Thinking About Hiring a New Cleaning Company?

Here Are 5 Practical Steps to Help You Find the Right One

Hiring the right commercial cleaning company can make your facility cleaner, your staff more focused, and your daily operations run smoother. Whether you're unhappy with your current provider or just exploring better options, these four steps will guide you through the process of choosing a service that fits your business needs.

Step 1: Choose a Cleaning Company with a Local Presence

Working with a nearby cleaning service often leads to better support and more consistent quality than relying on large, national chains. Local companies are usually more responsive, and their teams are easier to manage since they’re close by. This means fewer problems and less time spent chasing down issues. When searching online, be sure to double-check that a company truly operates in your area—some websites may look local but are actually run by national brokers or lead generators. Always verify their office location before moving forward.

Step 2: List Out Your Cleaning Expectations

Before reaching out to any vendors, take a few minutes to write down what you’re looking for in a cleaning service. This doesn’t have to be formal—it just needs to cover the basics. Include details like how many employees use the building, when you want cleaning to happen (for example, evenings after closing), which areas need special attention, and anything else they should know—like dumpster access or storage rooms. Many cleaning companies can help you organize this by offering a sample checklist or cleaning plan.

Step 3: Let Vendors Tour Your Facility

While phone estimates might sound convenient, letting a company walk through your space usually leads to better results. A short tour lets them see things like flooring type, room layouts, current cleanliness, and any access concerns—information they need to give you an accurate quote. It’s also a good time for you to ask questions about their experience, how they train their staff, and how they handle service issues. A face-to-face meeting gives you a better feel for whether they’re professional and reliable.

Step 4: Ask for References from Current Clients Before you sign a contract, ask the cleaning company for references from businesses similar to yours—ideally in size, industry, or building type. A reputable provider should have no problem connecting you with a few current clients who can speak to their reliability, quality of work, and customer service. When you follow up, ask if the company communicates well, shows up consistently, and addresses issues quickly. Hearing directly from other business owners can give you real peace of mind and help confirm whether the provider lives up to their promises.

Step 5: Meet with the Finalists to Compare Proposals

Once you’ve gathered quotes, set up a short meeting—either online or in person—with the top companies on your list. Go over the proposal details, clarify any confusing contract terms, and ask about their timeline for getting started. This is also your chance to ask about their onboarding process and how they communicate with clients. A clear conversation now can save a lot of back-and-forth later.

Final Thoughts: A Clean Facility Starts with a Smart Choice

Following these simple steps can help you find a cleaning company that meets your standards and supports your business. A trustworthy cleaning partner will help you maintain a professional environment and give you one less thing to worry about as you manage your day-to-day operations.

Is Your Office at Risk? How Poor Cleaning Practices Can Lead to Cross-Contamination

Here’s a scenario no one wants to imagine: the same rag used to clean a toilet is also used to wipe down your office desk. Sounds shocking, but it can happen if your cleaning service doesn’t follow clear systems. Cross-contamination is a real concern in commercial cleaning, and if your janitorial provider isn't careful, your workspace could be exposed to unnecessary health risks.

How Cross-Contamination Happens in Offices

Cross-contamination occurs when germs and bacteria are spread from one place to another due to improper use of cleaning tools. A janitor with a fully loaded cleaning cart might use a rag in a restroom, toss it back on the cart, and later use that same cloth in an office area. Without rules in place to prevent this, it’s easy for restroom germs to end up on desks, phones, doorknobs, and other commonly touched surfaces.

What a Quality Cleaning Service Should Be Doing

If you want to avoid this kind of issue, your cleaning contractor should have the following three safeguards built into their process:

1. Planned Cleaning Routes with Dedicated Equipment

The cleaning process should be organized to reduce risk. Ideally, different staff members are assigned to specific parts of the building—some for restrooms, others for offices or common areas. Even when only one cleaner is working, they should follow a set route and use separate tools for each section. Using a different cart or cleaning kit for bathrooms versus office areas is a simple yet powerful way to stop germs from spreading.

2. Area-Specific Cleaning Rags

A responsible janitorial company uses cloths and tools designed for specific jobs. This might mean using color-coded rags—such as red for restroom fixtures, blue for office furniture, and green for kitchen surfaces. This system helps prevent confusion and ensures the same rag isn’t used across multiple environments. Some companies may also use disposable wipes in restrooms to eliminate the chance of reusing contaminated cloths.

3. Proper Employee Training

Even the best procedures won’t work if cleaners haven’t been properly trained. A reputable cleaning service provides detailed instruction to new employees, helping them understand how to avoid cross-contamination. Training should include an orientation period, on-the-job practice, and regular check-ins by supervisors. Cleaners need to know not only what to do, but why these methods matter for health and safety.

Why This Matters for Your Business

There are many janitorial providers out there, but not all of them take the time to implement professional standards. Because it’s easy to start a cleaning company, the industry includes vendors with little or no formal training. That’s why it's important to ask questions about how a company manages cleaning tools, routes, and training. Choosing the wrong provider could lead to unwanted bacteria being spread throughout your office.

Final Thoughts

Don’t take a chance on the cleanliness of your workplace. Cross-contamination might not be visible, but its effects can be very real. The good news is it’s entirely preventable. By hiring a cleaning service that uses separate rags for different tasks, follows structured cleaning routes, and trains its staff properly, you can be confident your office is being cleaned safely and thoroughly. Your team deserves a space that’s not just tidy—but truly sanitary.

3 Types of Janitorial Companies You Shouldn’t Hire

Choosing a janitorial service is an important decision. The right company will keep your facility clean and running smoothly, while the wrong one can lead to frustration, wasted money, and a messy situation—literally. So how do you avoid hiring a company that won’t meet your expectations? What red flags should you watch for?

Here are three types of janitorial companies you’ll want to skip. Avoiding these businesses will save you the hassle of dealing with poor service and unmet expectations.

The "No Experience with Your Facility" Company

Hiring a janitorial company that has never worked in a facility like yours is a risky move. Different buildings require different cleaning techniques, and what works for an office might not be enough for a medical center, retail store, or industrial facility. A company without the right experience may struggle with compliance, overlook key cleaning needs, or fail to maintain the level of cleanliness your facility requires. Choosing a provider with direct experience in your industry ensures they know how to handle the unique challenges of your space.

The "Out-of-Town" Cleaning Company

Many cleaning businesses expand into new areas to gain more clients, but if they don’t have a strong local presence, they may not be able to support your facility properly. Janitorial services require hands-on management, quick response times, and accountability. A company that operates from another city or state may struggle to address concerns in a timely manner. Without local supervisors to oversee quality control, you could end up with inconsistent service and no one readily available to fix the problems.

The "We Do Everything" Janitorial Company

Imagine you need to hire a contractor to build your house. One option is an experienced home builder who specializes in high-quality construction. The other option is a handyman who fixes plumbing, repairs roofs, and has built a couple of houses along the way. Unless you’re willing to gamble on the quality of your home, you’d likely go with the specialist.

The same applies when choosing a cleaning company. Some janitorial businesses try to take on every type of job, from small office cleaning to large-scale industrial projects, without actually specializing in anything. These generalist companies often lack the expertise to provide consistent, high-quality results. A company that focuses on facilities like yours will be better equipped to meet your needs.

Find a Cleaning Company That Fits

Selecting the right janitorial service is all about fit. Do they have experience cleaning facilities like yours? Do they have local management who can respond quickly? Do they specialize in the type of service your business requires? If you can answer "yes" to these questions, you’ve found a strong candidate for the job.

By taking the time to vet potential cleaning companies and avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll set yourself up for a successful, long-term partnership with a janitorial service that truly meets your needs.