We’ll be looking at setting up a cleaning van for your business.
Are you interested in starting a cleaning service? Do you wish to successfully launch your operations with less difficulty? You’ll need to pay as much attention to the tiny details as much as the major ones.
A cleaning van is essential to such a business.
Now, getting one isn’t enough. You’ll need to know how to set it up for business and we’ll show you how.
It doesn’t matter if you’re into residential, commercial, window, carpet, or swimming pool cleaning. One thing remains; having your vehicle fully set up and ready for business.
First off, you’ll need the right type of truck. So, is there a right and wrong kind of truck? Let’s find out.
Getting Your Cleaning Van
Your van or truck largely influences how well your setup goes. Certain vans are known to be quite sturdy and durable. These won’t easily dent from inside as some do during use or set up.
Some of the top vans for cleaning services include the Ford Transit, and Mercedes Benz Sprinter.
Others are the RAM ProMaster, Chevrolet Express, and the Nissan NV200. There’s no need to worry if you’ve got a van and can’t see it on the list.
What you’ve got can still serve the purpose and we’ll guide you through how to have it set up.
Setting Up A Cleaning Van
Setting up a cleaning van isn’t rocket science if you know what you need.
Now, there are varying needs across different cleaning services. Depending on your type of cleaning service, your truck might need to be set in a certain way.
First off, you want to make your technicians comfortable. The work environment including the condition of tools and equipment matters a lot.
With this said, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of cleaning van setup.
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Ensuring Your Technicians Are Comfortable
Starting with the front end of your truck, you’ll need to ensure that your technicians are comfortable. The work environment almost always impacts efficiency.
Here, we’re talking about the driver area. Your cleaning van should have enough legroom.
It’s best to go for vans whose engines are further out. The closer such engines are to the front, the lesser the legroom.
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Center Console
Depending on van design, you can give your technicians the option of going with a center console or without it. This is the space between the seats.
In the absence of the center console, space can be used as a storage area for a wide range of items.
You can convert the space for storage of shoe covers, towels, gloves, and a whole gamut of items. What you keep around here should be those supplies you wish to have close by without having to jump into the back of the van.
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Efficiency
To set up your cleaning van, one area you should be concerned about is improving efficiency.
Efficiency in this sense can be quite broad. First off, your van should have power windows, power locks, and backup cameras which all add to safety.
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Going Paperless
One of the best approaches to setting up a cleaning van is by going paperless.
This increases efficiency in no small measure. iPads are great tools to have. A wide array of software is available to enhance efficiency. The HouseCall Pro is one such software.
You can use this to set appointments, get updates, and also extend information to your clients via text to let them know you’re on the way.
What more? This software has a built-in GPS that helps save a lot of time.
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The Wastewater Pump-out System
A wastewater pump-out system is one tool you should consider having. It’s important to have an efficient way to empty your waste tank.
However, you’ll need to have such wastewater dumped responsibly and also follow your state’s laws.
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Have a Towel Spinner on the Truck
Depending on your type of cleaning service, consider having a towel spinner on the truck.
It’s a great add-on tool that can significantly improve efficiency. This and other items like the vacuum cleaner can be accessed from the side of the truck by sliding the doors open.
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The Back of the Cleaning Van
This is the area where a wide range of cleaning equipment and supplies are kept.
Such supplies and tools can be accessed from the side of the truck or by swinging open the back door. Depending on the van model, different vans will have their unique designs with bottle holders located at strategic points.
These areas can be used for the storage of your chemicals and other cleaning supplies. Having these properly arranged eliminates confusion as to the location of basic supplies.
Your technicians can easily reach these with little difficulty.
Some of the most common supplies include grease remover, rust remover, citrus gel, floor cleaner, glass cleaner, toilet cleaner, and so on. Some vans will have bottle holders located on the back door.
This makes it convenient for technicians.
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The Water Well
For a carpet cleaning service, having a water well at the back of your truck will be necessary.
A 110-gallon capacity water well will serve the purpose effectively. The water well is usually plugged into a truck mount. The water well is also plugged into a freshwater solution line.
Other Cleaning Supplies
Depending on the type of cleaning to be performed, the supplies used may vary.
Consider having separate sections for liquid and chemical products. Several chemical carriers should be installed at the back of the van.
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The Rotor Vac
Depending on your type of cleaning service, a rotor vac might be a valuable addition. This will be necessary for carpet cleaning jobs among others. There are different designs of this tool to choose from.
The Bottom Line
When setting up a cleaning van, it’s important to have an understanding of all that’s required. As a cleaning technician, you should have an idea of what’s needed and have them well arranged within your van.
A cleaning van is an essential part of your equipment as a cleaning service. So far, we’ve seen the basic requirements for setup.
A good setup cleaning van creates an impression on your clients.
