When thinking about the latest hi tech innovations, the cleaning industry isn’t perhaps the first business sector that comes to mind for exploring such matters.
However, it’s time to think again. The advent of the IoT (Internet of Things), intelligent machinery and the programming and systems that go with it, mean that professional cleaning for homes and businesses is constantly changing, and for the better!
What’s more, such innovations can often offer the consumer more cost savings, better standards and can help the environment too.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a homeowner or someone who is running a commercial office or industrial enterprise Looking out for the latest hi tech developments in cleaning can help make a big difference to your operational processes and your free time.
In the last few years, the cleaning industry has undergone many huge changes. Improved cleaning tools and more eco friendly practices mean that standards, quality and productivity are all vastly improved.
When the word ‘technology’ is used within the cleaning industry, it doesn’t just refer to equipment, or the use of computers and software. It also refers to the production of safer, healthier products with which to clean spaces, which offer eco-friendly benefits as well as protection from dirt, germs and bacteria.
Green cleaning, more automated management practices and newer, more efficient equipment mean that professional cleaning businesses stay ahead of trends and can offer a better standard of service to their patrons. Indeed, cleaning companies are expected to develop more (and better) business opportunities over the coming years.
All industries need to adapt and move with the times, and the cleaning industry is no different. Of course, the biggest motivator is the growth of the internet and the digital marketplace, which means that consumers are savvier than ever. The race to discover and use the latest cleaning solutions and innovations is on, and professional cleaning companies must make sure that they stay on top of and one step ahead of the trends.
When thinking about hi tech cleaning for homes and businesses, what are the key areas that need to be thought about, and what solutions can be offered?
The innovation driving the most change in the industry is automated machines. Automated machines are leading evolution in the cleaning industry by using products such as the following:
These types of machines have been used in industry for some time and are now making their way into regular households as gadgets that save money and time.
What’s more, technology is constantly improving and updating all the time so bigger (or smaller) and better versions of such tools are constantly being designed and adapted to make processes easier.
Devices such as automated cleaning machines are able to map routes out, store them in their memories and then re-use them the next time they are put at the same starting point, meaning that cleaning the same areas every day takes less time and effort.
Some of these machines are also able to re-charge themselves when they run low on power/battery, too – meaning that one of the most important ‘human’ aspects of running them can also be dispensed with. However, many workers worry that the use of such machines will render the need for less manpower ‘on the ground’. Is it really true?
When the topic of automation is discussed, it often leads to worries from some quarters that a move to more machine led cleaning means less need for humans over time and consequentially, job losses and staff cuts. This isn’t the case in reality, and with very good reason.
Of course automation means that costs can be streamlined, but the best solution is to always have a combination of the best technology and a manned, human presence with highly trained staff on the ground to not only monitor technology and make sure it is running as it should be, but also so that cleaning companies can offer a bespoke service, with a mixture of trained staff and innovative cleaning technology. That way, consumers can always have the best of both worlds at their fingertips and have a number of options available to them so they can get the most from their professional cleaning service.
This leads us neatly to discuss how hi-tech cleaning services are monitored to make sure they’re performing to the very best of their ability – and it naturally raises a few questions.
Smart devices can now be used to monitor any equipment on site. This can help with anything from tracking electricity use and the location of machinery, to solving any issues with performance, or potential break down of component parts, in emergencies. Human operators of machinery are then immediately notified about the day to day running of machinery and subsequently, any of issues that arise during the course of their use.
Human operatives can complete tasks and perform routine checks on equipment. They can locate specific areas on the system that may need attention, and simply ensure that the machines are running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Other innovations for businesses in particular include the tracking and monitoring of any janitorial supplies. Managers can use data-driven tools, which are based on the Internet of Things. These provide real time information on the status of necessary supplies to keep businesses running properly, like soap dispensers, towels and other cleaning products. Issues that might arise because of low stocks, or even problems with business hygiene standards, can be tackled by a system dashboard that provides all the necessary information.
Tools such as these can help professional commercial cleaning businesses no end, as they effectively reduce the time needed to undertake tasks, make operations much simpler and therefore free up employee time for other operations that must be completed manually.
We’re all acutely aware of the need to be more environmentally friendly when we clean our homes, and even more so in businesses. The move towards making cleaning more eco-savvy isn’t a new one, but there are moves to make it the norm and to monitor the amounts of detergents and chemicals we use.
These days, eco smart cleaning is often mandatory as part of the LEED certification of buildings, alongside other standards. Many professionals are aware of consumer worries regarding the ingredients of professional standard cleaning products, not to mention the products they clean their homes with. As such, they require professional cleaning companies to provide high quality services that are safe and offer the choice of environmentally friendly products. Many argue that eco-friendly cleaning is key to the long term success and viability of businesses.
Technology has its part to play here, too. Professional cleaning services can invest in technology that saves water, offers chemical free solutions to clean with, or simply implements a strong environmental management system.
In years gone by, eco-friendly cleaning options were often seen to be less effective, but more expensive, than their man made chemical counterparts. But great leaps have been made in their efficacy in recent years, and now many of these ecologically sound products are cost effective and can sometimes offer a greater cleaning performance.
Check with your professional cleaning service to see what chemical free solutions they offer for superior cleaning performance. They can often be used in conjunction with other cleaning products, so it’s worth considering if you’re a home or business that wants to make the switch to environmentally friendly methods. In some cases, steam cleaning, by simply using the power of boiling water, can be enough to provide a safe, sterile clean that removes deep down dirt and grime while being hygienic, too.
There is still a lot to be said for old fashioned methods of cleaning. However, the cleaning industry needs to look at how it can adapt and innovate, to make these ways even better and more effective for consumers.
For instance, we’ve come a long way since the days of simply using a mop and bucket. These days we’re much wiser about how using these tools can often help spread bacteria and germs rather than eradicating them. Traditionally, you would fill a bucket with water, and some form of detergent then simply keep dipping the mop into it to sweep across the floor. All this does is move dirt and germs around, rather than getting rid of them.
These days, many companies prefer to use mopping systems that utilize materials such as microfiber, which can be cut and shaped to suit a variety of different floor types. These can be fitted to automated machines, or even simple steam cleaners, and mean that the water being used to clean floors and surfaces is always clean, unlike the traditional method outlined above.
This type of technology also means that much less water can be used to clean a much wider area. Automated mopping machines sometimes reduce water requirements by up to eighty percent, which is another win for eco-friendliness.
We’ve examined how the cleaning industry innovates and tries to move with the times to make sure that it is using the best and most cost effective technology. This ensures homes and businesses requiring these services can stay clean and healthy. It also means staff can continue to work as normal.
The industry is continually improving, and new methods and machinery are being introduced all the time. There will always be a need for a human presence alongside machinery. The cleaning industry not only needs to continue to move with the times, it must also continue to make sure humans can adapt and help too. That way, consumers, whether from home or business, can continue to reap the rewards.
