Nobody Wants a Fine With Their Shine: Understanding Cleaning Compliance

Why compliance matters in property maintenance—from safety and environmental standards to legal responsibilities in exterior cleaning.

Exterior cleaning might seem simple—soap, water, and pressure—but in the real world, it intersects with environmental laws, workplace safety standards, and material-specific handling requirements. Whether on a residential home or a multi-building commercial site, professional cleaning should be done with full awareness of those responsibilities.

This post outlines the core compliance considerations behind exterior maintenance to help property owners, managers, and contractors understand what responsible cleaning looks like.

1. Environmental Compliance: Where the Water Goes Matters
Runoff from exterior cleaning often contains materials that need to be managed responsibly to avoid causing harm to the surrounding environment.

In Maine, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and many municipalities restrict wastewater discharge outdoors. Some areas—like watersheds, public parks, and waterfront corridors—are even more tightly regulated. Property owners and contractors are both on the hook for knowing these boundaries.

Local municipalities may require permits, written authorizations, or prior notification before any exterior cleaning takes place—especially in dense commercial areas, near stormwater infrastructure, or around sensitive zoning districts. Contractors are expected to know the requirements for each town they work in, and failing to check with local officials can lead to delays or fines.

Responsible practices include:

• Using biodegradable, environmentally safe cleaning agents

• Containing or redirecting runoff to approved drains

• Employing recovery mats, vac systems, or pump-outs on sensitive sites

• Verifying and obtaining local approvals or permits where required

Failing to do so risks not only fines, but lasting damage to water quality and soil health—especially important in a state like Maine, where the water is a resource worth protecting.

2. OSHA Safety Compliance: The Work Behind the Wash
Safety isn’t just about avoiding a slippery sidewalk. Exterior cleaning involves a range of jobsite risks—including chemical exposure, working at height, operating high-pressure equipment, and navigating unpredictable environments. OSHA standards are designed to address these risks, protecting workers, the public, and the property throughout the cleaning process.

Key areas of concern include:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gloves, eye protection, rubber boots, and protective suits help shield workers from chemical burns, overspray, and physical injuries. Respirators may be required for specific chemical applications or enclosed spaces.

• Chemical Safety: Detergents, degreasers, biocides, and brighteners all require proper labeling, handling, storage, and use. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be accessible, and workers should know how to respond to spills, splashes, or accidental exposure.

• Fall Protection: Anytime someone works six feet or more off the ground, fall protection may be required. That includes tie-offs, harnesses, guardrails, or fall restraint systems when working on roofs, scaffolds, or elevated platforms.

• Ladder Safety: Ladders must be rated for the job, placed on solid footing, extended properly, and used without overreaching. Workers should maintain three points of contact and keep tools secured while climbing.

• Situational Awareness & Hazard Identification: No two job sites are the same. Workers need to assess each environment: traffic patterns, pedestrian zones, electrical hazards, weather conditions, terrain, and nearby obstacles. Clear communication with site managers and posted signage can prevent accidents before they happen.

• On-Site Coordination: Particularly on commercial properties, safety zones must be established. This may include cones, tape, spotters, or temporary closures to keep staff, customers, and passersby out of active work zones.

These are not “extra” steps—they are minimum expectations for any professional crew working in public or private space.

3. Training & Certifications: Raising the Industry Standard
Good training leads to good decision-making in the field—and the exterior cleaning industry has organizations that support that process.

The Power Washers of North America (PWNA) is one of the leading bodies offering training and certification for environmental compliance, chemical safety, soft washing, flatwork, and more. They also help contractors stay current with the latest technology, equipment, and best practices through annual events and professional networking.

Other certifications, like EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP), are legally required for work on pre-1978 buildings where lead-based paint may be present. Without it, a crew can’t legally perform certain types of prep or cleaning.

Proper certification goes beyond checking a box—it reflects a working knowledge of the science, legal responsibilities, and on-site conditions that shape every project.

4. Documentation and Record keeping: Supporting Safe and Legal Work
On commercial or municipal properties, documentation matters. It helps support risk management, track services for maintenance logs, and ensure that contractors are meeting internal or third-party compliance standards.

Typical records include:

• Scope of work agreements

• SDS sheets for chemicals used

• Safety plans or jobsite risk assessments

• Wastewater handling or recovery plans

• Service logs for recurring maintenance

For homeowners, it’s equally useful—especially when documenting services for warranty records, property sales, or simply maintaining a long-term care plan for the building envelope.

Closing Thought
Compliance isn’t red tape—it’s respect. For the earth, for the people doing the work, and for the place being cared for. When the work is rooted in that kind of respect, everything runs cleaner, safer, and smoother.

Whether you’re overseeing a commercial portfolio or maintaining a single building, being informed about compliance helps you make safer, more responsible decisions—and contributes to a more sustainable industry overall.