As the world wakes up to smarter buildings and sharper sustainability targets, the cleaning and hygiene sector across Australia and New Zealand is undergoing its own quiet revolution. Beyond mop-and-bucket routines, 2025 is demanding a new standard – one driven by technology, data and professional training. It’s more than an operational upgrade for businesses ready to adapt – it’s a chance to lead.

For cleaning companies, the pressure to go green goes well beyond public image. It’s about compliance, risk management and business survival. “With climate-related disasters on the rise, governments worldwide are requiring large companies – and importantly, their suppliers – to be more transparent and report on climate risks and sustainability,” The Ashkin Group CEO and president Stephen Ashkin says. “What was once optional is now becoming essential. Even small and mid-sized cleaning companies must respond to customer information requests or risk losing business.”

This shift has seen sustainability reporting evolve from a niche initiative to a strategic necessity. In response, ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, has launched the Sustainability Reporting Platform – an accessible tool designed to help members not only meet mounting compliance demands but also uncover hidden savings and streamline operations.

Tech steps up to the task

Across commercial, healthcare and retail spaces, technology – once a futuristic add-on – is now a frontline tool. Robotic floor scrubbers hum through shopping centres, autonomous vacuums sweep offices after hours and smart sensors track when and where cleaning is needed. No longer novelties, these innovations offer real-time decision-making, cost savings and better outcomes for clients.

The integration of IoT and AI is creating smarter, more responsive environments. Digital tools enable tailored schedules based on foot traffic, predictive maintenance on ageing assets and live reporting that clients can access with the tap of a finger. More than streamlining tasks, these technologies are about delivering more precise, value-driven services.

“These tools help with big cleaning jobs, track performance and even predict maintenance needs,” Cleanstar co-founder Lisa Michalson says. “The future is a mix of smart machines and skilled people working together. Businesses that invest in both tech and training are staying ahead in 2025.”

That dual investment matters. While some tools are designed to reduce physical strain and increase productivity, Michalson warns that without proper training, their benefits are often lost. “Staff must learn not only operation but also in-field maintenance and troubleshooting,” she says. “Digital literacy is becoming increasingly important as cleaning equipment begins to connect with cloud-based reporting tools and sensors.”

The power of professional knowledge

With training taking centre stage, upskilling has moved beyond ticking boxes for compliance. It’s now a business imperative. Industry-recognised certifications from IICRC, NZQA credentials in environmental sampling and specialist courses in trauma, odour control and methamphetamine remediation are becoming badges of trust in an increasingly discerning market.

Cleaners with accredited training perform better and bring more confidence to their work, becoming trusted voices in client relationships. In a market where hygiene remains front-of-mind and reputational risk is high, credibility matters. 

Michalson sees this shift up close. “At Cleanstar Australia, we see cleaning teams getting trained not just on how to use modern tools but also how to maintain them and work smarter, not harder,” she says. “That’s why training now includes digital know-how, basic troubleshooting and sustainable cleaning practices.”

There’s also the revenue angle. Specialist services like mould remediation, flood response and decontamination are surging in demand, and only those with the right credentials can step into these high-value fields. “Specialised cleaning is booming, especially in areas like carpet restoration, floor resurfacing and infection control,” Michalson says. “Knowing how to use and maintain cordless, battery-powered tools is opening new doors for contractors, particularly in environments like hospitals and transport hubs where safety and mobility are critical.”

As sustainability, client expectations and smart infrastructure reshape the industry, one thing is clear: cleaning in 2025 is no longer a background service. It’s a professional, data-informed and technology-enabled discipline that rewards those who keep pace. For businesses willing to learn, adapt and embrace change, the opportunity is wide open.