Commercial cleaning, or some would say janitorial cleaning, is a long and dedicated craft that aims to keep businesses clean, sanitized, and overall, healthy as a working environment.
With all the cleaning companies and services, how do you know which commercial cleaning is best for your business? Are their services worth your buck?
In this guide, you will learn all your information about commercial cleaning and which cleaning companies offer the best value. Read more below!
What are commercial cleaning services?
Put simply; commercial cleaning is a professional and specialized cleaning service that caters to businesses, offices, institutions, and the like.
It entails myriads of cleaning “ways,” ranging from simple janitorial clean-ups and maintenance to polishing, vacuuming, cleaning hazardous waste, washing facilities, carpet cleaning, office cleaning, and so much more from the commercial cleaning business.
However, as previously said, it still all boils down to making your space clean and ready for employees, staff, CEOs, and guests to reside in a while remaining healthy and hygienic.
“When your environment is clean, you feel happy, motivated, and healthy.” -Lailah Gifty Akita (Author of Think Great)
Quick question. What year do you think the first commercial cleaning company was launched?
If you answered somewhere between 1960 to 1970, then you’ve guessed it right. The first cleaning company was started in 1968 by an ingenious idea of a university student. Yes, a simple university student.
Jim Cavanaugh, a struggling student at Norman, University of Oklahoma, wanted to earn more by the side. Hence, he offered cleaning services to some local businesses after his classes. Years later, his idea became branded as “Jani-King,” a vast company that grew as a US franchise and then internationally.
Isn’t that amazing? Who would’ve known that an idea from a university student wanting some supplementary income would now stand firm as a staple service in businesses and institutions worldwide?
Want to have an idea how big the whole thing went? Here are some of the numbers recorded. He established around 5,000 franchises in Turkey, Taiwan, Spain, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Mexico, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Great Britain, France, Brazil, Australia, and Argentina.
His business became Number 1 in Maintenance Franchise and Number 1 in International Franchise by Entrepreneur in their 1998, Top 200 list.
The enterprise has grown to around 12,000 franchises in 16 countries, with more than 100 regional offices. And their net worth? It’s estimated to be more than $700 million.
That is how big of a success his simple idea went.
“Success is not what you have, but who you are” -Bo Bennett (Founder of eBookIt.com)
Difference between commercial and residential cleaning
Now that we have a brief understanding of the history of commercial cleaning let’s get on to another commonly associated cleaning –residential cleaning.
Commercial vs. residential cleaning, what’s the difference?
Though much is to be defined, you can probably infer a general idea from the words “commercial” and “residential.” Commercial cleaning is meant for workspaces, while residential cleaning is for homes.
Okay, that’s the rough idea, but what truly sets the two apart? Can I instead choose one over the other for convenience? How about selecting the other to save money? Is it legally allowed?
If you were thinking along those lines, here’s some added info to know if you’re making the right choice.
Overall, the two cleaning services can be contrasted into six distinct parts. Namely: cleaning standards, processes involved, usage of equipment or materials, needed workforce, area of coverage, and time of the day.
Standards of cleaning
Different specialties call for different standards. With commercial cleaning, your professional cleaners will always adhere to health and safety protocols that your business needs to follow
Not only should it be clean enough for employees, but the sanitized environment should also be appropriate for clients, guests, VIPS, and HSE inspectors. Else, your permit might be in trouble.
Residential cleaning, on the other hand, is more direct and simpler. The homeowner decides the standard, and the cleaner needs to follow it. No more and no less.
Processes involved
You’ve probably seen at least some people cleaning your house or office. What differences did you notice? Probably not much since both are virtu, all the same on the surface.
Now think about the differences if you were in a hospital.
Commercial cleaning caters to varying requirements depending on who they’re working with. Most of the time, the processes involved get complicated since they have to deal with more than just your average waste. Think, for example, the hazardous residue in hospitals or factories.
The same applies to hotels, bars, diners, etc., which must follow strict health procedures.
However, residential cleaning processes are usually the same since homes only vary by size and accumulated waste.
Usage of equipment or materials
Vacuums, sweepers, extractors, blowers, washers, brushes –and the list goes on and on.
Most of what people have seen (and used) in their lives would probably be limited to simple vacuums and washers.
Typical since who would need massive equipment in a house for one family? Unless it’s a mansion or a castle of some royalty or celebrity.
What then? The thought reflects residential cleaning since it involves simple day-to-day cleaning equipment designed to fit and function in an average home.
But for commercial cleaning, they are designed for bigger areas of use with matching “firepower” to clean tough and hard-to-clean dirt fully.
Needed Manpower
There’s honestly not that much in contrast between residential and commercial cleaners. However, certain specifications (and numbers) are in place that distinguish one from the other.
The best example of this would be the number of people doing the cleaning. Residential areas do not require more than tens of workers to ensure that their home is clean from top to bottom; they usually would require a small number, not exceeding five, to do the job. Some would even need one or two.
For commercials, however, most of their tasks include tons of cleaning that need serious attention to detail –which one person can’t normally do. Imagine a small team of five cleaning a skyscraper daily; boggling, right?
Area of Coverage
This part was already given an introduction in the earlier part of this article, so we will stick to the key points that need emphasis.
First, residential areas often have less coverage than commercial cleaning since most establishments are usually more significant than the average house. The environment also varies.
Though both types of cleaning are considered professional services, commercial cleaning emphasizes maintaining an exclusive environment for men and women with suits.
Another note would be the “area” that needs cleaning. Commercial cleaning can include parking lots of multiple stories, while residential may be limited to a simple garage.
Time of the Day
Have you ever seen a commercial cleaner during the day? Most likely not.
In contrast to residential cleaners that work during the day under a client’s supervision, most commercial cleaners work by night due to the sensitive nature of their work.
One part is because of their loud equipment, and the other is that they heavily consider not disturbing the employees inside an establishment when they clean.
Also, most trash accumulates at the end of the day.
Types of Cleaning Services for Your Business
Ready to dive into commercial cleaning for your business? Here’s a quick guide to knowing what you might need, plus tips on where to get yours.
There are six usual cleaning choices for businesses: clinical cleaning, periodic cleaning, daily cleaning, window cleaning, pest control, and infection control.
It is a massive venture; after all, the types reflect the cleaning every business out there needs.
Clinical Cleaning
Clinical cleaning is a specialized service that demands a high degree of sanitation, such as health centers, treatment centers, and hospitals.
These establishments have an extremely high risk of infection and hazards. If an area is poorly cleaned, it could lead to grave consequences like a loss of life.
To ensure this does not happen, clinical cleaning is securely done per the national healthcare standards in the US.
That means your company can enjoy safe consumables like soaps, tissues, sanitizers, washroom services, and garbage collection under the strict supervision of the government.
Periodic Cleaning
If your business or workplace does not need regular cleaning and maintenance, this would be your best choice of cleaning service.
The name is probably self-explanatory. Nothing is worth noting about periodic cleaning except that it’s done only on specified dates by the client, and the agreement can be settled beforehand, and the cleaners only come on those dates.
Regular cleaning arrangement dates are monthly, weekly, once every two weeks, or every other day. It depends on how much cleaning the workplace needs and how often the client wants the place to be cleaned.
gbsbsfgbsdfgbsdfgbThis type of service is ideal for workplaces with few employees or those mostly out on the field and rarely on-site. It is also good for small-spaced offices that do not have many guests or people coming over.
Daily Cleaning
Daily cleaning services are ideal if your workplace requires frequent cleanings, like businesses with a high demand for sanitation or with lots of foot traffic.
Though done regularly, daily service cleaners ensure they don’t disturb the working environment. This type of cleaning service is usually scheduled before the workplace starts operations or after your employees have left the building.
The cleaning requirement is often set on a case-by-case basis to meet the client’s needs or the workplace’s health protocols. Everything can be arranged and negotiated.
Most of the time, daily cleaning includes:
- Sanitizing employee workstations or cubicles.
- Cleaning conference rooms, reception, pantries, and the like.
- Dusting office equipment like printers, computers, whiteboards, and phones.
- Disinfect knobs, switches, levers, or handles.
- Clean up washrooms, toilets, or powder rooms.
- Mopping, vacuuming, and disinfecting floors.
- Glass window and surface cleaning
- Disposing of trash, emptying recycle bins, and then sanitizing.
Daily cleaning is a sought service by large companies that require heavy workplace sanitation to meet safety and healthcare guidelines. It is also a staple if you want your place to be kept clean and look professional for guests and visitors that come frequently.
Window Cleaning
Most companies, especially skyscrapers, require window cleaning services. The need is simple. Who would want to work in an environment with thick dust covering the magnificent view? Probably no one.
It is only on the internal factor. Guests or even those regularly passing by would undoubtedly see how dirty a building would look if its windows were not up to standard.
Do not be intimidated, though. Although this type of service is in demand, window cleaning is not usually done daily. When you want your windows cleaned at a specific date, a schedule can be made and maintained.
Window cleaning can involve regular glass cleaning of low-lying windows or specialized rope access window cleaning for high-rise buildings with hard-to-reach areas.
Pest Control
Rodents, mites, wasps, cockroaches, bugs, fleas, mosquitoes —you name it. Not only is it hugely unsanitary, but pests are also terrible critters to be around, especially in the workplace.
Pests bring many health hazards and diseases like malaria, Lyme disease, dengue, asthma, etc. It is even known to cause three significant plagues. The bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague!
Yes, there is no argument why every establishment needs pest control.
Pest control is a cleaning service that aids in preventing the infestation of pests and rodents in your workplace. It is a staple for shopping malls, factories, schools, and, most of all -restaurants.
Infection Control
Infection control services are intended for hospitals, clinics, and medical centers that require a cleaning service that goes well beyond the norm. Cleanliness in these places could define the life and death of employees, staff, patients, and guests.
The cleaning required is always strict and firm. Health and safety guidelines are followed down to each word. Proper gear and equipment are always a must. Even waste disposal must be treated seriously. Everything must be on cue, or the establishment will be brought down.
Usual methods of infection control cleaning include fogging techniques and pressurized high-temp steam cleaning.
The Cost of Hiring Commercial cleaning services
A cleaning service company puts thought a lot of factors into consideration before giving you a service cost quotation. After all, every establishment or workplace is inherently unique, requiring different types of cleaning and equipment.
Here are some of the essential factors they consider when putting up a price:
How big is the area, and how much space is needed to be cleaned?
How often, if not regularly, do you need cleaning? Is it by schedule?
What are the specialized services you require? Are there health guidelines or protocols that must be followed?
When do you want the cleaning to be done? Daytime, nighttime, or midday?
To answer some of those questions, here is a quick summary of the benefits of hiring a cleaning company to take care of your workplace.
Benefits of a Cleaning Company
1. Specialized cleaning materials and equipment.
Professional cleaning services have a huge arsenal of cleaning tools and solutions for every establishment. From huge moppers to dust bins, if you need it, they’ll have it ready.
2. Professional skills with strict procedures.
Professional equipment needs professional skills to match with. Cleaning companies ensure the right set of experienced hands handles their costly equipment. This optimizes cleaning efficiency and time required to finish the job
3. Professional employees who are trained and certified.
Believe it or not, hiring a professional cleaning company might save you more money than opting not to. Why? Because established companies have value in their name.
They will not risk mistakes that will reflect their brand marketability. That means every employee must be highly trained to ensure their clients will throw nothing negative at them. Rigorous screening and tests are performed so that the cleaners are certified to work as professionals in the field
You receive all of the advantages of a well-trained cleaning staff without having to perform any of the work.
4. Professional cleaners who are seasoned experts.
Cleaning companies are filled with workers who have spent much time honing and practicing their cleaning expertise. They are cleaners you can trust.
Those tasked to clean your establishment are prepared for even the most unique cleaning conditions, ensuring that your desired outcome is met. You asked for professionals; you will get the professionals.
If there is trouble along the way, they already know how to deal with it like the back of their hand.
Okay, we have talked about the benefits of the cost of hiring a cleaning company. Are there any tips that will edge me I will make a sound investment in my business?
We got you. Here are some tips that will surely stack to your advantage.
Tips When Hiring a Cleaning Company
1. Ask for a service package that is affordable for you
There are lots of cleaning service packages that your establishment can choose from. Take the time to ask, inspect, and research which ones serve best your cleaning needs. If unsure, you can always ask the professionals for their suggestions.
Your choice of service package will detail all the info needed about the cleaning. Match it up with the price, and then you will be ready.
2. Scale your required services per your needs
As they say, the only thing constant in the universe is change. There will always be times when your revenue fails to meet expectations. When it does, feel free to talk to your cleaning company about the changes you want to make; that way, you can save money when needed.
Adjust your cleaning services to match the shifts in activity and budget. You always have the opportunity to make certain modifications as you see fit with your current needs.
Explain the circumstances and then set the goal. That way, you will maintain a healthy relationship with your cleaning company while fostering trust.
3. Include maintenance services.
Instead of paying separately for cleaning services and maintenance services, why not choose a single professional cleaning company to handle both?
Some cleaning companies also offer maintenance services, handyperson services, janitorial services, commercial cleaning services (better than many commercial cleaning companies), and others that can be added to your initially desired service. It saves you both money and time!
4. You can opt for green cleaning.
With the commercial cleaning industry, you can have your workplace clean while also keeping the environment protected by commercial cleaning service or cleaning methods. buying companies often offer eco-friendly solutions in their service so that you can meet environmental safety requirements in line with what your company promotes.
Importance of Commercial Cleaning Companies for Business Owners
After everything that has been said, this does not take much to explain.
It is pretty simple. If you have heard the saying: “cleanliness is next to godliness,” you already have your answer.
The working environment of the establishments is sacred to the people within the premises. It promotes hygiene, respect, good health, and everything else you would feel when walking into a clean and sanitized room.
You feel at ease. You think that you are working in the right place.