The Secret Of The Janitorial Closet
You contract with a janitorial company so that you can avoid having to deal with micromanaging the cleaning of your facility.
The goal is for everything to run smoothly and effectively so that you can focus your energy elsewhere.
In order for you to be relatively hands off with your commercial cleaning company, they must be experienced, professional and attentive to all the details big and small that go into providing exceptional, effective janitorial services.
The janitorial closet can be a fairly good barometer of the level of quality your commercial cleaning company is providing.
Is the cleaning closet neat and orderly, a complete mess or somewhere in between?
You Can Judge A Janitorial Company By The State Of Their Closet
Is the focus on a well-organized janitorial closet too narrow?
We don’t think so.
Your janitorial service contractor knows you can check the cleaning storage closet at any time.
If it is consistently left messy and unkempt, it signals that your cleaning company assumes you are not checking and is likely treating your facility with the same lack of care.
Further, there are specific compliance codes and regulations regarding the storage of cleaning supplies.
If those standards are not followed, your facility can be put at risk.
Sure, everyone leaves something untidy once in a while.
But a pattern of shortcuts and sloppiness inevitably leads to poor cleaning services.
Janitorial Best Practices Are, Well, Best
Do we really want to wonder whether the cloth used to clean the toilet was also used to clean our desk?
Do we want to settle for a janitorial services company that doesn’t follow manufacturer directions for cleaning chemicals?
Do we want to partner with a company that may not be properly screening its staff?
The reality is simple.
Shortcuts in one area predict shortcuts in others.
If your commercial cleaning service isn’t consistently following industry best practices, your facility is at risk in multiple important ways.
Color Coded Rags And Combating Cross-Contamination
When it comes to cross contamination, there is a cost effective, common sense solution your janitorial company should already be using.
That solution is a color coordinated rag system.
This system assigns specific colors to rags, cloths and towels for designated areas.
The goal is to reduce or eliminate cross-contamination and create a healthier work environment.
For example, a rag used in the restroom should never be used to clean a desk.
Color coding makes this simple and foolproof.
If your cleaning service isn’t using this easy, visual system, they are not doing their part to protect health in your facility.
The Old Gray Mare She Ain’t What She Used To Be
Your office cleaning company doesn’t need brand new equipment every year.
However, outdated or poorly maintained equipment will absolutely impact cleaning quality.
Using the right equipment, such as HEPA-rated vacuums, can even contribute to LEED points.
Newer machines are often lighter, quieter and more efficient.
This matters, especially when janitorial cleaning budgets are tighter than ever.
When you inspect your janitorial closet, what do you see?
Well-maintained tools, or broken equipment that should have been replaced years ago?
Does Your Green Cleaning Program Have Teeth?
Nearly every janitorial company will claim they offer “green cleaning.”
But do they have a real program behind the claim?
Are they using LEED-approved equipment and processes?
Are cleaning solutions environmentally sound and used correctly?
Are they protecting occupants from cross-contamination risks?
A real green cleaning program is documented, trainable and measurable.
If a company can’t clearly explain their program, it probably doesn’t exist.
Improve Your Janitorial Cleaning Service Through Regular Inspection
One of the most effective ways to ensure consistency is through regular janitorial inspections.
This includes inspections of janitorial closets.
Mistakes happen.
Inspections allow issues to be identified and corrected early.
Your cleaning company can’t fix problems they don’t know about.
Use inspections to strengthen accountability and improve the partnership.
A Dirty Cleaning Closet Is A Major Red Flag
The janitorial closet alone doesn’t tell the full story.
But it is a powerful indicator.
A clean, organized closet usually reflects a well-run operation.
A chaotic one often signals deeper issues.
At Stathakis, we prioritize organization, training and modern systems.
Because having the right tools, properly maintained, is where quality service begins.
Let us show you how Southeast Michigan cleaning should be done.
Call 1-800-278-1844 or email info@stathakis.com
