Introduction
Factories can become a breeding ground for dirt, grime and contaminants if not cleaned regularly. Regular factory cleaning for a clean factory environment is crucial for safety, production efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
CIE provides top-level contract cleaning services for factories in Europe and the UK. For your convenience, we have produced this guide that covers everything you need to know about factory cleaning. What factory cleaning is, the types of available services, standard factory cleaning procedure, deep cleaning process, and types of cleaning equipment.
We even provide a downloadable factory cleaning checklist for your reference. So let’s get started!
What is factory cleaning? Definition & types
Factory cleaning is an activity carried out to keep work areas, tools, and equipment in clean and good operational condition. While the role of factory cleaners sounds like a clear-cut title, depending on the size of your facility, they may need to service the following:
- Work area
- Offices
- Washrooms
- Meeting rooms
- Kitchens and eating areas
- Storage spaces
- Employee lounges
- Locker areas
- Outdoor space
Daily cleaning isn’t as detailed as weekly or monthly cleaning. For more thorough cleaning, specialist machines may need to be employed to get the right results.
It’s crucial for cleaning contractors to have a clear knowledge of the materials being used and surfaces being cleaned. If you have any questions, we are always happy to provide further information.
The standard factory cleaning procedure
What does the standard factory cleaning procedure include?
There are many areas that must be kept tidy in a factory, each with specific requirements to comply with. Let’s break down the factory cleaning process into ten major steps:
Step 1: Cleaning assessment
Before implementing the factory cleaning procedure, it’s important to have a detailed onsite assessment of your cleaning requirements and develop a cleaning plan that takes full account of them. This will ensure the safety of workers and preserve the assets of your business. Unprofessional cleaning services often overlook this step.
Step 2: Calculating the cleaning path
It’s advisable to plan your route in advance. This will help you to avoid doubling over areas that have already been cleaned and make it easier to gauge your progress.
Step 3: Preparing factory cleaning equipment
After developing a cleaning plan for each area, the necessary equipment should be prepared. This is arguably the most critical concern since the cleanliness of your floors will depend on the type of unit you select. There are numerous types of factory cleaning machines. Walk-behind models could be used for smaller dimensions and their ride-on counterparts are capable of addressing very large areas.
Step 4: The prep work
Before starting a factory cleaning, you need to be well prepared. This includes removing items that might hinder the cleaning process. Make the area to be cleaned free from boxes, pallets, and machinery. Also, ensure that no loose electrical cables are present.
Step 5: Preliminary cleaning
Before starting in-depth cleaning, it’s always recommended to remove significant spots of dirt. This will cut down the overall time required.
Step 6: Addressing high areas
Clean any high surfaces first. This approach can prevent having to clean the floors twice. Areas to clean include the heating or cooling ducts, upper windows, the top racks. etc.
Step 7: Floors
It’s essential to pay special attention to the floor and the areas underneath the racks. Start by using a large mop. Use a degreaser and clean the toughest stains. Use cleaning tools to sweep spider webs, clean lighting systems, etc.
Step 8: Cleaning around the factory
After removing the dirt from the workshop, use a wet rag to wipe the entire workshop clean, and then absorb the water with a dry cloth to quickly dry.
Step 9: Cleaning the equipment
Cleaning staff must have a good understanding of working procedures, to avoid damaging the company’s property. Be sure to follow the instructions and apply specialised chemicals for each type of equipment.
Step 10: Acceptance of work
It’s crucial to ensure the cleanliness and safety of every corner. Have everything including corners, floors, and ceilings been cleaned? Are there any stains left? At CIE we always like to get the job done right the first time. We quality check everything we do.
If you’re looking for factory cleaning services, we can develop a tailored cleaning plan that will not impact your factory production process. Our experts help businesses remain compliant with safety regulations and prepare for audits.
Factory deep cleaning
An effective sanitation program is key to controlling manufacturing safety issues and maintaining product shelf life. Cleaning types and frequency vary according to the complexity of a production process and equipment design. Regular cleaning must be done every 24 hours and less frequently, specialised cleaning procedures, such as deep cleaning, are required.
What is factory deep cleaning? Deep cleaning is an intensified cleaning procedure that involves the extensive disassembly of all equipment to get deep into cracks and pores that are difficult to reach during the daily sanitation process. This includes such equipment as freezers, fryers, cookers, steamers, slicers, chillers, packaging equipment, etc. Deep cleaning also includes items that are sometimes overlooked during normal sanitation, including electrical panels, motor covers, doors, cooling units, exhaust ducts, fans, lights, etc.
What types of tasks are undertaken during factory deep cleaning? Factory deep cleaning services usually include:
- Dust and debris removal
- Large scale floor cleaning
- Machinery cleaning
- Vent cleaning
- Factory gutter cleaning
- Internal & external structural cleaning
What methods are used during factory deep cleaning? Methods used are typically determined by the type of surface and location that have to be cleaned. These include the use of:
- Battery operated scrubber dryers
Industrial scrubber dryers are designed to clean every type of surface. They combine a floor sweeper, a floor scrubber, and a vacuum. This equipment features rotating brushes that work to remove dirt. Also, water and cleaning fluids are applied for deeper cleaning.
- Steam technology
Steam cleaning technology uses hot steam at high pressure. It’s often implemented in the healthcare and food industries, where sanitizing is of paramount importance.
- Dry ice technology
Dry ice cleaning is a technology that propels carbon dioxide particles (dry ice) in a pressurized stream at high speed, which is directed at a surface.
The implementation of deep cleaning will contribute to improved factory hygiene, as well as go a long way in protecting your brand. Keep in mind that it’s important to cover water-sensitive equipment and electrical components. However, these areas must also be cleaned using the appropriate chemicals.
Types of factory cleaning equipment
The first step to your cleaning regime is getting the right equipment. When you perform a deep cleaning of your factory, you’ll need to use specialized machines for every surface of your premises, including floors, walls, ceilings, mechanical equipment, air ducting, lights, furniture, windows, etc. The equipment you’ll need will depend on the setup of your factory.
Many of the materials used in factories make it difficult to clean them with the tools you would use at home. Let’s discuss the main types of factory cleaning equipment available today.
- Pressure washers & steam cleaners
To effectively handle difficult-to-clean places, pressure washers are often required. Heavy-duty machines can be used in areas where there is no direct access to a water supply. This type of equipment blasts a powerful jet of hot or cold water onto an area and effectively dislodges grim. Also, cleaning fluid could be added.
- Dry steam cleaners
Dry steam cleaners can offer deep cleaning even without the need for chemicals. It’s more eco-friendly than chemical-based cleaning. Hot steam dries quickly, so it doesn’t create the danger of slippage.
- Vacuum cleaners
Vacuum cleaners pull up dirt from the floor and other surfaces. They could be modified to suit certain types of floors. Factory vacuum cleaners are more powerful than models for personal use.
- Carpet and upholstery cleaners
These machines spray solution into the carpet or fabric and agitate it into the pile. The dirt is absorbed into the solution, which is then vacuumed up by the extractor.
- Floor sweepers
Floor sweepers work by spinning a cyclical system of brushes against a surface to scrub off dirt. They come in a range of sizes and can be ride-on or push-along. Sweepers do not use water – they rely on the pressure that is applied by the brushes.
- Floor scrubber dryers
Floor scrubber dryers use water and cleaning fluids, as well as rotating brushes. When dirt is removed, squeegees put pressure on the floor to dry it quickly. Portable scrubbers can also be used for walls and other surfaces.
- Rotary floor buffers and polishers
Such equipment is ideal for scrubbing and polishing hard floors. Rotary floor buffers and polishers tend to be smaller, more nimble machines.
- Fogging machines
Fogging machines can be used with disinfecting chemicals to effectively clean all types of surfaces.
Other types of cleaning equipment include outdoor cleaning machines, road sweepers, pure water cleaning systems, and much more. We are happy to advise on different types of equipment for factory cleaning – give us a call to find out what is best for you.
Factory cleaning checklist
Certain sections of a factory need to be cleaned daily while others will require periodic cleanup. Here is a sample factory cleaning checklist that can ensure that no spots were accidentally missed.
The cleaning requirements for a factory differ according to what it is producing but there are still some general principles that remain consistent in most cases.
| Administrative Areas | |
| Offices | Office cleaning should include dusting and wiping down furniture, tidying up the desks and shelves, cleaning office equipment, sweeping or vacuuming office floors, and emptying the trash. |
| Reception area | Cleaning tasks include wiping down furniture and sanitizing touchpoints such as door handles. Shelves and cabinets should be dusted, floors should be swept or vacuumed, and trash cans should be emptied. |
| Restrooms | Restrooms within factories are frequently used and need proper cleaning. It must be done at different intervals during the day to keep toilets usable. Tasks include scrubbing the toilets & urinals as well as sanitizing them, mopping the floor, and disinfecting all touchpoints such as doorknobs, countertops, and tap heads. |
| Kitchen area | A kitchen can be one of the messiest areas. Sinks, countertops, and cabinets should be wiped clean. It’s important to pay attention to washing dirty dishes and cleaning appliances. |
| Production Areas | |
| Floor | For cleaning large expanses of factory flooring, water jet or hydro jet technology could be used. This includes water sprayed at high pressures to clean hard surfaces, making it not only energy-efficient but also cost-effective. |
| Machinery | The machinery should be well cleaned which may require specialised knowledge of how it works. It’s important to follow manufacturers’ recommendations, which might include using approved products and equipment. |
| Tanks | Factories usually have large tanks that need to be regularly cleaned of any grime that may form on the sides. Specialised equipment will need to be used to safely clean their interior and exterior parts. |
Why factory cleaning is so important
While making sure your factory is always tidy requires effort and planning, it will pay itself back several times over.
- Comply with health and safety regulations
Factories are subject to a variety of regulations. To comply with current health and safety laws, as well as provide employees with a productive working environment, it’s important to implement a regular cleaning routine. It’ll help to avoid costly and potentially reputation-ruining repercussions, such as fines and court cases.
- Increase productivity
Dirt directly affects the health and productivity of workers. If your employees know that you dedicate company resources to making sure their working environment is safe, they are more likely to take pride in their work. Regular cleaning will lead to increased productivity, so you can keep costs low and morale high.
- Protect the equipment
Dirty machines wear much faster than equipment that’s regularly cleaned. Systematic cleaning will save a lot of repair and replacement costs.
- Keep production line running effectively
Regular cleaning can help to eliminate the risk of malfunctions and allow your production to continue smoothly. Also, keeping your working environment organized will make it easy for your employees to find everything they need.
- Strengthen the reputation of your brand
Maintaining hygiene not only helps the business to meet the standards but also reinforces the reputation of your brand. By employing proper factory cleaning practices, you can benefit your customers and continue to operate as a trusted business. On the other hand, messy premises send out a bad message to any visitors to the site.
CIE provides exceptional contract cleaning services for factories. We operate from local offices throughout the UK and across Europe. Outside of Europe, the easiest way to find factory cleaning services in your area is by using a search engine and typing in “factory cleaning services”. This will bring up all available options so you could select the company that meets your needs.
Professional factory cleaning services provided by CIE
As a professional factory cleaning contractor, we manage the cleanliness of facilities of all sizes in a variety of industries. Our contract factory cleaning services in Europe and the UK include:
- Emergency, one-off, and periodic cleans
- HVAC cleaning
- Oil and grease cleaning
- Chemical spill cleaning
- Machine, part & assembly line cleaning
- Floor care
- Staff washrooms and welfare facilities cleaning
- Kitchen area cleaning
- Window/skylight high-level cleaning
- External surface cleaning
Before CIE begins working in a facility, we create a factory cleaning plan, including the best way to manage each space. Our experts are extremely careful around clients’ equipment.
Ask an Expert
We would love to answer any questions you may have. For more information on factory cleaning services, call us on +44 330 133 2420 or if you have a question for our experts send it in below for a quick response.
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