Creating a Healthier School Environment with Robotic Cleaning Technology

It should be a no-brainer: clean schools are essential. From improved student performance to healthier working conditions for staff, cleanliness plays an important role in creating spaces where everyone can thrive. However, as schools struggle with staffing shortages in the face of increased cleaning standards, robotic cleaning solutions are quickly transitioning from a futuristic novelty to a practical tool that schools can rely on to maintain their facilities day after day.

 

School buildings are large, heavily-trafficked facilities that see high levels of wear and tear at least nine months of the year. They’re also the place where children and building staff spend most of their waking hours during the school year. Without consistent cleaning and disinfection, they can quickly become breeding grounds for bacteria, viruses, and allergens. The consequences of an unclean school environment go far beyond aesthetics.

 

Illness-related absenteeism is one of the most significant challenges for schools. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), students miss millions of school days every year due to communicable illnesses like the flu, Covid, common colds, and stomach viruses. Clean schools reduce the spread of pathogens by targeting high-touch areas like desks, door handles, and restrooms where germs accumulate.

 

For staff, particularly teachers and support personnel, fewer illnesses mean improved workplace satisfaction and performance. A cleaner environment directly contributes to reduced sick days, alleviating the burden on already stretched resources.

 

A clean school not only protects health, but can also impact how well students perform academically. Research by the EPA highlights that poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools caused by dust, mold, or other allergens can impair concentration and cognitive function. Cleaner air and sanitized surfaces ensure students are comfortable and focused, leading to better engagement and learning outcomes. 

 

Additionally, a well-maintained school creates a more welcoming atmosphere that fosters pride and accountability. When students see their environment being cared for, they’re more likely to treat it respectfully in return.

 

While the need for clean schools has never been greater, many educational institutions are struggling to meet these demands. Factors contributing to this challenge include:

 

Staff Shortages - The janitorial and maintenance industry is experiencing high turnover and labor shortages. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 336,700 openings for janitors and building cleaners each year over the next decade, with many of those openings the result of retirements, or workers moving on to other occupations. Cleaning teams are often overburdened, making it difficult to keep up with daily tasks, let alone deep-cleaning needs. 

 

Budget Constraints - Schools are often tasked with improving cleanliness without additional budgetary support, forcing administrators to do more with less.  

 

Increased Standards - Post-pandemic, expectations for hygiene and cleanliness have skyrocketed, adding pressure on custodial teams to achieve higher levels of disinfection.

 

Robotic cleaning solutions, such as autonomous floor scrubbers and disinfection robots, are transforming how schools approach cleanliness. These smart tools help custodial staff work more efficiently, improve cleaning quality, and ensure every space is consistently sanitized. How?

 

Robotic cleaning technology automates repetitive tasks like sweeping, vacuuming, and scrubbing large floor areas. This allows janitorial teams to focus on more detailed tasks like disinfecting classrooms and restrooms. For example, autonomous scrubbers can clean hallways and gym floors without supervision, freeing up custodial staff to tackle high-priority areas.

 

Pringle Robotics’ solutions, such as CC1, CC3 and MT1, are designed specifically for high-traffic areas like schools. These robots operate autonomously, working ‘round the clock to ensure no corner is missed, while reducing the strain on human workers (and giving them time to do more). Hi-tech scrubber-dryers like the SH1 take cleaning messy school restrooms and critical food service areas to the next level by combining machine power with the user-friendliness of a mop. Tools like the SH1 can reduce cleaning times by up to 70%!

 

Robots don’t get behind schedule or call out sick, and they follow pre-programmed routes with precision. This ensures that cleaning tasks are completed consistently and to a high standard every time. In environments like schools, where high-touch areas require thorough disinfection, robotic floor cleaners free up custodians to focus on deep cleaning and sanitizing areas like bathrooms and cafeterias.

 

Disinfection robots, like those equipped with UV-C light or electrostatic sprayers, go a step further by neutralizing bacteria and viruses that manual cleaning might miss. This is particularly valuable for preventing outbreaks of illnesses like the flu or norovirus, which can spread rapidly in schools. The Puductor 2, for instance, uses UV-C light and ultrasonic dry mist disinfection to sanitize classrooms and common areas autonomously after hours. This technology ensures a safer environment for students and staff to return to each morning, without the need for harsh chemicals.

 

While robotic cleaning technology requires an upfront investment, it pays off in the long run. Automation reduces labor costs, minimizes the use of cleaning products, and extends the lifespan of flooring and other surfaces through consistent, proper maintenance. The sheer efficiency of some autonomous floor cleaning robots, like the CC1, results in impressive sustainability figures over time. For example, since January 1, 2024, Pringle Robotics floor cleaning robots have cleaned over 100 million square feet at customer sites, resulting in a cleaning cost per square foot of $0.00096!

 

In addition, many types of robotic cleaning equipment are now eligible for various state grants due to their very real potential to decrease workplace injuries and physical strain. An assisted living facility client of Pringle Robotics was recently able to purchase one of our high-efficiency autonomous floor cleaning robots using an Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Safety Intervention Grant. According to a press release issued by Kendal at Oberlin, “the grant recognizes that the robot is a tool that can help reduce back injuries and other work-related accidents,” and generously covered 75% of the cost of the machine. 

 

Rather than replacing human workers, autonomous floor cleaning robots are designed to complement custodial teams. By handling the time-consuming and physically-demanding work associated with floor maintenance, robots reduce the strain of repetitive cleaning, helping to prevent injury and burnout. That’s crucial given that school districts are still struggling to hire and retain custodial workers several years out from the pandemic. With reliable robotic assistance, custodians have more time to focus on specialized cleaning tasks, enjoying a better working environment and ensuring a higher standard of hygiene throughout the school.

 

School cleanliness has long been a priority for school administrators given its effects on student and staff health as well as the general learning environment. Staffing shortages and budget constraints have left many schools in a bind when it comes to consistently cleaning their buildings to the highest standard day after day. Robotic cleaning technology can significantly reduce the time, effort and labor needed to keep floors clean around the clock. These autonomous cleaning machines are no longer a futuristic concept—they’re a practical solution to the real challenges facing the facilities maintenance field.

 

If you’d like to learn more about how our robotic solutions are transforming facilities maintenance for our school customers around the country, get in touch with our experts today!