Your manufacturing facility, power plant, distribution centre or warehouse has an in-house staff that is doing the basic cleaning tasks with effort and time.
While this may seem sufficient, the nature of production environments, especially those dealing with sensitive equipment or goods, demands a more specialised approach. Industrial cleaning services are the right approach, as they are supported by trained staff.
Research Shows that, from 2021 to 2026, the revenue from industrial cleaning in the UK is expected to grow slowly, at a rate of just 0.2% each year.
But by 2025-26, the industry is projected to reach £3.6 billion, with a growth rate of 1.6% in that final year.
This trend highlights the increasing importance of industrial cleaning services and why, for your facility, investing in professional cleaning support isn’t just a choice; it’s a necessity.
So, this blog explains what industrial cleaning is and how it helps reduce costs associated with poor cleaning practices and why industrial cleaning services can solve them.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Industrial Cleaning and Its Scope
- Common Poor Industrial Cleaning Practices and Their Consequences
- Industrial Cleaning Challenges and How to Solve Them
- Why is it time to rethink your industrial cleaning practices?
Understanding Industrial Cleaning and Its Scope
You have a warehouse, distribution centre, production facility or power plant, food manufacturing and processing, the construction industry and healthcare facilities where the need for cleaning is called industrial cleaning.
But cleaning in such facilities differs from workplace and commercial properties, as they have complex production machines managing intricate tasks, along with the use of hazardous chemicals and have tiny hard-to-reach areas, making the cleaning process harder.
Additionally, the machines in such facilities are made with unique resources, requiring specialised cleaning agents, equipment and expertise to sanitise them.
Also, these facilities are vast, having large floors, walls and other surfaces, having hard-to-reach areas require thorough cleaning and maintenance.
Common Poor Industrial Cleaning Practices and Their Consequences
Common poor industrial practices often become visible within just a few days or weeks, typically when issues such as staff health, machinery stoppage and most importantly, operations slowdown arise.
When cleaning is neglected or improperly managed, both your staff and machinery’s health get affected, which eventually affects your entire business operations, something you can’t afford.
Let’s talk about the poor common practices of industrial cleaning and their consequences:
- Ignoring the debris or dirt in the tight corners of the machines. The consequences can be machine stoppage during production activities and the entire process is hit hard, resulting in significant losses and potential shutdowns.
- Hard-to-reach areas still appear unclean due to overlooked distant spots or crevices and high-up areas like ceilings and pipework, where grime and contaminants can accumulate. Over time, this accumulation can cause equipment malfunction and even pose risks to the quality of the environment, particularly in industries with strict hygiene standards.
- Sometimes, if any of the staff members are on leave and have no replacement for them, it can be a disaster. It impacts the staff’s well-being and shows a lack of interest or focus on industrial commitments to keeping the premises clean and tidy.
- Cleaning staff have no proper training regarding the equipment needed to clean these sensitive and heavy machinery facilities. In case someone implements the incorrect cleaning agent, it can cost a significant amount due to machinery damage.
Industrial Cleaning Challenges and How to Solve Them
Maintaining industrial cleanliness around the clock can be intense compared to residential and commercial buildings due to large facilities, stubborn floor residues, fire hazard prevention and high ceilings. But if you apply the right technique and innovative solutions, your cleaning project can get better than ever.
Let’s discuss some of the top basic cleaning challenges and how to overcome them:
Stubborn Floor Residues
Grease, oil and harsh paint are a natural part of the manufacturing premises which get stuck on the floor like thick tar that hardens over time. Getting rid of them is like scrubbing a stone to get it broken, which can be exhausting. When it is not eliminated in time, this residue can cause serious accidents.
Only a trained worker with specialised knowledge can remove these tough spots while following all safety measures, using the right cleaning agents, arduous manual scrubbing and specialised industrial cleaning machines.
Solution: You have two options: either hiring an industrial cleaning service or integrating autonomous cleaning robots designed to scrub the tough residue using its suction powers.
Fire Hazard Prevention
Industrial spaces and flammable materials such as solvents, fuels and chemicals can cause major fire catastrophes. Such materials can catch fire quickly from sparks or heat sources.
While in such cases, fire suppression systems stop fires, commercial cleaning is equally important as it tends to stop the occurrence of such disasters rather than extinguish them.
Solution: Using fire-safe cleaning agents, adhering to safety protocols, deep cleaning dust and fine particles that can catch fire and cause explosions can prevent these issues.
You can also opt for a commercial cleaning service that provides certified and trained staff equipped with knowledge of all safety protocols, skilled in using the right cleaning agents and approaches based on industry conditions.
Large-scale Buildings
Warehouses, factories and distribution centres have vast facilities, accommodating the sheer volume of goods, equipment and processes involved in storage, manufacturing and rapid movement of products.
Even for regular cleaning, you need to hire at least 50 staff members, along with buying expensive industrial equipment and cleaning agents, which can be costly.
Solution: Autonomous cleaning robots are in demand, transforming every aspect of how businesses operate, but they are also a bit expensive and need constant maintenance.
An alternative approach is hiring a professional industrial cleaning service that comes with skilled cleaning workers, ISO and BICS-trained. Experience in handling such industrial facility cleanliness and is aware of all safety protocols, PPE usage and master’s all cleaning methods.
High Ceilings
Industrial facilities have multiple catwalks, exposed beams (supporting bars) and are covered with high ceilings, dirt, germs, mould and grease also affect these areas, mixing with poisonous substances used in the warehouse and factories.
As a result, these polluting or poisonous substances make the facilities impure or pose a fire risk, causing a fire to start or spread.
These can also compromise the indoor air quality and can harm an employee’s physical and mental well-being.
Cleaning such high-risk areas needs specialised equipment and tools such as extendable poles with vacuum and dusting attachments and safety equipment like cherry pickers or scaffolding.
Solution: You can use autonomous robots with drone or telescopic arms to reach the buttresses, beams and high ceilings without using heavy human labour. In contrast, a more affordable approach is hiring industrial cleaning services that have extensive experience in cleaning those highly reachable areas with proficiency.
Why It’s Time to Rethink Your Industrial Cleaning Practices
Warehouses, production facilities, power plants and distribution centres are sensitive spaces.
As a supervisor or manager of these facilities, you need to ensure that everything works smoothly. A minor disruption in the facility can interrupt the entire operation. Having a traditional way of cleaning your facility is no longer useful by using hired cleaning staff.
New cleaning technologies, such as aqueous cleaning systems, ultrasonic cleaning and advanced measurement tools, provide greater control over cleaning processes without damaging surfaces.
Many industrial cleaning chemicals, especially traditional solvents, release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and contribute to water pollution. Shifting to eco-friendly, biodegradable and water-based products reduces the ecological footprint of industrial operations.
An effective approach is to outsource your entire cleaning project to a credible and experienced industrial cleaning service called Innovative Cleaning Solutions.
You will experience clean facilities around the clock, staff skilled in reaching high areas, using industrial-designed cleaning tools and equipment, always using PPE and following all industrial safety and health regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What types of industrial cleaning are there?
There are several types: manual cleaning, mechanised cleaning, pressure washing, chemical cleaning, vacuum cleaning and abrasive blasting, each tailored to specific factory cleaning needs.
- Why is industrial cleaning important for factories?
An industrial facility is a high-risk manufacturing environment. So, industrial cleaning is vital for worker safety, equipment longevity, regulatory compliance and maintaining Industrial hygiene standards.
- How do you protect my industrial equipment during cleaning?
Innovative Cleaning Solutions uses non-invasive techniques, protective coverings and specialised equipment to avoid damage while cleaning delicate or critical machinery and electronics.
- Are your industrial cleaning services insured?
Yes, all our industrial cleaning services are fully insured. We cover any potential damage or property or equipment during the cleaning process.
- What are the standards for industrial cleaning in the UK?
In the UK, industrial cleaning must comply with Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines, COSHH regulations and environmental standards to maintain workplace safety and cleanliness.
- How does industrial cleaning work?
Industrial cleaning involves assessing the site, selecting appropriate cleaning methods and using specialised equipment to remove dirt, debris, grease and contaminants efficiently and safely.
Conclusion
Industries are prone to fire hazards due to the constant use of hazardous substances, which are often unintentionally handled by workers. These substances can also negatively impact both the mental and physical health of staff.
Such spaces require careful and comprehensive cleaning from top to bottom, including machinery, ceilings, mezzanines, catwalks and much more.
Professional support is essential to maintaining smooth operations while ensuring compliance with strict health and safety regulations in industrial cleaning, as well as prioritising employee well-being.
So, maintain a clean and safe environment with commercial cleaning services from Innovative Cleaning Solutions. Book a quote now!
