Best Practices for Industrial Cleaning

You wouldn't start a road trip without a map and cleaning your facility is no different.

• Walk and Check: Walk through your facility regularly. Look for spots with lots of dirt, grease or dust buildup. This helps you know exactly what needs the most attention.
• Make a Simple Schedule: Set a clear schedule for daily, weekly and monthly cleaning tasks. Daily tasks might be sweeping up floors and emptying bins. Monthly might be deep cleaning machinery or high walls. Consistency is key.
• Assign Jobs: Make sure every employee or cleaning team member knows exactly which area they are responsible for. This makes sure nothing gets missed and gives everyone ownership.

Industrial environments need stronger tools and specific cleaning liquids.

• Choose the Right Cleaner: Different surfaces need different products. For example, heavy oil and grease need a good degreaser. Always use the right cleaning agent for the material you are working on, like concrete floors versus specialized machinery parts.
• Invest in Good Gear: Use industrial grade equipment like strong vacuums that can handle heavy dust or automatic floor scrubbers for large areas. Better tools mean the job gets done faster and better.
• Read the Label: If you are using any chemical cleaner, always read the directions on the bottle. Pay attention to how long it needs to sit on a surface to work (sometimes called "dwell time") and how to use it safely.

In an industrial setting, safety is the most important rule.

• Wear Protection (PPE): Always make sure cleaners use the right safety gear, like strong gloves, eye protection (goggles) and good shoes. This protects them from harsh chemicals or stray objects.
• Control Spills: Spills of oil, water or chemicals can cause bad slips and falls. Have spill kits ready in high risk areas and clean up spills immediately.
• Store Chemicals Safely: Keep all cleaning chemicals locked away and clearly labeled. Never mix chemicals unless the instructions say it's safe to do so.

This simple rule saves time and effort.

• Work Downward: Start cleaning at the highest points first, like ceiling fans, light fixtures and beams. As dust and dirt fall, they land on lower surfaces that you haven’t cleaned yet, making the last step the final floor cleanup.
• Mind High Touch Spots: Give extra attention to things everyone touches, like door handles, machine buttons, shared tools and railings. These areas need frequent cleaning to stop the spread of germs.

Industrial cleaning often creates different kinds of waste that need careful handling.

• Sort the Trash: Separate regular garbage from recyclable materials and most importantly, from hazardous waste like oily rags or certain chemicals.
• Follow the Rules: Make sure all hazardous waste is stored and taken away following all safety and environmental laws. This protects your workers and the environment.