The Complete Guide To Janitor Trolleys And Cleaning Carts

Choosing the right type of janitor trolley for commercial cleaning is more important than you think if you want to maximise efficiency, safety and organisation.

Cleaning carts are comprehensive, mobile work stations that allow cleaning staff to transport all their tools and supplies around with them, keeping them organised and in one place.

Being able to carry all the necessary chemicals, mops and cleaning equipment they need ensures cleaning professionals can perform their job to a high standard, which is especially important in settings like hospitals, schools and hotels.

Types Of Cleaning Trolleys: Janitor, Housekeeping, and Utility

Not all cleaning trolleys are the same! In order to optimise efficiency and ergonomics, you need to choose the most suitable trolley based on the size of the facility and its cleaning needs, the storage capacity and the manoeuvrability of the trolley.

• Janitor trolleys - are designed for general cleaning and can accommodate basic cleaning needs, generally featuring shelves, mop handles and waste bags.
• Hotel housekeeping trolleys - these trolleys are large because they need to have extensive storage for items like linen, towels and guest amenities like shampoos and shower gels. They often have closed units to keep items tidy.
• Mopping trolleys - have a single or double bucket system with ringers for flat or traditional mops, and are designed for efficient floor cleaning.
• Industrial trolleys - these are heavy-duty trolleys designed to withstand high-traffic environments (like warehouses) and to handle heavy cleaning agents and waste.
• Laundry and waste management trolleys - these specialised carts are designed to carry soiled linen or to collect large volumes of refuse.

What To Look For When Buying A Janitor Trolley

The first thing to determine when choosing a janitor trolley is the size and capacity you need for the area. Small spaces or offices with desks and furniture need trolleys that are compact, lightweight and easy to maneuver, whereas large hotels require more robust, multi-compartmental trolleys with ample storage.

Look at the storage and functionality of your trolley. Is there a suitable area for waste collection, and sufficient space to organise mops, spray bottles and buckets? Is the trolley required for use in schools or healthcare environments where you may need a lockable cabinet for storing chemicals?

Make sure your trolley is durable and safe. Check the material and see if it is high-impact and chemical-resistant. Check if the wheels are silent and non-marking, with brakes if needed, for safety reasons. Choose trolleys with bumpers if the area is tight, to protect walls and furniture whilst manoeuvring.

How To Organise And Stock Your Trolley Efficiently

Using colour-coded systems and labelling everything helps to keep everything organised and easy to find, especially if the trolley is shared. Colour-coding cloths and buckets; red for toilet, blue for general areas, etc., reduces the risk of cross-contamination, and loads the trolley with heavier items (like chemical containers) at the bottom, and lighter objects and daily essentials on the top shelves.

Stock the trolley with enough supplies to complete a full shift, fill and label spray bottles; chemical cleaner, glass cleaner, etc., and carry a large supply of cloths. Necessary tools include a mop, broom and dustpan, waste collection bags and bin liners.

Maintaining Your Cleaning Cart For Longevity

Your cleaning cart can be your best friend on the job, so look after it well. Create a daily maintenance routine that becomes a habit after every shift. Wipe down all surfaces to prevent any build-up or chemical erosion, remove and clean debris from wheels that may impede movement, empty trash bags daily to prevent bacterial growth and lubricate any moving parts to keep movement smooth.

Schedule weekly or monthly inspections of your cart to check for damaged parts, broken shelves or faulty wheels, and replace as necessary.

Trolley Hygiene And Cross Contamination Prevention

Colour-coding items helps assign specific components to specific zones, e.g. blue for bedrooms, red for bathrooms, green for kitchens, etc., and prevents cross-contamination. Segregate clean and dirty items like soiled laundry or food waste, and use trolley covers to separate areas. Regularly clean high-touch areas like handles and trays, and ensure staff wash their hands regularly too, to prevent cross-contamination.

At Big Clean, we stock a comprehensive range of janitor trolleys and cleaning supplies to help you maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and efficiency in your workplace.