Can your floors help make a positive first impression? Yes, absolutely. 92% of customers feel cleanliness is very important when deciding brand loyalty and whether to be a repeat customer or not. 

First impressions matter — and one of the quickest and most effective ways to make a good one is to keep your facility clean and inviting. A clean and orderly environment sends a strong message that you care about your customers and the products and services you offer.

Having a shiny floor or professionally cleaned carpets can go a long way in creating a positive first impression. Not only does it show that you take pride in your space, but it also shows that you take your clients and their safety seriously. Clean floors and carpets also reduce the risk of slips and falls, and create a more comfortable atmosphere.

Daily or weekly janitorial or porter services that include trash removal, vacuuming, dusting, restroom and breakroom cleaning are not enough. Floors and carpets take a beating over the course of year.  They require annual strip & wax floor refinishing project and long-overdue desperate carpet cleaning jobs (before and after video).

Historically, April is a notorious month for “Special Services” requests, which include carpet steam cleaning and VCT floor refinishing. Here, our team explains which “Special Services” are commonly ordered and why.

Can workplace cleanliness make a positive first impression with customers?

92% of customers say workplace cleanliness is an important factor in whether or not they will return to the business. Having a facility that is regularly maintained and cleaned is also great for your business and bottom line. A clean and attractive space is more appealing to customers, and it can also help boost employee morale. Employees feel better when their workspace is neat and organized, and customers appreciate the effort it takes to keep the space looking great.

"Special Services"  means more than just deep cleanings. Regardless of whether you maintain your facility with daily or weekly janitorial service, certain immediate, on-demand cleaning projects must be performed. This ensures your workplace remains in good condition, while preventing costly repairs due to seasonal wear and tear.  By maintaining a clean and organized environment, you can increase worker productivity, improve business reputation, and improve the image of your business to visitors and employees. 

In general, by definition,  “Special Services” are:

1. Unique programs that meet customer-specific needs and frequencies

2. Quarterly service program based on best practices for a given industry

3. One-time requests

Which “Special Services” should you be ordering this Spring season?

The 18 years we have spent in the professional cleaning industry have taught us what to expect. We have completed thousands of commercial cleaning projects for our clients, and here are the results. 

The following "on-demand" services are the most requested by business owners, property managers, facility and operations managers, as well as a multitude of office managers in addition to their regular, recurring janitorial service:

Floor Restoration Services

Carpet Shampooing, Extraction & Steam Cleaning

Strip and Wax Floors, Buff, Burnish & Polish 

Disinfection & Antimicrobial Treatments

Window Cleaning & Pressure Washing

Deep Cleaning

Pre and Post Construction or Renovation Clean Up

Apartment Rental Units Move in / Move out Cleaning Services

How often should carpet cleaning occur in a professional setting?

How often should you be ordering "Special Services" or "On-Demand Services"? Now that you understand what they are, the frequency is completely determined by your facility, industry, and traffic flow. We see carpet cleaning and restoration as one of the most popular requests this time of year, no matter what.

Cleaning your carpets once a year may be sufficient for a home setting, but it will not be enough for a business setting. Depending on your industry and traffic levels, you should plan on a higher frequency to adequately protect your investment and ensure your expensive carpeting won’t have to be replaced too soon.

Simple rule of thumb is:

Every 3 months: High-spill businesses, like restaurants

Every 3-6 months: High-traffic businesses, like retail stores

Every 3 months: Medical facilities and offices

Every 6 months: Lower-traffic businesses, like offices

Want to avoid the most common carpeting cleaning mistakes?

Have your carpets taken a beating lately? Or you’ve delayed regular cleaning? Here’s a handy guide to the many stains we’ve conquered.

How often should a strip and wax occur in public or commercial facilities?

Strip and wax floor restoration requests are just as popular (and as important) as carpeting cleaning.

We don't recommend delaying a strip and wax for more than 12 months (1 year) if you and your team haven't been adhering to a regular maintenance schedule, or if you don't know when the last time your floor was scrubbed and recoated. A thorough stripping and waxing will allow you to start from scratch, giving you a better understanding of future maintenance needs. 

There is a difference between "strip & wax" vs "scrub & recoat". 

It is recommended that in a facility with average foot traffic, a scrub and recoat is done at least once every six months. Is it time to strip and wax or scrub and recoat? Here’s some pointers to help you determine at which stage your flooring is at.

How often should disinfection and antimicrobial treatments be applied in a commercial setting?

3 years ago, System4 IPS became the leading antimicrobial coating provider in the northeast, and it continues to serve the largest client list across all industries.

Electrostatic sprayers were acquired for our team, and an elite group of professionals were trained on how to apply these coatings. Although antimicrobial coatings, when applied correctly, create a strong and lasting bond to surfaces, it’s best practice to clean, disinfect and re-apply antimicrobial coating once a quarter, especially to high touch surfaces, such as light switches, faucet handles, doorknobs, keyboards, desks and phones. Repeated contact and abrasion wear away antimicrobial coatings via friction. A handrail or elevator button will need reapplication every 90 days to keep your workers and visitors safe.

What is the process for ordering a “Special Service”?

Depending on your current maintenance plan and the state of your facility or property, it may be difficult to coordinate and implement "Special Service" cleaning. This is also the busiest time of year for "Special Service" requests. If you are considering a one-time service, don't delay. Now is the time to make things happen so you can be entered into the client queue. The process of finding the right professional for your job can take some time and coordination.

By visiting our website and using our automated chat tool, you will receive a quick response. You will hear from a specialist in your area almost immediately. We provide free quotes quickly and easily. Everything is electronic. The quote can be reviewed, signed, and paid online. 

If you're not sure what you need, no worries, our experts can help and guide you. Start a chat conversation on our website. A sales representative in your area will arrange a meeting at a convenient time for you. They will know what questions to ask so that they can accurately assess your needs and make the appropriate recommendations.  

We offer full-service facility management and infection control solutions. Our services range from flooring restoration treatments, carpet steam cleaning, window washing, quarterly or seasonal deep cleaning, to daily janitorial services. Investing in a quality cleaning service and regular maintenance can help you improve customers' first impressions, create a safe and comfortable environment, and keep your business looking great. Make sure your customers get off to a good start by keeping your facility clean and inviting.

Lacking janitorial staffing

Concerned about a staffing shortage and whether you are using the right cleaning service for your workplace? It's not too late to find the perfect janitorial team that will keep your workplace clean and safe. Look for solid custodian referrals and consult with System4 IPS. 

Which custodian or janitorial team is best for you? System4 IPS specializes in creating customized janitorial programs that meet the unique need of businesses like yours!



If your workplace experiences a singular COVID-19 positive case or outbreak, call System4 IPS and schedule your disinfection service today. Our professional team listens to your needs, requirements, and timing. See our many satisfied customer testimonials and public Google ratings.