A Clean Facility Shouldn’t Be a Major Cost

Why is standardization valuable for fitness operators?

Cleanliness is incredibly important to members, and standardization helps ensure a consistent experience across all locations.

Plus, with high staff turnover, clubs can simplify training new employees by using the same products and following the same practices, which are ideally outlined in a cleaning methods manual.

Standardization also makes budgeting more predictable. When managers know which products are used in each area of the facility, they have a clearer picture of purchasing needs and costs.

Which supplies should operators prioritize?

Start with high-use, high-impact categories such as cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, soap, sanitizer, and paper products.

Approved products and appropriate dilution [chemical to water ratio] can be more economical and help ensure compliance with health and safety requirements. Using the wrong products can also damage equipment.

Installing the same dispensers across locations creates a uniform look and can save staff time with refills.

What should operators consider when purchasing jan/san products?

Look beyond the purchase price. Product performance, efficacy, dilution rates, and the unit of measure all affect the true cost.

Labor matters, too. A lower-priced product or piece of equipment, such as a mop and bucket, isn’t necessarily the better value if it takes an employee significantly longer to use. A more expensive piece of equipment, like a floor scrubber, may pay for itself by reducing cleaning time.

Operators should consider the total cost of getting the job done.

Does everything need to be standardized?

Not necessarily. Lower-use items, such as brooms, may not need the same level of standardization. Regional or seasonal requirements, such as floor conditioner in snowy regions, also may justify some flexibility.

What problems can occur when individual locations buy their own products?

Fitness facilities can lose purchasing power, make inventory more difficult to control, create inconsistencies in cleaning practices, and complicate staff training. Different products also make it harder for operations teams to monitor whether locations are following established standards.

From the member perspective, those inconsistencies can be noticeable—from missing basic supplies to visibly different cleaning practices.

Consistent cleaning products and practices help ensure members have a positive experience at every location, strengthening brand reputation while supporting member satisfaction, loyalty, and long-term retention.

Where should an operator begin?

Start with the data. Analyze purchasing and order history to see what locations are actually buying, then identify opportunities to consolidate products and reduce unnecessary SKUs. A site survey adds another valuable perspective by showing how practices in individual facilities compare with corporate or operational expectations.

Ultimately, the goal is to identify the products and processes where consistency can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and give operators greater control over the business.