In the aftermath of the recent global pandemic, we’ve learned invaluable lessons about the critical role of regular cleaning and sanitizing in maintaining the health and well-being of both employees and customers. A commitment to thorough cleaning practices isn’t just about visually appearing clean and tidy; it’s a fundamental aspect of ensuring a safe environment for your employees and customers. Routine cleaning and sanitizing not only removes visible dirt but also eliminates unseen threats, safeguarding against the spread of viruses and bacteria. So – lets expand – what kinds of things should you be asking of your cleaning company?
1) How are you supporting my emergency needs?
a. Due to the nature of the dynamic environments of commercial, industrial, and medical workspaces, cleaning emergencies are an inevitable part of operations. Spills, accidents and unforeseen incidents can disrupt the normal flow of business. A trained and responsive team will have experience in handling diverse cleaning emergencies – from something as simple as a messy situation in your break room to a more complex emergency like a medical waste cleanup. It’s a fact of life that emergencies can and will happen.
Ask your cleaning company what their response time is; and if there is 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 really important! Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining a clean and organized facility. Having the same dedicated cleaning crew or person ensures a level of familiarity with the unique needs of your space. 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 have the same level of training regarding the cleaning of your facility. Having this backup team ensures that even in unforeseen circumstances such as illness or unexpected absence, the cleaning standards and familiarity with your space remains uninterrupted. 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? How often will you clean our facility? What types of cleaning products do you use? What equipment will you bring in to make your work more efficient? Are you cleaning my competitor? Ask for references of similar spaces; whether it is a comparable industry or size, there should be a clear indication of what type of work has been done prior. If you are looking for warehouse cleaning, you probably want to steer clear of a janitorial service who has never worked in an industrial facility before. Actively seek out a cleaning company with prior experience working in a facility similar to yours. Ask enough questions to help you gauge the professionalism, reliability and suitability of the cleaning services being offered.
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 – ask if they are 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 the 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. Get to know SmartClean and explore the benefits of our diverse cleaning services. Take the first step towards a cleaner and healthier space by asking about our tailored solutions.