By Andrey Zhilin, cleaning specialist with 15+ years in the field
I’ve spent most of my adult life in and around the world of cleaning. What began as a job turned into a craft, and then into something much deeper — a daily observation of how people live, what they value, and how they take care of their space. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
Cleanliness isn’t just about dust and surfaces — it’s a mirror of culture, psychology, and human progress.
This article isn’t just a timeline of cleaning history. It’s my perspective — as a professional and an observer — on how we got from ashes and sand to high-efficiency vacuums and hospital-grade disinfectants. And why that journey matters more than ever today.
Cleanliness Is a Form of Self-Respect
In ancient times, cleaning was ritual. Egyptians didn’t bathe only to remove dirt — they did it to prepare spiritually. Roman bathhouses weren’t just for hygiene — they were a form of civic pride and social order. Clean bodies meant civilized minds.
What strikes me is that even in times when people didn’t know what bacteria were, they still understood: a clean space affects how we think, how we behave, and how we connect with others.
And that hasn’t changed. Walk into a cluttered room after a long day and feel your energy sink. Walk into a freshly cleaned space — even if nothing major happened — and you feel control return. Cleaning restores not just order, but dignity.
The Fall and Rise of Hygiene: Lessons From History
Then came the Middle Ages, when Europe turned away from cleanliness. People believed bathing could make them sick. Streets were flooded with human waste. The result? The plague, massive disease outbreaks, and a societal collapse in sanitation.
It wasn’t just a drop in hygiene — it was a drop in our belief that we had agency over our environment.
The Renaissance brought that belief back. Not all at once, and not for everyone. But the idea that we can — and should — shape our surroundings to be healthier, more harmonious, more livable returned. And it has been growing ever since.
From Scrubbing to Systems: The Birth of Cleaning as a Discipline
The Industrial Revolution gave us more than machines — it gave us systems. Suddenly, soap could be mass-produced. Indoor plumbing became common. Cities, messy and overcrowded, were forced to reckon with sanitation. Cleaning moved from individual effort to collective responsibility.
And here’s the quiet revolution that happened alongside that:
Cleaning stopped being a household chore — and became a professional service.
Businesses, hospitals, and wealthy homes began hiring staff whose sole job was to clean. Not just occasionally, but methodically. By the late 19th century, cleaning had its own tools, standards, and processes. It wasn’t just about removing dirt — it was about maintaining functionality and public health.
Why “Clean” Means Something Different Today
Fast forward to the 21st century, and cleaning is everywhere — but it’s not the same “clean” we once knew.
Today, clean doesn’t mean just visible order. It means:
- Air that’s free of allergens
- Surfaces that don’t harbor viruses
- Materials that aren’t coated with harsh chemicals
- Homes that feel mentally light, not just physically tidy
The pandemic only made this clearer. Suddenly, everyone became acutely aware of what they touched, breathed, and tracked inside their homes. As professionals, we weren’t just expected to clean. We were trusted to protect.
Cleaning Is Not Just Labor — It’s Care
Here’s something I say to every new client:
“You’re not paying me to make it look clean. You’re paying me to make it feel clean — deeply, invisibly, holistically.”
That’s what modern cleaning has become. It’s about detail, intent, and respect. A good cleaner doesn’t just mop the floor. They notice where the dirt hides. They understand materials, airflow, foot traffic, health risks. They take pride in the fact that when they leave, the space becomes easier to breathe in — and easier to live in.
The Future: Technology Meets Intuition
Yes, we’re entering an age of automation. Robotic vacuums, antimicrobial coatings, and AI-scheduled cleaning systems are transforming the industry. I use some of them myself. They’re fantastic tools.
But here’s my honest opinion: technology won’t replace the human intuition of a good cleaner.
Because what makes a space feel truly clean isn’t just what’s been wiped down. It’s the attention, the understanding, and the care behind the action. You can’t automate empathy. You can’t teach a robot to notice that a room feels off.
So in the future, I believe we’ll see a partnership: smart systems that assist, and skilled people who refine. That’s the sweet spot. That’s where cleaning becomes not just a service — but a craft again.
Final Reflection
We’ve come a long way. From clay scrapers in ancient Mesopotamia to contactless disinfecting sprays in modern hospitals. And yet, at its heart, cleaning still asks the same question:
“How do we take care of what we live in — and who we live with?”
As a professional, I don’t just clean spaces. I restore function, create calm, and sometimes, I help people fall in love with their homes again.
So the next time you walk into a clean room and feel your shoulders drop — remember, you’re experiencing thousands of years of human effort. And maybe, just maybe, a little bit of my team’s work too.
