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August 28 2023

New and Upcoming Trends in Commercial Cleaning

Commercial cleaning companies are the often unsung heroes of just about any business or public-facing venue. These contractors play such a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness, hygiene, and safety of facilities that their incredible work is sometimes only noticed by the public when it goes undone. 

But business owners and administrators know that clean and hygienic facilities are essential to customer opinion and employee satisfaction, and the demand for commercial cleaning services continues to grow. Now, with the advent of new technologies and increasing awareness of environmental sustainability, the commercial cleaning industry is undergoing an exciting transformation. Here are some of the trends moving the commercial cleaning industry forward.

Green Cleaning and Sustainability

One of the most prominent trends in commercial cleaning is the shift towards green cleaning practices. Businesses are increasingly seeking cleaning services that align with their sustainability goals, emphasizing the use of eco-friendly and biodegradable cleaning products, or tools that minimize their carbon footprint. This approach not only benefits the environment but also improves indoor air quality and reduces the risk of chemical exposure for employees.

Advancements in cleaning technology are also helping commercial cleaning companies meet sustainability goals while improving efficiency. Energy-efficient cleaning equipment, such as low-energy or battery-powered vacuum cleaners and scrubbers, are becoming more common. Water-saving technologies, such as low-flow cleaning systems and floor cleaning machines that recycle water, are sought-after tools in the green cleaning arsenal. 

Commercial cleaning also encompasses waste management, and sustainability is becoming a key consideration in this area as well. Companies are prioritizing waste reduction, recycling, and responsible disposal practices. By implementing sustainable waste management strategies, commercial cleaning services can help businesses minimize their environmental impact while adhering to regulations and achieving cost savings.

Technology Integration and Automation

While automation and robotics are proving immensely useful for numerous industries, commercial cleaning is one setting where taking advantage of this technology is truly a no-brainer. Autonomous cleaning equipment—like robot vacuum cleaners and floor scrubbers—is becoming an increasingly common offering for many commercial cleaning companies. New, higher-end robotic floor cleaners even combine all floor cleaning functions into one machine, producing impressive savings on labor and time. 

Many of today’s cleaning robots are equipped with advanced sensors and smart programming, allowing them to expertly navigate through complex spaces and clean large areas with ease. And as the Internet of Things (IoT) connects more and more devices, robots like these, plus sanitation equipment such as vacuum cleaners and dispensers, can be connected to a central network, enabling real-time monitoring, data collection, and remote management. This allows for remote oversight and optimization of cleaning schedules, inventory, and equipment maintenance, leading to more effective and streamlined operations.

Health and Safety

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for touchless sanitation equipment and cleaning solutions skyrocketed. Post-pandemic, these technologies are here to stay. This includes equipment like touchless soap dispensers, automatic hand dryers, and motion-activated faucets. Beyond these simple measures are whole-building safety initiatives such as improved HVAC systems, high-quality air purifiers and automatic disinfection technology such as electrostatic sprayers, UV-C light and dry-mist distribution systems. 

Some of the most effective facility-wide disinfection solutions are robotic. New hospital-grade disinfection robots use a combination of highly efficacious UV-C light and ultrasonic dry-mist to sanitize both indoor air and surfaces. And they do so much more efficiently than a human cleaner using “spray and wipe” methods. Their autonomous operation means that deep sanitization can be performed overnight or after more intricate cleaning has been performed. 

In an era of heightened awareness around health and safety, businesses are also demanding greater transparency and accountability from their cleaning service providers. This trend is leading to the implementation of auditing systems and performance metrics that track the effectiveness and quality of cleaning services. Service providers are leveraging technology—such as cleaning robots or equipment with in-built tracking—to provide real-time reporting and data analytics, enabling businesses to make informed decisions and ensure compliance with cleaning standards.

Customized Cleaning Solutions

We live in a world where multitudes of things can be customized to suit our needs and preferences—even things we may not want, like online ads. In the commercial cleaning industry, customizing services to unique client needs is a trend that will only grow stronger. Each client business or facility has unique cleaning requirements, and service providers are recognizing the importance of tailored approaches. 

Cleaning companies now offer specialized services based on industry-specific needs, such as EVS and infection control solutions for healthcare facilities; janitorial and floor cleaning services for schools; foodservice sanitation; and data center cleaning. By understanding the specific challenges faced by different sectors, cleaning professionals can deliver more efficient and targeted cleaning solutions. And by becoming experts in several high-value verticals, commercial cleaning companies can boost revenue, increase client satisfaction and become sought-after vendors. 

Moving Forward

The commercial cleaning industry has always played a vital role in maintaining the cleanliness, hygiene, and even basic functionality of the businesses, workplaces and facilities we use every day. As the world continues to evolve, so does this industry, adapting to emerging trends, client concerns and labor-saving technologies. And in a society marked by the memories of the pandemic, the commercial cleaning industry’s value is one that will only continue to increase. It’s a good time to be in business.

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