In this blog, we'll explore the range of services offered by these professionals, what to look for in a janitorial service company, and how to make the right choice for your needs.
What Kinds of Services Do Commercial Janitors Offer?
Knowing that you can get all your cleaning needs from one source makes life easy.
Here are all the services you would potentially need:
Regular Janitorial Services: The bread and butter of janitorial services include tasks such as sweeping, mopping, dusting, and sanitizing surfaces. These routine services help keep your workspace clean and presentable day in and day out.
Window Washing: Crystal-clear windows can significantly enhance the aesthetics of your business premises. Janitorial services often include window washing to ensure your windows are spotless and streak-free.
Carpet Cleaning: Carpets can harbour dirt and allergens, affecting indoor air quality. Janitors use specialized equipment to deep-clean carpets, removing stains and restoring their freshness.
Floor Stripping and Waxing:Maintaining your flooring is essential for safety, appearance, and cost savings. Janitors can strip old wax, apply a fresh coat, and leave your floors looking shiny and inviting.
Green Cleaning: Almost all non-eco-certified chemical cleaners contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can do serious harm to respiratory health. These chemicals can cause or worsen asthma, negatively impact fetal development, and can likely contribute to a slew of other health problems. This is why working with a janitorial company that is committed to using EcoLogo or Green Seal products can be a big advantage.
Flood Cleanup: Emergencies like floods can be disastrous for your business. Some janitorial companies offer flood cleanup services, helping you quickly recover and minimize damage.
It's also helpful to know that certain janitorial companies provide equipment rentals and janitorial supplies, which can save you a lot of time and money.
This means that if you have a flood or other emergency, you can call your regular janitorial company for equipment rentals.
Or, if you need to stock up on regular cleaning supplies or disposable paper supplies around the office (like toilet paper, tissue paper, or all-purpose cleaners), your janitors can drop those off during their regular service without you needing to be present for the delivery.
What Should You Look for From a Janitorial Service Company?
When selecting a janitorial service in Surrey, consider the following factors:
Experience: Choose a company with a proven track record and experienced staff.
References: Ask for references or read reviews to gauge the company's reputation.
Customization: Ensure they can tailor their services to your specific needs.
Certifications: Check if they have the necessary certifications for industry standards.
Insurance: Verify that they have liability insurance to protect against accidents.
How to Decide on a Janitorial Service in Surrey?
A reliable janitorial service in Surrey can transform your workspace into a clean and inviting environment.
By understanding their services and knowing what to look for in a janitorial company, you can make an informed decision that benefits your business in the long run. Here are some considerations to help make your decision:
Assess Your Needs: Determine the scope of cleaning services you require, including frequency and special tasks.
Get Multiple Quotes: Reach out to several janitorial companies to compare services and prices.
Check Credentials: Verify licenses, certifications, and insurance coverage.
Ask for References: Speak with past clients to gauge their satisfaction.
Discuss Customization: Ensure the company can adapt to your unique needs.
A clean workplace not only creates a positive impression but also contributes to the well-being of your employees and customers.
Commercial cleaning is an essential aspect of maintaining a beautiful, healthy, and productive workspace.
Whether you oversee a bustling office, a retail store, or a healthcare facility, the cleanliness of your commercial space directly affects the well-being of employees and the impression you make on clients.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the essential aspects of keeping your workspace pristine.
Understanding the Importance of Commercial Cleaning
Commercial cleaning is more than a routine chore; it's a strategic investment in the success and well-being of your business and employees.
First Impressions: A clean and well-maintained commercial space leaves a lasting positive impression on clients, customers, and business partners. Research tells us that it takes less than a second for someone to develop a first impression. We also know that any signs of disorganization or uncleanliness can turn potential customers away just as quickly, even if you have done everything else just right. Whether it’s an office or retail space, cleanliness and order instill confidence and trust in visitors, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to shine.
Regulatory Compliance: Many industries are subject to strict cleanliness and hygiene regulations, making compliance a fundamental requirement. These are high-traffic, public locations like hospitals, libraries, schools, and recreation centres. However, any business is beholden to the standard of maintenance bylaws and regulations defined by their municipality. As well, for a commercial space where people are employed, there may also be WorkSafeBC standards to consider as well.
Creating a Comprehensive Cleaning Plan
The foundation of effective commercial cleaning lies in a well-structured cleaning plan. This plan should encompass key components such as:
Understand the Scope of Work: Break down the different areas in your office or retail space to understand the full scope of work that cleaners will have to tackle. It can help to separate different areas into zones based on the level of traffic and the cleaning needs. High-traffic areas like entryways, kitchens and bathrooms could be defined as Zone 1 for high cleaning needs. Low-traffic areas may only require a light weekly cleaning and annual maintenance for flooring and upholstery. If you are going to hire a professional cleaning company, they will do this work with you.
Develop a Cleaning Schedule: Establish a cleaning schedule that aligns with your business's operating hours and workflow. Define the specific cleaning tasks required for your space, differentiating between daily, weekly, and monthly routines (more on cleaning schedules below).
Delegate the Work: You may wish to employ in-house cleaning staff or engage a professional commercial cleaning service. However, with even moderate guest foot traffic, consider consulting a professional cleaning company, or hiring a dedicated in-house janitor, so as not to over-tax your regular staff.
Invest in the Right Cleaning Supplies:Ensure you have the necessary cleaning products and equipment for each cleaning task. There are lots of sustainable green products that work great as multi-surface cleaners. Your cleaning company will bring in their own products, and they might even be able to stock your supplies as well.
Plan for Quality Assurance: Implement a system for quality control and routine inspections to maintain high cleaning standards. Look for a professional cleaning service that will work with you to correct errors and ensure the work is done to your specifications.
Types of Commercial Cleaning Services
Different commercial spaces demand distinct cleaning needs. Here's a brief overview of various types of commercial cleaning services:
Office Cleaning: Offices require regular cleaning to maintain a healthy work environment, involving tasks like dusting, vacuuming, surface sanitization, and trash removal.
Retail Cleaning: Retail stores demand meticulous cleaning to create an inviting shopping experience. This includes floor maintenance, window cleaning, and merchandise display upkeep.
Healthcare Cleaning: Healthcare facilities must adhere to stringent cleanliness standards to prevent the spread of infections. Cleaning involves disinfection of high-touch surfaces, sterilization, and safe disposal of biohazards.
Industrial Cleaning: Factories and industrial spaces need specialized cleaning to address unique challenges like machinery maintenance, oil spill cleanup, and hazardous waste disposal. Not all professional cleaners will be capable of responding to these types of jobs.
Green Cleaning Practices for a Sustainable Future
The adoption of green cleaning practices has emerged as a significant trend in recent years. Beyond reducing environmental impact, green cleaning promotes healthier indoor air quality. Key components of green cleaning include:
Opt for Eco-Friendly Products: Utilize cleaning products that are biodegradable, non-toxic, and certified as environmentally friendly.
Prioritize Resource Efficiency: Optimize water and energy usage during cleaning processes to reduce waste and conserve resources.
Practice Recycling and Waste Reduction: Implement recycling programs and minimize waste generation wherever possible.
There are many reasons why green cleaning has become so popular.
People spend 90% of their time indoors, and the quality of indoor air can have dramatic effects on our health and well-being. We also know that chemical cleaners can adversely affect indoor air quality. Here are a few unnecessary additives to look out for:
Phosphates:Phosphates are chemical compounds commonly found in detergents and cleaning agents. While they enhance cleaning performance, their runoff into water bodies can have devastating consequences. Phosphates are best known for causing harmful algal blooms in waterways. These blooms can deplete oxygen levels in the water, causing massive fish and aquatic life die-offs.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): VOCs encompass a range of organic compounds found in various cleaning products. When released into the atmosphere, VOCs can react with other chemicals and sunlight, forming ground-level ozone and smog. VOCs contribute to environmental diseases, respiratory problems, and even climate change.
Aromatic and Halogenated Solvents: Cleaning products that contain aromatic and halogenated solvents pose a significant risk to human health and the environment. Exposure to these solvents can lead to toxicity of the nervous system, reproductive damage, liver and kidney damage, respiratory impairment, and even an increased risk of cancer. Additionally, they can cause skin irritations and dermatitis upon contact.
For these reasons, it is beneficial not only to your staff, clients, and customers but for the surrounding environment to keep an open mind to eco-safe cleaning products.
Addressing Specialized Cleaning Challenges
Every commercial space presents its unique cleaning challenges. Here are some common scenarios and strategies to tackle them effectively:
High-Traffic Areas: Spaces with heavy foot traffic require more frequent cleaning and maintenance to prevent dirt buildup. It's also wise to lay mats down in these areas so that carpets are not damaged from foot traffic, debris, and salt during winter periods.
Restroom Cleaning: Restrooms demand meticulous cleaning to prevent the spread of germs, requiring regular disinfection and the replenishment of supplies.
Carpet Care: Carpets in commercial spaces require periodic deep cleaning to remove dirt, stains, mould and bacteria. Steam cleaning is the best way to kill off mould and bacteria and suck out any dirt and debris. Vacuuming is not enough to remove most stains, bacteria and mould. But regular (daily) vacuuming combined with steam cleaning once or twice a year is a surefire way to keep your carpets looking fresh and lasting longer.
Floor Care: Hard floors break down quickly without the protective seal of a wax coating laid over top. But over time, even the wax will break down and begin to stain, which is why the best practice is to regularly strip and re-coat your floors. This sustains the appearance of your floors and saves money by protecting the structural integrity of flooring so that it does not need to be replaced as often.
Window Cleaning: Most commercial cleaning companies are equipped to tackle indoor windows, which include glass walls and surfaces. However, not all cleaning companies have the tools and expertise to help out with exterior windows, and some can only clean windows to a certain height.
Hiring a Professional Commercial Cleaning Service
Many businesses opt to outsource their commercial cleaning needs to professional services. When selecting a cleaning service, consider the following factors:
Experience: Choose a service with a proven track record in commercial cleaning.
Green Product Certifications: Seek out cleaning companies that use products certified by third-party agencies like Green Seal or the Ecologo Certification Program, indicating a commitment to eco-friendly practices.
References: Request references and contact previous clients to gauge the service's reliability and performance.
Customization: Ensure the cleaning service can tailor their offerings to meet your specific needs by doing a walk-through together and periodically evaluating the work to ensure your standards are being met.
Maintaining a Consistent Cleaning Schedule
Regular and dependable cleaning services help sustain a clean and organized environment.
Collaborate with your chosen cleaning service to establish a cleaning schedule that aligns seamlessly with your business operations.
Some cleaning should be done daily, and some weekly, while others can be done annually. Here is an example of what a basic cleaning schedule could look like:
Kitchen: Surfaces, Floors, Garbage, Recycling and Compost
Public Spaces: Vacuuming
Front Entrance: Vacuuming, Spot Cleaning
Weekly Cleaning and Maintenance:
Kitchens: Fridge, Microwave, Fans
Public Spaces: Walls, Windows, Dusting,
Outdoor: Walkway sweeping, Parking area
Infrequent and Annual Cleaning and Maintenance:
Hard Floors: Waxing and stripping
Carpets: Steam cleaning
Rooftop: Clearing debris
Windows: Exterior window cleaning
Businesses and public spaces that are frequented by more people, or more vulnerable populations, like hospitals, elderly care homes, clinics, schools, libraries, recreation centres and other such establishments will need a more vigorous cleaning schedule.
Emergency Cleaning and Pandemic Preparedness
For emergencies like floods and times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, having an emergency cleaning plan is essential.
This plan should encompass protocols for deep cleaning, disinfection, and ensuring the safety of employees and visitors. Consult guidelines and recommendations from your health authority to understand what you should have in place for pandemic preparedness.
It is also worthwhile speaking to your regular cleaning company about emergency preparedness to find out their protocols and if they can help in the case of an emergency or outbreak.
Deciding on Your Provider
Commercial cleaning is a multifaceted endeavour that demands meticulous planning and execution, knowledge and experience.
By understanding the significance of cleanliness, crafting a well-structured cleaning plan, embracing green cleaning practices, addressing specialized cleaning challenges, and making informed decisions about selecting a cleaning service, you can uphold a clean and safe commercial space conducive to productivity and make positive impressions.
In this blog we’ll focus on the seven biggest values derived from the white paper.
Workplace Cleanliness: A Story Worth Telling
Stories have a unique power to reshape our perspective.
When you have a story to share about value, it can transform how you do business.
This is a story about how workplace cleanliness should no be longer seen as a cost but as a provider of savings.
In the world of cleaning, there are approximately 300,000 service workers employed in building facilities.
Unfortunately, these workers are often perceived as a cost, resulting in lower wages and, consequently, a decrease in the quality of services they provide.
1. Redefining Operating Costs
While clients often demand reduced operating costs, the question remains: Does lower operating costs truly save them money?
Poor-quality cleaning leads to complaints, which incur costs related to rescheduling, auditing complaints, adjusting billing, and more.
Quality issues can cost building service workers approximately $60.00 per incident.
2. The Cost of Illness
Workplace cleanliness isn’t just about appearances; it impacts health.
In the realm of professional cleaning products, one company stands out as a pioneer in biotechnology-driven solutions.
InnuScience, founded in Canada in 1992, has been on a continuous mission to revolutionize the cleaning industry.
Comprising a team of dedicated professionals, InnuScience has earned global recognition for its high-performance, eco-friendly, and biotechnological cleaning products.
The InnuScience Difference
InnuScience is not your typical cleaning product manufacturer.
Their approach blends innovation, technology, and efficiency to set new standards in the industry.
By harnessing the power of biotechnology, they have crafted a line of professional hygiene cleaning products that excel in safety, economy, and environmental sustainability.
Biotechnology: The Smart Solution
InnuScience’s influence extends far and wide, with a robust presence in numerous countries across the globe.
From North America to South America, Europe to Asia, and Africa to the Middle East, InnuScience has become a hallmark of excellence in the professional cleaning arena.
At the core of InnuScience’s ethos is the belief that biotechnology holds the key to solving everyday problems and fostering a sustainable planet.
Their commitment to this vision is evident in their product offerings, which are engineered to harness the potential of biotechnology for the greater good.
The Biotechnology Advantage
InnuScience offers a comprehensive range of easily biodegradable cleaning products that prioritize the environment and the well-being of users.
These innovative concepts not only optimize logistics and simplify training but also contribute significantly to cost savings in cleaning product budgets.
InnuScience’s biotechnology-infused products go beyond just cleaning. They replace undesirable chemical ingredients with a host of benefits:
Increased biodegradability
Reduction in aquatic toxicity
Lower systemic toxicity
Diminished health risks
All while delivering top-tier cleaning performance that is unmatched in the industry.
A Safe and Green Choice
Metropolitan, a staunch advocate for environmental safety, aligns with InnuScience’s commitment to non-toxic and eco-friendly cleaning. InnuScience’s products offer several advantages:
No toxic fumes
Non-corrosive and non-flammable
No long-term exposure risks
Non-irritating to skin
Free from carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic ingredients
Safe for all surfaces and carpets
Eco-Conscious Initiatives
In addition to its cleaning prowess, InnuScience embraces a host of environmentally friendly practices:
Easily biodegradable formulations
Active biotechnology ingredients
Low aquatic toxicity
Ozone-friendly
Zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Reduced reliance on plastic and cardboard, promoting recycling
Cutting-Edge Products from InnuScience
From InnuScience’s remarkable product line, we highlight two game-changers:
Nu-Kleen Smell: This concentrated biotechnological all-surface restroom cleaner not only leaves surfaces spotless but also establishes a long-lasting bacterial flora that continues to eliminate urine odours at their source.
Nu-Karpet Kare: An innovative concentrated biotechnological all-in-one spotter/stain remover, carpet, and fabric cleaner. It leaves an active bacterial flora that relentlessly biodegrades dirt and organic matter, effectively eradicating sources of unpleasant odours.
InnuScience is at the forefront of cleaning industry technology, leading the charge with its biotechnological marvels that redefine cleanliness, safety, and sustainability. To learn more about their groundbreaking products and contributions to a cleaner planet, visit their website at InnuScience.
Special thanks to Kamlesh Chouhan of Neat Kleen for sharing valuable information used in this blog.
Use a Cleaning Company that Prioritizes Green Cleaning
In the world of cleaning services, we're all striving to enhance indoor air quality, and maintain health and safety, while creating more sustainable practices that reduce impact on the environment.
This alarming fact results in poor indoor air quality and consequences for our health and productivity.
The Toll on Well-being
The consequences of poor indoor air quality are tangible and can't be ignored.
Lack of concentration, eye irritation, heightened odour sensitivity, dry and itchy skin, nose and throat irritation, dry cough, sinusitis, nausea, dizziness, and headaches are just some of the acute symptoms that afflict us.
These symptoms can be exacerbated by various sources, including perfume, inadequate ventilation, and airborne dust and pollen.
Green with Green Solutions
Allergies - A Thorn in Our Sides
Allergies are a constant challenge in any facility, and biological pollutants are often the culprits.
Symptoms range from annoying nasal congestion to eye inflammation and even hives. Dust mites, cockroaches, mould, and pet and rodent dander are common contributors to allergic reactions.
The good news is that effective cleaning practices can significantly reduce these effects.
By understanding and combating the three primary threats to human health—particulate matter, VOCs, and biological intruders—we can create spaces that promote well-being and productivity.
So, let's embark on this clean with green living journey together and breathe easier in our indoor havens.
Supply chain disruptions can strike without warning, and for janitorial businesses, these interruptions can lead to significant challenges.
Disposable supplies such as paper towels, toilet paper, hand soaps, and cleaning chemicals are essential for daily operations. Having a great supplier is key to maintaining your stock and predicting need.
But what happens when these critical items become unavailable?
Preparing for a potential cleaning business disruption is vital to maintaining your operations and client satisfaction.
This blog will explore the importance of being prepared for unexpected supply chain issues that will impact your clients.
The Ripple Effects of Global Events
Global events like health crises or natural disasters expose the fragility of supply chains.
For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses worldwide experienced delays and shortages as supply chains were severely disrupted.
In the janitorial industry, the reliance on imported materials—particularly from countries like China—amplified the problem.
For janitorial businesses, this meant scrambling to secure essential supplies, sometimes at skyrocketing costs.
The Uncertainty of Supply Chains
Uncertainty is a common thread in periods of disruption.
Cleaning businesses, like financial markets, struggle to adapt when the status quo is upended.
Whether caused by shipping delays, raw material shortages, or price increases, a cleaning business disruption can have lasting impacts.
High-profile organizations such as IBM and Facebook cancelled major conferences during the pandemic.
Smaller businesses, including those in the cleaning sector, dealt with their own challenges, ranging from delayed shipments to the inability to secure high-demand items like disinfectants and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Are You Prepared for a Cleaning Business Disruption?
To weather a three-week—or longer—disruption, preparation is key.
The janitorial industry relies on consistency, and your clients depend on you to provide uninterrupted service.
So, how can you ensure your business is ready for the next supply chain challenge?
Ask yourself:
Do you have enough inventory of critical supplies, such as paper products, cleaning chemicals, and hand sanitizers?
Have you established relationships with backup suppliers to avoid reliance on a single source?
Are you proactively communicating with your clients about your preparedness and any potential impacts?
Planning ahead is not just a good business practice; it’s essential to minimizing the effects of a supply chain disruption.
Expert Insights on Preparedness
Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organization’s health emergencies program, provided a timeless reminder:
“Wake up. Get ready.”
Although his advice was given during a global health crisis, the principle applies to any form of disruption.
Businesses cannot afford to be caught unprepared.
For cleaning businesses, this means having contingency plans in place, from maintaining a stockpile of supplies to developing transparent communication strategies with clients.
Waiting until a disruption occurs to act is not an option.
Proactive Steps to Protect Your Business
Here’s how you can mitigate the risks of a cleaning business disruption:
Stockpile Essential Supplies: Maintain a buffer inventory of items like paper towels, toilet paper, and cleaning agents.
Diversify Suppliers: Avoid reliance on a single vendor by establishing relationships with multiple suppliers.
Monitor Global Events: Stay informed about trends and disruptions that could affect your supply chain.
Communicate Early and Often: Keep clients informed about potential delays and reassure them of your plans to maintain service continuity.
A three-week cleaning business disruption doesn’t have to derail your operations.
By taking proactive measures today, you can ensure your business remains a trusted partner for your clients—no matter what challenges arise.
Preparation is your best defence against uncertainty. In the face of supply chain challenges, the businesses that adapt and plan ahead are the ones that thrive.
A Company with Foresight
Are you ready to handle the next cleaning business disruption?
Metropolitan Building Maintenance has been offering commercial cleaning services in the lower mainland for over 40 years, with an average customer retention of 14 years. We're Canadian-owned and operated, and if you’re interested in our services, call today for a free quote!
