Giving out of reach areas a dusting down
July 1st 2005

Walls, light fixtures, windows and tall furniture all have one feature in common – they all attract dust, dirt and cobwebs and require regular dusting. They are also known as high access areas – spaces recognised as being out of arm’s reach. To ensure effective removal of dust from these areas, cleaners require ergonomically designed high access tools, which are easy to use and reduce the risk of injury. Dave Rogers, general manager, Unger UK, explains Today, the common method of dusting a high access area is by using a ladder and haphazardly reaching with a handheld cleaning tool. This lengthy and hazardous process includes setting up the ladder, climbing the ladder, cleaning the area within reach and then repeating the long process until the job is complete. This method is not only time consuming and inefficient, but also unsafe as it requires leaning from a ladder 30 feet in the air to dust a chandelier or ceiling fan.

To make high level dusting easier and safer, many in the cleaning industry are trading in their ladders for light-weight telescopic poles, such as those in Unger’s High Access System range. Enabling ladder free, safer cleaning, Unger’s high access system allows effective cleaning of light fittings and efficient removal of cobwebs and dust from ceilings, fans, walls and windows to name a few.

Unger recently launched its new ErgoTec LockingCone, designed for locking secure Unger’s High Access System, the new ErgoTec LockingCone provides maximum safety when working with telescopic cleaning poles. The product allows tools to be locked securely, preventing attachments from falling off during use and tools can be easily changed by pressing a quick release spring.

By using telescopic cleaning poles, cleaning staff are kept on the ground, while allowing them to accomplish a wide range of tasks, preventing strain or injury and saving valuable time for cleaning other areas of the facility.

When selecting a high access cleaning system for dusting, versatility is a key consideration. Users should seek telescopic pole systems that offer a variety of lengths and attachments, tailored to meet the different demands of each task, from heavy duty removal of dirt from behind pipes to delicate dusting of cabinets and furniture.

Unger’s High Access System features a range of attachments which easily click or screw onto the end of each pole. These include the ProFlatDuster, which effectively sweeps away dust behind smooth surfaces such as shelves and radiators and features microfibre replacement sleeves. Other attachments in the range include the PipeBrush, a heavy duty wire and horsehair brush designed to remove stubborn dust from behind pipes and other rounded surfaces. An oval shaped brush featuring horsehair bristles, the Unger Wall Brush is the perfect solution for cleaning ceiling fans and removing dust and cobwebs from ceilings and walls. For light dusting tasks, the Unger range also includes the Lambswool Duster and Ostrich Feather Duster, which thread onto the end of each cleaning pole.

There are many considerations when determining how to dust high level areas. Safety, efficiency, versatility and ergonomics are the most critical components when considering the appropriate set of tools for the cleaning programme. By choosing a telescopic pole system, cleaning professionals can achieve decreased cleaning time and increased worker safety.

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