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

Introduction

A clean workplace isn’t just about sparkling floors and dust‑free desks. Professional janitorial services protect your employees’ health, reinforce your brand’s professionalism and ultimately save money. When you hire a commercial cleaning provider, you’re not just buying cleaning—you’re investing in peace of mind, well‑being and a consistently high‑caliber work environment. Evidence from the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA), the CDC and other respected institutions shows that the costs of inadequate cleaning—lost productivity, illness and damaged reputation—far exceed the price of proper maintenance. This blog dives into the numbers and explains why cutting corners costs more, why quality cleaning pays off and how a high‑standard janitorial service can become one of your smartest business investments.

The Hidden Costs of Poor Cleaning

Poorly maintained buildings aren’t just unappealing; they’re expensive. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), productivity losses linked to absenteeism cost U.S. employers $225.8 billion annually, about $1,685 per employee. Harvard Business Review estimates that employees who work while sick (presenteeism) cost employers $150 – $250 billion per year, roughly 60 % of the total cost of worker illness. These losses are tied directly to workplace hygiene:

• Germs spread rapidly in offices. A University of Arizona study found that when a single “sick” employee was inoculated with a surrogate virus, within four hours more than 50 % of surfaces and coworkers were contaminated. Simple interventions—hand sanitizer, tissues and disinfecting wipes—reduced infection risk by up to 90 %.

• Service failures are costly. ISSA notes that cutting the cleaning budget often leads to additional costs: time spent handling complaints, scheduling rework, labor to redo the job and the risk of losing customers. The association warns, “the cost of poor quality is much higher than the cost of good quality”.

• Inadequate cleaning damages assets. Floors, carpets and equipment last longer when properly maintained. ISSA reports that refinishing a floor may cost twice as much when maintenance is skipped or done improperly. Saving on cleaning often leads to expensive repairs or replacements later.

How Cleanliness Impacts Employee Health and Productivity

Employee wellness is deeply tied to the cleanliness of the work environment. Well‑maintained spaces reduce exposure to pathogens, allergens and pollutants that cause illness and discomfort. Evidence from ISSA’s Value of Clean report and other research illustrates the link:

• Absenteeism hits the bottom line. Various studies summarized by ISSA show that absenteeism accounts for 15 %–20 % of direct and indirect payroll expenses. For shift workers, excess absenteeism can cost $2,660 per worker per year, translating to $1.3 million per year for a 500‑employee firm. When sickness absenteeism increases by 1 percentage point, overall productivity may drop by 0.66 %.

• Presenteeism is more expensive than absenteeism. A Global Challenge Virgin Pulse study (cited by ISSA) found that the total cost of presenteeism across the U.S., Australia and the U.K. is around $1,500 billion, while absenteeism costs roughly $150 billion. Working while sick reduces productivity and exposes coworkers to illness.

• Cleaner environments mean healthier employees. The “healthy workplace interventions” in the University of Arizona experiment—providing tissues, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes—reduced the risk of infection by up to 90 %. Regular cleaning and disinfection are essential to interrupting the chain of infection.

• Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) reductions pay dividends. ISSA’s ROI Playbook cites research from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) showing that reducing Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms by 20 %–50 % can yield incredible benefits to individuals and the economy at large. Annual productivity gains of up to $200 billion. Better indoor environmental quality—including effective cleaning—also improves cognition by 61 %–101 %.

Key Metric	Impact on Business	Research Source
Annual Cost of Absenteeism	$225.8 billion per year ($1,685 per employee)	CDC Foundation
Cost of Presenteeism	$150–$250 billion annually	Harvard Business Review (via CDC)
Virus Spread in Office	Over 50% of surfaces and coworkers contaminated within 4 hours	University of Arizona Study
Basic Hygiene Interventions	Up to 90% reduction in infection risk	University of Arizona Study
Absenteeism Share of Payroll	15–20% of total payroll costs	ISSA – Value of Clean Report
Productivity Loss from 1% Increase in Sick Leave	0.66% drop in overall productivity	ISSA – Value of Clean Report
Cost per Shift Worker (Excess Absence)	$2,660 per worker annually	ISSA – Value of Clean Report
Presenteeism vs Absenteeism	~$1.5 trillion vs ~$150 billion	ISSA – Value of Clean Report
Productivity Gains from Healthier Buildings	Up to $200 billion annually	ISSA ROI Playbook (IWBI Data)

Janitorial Services FAQ

Here are the most common questions facility managers and business owners ask after seeing the data on health, productivity, and customer perception.

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

Professional service isn’t just “more wiping”—it’s a system. Higher-quality providers invest in trained staff, consistent quality checks, the right chemicals and tools, and the time required to clean thoroughly. That reduces rework, complaints, illness spread, and premature wear on floors and surfaces.

Is cutting the cleaning budget really that risky?

Usually, yes. Cutting corners tends to show up later as:

• More employee sick days (and the productivity losses that come with them)
• More customer complaints and reduced confidence in your brand
• More frequent repairs/replacements from neglected floors and high-traffic areas
• “Double-paying” for rework when quality isn’t consistent

How does cleaning affect employee sick days and productivity?

High-touch surfaces and shared spaces can spread germs quickly. A consistent program that focuses on disinfecting touchpoints and maintaining restrooms, breakrooms, and common areas helps reduce exposure risk. Fewer illnesses typically means fewer absences—and fewer “half-productive” days when people work while sick.

What areas should a high-quality cleaning plan prioritize?

The highest ROI usually comes from consistency in these zones:

• Restrooms: touchpoints, fixtures, floors, odor control
• Breakrooms/kitchens: sinks, counters, appliances, tables
• High-touch points: door handles, railings, elevator buttons, switches
• Floors in high-traffic areas: entryways, corridors, lobbies
• Trash & recycling: overflow prevention, liner changes, spot cleaning around bins

How often should an office be professionally cleaned?

It depends on headcount, traffic, and how the space is used. Many offices do well with nightly service, while some sites can use a hybrid plan (full clean several days per week + detail work on set days). The goal is matching frequency to soil load, not guessing.

What’s the difference between “cleaning” and “disinfecting”?

Cleaning removes dirt and grime; disinfecting uses an appropriate product and dwell time to reduce germs on surfaces. In real facilities, you need both—especially on high-touch points—because disinfectants work best on clean surfaces.

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

Common signs include recurring odors, dusty ledges/vents, consistently dirty restrooms, sticky breakroom surfaces, missed trash liners, and “it looks fine” but complaints keep happening. If the work isn’t documented or inspected, quality usually drifts over time.

What should be included in a janitorial quality control process?

A strong QC system typically includes:

• Written scope with task frequencies (so expectations are clear)
• Routine inspections and checklists
• Clear escalation path if something gets missed
• Consistent staffing and training to prevent “different results every week”
• Reporting (so you can see what’s happening without babysitting)

Will professional cleaning help customer satisfaction and reviews?

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 stay longer, trust your brand more, and are less likely to leave negative feedback.

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

Start with your headcount and estimate what even a small reduction in sick days is worth in wages and productivity. Then add reduced rework/complaints and longer life of floors and surfaces. Even modest improvements can outweigh the cost difference between “cheap” and “done right.”

Want a cleaning plan built around your facility’s needs? We can map out priorities, frequencies, and quality controls so you get consistent results—and real peace of mind.

Healthy environments don’t just reduce illness; they improve morale, concentration and mental well‑being. Employees feel valued when their workspace is clean and safe, which leads to better engagement and retention.

Why Cleanliness Drives Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty

Hygiene isn’t just about protecting employees—it also shapes how customers perceive your business. Poorly cleaned spaces can destroy customer confidence and drive them to competitors. ISSA’s research compiles data from multiple studies across retail and hospitality sectors:

• Dirty stores deter shoppers. 79 % of EU consumers feel less inclined to shop in stores with dirty environments, and 66 % would shorten their shopping time to avoid unacceptable hygiene.

• Cleanliness influences repeat business. An Ipsos Public Affairs survey found that 92 % of U.S. customers consider cleanliness an important factor in deciding whether to return to a business. Only 3 % said it was unimportant.

• Restaurants live or die by hygiene. In EU studies, 94 % of diners say clean dishes are as important as food quality and 93 % of consumers rate restaurant cleanliness as important or very important, more than kitchen cleanliness. A separate study of restaurants found that 98.2 % of customers perceive dining‑area cleanliness as crucial for retention.

• Hospitality guests prioritize hygiene. A survey of hotel guests showed that venue hygiene outranked timely service and even food quality. Customers want assurance that cleaning protocols meet high standards.

Businesses that neglect cleaning risk not just negative reviews but lost sales. In the retail sector, where product and price differences are shrinking, customer experience—and by extension cleanliness—has become a key differentiator. Ensuring a spotless environment signals professionalism and care, encouraging customers to stay longer and return.

Cutting Corners Costs More: Quality Versus Cheap Cleaning

When budgets tighten, cleaning is often an early target for cuts—but this is a false economy. ISSA warns that reducing cleaning budgets does not always save money and can trigger further expenses. Poor or infrequent cleaning leads to:

1. Higher labor costs for rework and complaint resolution. Staff must address service failures, resulting in downtime and customer frustration.

2. Asset deterioration and premature replacement. Dirty carpets, floors and equipment wear out faster; refinishing or replacing them costs far more than routine care.

3. Lost business due to poor appearance and perception. Customers notice clutter, odors and unclean restrooms; once trust is lost, it’s hard to regain.

4. Health risks from airborne particles, allergens and pathogens. These lead to increased absenteeism, presenteeism and potential regulatory issues.

In contrast, investing in professional janitorial services delivers long‑term savings and revenue. The ISSA Value of Clean report emphasizes that even modest investments in cleaning yield substantial financial returns. High‑quality cleaning reduces absenteeism, increases productivity and preserves assets—all of which contribute directly to profitability.

Cleaning as an Investment: The Return on Janitorial Services

Quality janitorial services should be viewed as a strategic investment, not a discretionary expense. When you partner with a professional cleaning company that follows high janitorial standards and invests in trained staff, you benefit from:

• Reduced operational costs. Lower absenteeism and higher productivity translate into significant savings. The Value of Clean toolkit provides calculators to quantify these savings for your facility.

• Asset preservation. Proper maintenance extends the life of flooring, furnishings and equipment, reducing capital expenditures.

• Energy efficiency. Clean facilities often run more efficiently; HVAC systems work less hard when filters and vents are clean, saving energy costs.

• Enhanced brand image and customer loyalty. A spotless environment signals professionalism and care, building trust and repeat business. Cleanliness is now non‑negotiable for customers.

• Compliance and safety. Professional cleaning helps meet regulatory requirements (OSHA, ADA, public health regulations) and reduces liability.

• Improved cognitive performance. Healthier indoor environments (including proper cleaning) can enhance cognition by 61 %–101 % and reduce Sick Building Syndrome, contributing to large productivity gains.

Example ROI Calculation

The ISSA ROI Playbook provides sample calculations showing that investing an additional $50,000 in trained custodians can generate $120,000 in combined savings and revenue, yielding an ROI of 140 %. This includes reduced error rates, efficient processes, higher client retention and lower risk exposures.

Our Commitment to High Standards

Our company strives to deliver high quality janitorial services and incorporate the best practices within the industry. We invest in skilled, well‑compensated cleaning professionals who understand the science of cleaning for health. This means:

• Customized cleaning plans based on your facility’s usage patterns and risk areas. We work with you to determine optimal frequencies and staffing levels.

• Evidence‑based protocols that target high‑touch surfaces and use EPA‑registered disinfectants. Our methods reflect the University of Arizona findings about rapid contamination and effective interventions.

• Continuous training and quality management. Our employees complete evidence‑based cleaning‑for‑health programs and undergo regular skill refreshers. This reduces errors and ensures consistent quality.

• Green cleaning products that protect occupant health and the environment. We work closely with our janitorial supply company to find safer chemical choices.

• Quality Control. We document cleaning activities and do regular inspections to make sure that your facility is maintained at a high janitorial standard.

Conclusion

For businesses across every sector—offices, retail, healthcare, education, hospitality—janitorial services are an investment in health, productivity and brand reputation. Skimping on cleaning may save a few dollars today, but it invites illness, destroys assets, erodes customer loyalty and ultimately costs more. High‑quality, professional cleaning pays for itself through lower absenteeism, improved morale, longer asset life, energy savings and increased customer trust.

Ready to invest in peace of mind? Contact us to learn how our professional janitorial services can protect your workforce, impress your clients and strengthen your bottom line. Your facility deserves the best—because clean isn’t just an expense, it’s a powerful business advantage. Visit Empireofficecleaning.com and don’t forget to check out our blog if you want more information like this!