Commercial Cleaning Supplies Buying Guide

The right commercial cleaning supplies can make all the difference to the hygiene and efficiency of your business.

Whatever the environment, having the right tools and consumables for the job can help you optimise your cleaning efforts and achieve compliance with UK health and safety standards.

How do I pick the right cleaning supplies for my business?

Tempting as it is to dive straight in, it’s worth understanding your specific cleaning needs to optimise RoI.

Commercial cleaning involves offices, retail, hospitality and schools. Your main focus is creating a pleasant atmosphere for customers and staff, but don’t forget to sanitise shared spaces and maintain general hygiene.

Industrial cleaning focuses on machine maintenance, hazard removal and safety compliance using heavy-duty products and specialised machines.

In this guide, we’ll focus on selecting the most appropriate office cleaning products and chemical cleaning supplies for your business.

What cleaning supplies are needed for commercial cleaning?

Commercial cleaning supplies can be broken down into three key areas:

1. Cleaning tools and equipment

These are the supplies you’ll need for almost every commercial cleaning job:

Colour-coded microfibre cloths and disposable wipes.
Mop, bucket, brushes, and a dustpan for sweeping, collecting debris, and floor cleaning.
Scrubbing brushes, scourers and sponges for tougher tasks.
Safety supplies and PPE, such as reusable or disposable gloves, goggles, masks and non-slip footwear.
Waste management tools, including waste bags and liners, disposable wipes and recycling containers.

2. Cleaning chemicals

Commercial cleaning chemicals have stronger formulations than domestic cleaning products, and should be handled with care.

General-purpose cleaners: Handle most daily tasks, including floors, walls and surfaces.
Specialised cleaners: Used for specific tasks such as degreasing, window cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and bathroom cleaning.
Disinfectants and sanitisers: Essential for maintaining hygiene in commercial settings.
Dishwashing and laundry detergents: Necessary for healthcare and hospitality businesses.

3. Janitorial supplies

Janitorial supplies in the UK are essential to maintaining the overall hygiene of your business. These supplies include soap, paper towels and air freshener.

What to consider when sourcing office cleaning products?

Sourcing high-quality commercial cleaning supplies can seem daunting. Consider the following key factors when making your purchasing decisions:

Bulk buy vs managed services

Bulk buying ensures immediate cost savings, constant supplies and reduces packaging waste. However, you’ll need considerable storage space and a high product turnover to avoid out-of-date waste.

A managed service comes with higher upfront costs per unit, but could help you buy only what you want, when you need it, for overall cost savings.

Quality

Look out for quality brands that deliver effective, durable performance for long-term cost savings.

Safety and compliance

HSE compliance is non-negotiable. Working with a trusted supplier ensures your office cleaning products come with clear instructions and are compliant with British Standards.

Environmental impact

Working with cleaning chemicals means dealing with volatile compounds. Look for environmentally friendly alternatives that preserve health and air quality without sacrificing effectiveness. Our eco-friendly cleaners and Lifecycle waste disposal strategy can help you meet your sustainability targets.

Cost effectiveness

Consider using multipurpose products, concentrated solutions, and refillable systems to reduce costs. Alternatively, consider outsourcing to our commercial cleaning service to reduce costs. We use our own supplies and equipment while providing a bespoke service built to meet your needs and budget.

How do I choose the best cleaning chemicals supplier?

Sourcing the appropriate commercial cleaning supplies for your office, hospitality venue, or retail premises helps you create a welcoming, hygienic environment. These are the key considerations:

Consistency and quality: To tackle jobs quickly and with confidence, you need a consistent supply of high-quality cleaning chemicals. Partnering with a reliable supplier means you’ll have the cleaning supplies you prefer when you need them. Better yet, look for a supplier who can create a tailored cleaning solution, ideal for your business’s needs.
Price: Your supplier should hit the sweet spot by supplying quality products at good-value prices. Don’t be tempted to go for budget products, as cheapest isn’t always best, especially when sourcing cleaning chemicals.
Diverse product range: A range of all-purpose and specialist products makes choosing the right cleaning supplies easy.
At phs, you can source everything you need in one convenient site, from floorcare to healthcare.
Customisable services: A top-notch cleaning chemicals supplier will work with you on flexible procurement, commercial cleaning services, bulk buy solutions and more.

Why is phs the perfect partner for commercial cleaning supplies?

At phs, we’re the perfect partner for office cleaning supplies. Our comprehensive product range, bespoke services and logistic capabilities mean you need never struggle to keep your premises clean and hygienic.

The right supplier can revolutionise your commercial cleaning with eco-friendly solutions. Get in touch today, and we’ll be happy to develop a bespoke commercial cleaning solution for your business.