The United States Army is renowned not only for its strength and discipline but also for its strict adherence to cleanliness—something I like to call Army Clean. From basic training grounds to barracks and common rooms, cleanliness is emphasized as an essential part of both discipline and readiness. For soldiers, maintaining a clean and sanitary environment goes far beyond appearances; it’s about health, safety, and ultimately, operational efficiency. In this blog, we’ll explore how the Army instills a culture of cleanliness and the rigorous cleaning methods soldiers are taught, focusing on essential areas like floors, sinks, and shared spaces.
Boot Camp Beginnings: Learning Army Clean
For every soldier, the journey begins at boot camp, where cleanliness is taught as one of the most vital skills. When I arrived at Fort Sill, OK, cleaning quickly became one of the most frequent activities—right after standing in line and marching. From the very start, we were taught to maintain our living spaces, starting with simple tasks like making beds and organizing personal items. However, this progressed into more significant responsibilities such as cleaning floors, sinks, and common rooms.
The military quickly makes it clear that cleanliness is not just about making a place look good—it’s a matter of health and safety. Living in close quarters means unsanitary conditions can rapidly spread illness, which is why soldiers must be diligent in keeping their surroundings spotless. This focus on health and discipline makes the Army one of the best places to learn efficient and effective cleaning techniques.
The Army Clean Process: Rigorous and Methodical
In the Army, there is a detailed, standardized cleaning process, which we followed to the letter. Army Clean isn’t just a saying; it involves specific procedures for every aspect of maintaining floors, sinks, and common areas. As soldiers, we were supplied with everything we needed—mops, brooms, disinfectants, and other cleaning agents—and were trained to clean thoroughly.
For floors, we first swept or vacuumed to remove debris. Then, using mops and buckets filled with soapy water, we cleaned the floors starting from the farthest corner of the room and working towards the exit. This ensured we never stepped on a clean surface, preventing dirt from spreading and keeping germs in check. After mopping, we used dry mops or towels to remove any excess water, allowing the floors to air dry safely.
In addition to basic mopping, we sometimes used a hard floor cleaning machine—affectionately known as The Matador—to strip and wax floors to a pristine shine. While not officially part of the process, we were young, energetic, and eager to leave everything spotless, and the Matador was our trusted ally.
Mastering Sink and Common Room Sanitation
When it came to cleaning sinks, the process was just as rigorous. We were trained to remove any debris, scrub the surfaces with disinfectant, and give special attention to high-touch areas like faucets and handles, which are breeding grounds for germs. We also cleaned drains and used drain cleaner regularly to prevent clogs. The result was a thoroughly sanitized sink, not just one that looked clean but was genuinely free from harmful bacteria.
Common areas like dining halls, recreation rooms, and bathrooms received the same meticulous attention. We cleaned these spaces daily, focusing on high-touch areas like doorknobs, light switches, and tables. Ensuring these areas were clean wasn’t just about maintaining order—it was about creating a safe, sanitary environment for all soldiers. We also took responsibility for restocking essential supplies like toilet paper, soap, and paper towels to keep things running smoothly.
Bringing Army Clean to EadsCo Cleaning
Now, you might wonder—how does this translate to my business at EadsCo Cleaning? While we don’t bring The Matador to clients’ homes or restock supplies like we did in the military, the disciplined methods and processes that were drilled into me by my drill sergeants are very much alive in our cleaning services. The attention to detail, systematic approach, and thorough cleaning I learned in the Army are applied every day in our work.
At EadsCo Cleaning, we take pride in bringing the same level of precision and care to your home, making sure every area is cleaned efficiently and thoroughly. It’s this commitment to excellence that makes us confident you’ll notice the difference when you choose us for your cleaning needs.
So, go Army Clean! Go Army!
– Scott
Final Thoughts
The lessons I learned during my Army service extend far beyond military duties—they’ve shaped how I approach cleanliness in both my personal life and my business. The Army’s commitment to health, safety, and cleanliness has instilled in me a deep appreciation for maintaining a clean environment. At EadsCo Cleaning, we are proud to bring that same level of dedication to every home we service, ensuring that our clients enjoy the benefits of Army Clean—a standard of cleanliness you can trust.