Question 1

Why do professional janitorial services cost more than “basic cleaning”?

Accepted Answer

Professional janitorial service is a managed system—not just wiping surfaces. Higher-quality providers invest in trained staff, consistent inspections, proper tools and chemicals, and enough time to clean thoroughly. That reduces rework, complaints, illness spread, and premature wear on floors and surfaces—often saving money over the long run.

Question 2

Is cutting the cleaning budget really that risky?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Cutting corners typically leads to higher total costs through increased employee sick days, reduced productivity, more customer complaints, more rework, and faster deterioration of floors and high-traffic areas. What seems cheaper upfront can cost more over time.

Question 3

How does cleaning affect employee sick days and productivity?

Accepted Answer

High-touch surfaces and shared spaces can spread germs quickly. A consistent cleaning program that prioritizes disinfecting touchpoints and maintaining restrooms, breakrooms, and common areas helps reduce exposure risk. Fewer illnesses typically means fewer absences and fewer low-productivity days when people work while sick.

Question 4

What areas should a high-quality cleaning plan prioritize?

Accepted Answer

The highest ROI usually comes from consistent cleaning in restrooms, breakrooms/kitchens, high-touch points (handles, switches, buttons), high-traffic floors (entryways, corridors, lobbies), and trash/recycling zones to prevent overflow, odor, and spill buildup.

Question 5

How often should an office be professionally cleaned?

Accepted Answer

It depends on headcount, traffic, and how the space is used. Many offices benefit from nightly cleaning, while others use a hybrid plan (full cleans multiple nights per week with detail work on set days). The right frequency should match the facility’s soil load and risk areas.

Question 6

What’s the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning removes dirt and grime from surfaces. Disinfecting uses the appropriate product and dwell time to reduce germs on surfaces. In most facilities you need both, especially on high-touch areas, because disinfectants work best on clean surfaces.

Question 7

How can I tell if my current cleaner is cutting corners?

Accepted Answer

Common signs include recurring odors, dusty ledges, inconsistent restroom results, sticky breakroom surfaces, missed trash liners, and repeated complaints despite ongoing service. If work isn’t documented or inspected, quality often drifts over time.

Question 8

What should be included in a janitorial quality control process?

Accepted Answer

A strong quality control process includes a clear scope of work with task frequencies, routine inspections and checklists, an escalation path for missed items, consistent staffing and training, and reporting so you can verify results without babysitting.

Question 9

Will professional cleaning help customer satisfaction and reviews?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cleanliness is one of the fastest signals of professionalism—especially in lobbies, restrooms, and public-facing areas. When your space looks and smells clean, customers tend to trust your brand more and are less likely to leave negative feedback.

Question 10

What’s the simplest way to estimate ROI from better cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Start with headcount and estimate the value of reducing even a small number of sick days in wages and productivity. Then include reduced rework/complaints and longer life of floors and surfaces. Many facilities find that modest improvements can outweigh the cost difference between low-cost cleaning and a quality program.

Professional Janitorial Services: Investing in Health, Productivity and Peace of Mind