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If we can take any positives from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that it made us cleaner. Our hands are cleaner, our homes are cleaner and our offices are cleaner, too.
The commercial cleaning industry has seen unprecedented demand for its services since 2020. According to IBIS World, there are now more than 38,000 commercial cleaning enterprises in Australia, employing close to 174,000 workers.
In fact, the industry is expanding so rapidly, it’s estimated to be worth around $9.2 billion by the end of 2023.
But what exactly is commercial cleaning and why does it matter?
In basic terms, commercial cleaning companies provide cleaning services to businesses, including offices, schools, gyms, factories, cafes and restaurants. While the services vary, most providers will have the staff and equipment to perform anything from wiping desks to vacuuming floors, sanitising bathrooms, emptying garbage bins and even steam cleaning carpets.
Commercial buildings are high traffic areas, which makes them a breeding ground for infection-borne diseases. Regular cleaning reduces the chance of employees or other visitors becoming sick.
Of course, practicing good hygiene at work is not only critical for minimising the spread of germs. It’s also been proven to increase employee productivity, boost morale and save employers time and money. Not to mention improve a company’s image in the eyes of their clients and other stakeholders!
If you’ve been questioning whether to invest in a commercial cleaner for your business, we’re here to help.
In this article, we’re going to unpack what commercial cleaning involves and how to select the right commercial cleaning provider.
The importance of maintaining a clean commercial space
Before we delve too deeply, take a moment to consider these two scenarios.
Scenario 1.
You’ve just arrived for a meeting with an organisation you hope to partner with to win a new business account.
Their office is in a cool part of the city, but when you walk through the door there’s an unmistakable stench in the air. The carpets are stained, the garbage bins are overflowing and you can spy more than a few takeaway coffee cups dotted around the common areas.
Scenario 2.
Now it’s time to meet with your second prospect, and their space has a completely different vibe. The windows are spotless, you catch a gentle whiff of citrus as soon as you enter and the desks are neat and organised.
So, which company do you choose to collaborate with? We’re going to go out on a limb here and say it’s the group you engaged with in scenario 2.
An environment that is clean, de-cluttered and smells fresh feels far more welcoming and reassuring than a space that looks dirty and unkempt. It might sound judgmental, even superficial, but a lack of care for your surroundings gives off the impression that you have a lack of care for the work you do. The truth is, image is everything, particularly in the business world. The way you present your commercial space to your clients, customers and visitors matters – and a clean space can result in higher confidence in your products or service.
Cleanliness tips
We’ll investigate the ins and outs of commercial cleaning later on, but first let’s take some time to nut out a few easy steps you can follow to keep your commercial space tidy.
If you work in a typical office space, be sure to organise loose papers. Throw out or recycle unnecessary documents, shred anything confidential and file away the rest in cabinets, drawers or trays. When your desk is clean, the entire environment will look more inviting.
We also recommend keeping basic cleaning supplies such as surface sprays, sponges and paper towels on hand, to wipe up any spills that happen on the fly. This doesn’t just apply to offices either – if you operate a cafe, restaurant, gym or any other facility, it’s wise to have everyday cleaning products readily available.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to have plenty of rubbish bins and waste paper baskets on site too. Not only is it sanitary, it will minimise clutter.
Of course, all of these tasks don’t take away form the need for a professional commercial cleaning service – this is the best way to keep your space clean and everyone who spends time there,
healthy.
What does commercial cleaning involve?
When it comes to commercial cleaning, there are several critical steps.
Some of the more obvious ones include:
- Disinfecting all surfaces
- Removing dust from window sills, desks and other surfaces
- Reducing clutter in common areas, walkways and stairways
- Vacuuming carpets
- Sanitising bathrooms (vanities and toilets), kitchens and eating zones
Many areas in a commercial space need to be cleaned regularly (even daily), while others will require periodical upkeep.
As a rule, it’s best to clean eating zones (such as a kitchen, cafeteria or dining nook) daily. But if you work in a small office space, the floors might only need to be swept or vacuumed every few days.
Professional cleaners may also undertake more complex tasks such as:
- Waste stream management, including general waste, recyclables and document shredding
- Pressure washing exterior building surfaces and windows
- Upholstery cleaning of flooring and general furniture
- Pest management to protect businesses from rodents and insects
How do I select the right company?
As mentioned at the top of this post, there are now a whopping 38,000 commercial cleaning companies in Australia alone. While this gives you a lot of choice, it can also make it difficult to narrow down the right provider for your needs.
Here are a few pointers to consider when making your decision.
How do I select the right company?
Some commercial cleaners may only offer day-to-day cleaning, others might deliver more speciality services such as pressure washing and pest management. A few will provide both (as we do at GSI).
Think about what you need before contacting a commercial cleaner. The right company will assess your space, identify the level of upkeep required and provide you with a service plan.
Enquire about the facilities they typically service
You want to ensure that the commercial cleaner you hire has specific experience with similar environments to your own. If you run a restaurant, it will likely require a different level of cleaning to an office (and vice versa) .
Makes sure the company has public liability insurance
This is a big one. The company must hold public liability insurance. Cleaning might sound pretty harmless but there are plenty of things that could lead to injury or damage (someone slips on a wet floor or trips over a messy cord, for example) .
Hiring a commercial cleaner with public liability insurance won’t only protect the business, it will protect you and your employees too.
Learn about the type of cleaning products they use
You want to feel confident about the type of products your cleaner uses. If you’re a b corp or eco-conscious business, hiring a cleaner that uses harsh chemicals probably doesn’t align with your company values.
Fortunately, there are several commercial cleaners that use environmentally responsible products. If this is important to you, be sure to ask.
Other things to consider
It’s also worthwhile to ask for references, how they will communicate with you, average costs (and when you will be notified about any cost increase), and how they quality control.
Are you ready to hire a professional commercial cleaner?
We can help! With over 30 years of industry experience, we’ve worked with a variety of industries and developed a cleaning methodology to suit your unique business needs.
Let us take care of the cleaning so you can get back to doing what you do best – running your business.
You can learn more about our services over here or request a free quote now by clicking here.
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