning of these areas.

Washroom Winter Demands

Washroom janitorial supplies take a hit in winter:

Toilet tissue usage increases (more layers of clothing, longer visits)

Hand soap consumption rises

Air freshener demand increases (closed windows mean less ventilation)

Sanitary waste collection may need more frequent service

Adjust your orders upward by 15-20% for the winter months.

Outdoor and Grounds Maintenance

De-Icing Supplies

If your business has car parks, paths, or steps, you need:

Rock salt or de-icing granules

Grit bins positioned at key points

Snow shovels

Salt spreaders for larger areas

Liability Consideration

Failing to keep paths clear isn't just inconvenient—it's a slip-and-fall liability issue. Having the right janitorial supplies for outdoor winter maintenance protects your business and your people.

Planning Your Winter Order

Don't wait until the first frost. Contact your janitorial supplies partner in October to:

Review your winter requirements

Agree adjusted delivery quantities

Ensure availability of seasonal products

Lock in pricing before demand peaks

The Doves Approach

At Doves Hygiene Services, we proactively contact our customers before winter to review their janitorial supplies needs. We'd rather you're prepared than scrambling when the weather turns.

Serving businesses across Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, we deliver the janitorial supplies you need, when you need them. Call 01480 210999 to arrange your winter review.