The Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI) is a supporter of science-based practices for better cleaning. They are committed to driving real world, holistic, comprehensive research rather than “research” designed to yield a single, isolated set of “facts” to drive a marketing agenda. This commitment is illustrated by the CIRI research conducted in support of the ISSA Clean Standard: K-12 Schools.

Here, CIRI outlines how to use science in an effort to improve cleaning:
• Precisely identify the problem to be solved (e.g., show "Product A's" cleaning efficacy compared to "Product B's" on the same type of surface and under identical conditions.)
• Tap credible, independent scientists familiar with cleaning practices to design a study protocol.
• Have independent scientists familiar with cleaning practices examine, adjust as needed, and approve the study design.
• Run the study with adequate controls and samples for results to be statistically valid, based on the recommendations of the body of consulting scientists.
• Report the data accurately without embellishment.  It is fine to simplify for marketing purposes, but not to the point of distorting the facts and findings. Consult with independent science advisors to approve marketing messages for accuracy.

That said, not all agree that science and cleaning go hand-in-hand. An October, 2013 article in The Economist, “Trouble at the Lab,” indicated that, “Most scientists are not statisticians and often use improper statistical tests, or just run whatever their software package has available.” To that, CIRI says, “They need the help of actual statisticians to validate their studies. This was a strength of The ISSA Clean Standard research.”

The Economist article also stated, “Studies can be difficult to duplicate, especially complex, real-world field research. There is very little reward to scientists for reproducing studies or generating meta-analytic summaries of "state of the science" work.” Again, CIRI responds, “The Clean Standard research was reproduced and validated in four school districts.”  

To read this full report, click here.