As a business, having cleaning services that are optimised to the specific needs of your business space requires, is key for a number of reasons. However, if a business owner doesn’t do their research, they may end up paying for more services than they actually need, or aren’t making the most of an optimised cleaning service.
To prevent this, today we will be presenting 5 mistakes every business makes when hiring commercial cleaners.
Sentrex Services stands as a leading provider of comprehensive cleaning and hygiene solutions, serving a vast region from the Northwest to the Southeast of England. With a dedicated team of over 600 professionals, we deliver bespoke cleaning services tailored to the unique needs of each commercial client.
Can cleaning be done by regular staff?
Not exactly. Depending on the business and the roles of its employees, hygiene practice, and personal cleaning responsibilities are expected and must be laid out to employees. In some businesses, not following these practices can lead to contaminated products.
In these other businesses, such as pharmaceuticals, or food prep etc that require specialised cleaning, cleaning is more likely than not done by specially trained staff.
Any cleaning that requires the handling of specific chemicals or equipment, must be done by an employee with the latest training. This reduces the risks of accidents and incidents of poor practice.
By bypassing this, as a business owner, you can face prosecution or worse, especially if you make an employee handle cleaning services without the adequate training, equipment etc.
What are examples of cleaning an employee can do?
For staff members of business, non-cleaning staff can clean in the following ways. (This is a general outlook and will not cover every type of business).
- Discarding their waste in appropriate bins.
- Cleaning small spills.
- Keeping their workstation tidy, with no clutter or items that can cause infestation. (old food on desks, etc).
- Not littering on or in the site.
- Ensuring high-traffic areas are not cluttered or have trip hazards.
Why cleaning is important for employees and customers alike
Regardless of if your business has customers or not, there will still be people in that space on a regular basis. Ventilation and cleaning, (and not just a superficial wipe down) has a number of benefits for people inside the space, such as:
- A reduced risk of allergens and dust are around, reducing any possible allergic reactions.
- People with a compromised immune system are less likely to become ill.
- A clean space indicates professionalism, as well as a sense of pride in the workplace, in addition to a visible level of care for the business space.
- There is a reduced risk of mould developing, which can compromise the health of most people who come into contact with it. That being said, a multi-pronged approach is required to prevent mould, mainly ventilation, drying wet surfaces, and ensuring there are no leaks within the building.
The top 5 mistakes businesses make when hiring commercial cleaner
Is it the right service?
To those who don’t know, a cleaning service may seem like a one-size-fits all approach, however, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact is, there are cleaning services that specialise in commercial sites, some may be specific to retail spaces, or even homes. In addition to services that can work in various types of sites.
The problem is, you may end up hiring a cleaning service that doesn’t cater to the specific needs of your business. For example, the cleaning required in a catering space would be vastly different to a small retail space. It may require specific equipment or cleaning chemicals.
To avoid this mistake, consider inquiring with a cleaning service before hiring them, make sure you are clear with what you require, especially if there are specific cleaning regulations for your type of business.
Do the timings work?
Due to the high variety of businesses that operate on a 24-hour basis, ensuring you are with a cleaning service that can clean your site at the safest time is key. Usually, this would be outside operating hours, which, for some businesses, could be outside the standard evening cleaning hours of most 9–5 companies.
Cleaning outside operating hours is generally the best option, as it limits engagement with staff or customers, depending on the space. This severely reduces possible accidents and mishaps on site.
Having faith in their background checks
Depending on the business, individuals with specific convictions may not be appropriate to work in any capacity in the specific building. When hiring a cleaning service, you are also placing your faith in their vetting process.
Any reputable cleaning service would be able to confirm in-depth background checks on their employees upon request, giving you peace of mind and reassurance in their recruitment.
Outside criminal convictions, a reputable cleaning service would ensure their employees have the relevant training, either before hiring or by offering comprehensive training. This can be confirmed by the cleaning service.
No previous research
Your choice of commercial cleaner for your business should not be made after scrolling through a search engine results page. As a business owner, having the best value for money is critical in ensuring your business runs smoothly with any investment made towards it.
That’s why seeking testimonials from commercial cleaners clients is key, even if it’s a case of asking another company directly. Recognition from specific trade bodies is also a sign that a service is good and reputable.
Speaking to the commercial cleaner directly, making a full enquiry, can also help greatly. By doing this, you get an understanding of their professionalism, expertise, and services. If they lack product/service knowledge, are rude, or can not give a straight answer, it isn’t a great sign.
Neglecting what goes into cost
Depending on the commercial cleaning service you choose, the cost of the service can vary between a range of factors. Some may be a fixed cost, and some may charge per square foot.
Times, specialist equipment or chemicals required can also factor in to price. This is why it’s key to get a quote, which can be a longer process. That being said, a quote that takes into account the key factors mentioned previously, (along with specific needs of your business) is an indication to the attention to detail a service has.
In some cases, the cheapest option isn’t the best. As mentioned previously, value for money cannot be overlooked. It can be described in this simple question, would you rather have a clean-looking space at a cheap price, or a regulation compliant spotless clean, at a justified price?
The best choice for commercial cleaning
At Sentrex, we prioritise commercial, industrial, and specialist cleaning services. Our services aren’t just a standard once-over, we ensure a comprehensive and individually tailored approach perfect for any site.
Here is a list of some of the many services we provide:
- Chemical degreasing
- Steam cleaning
- Pressure washing
- Commercial carpet cleaning
- Trash clean up
- Window cleaning
- Exterior cleaning
- Deep cleaning
In this blog, we hope to have provided valuable information by highlighting the 5 mistakes every business makes when hiring commercial cleaners.
Our commitment to fair pricing, environmental sustainability, and personalised service sets us apart. We prioritise quality through rigorous control measures, including monthly audits with advanced software, real-time management via iPads, and an automated time and attendance system.
