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Cleaning cart design must seem like a no-brainer; how complicated could it be? A common misconception is all that’s needed in a cart is four wheels on an open shelving unit. But the reality is that cleaning carts are sophisticated tools that have evolved to mirror the way janitors clean today.
These modular, highly customizable pieces of equipment are designed to make cleaning safer, faster, and easier. They can be designed to hold a variety of tools, streamlined for a single purpose, or even incorporate wireless connectivity to closely monitor inventory management and location.
The once humble equipment has even taken center stage — as video footage proves Taylor Swift does in fact enter her shows hidden inside a giant cleaning cart. While not every cart can be part of the worldwide Eras Tour, the tool has certainly entered an era of its own. The cleaning cart has evolved and changed in many ways that support cleaning today, and it’s pivotal for distributors to identify and promote these innovations for end users.
Evolution of Carts
“The transformation of cleaning carts over the years has been extensive and multifaceted,” says Ron Segura, founder and president, Segura & Associates, San Francisco. “Moving beyond their utilitarian origins, modern cleaning carts now embody a diverse array of innovative features geared towards enhancing efficiency and organization.”
One of those transformations is carts that are now designed explicitly for specific tasks.
“In the last 10 or so years, cleaning carts have evolved from being generalist pieces of equipment,” says industry consultant Ben Walker. “They were once simply a mobile extension of the janitor’s closet. Now they can be task specific.”
As an example, Walker points to janitor carts designed exclusively for restroom cleaning.
“These carts are made to be stocked with restroom-specific cleaning tools and space for consumables.” He also recalls a “cart that was more like a little tote, like a piece of carry-on luggage. It was perfect for working on small carpet cleaning jobs.”
Aside from becoming more task-specific, carts have been designed to make cleaning safer for both workers and occupants.
“Most of the transformations are geared to improve overall cleanliness,” explains Bill Allen, territory manager, Fagan Sanitary Supply, West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. “They cut down on opportunities for cross-contamination in the wet duties of a custodian.” The cart designed specifically for restrooms is a perfect example of this.
Another of those changes in wet duties involves integrating space for a mop and bucket. Cleaning carts featuring this design incorporate the bucket and wringer into the equipment, reducing the chances for accidental spillage. Unfortunately, not everyone is on board with the concept.
“Many budget-conscious customers still opt for less expensive carts with no integrated way to secure the mop bucket,” reports Walker. “I’ve seen janitors use bungee cords to engineer a solution, but it never works well. They end up sloshing, spilling, and still making more work for themselves.”
String mops and heavy wringer buckets are still a reality for many frontline workers, albeit the number is shrinking. Allen notes less than half of Fagan’s customer base still utilize them. The rest are moving to microfiber mops with charging stations and buying carts to support the change.
This technology offers many benefits. There’s no bucket filled with water to slosh and spill. Microfiber and the charging station are much smaller and lighter, making it easier to push the cart. But, most importantly, the technology helps cut opportunities for accidental cross-contamination.
“This configuration allows janitors to use a fresh, clean microfiber mop pad for each room,” says Keith Schneringer, senior director of marketing — JanSan + Sustainability, BradyPLUS. “Plus, there’s now plenty of room to collect and store the dirty microfiber.”
Some organizations, particularly hospitals and other healthcare venues, have transitioned to single-use microfiber. This change requires yet another cart design.
“Teams that use disposable microfiber may specify a cart that replaces the platform for the charging bucket to a cart with more shelving,” says Allen.
Mobility and Ergonomics
With water weighing more than eight pounds a gallon, changing out the mop bucket for microfiber and a charging station instantly makes carts easier to push.
“It changes the whole center of gravity,” says Schneringer. But much more has gone into the engineering of cleaning carts to improve mobility and ergonomics.
“Past designs overlooked ergonomics, making them difficult to maneuver, particularly over door thresholds,” says Walker. “Today’s carts put the handles in the ‘power zone’ so cleaners engage the big muscle groups between their shoulders and knees to move them. This makes the equipment much more stable and easier to push.”
Once made of metal with lots of sharp angles and edges, carts are now mostly made of molded plastic. This allows for smooth, rounded edges which are much safer for the cleaning staff. Healthcare, however, is an area where metal carts are still found.
“Stainless steel is easier to fully sterilize than textured plastic,” explains Schneringer.
Casters have changed as well.
“The old standard carts had small, flimsy casters, often made of metal, which would rust,” recalls Allen. “There’s nothing worse than trying to turn a loaded cart with rusted casters.”
Today’s cleaning carts feature studier, larger casters that can swivel and lock. Their placement accentuates the cart’s center of gravity, making the equipment even easier to maneuver. Non-marking wheels eliminate accidental scuffs and scratches and many feature noise control.
“This is a big deal in healthcare, where squeaky wheels can lead to noise complaints,” says Schneringer. The same could be said for day porters in office buildings.
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