The commercial cleaning industry is undergoing a significant transformation, thanks to advancements in automation and technology. Useful innovations are not only enhancing efficiency and consistency but also addressing challenges like labor shortages and higher cleanliness standards. Let's explore how automation and tech are reshaping the landscape of commercial cleaning.

 

Robots really aren’t a novelty anymore. Today, they're actively working alongside humans in various industries, and are increasingly found working alongside human cleaning crews in large facilities. Autonomous floor cleaning robots combine autonomous navigation/operation with the same deep cleaning power of high-spec walk-behind and manual scrubbers, getting the job done efficiently and consistently without the need for a human operator. This frees up human workers to focus on more intricate tasks, saving time and boosting productivity.

 

The administrative side of facility maintenance can get bogged down when routine tasks like scheduling, inventory management, and reporting are done manually. Now, facility managers and commercial cleaning companies can streamline operations using task management and productivity software. Apps like Pristine centralize cleaning operations by combining task assignment, scheduling, progress tracking, instant communication, and data analytics into one holistic platform.

 

The Internet of Things (IoT) is playing a pivotal role in modernizing cleaning practices. Smart sensors are being deployed to monitor key parameters within facilities, such as occupancy levels, air quality, and surface cleanliness. This real-time data enables cleaning teams to adopt a more proactive and targeted approach, focusing efforts where they're needed most. For instance, sensors can alert staff to high-traffic areas requiring immediate attention or indicate when supplies are running low. Sensor data can also be integrated with on-site cleaning robots, initiating an autonomous cleaning task when certain parameters are met. Similarly, this data is easily integrated into scheduling software like Pristine, triggering the creation of new cleaning tasks when sensor data indicates a need.

 

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. But facility managers and cleaning business owners can fight back by embracing automation—for the good of their customers and their employees. 

 

When cleaning crews get help from robotic assistants, it not only gives them 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, workers 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 historically low-tech world of cleaning also creates new avenues for career growth and upskilling, improving job satisfaction and retention.

 

Task management software and apps like Pristine can also add a bit of enjoyment to the never-ending to-do list through gamification. With a task management app on their phones, cleaners don’t need to look far to know exactly what their duties and priorities are each shift. They can go about their tasks in a systematic way, and enjoy the satisfaction of seeing completed tasks disappear from their dashboard.

 

Looking ahead, the integration of AI and machine learning into cleaning operations is set to revolutionize the industry further. These technologies can analyze data collected from various sources to predict cleaning needs, optimize resource allocation, and even identify potential maintenance issues before they become a problem. The result is a more responsive and efficient cleaning operation that can adapt to the dynamic needs of modern facilities.

 

Certain aspects of cleaning and facilities maintenance will always require a human touch. But practical automation—both in the form of cleaning robots and streamlined productivity software—are providing faster, more efficient and more enjoyable ways for facilities to reach their cleaning goals. 

Get in touch with us to learn more about how Pristine can start streamlining your cleaning operations today!