Essential Commercial Cleaning Supplies Checklist

Whether you’re starting a new business or you’re looking to update your current cleaning supplies inventory, you’ve come to the right place. Proper commercial cleaning is meant to be efficient, effective, and tailored to meet the needs of the business. This blog lists some tried and true commercial cleaning supplies that will help save you time and money in the long run.

ESSENTIAL COMMERCIAL CLEANING SUPPLIES

We recommend walking through your commercial space and identifying what type of tools you need for the specifics of the building, such as flooring materials, different types of surfaces, high-touch areas, common areas, and usage.

Commercial cleaning supplies are specially designed products to keep a professional environment clean and free of germs. Because employees and customers will be interacting in those areas throughout the day, it’s important that the environment is clean and hygienic.

Ensure that your business is equipped with essential cleaning supplies and products is critical for protecting the safety of your customers and employees, meeting industry standards and providing a professional aesthetic that will enhance your reputation.

A distinction exists between cleaning supplies and cleaning products. “Cleaning supplies” refers to general items used to perform the physical task of maintaining the cleanliness of a building. “Cleaning products” refers to the chemicals and solutions that are applied to surfaces and equipment in commercial environments to keep them clean and sanitized.

Some of the essential supplies you will need to keep your commercial environment clean include the following:

1. Vacuum cleaner: A vacuum will ensure carpets and industrial rugs are regularly cleaned and well-maintained. Commercial vacuums are generally larger and more powerful than those designed for the home so they can handle large amounts of debris found in commercial settings without breaking down.
2. Buckets: Buckets are essential for holding liquid and mixing solutions of cleaning ingredients that are primarily applied to the floors of commercial settings to keep them clean and shiny.
3. Mops: A mop is necessary for removing dirt and grime from floors in commercial spaces and applying soap, water and disinfectant to keep these floors clean. You will need two mops: a wet mop and a dry mop. A dry mop is designed to pick up dirt, dust and debris. A wet mop is used to apply water and a cleaning solution to disinfect the floor and remove stains.
4. Broom: Prior to mopping the floor, you will need a broom to sweep away large debris and dust that have accumulated.
5. Dustpan: You will need a dustpan to collect what was just swept up.
6. Microfiber cloths: These cloths are necessary for more detailed cleaning, and you can use them once all large debris has been removed from the surface of your commercial equipment. It is advisable to have separate, color-coded cloths for bathroom and kitchen areas to prevent contamination.
7. Glass cleaning cloths: These cloths are smooth to clean the surfaces of glass without leaving streaks. If you use general cleaning cloths on glass, you’ll be left with a cloudy or streak-filled finish.
8. Industrial floor scrubber: If you manage a warehouse or other facility with extensive uncarpeted surfaces where many people enter and exit each day, you may need an industrial floor scrubber.
9. Gloves and mask: Rubber or latex gloves can protect your hands from bacteria when you are cleaning; gloves also can keep chemicals from coming into contact with your skin. You may need a mask, depending on the type of cleaning you are performing and the type of chemicals you are using.

Essential Cleaning Products

As noted, cleaning products refer to the chemical ingredients and solutions that will disinfect the surface areas you clean in your commercial environment. Although the number of products available for commercial use are too numerous to list, they can be grouped into the following four categories:

1. Detergents: Detergents work by breaking up dirt and making it easier to wash an area or item. Most detergents used in commercial environments are synthetic. They may come in liquid, power, crystals or gel form.
2. Acids: Acids are powerful cleaning agents that can be used to remove deposits of mineral and rust, especially in restrooms.
3. Abrasives: Abrasives are substances that can be used with a scrubbing action to remove dirt from harder surfaces. They are useful in commercial kitchens for removing food and grime, particularly when they are stuck to surfaces.
4. Degreasers: As their name suggests, degreasers are designed to remove grease. White or methylated spirits were once commonly used as degreasers, but now there are nontoxic and non-fuming variations that can prevent chemical contamination.

Commercial chemical cleaning products are more powerful than household chemicals in effectively lifting stuck-on dirt and grime. They are formulated to meet rigorous industry standards, especially for establishments such as medical, restaurants, and food-handling facilities.

Depending on the nature of your business, you may require products not on this list or may not need some of the following. We’ve listed some of the most essential commercial cleaning products below.

1. ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER

Formulated to clean most surfaces, including countertops and desks. Avoid using an all-purpose cleaner on real wood furniture as it can dull the surface. Instead, be sure to purchase a cleaning chemical formulated specifically for wood.

2. GLASS AND WINDOW CLEANER

Avoid using other types of chemicals on glass and window surfaces as they can leave behind unsightly streaks. Glass and window cleaners are specially formulated for a streak-free shine. Never mix glass and window cleaner with other chemicals.

3. DISINFECTANT

Disinfecting after you clean is now more important than ever. Remember, cleaning a surface is not the same as disinfecting it. While chemical products like all-purpose cleaners are made to remove dirt and grime, disinfectants remove harmful germs and bacteria. We recommend disinfecting high-touch surfaces throughout the day.

4. STAIN REMOVER

Stain removers can be used on carpet, drapes, and hard surfaces like bathroom tiles and countertops. This is a great product to have on hand for any establishment.

5. FLOOR CLEANER

Be sure to use floor cleaners that are made specifically for the type of floor you’re cleaning, such as real hardwood floors, laminate, vinyl, cork, tile, and more. If you use the wrong chemical for a certain type of floor, it can dull the surface and even cause it to crack and warp.

6. BATHROOM CLEANER

This is an essential chemical product, as all establishments have bathrooms. There are acid and non-acid options to choose from, both formulated to clean and deodorize hard non-porous bathroom surfaces such as toilet bowls, showers, walls, tile, sinks, and fixtures.

7. STAINLESS STEEL CLEANER

For stainless steel appliances such as microwaves, ovens, and refrigerators. Stainless steel cleaners leave behind a streak-free clean and protect the surface from becoming dull.

8. FURNITURE POLISH

For businesses where appearance matters, furniture polish keeps your desks, shelves, and other furniture looking brand new. This is a must for office furniture and common areas where clients and customers can see how well-maintained the commercial space is.

9. ALL-PURPOSE DEGREASER

A good all-purpose degreaser is essential for cleaning commercial kitchens and other spaces that accumulate a lot of grease. Choose a degreaser that's safe for all surfaces.