ISSA Announces 2026 International Cleaning Week

ISSA, the association for cleaning and facility solutions, is pleased to announce the return of International Cleaning Week (ICW), taking place March 22-28, 2026. This weeklong event honors the vital work of cleaning professionals, advances industry advocacy, and recognizes exemplary organizations and teams through a series of signature celebrations, including the second annual Spotless Spaces Competition and the first-ever ICW Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C.

"International Cleaning Week reflects our shared commitment to excellence and the remarkable impact of cleaning and facility professionals worldwide," said ISSA Executive Director Kim Althoff. "I am honored to lead this vibrant community, and excited to celebrate the teams and innovators who raise the bar for healthy, safe, and sustainable environments year-round."

Spotless Spaces Competition & Awards

The second annual Spotless Spaces Competition, sponsored by Tork, an Essity Brand, is designed to spotlight the facility management teams and cleaning professionals who are committed to creating and maintaining safe, healthy, clean, and accessible spaces for everyone. This exclusive program honors the individuals and groups whose dedication ensures the environments we rely on, from offices and hospitals to schools and public spaces, support wellbeing, accessibility, and excellence every day. The program recognizes:

• U.S. Spotless Space of the Year: Honors an outstanding U.S. team for exceptional facility care.
• International Spotless Space of the Year: Salutes global facility teams outside the U.S. for exceeding the highest standards in clean environments.
• Tork Think Ahead Facility Excellence Award: Recognizes a facility that embraces sustainable practices, fosters innovation, and demonstrates a commitment to inclusive hygiene for all users.

"Tork is proud to sponsor the Spotless Spaces Competition and champion a facility or cleaning team whose dedication to sustainability, and inclusive hygiene serves as a best-in-class example for our industry," said Essity Brand Activation Director Raquel Carbonari. "These professionals are the backbone of safer, healthier and more welcoming environments, and their work directly impacts the well-being of every person who enters their facilities. We're honored to help shine a spotlight on the innovative leaders who set the standard for excellence every day."

Enter the competition by January 23, 2026 to spotlight your team by nominating your spotless space. Finalists for the Spotless Spaces of the Year awards will be entered into a public vote. The winner of the Tork Think Ahead Facility Excellence Award will be selected based on the specified criteria. 2026 winners will be announced as part of International Cleaning Week and honored at the inaugural ICW Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C. For full contest rules and eligibility details, please review the official terms and conditions.

Clean Advocacy Summit & ICW Awards Dinner

ICW 2026 includes the ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, March 23-24, in Washington, D.C. This premier event brings together leaders, advocates, and stakeholders for policy briefings, advocacy training, and direct engagement with Congress. The inaugural ICW Awards Dinner, on March 23, will honor spotless spaces competition winners, outstanding advocates, policymakers, and up-and-coming industry leaders, providing unparalleled networking and recognition opportunities.

Proudly Supported by Our Sponsors and Other Organizations

International Cleaning Week 2026 is proudly presented and supported by:

• American Cleaning Institute
• BradyPlus
• Building Service Contractors Association International
• The Germ Girl
• Household & Commercial Products Association
• Imperial Dade
• International Well Building Institute (IWBI)
• Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification
• International Franchise Association
• Kaivac, Inc.
• New England Sanitary Supply Association (NESSA)
• PortionPac Chemical Corporation
• Professional Association of Building Service Contractors (PABSCO)
• Products Chemical Company
• Restoration Industry Association (RIA)
• Spartan Chemical Company
• Tork, an Essity Brand
• Verde Clean

"We are grateful to all our sponsors and supporting organizations, including Tork for their commitment and partnership. Their leadership helps elevate our industry and amplifies the value of clean," said ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft.

For more information about signature events and engagement opportunities during International Cleaning Week, visit issa.com/icw.

About ISSA

With more than 11,000 members-including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members, ISSA is the association for cleaning and facility solutions. The association is committed to elevating the built environment by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Toronto, Canada; Sydney, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Tork

The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissues, soap, napkins and wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they're always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity and a committed partner to customers in more than 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit www.torkglobal.com/us/en/.

About Essity

Essity is a global, leading hygiene and health company. Every day, our products, solutions and services are used by a billion people around the world. Our purpose is to break barriers to well-being for the benefit of consumers, patients, caregivers, customers and society. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa. In 2024, Essity had net sales of approximately SEK 146bn (EUR 13bn) and employed 36,000 people. The company's headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information at essity.com.

For more information, contact ISSA Senior Director of Marketing Jill Nuppenau at [email protected]; phone, 847-982-0800 Ext. 1367.