Every company needs a plan for cleaning and maintenance. This is a big part of the overall cost of running a business. If you want to lower your operating costs, making changes to your cleaning expenses can be a great way to do it.
In the past, the goal was to buy cleaning products at the lowest price. But this approach doesn’t help save money in the long run. A better strategy is to think about the big picture—considering the cost of cleaning supplies, the equipment you use, and the labor involved.
Businesses often opt for cheaper, ready-to-use cleaning products, thinking they’re saving money. But this isn’t always the case in the long run.
Super-concentrated, dilutable cleaning products are the better option. These products might look more expensive at first, but let’s compare the actual costs.
Consider a $75 gallon-sized bottle of super-concentrated cleaner and a $20 gallon of regular cleaner. Here’s how it breaks down:
The $75 super-concentrated cleaner can make 128 gallons of cleaning solution. That’s because you can mix 1 ounce of cleaner with 128 ounces (or 1 gallon) of water.
To get the same amount with the $20 cleaner, you would have to buy 128 separate bottles. That’s a total of $2,560, compared to just $75 for the super-concentrated cleaner. Plus, since super-concentrated cleaners weigh less (they’re not diluted with water), you’ll save money on shipping costs too.
Switching to super-concentrated products can also help your company go green. These products create less waste and require less fuel to ship, which reduces your environmental footprint.
Some, like our TerraGreen® line of cleaners, even offer a LEED certification advantage, meaning they meet high environmental performance standards.
By using environmentally friendly products, you could qualify for tax incentives or credits, improve your company’s reputation, and support global sustainability efforts.
The second key to saving money is the equipment you use. High-quality cleaning products can help extend the life and efficiency of your cleaning equipment, scrubbers and floor care machines.
Better cleaning products can reduce the amount of time you use heavy-duty equipment, like auto scrubbers. Less usage means less wear and tear, and a longer lifespan for expensive equipment. You’ll spend less on fixing or replacing your equipment.
Think about it this way: If you can extend the life of your machines, you can save a lot of money.
Take floor scrubbers, which can cost between $20,000 and $80,000+ for new equipment.
If you can extend the life of these machines by just 10 or 20 percent, that’s a significant cost saving. Also, by waiting to replace your current machines, you can take advantage of falling prices as technology improves.
The last part of cutting down your cleaning costs is about labor. This is often the biggest part of cleaning expenses, taking up about 90% of the total cost.
Labor cost shows how important it is to have efficient workers and contractors. If you can make your workforce more efficient, you can save a lot of money.
Using better cleaning products can help with this. If your cleaners work better, your workers can finish their jobs more quickly and with less repeated work. This lets them move on to the next job faster.
The quicker and more efficient your workers are, the fewer hours they need to work. And you won’t have to sacrifice the cleanliness of your business.
There’s also the cost of training new workers to think about. Every new worker needs to be trained to use the cleaning products and equipment. By using better cleaning products that don’t need to be reapplied as often, and that are easier on your equipment, you can cut down on training costs.
The cost of labor isn’t just about wages. If you use better cleaning products, streamline your processes, and make your workforce more productive, you can save a lot of money on your cleaning and maintenance. This will lower your overall operating costs.
By focusing on the long-term costs rather than just the upfront costs of cleaning products and equipment, you can make smarter decisions that help reduce your overall expenses and increase profits.
For example, using super-concentrated, dilutable cleaning products can lead to significant savings in the long run, while also helping the environment.
To optimize your cleaning and maintenance operations, consider getting advice from a facility operations advisor. They can help you choose the best cleaning products, use your equipment more efficiently, and develop effective labor practices.
By using their expertise, you can take control of your operational costs and align your practices with industry standards. This can lead to more streamlined processes, sustainable practices, and significant cost savings.
The time to make these changes is now. Start taking these steps today and see the benefits sooner.