Why Autonomous Cleaning is the Solution for Short-Staffed Facilities

While the current unemployment rate remains low, hovering around 4%, hiring, staffing and retention within the janitorial field remain a key concern for facility managers. Factors such as an aging workforce, high turnover rates, and the broader impacts of the "Great Resignation" have exacerbated labor shortages in this essential field. This scarcity not only increases operational costs as wages rise in a bid to hire enough workers, but also compromises the quality and consistency of facility cleaning overall. In response to these challenges, facilities across the spectrum have begun embracing autonomous cleaning robots as a practical solution to bridge the labor gap and enhance operational efficiency.

 

The cleaning industry has been significantly affected by labor shortages, leading to several operational challenges.

 

Increased Operational Costs - To attract and retain employees in a competitive labor market, companies are compelled to offer higher wages and benefits. While this is undoubtedly good for workers, higher labor costs increase the overall expense associated with facility cleaning, and can lead companies to cut corners on things like cleaning frequency, equipment maintenance, and quality products.  

 

Compromised Service Quality - A shortage of skilled janitorial staff can lead to inconsistent cleaning standards, as companies may resort to hiring less experienced workers, skimping on training, or overburdening existing staff. This decline in service quality can affect the cleanliness and hygiene of facilities, potentially impacting business reputation and employee well-being. 

 

Workplaces that are Less Safe - Consistently clean facilities are safer and healthier facilities for employees, customers, students, and patients. When janitorial workers are in short supply, key cleaning SOPs can go left undone, resulting in fall hazards from dirty or wet floors, build up of hazardous trash and debris, unhygienic surfaces, and poor indoor air quality.

 

Autonomous cleaning robots offer a practical, reliable solution to the challenges posed by labor shortages in the janitorial sector. These helpful robots have emerged as a disruptive force for good, offering a host of benefits that both surpass and enhance traditional cleaning methods.

 

Floor cleaning robots are designed to optimize efficiency while lessening burdens on human janitorial workers. Equipped with sophisticated tech like omnidirectional LIDAR, a plethora of sensors and SLAM positioning, these autonomous machines navigate spaces with precision, ensuring thorough cleaning without missing a spot. Armed with robust cleaning capabilities that outpace manual machines, autonomous floor cleaning robots like the CC1, CC3 and CC5 can clean up to 8,000, 15,000 and a whopping 40,000 square feet per hour, respectively. And unlike manual cleaning or walk-behind machines, which rely on human time, effort and attention to detail, robots follow pre-programmed routes, systematically covering designated areas in record speed. This increased efficiency translates to significant savings in labor costs and enhanced productivity for facility managers.

 

Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining clean floors. When floor cleaning is performed only by human cleaners and manual machines, it can suffer from inconsistent efforts and results as janitors try to juggle time-intensive floor cleaning tasks with other important responsibilities. In contrast, autonomous robots deliver consistent results with every cleaning cycle and can be deployed as frequently as needed. Whether it's a sprawling warehouse, cavernous convention center or a bustling hospital corridor, floor cleaning robots follow predetermined cleaning protocols, ensuring uniformity and adherence to SOPs. This consistency enhances the overall appearance and safety of the facility and gives busy staff members one less thing to worry about. 

 

Data is everywhere in today’s world, and facilities of all sizes use it to optimize operations and allocate resources. But because commercial cleaning is still very analog, cleaning data is still hard to come by. Autonomous floor cleaning robots are changing the game. Using advanced sensors and IoT connectivity, they can record how long they run, precise times of operation, exact square footage and locations cleaned, water and chemical usage, and more. This type of hard data allows for more insightful decision making while also providing hard proof of completed cleaning tasks. 

 

What’s more, new comprehensive facility management software integrations like Pringle NOC and Pringle Pristine are purpose-built for the tracking and management of robotic assets, IoT sensors, and janitorial tasks. 

 

It’s a big question–cost. While the initial investment in floor cleaning robots can seem daunting, the long-term cost-effectiveness cannot be overstated, especially when compared to manual machines that also carry a significant price tag. 

 

Because regular floor cleaning takes so much time out of a custodian’s day, many businesses could potentially hire someone only tasked with floor cleaning, allowing other employees to focus on more detailed and varied tasks. But does it make sense for most facilities to pay someone hourly wages or a salary, plus benefits and taxes, just to clean the floors? Logically, each new hire must be able to tackle a range of jobs to justify the expense. And, could they even find a person willing to do this repetitive and tiring job long term?

 

Automation solves this conundrum. 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 120 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.

 

When a facility incorporates robotic assistance, it not only gives employees a break from monotony and physical strain, but also shows them that the company values their time and wellbeing. With autonomous robots handling the routine floor cleaning, staff can focus on more meaningful tasks that require human attention and expertise, such as sanitizing high-touch surfaces, managing specialized cleaning requests, or addressing other maintenance tasks that cannot be automated. 

 

Adding new technology to the typically analog world of cleaning also creates new avenues for career growth and upskilling. Roles that might have previously been perceived as low-skilled or stagnant can be opened up to new levels of learning and responsibility when floor cleaning robots are adopted as assets to be mastered and actively managed. For instance, tech-oriented custodial staff can be designated as “Bot Managers,” learning how to map, maintain, troubleshoot and retrieve cleaning data from the robots. As they become more familiar with the facility’s robots, they can help train other employees, elevating their role and providing deeper job satisfaction. For employers, this investment in technology signals a commitment to providing employees with a better work experience, improving morale and retention rates.

 

 

As technology continues to advance, the role of autonomous cleaning robots in mitigating labor shortages will grow. These machines not only address immediate staffing challenges but also pave the way for more innovative and efficient cleaning practices. By embracing automation, facilities can maintain high standards of cleanliness while optimizing operational costs and adapting to the evolving labor landscape.

 

If your facility is ready to explore automated cleaning, get in touch with our experts today!