From warehouses and manufacturing plants to distribution centers and power stations, industrial facilities require more than a handheld vacuum and mop sticks to stay clean. Grease, dust, chemical residue, and grime are commonplace.
Whether you're managing or overseeing a large site, these industrial cleaning tips will help you maintain a safer, more efficient, and fully compliant facility. We'll also explain why working with a professional industrial cleaning company means less costly mistakes and boosted long-term performance.
1. Start With a Site Assessment
Before grabbing any gear, start with a full walkthrough of your facility. Evaluate:
- High-traffic zones
- Oil or grime-building machinery
- Chemical storage areas
- Ventilation systems
- Floor conditions and slip risks
Identify hazards and neglected areas needing more than daily cleaning. A good industrial cleaning service will always consider a site-specific plan first, not a generic checklist.
Real Example: During a cleaning audit, a packaging plant in Georgia saved a whopping $20,000 annually in equipment downtime after identifying dust-clogged venting in their conveyor line.
2. Choose the Right Cleaning Agents for the Job
All-purpose cleaners don't do enough to clean grease and other heavy machinery residue.
Choose specific cleaning products specifically rated for:
- Grease/oil removal
- Chemical neutralization
- Industrial sanitation standards
- Non-corrosive applications for sensitive surfaces
You can't use the same cleaner for all surfaces. Many industrial cleaning services use specialized, eco-friendly solutions that are OSHA and EPA compliant, ensuring safety.
3. Use Industrial-Grade Equipment
Large surfaces or stubborn grime demand the following:
- Floor scrubbers featuring heavy-duty pads
- Wet/dry vacuums for spill recovery
- Pressure washers for outdoor spaces or loading docks
- HEPA-filtered vacuums for dust
- Degreasing steam machines
If you’re outsourcing, the provider you choose must use professional-grade tools as part of their standard operating procedure.
4. Clean Floors More Often Than You Think
Industrial floors and environments carry massive safety risks. Spilled liquids and loose debris often lead to slip-and-fall incidents and expensive workers' comp claims.
Make floor cleaning part of your daily or even per-shift routine to cover high-traffic areas or heavy machinery. Reach tight corners, under racks, and edges where debris collects.
Short of manpower? Hire a reliable industrial cleaning service for proper floor maintenance and modern cleaning solutions.
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5. Create a Cleaning Schedule Based on Zone Usage
Different areas, different cleaning frequency.
Use a color-coded/zone-based cleaning chart:
- Red zones: Hazardous areas (daily deep cleaning)
- Yellow zones: Production lines and packaging zones (daily/per shift)
- Green zones: Storage or low-use spaces (weekly/bi-weekly)
This chart ensures the dirtiest zones stay under control. Clearly document and review often.
6. Don't Skip Vertical Surfaces and Overhead Areas
Dust, cobwebs, and oil mist fall down and float up. Over time, beams, light fixtures, air ducts, and piping can accumulate dirt, eventually falling back into the workspace.
Long-handled dusters or lift-access tools clean:
- Structural supports
- HVAC vents
- Ceiling tiles
- Lights
- Conveyor belts or high shelves
Regular attention to overhead cleaning complies with OSHA regulations, showing inspectors and auditors that your facility cares about every space.
7. Keep Machinery and Equipment Free of Grime
Dirty equipment looks bad and doesn't function effectively.
Your cleaning should:
- Clean/wipe control panels and buttons
- Degrease machine exteriors
- Immediately remove sawdust, metal shavings, or plastic fragments/debris
- Check possible grime buildup around ventilation fans
In a Georgia-based injection molding plant, an industrial building cleaning plan featuring regular equipment cleaning helped extend the lifespan of their extruders by 3+ years.
8. Focus on Employee Touchpoints
Workstations, breakrooms, restrooms, and locker areas all deserve to be regularly cleaned and maintained to ensure a positive and healthy work environment. These high-traffic areas play a key role in employee satisfaction and productivity.
Clean and disinfect:
- Door handles and light switches
- Clocks and punch-in stations
- Shared tools and radios/comms
- Cafeteria tables and vending machines
- Locker handles and sinks
These areas are key for employee morale and productivity.
9. Train Staff on Cleaning Protocols
Provide your team with:
- Training on safe chemicals and equipment use
- PPE guidelines
- Instructions on the correct disposal of cleaning waste
- Emergency spill cleanup procedures
- Clear reporting chains for hazards
Training is particularly critical when you mix in-house cleaning with outsourced providers, keeping everyone on the same page.
10. Know When to Call the Pros
Due to hazards, size, and scope of some cleaning tasks, they're best left to trained professionals. A certified company has the experience, insurance, and equipment to handle:
- Biohazard cleanup
- Spill situations
- High-ceiling and confined spaces
- Deep cleaning after renovations/shutdowns
- Air duct cleaning
A manufacturing client in Atlanta recently hired our team of professionals to help handle a chemical residue spill. The team restored operations safely and also updated the facility’s entire emergency cleanup plan, effectively reducing future risk.
Final Word: Don’t Let Cleanliness Fall Behind
Industrial cleaning directly affects safety, compliance, and productivity. Regardless of the type of facility you manage, these tips will help you maintain clean, safe, and inspection-ready spaces.
Looking for expert support? Georgia Facility Services provides professional industrial cleaning services tailored to your exact needs, handling daily maintenance, post-construction cleanup, and more!