Professional Cleaning in Practice 2026 Trends: Driven by people, powered by innovation
The professional cleaning industry is often portrayed as moving towards widespread automation. Robotics, artificial intelligence, data-driven systems and changing regulations appear to signal a future in which human involvement is steadily reduced.
However, our 2026 trend report, which examines 10 of the defining trends for the year, challenges and the sector’s trajectory, analyses this assumption and points to a different reality.
This blog highlights five of the key areas that show how professional cleaning is becoming more people-led, more specialised, and more accountable, with technology acting as an enabler rather than a replacement.
Sustainability is central to professional cleaning
Sustainability now shapes everyday business decisions, with circular practices influencing packaging, product use, and waste. Rather than focusing on one-off changes, companies are rethinking how they supply, reuse, and recover resources throughout their operations.
Pressures are also rising on businesses to deliver tangible reductions in water use, chemical consumption, and waste. This has encouraged suppliers, for instance, to redesign product systems that advance sustainable behaviour and shape how cleaning is actually carried out on a day-to-day basis.
The challenge lies in providing clear guidance, the right training and effective oversight, all of which become more challenging to deliver consistently at scale.
Automation absorbs tasks, not responsibility
Innovation is not replacing human effort; it is making room for greater oversight, judgment, and accountability. Organisations continue to adopt automation and digital solutions to achieve increased productivity, cost reduction, and improved accuracy.
By removing repetitive tasks, automation gives people more space for creativity, problem-solving, and connection. Taking on new responsibilities also means providing the necessary training to adapt.
The challenge remains using automation in a transparent, responsible way in a complex and ever-changing landscape. Specialisation also adds complexity and requires targeted training. However, investing in the proper training is essential. It reduces operational risk, strengthens compliance, and delivers stronger, more sustainable results over the long term.
Expertise defines performance
As technology advances, the need for expertise in cleaning becomes even more critical. Despite technological progress, cleaning environments remain unpredictable and automated systems are not yet capable of fully managing human behaviour.
As a result, the role of cleaning professionals is evolving. Formal qualifications and accredited training are becoming essential indicators of quality and decision-making. Staff also require regular, structured training rather than solely relying on experience. The successful adoption of new technologies will depend on understanding how these systems fit into their daily work.
Rising standards, deeper scrutiny
Evolving external forces, including rising standards, client expectations, and tighter regulations, are creating higher levels of scrutiny and a demand for better health and safety requirements in the cleaning industry. This means that the industry as a whole is becoming more accountable, demanding clear procedures and measurable outcomes. And when cleaning is recognised as a critical necessity, it protects people, supports organisational resilience and underpins trust in shared spaces.
In the future, the challenge is managing increased visibility and rising expectations. Hybrid work, public awareness, and environmental concerns have made cleaning more prominent and closely linked to reputation.
A people-led future
New regulations and continued technological advancements are accelerating innovation across the cleaning industry. Over time, these forces have tested and reshaped the industry’s priorities, bringing greater clarity around what matters most. The future is more about reinforcing those priorities. By placing people at the centre, the industry can focus on using technology more effectively and strengthening partnerships to raise standards and outcomes.
For a deeper look at all 10 trends, including challenges and opportunities ahead, download the full report here.
