Inside the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo 2025

The cleaning industry’s biggest event of the year is here, and we couldn’t wait to be part of it!

This week, our Cleancorp team joined professionals, innovators, and brands from across the globe at the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo 2025, for two incredible days of networking, education, and hands-on exploration. This event was a celebration of how far our industry has come and where it’s boldly heading next.

From AI-powered cleaning robots to game-changing sustainable products, the Expo reminded us that “clean” is an evolving science, a strategic business driver, and a commitment to human health and environmental responsibility.

Day 1: Exploring, Experiencing and Connecting

As the doors opened on Day 1, the energy was electric. You could feel the buzz as attendees streamed through the Exhibition Hall, this year featuring the largest number of new exhibitors ever, representing over nine countries. Everywhere we turned, there was something inspiring to see: smart dispensers, biodegradable wipes, workforce management platforms, and autonomous cleaning systems humming quietly in motion.

At Cleancorp, we’re always curious about what’s next, and the Expo delivered on that curiosity in spades. Being able to chat directly with manufacturers and innovators about how their technologies can integrate into real-world cleaning operations was invaluable. It’s one thing to read about new equipment or chemistry in a brochure; it’s another to see it in action, ask the tough questions, and imagine how it might transform your clients’ spaces tomorrow.

Learning from Industry Leaders: Day 1 Sessions

The conference sessions were packed! Each talk peeled back a different layer of what “clean” means in 2025.

Green Clean vs Mean Clean: Can Sustainability Deliver Results?

This session dove straight into one of our biggest priorities at Cleancorp; sustainable cleaning that doesn’t sacrifice performance. Speakers challenged the long-held assumption that “eco-friendly” means “less effective.” Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. True sustainability, they explained, is about balancing environmental impact, operational efficiency, and long-term value. We left feeling reaffirmed that our own green initiatives are right on track, and inspired to keep pushing further. Read more about Cleancorp's commitment to sustainability.

Invisible Risks, Visible Impact: Tackling HAIs Through Professional Cleaning

As a company that services healthcare and aged-care facilities, this one really resonated. Evidence-based cleaning and specialized training can dramatically reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). It was powerful to see hard data backing what we already know intuitively — that professional cleaning isn’t a side service; it’s a frontline defense for community health.

How Do You Create Value and Profit in Difficult Markets

In today’s economic climate, “doing more with less” has become a survival skill. This session explored practical strategies for staying profitable without cutting corners. It reinforced our belief that value isn’t just about price — it’s about partnership, transparency, and results that clients can see and feel.

Robots & Care: The Future of AI and Automation

We’ll admit it — this was one of the sessions we were most excited for. Robotics and AI are no longer future concepts; they’re here, and they’re changing how facilities are cleaned. But the discussion surprised us; rather than focusing on replacing human workers, it highlighted how automation can augment teams, freeing up people for higher-impact work. We couldn’t agree more: the future of cleaning is a partnership between human expertise and smart technology.

When Every Dollar Counts: Smarter Decisions Through Data

Data is becoming a new kind of cleaning supply. This talk explored how facilities managers can use analytics to track ESG performance, reduce waste, and optimize workflows. As Cleancorp continues to invest in digital reporting and data-driven systems, it was validating to see the industry aligning around the same direction.

Proving Clean: The Future of Cleaning Verification and Client Trust

The day wrapped up with a powerful message - if you can’t measure it, you can’t prove it. New technologies are emerging to verify cleanliness scientifically, from ATP testing to sensor-based validation tools. Clients don’t just want to assume a space is clean anymore, they want proof. And that’s exactly where our industry is heading.

Celebrating Innovation: The ISSA Excellence Awards

Of course, no ISSA Expo would be complete without the Excellence Awards, and this year’s winners truly raised the bar for innovation.

Here’s a snapshot of the 2025 champions:

• Cleaning Agents: Speedy Clean Biodegradable Wipes – Whiteley

• Equipment (Dual Winner): PUDU MT1 – Pudu Robotics HK Limited and DRYFT – Cleanstar

• Service & Technology: ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) – Restore Solutions

• Janitorial Innovation: SYR SmartGuard Double Bucket – JTY Australia

• Paper & Dispensing: Egal Pads on a Roll – Johns S Hayes

• Environmental Awareness & Sustainability: CleanLIFE Vinegar Wipes – RapidClean

Each winner represented a different corner of the industry, but all shared one common thread; innovation rooted in practicality.

We were particularly impressed by the Innovation Zone, the heart of the Expo, where visitors could see these products up close and even vote for the People’s Choice Award. It was a reminder that creativity is thriving in every aspect of the cleaning world, from tools and formulas to systems and sustainability.

Day 2: Big Ideas and Real Conversations

The second day came fast, and we were ready to soak up every last insight before the Expo wrapped. The focus shifted toward the future of work, with sessions exploring health, technology, and customization in cleaning services.

Healthy Spaces Ahead: The Evolution of Professional Cleaning

This session perfectly aligned with our philosophy at Cleancorp; that cleaning is about wellbeing, not just appearance. From indoor air quality to occupant health, the speakers made it clear that professional cleaning now plays a critical role in creating healthier, more productive environments.

Innovate or Stagnate: The Future of Cleaning

The name said it all. In an industry evolving as rapidly as ours, standing still simply isn’t an option. This discussion unpacked how smart tech, new materials, and sustainable business models are driving long-term growth. We left fired up to keep innovating in our own operations, and to keep challenging “the way things have always been done.”

One Size Fits None: Standardisation vs Customisation

Clients want consistency, but they also want flexibility. This panel dug into how cleaning companies can balance both. We especially loved the emphasis on data-driven personalisation, a direction we’re already moving in at Cleancorp, thanks to digital scheduling tools and transparent client communication systems.

AI in the Office for Cleaning Companies

While AI-powered vacuums get the headlines, it’s AI in operations that’s quietly revolutionizing cleaning businesses. This session highlighted how automation can simplify scheduling, payroll, and compliance — without losing that all-important human touch. As we’ve explored digital integrations ourselves, we could see exactly how these efficiencies translate into better service for clients.

Slip and Injury: Managing Risk Smartly

No sugar-coating here: safety is non-negotiable. This talk tackled the legal and financial realities of workplace injuries, reminding us how crucial documentation, updated standards, and staff training are to protecting both people and businesses. It was equal parts sobering and empowering.

Shifting Realities: Health, Safety and Wellbeing in Cleaning

This final session gave voice to a group often overlooked - night-time cleaners. It shed light on the physical and psychological challenges faced by non-daytime workers and discussed how the industry can create safer, more inclusive working conditions. It was the perfect reminder that innovation doesn’t just happen in technology, it happens in culture too.

Workshops that Went Deep

To wrap up the learning, the Expo hosted two comprehensive workshops:

• The Ultimate Guide to 2025 Regulatory Changes for Cleaning Professionals
  This one was packed with actionable insights. Regulations are evolving quickly, and staying ahead of compliance is essential for professional cleaning companies like ours.

• Mould Matters: Navigating the New Standard for Safer Buildings
  With mould prevention and air quality now top-of-mind across sectors, this workshop delivered science-based strategies that we can bring straight into our own quality and training programs.

The Future of Workforce Management

We also spent time exploring iQCheckPoint, the all-in-one platform promising to simplify workforce management. From digital compliance tracking to automated payroll and live staff visibility, it’s clear the future of operational management lies in integration and transparency - values we strongly align with at Cleancorp.

A Look Ahead: What We're Taking Home

As the Expo drew to a close and the People’s Choice Award was announced, we left feeling both inspired and optimistic.

The key message running through every session, booth, and conversation was this: innovation with purpose. Whether it’s using data to reduce waste, embracing AI to empower teams, or adopting greener products to protect our planet, progress in our industry is essential.

At Cleancorp, we’re proud to be part of this next chapter for cleaning and hygiene. We came to the ISSA Expo to learn, to connect, and to grow, and we’re leaving with fresh ideas, new relationships, and a renewed commitment to leading the way in smart, sustainable cleaning.

Here’s to the future of clean, and to everyone shaping it with integrity, innovation, and care💧✨