Differences between Commercial Cleaning and Janitorial Services

Introduction

Every commercial enterprise needs regularly scheduled janitorial services to maintain a clean and sanitary facility. It is always the smartest choice for potential clients, employees and the public. That being said, many businesses are unaware of when they need to engage the services of a commercial cleaning service in addition to janitorial services.

It also raises an important question for owners and facility managers: what’s the difference between janitorial services and commercial cleaning services? To answer that question definitely, we’ve assembled this helpful guide to the difference between commercial cleaning and janitorial services. Let’s discuss the differences between these two complementary services, and how you know when you need to engage them.

What Janitorial Services Include

Most businesses tend to schedule janitorial services for their basic sanitation and cleaning. Need some engage janitors to come in daily, while others may opt for weekly or biweekly services depending on their needs? As for what services are provided, here’s a quick overview:

• Restroom cleaning

• Breakroom, kitchen and work room cleaning.

• Sweeping and/or mopping of hard surface floors

• Carpet vacuuming

• Furniture and office surface dusting

• Trash collection and disposal

As you can see, these are the most essential of cleaning services intended to maintain an already clean facility and prevent any decline in its current condition. Businesses that want to keep their staff focused on work-related tasks and maximize productivity always hire professional janitorial services because they know it is worth the additional expense.

Furthermore, during the current COVID-19 crisis, clean and sanitary facilities are of paramount importance. Not taking the time to have your office professionally cleaned, disinfected and sanitized regularly puts all stakeholders at risk regardless of industry or business sector.

What Commercial Cleaning Services Include

The contrast between janitorial services and commercial cleaning isn’t simply a matter of schedule or scale so much as it is the level of service provided. Most businesses engage a janitorial service to ensure basic cleaning maintenance needs are met, but once or twice a year they call in the “big guns” at a commercial cleaner to perform a thorough deep cleaning.

The current global pandemic has only served to underscore the need for the more thorough and complex services of a commercial cleaner in addition to standard janitorial service packages. Here’s a quick rundown of the services commercial cleaners provide that janitorial services do not:

• Carpet shampoo and steam deep cleaning

• Grout and tile cleaning in restrooms and similar areas

• Hard surface floor stripping, waxing and cleaning

• Window washing

• Pressure washing

• Acid restroom washing

• Large scale disinfection and sanitization

• Electronic and industrial equipment cleaning

• HVAC filter replacement and duct cleaning

Naturally, none of the services listed above need to be performed as often as janitorial services, but they are all essential to maintaining the highest possible standards of cleanliness. Additionally, almost all these critical cleaning tasks require highly specialized equipment and training to be executed properly.

You need the right people on the job when they are working with the chemicals and hardware that commercial cleaners use daily. Any mistakes or slip ups can easily create unsafe work environments, opening your business up to potential litigation and health and safety code violations.

All the above tasks are generally above the skill and experience of most janitorial crews, whereas commercial cleaners complete these tasks for multiple clients across multiple business sectors daily. Choosing a commercial cleaner is easy once you understand their work and the need to adhere to strict codes and protocols for everyone’s safety.

Job Scale

Once you have assessed your janitorial service needs versus your commercial cleaning service needs, you will need to determine the scale of the commercial cleaning you needs to keep your customers and workers safe and healthy. Small scale tasks that don’t require safety gear or complex cleaning equipment should be assigned to janitorial services. Those are well within their wheelhouse.

For large scale deep cleaning, however, you need a commercial cleaning service to come in and get the job done right the first time. Obtaining a professional deep cleaning from a janitorial service is unlikely due to the necessary insurance and training those commercial cleaners must maintain to provide more specialized services. Make sure you hire the right team for the task.

How to Decide If You Need Janitorial Services or Commercial Cleaning Services

To answer this question, it is best to consult with both a janitorial service and a commercial cleaning service to assess your needs. If your facility is newer and has been well maintained by a competent janitorial service, you may not need commercial cleaning services more than a couple times a year. However, if there is a marked need for some deep cleaning to bring your facility up to a higher standard, it may be time to call around about commercial cleaners in your area.

Fortunately, many janitorial services also operate commercial cleaning services which can be engaged upon request. Contact your provider and request an estimate for the commercial cleaning jobs you need completed at your commercial facility.

Ask around and get quotes from multiple cleaners before making a decision, and it is always a good idea to research your commercial cleaning service provider and ask for references so you know you are hiring the best crew for the best rate.

Once you’ve assembled this information, you are ready to make an informed decision that meets your commercial cleaning service needs and doesn’t put you over your annual budget.

Do you own or operate a commercial facility? Is your building overdue for a thorough deep cleaning? Allied Facility Care is a fully licensed, bonded and insured commercial cleaning service that is ready and willing to take on any task to maintain your facility to the highest possible standard of cleanliness, disinfection and sanitization. Contact us today for more information and a free estimate of your commercial cleaning needs.