It is important to understand the goals of the cleaning department and to look at cleaning rates before going all-in on a fleet of vacuums, no matter what kind they are. There are plenty of vacuum choices on the market, and purchasing new equipment means taking inventory of the existing equipment in the department. Look at the current workforce and analyze the cleanable space, as well as how it should be cleaned. This will help determine the best type of vacuum to invest in.

Experts believe that by now, it’s clear that vacuums should have a HEPA filter. These mechanical air filters are the industry standard for efficiency and will increase the vacuum’s ability to capture allergens, dust and debris.

Other choices aren’t as clear. Distributor partners or equipment manufacturers will be a valuable resource to help identify the right combination of corded, cordless, backpack or upright vacuums for the task at hand. In many cases, the answer may be a combination of all these vacuums.

When making a big switch to a new type of equipment — for example, if the department is switching from all upright to backpack vacuums — it is important to include the frontline staff in the decision-making process from the beginning. Facility cleaning managers will get the most buy-in from their workforce if everyone is included in the conversation. They will also have a better understanding of the new equipment and should be able to onboard it quickly and efficiently.

Nicole Bowman is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia.

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Productivity And Ergonomic Considerations



POSTED ON: 2/18/2020