Q: How do you envision the evolution of sustainable cleaning practices in luxury hotels over the next decade, particularly in relation to preserving heritage properties?

Dr Lotta Kanto Öqvist:
The biggest challenge in cleaning heritage hotels is preserving delicate, historic materials while implementing sustainable practices. Unlike modern hotels, these properties often feature aged wood, marble, and intricate textiles that can be damaged by harsh chemicals, excessive moisture, or abrasive methods. However, with continuous innovation in gentler, sustainable cleaning solutions, we expect to effectively maintain these delicate buildings while ensuring both historical integrity and environmental sustainability.

In addition, one of the most important trends is decarbonizing cleaning practices for the hospitality industry. This will be seen not only with products, tools and machines, but with cleaning methods and processes. More cleaning products with lower carbon footprints are becoming available, bolstered by cleaning methods that require less energy, less water and create less waste. In addition to plant-based cleaning products coming from renewable resources like agricultural waste, we are seeing traditional chemicals being produced with lower carbon footprints using renewable electricity. Combined with manufacturers progress toward Net Zero targets, these advancements will significantly reduce the cradle-to-gate carbon footprint of the cleaning products.

Energy consumption during cleaning will reduce as we continue to trend to lower temperature cleaning, while maintaining the perfect hygiene result, especially in laundry. Hotel properties will also reduce carbon emissions during cleaning as they increase their use of renewable energy.

In addition to decarbonization, the cleaning industry is focused on lowering water use, reducing waste, improving circularity, and eliminating chemicals of concern. Sustainable cleaning products will become particularly important for luxury hotels and heritage properties. We’ve already made significant progress by introducing plant-based cleaning products, made from agricultural waste, that would otherwise be wasted and by moving away from outdated chemical technologies like bleach. This transition will continue over the next decade as innovative chemistry formulations focused on less use of water, energy and waste and free from artificial dyes, perfumes, quats, chlorine, phosphates or oxide compounds and that are formulated to achieve the lowest hazard classifications.

Q: With the increasing focus on wellness in hospitality, how are you adapting your solutions to support hotels in creating healthier indoor environments without compromising on the guest experience?

Dr Lotta Kanto Öqvist:
Wellness and hygiene require quality cleaning and sanitation. We cannot sacrifice the efficacy of cleaning products and sanitizers as foodborne illness, and infectious diseases will continue to be a constant threat. The key is to find the right balance, eliminating pathogens without relying on chemicals with unfavorable environmental, health, and safety profiles. The good news is we have newer sanitizers, based on actives like hydrogen peroxide, which break down to water and oxygen.

Responsible manufacturers take care to ensure that fragrances, if used for aesthetic or performance reasons, follow strict human health precautions to safeguard against indoor air quality problems. Volatile organic chemicals are generally avoided so the chemicals that clean stay in the solution instead of rapidly becoming airborne.

Application methods are also critical to maintain healthy indoor air quality. More sustainable cleaning practices minimize aerosols by focusing on good methods, such as pre-wetted microfiber cloth and keeping chemicals in enclosed containers.

With the growing emphasis on wellness in hospitality, luxury hotels must deliver safe, clean, and premium experiences across spa, pool, and wellness facilities. These amenities are key to guest satisfaction and business success—but maintaining them safely is essential.

Health risks like infectious diseases and waterborne illnesses require effective, yet safe cleaning and sanitation. Important is water safety: improper handling of pool chemicals can cause chlorine gas exposure or skin irritation.

Calcium Hypochlorite Solutions is one of the safest methods of chlorination in pools and support safe chemical dosing using dry, stabilized treatments that reduce risk, improve water clarity, prevent corrosion, and lower water waste—protecting guests, staff, and infrastructure. This balanced approach helps luxury hotels deliver wellness experiences that are both safe and sustainable.

Q: Many EHMA member properties are housed in historic buildings. How do you approach the challenge of developing cleaning protocols that protect both the guests and these irreplaceable architectural elements?

Dr Lotta Kanto Öqvist:
The focus must be on both the products and the cleaning methods. Chemicals that are harsh to human skin are also more aggressive on building materials. Neutral cleaners and mild cleansers are replacing chemicals with very high or low pH. We are seeing more products on the market that are non-classified from a hazard perspective, meaning no personal protective equipment is required, which is an indication of less aggressive chemistry. Plant-based cleaning products will continue to gain traction to provide good cleaning performance without posing risks to people and the environment.

Cleaning tools and equipment should be selected with architectural materials in mind. Rub rails on auto scrubbers need to be non-marring and microfiber should be used wherever possible.

Q: In what ways has artificial intelligence influenced the development of your cleaning and hygiene solutions, and how might this benefit heritage hotel operations?

Dr Lotta Kanto Öqvist:
Artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool to identify new solutions, map trends, and inform innovation by analyzing vast amounts of data. We are still in the early stages of AI in the cleaning products industry. However, it has the potential to find new ways to clean that might originate outside our industry. There are also opportunities for expanded use of robotics to reduce the physical demands of cleaning, improve cleaning results, and prevent repetitive motion injuries.

Q: Could you share your perspective on how the pandemic has permanently altered guest expectations regarding hotel hygiene, and how this affects luxury properties specifically?

Dr Lotta Kanto Öqvist:
During the pandemic and shortly thereafter, we saw a marked increase in infection control practices for both personal care and building care. Looking back now, the industry may have been over-prescribing disinfectants as a cure-all solution. I think there has been a return to more normal consumption patterns. What has stuck with us, however, is the understanding that infectious disease can spread rapidly in our global economy, and we need to be vigilant in the daily cleaning and sanitization protocols. Now we see a healthier balance of sustainability and sanitation, so we are not wasting chemicals, packaging, and transportation of excess products.

Q: How do you assist hotel managers in balancing the increasing demands for sustainability with the expectation of impeccable cleanliness in luxury establishments?

Dr Lotta Kanto Öqvist:
In our experience, when we work together with the hotelier to determine the goals and a tailormade approach to implement more sustainable products, procedures and practices, that will improve cleanliness. That may be due to an increased focus on a new product range and approaches that are being implemented, and staff needs to be trained. We also have seen that the process of moving to a more sustainable approach typically reduces costs, simplifies operations, and improves the cleaning experience for users.

Q: What role do you see technology playing in staff training and development within the housekeeping department of luxury hotels?

Dr Lotta Kanto Öqvist: From online training to virtual reality, and enhanced connectivity, technology is a key part of keeping staff trained and engaged. Technology will continue to advance in the areas of data access, digital monitoring, and training. We also hope that technology will improve employee engagement by improving working conditions, addressing repetitive injuries, and facilitating the availability of information in multiple languages in real-time. We also see a lot of opportunities for remote technology to improve service call quality and response times.

Q: Could you elaborate on how your solutions help hotels maintain their commitment to sustainability whilst delivering the elevated standards expected by luxury travelers?

Dr Lotta Kanto Öqvist:
Modern luxury travelers expect sustainability as a standard, not a bonus. Luxury travelers are very conscious of how environmental considerations affect not only their health, but the future of the planet. Green building certifications, which often require Eco labeled products, are something luxury travelers look for and appreciate in the places they choose to stay. Many now favor regenerative tourism, choosing hotels with eco-certifications and responsible business practices that actively improve destinations rather than just minimizing harm.

We help hotels meet these expectations with circular and certified solutions, such as LESSEAU®’s Solid Hand Wash No Touch dispenser, which reduces plastic waste and transport. Additionally, our CSV initiatives, like the award-winning Soap For Hope™ program, delivers both environmental and social benefits. Hotels generate a significant amount of soap waste annually. Soap For Hope™ repurposes this waste into new bars, improving hygiene in vulnerable communities and creating local employment opportunities.

By integrating regenerative tourism and innovative solutions like LESSEAU® and Creating Shared Value Programs like Soap For Hope™, hotels elevate their guest experience while making a positive global impact. This sustainable approach ensures hotels meet the evolving expectations of high-end travelers who seek both luxury and responsibility.

Q: How do you work with hotel managers to create bespoke hygiene protocols that align with their unique brand identity and guest expectations?

Dr Lotta Kanto Öqvist:
All properties are unique even if they share similar construction to other hotels and we recognize the need to adapt cleaning methods to reflect those differences. From past EHMA – European Hotel Managers Association – Sustainability Awards, we see very novel approaches including geothermal, natural hot springs, green roofs, apiculture, and native plant restoration projects that can add challenges to standard cleaning practices. An important part of implementing a holistic approach is to understand the internal and external environment to create the right solution.

Q: What innovations in your field do you believe will have the most significant impact on luxury hotel operations in the coming years?

Dr Lotta Kanto Öqvist:
The desire to satisfy the needs and expectations of customers is at the heart of Solenis’ culture of innovation. For more than 100 years we have been successful in creating and delivering novel solutions to meet the ever-changing needs and challenges our hospitality customers face. It’s such a critical topic that we have included innovation targets as part of our sustainability strategy called ESG+C™ (Environmental, Social, Governance + Customer).

Sustainability is a lens for innovations and helps us envision novel solutions for big challenges our customers face. We will see innovations in chemistry, packaging, tools, equipment, processes, and digital solutions. We know global megatrends such as climate change, water scarcity, emerging pathogens, and food security will create both challenges and opportunities. The innovations that best address these issues will be the winners in the future. Another important consideration is how all of these will come together synergistically to be transformative solutions for the luxury hospitality industry.