Eco-friendly cleaning company sets sights on sustainability gold standard

East Yorkshire-based commercial cleaning company Lemonclean is a true sustainable success story.

With a passion for plant-based products, and a growing client base attracted by Lemonclean’s eco-friendly approach, we share the Oh Yes! Net Zero member’s story so far …

Lemonclean has set its sights on sustainability gold standard.

Vicky Doyle founded commercial cleaning company Lemonclean in 2009 with a zest for sustainability.

Passionate about creating a company which embodies eco-friendliness, Vicky’s story began when she visited Hull Food Festival in 2009.

It was there she discovered fellow Oh Yes! member Bio-D, a Hull-based producer of environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

Vicky fell in love with Bio-D’s ethos and commitment to transforming what has historically been a chemicals-based industry. From there, her vision for Lemonclean was born.

Lemonclean works in a range of environments, from factories and offices to schools and car showrooms.

A green ethos that wins business

Lemonclean launched with a commitment to providing a first-class commercial cleaning service, while using only eco-friendly products and methods.

Fifteen years later, Hessle-based Lemonclean has grown into a team of more than 100, working with customers including Oh Yes! members Sewell Group and Rix Group, and major businesses including BAE Systems and caravan manufacturer Swift.

Lemonclean works in a range of environments, from large factories and offices to schools, car showrooms and retail outlets.

While the business has evolved, its eco-friendly ethos has remained at its heart.

Vicky said: “We’re increasingly finding that our business model, driven by sustainability, is both retaining and attracting customers.

“For example, we have a customer which manufactures plastics. They wanted to reduce their own carbon footprint and were looking for a cleaning company which was eco-friendly.

“The approach we have had from day one has underpinned our growth as a business. It’s been a real USP for us.”

Lemonclean has already secured ISO 14001 accreditation for environmental management.

Striving for the holy grail of sustainability

Lemonclean’s commitment to sustainability stretches right across its operations.

Alongside using exclusively eco-friendly cleaning products, team uniforms are made from recycled plastic bottles, and staff badges are biodegradable.

All of Lemonclean’s furniture at its Hessle office is pre-loved and the business has signed up to the Bike2Work Scheme to encourage its team to consider sustainable transport.

Lemonclean has already secured ISO 14001 accreditation for its environmental management systems, as well as ISO 9001 for quality management.

Vicky said the business had now set its sights on coveted B Corp certification – awarded to organisations which have met the highest standards of social and environmental performance.

There are currently around 2,000 B Corp-certified organisations in the UK, all aligned on their pledge to tackling some of the world’s greatest challenges, including climate change.

Vicky Doyle founded Lemonclean in 2009. The business recently celebrated its 15th birthday.

At the forefront of a greener cleaning industry

In September 2024, Lemonclean celebrated its 15th birthday.

In just a decade and a half, Lemonclean has grown to generate turnover of over £1m, solely through word-of-mouth referrals.

With its plant-based cleaning products, and commitment to exceptional customer service, Lemonclean is leading the way for a greener cleaning industry.

Lemonclean has a zest for sustainability across all of its operations.

Saying Oh Yes! to net zero

Lemonclean joined Oh Yes! Net Zero to be part of a growing community of organisations across Hull and East Yorkshire aligned in their commitment to driving down carbon emissions and reaching net zero.

Vicky said: “We’ve made good progress on our scope one and two emissions. Our biggest challenge, like so many businesses, is our scope three.

“We’re working closely with some of our customers to support them on their own net zero pathway, and attending Oh Yes! Net Zero events is a brilliant way to put yourself in a room with businesses from all different sectors, who all face the same challenges as you do.

“By sharing ideas and experience, organisations hopefully leave the room with sustainability high on their agendas. That’s what it’s all about.”

To find out more about Lemonclean, visit www.lemonclean.co.uk.