Top Cleaning Trends for the 2nd Half of 2015
The past couple decades have been quite a ride for facility managers and cleaning services around the world. We’ve seen major technological leaps, the implementation of new cleaning methods, economic highs followed by deep lows, but maybe what’s most important is how much we’ve learned. The cleaning industry is becoming smarter because its people are paying attention and adapting. This present moment is no exception, because when it comes to cleaning, we definitely live in interesting times.
Here are just a few trends to think about:
Construction is Booming
According to the Dodge Construction Outlook , we can expect to see an overall cleaning increase of about 15%. Institutional construction (schools, prisons, etc…) could increase by 9%, manufacturing construction by 16% and healthcare facilities will increase by 9% as well. These are significant numbers, especially considering that new facility managers typically require new cleaning equipment and supplies. The implication is that the future is looking bright for janitorial supply companies.
Green is Now the Norm
It wasn’t that long ago that green cleaning was a new concept. While many facility managers were eager to make environmentally sustainable choices, it was costly. Worse yet, it was perceived as being not as effective as conventional cleaning methods. That’s changing. Green seal certified detergents and environmentally preferred equipment are now widely available to help building owners and facility managers meet LEED green clean requirements. Since 1994, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications have helped guide those same people into making environmentally sustainable decisions. In fact, since it’s inception, LEED standards have been used on upwards of 7,000 projects in the U.S., along with 30 other countries, covering over 1.5 billion square feet.
According to many in the industry, green janitorial services are becoming the new norm.
The Market Seems to be Rebounding
The Great Recession was a tough time for most Americans, and much of the world for that matter. In August of 2008, we all watched in dismay as the market fell apart. Factories and facilities closed as jobs were outsourced, which meant that the amount of space that needed cleaning was outsourced along with it. Luckily, in 2010 things began to turn around to the point that, today, things are picking up dramatically.
The Great Recession was a tough time for most Americans, and much of the world for that matter. In August of 2008, we all watched in dismay as the market fell apart. Factories and facilities closed as jobs were outsourced, which meant that the amount of space that needed cleaning was outsourced along with it. Luckily, in 2010 things began to turn around to the point that, today, things are picking up dramatically.
The Economics of Ergonomics
Cleaning and maintenance staff are putting more into their work than just a little elbow grease. We can’t forget about back and knee grease, too. But, years of hard work combined with improper posture and/or lugging around cumbersome equipment can lead to lost revenue in the form of medical costs and sick days. This is why cleaning equipment manufacturers are focusing so intently on operator comfort. Not only does it increase productivity and help prevent injuries, it just plain feels better. This is why ergonomically correct equipment will be opening new doors for facility managers everywhere in coming years.
Of course, these four trends are only scratching the surface of what’s going on. Everyday, researchers are putting new innovations to the test, and eventually putting a lot of them on the job. At the very least, these trends are a small taste of what’s to come. As we stated before, when it comes to cleaning, we live in exciting times, indeed.
To find out how Clarke is helping cleaning technology to evolve, visit Clarkeus.com.
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