What is Industrial Cleaning? A Guide for Industrial Managers

KINGFISHER CLEAN BLOG

What is Industrial Cleaning? A Guide for Industrial Managers

An overview of what industrial cleaning services involve, why it’s important and how much it costs. Learn more about why industrial cleaning is so important for your site.

Published by Leonie Leeder on 4th July 2024

Learn more about our Industrial Cleaning Services

Keeping your site safe, compliant and productive

Industrial cleaning is an umbrella term that covers most specialised cleaning that is needed for manufacturing factories, power generation sites, heavy industry, warehouses, industrial yards and many other types of industrial facility. We say ‘specialised’ because it is very different from commercial cleaning, and it shouldn’t be treated as such. Industrial cleaning requires more training, better equipment, stronger chemicals and presents significantly more risks and hazards than, say, office cleaning. 

We often find that industrial cleaning can be overlooked on industrial sites. Often, professional cleaners are called in after an accident or a serious incident, such as a fire or a failed audit. But proactive factory cleaning is the key to reducing preventable accidents and increasing your site’s hygiene standards, so that you can stay compliant with the safety regulations of your industry. 

The importance of cleaning for factories, warehouses, power stations and other industrial sites cannot be overstated. It helps industrial facilities keep on top of dirt and grime that can build up quickly, both on machinery, floors, high-level infrastructure, tanks, furnace areas and more. Industrial cleaning directly contributes to workplace safety by eliminating potential hazards and reducing the risk of accidents. A hygienic workspace not only safeguards the health of employees but also enhances productivity. 

What’s more, regular cleaning preserves the longevity and functionality of equipment, reducing manufacturing downtime and repair costs. 

In essence, industrial cleaning is not just a cosmetic necessity but a strategic investment in creating a secure, healthy, and optimised working environment.

Each and every industrial cleaning job can be different, from the type of facility to the specific area of site in need of cleaning. Every job needs detailed planning, awareness of the site’s specific dangers and risks, bespoke equipment, rigorous training and thorough Risk Assessments and Method Statements. 

Types of Industrial cleaning tools and equipment can include: 

• Industrial strength degreasing chemicals and solvents
• High pressure jet washers
• Air compressors
• Industrial strength vacuums
• MEWPS (scissor lifts & cherry pickers) 
• Floor scrubbers
• Hazardous waste disposal kits
• Ladders & scaffolding
• Manual scrubbing tools 

Is industrial cleaning hard?

Don’t get us wrong, industrial cleaning can be grubby and dirty work. One day at work can see you covered in oil when cleaning machinery, or covered in residues from cleaning production and assembly lines. Most jobs are very active and exerting, and require a good level of physical fitness to complete safely. Of course, wearing PPE is an absolutely essential, therefore you may be required to work while laden with safety biohazard suits and air-fed respiration masks. 

Because most industrial cleaning jobs takes place in hazardous environments, it is important to be vigilant and responsible regarding Health and Safety and staying “in the present” while working on a job. Often, the large scale nature of industrial sites means that our teams have to remain tenacious and dedicated to seeing a large job through to a high standard but also in a competitive timeline. Safe to say, industrial cleaners need to adopt a specific mindset and dedicated attitude while on site.

At the same time, industrial cleaning can be a satisfying and highly rewarding job. You gain an insight into how many different industries operate, and no day is the same. You can get a real buzz from seeing factory machinery that is grotty, dirty and covered in residue, to becoming shiny and clean like new. Of course, it’s also a great job for those wanted to stay physically active at work, rather than sitting down all day at a desk job. 

Why do I need industrial cleaning?

In short, if you neglect your industrial cleaning regime, then your site will become increasingly unsafe, it will look awful, it will most likely fail any upcoming audits, it will put your employees at risk and it may well contaminate your products. All these have consequences that lead to wasted time and money, as well as a damaged reputation. 

Neglecting an adequate factory cleaning schedule can lead to:

Prioritising industrial cleaning is not just about compliance but about fostering a safe, efficient and productive work environment. It’s important for to recognise and address the often overlooked benefits of regular cleaning, so that industrial managers can ensure the long-term success for their industrial facility.