How to Stop Losing Time (and Money) on Janitorial Inventory Management

How much time do you spend each week just trying to stay on top of your cleaning supply inventory? If it’s more than you’d like—or if you’re still chasing down who used the last box of gloves—it’s time to rethink your janitorial supplies management approach.

As your business grows across multiple staff, clients, and locations, missed orders, overstocked closets, and last‑minute runs to the store quietly eat into your profits and waste your team’s time. Here’s how to get that back.

Tip #1: Centralize All Your Inventory Data

Keep everyone on the same page about what’s in stock, what’s needed, and where to find it.

• Scrap the dozen spreadsheets, post‑its, and phone‑thread updates.
• Consolidate your inventory counts into one system—even a simple spreadsheet works. Need a place to start? Download our free Cleaning Supply Inventory Tracking Template to get organized fast. 
• Set minimum thresholds by location so you know instantly when a site is running low.

What happens if you don’t: Double‑orders, last‑minute rushes, and hours wasted tracking down missing supplies.

Tip #2: Mobilize Your Supply Workflows

Make Inventory Requests Easy—So Supplies Never Slow You Down

Enable your cleaners to request supplies quickly, and give managers the visibility to act fast—without endless texts or email chains.

✅ Let field staff submit requests by location with a simple mobile form
✅ Send low-stock alerts to managers so they can approve or redirect orders instantly
✅ Generate location-specific shopping lists or purchase orders—no more whiteboards or guesswork

What happens if you don’t: Cleaners wait. Managers scramble. Clients notice. And your whole operation slows down.

Bonus insight: Teams that always have the right supplies report higher morale—and stay on the job longer.

Tip #3: Track Trends to Forecast & Optimize

Turn historical data into smarter buying decisions.

• Review your supply‑request history each month to spot spikes or dips in usage.
• Identify slow‑moving items you can cut or shift to another location.
• Consolidate your approved supplier list to leverage volume discounts and reduce vendor confusion.

What happens if you don’t: You keep guessing par levels, miss out on bulk savings, and get stuck with unused stock.

Inventory Management = Cleaner Retention + Client Trust

Good janitorial supply management is more than just “operations.” It’s how you:

• Keep cleaners happy by making sure they never run out of essentials.
• Demonstrate professionalism to clients who expect spotless, well‑stocked facilities.
• Free up your time from endless fire drills so you can focus on growth.

Finding the Right Supplies for Your Cleaning Business

Get Inventory Right, Win Cleaner Loyalty and Client Confidence

Good janitorial supply management is more than just “operations.” It’s how you:

• Keep cleaners happy by making sure they never run out of essentials.
• Demonstrate professionalism to clients who expect spotless, well‑stocked facilities.
• Free up your time from constant supply issues so you can focus on growth.

Ready to Move from Chaos to Control?

You don’t need to overhaul your whole business—just invest in a supply‑request and inventory workflow tool that:

• Centralizes your data in one place
• Empowers your field teams with mobile ordering
• Gives you clear trend reports and supplier management

Swept was designed to simplify janitorial inventory management—helping you save time, cut waste, and keep your team accountable. Ready to take control and scale your business with confidence? Swept has you covered.