The University of York recently faced a major task – preparing hundreds of student bedrooms and kitchens for their upcoming September intake.
The University already has an in-house cleaning team. But the sheer scale of the task meant they needed extra cleaning support they could rely on.
Smart Cleaning provided that support, bringing a skilled team and a quick turnaround so that every student accommodation block was fresh and ready for students’ arrival.
Discover more about our school and education cleaning services.
Key Facts
- Client: University of York Accommodation Services
- Service: Student accommodation deep clean
- Location: York, North Yorkshire
- Duration: Summer holiday period
- Team: 20 staff over a few weeks
- Key Result: Hundreds of student rooms and kitchens cleaned, ready for the September intake
The Challenge
The University of York runs a busy in-house cleaning team, but the summer turnaround is different. With hundreds of bedrooms and communal kitchens to prepare within a matter of weeks, the workload was too great for the existing team to tackle alone.
Smart Cleaning provided additional staff to complete the job to a high standard and within the time available.
The Solution
Smart Cleaning sent a dedicated team of 20 experienced staff to work intensively over the summer break.
Bedrooms, bathrooms, and shared kitchens across multiple halls of residence were given full deep cleans.
Our approach was designed to fit seamlessly into the university’s team. This meant minimal campus disruption and a smooth process from start to finish. By scaling resources quickly, we delivered the flexibility and capacity needed to meet tight deadlines without compromising quality.
The Results
With Smart Cleaning’s support, all student accommodation was ready in time for the new academic year. Hundreds of bedrooms and kitchens were cleaned in just a few weeks, meeting the high standards of cleanliness expected by the University of York.
“Smart Cleaning have done a great job over a very short time frame during a busy period of ours.”
Facilities Manager, University of York
Ben Hirst, Managing Director of Smart Cleaning, commented: “It is a great pleasure to provide cleaning services to the University of York and help them with their requirements to enable the new student intake in September in a timely manner.”
At a Glance: The Impact
- 20 Smart Cleaning staff dedicated to the project
- Hundreds of rooms and kitchens deep cleaned
- Work completed in just a few weeks
- University accommodation fully prepared for September intake
Wider support for Universities
Our work with the University of York highlights the wider support estates teams across the UK often need. Universities often require:
- Daily cleaning support for high-use areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and communal spaces.
- Deep cleans and summer turnarounds to prepare accommodation for new or returning students.
- Specialist cleaning for carpets, floors, or heavy-use kitchens that require professional equipment and expertise.
To deliver on these needs, Smart Cleaning offers a flexible service that integrates seamlessly with university teams. This includes:
- Providing additional staff during peak times.
- Scaling up for large summer projects.
- Delivering thorough deep cleans of bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens.
- Offering reliable cover when staff shortages occur.
Looking for University Accommodation Cleaning Support?
If you are a facilities or estates manager facing similar challenges, Smart Cleaning can provide the additional manpower you need. From schools to universities, our flexible cleaning services are designed to support your in-house team during the busiest periods.
See how we can help you prepare for the academic year with confidence.