February 14, 2023

How Technology is Revolutionizing Commercial Facility Cleaning

New technology is changing the way that commercial facilities are kept clean. There are now machines that are aiding operatives with cleaning duties, new tracking systems, providing facilities with valuable cleaning data, and air quality monitors and filtration units for cleaner environments.

This technology is helping facilities to save on time, money and resources, creating more efficient processes and providing outstanding cleaning results.

In this blog, we will provide examples of the new technology available in the industry today, how they work, and look at exactly how they are benefiting facilities.

Cobotics

The word ‘cobot’ is short for ‘collaborative robot’. They are machines that are designed to work alongside an operative and can be programmed with specific instructions to help with cleaning tasks.

Examples include:

Industrial automatic floor cleaning machines
Cobotic vacuum cleaners
Automated window cleaners
Commercial swimming pool cleaners
Robotic lawnmowers.

Cobots are making an impact in the industry. They are helping to reduce the amount of time spent on cleaning by tackling the time-consuming and repetitive jobs, like cleaning large areas of flooring.

This gives the operative extra time to take care of specialist cleaning, so that more is achieved in a shorter space of time. Savings on time and cost are achieved, and the level of hygiene is increased, keeping up with expectations following the pandemic

Data Driven Cleaning

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a technology that uses sensors to record data which is then sent to other devices or systems via the internet.

It is well established in our everyday lives and is now entering the cleaning industry to send real-time data to help track things like:

Consumption levels
Indoor air quality
Amount of dirt or debris present
Visitor traffic
Cleaning progress and machine performance

Facilities can now view accurate numerical data providing knowledge on the amount of traffic in certain areas, where dirt is present, and what areas require cleaning or not. Information like this empowers facilities and operatives to make decisions and work more efficiently.

Normally, facilities managers are constrained to making purchasing decisions based on price instead of performance data and KPIs. Now, with data-driven cleaning, facilities managers are able to make purchasing decisions based on ROI instead of merely cost.

Data driven cleaning allows managers to review their processes and improve them by cutting out unnecessary cleaning and focusing on areas that require attention, saving on resources and bringing down costs. Facilities that embrace this smart technology are combating challenges around staff shortages and low cost margins and are experiencing better cleaning results, and creating safer environments for visitors and staff.

Indoor Air Quality

Air quality is often overlooked in the cleaning process, but did you know that indoor air can be 5-10 times worse than outdoor air?

Harmful particles may be present indoors, such as PM 2.5, which is dust, that if it enters the lungs, can cause problems like asthma and allergies. Toxic materials like VOCs can be found in everyday objects and cause skin and respiratory irritation; and high levels of CO² can also affect wellbeing.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, indoor and outdoor air pollution is the most urgent environmental health crisis in the world. Particularly since the pandemic, people are more aware and concerned about the risk of transmission of viruses and airborne particles.

The industry has responded with machines that monitor and detect harmful particles, displaying information about the quality of the surrounding air. This also includes levels of humidity, which when out of balance, can lead to cold, flu symptoms and even toxic mold. Commercial air filters are also available and are being implemented in facilities to purify the air and reduce the levels of harmful particles, preventing the spread of disease,

This new technology that helps to monitor and purify the air quality is proving to be very beneficial for facilities by preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses, which reduces absenteeism and creates a safe and healthy environment.

In Conclusion

New technology is having a big impact on commercial facility cleaning. There are now machines, called cobots that work alongside operatives, taking care of time-consuming, repetitive tasks, allowing the operative more time to focus on detailed cleaning. This technology is helping facilities to save on time whilst also increasing the level of hygiene.

The Internet of Things has entered the industry with technology that sends data related to cleaning, to other devices or systems via the internet, providing real-time data on cleaning processes. This data-driven cleaning provides information on how facilities managers are making use of time and resources to clean their facility, so that they can adjust accordingly and streamline processes.

There is also now technology that monitors indoor air quality filtration units that remove harmful particles and purify the air. This is reducing the spread of virus and infection, reducing absenteeism in facilities and helping to creating a safe and healthy environment.

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