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Despite persisting economic challenges, the cleaning sector continues to demonstrate confidence and a firm focus on sustainable innovation, according to new research from cleaning manufacturer and distributor Robert Scott.
More than 70 per cent of the cleaning professionals surveyed in the research stated that the rising cost of doing business had the greatest impact on their operations in 2024, with almost 90 per cent believing it will remain a significant factor in 2025. This points to a more sustained challenge than originally anticipated, given that only a third of cleaning businesses had previously predicted price increases over 2024.
Many respondents attribute new financial burdens to the change of government, with almost half (45 per cent) stating that the new administration has had a negative or very negative impact on the cleaning sector. The most significant obstacles cited were increases to the minimum wage and Employer National Insurance contributions, with 84 per cent and 88 per cent of respondents respectively indicating these will have a serious impact on their day-to-day operations.
Despite these pressures, sustainability continues to play a critical role in shaping the industry’s future. Over 80 per cent of respondents confirmed the importance of sustainability to the sector, with the effectiveness of sustainable cleaning products cited as the foremost priority. Reducing plastic waste also continues to be a key issue, with 60 per cent of professionals citing it as a concern in the research, a five per cent increase from last year.
However, the research also highlighted that only a third of customers are prepared to pay more for ecofriendly solutions, indicating that businesses must deliver on both sustainability and value. Indeed, ‘demonstrating value for money’ was identified as the biggest overall trend for 2025 by almost half of respondents (46 per cent).
Robert Scott says it has “helped pave the way for solutions that strike this balance between cost savings and environmental responsibility”. This includes the new Ecofibre Compostable Wipe, a 100 per cent plastic-free cloth made from natural fibres offered at a price point comparable to other non-woven wipes. The company is also moving products from virgin plastic to recycled content across much of its range, without any impact on prices.
In addition, the company’s innovative Toucan Eco range creates a 100 per cent natural disinfectant from water and salt to eliminate the need for costly and harmful chemical products, while maintaining performance on a par with traditional cleaning agents.
Another emerging area of innovation with the potential to deliver significant efficiency gains – and one that is increasingly on the radar for industry professionals – is robotics. Indeed, more than half (56 per cent) of respondents believe that robotic cleaning machines will have a notable impact on the industry within the next five years.
Alastair Scott, Sales Director at Robert Scott, commented: “The cleaning industry has always adapted to shifting market pressures, and this year’s findings show that the sector remains determined and forward-thinking in the face of economic headwinds. Cost challenges and policy changes are real, but it’s encouraging to see businesses respond proactively and continue to seek out smarter, more efficient ways of working.”
The research also explored customer satisfaction levels with Robert Scott, which celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2025. An impressive 91 per cent of respondents rated Robert Scott’s service as good or great, with a similar percentage expressing satisfaction with product availability and 95 per cent product recommendation.
Scott concluded: “We’re very proud that the industry rates our service offering and product availability so highly. As we enter our centenary year, our focus will remain on delivering solutions that improve cleaning efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and provide tangible value for our customers.”
