How much does it cost? This is often the first question organizations ask when evaluating floor care equipment. In an environment where facility budgets are tighter than ever, machines with a lower upfront cost can appear to offer immediate savings. However, the well-known phrase, “You get what you pay for,” also applies to floor care machines. For facility managers, choosing equipment based primarily on initial cost can ultimately lead to higher long-term expenses, operational disruptions, inconsistent cleaning results and increased labor demands. In many cases, the least expensive machine becomes the costliest decision over the life of the equipment. Hidden high costs A lower price tag is always appealing, but the true cost of a floor care machine extends far beyond the purchase price. A low upfront cost often reflects compromises in machine durability, engineering quality, serviceability or operational efficiency. While those tradeoffs may not be immediately visible during procurement, they quickly become apparent in day-to-day operations. Floor care machines operate in healthcare facilities, schools, retail stores, warehouses and other demanding environments where equipment reliability directly impacts productivity and cleanliness standards. Low-cost machines that are not engineered for sustained commercial use often experience: More frequent breakdowns Reduced battery performance Inconsistent water or chemical usage Shorter component lifespan Increased maintenance requirements Over time, these issues compound operational costs and place additional strain on already stretched maintenance teams. Operational costs of downtime One of the most overlooked aspects of purchasing floor care equipment is higher maintenance and repair costs, paired with minimal post-sale support. Cheaper machines are often constructed with lower-grade components that wear out faster or require more frequent repairs. In some cases, replacement parts may be difficult to source quickly, further extending downtime. What initially appeared to be a cost-saving purchase can quickly result in emergency repair expenses, increased labor hours, rental equipment costs and delayed cleaning schedules. When a floor care machine is out of service, it disrupts cleaning schedules and reduces labor efficiency, which can cause the facility’s appearance to suffer. For facilities operating across multiple shifts, even minor disruptions can create significant ripple effects. In critical environments, such as healthcare and airports, delays in floor maintenance can also pose safety and compliance risks. Quality commercial floor care machines are built with durability and serviceability in mind. Machines manufactured with higher-grade components are less likely to experience frequent equipment failures. When service is needed, reputable manufacturers provide responsive support, readily available parts, and trained technicians who can minimize downtime. First-class manufacturers also offer Internet of Things (IoT) fleet management technology that enables real-time machine monitoring; tracks critical battery status, usage hours, and location; and delivers proactive uptime management with predictive maintenance. When issues arise, remote diagnostic capabilities can resolve over 50% of technical breakdowns without needing to pay for a costly in-person visit. Investing in quality equipment from a manufacturer with a strong service network can significantly extend equipment lifespan and reduce operational risk. Labor efficiency Labor remains one of the largest operational expenses for facility teams. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), labor accounts for approximately 70% of a business’s overall operating costs. Equipment that slows operators down, requires repeated passes, or needs constant adjustment ultimately increases labor costs over time. Higher-quality floor care machines are engineered for productivity. Wider cleaning paths, faster operating speeds and longer run times allow operators to cover more ground in less time, directly reducing the labor hours required per shift. Advanced features like precise water recovery, automated chemical dosing and intuitive controls minimize operator error and reduce the time spent on recleaning, refilling and troubleshooting. Advanced options like autonomous floor care machines deliver even greater measurable productivity gains. Depending on the model and its features, autonomous floor cleaning machines typically clean between 4,300 and 28,000 square feet per hour. This is substantially higher than the average manual cleaning rate of 2,000 to 2,700 square feet per hour, as estimated by The Official ISSA Cleaning Times. For multi-site operations, the cumulative labor savings across a fleet of time-saving machines represents a significant and recurring cost advantage that compounds year over year. Resource consumption costs Lower-cost machines without precision water and chemical dosing systems are more likely to consume excessive water, chemicals and energy due to less efficient system design. While these operational inefficiencies may seem minor, individually, they drive up supply costs, especially for facilities with daily cleaning requirements. The sustainability liabilities that cheaper machines bring are increasingly relevant to environment, social and governance (ESG) reporting. As ESG reporting becomes standard practice for mid-size and large organizations, excessive water consumption and chemical overuse create sustainability liabilities that can disqualify a facility from green building certifications, like the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which carry financial and reputational value. Advanced floor care systems increasingly integrate technologies that optimize water flow, chemical dosing, battery management and energy consumption to help facility managers meet environmental goals while maintaining high cleaning standards. Total cost of ownership The most effective purchasing decisions are based on total cost of ownership (TCO), not upfront price alone. TCO accounts for the full operational picture, including: Equipment lifespan Maintenance costs Downtime impact Labor efficiency Resource consumption Service and support Replacement frequency In many cases, a higher-quality machine with a slightly higher upfront investment delivers significantly lower operational costs over its lifetime, making it the smarter financial decision in the long run. Long-term performance Industrial floor care equipment is not simply a procurement decision. What you purchase today determines what you pay for—in labor, downtime, repairs and replacements—for years to come. Your choice in floor care equipment directly affects labor productivity, facility appearance, safety and long-term costs. While cheaper machines may reduce short-term spending, they often introduce hidden inefficiencies that cost organizations more over time. Facilities that prioritize durability, productivity, support and operational efficiency are better positioned to reduce risk, maximize uptime and achieve more consistent cleaning outcomes.
Employee turnover in the commercial cleaning industry makes consistency a challenge for building service contractors (BSCs) and in-house providers alike. In this Q&A, I provide the answers to some common questions on how standardized processes and technology can help cleaning organizations maintain quality, improve onboarding, and support frontline teams despite ongoing workforce challenges. Why is standardization so important in high-turnover cleaning environments? When employees leave, they often take years of knowledge about a facility, client preferences, and daily routines with them. Without standardized processes, every new employee must start from scratch. That disadvantage creates inconsistency and increases the amount of time managers spend training new hires. When organizations document their processes, ideally within a digital system, new employees can step into a role with clear instructions instead of relying on guesswork or institutional knowledge. Standardization helps ensure that service quality remains consistent regardless of who is performing the work. What challenges do cleaning organizations face when onboarding new employees? One of the biggest challenges is communicating the scope of work. Many cleaners work independently during evening or overnight shifts, so after an initial walkthrough with a supervisor, they're often responsible for completing tasks on their own. If questions arise while they're in the field, they may not have immediate access to someone who can help. That uncertainty can lead to missed steps, inconsistent service, or frustration for both employees and clients. Having clear documentation, accessible work instructions, and reliable communication channels helps new employees feel supported while shortening the learning curve. How can technology help create consistency across multiple facilities and shifts? Technology brings the standard of work directly to the employee instead of leaving it in a binder or in someone's memory. Whether it's a checklist, QR code, timekeeping tool, or mobile work instructions, employees have immediate access to exactly what needs to be done, including the products, equipment, and procedures required for each location. That consistency is especially valuable when employees are assigned to facilities they've never serviced before. Technology also improves communication. Commercial cleaning is a highly bilingual industry, and tools that offer multilingual support or real-time translation help employees ask questions and receive guidance in their preferred language. That removes uncertainty and helps ensure work is completed according to company standards. What role do inspections and quality checks play in maintaining standards? Inspections establish the benchmark for what success looks like. They allow supervisors to measure performance against client expectations and identify areas that need attention before they cause larger problems. More importantly, inspections create consistency across an organization. Managers can compare performance between locations, identify recurring issues, and ensure every facility meets the same service standards. Rather than relying solely on customer feedback, inspections provide objective data that helps organizations proactively manage quality. How can managers use performance data to improve training and accountability? Performance data is valuable because it supports both coaching and recognition. Too often, employees only hear from management when something goes wrong. Inspection results and task data allow managers to recognize employees for work done well while also providing targeted coaching where improvements are needed. Over time, that data reveals trends. Managers can identify their highest-performing locations, their lowest-performing sites, and the tasks that fail most frequently. Instead of delivering broad training sessions, they can focus on the specific areas where employees need additional support. This specification creates a more efficient training process and helps organizations continuously improve service quality. What advice would you give cleaning organizations struggling with consistency due to turnover? Don't try to hire your way out of the problem. Many organizations respond to turnover by focusing only on recruiting more employees. While hiring is important, it doesn't solve the underlying issue if every new employee must learn processes differently. Instead, focus on building repeatable systems. Clearly define the scope of work, document your processes, and provide employees with the tools they need to succeed from day one. Even if you need to start with written procedures before moving to a digital platform, creating consistent processes will have a much greater long-term impact than simply adding more staff. Don’t try to change everything at once. Start by documenting your core processes, then implement improvements in manageable stages. Organizations that take a thoughtful, step-by-step approach are more likely to achieve lasting consistency than those that try to overhaul every process overnight.
Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration boosted the odds to 83% that the intensity of this El Niño will exceed the intensity of all others since at least 1950, up from 75% last month. This season has already become a super El Niño, and current trends suggest it will likely become the strongest El Niño on record. In turn, last month California Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency, mobilizing state resources ahead of potential winter storms and other impacts. The emergency proclamation streamlines measures to help California prepare for this historic El Niño, as the state is likely to bear the worst impacts. The proclamation directs state agencies to protect vulnerable communities, prepare roads and critical infrastructure, stage emergency supplies and help local partners reduce flood, landslide and coastal risks. El Niño is a natural climate pattern marked by warmer-than-average ocean temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific, which can shift weather patterns and bring wetter, more intense winters to California. Climate change can supercharge this natural climate pattern. A study published in the journal Science last month found that El Niño events are now more than 36% stronger than before the industrial era, and this trend has accelerated over the last 40 years as the planet warms. “We are not waiting for this season’s storms to be on our doorstep,” said California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs. “Cal OES is leading California’s statewide efforts by bringing state and local partners together, conducting advance planning efforts and identifying potential needs before impacts occur. By planning early and coordinating resources ahead of El Niño, we are working to ensure communities and first responders have the personnel, equipment and support they need to prepare for severe weather, respond quickly when conditions change and protect lives and property across California.” El Niño does not guarantee a wet winter or any storm, but it heightens the risk of strong storms in California. The state said Californians should prepare now for the possibility of heavy rain, snow and flooding by: Signing up for alerts. Get local emergency alerts here and follow trusted sources. Knowing your flood risk. Find out whether your home or workplace is in a flood-prone area or downslope of an area recently affected by wildfire, where heavy rain can increase the risk of flooding, debris flows and mudslides. Staying informed. Watch weather forecasts and sign up for emergency alerts from your city or county. Conditions can change quickly during major storms, so follow instructions from local emergency officials. Having an evacuation plan. Know where you would go and how you would get there if you need to leave quickly. Keep an emergency kit ready, including plans, medications and supplies for pets and other animals. Never driving through floodwater. Water on flooded roads can be deeper and faster-moving than it appears, and roadways may be damaged or washed out beneath the water. Turn around and find another route. Additionally, Governor Newsom recently opened the modernized State Operations Center and announced new disaster intelligence satellites to deliver near-real-time information on flood impacts and other hazards statewide. Through an agreement with ICEYE, a satellite-imaging company that helps governments assess disaster damage from space, Cal OES is expanding its ability to receive near-real-time information on floods, wildfires and other disasters, even through clouds, smoke or darkness. The technology can help emergency managers identify where flooding is occurring, estimate water depths and assess potential damage to homes, roads and critical infrastructure, even under heavy cloud cover or severe weather. The information will integrate into California’s statewide emergency operations and be shared with state agencies and local emergency managers to establish a common operating picture during significant storms. These capabilities can help officials more rapidly identify impacted communities, prioritize response resources, and begin assessing damage and recovery needs.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s new budget plans to allocate US$1.4 million annually to install 10 high-tech, modular public restrooms in busy areas across the city, according to a local NPR station. The proposal follows the city’s pilot project with tech startup Throne Labs earlier this year, which placed four solar-powered public restrooms in Seattle’s Pioneer Square ahead of the World Cup. Each Throne restroom costs the city about $116,000 annually, covering the restroom, maintenance and regular cleaning by Throne’s support team, NPR said. To access the sleek and modern Throne restrooms, users need to scan a QR code with their phone or use an entry card distributed by Downtown Seattle Association ambassadors. A disembodied voice greets the user with “Welcome to Throne” as the doors open automatically and elevator music plays. The room features bright wallpaper, a baby changing station, a sharps disposal container and a flowery scent. Each visit has a ten-minute time limit, with several warnings before the door opens. After the user finishes, Throne texts the participant to rate the experience. More than 30,000 people have used the Pioneer Square restrooms so far, NPR reported. The median visit time is two minutes, and users have given the restrooms an average cleanliness rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. Only five people have been restricted from using Thrones. The Seattle mayor’s budget also proposes spending $1.8 million in Seattle Park District funds and King County Parks Levy funds to install two new permanent restrooms: One in Cheryl Chow Park in Rainier Valley, and another in a yet-to-be-determined site in Northeast Seattle, NPR reported. As CMM previously reported, Atlanta partnered with Throne Labs to install 12 smart restrooms near park entrances across Atlanta to help address a long-standing shortage of public restrooms.
The global health landscape continues to evolve and people are living longer, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest Global Health Estimates, which provide a picture of how health has changed across countries between 2000 and 2023. Global life expectancy reached 73.3 years in 2023, close to the 73.4 years recorded in 2019. Healthy life expectancy has recovered more slowly, reaching 62.8 years in 2023, still 0.4 years below its 2019 level. Following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, global life expectancy has returned to an estimate close to pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for an increasing share of deaths, with conditions such as diabetes, dementia, mental health conditions and drug use disorders contributing to a growing and changing burden of disease. NCDs accounted for 74% of deaths globally in 2023, compared with 58% in 2000. Eight of the world’s ten leading causes of death were NCDs in 2023. In 2023, for the first time, communicable diseases accounted for less than half of all deaths in low-income countries, marking another step in the global epidemiological transition. “Living longer is one of the great achievements of public health,” said Dr Alain Labrique, Director of WHO’s Department of Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI. “The next challenge is to ensure that those additional years are lived in good health, while health systems are equipped to respond to the changing needs of populations.” In 2023, the 10 leading causes of death accounted for 33 million deaths, or 54% of the total 61 million deaths worldwide. At a global level, eight of the 10 leading causes of deaths in 2023 were noncommunicable diseases, accounting for 47% of all deaths, or 88% of the top 10 causes. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death and disease burden worldwide. Lower respiratory infections reclaimed the position as the world’s most deadly communicable disease and ranked as the fourth leading cause of death in 2023. The number of deaths from lower respiratory infections has gone up since 2022 as the competing risk from COVID-19 was partly contained. In 2023 it claimed 2.7 million lives, returning back up to its 2019 pre-pandemic level. COVID-19 was directly responsible for an estimated 5.3 million deaths in 2020 and 9.4 million deaths in 2021, ranking as the third and first leading cause of death worldwide in these years respectively, as the pandemic reached its peak impact. A declining trend was observed in 2022 and 2023, with the number of deaths directly attributable to COVID-19 falling to 0.9 million globally, making it the fourteenth leading cause of death.
ISSA, The Association for Cleaning & Facility Solutions, elected members to serve on the 2027 ISSA Board of Directors, which will be led by ISSA President John Swigart of Spartan Chemical Co. Inc. The new officers include: Vice President/President-Elect: Mercer Stanfield, Brame Specialty Co. Inc. Executive Officer: Kim Price, ImageFIRST Healthcare Laundry BSC Director: Steve Mastin, 4M Building Solutions Distributor Director: Jennifer Rosenberg, Acorn Distributors Manufacturer Director: Pat Van Wert, Tennant Co. In addition to the officers above, the following 2027 Board members are returning from the 2026 Board: Secretary: Nicole Goulet, Diversey Treasurer: Rachel Sanchez, Prestige Maintenance USA Manufacturer Representative Director: Mark Presho, Access Partners Manufacturer Director: Rob Posthauer, Rubbermaid Commercial Products Manufacturer Director: Fabio Vitali, Sofidel Distributor Director: Mike Cusick, Staples Inc. Distributor Director: Nick Lomax, S.P. Richards Co. Canada Director: Michael Kroupa, United Services Group The following individuals complete their service on the board in 2026: Laurie Sewell, Servicon Adam Camhi, Sunbelt Rentals Ricardo Regalado, Rozalado Services Debbie Sardone, Speed Cleaning Bill Simpson, Ecolab "ISSA's Board of Directors brings together experienced industry leaders who help shape the association's priorities and long-term direction," said ISSA Executive Director Kim Althoff. "I'm grateful to our outgoing directors for their service, and I want to thank Laurie Sewell in particular for her leadership as president. I'm looking forward to working with the 2027 Board as we keep advancing cleaning and facility solutions as critical investments in health, safety and performance." ISSA invites all members to greet the new board members when they officially take office at the ISSA General Business Meeting on Nov. 19 from 9-9:45 a.m. PT, during ISSA Show North America 2026 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.