Technical Cleaning Terms & Definitions You Should Know in 2025

You may have come across certain technical terms related to cleaning and the commercial cleaning industry that may seem familiar but don’t carry the meaning you think. Many cleaning contracts also have specific terms in the section about cleaning practices or cleaning tasks. What are these terms and what are their definitions?

In this article, we’ll define technical terms common to the commercial cleaning industry.

Technical Cleaning Industry Terms and Their Definition

There are several technical terms used in the commercial cleaning industry, either in training materials for employees and cleaning staff or in commercial cleaning contracts when companies sign one with a service contractor.

It is important to understand what these technical terms mean. Many of them have the face meaning and are easy to understand but there are a few that may need more elaboration.

Absorption

Absorption means the uptake of liquids and watery substances by a tissue or cloth.

Cleaning Agent

Chemical agents are a technical term that includes a range of cleaning supplies used to clean, sanitise and disinfect surfaces and remove dirt or other particles from different areas.

Cleaning Solution

Cleaning solutions are detergents, surfactants or a mixture of the two that can be diluted to make a solution. The solution has cleaning properties and is used to clean different areas and surfaces.

Clinical

In the commercial cleaning industry, clinical is a term that refers to medical spaces (like in healthcare centres or hospitals) where the risk of cross-contamination is high and, therefore, cleaning and sanitation should adhere to more stringent protocols to remove all types of bacteria, germs, viruses and other disease-bearing particles.

Colour Coding System

Colour coding systems in cleaning are set of guidelines that divide different areas in an environment with different colours that show the risk of cross-contamination. These colour code systems are in place to prevent cross-contamination.

Colour-Coded

Colour-coded cleaning equipment provides the user with information on where these cleaning equipment should be used to prevent the risk of cross-contamination. For example, a red mop should be used only in red areas in the colour-coded map of that area (red areas indicate areas with a high risk of cross-contamination like toilets and washrooms).

Contamination

Contamination means the presence of minor or unwanted material or particle in a solution, area or physical body.

COSHH

COSHH or Control of Substances Hazardous to Health is a set of regulations set in place in 2002 to protect employees and staff from hazardous substances. COSHH risk assessment helps control the exposure, monitoring health and planning in the event of incidents. COSHH is a legal requirement for employers and COSHH risk assessment is an important responsibility in the workplace.

Damp Mopping

Dam mopping is a cleaning technique for hard floors that use the least amount of water. Cleaning staff often dampen the mop with a minimal amount of water and mop the floor to clean while reducing streak marks on the floor after drying and preventing dust from getting in the environment.

Read More: How to Improve Office Air Quality?

Dilute

Diluting means reducing the concentration of cleaning solution of chemical agent, usually by adding water.

Dilution Rates

The dilution rate is usually a table of information or a chart that shows the cleaning solution and water ratio for dilution.

Disposable

Disposable products are products (e.g. cleaning equipment or personal protective equipment) designed to be single-use and disposed of afterwards. Disposable products are cheaper compared to products with medium or long-term durability.

Dust

Dust is an amalgamation of substances like fibres, fabrics, cotton linters, feathers and other stuffing materials. Several sources are identified for dust in homes or office spaces. Dust particles may contain bacteria, germs, pet dancers, bits of plants and insects, hair and other similar substances.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic living organisms or microscopic arachnids that may cause harm to health.

Fixtures & Fittings

Fixtures and fittings are small detachable parts of larger items or devices. In the commercial cleaning industry, fixtures and fittings generally refer to smaller bits and items attached to walls, doors or other similar surfaces. Examples of fixtures and fittings are door knobs, lift panels, picture frames or light fittings.

Microfiber

Microfiber is a type of synthetic fabric designed with very thin spilt fibres. Microfiber has a wide range of uses in the commercial cleaning industry. Microfiber cloths, dusters and mops are just a few examples used widely in this industry.

Micro-Organism

Micro-organisms, as the name implies, are microscopic living organisms like years, moulds and bacteria that are only visible through a microscope. Some micro-organisms can pose health threats to those present in the area as the organism.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment or PPE are equipment used by cleaning operatives as a means of protection against certain substances and materials during cleaning tasks. They are commonly used to protect against harmful vapours emitted from cleaning chemicals or splashes during spraying, cleaning and scrubbing surfaces.

Pest Infestation

Pest infestation means the presence of a large number of pests in groups in an area or on the surface of a host.

RIDDOR

RIDDOR or Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations is a 1995 legislation that legally enforces employers or people in charge of premises to report work-related accidents, injuries, diseases, dangerous occurrences (near miss accidents) and deaths.

Sanitary Appliances

Sanitary appliances are fittings and appliances used for the collection and discharge of soil or waste matter. They are mostly used in washrooms and toilets and include toilet seats, urinals, sinks and other fittings in such areas.

Systematic Cleaning

Systematic cleaning or cleaning plan of action is the organised cleaning method that follows certain steps and practices to ensure areas within premises are thoroughly cleaned, sanitised and disinfected with proper cleaning supplies and chemical solutions.

Ventilation

Ventilation refers to replacing stale or noxious air with fresh air using air circulation systems. The simplest and most reliable way of achieving air circulation in most areas is by opening the window.

Conclusion

There are several technical terms used in the commercial cleaning industry, either in training materials for cleaning staff or in commercial cleaning contracts. These terms may not refer to their face meaning and may have deeper more technical definitions. In this article, we defined the most important technical terms commonly in use in the commercial cleaning industry.

The information provided by this article will help you understand the actual meaning of certain technical terms in the commercial cleaning industry training materials or cleaning service contracts.

Technical Terms & Definitions in The Commercial Cleaning Industry