Those who work in the logistics field or a warehouse know that the basic requirements for safety are cleanliness, order and organization. These conditions increase productivity and, above all, ensure a safe work environment for operators.
Keeping a warehouse clean may seem a difficult task, especially if you don’t know how to do it and what equipment to use. So, here you have some tips to understand how to clean a warehouse and what are the most effective equipment to do it.
- How to clean a warehouse and logistics spaces in general
- How to clean a warehouse: the evaluations to be made in order to choose the right equipment
- How to sanitize a warehouse in a logistics center?
How to clean a warehouse and logistics spaces in general
Cleaning is the secret weapon for efficient and productive logistics. Productivity is one of the primary objectives of logistic management, in fact each operator must be able to quickly manage all warehouse activities. Nowadays warehouses and logistics centers work without interruption and a large number of material handling equipment is used simultaneously, fast moving to complete the work on schedule.
This is the reason why keeping a warehouse clean can seem like a difficult task. As a matter of fact, cleaning operations must not hinder the synchronization of normal logistical activities. They must always be carried out in a timely and constant manner to keep the spaces clean and tidy. But the secret to a clean warehouse is to work in an organized way and use the right cleaning equipment.
Here are some tips to understand how to clean a warehouse, which can also be useful for cleaning logistics centers or industrial buildings:
- Create a cleaning schedule. Although cleaning tasks may seem simple, it is essential to organize a warehouse cleaning schedule. Spaces of the logistics field, in general, seem similar but in reality, they are very heterogeneous. Each warehouse has different dimensions ranging in size from large to enormous, and the spaces are managed differently based on the goods being handled. So, it is important to analyze the situation and outline a cleaning schedule that must be clear, but above all shared. You should define the activities (which can be daily, weekly, monthly, and even extraordinary) and also the persons responsible for these activities so that everything is under control.
- Choose the most suitable equipment. We will see it in detail later, but it is essential to understand the cleaning needs of the warehouse and the area to be cleaned to choose the most suitable equipment. This will help you carrying out cleaning operations effectively, quickly and without wasting money.
- Organize and make the cleaning equipment available. It is important to keep the cleaning equipment in order, not only to make it last longer but also to have it always available. In case of an accidental event, such as oil leaks from a material handling machine, people must have the necessary equipment available to clean quickly. An oil stain that remains on the floor is dangerous because it makes the floor slippery and may cause the deterioration of the floor itself.
How to clean a warehouse: the evaluations to be made in order to choose the right equipment
To clean the floors of industries, warehouses or logistics centers, where a large amount of dirt usually accumulates, it is essential to use professional cleaning equipment. In these spaces, scrubbing machines or sweepers are usually the best choice as they allow excellent cleaning results in short times, while the operator is safe and comfortable. As we mentioned earlier, the spaces of the logistics field can be very different from each other. So, to choose the floor scrubber or sweeper that is most suitable for the type of surface it is important to evaluate:
- Floor area. The total square footage of the area that can be cleaned, the presence of ramps and doorways, the cleaning of indoor and/or outdoor areas, etc. These are the elements you should evaluate to understand which is the most suitable type of scrubbing machine or sweeper: walk-behind, ride-on, battery operated, hybrid…
- Floor type. Industrial floors in warehouses are usually made of resin or concrete. These are resistant materials and easy to clean, but according to the type of floor you should choose the proper accessories for you cleaning equipment.
- Type of dirt. In addition to normal dust, oil, fuel or grease stains can be found in warehouses and logistics centers floors, as well as small wood chips, paper, small pieces of metal, packing peanuts and tyre marks. Based on the dirt, you should evaluate the floor cleaning equipment type. Do you need a floor scrubber with a cylindrical brush base or the combined action of a sweeper first and a scrubber dryer later?
- Ease of use. After organizing the cleaning schedule and identifying the people responsible for it, you should remember that in case of an accident happens the floor scrubber or the sweeper must be easy to use. Everyone can use a simple machine, thus allowing you to clean the floor immediately so that it is not dangerous. For sure, a machine that is easy to use is a benefit even for the most experienced operator.
Comac’s solutions for warehouses and logistics centers
Whether you choose a scrubbing machine or a sweeper, the market offers specific cleaning solutions suitable for each individual area, such loading areas, corridors, warehouses, external storage areas and parking lots.
Comac floor scrubbers equipped with PM system (Pressure Monitoring), for example, can adjust the pressure of the brushes to remove the most difficult dirt and obtain greater washing performance. The C130 industrial scrubbing machine can reach brush pressures up to 180 Kg. While the sweeping-scrubbing versions, such as C85 BS and C100 BS, can scrub floors while removing small solid debris such as screws, bolts and small pieces of packaging.
The Comac range also offers productive and reliable sweepers, ideal for spaces where heavy and continuous suction is required. Comac sweepers are available in different motors to be used both indoors and outdoors. Moreover, they can also be equipped with an overhead guard to increase the safety of operators who use them in warehouses and logistics centers.
How to sanitize a warehouse in a logistics center?
As happens in all other sectors, the awareness for cleanliness and sanitization has increased also for warehouses and logistics centers. These activities have now become fundamental to limit the spread of viruses such as the Coronavirus and protect people’s health. However, we are talking about large environments and it is unthinkable to carry out the sanitation activities manually.
To sanitize the spaces of a warehouses or logistics centers, Comac has equipped some of the latest generation ride-on scrubbing machines with the CED kit (Comac Electrostatic Disinfector). Thanks to the CED kit it is possible to mechanize the sanitization, which otherwise would be done manually. In fact, scrubbing machines equipped with CED can clean floors and, at the same time, sanitize both floors and vertical surfaces. This is the ideal solution to increase safety in work environments such as warehouses, also providing extraordinary advantages in terms of time and cost savings.
So, here you have some suggestions, however there are many more. As always, we suggest you contact an expert who can help you understand how to organize a warehouse cleaning schedule and the most suitable equipment. A worldwide network of Comac authorized dealers looks forward to helping you. Contact us for further advice and support in choosing the best professional cleaning solution!
This post is also available in: Italian