Clogged Vents and Dusty Beams? How Sortation Centre and Warehouse Cleaning Keeps Your Warehouse Compliant and Safe
Over the last 10 to 15 years, demand for fast, efficient warehousing, logistics, and distribution has surged driven by e-commerce, retail and manufacturing. But as the sector has grown, so too have expectations around cleanliness, compliance, and operational reliability.
In environments that operate 24/7, there’s little room for error. That’s why more warehouse managers are choosing to implement structured cleaning schedules and planned preventative maintenance (PPM) to reduce downtime, extend machinery lifespan, and keep staff working in safe, hygienic conditions.
At Exterius, we specialise in professional warehouse and sortation centre cleaning. Our clients trust us to deliver specialist services that keep their facilities clean, safe, compliant—and always operational.
Why Warehouse and Sortation Centre Cleaning Matters
Warehouses are fast-moving, high-volume spaces where dust, dirt, and debris build up quickly. When overlooked, this can lead to:
- Fire hazards from lint and dust on lighting, vents, and electricals
- Blocked HVAC systems and poor air quality
- Increased equipment failure and unscheduled maintenance
- Contamination in packaging or stored goods
- Failed audits and costly compliance issues
We offer planned and reactive warehouse cleaning services that target the areas that matter most from the rafters to the roller conveyors.
What’s Included in Our Specialist Service?
Our service is designed for industrial spaces not general commercial premises. We work with large-scale logistics sites, fulfilment centres, cold storage facilities, and specialist sortation environments.
1. Internal High-Level Cleaning
Our IPAF-trained operatives use the SpaceVac carbon-fibre vacuum system to remove dust from beams, ducting, cable trays, pipework and more without the need for scaffolding or disruption to your operations.
2. Ventilation and HVAC Cleaning
Clogged vents reduce airflow and strain systems. We safely clear intake vents, ducting and filters to improve air quality and performance.
3. Conveyor and Machinery Cleaning
Dirt and adhesive build-up on conveyors leads to jams, damage, and unnecessary returns. We provide detailed cleaning, including the application of our exclusive British-made nano coating to reduce surface friction.
4. Floor and Loading Bay Maintenance
We use industrial-grade sweepers and scrubbers to remove oils, debris, and hazards from busy access areas.
5. Window Cleaning for Warehouses
Including high-level internal glazing, skylights, and curtain walling.
Compliance You Can Count On
We help our clients meet standards such as:
- BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards) for food storage and distribution
- ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 for health, safety, and environmental management
- COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) and fire safety regulations
- Internal audit and client-specific checklists for third-party logistics and fulfilment centres
Cleanliness isn’t just about appearance—it’s a compliance issue. We document all works, provide full RAMS, and support your site’s audit trail for external assessments and insurance purposes.
The Operational Cost of Poor Cleaning
Neglecting warehouse cleanliness isn’t just a risk—it’s a drain on operations. Dust and debris impact:
- Machine reliability – leading to increased repairs and early replacements
- Product quality – especially in food, pharmaceutical, and textile sectors
- Employee morale – clean environments reduce absenteeism and increase retention
- Efficiency – downtime from blocked rollers or failed inspections halts fulfilment
Our clients report fewer breakdowns, improved audit outcomes, and smoother day-to-day operations once a PPM schedule is implemented.
Why Planned Preventative Maintenance Works
PPM reduces the risk of unplanned shutdowns and helps you stay compliant with industry standards. It also:
- Reduces costly emergency repairs
- Keeps staff working in a clean, professional environment
- Protects packaging quality, reducing returns
- Helps retain employees in a demanding sector
- Ensures readiness for inspections, audits, and client walkthroughs
Our warehouse cleaning company builds maintenance plans around your operational hours, site size and equipment needs.
Trusted by Industry Leaders
We’ve worked with some of the UK’s most recognised logistics and fulfilment companies, including temperature-controlled storage specialists, FMCG distributors, and high-volume e-commerce operations.
Here’s what one of our long-standing clients had to say:
“Exterius transformed our approach to cleaning. The team helped us reduce downtime and pass several third-party audits with flying colours. Their high-level work was precise, professional, and tailored to our sector.”
Whether you operate a local distribution warehouse or a national logistics centre, we bring the same level of rigour, responsiveness, and reliability to every site.
Why Clients Choose Exterius
We’ve spent over 20 years working with warehousing and logistics businesses across the UK. Our approach is simple: safe, specialist, and structured.
- Fully in-house, uniformed and DBS-checked staff
- Advanced equipment including SpaceVac, DOFF, and nano coatings
- IPAF and PASMA certified for working at height
- No subcontractors—ever
- Flexible scheduling and full compliance documentation
Whether you’re needing Commercial Cleaning Bedford, Commercial Cleaning London, Commercial Cleaning Birmingham, or across the Midlands, we’re here to support you.
Book a Free Site Survey
Need to reduce downtime, pass inspections, or keep your sortation centre running smoothly? Get in touch with Exterius today to arrange a free site survey and quote.
Let our team design a tailored cleaning plan that supports your operational goals and keeps your warehouse in peak condition.
FAQs
What makes warehouse cleaning services different from standard cleaning?
Warehouse cleaning requires specialist tools, working at height, and knowledge of industrial equipment. General cleaning services often don’t account for the risk or complexity of these environments. Our teams are fully trained and equipped for complex industrial spaces.
How often should warehouse cleaning be carried out?
This depends on site activity and risk profile. Some sites benefit from monthly cleans, others quarterly. We’ll recommend a tailored plan based on your operations and regulatory requirements.
Can you clean during overnight or weekend hours?
Yes. We work to your schedule, including evenings, early mornings, weekends, and public holidays to minimise disruption.
Do you clean active production and distribution sites?
Yes. Our operatives are experienced in working safely around ongoing warehouse operations and can coordinate with your shift patterns and safety protocols.
Is your cleaning environmentally friendly?
Yes. Our high level vacuum cleaning systems are dry and chemical-free, and our floor cleaning products are low-impact and fully COSHH-compliant.
Do you provide internal and external window cleaning for industrial sites?
Absolutely. We offer commercial building window cleaning for warehouses, including high-level internal and external glass, skylights, curtain walling, and loading bay windows.
