In 2024, Aria Care made history by becoming the first care group globally to roll out n-kind, Blueleaf’s exclusive range of plant-based cleaning products, as the sole housekeeping solution across all of its 67 (and counting!) care homes in England. The milestone marked a turning point in the care industry’s approach to sustainable, high-performance cleaning, a move that has since inspired others to follow in Aria’s footsteps.
The Challenge: Combining Performance with Purpose
From the outset, Aria Care set its sights on creating a clean, safe, and welcoming environment, not only for its residents, but for the people who care for them every day. However, their team recognised a need to align operational practices with a growing commitment to sustainability.
James Clear, Hospitality Director at Aria Care, explained: “We were looking for a cleaning solution that met our high standards of hygiene and safety, but also reduced our environmental impact. That’s where n-kind came in, a solution that matched our values and delivered outstanding results.”
The Solution: An Innovative Partnership with Blueleaf
Aria Care became the first care provider in the world to implement n-kind across its entire community of homes. The product range, developed by Blueleaf, offers powerful cleaning performance with plant-based, environmentally responsible ingredients – kinder to the planet and to the hands that use them.
Over a six-month period, the teams at Aria and Blueleaf collaborated closely, trialling the products, co-developing best practices, and building a robust cleaning guide tailored to Aria’s unique needs.
Lloyd King, Corporate Account Manager at Blueleaf, commented: “Working with Aria was exciting because they were so forward-thinking. Their commitment to being the first to adopt the n-kind solution at scale really set the tone for the sector.”
Implementation: Building a Better System from the Inside Out
Aria’s leadership didn’t stop at product selection. They implemented an organisation-wide shift in housekeeping and laundry arrangements, including a unified cleaning schedule, auditing system, and comprehensive staff training.
Paul Wright, now Group Hospitality Manager at Aria Care, emphasised the cultural impact: “This wasn’t just about new products, it was about empowering our teams and creating a shared sense of purpose. Our housekeeping and laundry staff felt involved and valued throughout the process.”
The Outcome: Setting a Standard Others Now Follow
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, from residents enjoying the fresh, natural scents to staff who appreciate the gentler, safer products. And while other care homes may now be adopting similar solutions, Aria Care proudly led the way, setting a precedent for sustainable innovation in the sector.
“We’re proud to have been the first,” said James. “Our teams took this opportunity to do something different, something better, and now we’re seeing the ripple effects across the industry.”
Why It Matters
The decision to go plant-based wasn’t just about green credentials, it reflected Aria’s core values of respect, dignity, and kindness. With over 2,700 colleagues shaping its ethos, Aria continues to push forward in sustainability, care excellence, and innovation.
