Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Commercial Cleaning Supplies: Scrutinize, Evaluate, Choose Wisely

If you’ve noticed your paper, soap, trash can liners, and cleaning chemicals disappearing faster than ever, you’re not alone. Manufacturers have adopted a trend of making products thinner, smaller, and cheaper, prompting a closer look at the specifications of commercial cleaning supplies.

Subtle Changes, Cumulative Impact

Many building service contractors and facility managers have observed peculiar specifications in newly packaged products, raising concerns about the quality and longevity of these essential supplies. Subtle alterations, such as reductions in sheet counts and changes in core sizes, contribute to an overall decrease in the value of these products.

Paper Rolls: The Shrinking Dimensions

Changes in paper products are becoming more evident, with reductions in sheet lengths and widths. What were once considered standard dimensions are now scaled down, leading to thinner, almost see-through ply-thicknesses. The core sizes are expanding, leaving an undesirable cardboard tunnel in the middle.

Evolution in Hand Cleaners

Even hand soaps, often marketed as “luxury” or “pearlized,” are not immune to this trend. Some are now diluted to the point of dripping from dispensers. Refill sizes have shrunk, and crucial ingredients like aloe, lanolin, and Vitamin E are being eliminated or reduced in formulations.

Trash Can Liners: The Equivalent Ratings Conundrum

Advancements in polymer manufacturing for trash can liners have been significant, but some manufacturers opt for subjective claims rather than disclosing actual thickness. Equating their bags to thicker versions can be misleading, making it challenging for consumers to make informed choices.

Product Size and Count Variations

Standard trash can liner sizes have also witnessed reductions, with the possibility of receiving smaller sizes than expected. The case counts may vary, with instances of manufacturers putting fewer liners in a case than advertised.

Confusion and Lack of Disclosure

These repackaged products have left many cleaning contractors and facility managers perplexed. Some have reported difficulties finding specifications or codes on products purchased elsewhere, prompting them to play detective to make accurate product comparisons.

Demanding Full Disclosure

In these instances, manufacturers and distributors may be compromising quality to enhance their bottom line. Scrub n Shine advocates for full disclosure in manufacturing and selling practices. If a manufacturer or distributor won’t provide complete information, it begs the question – why continue doing business with them?

Empowering Consumers with Knowledge

While variances in quality make it challenging to compare products directly, consumers should be aware of active ingredients, weights, thicknesses, and counts. Scrub n Shine recommends scrutinizing products for anomalies such as misleading sizes, diluted hand soaps, and misrepresented trash can liners.

Choose Quality, Choose Scrub n Shine

At Scrub n Shine, we take pride in selling quality commercial maintenance products with full disclosure. We stand behind everything we sell and service, offering better products, better service, and better value. If you need guidance or superior cleaning supplies, contact us. We’re here to help you navigate through the myriad choices and make informed decisions for your cleaning needs.