Insights

Why Having One Product That 'Does It All' Doesn't Work in Care Homes

Written by Fairfield Care | Oct 2, 2025 8:56:54 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

The idea of a single, universal cleaning product is tempting. Less preparation. Less storage. Faster training. Simpler processes. In busy care environments, it sounds like the perfect solution - clean everything with one bottle.

But here’s the problem: care homes don’t work like that.

 

The Myth of “One Size Fits All”

On paper, an “all-in-one” product sounds cost-effective and hassle-free. In practice, it often falls short of what care homes truly need. Why? Because no two cleaning challenges are the same - and neither are the risks they carry.

A kitchen requires powerful, food-safe degreasers to cut through fats and starches. Washrooms demand high-level cleaning agents such as carefully selected bacteria and enzymes, that can break down uric acid and stop bacteria at the source. Laundry needs low-pH formulas that remove stubborn stains while remaining gentle on elderly and sensitive skin. Carpets and upholstery call for odour-neutralising cleaners that prevent the spread of bacteria and won’t leave harsh residues.

These are not interchangeable tasks - they’re specialised. Expecting one product to manage them all is not only unrealistic, but it can also be unsafe.

 

 

Risking More Than Cleanliness

 

 

 

 

 



Care homes are environments with heightened infection risks, strict regulations, and residents who may be especially vulnerable to chemical residues or poor hygienepractices.

Using the wrong type of cleaner in the wrong place isn’t just ineffective - it could:




  • Compromise hygiene standards, leaving behind bacteria, grease, or odours.

     

  • Trigger skin sensitivities, particularly among elderly residents.

  • Damage surfaces and furnishings, leading to unnecessary repair costs.

     

  • Increase infection risks, if high-risk areas aren’t cleaned and disinfected properly.


In short, convenience should never come at the cost of safety and a clean healthy environment.

Why Specialisaton Matters

Every corner of a care home has a different job to do, and so should every cleaning product. Specialist formulations are designed to target the unique challenges of each space, ensuring the right balance of efficacy, safety, and sustainability.

The claim that a single “eco-friendly miracle product” can deliver this across kitchens, washrooms, bedrooms, and communal areas is not credible - it’s a simplification that doesn’t stand up to scrutiny in the real world of care.

 

Cutting Through the Greenwash

Greenwashing thrives on broad, sweeping promises and “one product does it all” is one of the boldest. It sounds good, it feels sustainable, but it doesn’t meet the complexity of care home cleaning demands.

Transparency means admitting what works and what doesn’t. The truth is simple: care homes need specialist cleaning solutions that respect both people and place. Anything less risks being more marketing than meaningful.