Astral Hygiene Blog | Commercial Cleaning & Hygiene Advice UK

By Anna Armstrong The Best Way to Store Cleaning Chemicals Safely Whether you’re running a care home, managing a commercial kitchen, or stocking janitorial supplies for a school, proper chemical storage isn’t just good practice - it’s a legal and safety requirement. Mishandling cleaning chemicals can lead to leaks, dangerous reactions, or even health hazards for your staff. Let’s break down the best practices for storing cleaning chemicals safely, with a focus on temperature , segregation , and labelling  - the three pillars of chemical safety. 🌡️ Temperature Control: Why It Matters Many cleaning chemicals are sensitive to heat, cold, and humidity. Improper storage can degrade their effectiveness or trigger dangerous reactions. ✅ Best Practices: Store below 25°C unless otherwise stated on the label or SDS. Avoid freezing temperatures  - some products separate or lose potency when frozen. Keep away from direct sunlight  -...

By Anna Armstrong 🧼 Deep Dive: The Truth About “Kills 99.999%” Claims Walk down any cleaning aisle or browse online suppliers, and you’ll see bold claims like “Kills 99.9% of germs” or “99.999% effective.” These numbers aren’t just marketing fluff - they’re based on microbiological testing standards. But the difference between 99.9% and 99.999% is more than just a few decimal places. It’s the difference between adequate and exceptional microbial kill rates. Let’s explore what these claims mean, how they’re tested, and why they matter for your business. 🔢 What Do the Percentages Actually Mean? These percentages refer to the log reduction of microorganisms — a scientific way of measuring how many bacteria are killed during disinfection. Log Reduction % of Bacteria Killed Survivors per Million 1-log 90% 100,000 2-log 99% 10,000 3-log 99.9% 1,000 4-log 99.99% 100 5-log 99.999% 10 So when a pro...

By Anna Armstrong 🧪 How to Read a Safety Data Sheet (SDS): A Practical Guide for Businesses When you purchase cleaning chemicals, especially in bulk, you’re not just buying a product - you’re taking on a responsibility. That’s why every chemical sold by Astral Hygiene comes with a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) : A legally required document that helps you understand how to store, handle, and use the product safely. But let’s be honest - SDSs can look intimidating. So here’s a breakdown of the most important sections, with real-world context to help you make sense of it all. 📄 What Is an SDS? An SDS is a 16-section document required by law under the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 . It provides comprehensive safety information about a chemical product - from its ingredients to emergency procedures. Think of it as your chemical’s instruction manual, risk assessment, and emergency guide all rolled into one. 🔍 Key Sections Explained 1. I...