Factory floors can be messy places. Depending on what type of industrial work a company is engaged in, there can be paper products, metal chips, plastics, and other debris cluttering the floors of workstations and even in common areas on the factory floor.

Because factories are busy places with workers that may be inside the building five, six, and even seven days a week, cleaning can sometimes be a challenge. But here are four possible ways to keep a factory floor relatively clean throughout the day.

Hire a Cleaning Crew

One of the most reliable ways to make sure that a factory floor is kept free of debris is to employ a cleaning crew. A cleaning crew is great for the simple reason that their sole function is to make sure that the building and floors remain clean. Cluttered and unkempt floors can be safety hazards and can even be a hindrance when it comes to production.

If you’re thinking about the expense of hiring a full-time cleaning staff, you’ll be happy to know that a cleaner can work on a part-time basis or even be a contract worker. Cleaners could work during off-peak times or during shift changes so that they wouldn’t interfere with production schedules. Depending on the size of the factory, a handful of cleaners may get the job done.

Require Workers to Clean Up After Themselves

Having factory workers clean up after themselves may be the most practical way of ensuring that workspaces and factory floors remain clean. It’s definitely likely to be the cheapest way to ensure a clean factory. Workers could simply spot clean as they work or take a little more time to clean up their area at the end of their shift.

A good thing about having workers clean up after themselves is that they’re likely to make less of a mess in the first place if they know that they’re required to clean up after themselves. Also, having a worker clean their area toward the end of their shift shouldn’t be an issue, but requiring cleanup as the employee is working could have an effect on the worker’s productivity.

Automation and Innovation

Another option is to go high-tech and rely on robots to clean your factory. Of course, using robots for cleaning is going to come at a cost some factories might not be willing to pay. Still, many factories already employ robot technology to assist in production. Having robots perform cleaning duties in factories seems to be the natural progression.

There are also innovative cleaning devices and techniques that don’t rely on robots but are made possible through human ingenuity. The ultimate goal is to work smarter and not harder. Chances are you want to free up your line employees to concentrate on things like meeting production goals, so why not use technology to your advantage if it helps?

Invest in Cleaning Supplies and Equipment

General cleanup of a workstation and even the factory floor can generally be accomplished with brooms and sweepers. Again, this will depend on the size of the factory and on what it’s producing, but in many cases, brooms and sweepers will get the job done. In cases where messes are made beyond the typical paper, plastic, and metallic shavings, different equipment might be necessary.

If you’re talking about more thorough cleaning, you may want to look into hiring employees or contractors whose job it is to clean. Chances are line workers won’t have the time, skill, or patience to thoroughly clean their workspaces on top of having to keep up with production goals and their other daily tasks.

Factories have a reputation for being dirty places, but they don’t have to be. Some of the ways to keep factory floors and workspaces clean include hiring a separate cleaning crew to tackle the job, requiring line workers to clean up after themselves, using automation to assist in the cleaning, and investing in appropriate cleaning supplies and equipment. Keeping a clean work environment will not only increase employee morale but can also lead to a more efficient and productive work environment.