Commercial and industrial cleaning

What is the difference between commercial and industrial cleaning?

A multi-purpose cleaner, disinfectant, window spray, bathroom cleaner… cleaning is the same everywhere, right? Wrong. While commercial and industrial cleaning are often used interchangeably, there are key differences in each area, and it all has to do with specific cleaning standards. In this article, we detail what commercial and industrial cleaning are and how they differ.

What is commercial cleaning?

Commercial cleaning is the general term for cleaning commercial premises such as:

  • Office buildings
  • Retail stores
  • Schools and daycares
  • Banks
  • Malls
  • Grocery stores
  • Gyms
  • Arenas,
  • and other high-traffic establishments.

Commercial cleaning requires a specific standard to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff. These standards include properly sanitizing common areas, thoroughly cleaning bathrooms, and regular maintenance of floors and windows.

While there are certain guidelines, they differ depending on the setting. For example, cleaning a daycare is different from cleaning a retail store; however, the underlying focus is on the health and safety of the people who use the space. Because commercial buildings typically experience more traffic than industrial facilities, the emphasis is made on keeping common areas clean, sanitized, and presentable.

What is industrial cleaning?

The main commercial and industrial cleaning difference is that industrial cleaning has more hazards and strict standards to follow. Industrial cleaning requires the right equipment, tools, knowledge, and specific training to carry out properly. Industrial cleaning often requires specialized certifications for the health and safety of the workers and environment.

Industrial cleaning includes:

  • Dairy plants
  • Food manufacturing plants
  • Production floors
  • Warehouses
  • Chemical plants
  • Breweries,
  • and other establishments that require sterilization and extra attention to detail

Industrial cleaning services often require professional certification because staff are handling hazardous waste, potentially dangerous chemicals, safety standards, and health risks. For example, a trained individual will know what chemicals don’t mix well with others or what products corrode certain surfaces. They will also know how to protect themselves with the proper gear and complete the job in a timely manner.

When you consider the techniques, products, and training required, it’s easy to see the difference between commercial and industrial cleaning. What the two have in common, however, is that they need to be done with the right cleaning products and equipment.

About Apple Cleaning Supplies

Apple Cleaning Supplies continues to provide quality professional cleaning products and commercial cleaning equipment since 1964. When you choose Apple Cleaning Supplies, you work with a team of experts who have over 100 years of collective experience in the cleaning industry. We can recommend custom solutions for your facility and offer advice on how you can optimize the performance of your operations.

Our priority is to provide excellent service with expert guidance, offering educational training sessions, and a full facility analysis. We have two physical locations: one in Calgary, Alberta and one in Kelowna, BC and we deliver professional cleaning supplies across Western Canada.