DOFF Cleaning of Cotton Mills for Unipol

Brooklands were proud to support Unipol Housing’s summer project with the restoration and DOFF cleaning of the Grade II listed Cotton Mills building in Nottingham. The project involved a full refurbishment and modernisation of the student accommodation ahead of its reopening to students in 2023.

Built in 1883, Cotton Mills retains many original features that are central to its historic character and charm. Once a cornerstone of Nottingham’s textile industry, the building now provides accommodation for students of Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham.

The exterior had become overgrown with vegetation, with debris and blocked gutters posing risks to the structure. Protecting the integrity of the brickwork and stone was essential.  This is why Brooklands was selected for our expertise in sensitive restoration and specialist cleaning techniques.

Our work focused on high‑level exterior cleaning, including DOFF steam cleaning of the brickwork and window sills, alongside thorough gutter clearance. These measures not only restored the building’s appearance but also safeguarded it against potential maintenance issues caused by water damage and blockages.

Project Delivery

Prior to the clean traffic management was put in place including two road closures for the duration of the clean.

The building was five stories heigh and required a combination of fixed scaffolding and mobile elevated work platforms to access various parts of the building This enabled works to take place safely and effectively.

Brooklands had been consulted in the early stages of the project planning process.  We  provided expert advice on methods of access and allocated sufficiently trained specialist cleaning technicians to tackle the project and safely deliver a fantastic result. 

The project lasted 1 month with our specialist team working onsite. Our technicians provide a photograph digital report which our Project Manager issues to our clients project representative each morning to keep them in the loop with daily progress on site.

DOFF Cleaning and Restoration Services

At Brooklands Group, we specialise in DOFF cleaning, a restoration technique that uses high‑temperature steam to safely remove contaminants from stone, brick, render, and masonry surfaces.

Unlike abrasive methods, DOFF cleaning is gentle and does not damage the surface, making it particularly effective for older buildings and surfaces where preservation is essential.

Our process eliminates moss, algae, paint, graffiti, and other stubborn stains without the need for harsh chemicals. By harnessing heat, DOFF cleaning not only removes grime but also kills biological growth at its source leaving surfaces clean, protected, and less prone to regrowth.

With over nine years of experience, Brooklands delivers DOFF cleaning as part of our wider exterior restoration services, helping clients across the UK maintain buildings that look their best while safeguarding their long‑term integrity.

We have successfully completed projects for construction companies working on listed buildings, commercial buildings, a older brick and stone buildings.

Combining technical expertise, heritage sensitivity, and a commitment to long-lasting result has made us one of the leading suppliers of restoration cleaning services in the UK.

Our team frequently manage large scale contract to get restoration projects finished on time with care and precision, restoring the bricks and stonework to an as new condition.

If you have a project that requires our restoration cleaning and DOFF cleaning, get in touch with our team we would be delighted to help.

Unipol Housing

Commercial

• Property Restoration Contracts
• Brick and stone cleaning
• DOFF Cleaning