In the not-so-distant past, we all thought that cleaning better was a matter of using more water, more detergents, more time, more energy, etc. But we are learning that sometimes less is more, especially in an era where sustainability goals matter.

According to the 2021 Report on Facility Executives’ Contractor Expectations, 58% of facility executives said they have sustainability goals at their facility. Yet only 28% reported having considered talking to their building service contractor (BSC) about helping to meet those goals. This represents a big opportunity for cleaning contractors as well as in-house cleaning crews to partner with management on reaching sustainability targets.

 Source: 2021 Report on Facility Executives’ Contractor Expectations, Results of a Joint Study Conducted By Contracting Profits Magazine and BSCAI

In fact, cleaning more sustainably can not only differentiate you in the industry, but also can save you money by reducing some operating costs.

But there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to increasing sustainability. Consider many possible products, practices, and technologies, and choose the ones that best fit your cleaning program and end goals.

Sustainable Products and Practices

According to a recent survey, 50% of business service contractors (BSCs) report that at least half of their cleaning products are considered green.

Source: 2021 Report On The Building Service Contractor Market, Results of a Joint Study Conducted By Contracting Profits Magazine and BSCAI

Using at least some green cleaning products is a good place to start building credibility as a “green cleaner.”

Then, when it is time to buy new cleaning equipment, consider models with advanced technology and features that, in general, will help you save:

• Time/labor
• Water
• Detergents
• Energy

Today’s machines can do more with less, so use that to your advantage.

Specifically, here are some of the exciting new technological developments to watch for:

• Quiet mode, to reduce noise pollution
• Effortless switching between water-only and detergent modes, to maximize cleaning results
• Automatically adjusting flow rate, to reduce the amount of water and chemicals needed
• UV light to kill microorganisms, allowing floor scrubbers to use significantly less detergent and chemicals for disinfection
• High-efficiency boilers in high-pressure washers to reduce energy consumption.

Just as you calculate total cost of ownership when making a major purchase, you also can document the factors that improve the environmental footprint of your cleaning program. Establish a “sustainability benchmark,” and monitor improvement over time, including cost savings and increased earnings. Your “sustainability score” can be a point of pride when marketing your services.

Remember the Basics

With so many smart technologies available, it’s important to remember that many of your tried-and-true best practices also contribute to sustainability.

• Buy high-quality equipment from a reputable dealer.
  • Quality equipment can be fixed/refurbished to extend the life of the equipment.
  • Equipment won’t have to be replaced as often.
• Ensure your equipment manufacturer has an extensive service network and service plans that fit your needs and budget.
• Look for ways to promote efficiency, which saves not only time, but also all of the resources used in cleaning. Equipment features that increase efficiency are a great way to get the most out of every hour:
  • Autonomous equipment that can clean large hard floors with minimal supervision, allowing cleaning staff to focus on high-touch areas
  • Intuitive programming
  • Easy operation
  • Ability to change cleaning functions at the touch of a button without stopping the machine
  • Multiple functions, e.g., scrub and dry floors in a single pass
  • Battery-operated options (such as machines that use thin plate pure lead [TTPL] batteries or lithium ion [Li-ion]) batteries that can clean for hours on a single charge
  • Text messaging when it is time for your robotic scrubber to move on to the next task
  • Trackable performance data.

Clean is changing, giving you more opportunities than ever before to contribute to a more sustainable world. And as facilities everywhere increase their sustainability goals, you can help them meet the challenge with a cleaning program that is truly going green.

Connect with Nilfisk for all your cleaning needs and read about Nilfisk’s own Corporate Social Responsibility Plan.