When someone walks into a commercial building, it’s not the furniture or logo that they observe first – it’s the cleanliness. While a spotless lobby reflects a professional image, a dirty restroom drives people away. Thus, keeping a commercial space clean by Janitorial service helps build a professional reputation and run a successful operation.
For business owners and property managers, managing cleaning responsibilities can be challenging. That’s when they rely on janitorial services.
A janitorial service ensures routine cleaning and maintenance of commercial properties to foster a safe, healthy, and productive environment. They cover crucial tasks like trash removal, restroom sanitization, floor care, surface disinfection, and restocking supplies.
Unlike occasional deep cleaning, which addresses entryways, dirty corners, and cluttered spaces, janitorial services focus on consistency. They involve trained professionals who follow a set schedule to ensure the property is hygienic and presentable every day.
Be it an office, retail store, medical facility, or educational institution, janitors provide routine cleaning to keep dust and grime at bay. As a result, visitors will experience a welcoming, clean environment.
If you’re also struggling to maintain cleanliness on your property and are considering scheduling janitorial cleaning services, you’ve come to the right place.
This blog will outline what janitorial services are and the tasks they cover. Furthermore, it will discuss how these services differ from commercial cleaning and how often you should hire them.
What Is a Janitorial Service?
A janitorial service refers to professional routine cleaning and maintenance tasks for commercial spaces. They ensure daily upkeep, such as sweeping, mopping, and maintaining restrooms to ensure consistent cleanliness of the property.
Professionals who perform these daily cleaning services are known as janitors. They inspect commercial properties, check for dust on hard-to-reach surfaces or overflowing dustbins, and address them.
The roles of janitors include:
- Dusting & Wiping: Desks, furniture, light switches, and doorknobs are prone to germ accumulation. Janitors regularly dust and wipe these surfaces to minimise the spread of germs, creating a healthier commercial space.
- Restroom sanitisation: Foul odours and empty soap and toilet paper dispensers can create a negative impression of your office, retail store, or medical facility. To keep the restrooms presentable, janitors clean and disinfect restrooms. They also restock supplies to keep the daily operations running.
- Floor care: Grime hidden in floor tiles or stains from beverage spills can make the floor look shabby. To tidy the floors, professional janitors sweep, mop, and vacuum.
- Trash removal: Overflowing trash bins are a hotspot for bacteria, leading to more sick days. To provide a welcoming, safe commercial space, janitors empty trash bins and ensure garbage is disposed of properly.
- Attending common areas: Break rooms, kitchens, and lobbies are common areas in a commercial setting. The frequent movement in these spaces can lead to dust accumulation. Janitors clean and sanitize these areas to minimize dust buildup and enhance their aesthetic appeal.
What Do Janitorial Services Typically Include?
Knowing what a janitorial service is will help you incorporate them into your facility. These professionals ensure consistent cleaning to keep dust, grime, and germs away.
In large commercial spaces, business owners usually recruit in-house janitors. They perform surface dusting or sweeping. But most of the time, when people are walking in and out of these spaces, it becomes difficult for staff to perform cleaning duties.
That’s when a professional janitorial service comes to the rescue. They typically include daily or weekly cleaning to tidy up and organize the property. Moreover, they include optional services to enhance the space’s productivity.
Here you will find out the services that janitors include:
Daily Cleaning Tasks
Janitors provide consistent cleaning through daily upkeep. They vacuum and mop floors, empty trash bins, and thoroughly clean restrooms, making the space presentable.
During business hours, commercial spaces get messy. The janitors take care of these daily messes, from cleaning spills around the trash bins to scrubbing toilets. Moreover, they spot-clean floors if there are any muddy footprints.
Doorknobs, light switches, and elevator buttons also see frequent touch during business hours, leading to the spread of germs. Janitors also clean and disinfect these areas to create a healthy environment for everyone.
Weekly and Periodic Cleaning Tasks
Beyond the daily basics, janitors also include routine cleaning services. These are more detailed than daily maintenance. Floor care will not only include sweeping/vacuuming and mopping, but also carpet cleaning and floor buffing.
Other than that, janitors will be responsible for wiping down mirrors in restrooms and even scrubbing and disinfecting toilets. That way, the janitors will ensure an odour-free, organised restroom.
Even the walkways and building facades will require periodic cleaning. Janitors can pressure-wash these spaces to remove dried leaves, dust, and dirt, making the entryways inviting and clean.
Optional or Add-On Janitorial Services
In addition to periodic and weekly cleaning, janitors may provide additional facility cleaning services. You can schedule professional janitors as needed to perform the cleaning responsibilities.
If your facility requires special attention to carpet & upholstered furniture, janitors will provide carpet and upholstery cleaning services. They will thoroughly clean these elements to remove embedded dirt or stains.
Moreover, add-on janitorial services include cleaning the vents of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) systems. They will inspect the systems, dust them, and change the filters (if required) to improve air quality.
Janitorial Service vs Commercial Cleaning: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to cleaning, business owners often consider janitorial services as commercial cleaning. A janitorial service is indeed a part of commercial cleaning, but the focus is quite different.
While janitorial services ensure day-to-day maintenance, commercial cleaning focuses on heavy-duty and specialized deep cleaning. Even if you can’t differentiate between the two, here’s a detailed comparison of commercial cleaning vs janitorial, depending on key factors:
| Factors | Janitorial Services | Commercial Cleaning |
| Purpose | Routine cleaning Hygiene On-going maintenance | Intensive cleaning Specialized maintenance Heavy-duty work |
| Frequency | Daily Weekly Night/day | Periodic Occasional When-needed (once or twice a year) |
| Tasks | Dusting surfaces Vacuuming floors Cleaning restrooms Emptying trash bins Restocking supplies | Pressure washing entryways Grout and tile cleaning Carpet shampooing Window washing (interior/exterior) |
| Goals | Surface-level cleanliness Light maintenance | Deep sanitization Restoration |
Who Needs Janitorial Services?
Janitors are responsible for ensuring the daily upkeep of commercial spaces. Since these areas experience constant movement, they get dirty easily. Of course, in-house janitors can perform regular dusting and mopping duties, but they require training.
Instead of training amateur cleaning staff, you can hire a commercial janitorial service. They will perform prompt cleaning tasks and offer their expertise in maintaining various commercial spaces.
Usually, busy workspaces and businesses require a superior level of cleaning, which professional janitors can provide. That way, they can reflect a professional image of their brand to the employees and visitors.
There are various commercial settings where janitors’ expertise is crucial. These places include:
Office Buildings and Corporate Spaces
Office buildings and corporate spaces experience frequent movements, especially during the daytime. Not attending to these areas can lead to dust accumulation, minimizing the natural shine of the places. With an office janitorial service, you can turn your office from shabby to shiny.
They ensure routine cleaning in the entryways, lobbies, restrooms, and other high-traffic areas. Moreover, they follow a comprehensive office cleaning checklist that outlines all the tasks required for these spaces.
Since these are professional janitors, they also use proper cleaning tools to ensure thorough cleaning without leaving any dirty corners.
Here are the workplace cleaning solutions that commercial janitors provide:
- Emptying trash bins from lobbies, workstations, kitchens, and restrooms.
- Scrubbing toilets, wiping down mirrors, and cleaning faucets.
- Dusting and wiping kitchen cabinets and countertops.
- Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, and elevator buttons.
- Inspecting HVAC systems and changing the poor filters to improve air quality.
- Vacuuming and steaming carpets to remove stubborn grime and stains.
Medical and Healthcare Facilities
After offices, the commercial spaces that require efficient janitorial services are medical and healthcare facilities. These areas are always operational, with patients coming and going. Hence, to reduce contamination spread, sanitation and hygiene services are imperative.
Since these are highly sensitive areas, the cleaning tools should adhere to strict health and safety standards. Professional janitors use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved cleaning products to ensure proper cleaning.
From wiping up fluid spills on floors to disinfecting patient wards, janitorial services perform a wide range of tasks. These are as follows:
- Cleaning and dusting waiting rooms to reflect a professional image.
- Wiping down equipment in the examination rooms to reduce disease spread.
- Changing bed linens in patient rooms and thoroughly sanitising the frames.
- Use proper garbage disposal bags to remove trash, including biohazard waste.
- Vacuuming floors with High-Efficiency Particulate Air or HEPA vacuum cleaners to eliminate dust and allergens.
- Inspecting all areas and ensuring the facility is maintaining health standards.
Educational Institutions
A clean educational institution reflects a happy environment for students and staff. Unorganized desks and dirty lobbies can be distracting for everyone. Hence, janitorial services offer routine cleaning to create an inviting environment.
They ensure classrooms are cleaned and supplies are restocked from time to time. Moreover, they focus on providing a student-safe atmosphere with eco-friendly cleaning solutions.
They use mild cleaners and advanced tools to remove dirt. It thus makes it ready for learning. To offer a functional and tidy educational space, janitors follow:
- Dusting classrooms and lecture halls.
- Vacuuming floors, lobbies, and entryways.
- Emptying trash bins from different locations, including classrooms and the cafeteria.
- Cleaning kitchen countertops and shelves, and disinfecting the areas.
- Clearing out spoiled food from the fridge and wiping down the appliances.
Retail Stores and Shopping Centers
Spotless windows, organized carts, and clean aisles are what make a retail store look appealing. People may not buy anything, but they definitely judge a shopping centre by its cleanliness.
If you own or manage a retail store, the upkeep can be crucial and challenging. For that, you can hire janitorial services. They can provide prompt cleaning even after business hours to keep the store ready for a visit the next day.
A retail store cleaning checklist includes basic and advanced cleaning tools to maintain the place’s shine. They perform a wide range of routine cleaning, including:
- Sweeping high-traffic areas like shopping aisles, fitting rooms, and entryways.
- Dusting fitting rooms and sanitizing to minimize the risk of contamination.
- Mopping and vacuuming floors to enhance a professional image.
- Organising shelves so people can check out products.
- Cleaning checkout counters to remove dust buildup.
- Wiping down mirrors and windows to attract people inside the retail store.
Industrial and Manufacturing Facilities
Industrial and manufacturing facilities generate significant debris, dust, and equipment grease. Without cleaning and maintenance, these areas will disrupt the operations. Also, it will affect workers’ health.
To ensure smooth operations and a productive work environment, janitors play a crucial role. They perform specialized services focusing on floor care, equipment maintenance, and waste management.
Here’s a breakdown of janitorial tasks tailored for industrial and manufacturing facilities:
- Sweeping, mopping, and scrubbing heavy-duty floors.
- Cleaning and degreasing equipment to maintain its performance and longevity.
- Pressure-washing high-traffic areas to remove dirt and oils.
- Carefully collecting and disposing of trash, including hazardous waste.
- Wiping down windows and glass surfaces to remove stains and dust.
- Daily cleaning and sanitizing of restrooms for a germ-free environment in the facility.
How Often Are Janitorial Services Performed?
Whether in an office or a manufacturing facility, every space deserves a tidy appearance. Since all these spaces have unique cleaning requirements, professional janitors can provide expertise in cleanliness and maintenance.
Typically, businesses schedule janitorial services consistently to perform routine building maintenance cleaning. They perform daily or weekly cleaning to prevent dust from settling, ensuring a healthy, safe environment.
Depending on your facility’s requirements, you can schedule janitorial services. For instance, if you have a medical office, daily cleaning becomes a priority. You can call a team of professionals to handle waste management, patient room cleaning, and equipment sanitisation.
Moreover, you can schedule hybrid services that combine daily and weekly cleaning. For instance, retail store owners can hire janitors to routinely clean shopping aisles and entryways. Also, they can use their services for light maintenance, such as fixing flickering lights and steaming carpets.
Why Janitorial Services Matter for Health, Safety, and Compliance?
As you know, janitorial services provide daily maintenance, enhancing the health and safety of people in commercial spaces. These daily maintenance tasks are more than aesthetic appeal. Regular cleaning of high-traffic areas, trash removal, and disinfection mitigate risks and reduce the transmission of illness.
Moreover, they act as preventive measures that protect human well-being and business assets. Janitorial services also matter for health, safety, and compliance because:
- These professionals regularly clean high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, desks, and elevator buttons. As a result, it kills bacteria and reduces absenteeism and sick days in the workplace.
- They use medical-grade cleaning products in healthcare facilities. The use of such cleaning products helps prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), creating a safe, healthy environment for patients and visitors.
- Janitors focus on comprehensive floor care. It helps address spills that may cause accidents. The professionals regularly mop and vacuum floors to keep dust and spills away, ensuring safety and cleanliness.
- Professional janitors ensure compliance with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards. They follow strict cleaning protocols and maintain records that reduce the risk of lawsuits.
What to Look for in a Professional Janitorial Service Provider?
After knowing why janitors matter, consider incorporating them into your facility. Though many businesses have in-house cleaning staff, the resources they spend on training them can add to expenses.
Instead, a professional janitorial service can perform superior cleaning on a scheduled time. Since every business and its cleaning requirements are different, you should choose a janitorial service provider that aligns with your specific needs.
As someone who has never had such a service at their facility, you may not know what to expect or what to look for.
Here’s a breakdown of factors to look for in a professional janitorial service provider:
- A good janitorial service provider will comply with OSHA regulations and maintain cleaning records as a preventive measure against lawsuits.
- Professional janitors have expertise in various cleaning techniques and the proper use of products to provide a clean, safe commercial space for everyone.
- Businesses should ensure the janitors tailor services to the specific facility schedule. That way, you can call for their services when required, reducing the hassle of regular payments.
- Efficient janitors will have good testimonials. You can check for reviews and testimonials on their websites to make an informed decision.
- Since sustainability is a demand for every business, ensure the professional janitorial service provider has eco-friendly cleaning solutions. Using EPA-approved cleaning products reduces the risk of health hazards and demonstrates your business’s environmental consciousness.
Trust Prime Cleaning Services For Your Daily Upkeep
Daily upkeep in commercial spaces is as crucial as deep cleaning. With a janitorial service, businesses can ensure regular floor care, high-touch surface sanitization, and restroom maintenance.
They serve a variety of businesses, from offices to medical facilities. Depending on the unique requirements of these businesses, janitorial services also vary.
As a business owner or property manager, you can understand your requirements and contact the best team for your routine cleaning needs.
At Prime Cleaning Services, we have trained professionals who perform daily, weekly, or bi-weekly cleaning. Our cleaning professionals offer dedicated services for retail stores, educational institutions, offices, and more.
To keep up with the demand for sustainability, we also offer green cleaning services that use eco-friendly cleaners and tools for daily upkeep. With us, you can experience a clean and welcoming commercial space.
Choose from our cleaning services to ensure routine upkeep in your commercial property.
FAQs
1. Is janitorial service the same as custodial service?
Janitorial and custodial services are often used interchangeably, but they differ in the tasks they perform. While janitorial services ensure regular cleaning, custodial services include general upkeep, light maintenance, and repairs.
2. Can janitorial services be customized for specific business hours?
Yes, we can customize janitorial services to align with your specific business hours, facility needs, and operational workflows. You can schedule janitors to perform daily cleaning tasks during the daytime or after hours. If your facility requires intensive cleaning without disrupting workflows, after-hours services can be a helpful option. But for consistent maintenance, daytime janitors are more effective.
3. Are janitorial services environmentally friendly or “green”?
Janitorial services are environmentally friendly or “green” when they use non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products and EPA-approved tools. These products release fewer chemicals and offer effective cleaning while maintaining the overall health of the workers, visitors, and clients entering the commercial space.
4. How long does it take to see results after starting janitorial service?
In most cases, janitors show immediate results after their first service. The routine surface cleaning, restroom sanitisation, and trash management create a fresh-smelling, tidy commercial space. Furthermore, they perform light maintenance tasks, such as carpet cleaning and dusting light fixtures, which make the place more productive.
5. When does a business need janitorial service vs commercial cleaning?
A business will require janitorial service during daily cleaning and maintenance. However, when a space needs intensive, heavy-duty cleaning, business owners can schedule a commercial cleaning. Irrespective of what you choose, both are efficient in handling cleaning responsibilities.
6. How is cleaning frequency determined?
To determine cleaning frequency, foot traffic, business type, and industry hygiene standards will be considered. Areas with more people, like lobbies, reception desks, and break rooms, require daily attention. However, hard-to-reach areas like ceilings and HVAC vents require deep cleaning monthly or quarterly.
7. Why consistency matters more than occasional deep cleaning?
Dust buildup can wear down surfaces such as floors, furniture, and equipment. For that reason, consistent cleaning matters more than occasional deep cleaning. Additionally, daily maintenance helps prevent frequent repairs and replacements, especially with HVAC system filters.
