What should be in your janitorial cupboard to make cleaning easier?

Whether you use a contracted cleaning company, employ your own cleaners or your staff pitch in to keep the office clean you will no doubt have a janitorial cupboard somewhere on the premises. As wholesalers of commercial cleaning products, we have an understanding of what should and shouldn’t be in a janitorial cupboard so if you have questions, allow us to answer them. The main question we are regularly asked by customers is how do they go about choosing industrial cleaning supplies? Well before we answer that, allow us to step back and firstly address what industrial cleaning products are and how they are beneficial to you.

What are industrial cleaning products?

So, a lot of customers will ask the question what is the difference between domestic and commercial cleaning products? The short version is normally the cleaning power of the solution. By this we mean that commercial products are manufactured with commercial cleaning requirements in mind and with the ability to cut through and remove larger levels of germs and dirt built up due to a larger footfall of people.

Not only are commercial cleaners designed to deal with greater levels of bacteria, but they are also designed to deal with larger surface areas too, hence why they are normally formulated and distributed in the form of a concentrate. A concentrated range allows the solution to go further than standard domestic RTUs, it also means that should a stronger dilation be required, this can be adopted for stubborn stains and areas prone to heavy dirt build up.

Additionally, commercial cleaners typically come with extra accreditations to certify they are safe to use, what they kill along with clear and concise instructions for use. Also, due to the larger market which the products are being designed for some commercial products are much more specialised offering users a much better value for money.

What are the benefits of industrial cleaning products?

As mentioned, a key benefit with industrial cleaning chemicals is they are designed to clean much more efficiently than domestic RTU options. Having the right cleaning solution can drastically cut down on the amount of time needed to spend on cleaning, this allows staff to more efficiently clean premises and venues without running over time.

Another key advantage of using professional cleaning products is the durability of equipment such as mops, trolleys, cloths, hoovers and other such items. Buying commercial janitorial equipment from trusted industry suppliers has a few benefits such as:

The items usually come with some sort of warranty or guarantee
Being made for industrial cleaning, the products are made for the task and won’t break under the stress of professional cleaning
Buying from wholesalers or manufacturers can be cheaper in the long term, especially when price lists and multiple products are set up for purchase.

How to choose industrial cleaning supplies?

So, after reading this you may be looking around your office, restaurant, hotel, school, or other premises and thinking you may need to invest in some commercial cleaning supplies, but how do I go about choosing products?

It is difficult to know where to begin when it comes to purchasing industrial cleaning products, especially where cleaning chemicals are concerned. We at Alliance Online would always recommend that if you are trying to choose what would best suit your cleaning requirements, keep the following factors in mind.

What are you cleaning?

Whether it is floors, worktops, glass, kitchens, washrooms or anywhere else, know your target areas before you begin buying cleaning products. We would recommend writing a list of places which need cleaning and with it make a note of how often it should be cleaned, this initial rudimentary list can be used as the foundation for your business cleaning schedule.

Some cleaners are labelled as multi-surface cleaners and can be great for areas such as restaurants tables, bar worktops and other such places where a specialised cleaning type isn’t necessary (just check the cleaner is safe to use in areas where food is being prepared and served).

Always ensure your kitchen cleaning products are for the purpose of cleaning kitchen surfaces and equipment. Kitchens should always maintain the highest of cleaning standards so ensuring you are using a product which is specifically formulated for this area is paramount.

How strong a cleaner is needed?

When considering the strength requirements of your cleaning chemicals it will depend upon the surface being cleaned and the frequency it is used. Kitchens and washrooms for example need powerful cleaners in order to achieve a hygienic and safe environment in accordance with UK hygiene standards. For areas which are more communal such as bar areas, offices, sitting area and the like require less harsh cleaning chemicals so the smell doesn’t overpower those who frequent the spaces.

We would always suggest that anyone using industrial chemicals should thoroughly read the instructions and recommended dilution volumes. If not formulated correctly chemicals can strip, stain or bleach surfaces permanently leading to expensive costs to fix.

Environmental Impact

Cleaning chemicals can have huge negative impacts if they get introduced to the local ecosystems surrounding the areas / buildings being cleaned. The effects can range from killing local plant and wildlife, preventing future life taking hold, damaging soil health and destroying water ecology.

As such, chemicals should be stored and used correctly at all times. As a supplier to businesses, we always look to offer and inform customers of eco-alternatives which are available to them. We have a variety of green cleaning solutions which have been formulated with the environment in mind. Some of the brands we stock include InnuScience, Bio-D, ChemEco, SURE by Diversey and more.

Health Implications

Naturally, when looking to use industrial cleaning chemicals research should always be carried out into the effects the chemicals can have on those using them. Always read instructions of use and check if any necessary personal protective equipment is required when using.

What should be on your janitorial cleaning checklist?

So, this leads to the question of what exactly should be on your janitorial cleaning checklist for your business?

Before we begin, allow us to make the following caveats:

If you hire third party cleaners who bring their own equipment, then obviously your janitorial requirements will be less than the following list.

Now, to start there are staples which all businesses should have in stock to aid with cleaning tasks:

Moving on to cleaning chemicals, we would always recommend having the following in stock:

A general multi-surface cleaner
An antibacterial cleaner / disinfectant
A washroom cleaner (for areas with showers ensure it either has descaling properties or buy a descaler too)
A kitchen cleaner (for premises with commercial kitchens then including specific cleaners such as oven cleaners, degreaser, drain cleaners and dishwash cleaners)
A floor cleaner
A glass cleaner
Bleach

Finally, a few other items we’d recommend for businesses with larger areas to keep clean:

So, when looking to overhaul or restock your current janitorial cupboard make sure you have all the essentials required to keep your company clean and tidy.

Where can I buy office cleaning supplies for offices?

At Alliance Online we sell a wide range of cleaning equipment from top industry manufacturers and have been doing so for over 23 years. Our experience and understanding of what products are needed for various cleaning related tasks means our offering caters for all eventualities. For more information on the products, we sell either follow the link, email us on hello@allianceonline.co.uk or call us on 01270 252 333 and see how we can help you.