The cleaning industry is a competitive market place that can be difficult for janitorial companies not only with respect to how they serve their customers but how they operate their business.  From marketing their business to employing effective, qualified staff, there are a number of ever-changing challenges for contract janitorial companies.  Success rests on a company’s ability to navigate the top 5 challenges for contract janitorial companies.

Marketing

Back in the day…ok, maybe WAY back in the day, janitorial companies could rely on relatively simple marketing campaigns to attract new business.  In the early days, flyers or cold calls might offer a great opportunity to reach new customers, and eventually email marketing campaigns allowed for even broader exposure.  But as consumers are savvier and the internet provides a wealth of information, business owners can research potential cleaning companies independently.  The need for a comprehensive marketing campaign that includes exposure online and in local media is increasingly crucial.

The World Wide Web

Directly related to marketing is the changing nature of the World Wide Web.  We all use Google – likely on a daily basis, so it’s important to have an idea of how Google operates.  Unfortunately, Google is always changing its algorithm in order to improve the user experience.  This means the way consumers find businesses are changing and janitorial contractors need to keep abreast with Google rules and regulations to ensure customers can find them.

Economy

Since 2008, the economy in North America has been on tenuous ground.  Many cleaning budgets have been cut significantly meaning there are fewer contracts available.  Janitorial companies need to be aware of economic changes so they can effectively plan for profitability.  Similarly, changes in taxes can have a significant impact on costs for business owners of janitorial companies and their customers.

Staffing

Related to economic changes are staffing considerations.  Some provinces, including British Columbia are planning minimum wage increases which will likely affect the bottom line of janitorial companies.  As the economy improves, contract cleaning companies can afford to hire more staff, but the cost of increasing staff is not only impacted by wage increases.  New staff need training which is time-consuming and sometimes expensive.

Uncertainty

Many of the challenges listed above contribute to a single, over-riding problem faced by all manner of contractor – uncertainty.  It can be difficult to predict changes in the economy or even the effectiveness of your marketing campaign.  As such, perhaps uncertainty is the main challenge faced by janitorial companies today.  Nevertheless, even uncertainty can be managed through careful business planning.  Janitorial companies should work closely with a qualified marketing firm in order to promote business development, but they must also budget effectively while providing excellent service in order to maintain their current accounts.

We’re approaching that time of year again, when we drop everything and focus our efforts on spring cleaning.  To clearing out your storage and getting rid of those clothes you never wear to steam cleaning carpets and washing windows, spring is most definitely in the air.

Cleaning windows can be a challenging task, so let’s discuss some simple tips for streak-free window cleaning inside and out.

Let’s Get Natural

Whether you have two windows or ten, using harsh chemicals to clean them is not only a poor choice for the environment, but also for your family.  More and more homeowners are looking to natural cleaning alternatives because of their health and cost benefits.  For example, a simple and safe window cleaner is a mixture of distilled white vinegar and water.  Vinegar helps remove marks and streaks from glass – simply mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and you’re ready to go.

Another natural cleaning method involves using an antibacterial window cloth and water.  These cleaning cloths are inexpensive and available at most home supply stores; plus, they can be cleaned in your washing machine and reused again and again.  They’re a great addition to your home cleaning equipment.

Cleaning Inside

It’s not like window cleaning is rocket science.  Whatever supplies you intend to use, you just want to make sure to clean all your windows thoroughly.  This includes cleaning out your window tracks which will help ensure they open and close easily.  One simple tip for cleaning window tracks is to use an inexpensive or used toothbrush.  A great choice for cleaning tracks is a disposable, battery-operated electric toothbrush.  Scrub the tracks thoroughly with warm, soapy water and then just wipe clean with a cloth.

Cleaning Outside

So, you’re window cleaning adventures aren’t really finished until you’ve cleaned the outside of your windows as well.  For most windows, a squeegee and a bucket of warm, soapy water will do the trick.  Start with a cloth submerged in the soapy water and wipe each of the windows.  Then, take your squeegee to remove excess soap and water and you’ll be sure to notice a drastic improvement in the clarity of your windows.  Sometimes, outside windows can be very dirty, and you might find that a soft scrub brush is necessary to remove stubborn spots.  Another tip is to use a steam cleaner for your windows.  It really makes the job very quick and easy, and since you’re only cleaning with steam, it’s an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method for cleaning exterior windows.

Perhaps the most important tip to follow is to put your safety first.  Some of your exterior windows may be on the 2^nd floor or higher, so you’ll need to have a ladder and a buddy to spot you.  If you’re not comfortable climbing up on a ladder, hire a professional.

Kids are filthy. I know it’s not a popular sentiment among parents, but that’s only because it’s true.  They don’t think to stop and wash their hands whenever they touch something dirty; in fact, they may choose to writhe around uncontrollably in dirt just for the heck of it.  They sneeze without covering their mouths and they wipe their noses on their hands and clothes.  It’s really no stretch of the imagination to describe them as walking Petri dishes.

So then, when you drop your kid off at the local daycare, how often do you think “how clean is this place?”  You’re not alone.  When we choose a daycare, we obviously want to know about the quality of care our children will receive, the type of activities and toys they can access, and other information about the environment the daycare provides.  Part of that environment is cleanliness.  But how can you evaluate the cleanliness of a daycare or how can you even ask about it?

Let’s consider a few facts, when it comes to pre-school aged children:

• They spend a lot of time on the floor.
• They have frequent contact between their hands and mouths.  In fact, they have frequent contact with their mouths and just about everything.
• Children in daycares share everything from toys and snacks to colds and flues.
• Children’s immune systems are still developing.

So given this information, how well or frequently your child’s daycare is cleaned should be an important question for any parent. Certainly, you’re not going to prevent every sickness and it’s actually important for your children to get sick sometimes in order to strengthen their immune systems. But more serious illnesses can often be prevented by proper hygiene at home and in the daycare.

Before choosing a daycare, feel free to ask about their cleaning routine. In fact, it’s not excessive to expect that toys, surfaces, and floors are cleaned on a daily basis. You probably want to have some information about what kind of cleaning supplies they are using, especially since many commercial cleaners are actually toxic to children and pets. And finally, you can even take some steps to ensure your child keeps clean by teaching him or her about proper hand washing techniques.

Nevertheless, always look for a daycare that works with a commercial cleaning company that specializes in cleaning daycares. They’ll often have the experience to know how to keep toys and play areas free of disease-causing germs but also the equipment and supplies to do the cleaning safely. After all, kids are filthy, but if the environment in which they spend most of their time is clean, then you don’t need to worry so much about what they might pick up.

There is probably no other industry where cleanliness is more important than healthcare.  Whether you are talking about hospitals, doctor’s offices, care homes, or hospices, cleanliness in healthcare is incredibly important in order to prevent the spread of infectious disease between patients, family, and healthcare workers.  Indeed, professional cleaning in the healthcare setting is more than just maintaining an image, it is a central factor guiding the health and safety of all individuals using the facilities.

So then, it should come as no surprise that selecting professional cleaners for your healthcare facility takes special consideration.  Your average cleaning company may be well equipped to handle the day-to-day tasks of a basic office or commercial facility, but what kinds of cleaning tasks are required in a healthcare facility?  Indeed, there are strict guidelines in place that outline environmental infection control protocols in healthcare facilities associated with preventing infections associated with air, water, and other environmental elements.  From ventilation systems to water systems, dust-control, laundry, and equipment sterilization – there are a wide variety of cleaning factors to consider in the healthcare facility that just do not come up in an office-based setting.

As such, your commercial cleaning companies working in the healthcare industry need to have specific cleaning and disinfection experience and must be specially trained to minimize health risks.  They may need to have training for using specialized equipment and protection and to handle hazard assessments and other infection control program processes.

Ultimately, standard protocols for infection control including routine cleaning are paramount in maintaining a safe and clean hospital environment.  Surfaces, floors, furniture, and equipment must be disinfected using hot water and neutral detergent solutions on a daily basis across all department of the facility.  Office areas even need to be thoroughly cleaned in order to remove microorganisms that may cause harm to patients, visitors, and healthcare workers.

Sometimes, advanced cleaning technologies are called for.  Cleaning and disinfecting on a routine basis is just the starting point for combating infection, but germs appear to be becoming more resistant.  Some studies are even suggesting that current cleaning technologies may take a toll on the health (especially respiratory health) of cleaning staff, patients, and healthcare workers.  In other words, there are always new and safer cleaning methods being developed to ensure a sanitary environment without imposing risks on the people using the facilities.

Clearly, keeping healthcare facilities clean and free of toxins and infectious agents is of paramount concern.  More importantly, to ensure quality cleaning it is always important to work with a commercial cleaning company that has proven experience working in the healthcare industry.  Not only is this important for patients and healthcare workers, but it is increasingly becoming clear that it’s equally important for the cleaning staff as well.

The environment is probably one of the most important topics in the world today.  From energy consumption to resource use and everything in between, more and more people are recognizing the value in reducing their impact on the environment.  So, it should come as no surprise that making your office green is a popular trend.  What can you do to make your office green?  Follow these easy tips.

Green Purchases

When you’re buying office supplies and equipment, think green.

• Buy stationary and other supplies made from recycled materials.
• Look for credible green certification (like Energy Star or EcoLogo) on your supplies and equipment.
• Ask your supplier about their environmentally friendly products.
• Make sure to consolidate equipment and supply purchases to reduce packaging materials and energy used for delivery.
• Consider buying refurbished or used furniture and equipment to reduce environmental impact.  You might even find opportunities for supply and equipment exchange in your community.
• Donate lightly used equipment and furniture to charitable organizations.
• Promote employee use of eco-friendly transportation like biking or busing with incentive programs, but especially when travelling for business purposes.

Energy Conservation

You can also make efforts to conserve energy in your office.

• Conduct an energy audit in your office to find easy ways to cut your energy costs.  You might find many simple upgrades (e.g. improving air sealing and installing efficient light bulbs) to reduce energy waste.
• Turn off your office and bathroom lights when they are not in use – consider installing motion sensors to automatically turn lights on and off in rooms.
• Turn off technology such as computers and copiers when they are not in use.  Utilize the sleep mode on equipment as an easy way to implement an “off-when-not-in-use policy.”
• Consider upgrading your building to incorporate green power sources such as solar paneling.
• Reduce your heating and cooling costs by turning off HVAC systems during off hours.  Also, don’t heat offices or meeting rooms when they’re not in use.

Reduce Waste

You know the old saying “reduce, reuse, recycle.”  Well, it’s time to put your money where your mouth is and practice waste reduction.

• Conduct a waste audit to see how you can reduce waste – can you recycle or reuse paper?  Can you share office supplies so less material is needed to supply your office?  Get creative and reduce your waste!
• Institute a recycling program if one isn’t in place.  And we’re not just talking paper here – you can recycle food and drink containers, start a compost program, and try using compostable products.
• Put recycling bins next to all your trash cans.

As you can see, making your office green can be quick and easy.  You’ve probably already employed a number of these tips, but hopefully you’ve discovered some new ways to reduce your impact on the environment.