In the janitorial industry, there are many different kinds of cleaning.  We typically associate janitorial professionals with those who clean larger spaces from office buildings and medical facilities to community spaces such as schools, community centres, and libraries.  As you can see, janitors can provide a wide range of services and they will often specialize in one type of cleaning.  So, when it comes to industrial janitorial cleaning, you should expect cleaners to have specialized skills and knowledge.  So, what is industrial janitorial cleaning and what expertise do these professionals offer?

Industrial janitorial cleaners are those that have the skills and knowledge to manage hazardous cleaning tasks in industrial facilities.  This means, industrial cleaners work in factories, manufacturing plants, power plants, warehouses, and other large-scale facilities.  The duties of industrial janitorial cleaners are broad and not simply defined; but as you might expect when it comes to cleaning factories, energy plants, and other job sites, janitorial professionals must possess unique expertise.  These professionals are highly trained so that they can safely handle hazardous materials and work in areas where there is a high exposure to risk.

Moreover, industrial cleaners rely on specialized cleaning equipment and materials to effectively do their job.  From chemical cleaners and large cleaning machines, industrial janitorial cleaning services not only require site-specific knowledge and training, but also training to use industry-specific equipment and materials.  Even when it comes to cleaning industrial site offices, janitorial professionals rely on expert knowledge and skill to manage serious dirty work.  In the facilities, they must also face the task of cleaning in an environment that includes heavy machinery which may be operating at the time the janitors are working.  Materials such as paints, lubricants, fiberglass, and other toxic products pose added risk to industrial janitorial cleaning professionals.

While industrial cleaning takes place in a wide variety of settings and exposes janitorial professionals to unique and unpredictable risks, the cleaning tasks themselves might sound familiar.  Industrial janitorial cleaning professionals provide a range of cleaning services:

• Floors
• Kitchens and bathrooms
• Working surfaces
• Cubicles
• Meeting spaces
• Laboratories
• Locker/shower rooms
• Cafeterias
• Warehouse floors
• Loading zones
• Storage
• Industrial equipment
• HVAC systems

An industrial cleaning specialist will provide both light and heavy cleaning services.  For example, your industrial cleaner will remove recycling and waste, but they’ll also thoroughly clean equipment and other challenging areas.  Still, perhaps the primary distinguishing characteristic between industrial janitorial cleaning and other cleaning services is the fact that industrial professionals perform their cleaning duties under more challenging and sometimes hazardous conditions.  They must be well trained to assess and manage risk, and they must have the skills and knowledge to utilize safety equipment effectively to ensure not only proper cleaning but their own and others’ health and safety.