Maximizing Your Cleaning Budgets in a Landscape of Staffing Shortages and Price Increases
Talking with facility managers daily, we understand the significant challenges the cleaning industry is facing and the burden facility managers face to do more, often with less, when managing their cleaning budgets. Finding and retaining skilled cleaning staff has become increasingly difficult, leaving existing employees to shoulder heavier workloads which can lead to employee burnout. At the same time, rising costs driven by inflation and competitive wages stretch budgets further. Adding to these pressures, the demand for spotless, hygienic environments has continued post-COVID.
With fewer hands available, escalating costs, and a heightened focus on hygiene, we work with facility managers to adopt effective strategies to maintain high standards of cleanliness while improving productivity. One strategy that we’ve seen proven to work is investing in innovative cleaning tools that enable faster, more efficient cleaning without compromising quality.
Maximizing Efficiency with Limited Staff
For facility managers managing the same workload while short-staffed, productivity is key to the cleaning teams, especially those already stretched too thin. Addressing ways to increase productivity so that they can accomplish more in less time will allow them to cover more ground effectively.
Take for example high access cleaning. Ergonomic telescopic poles that attach to accessories such as dusters and bulb changers can save cleaning staff time by enabling them to access high or hard-to-reach areas without setting up ladders or moving furniture. Properly and safely setting up a tall ladder for each cleaning position in a room can take up to 5 minutes, while configuring a telescopic pole typically takes less than 20 seconds. For a standard 20 foot high room with four corners, cleaned weekly, this efficiency could save you at least 16 hours a year in cleaning!
Similarly, multipurpose tools streamline cleaning tasks by eliminating the need for multiple pieces of equipment. The Unger Stingray, for example, allows workers to clean windows, glass, and tabletops with a single tool, while the VisaVersa combines a squeegee and washer in one, increasing the efficiency of window cleaning.
Reducing Unnecessary and/or Wasted Cleaning Time with Floors
Reducing unnecessary or wasted cleaning time is all about working smarter, not harder. Let’s look at floor cleaning for example, one of the biggest wastes of cleaning time is the process of changing the cleaning solution in mop buckets. If you use a single chamber bucket, you should change the solution when it becomes dirty, which is typically after cleaning 100 sq ft. The time it takes to walk to the nearest faucet, empty the bucket, refill the bucket, and charge it requires at least 3 minutes. Changing cleaning solution in single-chamber mop buckets is time intensive, requiring up to 30 minutes per 1,000 square feet. Over the course of the year, this equates to over 180 hours spent on changing out cleaning solution per year, cleaning daily, per 1,000 square feet.
Alternatively, dual-chamber buckets streamline this process by separating clean and dirty water, saving significant time while improving results by ensuring the use of clean solution with every mop stroke. Paired with microfiber mops—which use less water, dry faster, and reduce rework—these tools deliver cleaner floors in less time, boosting efficiency and cutting labor costs.
Focusing on Durability and Total Cost of Ownership
When investing in your cleaning tools, choosing long-term durability over upfront costs can save money in the long run. While less expensive tools may seem budget-friendly initially, they often require frequent replacements, leading to higher overall expenses and added downtime. On the other hand, more durable tools – those made with high-quality materials and superior craftsmanship – are built to withstand regular use, reducing replacement costs and freeing up budget for other priorities.
One example of durability over initial cost is the microfiber mop. Microfiber mops can cost up to three times more than a cotton mop head. However, they also last longer, standing up to more frequent washings (some up to 500) and maintain their effectiveness longer. So, whereas the initial price may seem like a significant investment, microfiber’s durability and effectiveness produce an ROI (return on investment) within the first 150 washings.
Factoring in Sustainability in Budget Maximization
Products that use less water, chemical cleaning solutions, and energy help reduce operational expenses while minimizing environmental impact. Over time, adopting sustainable practices has the added benefit of boosting public perception and aligning facility cleaning with corporate responsibility goals.
For example, pure water window cleaning systems eliminate the need for harsh cleaning chemicals by using RO (reverse osmosis) and DI (deionization) technology to purify tap water. Using a water-fed pole and brush system, pure water acts as a natural detergent and the runoff from the cleaning process doesn’t harm the plants or grass growing at the base of the building. Pure water technology also provides a superior streak-free result.
Pure water window cleaning systems simplify the process of outdoor window cleaning, increase worker safety to help minimize workman’s comp, and eliminate the need for costly lifts and scaffolding. Also, since pure water creates a clean, residue-free glass surface, you can extend the time between cleanings—saving time and money.
Prioritizing Cleaning Tools with High ROI
Investing in smarter, more efficient tools addresses the pressures of limited staff and tight budgets and ensures superior cleaning results that meet today’s high standards. Durable, high-quality equipment reduces unnecessary replacement costs, while advanced tools like ergonomic telescopic poles and dual-chamber mop buckets save time and increase productivity. Additionally, integrating sustainable practices, such as pure water cleaning systems, helps reduce environmental impact while delivering long-term cost savings.
With the right tools and techniques, it’s possible to meet modern cleaning demands while maintaining budgetary balance and supporting the well-being of both staff and occupants.