A Guide to Industrial Cleaning

Dec 19, 2022

Spaces are used most efficiently when they are clean. When it comes to industrial spaces like warehouses, keeping the area clean boosts productivity and keeps everyone on-site healthy and safe. Whether you are new to managing a warehouse or industrial property or a seasoned veteran, there are several considerations when planning your industrial cleaning procedures. 

Places to Clean

Before you buy or rent any cleaning equipment, you’ll want to identify which areas of your space you want to clean regularly. For instance, you’ll want to know the width of the aisles in your warehouse and be sure an industrial sweeper or scrubber can maneuver through. You may also consider using a sweeper or scrubber in your warehouse’s garage or loading dock space. 

Cleaning Frequency

After you have planned which areas of your space to clean, you’ll want to build a cleaning schedule. How frequently you clean is contingent on how you use your warehouse and what type of materials you handle. Generally, it is better to clean too frequently than not enough. Even if a particular warehouse area isn’t used often, going through the aisles and floor with a sweeper or scrubber is still essential to prevent dust and contaminants from building up. You should also check in with industry-specific guidelines or OSHA regulations to ensure your warehouse cleaning schedule aligns. 

Products to Use

Industrial sweepers and scrubbers will each have recommendations for cleaning solutions to load into the solution tank. However, you can look into the different types of solutions and match that with your cleaning needs. Degreaser solutions are standard, but some work better on concrete floors, others work better on epoxy floors, and some are suitable for any floor type. There are also solutions designed to remove tire marks and adhesives – this can be a game changer for cleaning your warehouse garage. 

Scrubbers vs. Sweepers

Should you use a sweeper or a scrubber ? This question is vital for each cleaning task and when buying or renting the equipment itself. Typically, a sweeper will be more suitable if you clear out bulky or wet debris. A scrubber is better for foot traffic dust, dirt, or floor/tire marks. Another critical consideration is whether you should use a “walk-behind” or a “ride-on.” Walk-behind sweepers and scrubbers are helpful for warehouses with narrow aisles and for keeping costs lower. A ride-on is the way for larger areas and more efficient cleaning times. 

Benefits of Regular Cleaning

Once you implement a regular cleaning schedule into your warehouse’s routine and are set up with the right equipment and products, you will see the benefit quickly. Aesthetically, your space will have cleaner floors and impress any visitors/vendors/etc. You will also be taking a step in keeping your in-house team safe since clean warehouse floors can help prevent accidents. Additionally, you will be extending the longevity of the warehouse itself by keeping it clean. 

Sustainability and Industrial Cleaning

As with any field, it is crucial to keep the environmental impact in mind when choosing products, equipment, and practices for industrial cleaning. Some manufacturers have cleaning solutions with lower pH values and less harsh chemical makeup available. You may also want to consider energy-efficient equipment or updating current equipment if you already have a sweeper or scrubber. Maintaining your equipment and updating your practices will help keep your warehouse green and clean. 

Training Your Employees

As with any new equipment, you’ll want to create a training guide or video for your employees operating sweepers or scrubbers. Employees should know how to use the machine, change out any attachments (waste trays, squeegees, side scrub brushes), drain out the dirty water, put in new solutions, and troubleshoot any potential mechanical issues with the machine. The equipment manufacturer should include general use and safety standards – you should augment these with your own training materials to keep your employees safe and knowledgeable. 

Get in Touch With Benco

Here at Benco Industrial Equipment, we understand the importance of industrial cleaning and are ready to help you buy, lease, fix, or refurbish your floor sweepers and scrubbers. We specialize in PowerBoss equipment, but we service all makes and models of industrial floor sweepers and scrubbers. Get in touch with us today!

Common Hazards in Your Warehouse (And How to Avoid Them)

08 Apr, 2024
Warehouses are the backbone of many industries, storing and distributing goods to keep the economy moving. However, behind the scenes of this logistical hub lurk various hazards that can pose severe risks to employees and property. Let's investigate some of the most common warehouse hazards and explore proactive mitigation strategies. Slips/Trips/Falls Slips, trips, and falls are among the most prevalent hazards in warehouse spaces. Spills, cluttered aisles, and uneven surfaces can easily lead to accidents if not adequately addressed. To prevent such incidents, warehouses should prioritize proper housekeeping, including regular cleaning and maintenance of floors. Additionally, using signage to highlight potential hazards and ensuring adequate lighting throughout the facility can significantly reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Fires Flammable materials and electrical equipment in warehouses make them susceptible to fires. Faulty wiring, improper storage of combustible materials, and lack of fire suppression systems can all contribute to the risk of fire outbreaks. Implementing preventive measures such as regular equipment maintenance, proper storage protocols for flammable materials, and employee training on fire safety procedures are crucial in mitigating this hazard. Harmful Substances Warehouses often house various chemicals and hazardous substances, which can pose risks to employees' health if not handled properly. Exposure to harmful substances can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other serious health problems. To mitigate this hazard, warehouses should properly store and label hazardous materials, provide employees with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), ensure adequate ventilation systems, and conduct regular training on safe handling procedures. Falling Objects With shelves stacked high with merchandise, falling objects present a significant hazard in warehouses. Poorly secured storage systems, improper stacking of items, and inadequate safety measures can all increase the risk of objects falling and causing injury. Warehouses can minimize this risk by adequately securing shelves and storage systems, using barriers or guardrails to prevent objects from falling, and conducting regular inspections of overhead storage areas. Overexertion The physical demands of warehouse work can lead to overexertion injuries if employees lack adequate training or don't perform tasks ergonomically. Lifting heavy objects, repetitive motions, and working in awkward positions can all contribute to overexertion injuries such as strains and sprains. To prevent such injuries, warehouses should provide comprehensive training on proper lifting techniques, encourage the use of mechanical aids such as forklifts and pallet jacks, and implement ergonomic workstations to reduce strain on employees' bodies.

Common Inventory Management Mistakes

08 Mar, 2024
Effective inventory management practices influence the success of each warehouse, the supply chain, and the business at large. Inventory management involves many moving parts and elements – everything from the product catalog to the warehouse space to tracked KPIs. Experienced warehouse managers know that no matter how fool-proof your inventory management systems are, there’s always room to improve and prepare for unexpected circumstances. Let’s discuss common inventory management mistakes (and what to do instead). Overstocking or Understocking One of the most prevalent inventory management mistakes is maintaining too much or too little inventory. Overstocking ties up valuable capital and warehouse space, leading to increased carrying costs and a higher risk of obsolescence. On the other hand, understocking can result in stockouts, backorders, and dissatisfied customers. Businesses should leverage historical sales data, market trends, and advanced forecasting techniques to accurately predict demand and optimize inventory levels. Inaccurate Demand Forecasting Businesses are prone to making costly inventory planning errors without precise demand forecasting. Relying on outdated data or flawed forecasting methods can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. By utilizing advanced analytics and predictive modeling, businesses can better anticipate shifts in demand, seasonal fluctuations, and emerging trends, allowing for more informed inventory decisions and improved responsiveness to customer needs. Lack of Inventory Visibility Poor visibility into inventory levels across multiple locations or channels can result in operational inefficiencies and errors. Without real-time data on stock levels and movement, businesses may struggle to fulfill orders on time, leading to customer dissatisfaction and lost sales. Implementing integrated inventory management systems that provide comprehensive visibility into inventory across the supply chain can help businesses optimize inventory allocation, reduce stockouts, and improve overall operational performance.

A Beginner’s Guide to Electric Forklifts

By Denis Benden • 08 Feb, 2024
Efficient material handling is crucial for businesses of all sizes and industries. It directly impacts productivity, cost-effectiveness, and overall operational success. Effective material handling ensures that goods are moved, stored, and transported in a streamlined and organized manner, minimizing delays, damages, and errors. Electric forklifts play a significant role in effective material handling, transforming the […] The post A Beginner’s Guide to Electric Forklifts appeared first on Benco Industrial Equipment.
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