Janitorial services, cleaning services – they are pretty much the same thing, right?  Wrong! There are distinct differences between janitorial and cleaning companies, though some professionals offer both types of services.  If you’re wondering about the difference, you’ve come to the right place.  We’ll take a look at the some of the details of these differences, but in general you might expect commercial cleaning companies to provide more specialized cleaning services than a janitorial company.

First things first, let’s talk a bit about janitorial services.  Typically, you might want to seek janitorial companies if you are looking for standard office cleaning tasks.  Maintaining a clean and hygienic office environment can contribute to healthier workplaces, fewer lost days to illness, increased productivity, and even improved morale.  Plus, a clean office helps you make a good impression on your clientele.  Janitorial companies exist to provide your essential cleaning services – trash removal, dusting, surface cleaning, and regular cleaning tasks.

A few of the services offered by professional janitorial companies include

• Trash removal
• Vacuuming
• Floor mopping and dusting
• Wiping surfaces
• Bathroom sanitation
• Kitchen cleaning
• Break room cleaning

Ultimately, you might consider janitorial services as the light office cleaning tasks that need to be done daily or weekly to keep your office in good order.  Janitorial services help to eliminate germs and maintain basic cleanliness, and they are offered on a regular schedule that is determined based on your own needs and standards.

Alternatively, commercial cleaning companies tackle the more serious cleaning tasks.  You might consider commercial cleaning as the heavy office cleaning tasks.  Just as you wouldn’t need to shampoo your carpets at home every week, you don’t need your janitorial services to include weekly office carpet shampooing.  Instead, these kinds of cleaning duties fall into the realm of commercial cleaning.  While the services are equally important, they are not scheduled as frequently, and they require more specialized skills and equipment.

A few of the services offered by professional commercial cleaning companies include

• Carpet shampooing
• Tile and grout cleaning
• Furniture cleaning
• Window washing
• Exterior power washing
• Site cleaning

Your commercial cleaning needs are likely to be as unique as your janitorial needs, so these cleaning tasks also need to be negotiated with your provider.  You want to pay careful attention to the scope of the commercial cleaning tasks and their impact on your business to ensure they’re scheduled to have a minimal impact on your day-to-day operations.  You’ll also want to consider the chemicals or equipment that is involved in commercial cleaning to ensure the overall health and safety of your staff and customers.

No matter your cleaning needs, working with qualified professionals can ensure that you develop an affordable and effective cleaning schedule that is right for your business.