Puhtausala ry Reveals Finalists for 2026 Cleaning Stars

Puhtausala ry announced in a press release via ePressi that it has selected the finalists for the Puhtausalan Tähdet 2026 awards, with winners to be revealed at a gala on 29 October 2026 at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki.

"What an incredible amount of expertise, experience and skill there is in our field," said Titta Valtonen, chair of Puhtausala ry's board and chief judge, describing the judging as a thrilling and positively challenging task because the overall standard this year is very high.

A total of 18 finalists were named across six categories. The Cleaning Professional finalists are Marinel Codon (cleaner, RTK-Palvelu), Karin Mei (service manager, Järvi-Saimaan Palvelut) and Eija Supperi (service coordinator, ISS Palvelut). The Planner/Developer finalists are Hanna-Mari Laitinen (Head of Customer Relations, SOL Palvelut), Tiina Luntamo (planning manager, Alltime Suomi) and Sari Niinimäki (product manager and work researcher, Atop-Tieto).

Supervisor finalists include Tatjana Ohotinska (Unit Manager, Sodexo), Heli Vainio (service supervisor, ISS Palvelut) and Merja Väänänen (service manager, Polkka Pohjois-Karjalan tukipalvelut). The Leader category features Mika Hyttinen (CEO, Polkka Pohjois-Karjalan tukipalvelut), Tarja Pikarinen (service manager, Kymen Tuki, Kymenlaakso wellbeing services county support and property services) and Outi Saxberg (Business Director, 4Clean Services). Teacher/Trainer finalists are Outi Komi (training specialist and entrepreneur, Okomi), Marjo Kunnia (teacher, Turku Vocational Institute) and Anniina Nieminen (specialist and trainer, KristallPro). The Influencer category includes Erja Hammarén (cleaning services specialist, City of Helsinki), Marita Koskinen (development manager, Sastamala Food and Cleaning Services) and Erja Suikkanen (service director for cleaning and facility maintenance services, Saimaa Support Services).

A jury made up of cleaning professionals will now select one winner in each category. The winners will be honoured at the Puhtausalan Tähdet gala at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki on 29 October 2026.