Most of the cleaning technology trends you read about are aimed at hospitals, airports and large office blocks. A few of them have changed how ordinary homes and small offices are cleaned too, and some are worth knowing about before you buy equipment or book a cleaner. This guide sorts the useful from the hype in plain English.
Microfibre cloths and mops
Microfibre has changed everyday cleaning more than any gadget. Its very fine fibres pick up dust and grime instead of pushing it around, and on many surfaces a damp microfibre cloth does the job with little or no product. It is washable, so one set lasts a long time.
The limits: microfibre needs washing on its own, without fabric conditioner, or it stops gripping dirt. It also has to be changed between rooms, which is why professional cleaners often use colour-coded cloths, one colour for the bathroom and another for the kitchen.
Steam cleaners
A steam cleaner uses heat and water to loosen grease and grime on tiles, grout, hobs and sealed hard floors. It is good for kitchens and bathrooms, and for people who want to cut down on sprays.
Steam is not for everything. Unsealed wood, laminate with open joints, some stone and delicate finishes can be damaged by heat and moisture, so check the manufacturer’s guidance for each surface first.
Better vacuums, and robot vacuums
Vacuums with HEPA filters trap more fine dust instead of blowing it back into the room, which makes a difference in homes with allergy sufferers or pets. Cordless vacuums have made quick daily tidies much easier.
Robot vacuums are the trend most homes notice. They keep hard floors and short-pile carpets tidy between visits, but they cannot do stairs, skirting boards, under low furniture or anything above floor level. They work best as a top-up to regular domestic cleaning rather than a replacement for it.
Carpet cleaning methods
Domestic carpet shampooers have improved, but they can still leave more water and residue in the carpet than professional machines. Professional carpet cleaning usually means hot water extraction, often called steam cleaning: a cleaning solution is put into the fibres under pressure and extracted again straight away, together with the loosened dirt. Stains are treated first, and drying equipment shortens the time before the room can be used. Our page on professional carpet cleaning explains each step.
Plant-based and enzyme cleaners
Plant-based and enzyme cleaners have moved from specialist shops onto supermarket shelves. Enzyme products break down organic matter such as food, grease and pet accidents, and are useful on carpets and upholstery where odour is the problem.
Labels such as “natural” or “green” have no fixed meaning, so read what is actually on the bottle: the hazard symbols, the instructions and what surfaces it is for. If you have animals at home, our guide to pet safe cleaning products covers floors in more detail.
Technology for larger sites
Some technologies make sense on big sites but rarely in a home or small office:
- UV-C light can disinfect surfaces and air in controlled settings, but it must not shine on skin or eyes, and it does not remove dirt. It is used alongside cleaning, never instead of it.
- Electrostatic sprayers coat surfaces with an even mist of disinfectant. They are useful in large shared spaces; a cloth and a suitable product do the same job in a home.
- Sensors that count visitors or monitor toilets help large buildings send cleaners where they are needed. In a small office, a simple checklist does the same.
What we use
For carpets we use steam cleaning or hot water extraction, with stain pre-treatment and drying equipment. In homes we work with eco-friendly cleaning products. You can see the full range of the cleaning services we offer on our services page.
Have a question about the right method for your home or office? Call 01483 773531 or send us a message.