Which Commercial Janitorial Service is the Best in my Area?

Deciding which commercial janitorial service to hire to take care of your facility is an important decision. Since you will be trusting them with the keys to your business, you need to be sure they are reliable and trustworthy. You also need to ensure they have the experience, training, and equipment to do the job according to your business requirements.

Here is a checklist to help you make the best possible decision when choosing a commercial janitorial service.

Research and Get References

Do not just choose a company that appears when you do a quick online search. Take the time to do some research. While you should check out companies’ websites and online reviews, one of the best ways to check on the quality of commercial janitorial services providers is to talk to their customers.

Any reputable commercial janitorial service will provide you a list of businesses they work with. You should independently verify any recommendations. Call the reference and ask about strengths and weaknesses. Ask if they had any problems, what the commercial janitorial service did to resolve it, and if they were satisfied with the resolution.

If your business has specific needs or is required to comply with certain compliance regulations (i.e. healthcare or financial industries), confirm that the company can abide by them.

Check for Documentation

You should require your commercial janitorial service to be licensed, bonded, and insured.

• Licensing:  Check their business license with the state and city to make sure they are registered. Some states require special business licenses for commercial cleaners.
• Bond:  A bond will cover you if the business fails to deliver the services they promised, and in the event of theft or negligence.
• Insurance:  Insurance protects you in case of property damage or injury while the work crew is at your facility.

Check the documentation to be sure it is current, and call the underwriter if you have any questions. You should also consult your commercial insurance carrier to see what levels of insurance they recommend or require.

Check Professionalism and Training

As is the case with any other business, commercial janitorial services vary in their approach to hiring and training service providers. You should verify that the commercial janitorial service you choose conducts thorough background checks and provides training.

Commercial janitorial service service providers should be fully trained on:

• Local, state, and federal regulations
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety practices, including cleaning and disposal of bloodborne pathogens
• Use of equipment and cleaning supplies, including EPA-registered antimicrobial disinfectants to prevent the spread of germs, such as influenza, COVID-19, and other pathogens
• Disinfection per Center for Disease Control recommendations
• Industry best practices

If you need deep cleaning services to address biohazard risks due to confirmed COVID-19 cases, you need a company that follows the 6-step process for decontamination outlined by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC).

Understand the Cleaning Process

Commercial janitorial services use a variety of techniques, products, and equipment. You need to be sure you are comfortable with the commercial cleaning services you will be receiving and how they will be used.

The best commercial janitorial services use low-impact cleaning equipment. This cuts down on wear and tear to your facility and limits the amount of energy and water that is used during the cleaning process. This is why many businesses opt for commercial janitorial services providers that use green cleaning techniques.

The type of cleaning products that are used is important too. Some cleaning products contain chemicals that have been linked to negative health conditions from indoor air pollution, including asthma and lung disease. Others may contain low levels of carcinogens or formaldehyde that present cancer concerns. If deep cleaning or disinfection services are required, they should be using EPA-registered disinfectants.

Inquire about Bundling Services

Besides keeping your facility clean, some commercial janitorial services will also provide other facilities management services such as landscaping and pest control. There are advantages to bundling services, such as pest control, landscape management, HVAC service, electrical and lighting, plumbing, or general handyman services because you do not need to manage multiple vendors, and can also save money. For instance, a supply replenishment service can save you money on cleaning products and equipment because commercial janitorial service companies can purchase in bulk.

Outsourcing Your Problems

One big advantage of hiring a commercial janitorial service is that you will not have to recruit, hire, train, or manage employees. The company you hire will do that for you. Look for commercial janitorial services that provide dedicated account managers to oversee service providers, operations, and quality assurance.

Using a commercial janitorial service means your facility will be cleaned thoroughly and properly, and that small problems such as spills and stains can be corrected before they turn into expensive repairs.

About OpenWorks

OpenWorks is a full-service commercial janitorial services company that strives to improve the quality of your work environment.

Contact OpenWorks to learn more about creating a cleaner, healthier, and safer environment.