We Make Cleaning Easy!
The History of Kleenco
The Start of the Kleenco Cleaning Crew
All six children worked extensively in the business. Some are now retired, some have moved on to other careers.
The Silbaugh family is still actively involved in the business.
Kleenco, Four Generations a Family Company!
The Beginning
The history of Kleenco starts with the story of Robert Silbaugh and his wife, Burma. Back in the early 50's Bob was fresh out of the marines and starting his family. He needed a way to support his young bride and a growing army of small children.
Being a child of Idaho farmers, Bob knew how to work hard with his hands. He had some experience with KP in the marines, so janitorial work naturally came to mind.
At this early point in his career, he wasn't to versed in the methods or technology needed to make his cleaning easy. He would learn that as time went on. On one of Bob's first jobs, he was asked to strip and wax some floors. Easy he thought. So he acquired a scrubbing machine, bought a couple of cans of AJAX, and went to work.
Quickly, Bob learned this was not the correct way to strip a floor. The AJAX splashed up on the walls on the desks; it seemed like it was everywhere. He spent all night cleaning this powdery mess off of everything.
Eventually, he did get the job finished, and the customers were quite pleased. Never before had anyone ever cleaned the walls and furniture when stripping and waxing the floors. This guy Bob went the extra mile to please.
So began the odyssey of his journey in the Janitorial Service business and the reputation for quality. Bob had learned what was probably the most important lesson of his career, "always give the customer more than he expects." It was a lesson he impressed on his children and grandchildren.
Today this wisdom is reflected in every package of cleaner that leaves the Kleenco factory. We give the customer a product that is high in quality, the ultimate value, and outstanding in performance. This message is found on every package of Kleenco today; it's our slogan "Kleenco for Quality, Value, and Performance."
Bob was a teacher who freely shared his knowledge. You can read some of the letters of appreciation that he received over the years.
The Early Years
The Silbaugh cleaning dynasty was moved from its origins in Southern California to the beautiful surroundings of the Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest.
The family was expanding, eventually reaching five boys and one girl. All of the Silbaugh children helped with the cleaning business. Learning to wax and polish furniture, clean windows and blinds, shampoo, extract, and bonnet clean carpets. Strip and refinish resilient tile, stone, wood, ceramic, and concrete floors.
The cleaning education was extensive; each child also learned how to clean sinks, showers, toilets, and urinals. Bob insisted on driving home the importance of disinfecting, and learning how to handle the products and equipment safely was a priority.
With all this know-how, something was still missing. Something as vital today as it was then. High-performance cleaning solutions that would make the cleaning efficient and more productive.
Thus began the era of product research. Research, coupled with years of experience in cleaning, gave our formulators the distinction of being masters at their craft.
The Present
Today Kleenco manufacturers a portfolio of formulations that is over 100 products deep. The formulas are available in sizes from pints to 55-gallon drums. Making these amazing formulations widely available to the DIY home cleaner and well as professional janitorial contractors, maid services, window, and carpet cleaning companies.
Locally available through dealers, Kleenco is most likely sold at a location near you.