What to expect from your cleaning service provider post-pandemic
Has your janitorial team been the center of attention lately? This trend isn't going away anytime soon. The work performed by commercial cleaning services has long been in the background. But no longer...
The coronavirus has pushed commercial cleaning and janitorial services into the public eye. Their workload and responsibilities are greater. Cleaning staffers have become infection prevention workers. Hospital custodians, provide janitorial services in healthcare environments. “In a hospital, they’re just as important as a doctor — they’re doing a completely different job,” says Jane Hopkins, executive VP of Service Employees International Union’s Northwest chapter.
CBS News refers to janitorial staff as “unsung heroes” for handling the task of cleaning COVID-19 patients’ rooms. New respect is being given to workers in the janitorial services and commercial cleaning services sector. They are directly helping to maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Amount of time to clean (and disinfect) will take longer
Before the pandemic, a janitorial was responsible for cleaning, not cleaning AND disinfecting. Cleaning = removing germs, Disinfecting = killing germs.
In this article, CMM defines the differences between, cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting and sterilizing. In many workplaces, some disinfecting took place in restrooms, but little elsewhere. Budget and cost were the reasons for foregoing disinfection elsewhere.
To properly disinfect, a surface must be clean first. Then, a disinfectant must “dwell” on the surface for up to 10 minutes to kill the germs.
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This process takes longer.
Electrostatic sprayers, used by System4 IPS and some professional janitorial companies, can increase the speed of the disinfection process.
But, the fact remains, keeping your workplace safe requires two steps: cleaning and disinfecting.
Necessary to Increase Your Cleaning and Disinfection Budget
In this post-COVID-19 world, janitorial services are now in the infection prevention business. This means janitors invest more time on extra tasks and more money on the proper cleaning supplies and equipment to meet a heightened set of expectations.
Are you calling, emailing, and communicating more frequently with your janitorial team or professional cleaning crew?
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All this time adds up. But, time spent clarifying expectations translates to increased staff safety and minimized downtime.
A New Level of Communication.
Post-pandemic, you want to be part of establishing cleaning procedures. Know the areas your staff is cleaning. Be aware of the products they use. If in-house personnel, train your own staff. Focus on the frequency of surface and touchpoint cleanings. Everyone has lots of questions. This equates to more time spent and an increased janitorial budget.
Perception: Cleanliness = Safety
Expectations surrounding the cleanliness of your workplace have continued to heighten.
Visitors, clientele, employees, patients, students, and staff believe a clean facility translates to a safe facility.
Unfortunately, the opposite will also apply. It's critical to discuss these new expectations with your janitorial service vendor or cleaning team. Implementing a plan to regularly inspect your facility will be the new normal.
Reputable commercial cleaning vendors, like System4 IPS, already integrate inspection protocols into the standard service cadence.
Survey says "Americans expectations towards cleaning have changed"
A recent survey highlighted in Cleaning Maintenance Management found 88% of Americans plan to remain “extra cautious” of potential germs even after they become fully vaccinated. See more survey insights in below video:
Are Your Employees Cleaning? They are Not Experts
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Do your employees assume expanded responsibilities, like cleaning? Are you paying them extra for these tasks?
If not, they’re probably not going to cover all the necessary cleaning procedures your business needs and could suffer from burnout.
Is cleaning a last-minute task before they shut the doors and go home? If so, they are likely hurrying and the cleaning will be spotty at best.
Do you or your employees carry an itemized disinfection checklist? The list should include sanitizing doorknobs, restroom doors, stalls, office chairs, and a multitude of other frequently touched surfaces.
We’re guessing not; they won’t do all that because you hired them to be experts at other things, not cleaning. This is why you should hire a commercial cleaning company to help.
Professional cleaning services have knowledge of cleaning chemicals, ratios needed, and dwell times.
Understanding how long viruses live on surfaces is also an area that staff may not have familiarity with. New England Journal of Medicine outlines the stability of viruses on varied surfaces.
Additionally, your staff won't have access to equipment, like electrostatic sprayers, that can be "60% to 70% faster than using a spray bottle and wiping," as stated in a recent Fortune article.
Increase in Demand for Professional Cleaners Means it's Time to Hire a Pro
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Julia Pollock, who works as a labor economist at ZipRecruiter, says, “There’s been a huge spike in demand for cleaning workers.”
There’s an increase in commercial cleaning and janitorial services across the board. Extra cleaning crews are being hired by retailers, facility managers, property management companies, and hotel chains. Industries across many sectors are taking cleanliness more seriously.
The increase in demand is also coming from grocery stores, restaurants, and offices. Every organization with high foot traffic is trying to reassure people that their premises are clean and free of the coronavirus.
Demand for experienced cleaners may be permanent
The uptick in demand for commercial cleaning providers may well become a permanent feature. Yes, that’s right. The spike in demand for commercial cleaning and janitorial services may extend into 2022 and beyond.
According to experts, COVID-19 could become like measles, HIV, and chickenpox — endemic diseases that stubbornly refuse to go away. Sarah Cobey, an epidemiologist at the University of Chicago, says, “The virus is here to stay. The question is, how do we live with it safely?”
Due to the pandemic, it's important to have a strong relationship with your janitorial team.
Concerned about whether you are using the right service for your workplace? It's imperative to start your search now and find the right match. Reach out to other businesses for solid referrals and consult with System4 IPS.
If you have experienced a COVID-19 singular case or outbreak amongst your staff or at your facility, call System4 IPS and schedule your disinfection service today. Our team listens to your needs, requirements, and timing. See our many satisfied customer testimonials and public Google ratings.
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