Janitorial Services: Is Your Organization the Cleanest it Can Be?

It is almost universally recognized that cleanliness is of the utmost importance. Businesses and organizations across the spectrum use janitorial cleaning services to ensure their properties and workspaces are free of filth and look their best. Indeed, the US cleaning industry is only growing, with a 12% increase in employment expected by 2022. Professionals and managers in every field understand the need for a clean and presentable work environment. But there’s much more to it than sweeping, mopping, and trash removal. Why is cleanliness so vital?

The importance of a healthy and clean work environment may seem obvious, but it is really a complex issue. Has your organization given considerable thought to how your work environment is cleaned?

Even a seemingly spotless workplace can still have hidden dirt, dust, and germs. This is unsafe and unhealthy and can have a disastrous impact on the entirety of your business. A unsanitary work environment affects your employees, your customers….even your bottom line. However, a truly clean office offers countless positive outcomes. First and foremost, an immaculate appearance creates a better image for your business or organization. It demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail: suggesting to customers that you’re a business that offers real value and doesn’t cut corners. Even further, a clean workplace directly correlates to work improvement. When dust, dirt, and germs are cleared away, your employees get sick far less often. Individuals with allergies find they have fewer allergens to contend with. And a pristine, fresh environment boosts mood. Together, these consequences result in higher productivity; your business not only gets more done, but does it better.

How do you know when something is truly clean? It’s hard to judge with the naked eye, but tiny particles of dirt, dust, and bacteria can easily remain on surfaces throughout your residential, commercial, or industrial property. Germs are everywhere. Unfortunately, viruses that cause the common cold, flu, and other ailments are passed easily through person-to-person contact. When working closely with colleagues in a work environment, it’s far too easy to come in contact with a contaminated surface. Doorknobs, elevator buttons, kitchen appliances, phones, keyboards, shared office materials: all of these are typical “hot spots” for germs to thrive and spread. In fact, a study completed by researchers at the University of Arizona discovered that elevator buttons contain more bacteria than public toilet seats. These buttons and other surfaces around your work environment can carry dangerous bacteria such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Prevention is one of the simplest ways to keep your workplace healthy. Staff members should wash their hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Consider stocking your office environment with easily accessible hand sanitizer as well. But for thorough removal of germs, your organization will want to invest in top quality professional cleaning services.

Like germs, dust particles are extremely prevalent. The dust that settles on office surfaces, furnishings, carpets, and even artificial plants might seem like a harmless and unavoidable problem, but do you know what dust consists of? In most work environments, dust is a mixture of everything in the atmosphere, including human skin cells, fibers, pollen, dirt, pieces of insects, and more. Even office printers can create and disperse dust in a workplace. More industrial businesses will have added air pollutants and molecules, resulting in additional hazards that require specialized cleaning processes. Some of these particles are generated indoors, but many, like pollen, are brought in from outside. Together, this multitude of particles comprises what we know as dust, and can detrimentally affect an organization’s air quality. For employees with respiratory conditions, autoimmune disorders, or environmental allergies, indoor air pollutants can even cause serious health problems.

Dust and other contaminants are quickly spread throughout an office, particularly through the air ducts of an HVAC system. Utilizing the services of a skilled janitorial company will be paramount in seeking out and removing workplace dust and pollutants. An experienced cleaning provider will ensure a regular high and low dusting schedule is implemented, as well as offer comprehensive cleaning of your HVAC system, where unseen contaminants collect. With this approach, the right janitorial service can promote clean and breathable air for your employees and customers.

Many companies offering professional janitorial services lack the necessary systems and standards that true cleanliness requires. These providers "clean" your work environment, but are simply moving dirt around. They use conventional methods and equipment such as feather dusters, brooms and terrycloth towels, which have been shown to be less effective. These approaches scatter and disperse dust and dirt, failing to properly remove it. Instead, they send these particles airborne, further spreading them to other surfaces. As a result, your work environment never appears 100% spotless, and seems to need even more frequent servicing. This additional, yet ineffective cleaning results in extra, unnecessary expense for your business.

It’s clear that systematic cleaning is an approach that gets the job done right. But what else should you look for in a professional cleaner? We believe there are a few key ingredients to choosing the best janitorial services provider.

You can use the criteria above when investigating professional janitorial and office cleaning services. As for ServiceMaster Clean, we know we surpass expectations in each and every one of these areas.
Our System Clean approach ensures consistency and value. We’re also fully transparent when it comes to our services and methods so you understand how your cleaning dollars are being put to work. Got questions? Just ask! We even keep job logs for each customer, so you can easily reference communication between your business and our team.
ServiceMaster Clean strives for safety and security in everything we do. Our hiring process involves a comprehensive screening process to ensure our employees are only the most trustworthy and qualified professionals. On the job, we have supervisors who monitor and inspect our work quality regularly, ensuring we bring you that consistent excellence we’re known for.
Insured? We’re fully covered, protecting you from unexpected or unfair costs. We also carry an extensive workers compensation policy, so you can rest assured our employees are in good hands.
Experienced team? Our cleaning staff are among the best in the industry, with the knowledge and expertise necessary to do top notch work that doesn’t miss a thing. ServiceMaster Clean employees friendly people who can meet your janitorial needs promptly and reliably.

When serving commercial properties, ServiceMaster Clean employs our patented Capture and Removal Cleaning® system. This method is proven to remove 55% more dirt particles present in your workspace than conventional approaches. With Capture and Removal Cleaning®, we leave you and your staff with a safer, healthier working environment and drastically-improved indoor air quality.

As part of this cleaning service, ServiceMaster Clean uses microfiber cloths, backpack vacuums, specialty vacuums, and dust wands. Combining these powerful products, advanced technologies, and a high-productivity approach, we are able to yield one of the most efficient and effective cleaning processes available today.