The 4 Main Cleaning Headaches
Four specific cleaning areas often become significant headaches for property managers and occupants alike in every type of building or facility, regardless of its usage or size.
Cleaning professionals have a duty now post covid to protect the health of the occupants within their buildings. With the long arm of safety and liability walking past allergens, witnessing slip/trip/fall conditions, and using “that is how we used to do it” mantras do not stand up in career success anymore. Getting past this now the norm in the cleaning industry.
The evolution of the cleaning industry has jumped a generation from mop and bucket to robotic cleaners, from hand mixing chemicals to green cold water one stop shop chemicals. All in the desire to support the industry and the staff performing the work. So here is the call to action, normally put at the end of the writing, instead at the beginning so you know where the article is heading. The cleanliness falls on us to tell the story, advocate for funds, and require our organizations to step up and provide for better conditions.
Typical look of a winter rug, although it shouldn’t be.
I walked by an entryway the other day that was salt laden for over half the walking path. The industry standard is 13 feet of walk off mat which prevents slips, trips, and falls, is nullified if the mat is half covered in old salt residue. Besides the safety issue there is also the visual issues of less maintained facilities. An area where cleaning professionals can shine is the entry points to a building.
There are 4 specific areas that can relay to staff and customers that the organization cares:
Entryways
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Garbages
Main Cleaning Industry Headache
I once heard an eye-opening statistic that revealed a significant 80% of complaints originate from the above-mentioned areas. If you're receiving complaints, I’m willing to bet that it likely stems from one of these specific areas. In my personal experience, I can confidently attest that this number is indeed accurate. The moment I prioritized and focused on addressing these key aspects, my main complainers were effectively silenced, leading to a much more positive environment.
But is it as easy as this? Just 4 things?
No, not really.
Within each one listed there are a number of steps and product choices to get the job done. Your organization will ultimately share their concerns and budget. Our responsibility as cleaners and facilitiy personnel is to advocate for the right situation to happen. Speaking the right language is critical with who you might sell, yes I said sell, your plan to get this done.
Luckily the cleaning industry has evolved from being a low paying dead end job to being a career. There are some fantastic organizations out there that support the growth of employees and managers, along with awesome resources.
Cleaning Industry Resources
The best part about the industry is there are so many that have ventured before you and start their career on this path. Some have stayed in the industry and some moved on and remember every stinking time they had to clean. If there ever was a service industry that gets looked down on its the cleaning industry.
Avenues to push for better:
Show your manager the skill you have by demonstrating the before and after pictures. Managers have an easier time selling improvements with pictures. Often times leaders cannot picture what we mean, so it is up to us to to show them.
Make sure to keep track of the hours spent, who did the work, and products used. This will allow you or your management to build the financial case for the improvement.
Make sure there is a case to be made, do a little research, reach out to a specialist in the field and ask them how they would approach the situation and if they have already gone down this road. THat experience can play a huge part in your own growth as an expert in the industry.
Find the credential that works for your organization. Credentials sell authority and validity.
The creator of the Peter Principle - cleaning is moving dirt from one place to the next, lets not over complicate it.
The industry is unique in the ability to be an entry level position while at the same time be a showcase for career attentiveness and managerial quality. Don’t be caught on the dumb end of a mop anymore. Be the new and improved scrubber that organizations want.
The Secret Advantage of Robotics in Cleaning
Cleaning robots are changing how we keep our spaces tidy. No more scrubbing or vacuuming; these smart machines easily take care of everything, from pet hair to dust. They operate quietly, letting you enjoy time your job on important tasks.
Enjoy easy cleaning—life's too short to spend on menial tasks!
Robots in the cleaning industry are revolutionizing the way we maintain cleanliness and efficiency in various environments. These advanced machines can tackle mundane tasks such as vacuuming, floor scrubbing, and window washing with minimal human intervention, allowing staff to focus on more complex responsibilities. Equipped with artificial intelligence and sensors, cleaning robots can navigate obstacles, track their operations, and adapt to different surfaces, ensuring a thorough clean every time. As they grow more sophisticated, the integration of robots not only reduces labor costs but also enhances the consistency and quality of cleaning services across commercial and residential spaces. With this innovative technology, the future of the cleaning industry looks brighter and more efficient than ever.
When deciding which cleaning robot is truly the best fit for you, it’s essential to start by carefully assessing your specific cleaning needs and overall lifestyle.
Take into account important factors such as:
the size of your home or business - this is the base as the level of cleanliness is specific to each classification.
the types of flooring you have - be cautious here. Its amazing how many types of flooring there is/are and the specialized care for all.
whether you share your space with pets that may require additional attention for cleanup due to allergies and other reactions.
Additionally, look for features that matter most to you, such as advanced mapping capabilities, convenient scheduling options, or seamless smart home integration. These may seem trivial however scheduling is critical.
Taking the time to read reviews and comparisons can also provide valuable insight into both performance and durability. Finally, make sure to set a budget that reflects the level of technology and convenience you seek, ensuring that you choose a robot that meets your every expectation without breaking the bank.
The other important factor to consider is labor management, which plays a crucial role in the overall success and efficiency of a business. Effective labor management not only helps in optimizing workforce performance but also enhances employee satisfaction and retention. Adding robotic elements can make the job tense as people are always focused on their job security. Emphasis needs to be how the integration will be incorporated into every day tasks and how the new equipment will not eliminate manpower.
The exact opposite should be realized. Increased labor hours can be seen without adding any more manpower. Be careful as to how to price this addition in. If clients are seeing extra get done they will expect it, but if the standard contracted elements can be done faster or with less effort then its a win for the employee. The ideal situation for robotic augmentation of cleaning equipment is when your crew is getting behind in work, or unable to finish the work load due to scheduling, absenteeism, or client requests outside of the contract then adding augmentation will shore that client retention.
Check out the this free resource on workloading your janitorial Industry.
Training and ownership go hand-in-hand with retention. Technology training should be a primary focus when choosing a robotic scrubber. Giving the training to a manager that will not be on site all the time is not the answer. That person should know the same information as the employee working the device, YES. However training to the educated staff member using the device should be factored in. Recently a LinkedIn article discussing 3 focuses for the next evolution of the cleaning industry mentions training should be focused and repeatable. Because in my experience the training is never a once and done.
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