Category: Business Cleaning

10 Dec 2023
floor care

Winter Challenges: Why In-House Cleaners May Not Be Enough

floor care

As the winter months settle in, the challenges of maintaining a clean and healthy workspace intensify. While having an in-house cleaning team is essential, the unique demands of winter make it clear that additional measures may be necessary. In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons why in-house cleaners may not be enough during the winter months and discuss strategies to ensure a pristine and health-conscious workplace.

Increased Risk of Illness Spread

Winter is notorious for being the season of colds, flu, and other respiratory infections. With employees spending more time indoors and in close proximity, the risk of illness spread escalates. In-house cleaners may struggle to keep up with the demands of increased disinfection needed to combat the heightened transmission of viruses and bacteria.

Persistent Threat of Cold and Flu Viruses

Cold and flu viruses can linger on surfaces for extended periods, posing a persistent threat to the health of your workforce. In-house cleaning teams may not have the capacity to maintain the rigorous and frequent disinfection required to keep these viruses at bay. External cleaning services can provide specialized expertise and additional manpower to address this specific challenge.

Limited Resources and Expertise

In-house cleaning teams, while dedicated, may have limited resources and expertise to tackle the comprehensive needs of winter cleaning. Specialized equipment and knowledge are crucial for effectively combating the unique challenges posed by winter, including wet floors, salt residue, and increased indoor moisture that can contribute to mold growth.

Unpredictable Weather Impact

Winter weather can wreak havoc on a workspace. Snow, slush, and ice can be tracked indoors, leading to slippery floors and an increased risk of accidents. In-house cleaners may find it challenging to stay ahead of the constant cleaning required to maintain safe and hazard-free conditions. External cleaning services equipped with the right tools and technology can address these issues promptly.

Seasonal Increase in Allergens

Winter often brings with it an increase in indoor allergens. The combination of closed windows, heating systems, and the presence of holiday decorations can contribute to the accumulation of dust, pet dander, and other allergens. In-house cleaners may not have the specialized tools or time to thoroughly address these concerns, impacting indoor air quality and employee well-being.

Strategies to Enhance Winter Cleaning Efforts

Collaborate with External Cleaning Services

Partnering with external cleaning services during the winter months can provide your business with the additional support needed to maintain a clean and healthy workspace. Professional cleaning services are equipped with the tools, expertise, and manpower to address the specific challenges posed by winter.

Increase the Frequency of Disinfection

Given the heightened risk of illness spread during the winter, consider increasing the frequency of disinfection protocols. Focus on high-touch surfaces, communal areas, and commonly used spaces. This proactive approach can significantly reduce the risk of viral transmission and keep your employees healthy.

Implement Specialized Winter Cleaning Practices

Winter requires specialized cleaning practices to combat the unique challenges it presents. This may include addressing salt residue on floors, maintaining proper ventilation to prevent moisture buildup, and promptly addressing the impact of unpredictable weather conditions on your workspace.

Educate and Involve Employees

Empower your employees to contribute to a cleaner and healthier workspace during the winter months. Educate them on the importance of personal hygiene, handwashing, and keeping their workspaces tidy. Encourage a shared responsibility for cleanliness to create a collective commitment to a healthy work environment.

Conclusion

While in-house cleaners play a crucial role in day-to-day maintenance, the winter months introduce challenges that may require additional support. Collaborating with external cleaning services, increasing the frequency of disinfection, implementing specialized winter cleaning practices, and involving employees in the process are key strategies to ensure a clean and healthy workspace throughout the winter season. By taking a proactive approach, businesses can create an environment that prioritizes the well-being of their workforce and promotes productivity during the colder months.

10 Oct 2023
retail cleaning

The Psychology of Cleanliness: Why Do Customers Care?

retail cleaning

Cleanliness has a significant psychological impact on people’s perceptions and behaviors, whether it’s in a retail store, restaurant, or any other public space. Customers’ expectations regarding cleanliness and hygiene have evolved, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s explore the psychology of cleanliness, why customers care, and how businesses can leverage this knowledge to create a positive and lasting impression.

The Perception of Safety

  • Protection from Germs: A clean environment signals safety. Customers want to feel protected from germs, viruses, and potential health hazards. The cleaner the space, the safer they perceive it to be. This perception of safety is paramount in the post-pandemic world, where concerns about infectious diseases are still fresh.
  • Reduced Stress: Clutter, dirt, and mess can lead to stress and anxiety. Customers are more likely to patronize businesses that provide a clean and organized environment. The absence of clutter and the presence of cleanliness contribute to a calming atmosphere.
  • Trust and Credibility: A clean space enhances a business’s credibility and trustworthiness. Customers are more inclined to trust a clean establishment over a dirty one. A clean environment implies a well-managed and responsible business.

The Influence on Decision-Making

  • Shopping Behavior: The psychology of cleanliness impacts shopping behavior. Customers are more likely to spend time and money in a clean, inviting store. They’ll explore the merchandise, stay longer, and make more purchases. A clean store can lead to higher sales and customer loyalty.
  • Restaurant Choices: Cleanliness significantly influences restaurant choices. Customers often judge a restaurant by the cleanliness of its dining area and restrooms. A dirty or unkempt dining area can drive potential patrons away.
  • Repeat Business: Customers are more likely to become repeat visitors to establishments that maintain high levels of cleanliness. Returning customers are a cornerstone of business success.

The Connection to Health and Well-being

  • Perception of Health: Cleanliness contributes to the perception of health and well-being. When a space is clean and well-maintained, customers are more likely to feel that the food they consume or the products they purchase are also healthier and safer.
  • Dining Experience: In restaurants, cleanliness is intrinsically tied to the dining experience. A clean, hygienic environment enhances the taste and overall experience of the food.
  • Restrooms: Clean restrooms are a significant marker of a business’s commitment to hygiene. Customers are more likely to remember a business with pristine restrooms.

The Impact on Brand Image

  • Brand Reputation: The psychology of cleanliness is closely linked to a brand’s reputation. A clean, well-organized, and sanitized business premises enhance a brand’s reputation while neglecting cleanliness can tarnish it.
  • Positive Word-of-Mouth: Satisfied customers are more likely to spread positive word-of-mouth about a business. They share their experiences, including the cleanliness of a place, with friends, and family, and on social media.

The Influence of First Impressions

  • Immediate Judgment: People form immediate judgments about a business based on its cleanliness. First impressions are lasting impressions. A clean and well-maintained physical space can create a favorable initial impression.
  • Attention to Detail: A clean environment signals attention to detail. It indicates that a business cares about its customers and their experience.

How Businesses Can Leverage the Psychology of Cleanliness

  • Invest in Regular Cleaning Services: Businesses should invest in regular cleaning services to maintain a clean and hygienic environment. This includes thorough cleaning of public areas, restrooms, and high-touch surfaces.
  • Establish Cleaning Protocols: Implement strict cleaning protocols and train staff to ensure a consistent and high level of cleanliness. This should include disinfection, sanitation, and hygiene measures.
  • Transparency and Communication: Transparent communication with customers about cleaning efforts can provide reassurance and build trust. Share information about cleaning schedules, sanitization practices, and safety measures.
  • Employee Training: Properly train employees to prioritize cleanliness and hygiene. Their role in maintaining a clean environment is crucial.
  • Feedback Mechanisms: Encourage customers to provide feedback on cleanliness and hygiene. Use this feedback to make continuous improvements.

Conclusion

The psychology of cleanliness is a powerful force in influencing customer perceptions, behaviors, and decisions. Cleanliness impacts the perception of safety, trust, and credibility. It influences shopping behavior, restaurant choices, and repeat business. It is deeply connected to health and well-being, affecting the perception of the quality and safety of products and services. Cleanliness significantly shapes a brand’s image and reputation and makes a lasting first impression.

Businesses that understand the psychology of cleanliness and take proactive measures to maintain high levels of cleanliness can reap numerous benefits. They’ll build customer trust, encourage loyalty, enhance their reputation, and drive positive word-of-mouth. In today’s world, cleanliness is not just an option; it’s a fundamental aspect of customer satisfaction and business success.

10 Sep 2023
small business cleaning

ESSENTIAL CLEANING TIPS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

small business cleaning

Small businesses are the backbone of communities and economies, often juggling multiple roles with limited resources. Amid the hustle and bustle of daily operations, maintaining a clean and welcoming environment can sometimes be overlooked. However, a clean workspace is not just about appearances; it contributes to employee morale, customer impressions, and overall business success. In this blog post, we’ll share essential cleaning tips tailored to the needs and constraints of small businesses.

Develop a Cleaning Schedule

Consistency is key. Create a cleaning schedule that suits your business’s needs and size. Assign responsibilities to employees or consider outsourcing to a professional cleaning service, depending on your budget.

Prioritize High-Traffic Areas

Focus your cleaning efforts on high-traffic areas, such as entryways, reception areas, restrooms, and kitchenettes. These spaces leave the strongest impression on customers and employees.

Invest in Quality Cleaning Supplies

While budget constraints are real, investing in quality cleaning supplies and equipment pays off in the long run. High-quality products are often more effective and require less frequent replacement.

Train Your Staff

If your cleaning duties fall on employees, provide proper training on cleaning techniques, product usage, and safety precautions. Empower them with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain a clean workspace.

Create Cleaning Checklists

Detailed cleaning checklists can help ensure that no area is overlooked. Include daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning tasks, and mark them off as they are completed.

Go Green with Eco-Friendly Products

Consider using eco-friendly cleaning products, which are safer for both your staff and the environment. Many eco-friendly options are cost-effective and equally as effective as traditional cleaners.

Regularly Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces

In the era of COVID-19, it’s crucial to regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and shared electronics. Follow CDC guidelines for proper disinfection.

Embrace the Power of Decluttering

A cluttered space not only looks messy but can also be a breeding ground for dust and germs. Encourage employees to declutter their workstations regularly.

Handle Spills Promptly

Spills and accidents happen. Make sure you have a spill kit on hand and train employees on how to respond to spills quickly and safely to prevent slips and falls.

Consider Professional Cleaning Services

If your budget allows, consider hiring professional cleaning services, especially for deep cleans or specialized cleaning needs. They can provide expertise and efficiency.

Create a Cleaning Culture

Foster a culture of cleanliness among your employees. Encourage them to take ownership of their workspace and practice good cleaning habits.

Don’t Forget Outdoor Areas

If your business has outdoor spaces, such as patios or smoking areas, keep them clean and presentable. Outdoor cleanliness can also leave a positive impression.

Regularly Inspect and Maintain Equipment

If you have cleaning equipment like vacuums or floor scrubbers, ensure they are regularly inspected and maintained to maximize their lifespan and performance.

Seek Feedback

Ask employees and customers for feedback on the cleanliness of your business. Their insights can help you identify areas for improvement.

A clean and well-maintained business environment not only enhances your brand’s image but also creates a more pleasant and productive workplace. By implementing these cleaning tips tailored to small businesses, you’ll be well on your way to a cleaner, healthier, and thriving workspace.

20 Dec 2022
cleanliness

MAKE CLEANLINESS A PRIORITY IN 2023

cleanliness

Is Cleanliness On Your List Of Priorities? 

As a business owner, you know that you need to prioritize in order to succeed. In particular, you need to prioritize your limited resources to generate maximum profits. For most businesses, money is the most limited resource and it must be spent in ways that maximize income.

Generally speaking, most companies prioritize their expenditures based on a perceived return on investment. Things like marketing, productivity enhancing tools and technology, recruitment, training, and retention of employees, and customer service initiatives are often where the bulk of the money is spent.

While these are all tried and true methods for generating business income, there is another list item that many companies overlook – and it is costing them in more ways than they realize. Interestingly, the missing item invariably contributes to the return on investment realized from nearly every other priority on the list.

What Is Missing From Your List Of Business Priorities?

In a word – cleanliness. 

Good old-fashioned cleanliness is the one item that most businesses do not place on their list of priorities and it is the one item that directly impacts nearly every other item on their list of priorities. Let’s take a look at how cleanliness impacts the other priorities on your list:

How Cleanliness Impacts Marketing

Even before the pandemic of recent years came into play, studies showed that cleanliness was an important consideration for consumers. A new awareness and higher standards of cleanliness emerged from the pandemic and businesses that failed to make cleanliness a priority began losing customers.

By making cleanliness a priority businesses can add another arrow to their marketing quiver. Smart businesses are using upgraded cleaning protocols to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Employing on-site day porters or asking employees to clean high-touch surfaces throughout the business day allows customers to see your business’s commitment to providing a clean and safe environment.

How Cleanliness Impacts Recruitment And Retention Of Staff

Like the customers that your business serves, the staff that your business employs are hyper-aware of cleanliness. They want to work in a safe and clean environment. In fact, studies show that 72% of employees are reluctant to recommend a business with poor office hygiene to job seekers and 70% of employees feel that poor office hygiene genuinely affects their overall job satisfaction. As many as 71% of employees expect their employer to provide extra cleaning to ensure hygiene.

How Cleanliness Enhances Productivity

Businesses spend a lot of money on tools and technology in an effort to enhance productivity. In general, this is money well spent as these tools and technologies often make employees more efficient. Research shows that adding cleanliness to this equation promotes even greater productivity.

In a clean and organized work environment employees are healthier, less stressed, and better able to focus on their work. According to data collected by the International Data Corporation, untidy workplaces lose an estimated $2.5 million dollars per year due to lost productivity.

It should also be noted that unclean conditions promote the spread of harmful bacteria, resulting in increased sick days for employees. One study found that employees missing work due to illness or injury cost employers $225 billion annually. 

Cleaning Is Customer Service

Believe it or not, customers equate cleanliness with your level of customer service. Providing a visibly clean and safe environment for your customers is a service that you must provide if you are serious about customer service. 99% of U.S. customers recently surveyed said they would not return to a business if it had poor hygiene and levels of cleanliness. Ninety-nine percent!

Providing a clean and safe environment with visible cleaning and sanitizing protocols shows customers that you take their heath and safety seriously. It shows that you are conscientious of your employees health and safety as well and ensures a good first impression for your business.

Make Cleaning A Priority In 2023

It is rather amazing how a simple thing like cleanliness can impact almost every aspect of your business. When you are making a list of priorities for the new year, or setting your annual budget, be sure to add cleaning and sanitation to the top of your list. Consider hiring a commercial cleaning company to take your cleaning to the next level. After all, it will impact every other line item on the list.

10 Dec 2022
end of lease cleaning

END OF COMMERCIAL LEASE CLEANING? HIRE A PRO

end of lease cleaning

Moving your business operations to a new commercial space can be both exciting and challenging. Whether you are moving to a larger space to accommodate your growing business or a smaller space to reduce overhead costs, clearing out and cleaning your current space is a top priority. Unfortunately, this aspect of your move is likely not one that you are looking forward to.

On top of all the logistics involved with packing and moving your office equipment, furniture, and files, you also need to make time for cleaning your current rental space. That is where it pays to hire a professional cleaning service.

You might feel that end-of-lease cleaning is a job that you and your staff can manage but the reality is that you are much better off hiring a qualified commercial cleaner. Here are just a few reasons why hiring professional cleaners can make your move easier and less stressful:

You’ll Get A Thorough Cleaning

While you and your staff may be able to manage the day-to-day cleaning of your commercial space, end-of-lease cleaning is a much bigger task. Once all of your company belongings are gone, there will be years of accumulated dust, dirt, and grime. If your commercial rental included furniture, appliances, and other amenities, these will require cleaning as well. When was the last time someone cleaned behind the refrigerator or copy machine?

Professional end-of-lease cleaning crews understand the importance of leaving a leased space thoroughly clean. They will bring all the necessary cleaning equipment, chemicals, and knowledge necessary to ensure that your leased space looks as good or better than the day you moved in.

It Will Save You Time

Relocating your business operations takes time, and time is money when it comes to business operations. The longer it takes you to complete your move the less downtime your business will incur. Professional cleaning crews have procedures and processes in place that make end-of-lease cleaning much more efficient, saving you time.

That is time that you can spend, moving, unpacking, and setting up your new commercial space. This allows you to get the new space up and running sooner, reducing downtime and making the entire transition smoother.

It Will Make Your Move Less Stressful

Moving is stressful. There is so much preparation involved when moving your business to a new address. Organizing, packing, inventory, address changes, updating of marketing materials, unpacking, reorganizing – the list goes on and on. Taking end-of-lease cleaning out of the equation will lighten your workload and reduce the stress placed on you and your staff.

You Are More Likely To Receive Your Full Deposit

Most, if not all landlords require tenants to pay a security deposit. In order to get that deposit back your commercial space needs to be thoroughly cleaned at the end of your lease and any damages need to be addressed. Vacuuming your office carpets will not remove coffee stains and wet mopping your hard-surface floors will not make them look new again. Professional cleaning services will address these issues with high-pressure carpet cleaning and floor polishing to ensure your commercial space looks its best.

In addition, once your space is thoroughly cleaned, it will be much easier to assess the property for any residual damage like chipped paint or torn carpets. This way you will be better prepared and able to make any necessary repairs.

It Makes You A Better Candidate For Future Leases

Nobody knows what the future holds and you never know when you might need to relocate your business again. It may seem unlikely while in the midst of your current relocation but it is always a possibility. Leaving your current leased property in pristine condition will make leasing a new property much easier down the road. Just like a good reference from a former employer makes you a better job candidate, a great reference from a former landlord makes your a better lease candidate.

The Bottom-Line

The bottom-line is that hiring professional end-of-lease cleaning services will save you time, money, and stress when the time comes to move your business operations to a new location. It will allow you to focus on all the many other things that come with relocating and be one less thing that you will need to worry about. 

30 Nov 2022
business goals

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS TO UPGRADE YOUR WORKPLACE

business goals

If you own or manage a business you have undoubtedly seen the recent shifts in employee and consumer expectations. Consumers are much more conscious of cleanliness and sanitation protocols and employees

have become much more willing to seek greener pastures.

The ‘Great Resignation’ saw employees leaving workplaces at unprecedented rates in 2022 and employers struggling to staff their organizations. The COVID scare that began early in 2021 continues to this day and has shifted consumer expectations with regard to where and with whom they will do business.

While these economic shifts have caused some hardships for businesses and organizations, they also present opportunities. With the new year right around the corner now is the time to consider what policies and procedures you can implement to ensure success in 2023. Here are a few suggestions:

GET ORGANIZED

Take a serious look around your place of business. Is it optimizing your workflow or inhibiting your workflow? If the design of your workspace promotes chaos it is likely hurting your bottom line and aggravating your staff. 

Consider holding a staff meeting to brainstorm ideas on how to make your workplace more efficient. You may find that your employees are a great source of inspiration. They work within the environment every day and are sure to have suggestions that will make their jobs easier.

Consider all suggestions and implement new policies and procedures that help promote efficiency and reduce chaos. Your staff will appreciate the fact that you value their opinions and you will likely realize greater efficiency.

ESTABLISH AND ENFORCE CLEANING PROTOCOLS

Over the last couple of years, consumers’ expectations for cleanliness have grown exponentially. The same is true of employees. Both groups expect to see visible cleaning and sanitizing efforts as well as personal hygiene practices.

Establish a cleaning and disinfecting protocol that addresses these expectations. Whether you decide to utilize in-house staff or hire a commercial cleaning provider, establishing and enforcing cleaning protocols in the workplace is a win-win-win situation. It provides a safe place for you and your staff, is proven to increase productivity, and assures your customers that you take their health and safety seriously.

Be sure to offer and encourage the use of personal hygiene supplies such as hand sanitizers, face masks, and tissues. Also, be sure that soap dispensers, paper towels, and hand dryers are regularly stocked and operational.

GO GREEN

Implementing environmental policies in the workplace can be as easy as adding recycle bins and utilizing green cleaning products. If you have the resources you might consider reducing paper waste by bringing your entire workflow online. Either way, going green not only benefits the environment but can benefit your bottom line as well.

Environmental friendliness is something that is almost universally appreciated. Your customers will respect the fact that you are doing your part to protect the environment and your employees will take pride in doing their part.

PROMOTE YOUR NEW WORKPLACE

You should promote your cleaning and disinfecting protocols so that your customers feel safe in your establishment. Let them know with signage, flyers, and visible cleaning and disinfecting practices. Consider hiring a day porter or janitorial staff to maintain your facility during business hours.

You should also continue to promote the sharing of ideas among staff members with regard to optimizing your organization’s workflow. Consider asking employees to evaluate the changes that were made to see if they need tweaking and to ask for additional suggestions on how you can help them work smarter.

Keep your recycling bins clean and visible so that they get used and be sure to offer recycling options to your clients. Use recycled receipt paper and other green initiatives that consumers will take notice of.

IN CONCLUSION

While the business landscape has changed in recent years, there are steps that you can take to turn these changes into opportunities. Making small changes like those suggested here can help you to retain and attract staff, impress clients, and improve productivity.

If you would like to learn more about cleaning and sanitation protocols and the options that are available to you, feel free to contact Complete Care Maintenance.

30 Oct 2022
holiday shopping

HOLIDAY CLEANING TIPS FOR RETAILERS

holiday shopping

 

A BUSY AND CHALLENGING HOLIDAY SEASON

The holiday season is fast approaching and retailers are gearing up for the inevitable rush of consumers. It is estimated that U.S. consumers will spend nearly 1.5 trillion dollars this holiday season. That accounts for 20% of total annual retail spending. It is no wonder that retailers are making every effort to claim a slice of the pie.

With more and more customers choosing to spend their dollars online, twenty-first-century brick-and-mortar retailers will need to plan ahead to take advantage of any and all in-store foot traffic. In order to make your retail operation stand out you will need to meet the needs and expectations of the ever-fickle U.S. consumer.

Providing exceptional customer service and offering holiday promotions are tried and true approaches to increased holiday sales. But in a post-pandemic world, cleanliness is still high on the list of consumer expectations. In fact, a whopping 93% of U.S. consumers state that they would not return to a dirty store.

So, how can you meet consumer expectations for store cleanliness? We are glad you asked! Here are a few tips for maintaining a clean and sanitary retail environment for your staff and customers this holiday season:

MIND YOUR ENTRYWAY

Ensuring that the entryway to your retail store is clean and inviting is the best way to draw consumers into your establishment. Make sure that sidewalks and parking lots are cleared of snow and debris and consider pressure washing your storefront prior to the holidays.

Display windows are often the consumer’s first impression of your storefront. They are a tried and true method of highlighting your wares and can often make a passerby a customer. Windows and doors on your storefront should be cleaned thoroughly every day and spot-cleaned regularly during business hours. Be sure that displays featured at the storefront are always stocked and clean.

ROLL OUT THE WELCOME MAT

If you operate in a northern or mountain state the holiday season is sure to bring rain, leaves, snow, and slush. These elements – along with deicing agents and salt – can wreak havoc on your floors and create potential hazards for your staff and customers.

Utilizing high-quality entry mats reduces the potential for slip-and-fall accidents and protects your floors from the dirt, grime, and salt being tracked in from the outdoors. According to the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) six feet of matting at a facility’s entrance will remove 40% of tracked-in soil, 12 feet of matting will remove 80% of tracked-in soil, and 36 feet of matting will remove almost all of it.

KEEP FLOOR CLEANING EQUIPMENT HANDY

It is important to ensure that entry mats are vacuumed at least once per day and that they are professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Likewise, carpets and hard-surface floors should be regularly vacuumed throughout the day. 

Keep additional floor cleaning equipment like mops, dust brooms, and wet floor signage at the ready to address wet floors, spills, and any tracked-in debris. Also, consider keeping a commercial cleaning company on retainer to regularly buff your hard-surface flooring and deep clean your carpets to help minimize damage from tracked-in soils. 

MAKE CLEANING AND SANITIZING PART OF YOUR DAILY ROUTINE

In a post-pandemic world, after-hours cleaning is no longer enough. Customers want to see that you are committed to their health and safety. This means regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces, restrooms, and flooring. Consider hiring a day porter or matron service to manage these tasks for you or add additional staff.

Keep in mind that display fixtures and the items that they hold are being touched throughout the day. Be sure to include these in your high-touch cleaning and disinfecting protocol.

Even though most restrictions have been lifted with regard to public gatherings, people still expect to have access to hand sanitizer and face masks. Make certain that you are making these items readily available to your staff and customers.

20 Sep 2022
business cleaning

LESS OBVIOUS CLEANING TASKS THAT MITIGATE GERMS

business cleaning

There are obvious benefits of having your business professionally cleaned. The overall aesthetic, employee satisfaction, and productivity to name a few. However, one of the most important benefits of professional cleaning is the mitigation of germs. Commercial cleaning crews recognize that in this day and age, the removal of germs and pathogens is one of their primary tasks. 

These individuals know that germs are hiding everywhere. It is not just high-touch surfaces and restrooms that need to be cleaned and disinfected. Your entire facility is harboring germs and illness-causing pathogens.

This is why professional cleaners take all cleaning tasks seriously. They realize that every cleaning task contributes to the mitigation of germs and pathogens and creates a healthier environment for their client.

Here are some seemingly mundane cleaning tasks that commercial cleaning crews perform in an effort to remove and reduce germs and pathogens within your facility:

DUSTING

Dusting may not seem an important aspect of germ mitigation, but it is. Dust contains bacteria and germs and removing it from hard surfaces is an important step in the cleaning and disinfecting process. Professional cleaning crews practice a top-down approach to dusting – starting with high surfaces and working their way toward the floor. This ensures that they are not causing dust to accumulate on already dusted surfaces.

SURFACE CLEANING

This may seem obvious as a germ mitigation practice. Surface cleaning is also an important step in the disinfecting process. Professional cleaners recognize that this is only the second step in the disinfecting process and they are focused on doing it the right way. 

Professionals always wipe in one direction to avoid redistribution of dirt and germs. They use different wipes for different areas of your facility to avoid cross-contamination and they apply CDC and OSHA-compliant disinfectants and procedures after cleaning a surface.

VACUUMING

Most people do not think about the germs and bacteria that are hiding in their carpets. The fact of the matter is that your carpets are home to a plethora of nasty organisms. In fact, microbiology research published in 2001 found an average indoor carpet to be about 4,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat, with about 200,000 bacteria per square inch.

Regular vacuuming with a commercial grade vacuum along with regular deep cleaning can help keep these nasties in check and help keep your facility germ-free.

TRASH REMOVAL

If the number of bacteria in your carpets surprises you, you will be shocked to learn how many germs are living in your trash receptacles.

Consider for a moment the types of things that end up in the trash. Leftover foods, drinks, used tissues, chewing gum – the list goes on and on. All of these things are a virtual playground for illness-causing bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, and E-Coli.

Professional cleaning crews will not only remove the trash but clean and disinfect the receptacle to inhibit the growth of bacteria. They will also line the can with a trash bag to help keep it clean between cleanings.

While you can perform these tasks in-house, you can not be sure that they are being done to professional standards. Hiring a professional, commercial cleaning service ensures that these areas and others are cleaned and disinfected properly.

If you would like help with the cleaning and disinfecting of your facility, call on Complete Care Maintenance for a free, no-obligation quote.