A new year is the perfect opportunity to reevaluate how your facilities are cleaned and maintained. As you plan for the year ahead, setting thoughtful facility maintenance resolutions can help your cleaning teams transition from reactive fixes and to proactive programs that support healthier spaces, extend asset life and support long-term sustainability goals.
At GSF USA, we know that strong maintenance strategies don’t happen by accident; they’re built through planning, consistent execution and ongoing employee training. Facilities should treat the new year not as a complete reset, but as an opportunity to refine and strengthen what’s already in place.
1. Rethink Proactive Maintenance as a Long-Term Strategy
One of the most impactful resolutions facilities can make is committing to proactive maintenance. Studies show that facilities focused on preventative maintenance experience significantly less unplanned downtime, up to 52.7% less, than those relying on reactive maintenance. Waiting for floors to dull, equipment to fail or complaints to arise often leads to higher costs and operational disruptions. This new year, shift your mindset toward proactive maintenance as a strategic investment rather than an added task.
This approach focuses on anticipating issues before they disrupt day-to-day operations. Rather than waiting for visible damage, cleaning teams should watch for early signs of wear. Regular inspections of restrooms and other high-traffic areas help catch subtle changes in appearance or function, while consistent equipment maintenance reduces the risk of unexpected downtime. Over time, this proactive approach helps control costs, extends the life of facility assets and creates a more predictable, well-maintained environment.
2. Elevate Cleaning from Appearance Focused to Protection Focused
Visual cleanliness alone is no longer enough to meet occupant expectations. In 2026, facility maintenance programs need to go a step further, focusing on maintaining consistent hygiene standards that support occupant health and safety.
This means understanding how people move through a space where high-touch interactions occur and how seasonal and daily traffic patterns impact cleanliness. It also requires consistent execution, using the right products correctly, allowing proper dwell times and aligning procedures with infection prevention best practices. When cleaning is approached as a health-supporting function, facilities can build trust with occupants and reinforce their commitment to well-being.
3. Make Workforce Development a Core Focus
Behind every successful maintenance program is a skilled, supported team. As labor challenges continue to arise across the industry, investing in training and development is no longer optional, it’s essential.
Facilities that prioritize ongoing education see stronger consistency, improved safety and higher employee engagement. Training should go beyond task-based instruction to include critical thinking, leadership development and an understanding of how their individual roles contribute to the broader facility mission. When teams are empowered and equipped with knowledge and set with clear expectations, the quality of work improves and turnover decreases.
4. Align Maintenance Practices with Sustainability Goals
Sustainability continues to be a key focus for businesses, and facility maintenance plays a critical role in supporting these efforts. The way products are used and how cleaning schedules are structured have a direct impact on resource consumption and waste.
Through our Écologique® cleaning program, sustainability is built into how spaces are cleaned and cared for. By using electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) instead of traditional cleaning chemicals, responsible cleaning methods and high-tech equipment, we help facilities reduce their environmental impact while delivering the highest standard of clean. This approach supports healthier indoor environments while meeting sustainability goals without compromising performance or reliability.
Setting the Standard for Clean in 2026
Facility maintenance resolutions are not about quick fixes or one-time improvements. They are about building systems that support long-term success. When approached thoughtfully, these practices foster a cleaner, healthier and sustainable environment that can be maintained consistently throughout 2026 and beyond.
At GSF USA, we partner with facilities to design unique maintenance programs that are tailored to their individual needs and goals. As the new year begins, now is the perfect time to raise expectations and set a higher standard for clean.