Cleaning Automation Is Growing – The Broom Still Has a Job to Do

AIKEN, South Carolina — As facilities increasingly evaluate automated cleaning technologies to improve productivity, traditional brushes and brooms continue to play an important role in professional cleaning operations. Rather than replacing manual cleaning tools, automation is encouraging facility teams to consider how powered equipment and task-specific manual tools can work together as part of a broader maintenance strategy.

According to Cleaning & Maintenance Management’s 2026 In-House/Facility Management Benchmarking Survey, 36% of respondents planning to purchase cleaning technology within the following year identified robotic or autonomous equipment as their most likely purchase. At the same time, 59% of respondents viewed the cost of implementing cleaning technology as either a significant barrier or concern.

These findings highlight a practical consideration for facility managers: automation can improve productivity for certain repetitive cleaning tasks, but not every cleaning application is suited to powered equipment. Facility teams continue to encounter corners, edges, confined spaces, spot-cleaning requirements and specialized surfaces where a broom or brush can provide flexibility, control and an immediate response.

Interclean’s 2026 professional cleaning trends reporting similarly points to automation as an enabler of cleaning operations rather than a complete replacement for human involvement. As cleaning technology develops, human judgment remains important for adapting to different environments and responding to cleaning requirements that vary from task to task.

Where Manual Cleaning Tools Still Fit

Automated cleaning equipment can be effective for repeatable tasks across larger areas, but manual tools remain practical when cleaning requires precision, accessibility or quick deployment. Manual brushes and brooms can be particularly useful for:

• Cleaning corners, edges and confined areas that automated equipment may not easily reach.
• Addressing spills, debris and other spot-cleaning requirements that need immediate attention.
• Cleaning around equipment, fixtures and other obstacles.
• Working on surfaces that require specific bristle types or brush configurations.
• Performing quick maintenance tasks when deploying powered equipment may be unnecessary.
• Supporting automated floor-cleaning equipment as part of a complete cleaning workflow.

For facility professionals, the question is therefore not necessarily whether to choose automation or manual cleaning tools. In many environments, the more practical question is which tool is most appropriate for the task.

Selecting the Right Tool for the Job

Different cleaning conditions require different approaches. A fine-sweep brush may be appropriate for lighter debris, while a scrub brush can provide the additional agitation needed for more demanding cleaning applications. Larger floor areas may call for a different broom configuration than confined spaces or lobby areas. Factors such as surface type, debris, cleaning area, frequency of use and the level of sweeping or scrubbing required can all influence tool selection.

Janeice Products Co. Inc.’s Brushes & Brooms category includes options designed for a range of facility maintenance applications, including fine sweeping, floor maintenance, scrubbing, lobby cleaning and specialized cleaning. Products such as fine-sweep brushes, street brooms and Palmyra scrub brushes give facility professionals options for matching the tool to the requirements of the task. The goal is not simply to add more equipment to a cleaning program, but to use the appropriate equipment for each application.

Automation and Manual Tools Can Work Together

As facility managers continue to evaluate robotic and automated cleaning technologies, manual tools remain a practical component of professional cleaning programs. Automation can help address repetitive and predictable cleaning tasks, while employees equipped with the appropriate brushes and brooms can handle detail work, changing conditions and areas that require closer control. This combination can allow facilities to use automation where it provides the greatest value while retaining the flexibility of manual tools where they remain the more practical choice.

For many facilities, productivity does not necessarily mean eliminating manual cleaning. Instead, it can mean creating a workflow in which automated equipment and task-specific manual tools complement one another. As cleaning technology continues to evolve, the traditional broom and brush remain useful components of facility maintenance particularly when accessibility, precision, flexibility and a quick response are required.

About Janeice Products Co. Inc.

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Aiken, South Carolina, Janeice Products Co. Inc. is a nationwide online distributor of industrial, MRO, office, janitorial and business supplies through its JPC Catalog platform. The company provides businesses and individual buyers with access to thousands of products across industrial tools, cleaning and janitorial supplies, safety equipment, material handling, office products and technology supplies.

With more than 33 years of experience, Janeice Products Co. Inc. focuses on simplifying supply purchasing through a broad online catalog, competitive pricing and reliable fulfillment. For more information, visit JPC Catalog.

Contact

Latoya J. Kelly

Janeice Products Co. Inc.