by Theresa | Nov 19, 2013 | Cleaning Industry, Commercial Cleaning
Custodians’ often-unseen dedication ensures that the environments we frequent remain safe and pleasant. Yet, despite their crucial contributions, custodians have historically faced challenges when it comes to receiving fair pay.
Custodians play an indispensable role in maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of our workplaces, schools, hospitals, and public spaces, and deserve fair recognition.
In this article, we delve into the importance of fair pay for custodians and explore the factors contributing to this vital issue.
The Significance of Fair Pay for Custodians
- Recognizing the Value of Their Labour
Custodians are responsible for a wide range of tasks, including cleaning, sanitizing, waste disposal, and maintenance. Their work directly impacts the health and well-being of occupants in various settings. Fair pay acknowledges the significance of their labour and the essential role they play in society.
- Attracting and Retaining Talent
Offering fair compensation is essential for attracting and retaining skilled custodial staff. It ensures that organizations can secure and maintain a competent workforce, leading to consistent service quality.
- Improving Job Satisfaction
Fair pay contributes to greater job satisfaction among custodians. When employees feel that their efforts are appropriately rewarded, they are more likely to remain motivated and committed to their work. This can lead to increased productivity and higher morale among custodial teams.
- Reducing Turnover
High turnover rates can be costly for organizations due to recruitment and training expenses. Fair pay is a key factor in reducing turnover by providing custodians with a stable and supportive work environment.
The Global Landscape of Custodial Pay
Custodial pay varies significantly worldwide, depending on factors such as location, industry, and the organization’s policies.
In some regions, custodians earn salaries commensurate with the demands and responsibilities of their roles, while in others, their compensation may fall short of what many consider fair.
The importance of changing the perceptions about commercial cleaning and professional cleaners has always been important.
Challenges Faced by Custodians
Several challenges contribute to the need for fair pay among custodians:
- Undervaluation of Work: Custodial work is often undervalued and seen as low-skilled labour. This misconception can lead to custodians being paid less than they deserve.
- Health and Safety Risks: Custodians face health and safety risks daily, from exposure to cleaning chemicals to the physical demands of their work. Fair pay should reflect these challenges and compensate custodians adequately.
- Unequal Access to Benefits: In some cases, custodians may have limited access to benefits like healthcare and paid leave. Fair pay should encompass not only their wages but also comprehensive benefits packages.
- Working Conditions: Custodians often work in demanding conditions, including late-night shifts and exposure to potentially hazardous substances. Fair pay should consider these factors and ensure equitable compensation.
The Vancouver Rally for Fair Pay
In 2013, a notable event shed light on the issue of fair pay for custodians. Vancouver workers rallied in support of Cadillac Fairview cleaning staff (through Servantage cleaning company), highlighting the importance of just compensation for custodial work.
This rally, reported in a news article by The Globe and Mail, brought attention to the challenges faced by custodians and the need for equitable pay in the industry.
“It took us 25 years to get to $12.60 an hour,” Ranjit Rai, an eight-year employee of Servantage, said at the Pacific Centre office tower that is home to Cadillac Fairview’s Vancouver office. “They [the new contractor] have offered us our jobs back, but we would be making 20 percent less.” Many of the employees embroiled in the dispute were women and migrants part of the Unifor Local 3000 union.
More recently, in 2022, custodians joined teachers in Ontario to rally against Bill 28 which imposed contracts and banned strikes.
Again, in 2023, Toronto Metropolitan University custodians spoke out about the university opting to raise employee pension contributions without accounting for the rising costs of living.
The examples are endless, and increasing in frequency.
Improving Our Standards
Achieving fair pay for custodians is an ongoing effort that involves multiple stakeholders, including custodial staff, employers, unions, and policymakers.
It is one of many ways to improve the overall industry and create a better relationship between cleaning staff and their clients.
Here are some key steps toward ensuring fair pay for custodians:
- Transparent Wage Policies: Organizations should establish transparent wage policies that clearly define pay scales and progression criteria for custodial roles.
- Benefits and Workplace Conditions: Comprehensive benefits packages and safe working conditions should accompany fair pay to create a holistic approach to compensation.
- Advocacy and Unionization: Custodial staff can advocate for their rights and fair pay through unions or employee associations, which can negotiate on their behalf.
- Legislation and Regulation: Governments can play a role by enacting legislation and regulations that ensure fair pay for custodians and protect their rights.
- Recognition and Appreciation: Public recognition of the vital work custodians perform can help shift societal attitudes and contribute to fairer compensation.
Paying it Forward
Custodians play an indispensable role in maintaining the cleanliness and safety of our shared spaces.
Fair pay is not only a matter of economic justice but also of recognition of workers’ contributions to our communities.
Achieving fair pay for custodians requires a collective effort, from employers and policymakers to custodial staff themselves, to ensure that their work is adequately compensated and valued.
At Metropolitan, we pay our cleaners a fair living wage, a necessary cost that reflects in the quality of work they do!
If you’re interested in working with a cleaning service that offers fair pay, and a green cleaning program, look no further than Metropolitan!
by Theresa | Jun 18, 2013 | Commercial Cleaning, Floor Maintenance, Green Cleaning
When we think of “green cleaning,” many focus on environmentally friendly products, such as green chemicals, recycled paper products, and even chemical-free cleaning methods.
But the greenest approach is to clean properly.
This involves a holistic strategy that combines the right processes, equipment, and chemicals.
Any commercial cleaning service worth its salt will educate you on how best to maintain the appearance of your facility or office and improve the longevity of your floors and carpets.
Maintaining a clean and healthy facility in a green way requires a structured cleaning program that keeps the premises looking professional, extends the life of your flooring, and reduces costs.
Addressing the Root Problem
Using green chemicals and low-impact cleaning methods may seem like a solution, but these approaches often only address the symptoms rather than the cause.
To truly reduce cleaning needs, it’s critical to adopt an “outside-in” approach to your cleaning program.
This strategy focuses on preventing soil from entering the facility in the first place.
The Cost of Soil
To understand how soil drives cleaning requirements, consider these industry statistics:
- 80–94% of soil in a facility is brought in via foot traffic.
- 1,000 people in 20 days track in 24 pounds of soil.
- $700 is the average cost to remove one pound of soil.
- Every visitor costs approximately 84 cents in soil removal expenses.
- A single grain of sand has 32 abrasive edges, which wear away at surfaces.
- 1,500 visitors can remove 42% of the floor finish within the first six feet of an entrance if no matting is present.
These figures illustrate the profound impact that tracked-in soil has on maintenance procedures, chemical usage, and budget. Without proper interventions, such as matting systems and routine cleaning, these costs will continue to climb.
The Four Phases of Maintenance
To combat the effects of soil ingress effectively, a comprehensive commercial cleaning services program must incorporate the following phases:
- Preventative Maintenance: Stop soils at the door through removal or containment.
- Daily Maintenance: Remove soils promptly to minimize their impact on indoor surfaces and air quality.
- Interim Maintenance: Maintain a high level of cleanliness with minimal labour, chemical, and water usage.
- Restorative Maintenance: Conduct intensive cleaning to restore surfaces as close as possible to their original state.
1. Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is the cornerstone of an effective cleaning program, especially in a green cleaning context. The primary goal here is simple: stop soils from entering the building.
By preventing dirt and debris from reaching your interior surfaces, you reduce the need for intensive cleaning and mitigate the wear and tear on your floors and carpets.
Key Strategies for Preventive Maintenance
Matting Systems:
A matting system serves as your facility’s first line of defence against dirt.
Proper matting captures soil at the entrance, preventing it from spreading indoors.
However, the effectiveness of matting depends on its length:
- 6 feet of matting traps only 40% of incoming soil.
- 36 feet of matting captures 99% of soil before it enters.
Carpets act as “unofficial mats,” absorbing dirt and wearing out prematurely without sufficient matting.
Most facilities already feature 36 feet of textile surfaces—leverage this with proper matting systems to reduce soil intrusion and protect carpets.
Sweeping Programs:
Sweeping is another powerful preventative measure.
A study by Windsor demonstrated that sweeping walkways, entryways, and parking lots can significantly reduce soil ingress:
- Sweeping walkways and entryways daily and parking lots twice weekly (up to 80 feet from the entrance) reduced soil by 66%.
Combining sweeping with matting creates an efficient barrier against dirt, saving cleaning costs and protecting your floors.
Does Cleaning Prevention Matter?
Preventing soil from entering your facility isn’t just about cleanliness—it’s about cost control and sustainability.
Removing soil that has entered the building costs $700 per pound, a significant expense driven by labour, water, and chemical use.
Furthermore, soils accelerate wear on hard floors and carpet fibres, leading to higher maintenance and replacement costs.
2. Daily Maintenance
While preventative measures focus on stopping dirt at the door, daily maintenance tackles the soils that make it inside.
This phase is essential for reducing the damage caused by dirt and ensuring your facility remains clean and appealing.
Key Strategies for Daily Maintenance
Hard Floors:
- Dry soils: Regular sweeping and mopping removes loose dirt, preventing it from grinding into the floor finish.
- Sticky, oily soils: Scrubbing removes residues that can discolour finishes, avoiding costly stripping procedures.
Failure to address these soils can lead to losing the glossiness of hard floors and the yellowing of wax, while also becoming a fine grit that will grind into the flooring itself.
Good maintenance prevents more labour-intensive restoration efforts and replacement.
Carpets:
- Frequent vacuuming: Removing dry soils promptly minimizes their abrasive effect on carpet fibres.
- Extraction Carpet cleaning: Accumulated dirt scratches and dulls carpet fibres, creating unsightly “traffic lanes” that cannot be restored through vacuuming alone.
Visualizing Carpet Damage
To understand the long-term impact of inadequate maintenance, imagine replacing your carpet with plexiglass.
Over months of use, even after cleaning, the plexiglass would show permanent scratches and dullness.
Carpets, made of similar plastic materials, undergo the same irreversible damage when dirt isn’t removed promptly.
3. Interim Maintenance
Interim maintenance ensures a high level of cleanliness while conserving labour, chemicals, and water.
It bridges the gap between daily upkeep and intensive restorative cleaning, focusing on maintaining appearance and reducing long-term wear.
Hard Floors
- Burnishing or spray buffing: Restores gloss and protects the finish without the need for extensive stripping and refinishing.
- Light scrubbing: Removes surface dirt and minor scuffs efficiently.
- Application of wax: by adding additional layers of wax after a thorough mopping, the gloss is improved and the extra layer provides protection against soil.
These methods require less water, fewer chemicals, and reduced labour expenses compared to restorative cleaning and replacement.
Carpets
- Encapsulation cleaning: Uses low-moisture detergents that crystallize soils, which can then be easily vacuumed.
- Spot cleaning: Targets localized stains and high-traffic areas, preventing them from becoming permanent.
Regular interim maintenance keeps carpets looking fresh and reduces wear without excessive water or chemical use.
By incorporating these methods, interim maintenance keeps commercial spaces clean and professional while minimizing environmental impact and operational costs.
4. Restorative Maintenance
Restorative maintenance is a detailed process aimed at revitalizing surfaces to their near-original condition.
It involves specialized procedures and equipment for hard floors and carpets and might require extended periods of work that might impact employees in the space.
Hard Floors
- Deep scrubbing: Targets ingrained soils and scuff marks to restore the surface’s original appearance.
- Stripping and refinishing: Removes worn or damaged floor finish and applies fresh coats of wax for renewed shine and protection.
Carpets
- Deep shampooing: Breaks down tough grime and revitalizes the carpet’s texture and colour.
- Hot water extraction (steam cleaning): Penetrates deep into carpet fibres to remove embedded soils, stains, and odours.
By conducting restorative maintenance, facilities can extend the lifespan of floors and carpets, maintain their aesthetic appeal, and ensure a healthier indoor environment.
Regular upkeep and interim maintenance help minimize the frequency and intensity of restorative procedures.
Budget and Environmental Impact
Proper preventative and daily maintenance have financial and environmental benefits:
- Cost Savings: Preventive measures and regular upkeep reduce the need for intensive cleaning, extending the life of your flooring and lowering overall expenses.
- Resource Conservation: Fewer chemicals and less water are required, supporting sustainability goals.
Remember, a robust commercial cleaning services program is an investment in your facility’s longevity, much like routine maintenance for a car.
By protecting your floors and carpets, you safeguard their value and reduce the need for premature replacements.
Carpets
Carpets that are not maintained on a routine schedule require significant water and chemical usage during deep cleaning to achieve an acceptable appearance.
Over time, carpets that cannot be effectively cleaned must be replaced, contributing to environmental waste.
The EPA estimates that 4.7 billion pounds of carpet are thrown away annually in the U.S. alone. Since most carpets are 98% synthetic, they take up to 1,000 years to degrade in landfills.
Hard Floors
Scrubbing and burnishing, top scrubbing and recoating, stripping and refinishing processes are labour-intensive and require significant water and chemical inputs.
Additionally, dust mopping and burnishing can stir settled soils into the air, affecting indoor air quality if soils are not adequately captured.
The environmental cost is considerable:
- Chemicals and scrubbing pads used during restorative procedures must be disposed of, often ending up in landfills.
- Water usage in these processes adds to resource consumption.
Replacing hard floors is usually a substantial cost for a given facility.
Are You Happy with Your Cleaners?
Understanding the relationship between soil ingress, cleaning demands, and environmental impact is key to developing a cost-effective and sustainable cleaning program.
By prioritizing preventative and daily maintenance, facilities can reduce their reliance on labour-intensive and resource-heavy restorative processes, protecting both their budget and the environment. Have your commercial cleaning services informed you of any of the details in this blog post?
If you’re interested in learning more about our commercial cleaning services, or if you are interested in having healthier cleaning options for your commercial space, contact Metropolitan today!
by Theresa | Apr 26, 2013 | Cleaning Industry, Commercial Cleaning, Green Cleaning
Sustainable cleaning is more than just a buzzword; it represents a holistic approach to cleaning that considers environmental responsibility, budget management, choosing responsible flooring, and maintaining high cleanliness and appearance standards.
The term sustainability has become overused and sometimes creates doubts, but its importance extends into all industries, including cleaning and janitorial services.
In this article, we'll explore what sustainable cleaning entails, why it matters for your business, and how to bring the practice of green cleaning to your business.
Defining Sustainable Cleaning
Often referred to as "green cleaning,” it encompasses environmentally responsible methods and systems designed to minimize harmful environmental impacts while maximizing the sustainability of the built environment.
This approach takes into account not only the cleanliness of indoor spaces but also the protection of outdoor resources such as air, water, and soil.
So, how can a sustainable cleaning program achieve these lofty goals?
Indoor Environment Protection
People spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, making it a critical focus for sustainable cleaning efforts.
Indoor air quality, in particular, plays a significant role in the health and well-being of occupants.
Consider these important facts:
Why Does Sustainable Cleaning Matter for My Business?
Now, let's explore why it should be a priority for your business:
- Employee Health and Productivity: Your employees are your most valuable asset. A clean and healthy indoor environment can lead to reduced sick days, improved morale, and increased productivity. Sustainable cleaning practices contribute to creating a workspace that promotes employee well-being and engagement.
- Cost Savings: Sustainable cleaning isn't just about environmental responsibility; it's also financially sound. By reducing the use of harsh chemicals and optimizing cleaning procedures, you can lower cleaning and maintenance costs. Fewer sick days and improved productivity further contribute to cost savings.
- Environmental Responsibility: In today's environmentally conscious world, customers and stakeholders expect businesses to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. Embracing green cleaning practices showcases your dedication to reducing your ecological footprint, which can enhance your brand's reputation and attract environmentally conscious customers.
- Regulatory Compliance: Environmental regulations are becoming stricter, and non-compliance can result in fines and legal issues. Sustainable cleaning practices help your business stay in compliance with environmental regulations, reducing the risk of legal complications.
- Resource Conservation: Sustainable cleaning reduces the use of water and chemicals, conserving valuable resources. This not only benefits the environment but also contributes to long-term cost savings for your business.
Commercial Cleaning for a Safe and Productive Environment
In summary, green sustainable cleaning isn't just a moral obligation but also a financially sound choice for your business.
By protecting the indoor environment, reducing pollutants, and improving indoor air quality, a green cleaning program can save money, boost productivity, enhance your brand's reputation, and promote the well-being of your employees.
If you're looking for a sustainable solution for your business, contact Metropolitan Building Maintenance today!
by Theresa | Apr 10, 2013 | Cleaning Industry, Commercial Cleaning
In the modern business world, it’s no longer enough to simply offer a service and call it “good.”
Customers demand more—they want to know how a service will improve their environment and why it’s the best choice for their needs.
This shift is at the core of what Adon Rigg calls "Insightful Selling," a concept that focuses on sharing valuable knowledge with customers to help them make informed decisions.
At Metropolitan, this philosophy is integral to how we approach commercial cleaning services.
For over 40 years, we’ve been a proudly Canadian-owned and operated business, built on a foundation of expertise, exceptional customer service, and a team of experienced cleaners who deliver unmatched quality.
Our goal isn’t just to sell you a service—it’s to provide solutions tailored to your specific needs while helping you understand how our offerings can improve your workspace.
Knowledge Meets Experience
When you choose Metropolitan, you’re working with a team that truly knows the cleaning industry.
For example, our CEO, Michael Bessette, has been involved in the business since the age of 12. His decades of experience are at your disposal, ensuring you receive a solution that fits your needs.
When you request a quote, we don’t just send numbers your way. Michael or another highly trained representative will visit your premises to assess your specific situation.
Whether you think you need daily cleaning or are unsure of the frequency, we’ll provide honest, practical advice—sometimes suggesting less frequent cleanings if it’s more efficient and cost-effective for your business.
Sustainable Solutions with Proven Results
A regular cleaning maintenance program isn’t just about keeping your space spotless; it’s an investment in sustainability and long-term cost savings.
For example, we once serviced a pub where the carpets were cleaned every month for 18 years.
Even in this high-traffic environment, the carpets lasted a remarkable 25 years and still looked great when the business changed ownership.
This kind of proactive maintenance not only extends the life of your assets but also reduces your carbon footprint by delaying costly replacements.
At Metropolitan, we’re committed to helping you achieve these results through customized cleaning programs executed by experienced cleaners who understand the nuances of every task.
Why Choose Metropolitan?
Choosing a cleaning partner is about trust, and here’s why Metropolitan is the best choice:
- Over 40 Years of Excellence: We’ve been perfecting our craft for decades, earning the trust of countless businesses.
- Canadian Owned and Operated: We take pride in serving our local communities with the care and dedication you deserve.
- Customer-Centric Approach: If there’s ever a problem, we come out to solve it—immediately. Your satisfaction is our priority.
- Highly Trained, Certified, and Experienced Cleaners: Our team has the expertise to deliver top-notch service every time.
- Detailed Quotes: We provide transparent, detailed assessments so you know exactly what to expect.
- Guaranteed Quality: Our commitment to excellence means we don’t rest until you’re completely satisfied.
Are You Happy with Your Cleaners?
At Metropolitan, we believe you deserve more than just a service provider—you deserve a partner invested in the success of your business. From sustainable practices to customized cleaning solutions, our experienced cleaners and knowledgeable team are here to enhance your work environment and give you peace of mind.
Ready to experience the Metropolitan difference? Contact us today for a free quote, and let us show you how our knowledge, experience, and dedication can work for you.
by Theresa | Mar 21, 2013 | Carpet Cleaning, Cleaning Industry, Commercial Cleaning, Floor Maintenance
When we think about modern cleaning tools, the vacuum cleaner stands out as a staple.
Its history, however, is a fascinating journey of innovation, persistence, and, quite literally, necessity being the mother of invention.
For commercial cleaners, the evolution of vacuum technology has been instrumental in improving efficiency and effectiveness in maintaining clean floors and safe environments.
And let’s not forget the undeniable truth: a good vacuum sucks!
A Mother’s Inspiration: The Carpet Sweeper
In the mid-1800s, managing household cleaning was a backbreaking task.
Carpets, a popular home furnishing, were cleaned by beating them—a labour-intensive and inefficient method.
Enter Anna Bissell, a mother who had grown weary of this exhausting routine.
Realizing there had to be a better way, she turned to her mechanically inclined husband, Melville Bissell, for a solution.
In 1876, Melville patented the first "carpet sweeper," but the true story doesn’t stop there. Anna played a pivotal role in the success of the invention.
She was instrumental in marketing the carpet sweeper and outsold her husband, displaying a keen sense of business acumen.
When Melville passed away unexpectedly, Anna Bissell stepped up, becoming the first female corporate CEO in the United States. Under her leadership, the Bissell brand became a household name and continues to thrive today.
Anna’s story, as beautifully detailed by freelance writer Rita Colorito, underscores how necessity and determination can lead to groundbreaking innovations.
Sir James Dyson: Reinventing the Vacuum Cleaner
Fast forward to the late 20th century, and the vacuum cleaner—though evolved from the carpet sweeper—had hit a technological plateau.
Bags clogged quickly, reducing suction and efficiency.
Enter Sir James Dyson, an inventor who became frustrated with his vacuum’s shortcomings.
In 1979, Dyson began experimenting, drawing inspiration from industrial cyclone technology.
The road to success was far from smooth. Over 15 years, Dyson developed 5,127 prototypes, nearly bankrupting himself in the process. But in 1993, his persistence paid off when he introduced the first bagless vacuum cleaner featuring dual-cyclone technology.
Despite initial resistance from major manufacturers, Dyson decided to produce the vacuum independently.
By 1997, Dyson vacuums were outselling established brands, and the company had generated UK sales of over £100 million.
Dyson's story is one of unwavering determination.
He wasn’t satisfied until his product performed as it should, setting a gold standard for innovation—a standard that has greatly benefited commercial cleaners.
After all, a good vacuum sucks—and keeps sucking without losing power.
The Role of Vacuums for Commercial Cleaners
Today, vacuums are indispensable tools for both households and commercial cleaners.
At Metropolitan, we understand the importance of high-quality equipment to provide exceptional service.
While Dyson vacuums, with their HEPA filters, are excellent for facilities with sustainable green cleaning programs, our go-to for most jobs is the Carpet Pro commercial backpack vacuum. Designed for efficiency, this vacuum reduces workplace injuries and improves maneuverability in office settings.
For commercial cleaners, the right vacuum can make all the difference. It allows for thorough cleaning, reduces downtime, and ensures safety and hygiene standards compliance.
The innovations of pioneers like Anna Bissell and Sir James Dyson have paved the way for the advanced tools we use today, enabling us to deliver better results for our clients.
How Continual Improvement Builds the Future
The vacuum cleaner’s history is more than a tale of technological innovation—it’s a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance.
For commercial cleaners, these innovations are essential in meeting the demands of modern cleaning.
Here’s to the inventors, innovators, and all those who refuse to settle for less than excellence—ensuring that commercial cleaners everywhere have the tools they need to succeed. And remember, a good vacuum sucks!
Making History Every Day
At Metropolitan, we’re proud to stand on the shoulders of these pioneers as we strive to redefine cleaning services.
Though we may encounter challenges along the way, our commitment is to continually improve and deliver the best possible experience for our clients—because, like Dyson, we believe in making things work properly.
If you’re interested in learning more about our commercial cleaning services, or if you are interested in having healthier cleaning options for your commercial space, contact Metropolitan today!
