How to Choose the Right Industrial Cleaning Chemicals for Your Business?

In Australia, keeping your workplace is not only a professional but also a legal necessity. Most industries, including food processing, packaging, and healthcare, have to adhere to strict hygiene and safety standards developed by Safe Work Australia. And since workplace safety starts with regular cleaning, this means choosing the right industrial cleaning chemicals for your business.

However, given the choice of commercial cleaning chemicals, choosing the right one for your business can be overwhelming. Besides cleaners that promise easy, deep cleaning, you can also find eco-friendly options that help you maintain a clean workplace while reducing your environmental footprint.

The question is, how do you know which cleaning chemicals are perfect for your business?

Here are eight tips that can help.

1. Understand Your Cleaning Needs

Before you start shopping around for cleaning chemicals, you need to understand your cleaning needs. Every business is different, and what works for one might not work for another.

For example, while a restaurant has to handle grease and keep food-borne pathogens at bay, a manufacturing plant needs strong chemicals to clean equipment and remove tough stains.

What happens if you use the wrong cleaning chemicals? For one, your facility will not be as clean as you want. Secondly, the chemical may pose a safety risk to your employees and even damage the equipment.

Make a list of all the surfaces you need to clean and the types of dirt or grime you encounter regularly. It’ll be instrumental in finding the right commercial cleaning chemicals.

2. Look Up Different Cleaning Products

Industrial cleaning chemicals are a significant investment. And since you are spending a good chunk of your budget on these, back your purchase with thorough research.

When researching different products, you should learn:

• How does the product work?
• What’s the active ingredient?
• How effective is it?
• Whether it will affect your employees and the environment.
• How much will it cost?

Look for commercial cleaning chemicals specifically designed for the tasks at hand. For instance, if you run a car servicing business, you will need to find a motorsports cleaner and degreaser. On the other hand, a school will typically require a general-purpose cleaner and disinfectant.

3. Keep Your Safety and Health in Mind

Health and safety are as important as compliance. Some industrial cleaning chemicals contain harmful chemicals, particularly volatile organic compounds or VOCs. These are a large group of chemicals that can vaporize into the air and cause many health issues. They are found in some cleaning chemicals.

Some VOCs, such as benzene and formaldehyde, can cause cancer. Be sure to check the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provided by commercial cleaning chemical suppliers to understand the hazards associated with each product. As far as possible, look for non-toxic, non-corrosive, and safe cleaning products.

4. Choose Eco-Friendly Products

Going green can help your business in many ways. For one, eco-friendly cleaning chemicals can eliminate the risk of VOCs and other harmful compounds, creating a healthier indoor environment. Second, it reduces your ecological footprint, building your image as an environmentally responsible business.

In Australia, several agencies, such as Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) or Green Seal, certify if a cleaning product adheres to the highest standard for protecting health and the environment.

Many leading commercial cleaning chemical suppliers in Australia, including Citrus Resources, have sought approval from GECA for several of their products. Be sure to check these seals when you buy cleaning supplies for your business.

5. Use Water-Based Cleaners

Water-based cleaning chemicals are an excellent choice if you want to minimise your footprint. These cleaners are typically less harsh than solvent-based products, making them safer for both humans and the environment. These are also perfect for cleaning electronics like laptops, computers, and printers.

Typically, you can choose a water-based cleaner depending on its pH. Acidic water-based commercial cleaning chemicals (pH less than 7) are more effective against hard water stains, rust, mineral buildup, and soap scum. They are suitable for cleaning washrooms, bathrooms, and facilities that rely on heavy water usage.

On the other hand, alkaline water-based cleaners (pH more than 7) can easily handle grease, fat and oil stains, waxes, dirt, and grime. These cleaning products are ideal for restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food processing plants.

6. Check the Chemical Concentration

While there is no shortage of eco-friendly cleaners, they may not always work. Sometimes, you will need to use solvent-based industrial cleaning chemicals, especially when removing stubborn stains or disinfecting sensitive environments.

These commercial cleaning chemicals typically have higher concentration levels than their household counterparts. While these high-concentration chemicals are more effective, they can pose health risks if not used properly.

When using such chemicals, you should always:

• Check the concentration levels.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use gloves, masks, goggles, and other safety equipment.
• Allow only trained professionals to handle these chemicals.

7. Cheapest Is Not Always the Best Option

Most businesses struggle to have a budget for cleaning supplies. But that doesn’t mean you should settle for the cheapest option. Low-cost industrial cleaning chemicals often use lower-quality ingredients, meaning your cleaning may not be as effective.

Another drawback is that these cleaners may contain higher levels of harmful chemicals, which will affect the health of your employees. While high-quality products may cost more upfront, they offer better savings in the long run. So, choose a product based on your needs, effectiveness, and cost.

8. Source from a Local Supplier

Supporting local commercial cleaning chemical suppliers offers three benefits:

• You can get custom cleaning solutions tailored to your requirements and budget.
• The suppliers typically offer high-quality cleaning products at reasonable prices.
• It lowers your transportation costs and carbon footprint.

Also, a local supplier can ensure a steady supply of cleaning chemicals throughout the year. You can rest easy knowing that your next batch of cleaning supplies will be at your doorstep before you run out of stock.

The Bottom Line

Like any business decision, buying industrial cleaners requires thorough research and planning. The chemicals you choose should add value to your workplace cleaning and hygiene. These tips can help you find the right industrial cleaning chemicals quickly and efficiently. But we recommend consulting a seasoned supplier first.

Cleaning Trade Sales & Service can help if you are looking for industrial cleaners in South Australia. We are a family-owned business, serving domestic, industrial, and commercial customers for 38 years. Feel free to order your supplies online or contact us for custom solutions!