Running an effective warehouse can take time and dedication to ensure all of the parts are working together as they need to be to ensure everything is working smoothly and you are meeting the demands placed on your facility.

One such option you need to keep on top of when it comes to improving your operations is the level of cleanliness and hygiene maintained within your warehouse. A clean and tidy warehouse will improve efficiency, reduce accidents, and improve safety for everyone working in and visiting the premises.

The following suggestions are easy options to put in place to help you work towards a cleaner and safer warehouse environment.

Cleaning Schedules

You need to put effective cleaning schedules in place for each part of your facility. You need a daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedule that ensures all tasks are handled. For example, this could be emptying bins and removing waste packing at the end of each day, cleaning forklifts and machinery every week, or using Industrial floor scrubbers once per month or more frequently if required. Look at how often different aspects of the warehouse need to be cleaned and put a schedule in place that everyone can follow.

Outsource

If things are getting missed or overlooked, it can be worn working with an experienced third-party warehouse cleaning company to help you stay on top of things. If the big cleaning jobs take too much time or your employees don’t have the time to implement effective cleaning practices, then hiring an external company to do this can be beneficial.

Clean As You Go

Implementing a clean-as-you-go process can help you ensure everything is clean and tidy and all messes are cleaned up without being left. This can be people clearing their workstations before leaving for the day, cleaning up leftover pallets after putting stock away, and filing all paperwork before one shift finishes so nothing is left out that can cause a mess. Whatever it is that needs cleaning each day, make sure everyone is on board with cleaning as they go.

Stock Up Cleaning Equipment

It is much easier to keep things clean if cleaning supplies are readily available for people to use when needed. Whether you have a dedicated cleaning team or you have employees clean during their shifts, you need to make sure you have plenty of supplies that can be used and people know where to find them and what they are looking for for certain learning tasks. This includes cleaning equipment such as brushes, PPE, mops, and hazard signs.

Proper Training

You can’t expect your employees to know instinctively what to do when a mess occurs. You need to show them and ensure they are trained in cleaning all aspects of the warehouse. This means they know what to do in the event of spillage, where to dispose of certain materials, how to protect themselves when cleaning, and what your recycling amenities are.

Conclusion

Keeping your warehouse clean and tidy is vital to your operations’ success and your employees’ safety. It can also extend the lifespan of the equipment and the building itself. These tips can help you to get started in improving the cleanliness standards in your warehouse easily.