
Commercial Cleaning projects can often feel overwhelming, as there is always more to do than meets the eye. Maintaining cleanliness and order can be a real challenge. While some view cleaning job as a necessity, others possess a genuine passion. If you find yourself in the latter group, you may wonder how to embark on your own commercial cleaning business and what it takes to succeed.
To succeed in the commercial cleaning business, having the right commercial cleaning equipment and solutions at your disposal is crucial. Having the appropriate commercial cleaning tools for your client’s facilities is one of many requirements; you must also possess the knowledge and skills to operate and maintain the equipment effectively and safely.
That is precisely why we have curated a comprehensive essential commercial cleaning equipment list that every business should possess.
Sparkling Solutions: Exploring the World of Cleaning Businesses
Table of Contents
There are primarily two categories of cleaning services: residential and commercial cleaning services. These distinctions encompass a diverse range of household and business cleaning needs.
Residential cleaning services are typically employed to maintain the cleanliness and tidiness of private homes, apartments, and other living spaces. These services can be scheduled weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.
They encompass many tasks, including dusting, vacuuming, laundry, dishwashing, and more. Therefore, you only need basic house cleaning supplies and cleaning machines. Homeowners can enjoy a clean and organized living environment without the hassle of entrusting these responsibilities to cleaning professionals.
In contrast, commercial cleaning services are employed to maintain the cleanliness of office buildings, stores, and other public spaces. These services entail more comprehensive tasks than residential cleaning, including floor care, window washing, and power washing. Typically scheduled daily or weekly, commercial cleaning services are often performed after business hours to minimize disruption to operations.
Apart from the two main types, specialized cleaning services cater to specific areas like carpets, windows, and kitchens. These cleaning services can be hired on an as-needed basis. Additionally, in response to the pandemic, most cleaning businesses now offer sanitation and disinfection services too.

Offering a Variety of Professional Cleaning Services in Vancouver
Below, we have curated a commercial cleaning equipment list for your convenience. Before we dive into the list, let’s explore various types of cleaning services in Vancouver to assist you in streamlining your professional cleaning equipment procurement process.
Essential Home Cleaning
Typically, standard house cleaning services encompass a range of tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and cleaning the bathrooms. This type of service is generally scheduled weekly or bi-weekly to ensure a consistently clean and fresh home. And you only need essential, glass cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, floor cleaning equipment and tools.
Deep Cleaning Service
A deep cleaning service surpasses standard house cleaning by meticulously cleaning the kitchen, bathrooms, and carpets. Typically scheduled monthly or quarterly, this comprehensive service ensures a thorough and refreshing cleaning experience. For deep cleaning service, you will need specific cleaning supplies and best cleaning products for cleaning business.
Janitorial Service
Janitorial services encompass various commercial cleaning businesses catering to diverse settings, such as office buildings, schools, and retail stores. These services typically entail thorough floor cleaning, including sweeping and mopping, efficiently emptying trash bins, and diligently dusting surfaces. Janitorial service providers use high-end commercial cleaning equipment to complete their cleaning tasks.
Office Spaces Cleaning
Office cleaning is a specialized janitorial service tailored to the unique requirements of office buildings. Given their size and complexity, these spaces can be challenging to clean independently. Therefore, you need specialized commercial cleaning equipment. Professional office cleaners employ commercial-grade vacuum cleaners and mops to maintain pristine floors, empty trash cans, restocking cleaning supplies, and disinfecting surfaces.
School Cleaning
School cleaning is a specialized janitorial service tailored to the unique requirements of educational institutions. It encompasses various areas such as classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and gymnasiums. Apart from routine tasks like sweeping and mopping, school cleaners are crucial in disinfecting surfaces, eradicating graffiti, and upkeeping outdoor areas. That is why you need specific commercial cleaning equipment when offering school cleaning services in Vancouver.
Industrial Cleaning Service
Industrial cleaning services involve various crucial tasks, including general, specialized, and waste management. General cleaning comprises routine activities like dusting, sweeping, and mopping, while specialized cleaning caters to specific requirements such as machine and equipment cleaning, hazardous waste removal, and overall upkeep.
Effective waste management encompasses the meticulous gathering, transportation, disposal, and recycling of industrial waste. Industrial cleaning services in Vancouver offer these comprehensive services to foster a clean and well-maintained environment for businesses.

Commercial Cleaning Equipment List For Specialized Cleaning Services
Pressure Washing Equipment
Pressure washing is a highly effective cleaning service that utilizes powerful streams of water to eliminate dirt, grime, mould, mildew, and other unwanted debris from a wide range of surfaces.
This versatile technique can be applied to various materials such as concrete, brick, stone, wood decks, siding, and driveways, restoring their original cleanliness and appearance. With its remarkable efficiency and thoroughness, pressure washing is an excellent choice for maintaining the pristine condition of your property.
Referrals and testimonials provide an honest opinion from other business owners, which can give you an insight into their professionalism, performance, high quality and reliability level.
- Pressure Washer: A pressure washer is essential for every professional cleaning service. This equipment employs high-pressure water jets to eliminate different dirt, grit, and grime from various surfaces. Its powerful capabilities ensure thorough and efficient cleaning, making it a valuable asset in the industry.
- Brushes and Attachments: Different brushes work best with different materials, so choosing the right one is essential to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Blind Cleaning Tools:
Regularly cleaning blinds is essential to maintain their functionality and prevent dust-related issues. The process typically involves removing the blinds and soaking them in a cleaning solution, followed by a thorough brushing or scrubbing to ensure a pristine clean. Rinse and dry the blinds to complete the process.
Dust accumulation on blinds can hinder their smooth operation and even trigger allergies or asthma. By incorporating regular blind cleaning into your routine, you can effectively eliminate dust and keep your blinds in optimal condition.
- Blind Cleaning Brushes: These brushes are perfect for removing dirt, dust, and debris from your blinds’ slats. They come in different sizes to fit all kinds of blinds.
- Extension Pole: An extension pole is handy when you need to reach those tricky spots and thoroughly clean your blinds, even in the nooks and crannies.
Tools For Curtain Cleaning
Cleaning curtains can be part of a window-cleaning service or done separately. You see, curtains can gather dust, pollen, and other allergens, which can be a real hassle for our respiratory system. Not to mention, they can get stained or discoloured over time, making them look less attractive.
So, regular curtain cleaning is a must! You can either take them down for dry cleaning or clean them in place with special vacuums and brushes. It’s all about keeping them allergen-free and extending their lifespan.
- Vacuum Cleaners: A strong vacuum is the perfect tool for cleaning curtains. Its powerful suction can effectively eliminate dust and dirt particles from curtains, stopping them from piling up over time.
- Curtain Brushes: Curtain brushes are fantastic! They’re designed to dig deep into the fabric of your curtains, tackling even the toughest stains and dirt. So you can say goodbye to those stubborn messes!
Carpet Cleaning Tools: Commercial Cleaning Equipment
When it comes to cleaning carpets, it’s always wise to trust the experts who specialize in this service. Carpets tend to accumulate all sorts of things like dirt, dust, hair, and allergens, wreaking havoc on your breathing.
Let professional carpet cleaners work their magic and breathe easy again!
That’s why getting them cleaned regularly is crucial to eliminate all those nasty allergens and keep them looking fresh. Commercial carpet cleaning experts use unique solutions and machines to vacuum and clean carpets, removing dirt, stains, and any other gunk hiding there.
- Carpet Cleaners: Carpet cleaners are the ultimate machines for carpet cleaning. Equipped with strong suction and spray jets, these machines effectively eliminate dirt, stains, and debris from your carpets.
- Spot Cleaners: Spot cleaners are great for dealing with small stains and spills on carpets. With their powerful vacuuming capabilities, they can effortlessly remove those unwanted messes without leaving any marks.
To get the job done swiftly and effectively, it’s crucial to have the appropriate commercial cleaning equipment and cleaning supply list that suits your specific cleaning requirements.

Upholstery Cleaning Tools
Upholstery cleaning focuses on cleaning upholstered furniture like couches, chairs, and mattresses. Professional cleaners in Vancouver employ different tools and techniques to eliminate dirt, dust, and stains from fabric. Steam cleaning is a widely-used method that effectively removes tough stains and deeply embedded dirt. Dry cleaning methods are also used for delicate fabrics.
- Upholstery Cleaning Brushes: These brushes remove dirt and grime from fabric surfaces. They are available in different sizes, shapes, and materials, making them effective for various fabrics.
- Steam Cleaners: This is a common technique employed by professional cleaners. It utilizes steam to eliminate dirt, dust, stains, and debris from the upholstery. Steam cleaning is a highly effective method to clean delicate fabrics and remove stubborn stains safely.
- Vacuums: The vacuum cleaner is another essential tool for upholstery cleaning. It efficiently removes dust, dirt, hair, and other unwanted particles from your furniture. Its powerful suction power can reach even the most inaccessible areas that other cleaning methods might overlook.
This is a basic list of equipment for cleaning services used in professional commercial cleaning services. Investing in top-notch commercial cleaning equipment is a wise decision that yields long-term benefits. By employing these tools correctly, you can guarantee efficient and comprehensive cleaning. That’s why having the appropriate tools for the task at hand is crucial.
Ceiling and Wall Cleaning Equipment
Ceiling and wall cleaning typically require a ladder, scaffolding, special cleaners, and brushes. It involves removing dust, cobwebs, and grime that naturally accumulate on surfaces.
This cleaning is essential for maintaining indoor air quality and preventing the spread of illness-causing bacteria. Additionally, this service may include dusting ceiling fans, light fixtures, and other high areas and spot-cleaning wallpapers when necessary.
Chimney sweeping involves removing soot and ash from a chimney to prevent fire hazards. Chimney sweeps use tools like brushes, vacuums, and ladders to clean chimneys. Occasionally, chemical cleaners are used to dissolve stubborn soot and grime deposits.
Cleaning Tools For Pool Cleaning
Typically, pool maintenance involves:
- Skimming the surface to remove debris.
- Vacuuming to clean the bottom.
- Brushing the sides and steps to remove dirt and grime.
Additionally, chemical treatment may be used to maintain pH levels and prevent algae growth.
Commercial Cleaning Equipment List For Specialized Cleaning Services
When you begin a commercial cleaning company in Vancouver, BC, it’s crucial to have the right cleaning supplies readily available. This checklist will ensure you have everything necessary to get started. We’ll divide the basic cleaning supplies checklist into six categories and have a bonus resource to help you succeed in the cleaning industry.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Tools and Appliances
- Cleaning products
- Pool cleaning supplies
- Automotive cleaning supplies
- Green cleaning supplies and cleaning solutions alternatives

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Alongside PPE, keeping a well-stocked first aid kit nearby for accidents or injuries is crucial. Therefore, a cleaning business must have a clear and concise policy on PPE and first aid to ensure employee safety.
It is crucial to wear appropriate protective gear to shield yourself and your employees from constant exposure to dust and chemicals.
- Shoe covers for keeping your shoes clean and protected.
- Knee pads for knee protection against scrubbing.
- Protective gloves help prevent chemical exposure, keeping your hands safe and preventing dryness and cracking.
- Use masks to prevent inhalation of dust particles and chemicals. Dust masks are suitable for basic cleaning services, while gas masks are necessary when dealing with harmful cleaning chemicals to filter out dangerous fumes and vapours.
- Hazmat suits are designed to safeguard employees during the handling of hazardous materials. These suits, made from various materials such as rubber, plastic, and Kevlar, often come with breathing apparatus to protect against inhaling harmful fumes.
Along with PPE, it’s crucial to have a fully stocked first-aid kit available for accidents or injuries. A cleaning business must have a clear and concise policy regarding PPE and first aid to ensure the safety of all employees.
The right gear keeps you clean, comfortable, and protected from potential hazards. Taking proper precautions ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for both you and your clients.
High-Quality Cleaning Tools and Appliances
Tools and appliances are essential for any Vancouver commercial cleaning company, regardless of size. They facilitate quick and efficient completion of tasks and can significantly impact meeting deadlines.
Tools and appliances are a significant investment, so ensuring you have everything you need is crucial. Prioritize quality when selecting tools and appliances for your business. Having a few reliable, high-quality items is better than a large collection of cheap, flimsy ones.
Before making a purchase, make sure to research each product thoroughly. Feel free to invest in professional-grade items for your basic cleaning supplies list if they fit your budget. We have also divided this into two categories.
The Essential Commercial Cleaning Equipment And Tools
- Vacuum Cleaners
- Mops and Buckets
- Carpet Cleaners
- Brooms and Dustpans
- Sponges and Scrubbers
- Pressure Washers
- Extension Poles
- Squeegees
- Microfiber Cloths

All-Purpose Commercial Cleaning Equipment List
For simple commercial cleaning equipment such as cleaning cloths and mops:
- Microfiber cleaning cloths are great for dusting and cleaning surfaces. They trap dirt and debris more effectively compared to traditional clothes.
- Spray bottles are versatile tools that can hold different cleaners and are useful for targeted cleaning.
- A cleaning caddy helps carry and organize supplies in one place.
- Trash bags are used to collect garbage.
- Paper towels are versatile and suitable for surface wiping and spill absorption.
- Effective abrasive scrubbers for the removal of stubborn stains and buildup.
- Disposable sponges can efficiently absorb spills, clean surfaces, and remove light dirt and grime, making them a practical choice for various cleaning tasks.
- Disposable cloths can be utilized to absorb spills and clean various surfaces efficiently.
- Buckets serve the purpose of containing cleaning solutions and gathering used water during mopping tasks.
- Pumice is an effective solution for eliminating stubborn stains or buildup on hard surfaces.
- Disposable toilet brushes are an effective solution for preventing cross-contamination during toilet cleaning, ensuring optimal hygiene standards.
The Most Common Tools For Floor Cleaners
When it pertains to floor cleaning, an extensive selection of commercial cleaning equipment is accessible. Based on the type of flooring and the extent of dirt and debris, varying commercial cleaning equipment can be more or less efficient in achieving a spotless floor.
- Vacuum cleaners remove dirt, dust, and tiny particles from carpets.
- Backpack vacuum cleaners are fantastic for big spaces or places with lots of furniture. Plus, they’re handy for cleaning upholstery and stairs too!
- Floor machines are fantastic for giving hard floors – like tile, linoleum, and hardwood – a good scrub and polish.
- Brooms and mops are classic cleaning tools that work well on all floors.
- Floor scrubbing brushes are highly effective tools for eliminating stubborn stains and accumulated dirt.
- Pressure washers are highly effective tools for efficiently eliminating dirt and debris from driveways, sidewalks, and various hard surfaces.
When selecting the appropriate commercial cleaning equipment for your requirements, it is crucial to consider the flooring type and the volume of dirt and debris that necessitates removal.