In response to the evolving landscape of client expectations, the cleaning industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation, propelled by a surge in innovative technological solutions. Fuelled by the need for increased cost and time efficiency, the sector is adapting swiftly to cater to a sophisticated market. The paradigm shift induced by the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped traditional workspaces, making flexibility the norm and prioritising hygiene as a primary concern to prevent illness. In this dynamic environment, clients are seeking tailored, results-driven services, prompting a surge in the integration of cutting-edge cleaning technology.
This blog aims to delve into the current landscape of cleaning technology available in the market, unravelling the potential benefits these advancements can offer to your workplace.
What is the best cleaning technology?
In sync with the prevailing trends across various industries, new technologies like robots, automation, and smart applications are making a profound impact in the cleaning industry and transforming the way things are done. Whether your business is driven by the need to trim expenses, optimise operational processes, or adopt eco-friendly cleaning practices, join us as we explore the latest cleaning technology advancements. We’ll provide cleaning technology solutions to enhance your cleaning methods and meet the needs of a forward-looking and sustainable future.
Chemical-free cleaning
“Chemical-free cleaning” generally refers to utilising cleaning methods and products that steer clear of traditional chemical cleaners. This approach ensures that harmful chemicals don’t come into contact with people in the workplace, reducing the risk of allergies or skin irritations for those sensitive to harsh detergents. Beyond its immediate benefits, chemical-free cleaning is also environmentally friendly, preventing the introduction of chemicals into waterways. As businesses become more aware of on-site chemicals, they can improve compliance with safety standards.
In essence, chemical-free cleaning emerges as a safer and more sustainable choice. Thanks to advancements in cleaning technology, it now matches the reliability and efficiency of chemical detergents.
Businesses can seamlessly adopt chemical-free cleaning by incorporating practices such as steam-cleaning, using microfiber cloths, and employing bio-enzyme cleaners that harness natural enzymes to break down organic matter.
At Samsic, we proudly employ one of our best cleaning technology solutions, the Toucan Eco Active solution—a chemical-free disinfectant and cleaning agent. This eco-friendly solution, generated on-site and on-demand with minimal training, is derived from tap water and household salt. Electrolyzed to form hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite at a mild pH, Toucan is a cleaning technology that is 100% safe, non-toxic, and capable of eliminating up to 99.999% of allergens.
Utilised at client sites across the UK, including; Chiswick Park, Hertfordshire County Council, and Hurstpierpoint College, Toucan is inexpensive to produce, eliminates plastic containers and packaging, reduces chemical use, and can be used throughout the workplace.
High-performance, innovative floor cleaning
Innovative floor cleaning refers to the use of advanced technologies, methods, and products to clean floors more efficiently, effectively, and sustainably. Various cleaning technologies and methods can be used to achieve high results, including; robotics, green cleaning agents, steam cleaning, and UVC-C disinfection.
The difficulty in recycling and replacing flooring is directly responsible for the focus on innovative and high-performing floor cleaning. In all workplaces, clean and safe flooring is imperative for health and safety, and maintenance of flooring is a crucial element of cleaning services. Floor materials impact the environment equivalently to the production of 300 million plastic bottles (500ml), are high in chemical processing when created, and are nearly impossible to recycle when no longer fit for purpose.
Robotic floor cleaners, popularised in recent years with the Ice Mini Bot I, save time and labour, especially in large commercial spaces, as they use sensors and cameras to map the cleaning area and perform a sufficient clean without the use of human hands.
Green cleaning agents, such as Samsic’s Toucan Eco Active, reduce environmental impact, are safer for occupants, and ensure the business is compliant with sustainability goals.
Steam cleaning, similarly, eliminates the need for chemical usage, whereas UV-C disinfection involves exposing the floor surface to UV-C light, which kills viruses and offers enhanced disinfection.
At Samsic, we offer a range of effective and innovative modern cleaning technologies for efficient floor cleaning, including Samseal, a floor coating applied to your existing floor, that gives it a new life, a new look, and increased enhancements.
Samseal saves 100% in costs of periodic stripping and sealing along with 60% on replacement costs and has shown in tests that it is up to 17 times more abrasion-resistant than a standard vinyl floor. It’s suitable on almost every flooring surface in your business, including wooden and stone floors, and lasts up to 10 years until it can be recoated. As well as never needing to replace flooring, businesses can also benefit from huge cost reductions, as harsh chemicals and pads to clean will no longer be required. Samseal can be cleaned using tap water or Toucan, meaning no more stripping, sealing, polishing, or buffing.
AI sensor technology
Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with sensors is used throughout commercial cleaning to enhance the efficiency, monitoring, and management of cleaning processes. From robotic cleaners to smart waste management systems, AI sensor cleaning technology can be used throughout commercial cleaning processes to enhance the service for clients.
AI-driven enhancements within commercial cleaning include:
- Automated Cleaning with Co-botics: With sensors helping the cobot to manoeuvre around the business premises, it can conduct an automated clean, including hoovering and washing floors, which can assist with enabling consistent cleaning, increased efficiency, and operate in complex environments so that on-site cleaning operatives can conduct more demanding tasks.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Sensors used to collect data on factors like occupancy, foot traffic, and dirt levels enable managers to optimise cleaning schedules and allocate resources and maintenance activities. Easily deployed, Samtech’s end-to-end system leveraging sensor technology, which combines the world’s smallest IOT sensors with powerful AI to automate and optimise facilities and building management, enables us to create efficient, healthy, and sustainable buildings, whilst strengthening our compliance and our ability to re-deploy resources or reduce costs. With this process being completed by sensor technology, responsiveness to cleaning needs is faster, costs are reduced, and resources are more efficient.
- Predictive Maintenance: Smart cleaning equipment that is aware of when it will need maintenance or replacement helps to enable proactive maintenance, minimise downtime, and extends the lifespan of equipment.
- Smart Waste Management: Waste bins, equipped with sensors, monitor the fill level of bins and predict the optimal time for collection. This cleaning technology can be used to create a more sustainable approach to waste management and can encourage more impactful recycling and waste methodologies.
- Occupancy Monitoring: Sensors that detect occupancy and human presence can enable more efficient cleaning schedules and activities, as cleaning operatives need only target the areas that have been used and direct their efforts to the areas that need it most. Energy and resource efficiency are therefore improved, making the service of an active cleaning operative team much more efficient.
- Quality Assurance and Reporting: Using AI sensors to monitor the quality of cleaning services tracks and validates the completion of tasks. Reports and analytics can be generated from the data gained, enhancing accountability, transparency, and demonstrating compliancy.
Samsic utilises its own Samsic Sensor Technology to monitor the occupancy of our clients’ sites. Sensors are placed in high-traffic areas such as washrooms to monitor usage and allow cleaning teams to be deployed where they are needed the most. Data collected is used to help comprise reports and analytics for our client’s review.
48% of employees say the health of their workplace impacts their productivity, and by utilising AI-sensor cleaning technology, we are empowering our cleaning operatives to deliver a fast and efficient service that mirrors our client’s needs.
Air purifiers
Air purifiers improve indoor air quality by removing airborne pollutants such as dust, allergens, bacteria, and viruses. This modern cleaning technology is commonly used in commercial spaces to maintain clean and healthy air, especially in areas of crowding or high footfall. Air purification means that indoor inhabitants of any building will be safe from poor air quality.
Samsic’s Pure AIR system breaks down and destroys viruses, bacteria, odours, and VOCs, removing particulates. It kills up to 99.9% of mould, bacteria, viruses and indoor odours, removing 94% of contaminants from the air. Pure AIR, importantly, is an ‘active’ cleaning technology system, not just filtering the air but continuously treating it, creating confidence in the workplace following the COVID-19 pandemic.
With air purifier technology such as Pure AIR, the benefits include:
- Improved indoor air quality
- Reduced respiratory issues
- Enhanced hygiene
- Odour control
- Compliance with health standards
Spray and wipe coatings
Applied to surfaces using a spray application method, spray and wipe coatings provide a protective barrier on surfaces against contaminants as well as cleaning and disinfecting. Some formulations of spray and wipe coatings create a barrier that repels dirt, liquids and contaminants, whilst others can prepare surfaces for more extensive treatments by removing dirt from the surface.
Within Samsic, we utilise the antimicrobial surface coating Nordic Chem to protect surfaces. Nordic Chem is a long-lasting cleaning technology, which protects surfaces for up to 90 days, provides a ‘like-new’ finish, and even repels liquids, making it suitable for carpets and fabrics.
Spray and wipe coatings extend the life of furniture, flooring, and fittings, as well as offering enhanced cleanliness and protection from infections. Nordic Chem is one of our leading cleaning technology solutions, and clients report 20% labour savings due to the coating’s anti-stain and contaminate-resistant properties.
Sustainable cleaning
Climate change is becoming an increasing threat to our society, and as such, green cleaning is more important as businesses seek to reduce their environmental impact.
Sustainable cleaning technology typically focuses on minimising resource usage and promoting efficiency, and by utilising both green products and green technology, businesses can ensure they are doing their part in protecting the environment and reducing energy. Cleaning technology that helps to minimise resources and protect the environment includes water-saving technology, UV-C disinfection devices, and chemical-free equipment such as Toucan Eco Active and steam cleaning. Samsic utilises ICE equipment and Cobotics to help reduce water and chemical usage.
The integration of robotics, AI sensors, and air purifiers exemplifies a forward-thinking approach that goes beyond cleanliness, prioritising the wellbeing of the workplace and those within it. To provide clients with increased efficiency, sustainability, and the safety and wellbeing they require, the cleaning industry is committed to providing the latest technological enhancements to help satisfy requirements. Cleaning technology, as well as satisfying operational requirements, are now also helping to enhance sustainability on clients’ sites, with water-saving technology and chemical-free equipment more readily available.
At Samsic, our commitment to these principles is evident in our showcased technologies – Toucan Eco Active, Samseal, and Pure AIR. These innovations reflect our dedication to providing effective and eco-friendly solutions.
For businesses seeking to elevate their cleaning processes, we invite you to explore the dynamic and comprehensive landscape of modern cleaning technologies with Samsic. Contact us to discover how our expertise and cutting-edge solutions can make a meaningful difference in enhancing your workplace cleanliness and efficiency.
