A facility manager is responsible for a company’s biggest asset: its building. As such, an FM oversees a large portion of the operations budget. Whether the organization, and the budget, are large or small, it is up to an FM to manage the money responsibly, making sure assets are designated to the most important priorities first.

With the inflation rate the highest in decades, companies are saving money any place they can. Many FMs have been asked to examine their budget line by line, looking for areas to cut back, as well as items that can be eliminated.

One of the items that often gets pushed to the bottom of the priority list, thus ripe for elimination, is a commercial cleaning service. Some FMs incorrectly assume that cleaning is something anyone can do and delegate it to current employees. Or they may replace their current cleaning service with someone to empty the trash and mop up at night. But treating commercial cleaning as a luxury instead of a utility can hurt a business in the long run.

Spotless facility = Positive first impression

It is said that first impressions are the most lasting. Picture walking into a business and seeing dust on the light fixtures, dirty restrooms, grimy windows or a stained carpet. Does this engender confidence in the company's attention to detail or commitment to quality? Cluttered space, cluttered mind.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping businesses clean is not only a matter of aesthetics, itis also a matter of health. People want to make sure their surroundings are clean and sanitized so they can avoid getting sick. Having a facility professionally cleaned on a regular basis, with a sticker on the door identifying the company that does the work, will go a long way to assuring potential customers that their health is a priority.

Clean facility = Increased employee satisfaction

A Staples workplace survey showed that 78 percent of workers believe their employers have a responsibility to help them stay mentally and physically well. Providing a clean, safe environment ensures peace of mind for employees, tenants and guests. Plus, employees may stay healthier, reducing the number of days they are out sick.

Many businesses try to save money by making their employees responsible for keeping the workplace clean. This takes time away from the jobs employees were hired to do. Since they are not professional cleaners it will also take them longer to get the job done, and the results will not be as good. Plus, adding this additional responsibility to their current workload is a surefire way to lower morale or heighten resignations.

FMJ Extra - More than a LuxuryProfessionals = The job is done correctly

Professional cleaning companies are insured to protect a business if one of their employees is hurt while cleaning. Yet, injuries from chemical exposure or falls are uncommon because cleaning technicians are trained before being put to work. They know which cleaning solutions to use for which jobs, ensuring that they are strong enough to disinfect and sanitize surfaces, yet safe for human contact. They wear gloves and masks if necessary and apply the chemicals in a properly ventilated room.

Having the right equipment is also a part of what makes a professional cleaning service the most cost-effective solution for keeping a business clean. Need an extra-tall ladder to dust the lobby chandelier? Want an industrial floor-buffer for a noticeable shine? Cleaning companies bring this equipment with them. Imagine saving money upfront without having to invest in the numerous tools and cleaning products it takes to do the job properly. As a bonus, there is no need to store these supplies, which frees up supply closet space.

As a side note, maintaining floors with regular cleaning, whether they are hardwood, tile or carpet, will help keep them in good shape, which can put off the significant expense of replacing them.

Regular cleaning = Improved indoor air quality

According to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indoor air quality report, the concentration of pollutants can often be two to five times greater inside a building than outside. Mold can accumulate in the bathrooms, and dust and other allergens gather in carpet and upholstery, building to dangerous concentrations if not regularly cleaned. Employees may miss work because of reactions to these allergens, something that can be reduced, if not eliminated by hiring a professional cleaning service.

Ironically, the chemical solutions used to clean an office may contribute to poor air quality. Unless an FM has a professional cleaning company that relies on green cleaning methods, fumes from toxic cleaning solutions can linger in the air for a significant amount of time after they are used.

Professional cleaners = Reduced need for an exterminator

One question to ask is: “How well do employees clean up after themselves in the breakroom?” Any amount of food left out in the open, even crumbs, can draw insects or rodents into a business. Not only can they bring in dirt and disease, creating health issues, their extermination can be expensive. And, depending on what type of business someone owns, the negative media attention caused by news of an insect or rodent infestation could mean a loss of customers and a drop in revenue.

How to find the right cleaning company

Commercial cleaners are not all the same. Before hiring one, it is critical to make sure it is reputable, reliable and has experience cleaning specific facilities. For instance, a medical facility needs to be cleaned differently than an office building, which needs to be cleaned differently than a fitness center.

But as each facility is different, each job is different. Beware of someone who offers a one-size-fits-all price. A reputable cleaning company will tour the facility and offer an estimate based on certain needs as well as a particular budget. Together it is possible to establish a schedule for regular cleanings, as well as occasional deep cleanings.

It is important to find a company that offers disinfecting and sanitization services in addition to janitorial services. Just because a company is qualified to clean a facility, does not mean they are up to date on the best ways to mitigate COVID-19 and other viruses that can sicken or even kill employees and customers.

Only hire a company that is licensed and insured and has completed background checks on its employees. The employees should be trained in commercial cleaning techniques. They should also wear uniforms as a security precaution. Consider avoiding companies with a high employee turnover rate. That may be a sign that the company does not treat its employees well, and short-term employees may not be as invested in doing the job right.

The company a manager hires should perform regular site inspections, including written evaluations, to ensure that the quality of the work remains consistent and meets their standards. One of the best things a professional cleaning company offers is consistency. The same people coming at the same time doing the same job getting the same results. For FMs, that means one less thing to worry about.

Professional cleaners = Worth the cost

Having a facility professionally cleaned on a regular basis should not be considered a frivolous expense. Budgeting for a cleaning service should be like budgeting for the power and water bills. Commercial cleaning companies will work to keep a facility sanitized and disinfected while working within a set budget. The money spent today will pay off down the road. And the peace of mind that comes with knowing the facility is as clean as it can be should not be an extravagance, but a necessity.