Four Cleaning Trends in 2023

Floor Cleaning Trends for the New Year

We just kicked off the new year and there are several industry cleaning trends that a put fine point on the need to evolve cleaning practices in 2023 and beyond. Businesses need to welcome employees back to the office by providing a healthy and safe environment. They also need to improve cleaning protocols amid persistent staffing shortages.

Increasingly, businesses are seeking eco-friendly cleaning solutions to take their environment, social and governance (ESG) initiatives to the next level. In addition, they also need to embrace the future that’s already here—autonomous floor scrubbers that brings insight, efficiency and greater productivity to the cleaning process.

Getting Ready for Return to Work

By most accounts, many businesses will require more in-office work in 2023. This puts building cleanliness and appearance in the spotlight. After several years of feeling healthier and safer working at home during the pandemic, employees and visitors want to feel confident that they are working in healthy buildings.

That means cleaning more frequently and more thoroughly to create environments that not only are clean—but look clean. Floor scrubbers that clean every area in a building—including small and occupied spaces—are becoming the go-to for businesses that prioritize clean. That’s why the emergence of the mechanized mop that cleans in tight spaces is displacing the antiquated mop and bucket approach to cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, narrow corridors, etc.

There are 3.3 million fewer workers participating in the U.S. workforce since 2020, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Facility managers at businesses are feeling the impact, having to improve cleaning protocols with fewer staff. Between wage inflation and worker shortage, it’s critical for cleaning teams to have the resources to the meet the Statement of Work and keep facilities clean.

The adage “do more with less” applies here. One remedy to staffing shortages is adopting advanced cleaning solutions that enable cleaning crews to complete their tasks more quickly and efficiently. Automation comes into play here too as way to free cleaning teams from more routine cleaning tasks—giving them more time for high-touch work that conveys a clean and healthy building.

ESG initiatives are now mainstream for companies of all sizes. According to NAVEX Global 2020 survey, 88% of publicly traded companies had ESG initiatives in place, followed by 79% of venture and private equity-backed companies and 67% of private companies. Three years later, those percentages have surely grown.

Maintaining healthy buildings and embracing green cleaning not only advances ESG programs, they can also help buildings earn LEED credits to demonstrate environmental progress. Cleaning more sustainably with our ec-H20 NanoClean® technology enables organizations to reduce water usage and chemical use in cleaning to drive ESG business initiatives.

Organizations will take a closer look at new robotic and AI solutions available to improve cleaning productivity and empower cleaning staff. Amid ongoing staffing shortage, robotic commercial floor cleaners enable cleaning teams to be more effective and productive in their day-to-day tasks.

Rather than replacing cleaning staff, robotic floor cleaners enable organizations to reallocated their limited number of employee to other high-value cleaning tasks. It also makes good business sense from a clean and hygienic perspective. Businesses can maintain their high standards of cleanliness while cleaning teams can be more productive and efficient in other areas.