Debunking 9 Industrial Cleaning Myths

Our team here at Kingfisher have been in the industrial cleaning industry for many years, and in that time we’ve experienced almost every situation you can imagine. We’ve also encountered many different attitudes to industrial cleaning, including misconceptions, misjudgements and underestimations. 

This blog will explore the 9 top myths we commonly see and hear around industrial cleaning, and why these are often misconstrued. 

Why do myths exist about industrial cleaning?

We find that misconceptions surrounding industrial cleaning often stem from a lack of awareness about what professional cleaning services actually involve. Many industrial managers have seen routine commercial cleaning work, e.g. bathroom or office cleaning, and assume that industrial cleaning is just a scaled up version of that. 

Others may have had a bad experience with a subpar cleaning service in the past, leading them to believe all professional cleaning companies are the same. Additionally, budget constraints often make decision-makers reluctant to invest in cleaning, especially when the long term benefits aren’t immediately visible. 

Understanding the realities of industrial cleaning can help debunk some of these common misjudgements and help see the service for what it is.

Myth 1 – “Our in-house team can handle it just fine”

While in-house teams are great for routine cleaning, they often lack the knowledge, training and equipment for more intense cleaning jobs – they’re trained to do their main job, after all. 

In-house teams will likely end up delivering a lower quality result than professional cleaners, and your productivity will likely also fall during this time as you’re pulling staff away from their main jobs. 

Professional industrial cleaning companies use high-powered equipment, specialised chemicals and proven techniques to ensure a thorough clean that exceeds what an internal team can achieve. We have worked on a few projects where our clients have already used their in-house team to clean an area, only to then employ a professional cleaner anyway because the standard wasn’t good enough. Of course, this is no fault of the in-house team; they are simply trained in their chosen job and therefore they’re not necessarily clued up on industrial cleaning know-how. 

Myth 2 – “We only need cleaning before an audit or inspection”

Waiting until an audit is around the corner to deep clean your facility is a risky approach. Regular cleaning helps maintain compliance year-round and prevents last-minute stress. It’s much better to keep your site at a high level of cleanliness at all times so that you’re never caught off guard. Not to mention, routine or scheduled deep cleaning is also often cheaper in the long run than trying to organise last-minute ditch attempts to bring your site up to standard.

A proactive cleaning schedule also reduces the likelihood of failing an inspection and dealing with the costly repercussions. 

Myth 3 – “Shutting down for cleaning is too expensive”

It’s well known by most in industry that production is king. As a result, downtime is often the bane of an industrial facility, especially if that downtime is unplanned or prolonged. 

Many industrial managers hesitate to schedule professional cleaning because they fear downtime, however, neglecting deep cleaning can have far greater repercussions in the long run. Dirty equipment runs inefficiently, contaminated machines or surfaces can lead to product defects, and avoidable safety hazards can lead to accidents. In any case, most reputable professional cleaning companies should be able to work around your production schedule to minimise disruption, allowing work to continue with minimal impact to yourselves. 

Myth 4 – “We don’t need industrial cleaning – we keep the place tidy”

Even the most organised and well-maintained factories accumulate grime, dust and residue in hard-to-reach areas. High ceilings, ventilation ducts and spaces behind machinery can often go unnoticed, but can absolutely harbour dust, grease, and debris. Over time, these hidden issues can cause equipment malfunctions, fire risks, and even health hazards for employees. Professional industrial cleaning will ensure that facility areas are cleaned thoroughly and will address any hidden problems.  

Myth 5 – “Industrial cleaning is a one time fix”

Some managers assume that one deep clean will be enough to maintain facility’s cleanliness for the long term. In reality, industrial environments require regular cleaning to keep operations running smoothly. Dust, grease and debris can build up again incredibly quickly depending on the type of facility. Without ongoing maintenance, problems can quickly resurface. Establishing a consistent cleaning schedule helps prevent major issues before they arise. 

Myth 6 – “Any cleaning company can handle industrial jobs“

Industrial environments can be incredibly dangerous places, and they require a high level of hazard awareness and recognition of personal safety. Some areas of industrial sites can be especially hazardous, for example furnace areas, industrial basements, and production machinery. 

Methods for cleaning industrial areas requires a much higher level of skill, safety awareness and hazard management than general commercial or domestic cleaning. An industrial cleaning company will also have years of experience in manufacturing facilities, factories, warehouses, and other industrial spaces. They will also have experience in cleaning complex machinery, managing large scale operations, and handling hazardous materials. 

Myth 7 – “Industrial cleaning is just a cosmetic or luxury concern”

Some managers see cleaning as just an aesthetic issue, making the site “look nice,” but in reality it’s much more than that. It’s about preventing machinery breakdowns, passing site inspections and audits, reducing safety hazards, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

Myth 8 – “Industrial cleaning is too expensive, we can just do spot cleaning”

While professional cleaning is an investment, it saves money in the long run by preventing major issues like machinery breakdowns, fire hazards, slip and fall incidents and production downtime. 

Spot cleaning might help in the short term but it won’t address deeper issues that can become more costly if left unaddressed. 

Myth 9 – “Industrial cleaning will create a logistical nightmare on site”

If you schedule an industrial cleaning project while production is running, a manager may be worried that the cleaning team will get in the way of their day-to-day operations and therefore create a logistical nightmare. 

A reputable industrial cleaning company, however, will work with their clients to create the best plan possible where the cleaning work doesn’t interrupt their day-to-day tasks, whether that be flexible hours, splitting the job into sections, or using methods that don’t involve contact with a certain area.