As we are all pioneering our way through 2021, the importance of cleaning for health is amplified; businesses are pressured for microscopic evaluation on how they are going to continue to support their employee’s safety throughout this pandemic. So – what else can we ask of our cleaning company that we may not have thought to ask before?
1) How are you supporting my emergency needs?
a. At some point, (if you are not already there) most of us will return to our commercial, industrial, and medical workspaces to resume work in a safe environment post COVID-19 era. While the work is familiar, the environment may take some refamiliarizing. “My employee forgot how to use the printer, now I have an ink stain all over my carpet.” “Another employee forgot how out to empty the coffee machine and now I have coffee stains all over my break room.” “Our toilets have overflowed – we have a sewage problem. Help!” In all reality, emergencies can and will happen. Ask your company what their response time is; and is there a set plan in place if you call. Find a cleaning company who can respond to your emergency needs in two hours or less – this way you can breathe easier when the unexpected happens.
2) Will the same cleaner or cleaners continually maintain my facility?
a. This is an important one. Knowing who will be in your building and trusting that it will stay consistent is key to the health and cleanliness of your environment. Do you know who is in your building? Ask for names and badges. Perhaps you already know John Doe who cleans your building and see them every day. However, what happens when the crew falls sick or has time off? There should always be a contingency plan; an additional pool of floaters who are familiar with your building and an expert in cleaning practices, so you are covered regardless of sick days. In general, there should not be a continual stream of new faces. Quality companies hire and retain good people.
3) How do you service accounts with a business or industry like mine?
a. You have met with a cleaning company you like and the company seems like they have the employees and procedures to efficiently service your building. Now what? Ask for details; step by step processes of how they are going to service your building. How will you clean this space? What equipment will you bring in to make you efficient? Are you cleaning my competitor? Ask for references of similar spaces; whether it is industry or size, there should be a clear indication of what has been done prior. If you are looking for warehouse cleaning, you do not want a janitorial service who has never working in an industrial facility before. Rather, seek out those with similar experiences.
4) Are you CIMS certified?
a. Asking a prospective cleaning company what certifications they hold is not asked often enough. CIMS certification (Certified Industry Management Standard) ensures that a prospective commercial janitorial service has a proven track record of following industry best practices. An added bonus – they CIMS-GB certified. Green Building is an additional certification ensuring the company is using cleaning methods and products with environmentally friendly ingredients. For example, ask what decibel their equipment runs at – most should not rise above 70 decibels, which is the highest sound level that a human ear can tolerate without feeling discomfort. In other words, you will not cringe or feel annoyance while listening to our equipment. Do not be afraid to dive into the specifics on how they’re keeping your employees safe (more than just using disinfectant) and what procedures they’re implemented to also be friendly to our environment.
Commercial, industrial, and medical cleaning is a partnership. We urge you not to just get by – let’s hang out.