What is commercial housekeeping?
Commercial housekeeping, also known as business housekeeping, refers to professional cleaning and maintenance services specifically tailored to businesses, offices, and commercial facilities, designed to ensure that workplaces remain clean, hygienic, and presentable, meeting both aesthetic and regulatory standards.
The particular services offered with commercial housekeeping are similar to professional residential cleans, however many cleaning companies will offer a wider range of services for commercial customers to meet the stringent cleanliness requirements that many businesses must adhere to. Commercial cleaning services often don’t fall under a one-size-fits-all approach, and the cleaning company may create a bespoke package that is tailored to the specific needs of your business.
Common services offered with business housekeeping include:
- General cleaning – dusting surfaces, sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming floors, taking out the trash, and sanitizing restrooms and other common areas
- Specialized cleaning – deep cleaning carpets or upholstery, washing windows, floor care (waxing and polishing hardwood flooring, or deep cleaning vinyl floors), and thorough disinfection and sanitization services
- Janitorial services – restocking supplies like restroom essentials and carrying out routine maintenance such as lightbulb replacements or other minor repairs where necessary.
If you do not have an in-house team that specializes in cleaning to a high standard, investing in regular business housekeeping can help your business comply with state laws, improve customer impressions, and reduce workplace hazards such as slippery floors or pest infestations.
What businesses can benefit from commercial housekeeping services?
Commercial housekeeping services can vary significantly between industries due to the specific needs, regulations, and standards required in each type of business environment. Here are some examples of how business housekeeping services may be tailored towards certain commercial industries:
Healthcare facilities
In a healthcare environment, such as hospitals and dental offices, the key focus is sanitization and disinfection to prevent the spread of infections. A commercial housekeeping service can help your healthcare business adhere to OSHA, the CDC, and specific state health guidelines by using medical-grade disinfectants, and conducting regular and thorough sterilization of equipment and spaces.
Hospitality
For hotels, B&Bs, and other leisure facilities like resorts and spas, the main priority is guest satisfaction and maintaining a certain standard of aesthetics and cleanliness. Specialized commercial cleaning services for hospitality businesses may include deep cleaning of guest rooms, lobbies, dining areas, and recreational spaces, as well as maintaining odor control and a luxurious appearance. Many hospitality businesses see a large turnover of guests, so regular commercial cleaning services are recommended.
Retail stores
With a large amount of foot traffic every day, retail stores can struggle to maintain a positive customer experience and store presentation without the assistance of a commercial cleaning service. The particular features of a retail store business cleaning service may include deep cleaning the floors, windows, and display shelves, trash removal, and restroom maintenance.
Office buildings
With employees working within the office setting daily, and the potential for clients and customers to frequent the space, it’s important to maintain a clean and organized environment. A commercial cleaning service can assist with emptying trash bins, deep cleaning the floors, and wiping desks, as well as sanitizing common areas like break rooms, kitchens, and restrooms. Where sanitization is of particular importance, the cleaning crew can also disinfect shared equipment, such as printers and water coolers, as well as the most common touch points, like light switches and door knobs.
Restaurants and other food service establishments
Any commercial building that serves food must adhere to strict health and safety compliance, making satisfactory cleaning a high priority. This could include deep cleaning kitchens, including grease traps, exhaust fans, and cooking equipment, and sanitizing dining areas and restrooms. Regular deep cleaning of the floors and windows will help contribute towards a welcoming dining experience for customers.
How much do commercial cleaners charge?
The cost of a commercial cleaning service will vary depending on certain factors:
Location
Whereabouts your business is located can impact the price, as the standard cost of such services varies across the US due to differences in labor rates and competition.
Frequency
A one-off clean may cost more than regular, scheduled cleans, as the workload will often be larger for a one-time service. Some cleaning companies may also offer a discount when booking in bulk or signing a long-term contract. High-traffic industries, like gyms, transportation, and retail stores may demand a higher frequency of cleaning, whereas a commercial office space may be able to go longer periods without needing a refresher.
Time of service
If you require the cleaning crew to come in overnight or over the weekend to not disturb usual business runnings, you may be charged more for the service during these unusual working hours.
Size
The square footage of your property will likely impact the cost of the service, although other factors in this list will also be taken into account. For example, a large office space may be priced higher than a food service establishment that is smaller in size, purely because the scope of work for the latter is larger than the office.
Cleaning methods
The optimal cleaning methods for each type of business will vary, and this can impact the cost of the cleaning service. For example, industrial industries may require more heavy-duty methods (incurring higher costs), whereas commercial office spaces may focus more on general upkeep and basic sanitization (taking less time and fewer resources). Some businesses, such as healthcare facilities, may require specially trained cleaning personnel, which can often come at a higher cost.
The number of staff required
Larger, more intensive cleans may require more staff than smaller, straightforward cleans, incurring a higher cost. If you need the cleaning service to be carried out within a reduced time frame, the commercial cleaning company may need to send more staff in order to meet these deadlines, again, raising the price.
A business cleaning service can help your commercial property maintain a clean and welcoming appearance, as well as adhere to any key health and safety legislation required by your industry. If you’re looking for a professional commercial cleaning service in Texas, get in touch today!