Commercial cleaning is a crucial aspect of maintaining a clean, safe, and productive environment in offices, retail spaces, medical facilities, and more.
But what does a typical day in the life of a commercial cleaning team in Christchurch look like? In this guide, we’ll explore everything from the morning prep to the final touches, addressing common questions about commercial cleaning, and providing a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into keeping your business spaces spotless.
What Are Commercial Cleaning Teams Really Doing?
Before we dive into a day in the life of a commercial cleaning team, let’s address a few common questions you might have about what exactly these teams do and why they’re essential for businesses:
What types of businesses hire commercial cleaning teams?
What’s the difference between commercial and residential cleaning?
What kind of cleaning products and tools do commercial cleaners use?
How do cleaning teams manage large and complex spaces?
Whether you’re a business owner considering hiring a cleaning team for your office, or just curious about the process, understanding the role of a commercial cleaning team can help you appreciate the effort that goes into keeping spaces clean and safe.
The Early Morning Prep: Getting Ready for the Day
A commercial cleaning team’s day starts early, often before the first employees arrive or after a business has closed for the day.
While you’re still having your morning coffee, they’re already gearing up for the day ahead.
Here’s what happens before they even step foot on-site:
The Team Assembles
The day usually starts with the team meeting at the cleaning company’s base or at the first job site.
Before anything else, the supervisor or team leader will go over the cleaning schedule for the day.
Each team member is assigned specific tasks depending on the location and scope of work.
For instance, one cleaner might be tasked with sanitizing high-traffic areas, while another handles the restrooms.
If the team is cleaning a large facility, there could be multiple people handling different sections of the building at once to maximize efficiency.
Review of the Cleaning Checklist
Once everyone’s on-site, the team reviews the cleaning checklist for the day.
This document outlines all the tasks to be completed, which ensures no area is overlooked.
The checklist is tailored to each business’s specific needs, so it could include:
Dusting and wiping down desks and office furniture
Cleaning windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces
Emptying trash bins and replacing liners
Disinfecting high-touch areas like doorknobs, light switches, and keyboards
Deep-cleaning carpets and floors
Maintaining hygiene in restrooms (sinks, toilets, mirrors, etc.)
Specialty cleaning for unique environments (e.g., medical equipment, gym equipment, kitchen areas)
Equipment and Supplies Preparation
Next, the team gathers all the necessary equipment. Depending on the type of space, this could range from eco-friendly cleaning solutions to heavy-duty vacuums.
In some cases, cleaners may need to bring in specialized equipment, such as:
Carpet steamers for deep cleaning carpets
Pressure washers for outdoor spaces or exterior walls
Industrial floor scrubbers for large, hard-surfaced areas
Additionally, commercial cleaners often bring a variety of cleaning agents designed for specific surfaces, such as glass cleaners, disinfectants, and non-abrasive surface cleaners.
For businesses that prioritize eco-friendly cleaning, the team may use green-certified products that are both safe for the environment and effective at maintaining hygiene.
Midday Hustle: Cleaning in Action
Once the team is prepared and has reviewed the tasks for the day, it’s time to get down to business.
The real hustle begins as they move through the building, tackling each cleaning task with precision and care.
Here’s a closer look at what’s happening behind the scenes:
General Office and Workspace Cleaning
For most office buildings, cleaning tasks will include areas where employees spend the most time.
The key focus is to create a clean and comfortable environment without disrupting work.
Here’s what’s typically involved:
Desks and Workstations: Cleaners wipe down desk surfaces, telephones, computers, and office chairs. Desks are often high-touch areas where germs can accumulate, so extra care is taken to sanitize these surfaces. Many commercial cleaning teams use microfiber cloths, which are gentle on surfaces but highly effective at picking up dust and germs.
Common Areas: This includes shared spaces such as kitchens, lounges, and conference rooms. Cleaners wipe down tables and chairs, clean sinks and counters, and ensure that any dishes or cups are washed or placed in the dishwasher.
Floors and Carpets: Floors can get dirty quickly in busy office environments. Cleaners use vacuum cleaners and mops to clean carpets, rugs, and hard floors. In high-traffic areas, they may also do spot cleaning for stains and dirt buildup. Deep cleaning may involve using a carpet steam cleaner or a specialized floor scrubber for larger areas.
Restroom Cleaning
This is often one of the most important areas to clean in any commercial space.
Here’s what commercial cleaners focus on:
Sanitizing High-Touch Areas: The team scrubs sinks, toilets, urinals, and countertops. They also disinfect door handles, light switches, and toilet paper dispensers to minimize germ transfer.
Replenishing Supplies: Cleaners refill soap dispensers, paper towel holders, and toilet paper rolls. In high-traffic facilities, this task might be repeated throughout the day to ensure that supplies don’t run out.
Floor and Surface Cleaning: Floors are swept, mopped, and scrubbed. For restrooms, cleaners often use specialized cleaning agents to ensure that everything is thoroughly sanitized. Mirrors and glass surfaces are polished to a streak-free shine.
Specialized Cleaning Tasks
In some commercial spaces, such as medical offices, gyms, schools, or factories, specialized cleaning methods are required.
Here’s what this might look like:
Medical Facilities: In healthcare environments, cleanliness is paramount. Commercial cleaners may use hospital-grade disinfectants and pay extra attention to sterilizing equipment, workstations, and patient areas.
Gyms and Fitness Centers: Cleaners sanitize exercise equipment, mats, and changing areas. With so many people using gym equipment daily, it’s crucial to keep things disinfected to prevent the spread of germs.
Factories or Industrial Spaces: Cleaning large-scale spaces like warehouses or factories often involves sweeping or mopping huge floor areas. Sometimes, this means using heavy-duty equipment to remove grease, oil, or dirt that accumulates during operations.
The Afternoon Wrap-Up: Final Touches
As the day winds down, the commercial cleaning team starts to wrap up their work, making sure that everything looks perfect and is properly maintained.
Final Inspection and Walkthrough
Before leaving the site, the team does a final inspection to ensure every area is cleaned to the highest standards.
They check to see that:
All areas on the checklist have been completed
Floors are streak-free
Restrooms are fully stocked and sanitized
Trash bins are emptied
Any extra services requested by the client have been handled
In some cases, the cleaning team may take before-and-after photos to document their work, which can be shared with clients if needed.
Reporting and Feedback
Once the work is completed, many commercial cleaning companies provide clients with a cleaning report.
This report outlines what was cleaned and any observations made during the cleaning process (e.g., areas that need extra attention next time).
Feedback is encouraged, ensuring that clients are satisfied with the service and that any issues can be addressed in the future.
The Characteristics of a Great Commercial Cleaning Team
What separates an average cleaning team from a truly exceptional one? Here are a few key qualities that make a commercial cleaning team stand out:
Consistency and Reliability: A great cleaning team shows up on time, every time, and works efficiently to complete tasks. Consistency in the quality of cleaning is key to building trust with clients.
Attention to Detail: Cleaning is all about the little things. From wiping down light switches to ensuring every corner is clean, attention to detail makes a significant difference in the quality of the job.
Eco-Friendly Practices: Many businesses are moving toward greener cleaning options. Commercial cleaning teams that use eco-friendly products not only help protect the environment but also ensure a healthier workplace for employees.
Adaptability: Whether the cleaning job is for a large corporate office or a small retail store, a great cleaning team knows how to adapt to the unique needs of each space.
Customer-Focused Approach: The best commercial cleaners are responsive to customer requests and flexible when it comes to special cleaning needs. Whether it’s adjusting cleaning times or using specific cleaning products, they aim to make their clients’ lives easier.
Conclusion
A day in the life of a commercial cleaning team in Christchurch may seem routine, but behind the scenes, there’s a lot of hard work and attention to detail that goes into creating a clean and welcoming environment.
From the initial planning and preparation to the final inspection and feedback, commercial cleaning teams are an essential part of maintaining businesses and public spaces.
If you’ve been considering hiring a commercial cleaning team for your office or facility, remember that a great cleaning service can save you time, improve the workplace environment, and even contribute to better employee health.
Plus, it helps create a positive impression for customers and visitors.
