Levels of Clean

“Clean” can be a subjective term. Facility managers have a specific expectation of cleanliness when it refers to their building the image they want to present to both building visitors and their superiors. Janitorial Companies want to meet that expectation, but often have their own guidelines regarding cleaning schedules and tasks.

Whether you are supervising an in-house or contract cleaning team, or on the team responsible for delivering quality service, coordinating the cleaning and maintenance needs with staffing and budget capabilities may help to set expectations across the board. This can be done by breaking down those needs into one of several performance levels.

Initial Cleaning

A good first step is to determine the baseline cleanliness that each organization expects or requires. An initial cleaning by a custodian or contractor visiting a space for the first time may be more thorough than subsequent maintenance cleanings to bring the space to the desired baseline level. Additionally, it may take more time to clean the space if the custodian has yet to become familiar with it. For example, routine industry production rates for maintenance cleaning may run anywhere from 3,000–10,000 feet per hour, depending on the type and level of service; however, an initial cleaning may be reduced to as little as 500–1,000 feet per hour.

In-house facility managers who are hiring a cleaning company or new custodial employees will want to keep this in mind as they budget for services and labor. Whether you are a business owner or an in-house facility manager, be sure to reach a mutual agreement about the contract terms to keep your relationship open and direct.

Remaining in close communication about the extra steps being taken to create a baseline is important. Without these reminders, clients may develop an expectation that their janitorial service will perform at this level throughout the remaining contract.

Basic Cleaning The definition of a basic cleaning will vary among organizations. “Basic” may include:

• Dusting

• Damp mopping

• Emptying trash cans

• Vacuuming.

In some cases, the customer will have tenants or employees perform some of these tasks in order to reduce the number of hours custodial staff may clock. Other times, building tenants may leave little surprises that may interfere with a routine service: a sink full of dirty dishes that prevent custodians from cleaning the kitchenette or a jelly donut that’s crushed and smeared against the supply closet door.

For Janitorial Companies Performing the occasional extra as a favor is common. Many Organizations and Business Owners I’ve spoken with have made assumptions on janitorial expectations and lived to regret what they agreed to and now are stuck with a bill for work not performed to their unspoken standards.

Mid-Level Maintenance Cleaning

Regular maintenance cleaning service will include everything done in a basic cleaning as well as:

• Wiping down trash cans

• Vacuuming behind computers and in other areas where dust bunnies collect, such as around cables

• Spot-treating carpets

• Additional cleaning under desks to remove food particles and other debris

• Vacuuming vents for dust and debris buildup.

Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning and initial cleaning have a lot in common. Some examples of services include:

• Refrigerator clean-outs

• Carpet cleaning/extraction

• Grout treatments in restrooms.

However, there is one factor that greatly differs between deep and initial cleanings—billing.

Often, janitorial staff will spend more time on the initial cleaning because the site may not have been cleaned recently. A deep cleaning, however, requires additional services and more time. If you are a facility manager, expect to pay more or budget additional staff time for these types of services.

Stand-Alone Services

Services that go beyond regular cleaning are billed separately. They may include:

• Painting

• Floor stripping

• Floor refinishing.

Validate the Results

Whatever level of cleaning a facility requires, there are several methods to show whether cleaners achieved the desired results. Checklists may be helpful in comparing what tasks were accomplished while the cleaning team was on site.

For an exceptionally accurate measure of cleanliness, consider using an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) meter. ATP is an enzyme present in all living cells, including viruses and bacteria. An ATP meter can detect the amount of organic material remaining on a surface after a cleaning. It will determine whether your sanitation and disinfecting methods are effective.

As quantity of time spent cleaning doesn’t always represent the quality of the cleaning, crew supervisors, or even outside firms, can perform routine quality audits.

Setting Standards

Nearly all of us have been faced with the challenge of trying to improve the quality of cleaning across facilities for less. Our staff can display our knowledge and training on industry standards.

For facility managers, studying the various levels of clean may help to set a realistic budget and schedule. In the end, no matter your role, it’s all about setting expectations for janitorial staff, supervisors, and building occupants alike.

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