Cleaning services will always be necessary, so adapting to new trends in the industry will benefit homes and businesses alike. The future of cleaning will see an increase in efficient, effective, and more advanced levels of cleaning to ensure safe and healthy indoor environments.
The demand for professional cleaning services will also increase, with about 80% of households projected to use these services by 2024. More people are seeking out specialized and deep cleaning services aided by technology or optimized procedures, whether they need to clean large spaces in less time, remove mold from furniture, improve indoor air quality, find an eco-friendly way to clean, or thoroughly disinfect public spaces to prevent diseases. Here are some of the latest cleaning innovations that make the process easier, safer, and more effective.
Cleaning Automation and Robotics
In a time when public health and labor shortages are top concerns in the cleaning industry, it is important to streamline and optimize the cleaning processes to save on time and money. Digital solutions can lead to the automation of cleaning processes especially when coordinating professional teams.
The status of supplies, hygiene compliance, and project progress can all be tracked via a centralized dashboard connected to the Internet of Things (IOT). These are various smart cleaning tools equipped with sensors and software that track and share real-time data. An example would be smart touch-free dispensers that can immediately track when it would need refilling, which is most helpful in large buildings with a shortage of cleaning staff.
Other advancements in cleaning technology include high-performance machines that can combine multiple cleaning processes into one step. These multitasking machines can simultaneously vacuum, disinfect, and wash surfaces without the need to sweep, mop, or carry chemicals, buckets, and multiple tools all at once. Larger riding floor equipment can efficiently clean millions of square feet in a fraction of the time.
The near future will also see more robot cleaners and programmable floor scrubbers that use built-in cameras, sensors, and intuitive AI software to safely navigate surroundings and map out the routes of large floor projects. All of these high-tech solutions save time and increase the effectiveness of cleaning services.
Sustainability and the Rise of Green Cleaning
Sustainability is no longer just a “nice to have”, as the world is now much more aware of its importance and urgency. Customers increasingly demand green and healthy cleaning products and services.
The global household green cleaning market is projected to grow from $17 billion in 2017 to $27 billion by the end of 2024. Therefore, cleaning businesses should engage in sustainable practices such as recycling raw materials in the manufacturing process or reducing the number of harmful chemicals in the work environment. This will not only reduce operating costs, but also lead to reduced sick days and happier employees. All of this indicates that being eco-friendly is more cost-efficient, and may even lead to greater profitability by improving trust with customers, employees, and investors.
Individuals and families can certainly do their part by choosing green products such as naturally-sourced sprays or biodegradable green wipes, both of which can reduce health risks and environmental damage. However, the biggest impact will be made by businesses that deploy large-scale cleaning.
To meet this need, there are eco-friendly products that are specifically designed for use by large cleaning machinery. Aside from this, most cleaning businesses have become more sustainable in their entire chain of production. They do this by improving the performance of equipment to lessen their carbon footprint, participating in circular economies to reduce waste and extend the life cycle of products, and creating sustainable packaging for their products.
Methods and Technology for Disinfection
The last few years has made it increasingly important to fight disease-causing pathogens through sanitization and disinfection. However, there has also been the rise of antimicrobial-resistant “superbugs” brought on by the overuse of traditional chemicals, cleaners, and prescription antibiotics. Thankfully, there are alternative methods that can still kill these superbugs while avoiding the risk of developing antimicrobial resistance.
Ultraviolet-C disinfection works by destroying the molecular bonds that hold together the DNA of bacteria and viruses, making them unable to spread and replicate. Another method is steam cleaning which uses water and heat to effectively sanitize without detergents.
Other advancements in disinfection technology include electrostatic disinfectant sprayers which have better surface coverage than other traditional methods like wipes, mops, and trigger sprayers. It creates a small electrical charge onto its droplets, making them more easily adhere to hard and porous surfaces alike.
There are also antimicrobial coatings or surface protectants that add microscopic spiked structures onto any type of surface, including electronics. These spikes punch the cells of microbes even weeks after it dries up, which can reduce the spread of pathogens in between regular cleanings.
With the latest advancements in cleaning trends and technology, it is becoming much easier to maintain the health and safety of indoor spaces. Businesses and homeowners alike can make use of new technology, formulations, methods, and practices to save time, reduce costs, and help the environment.
