Maintaining a clean and healthy workplace is essential for ensuring employee productivity and well-being.
A hygienic office reduces the spread of germs and bacteria, which helps protect staff from illness. And when the right infection control measures are in place, employees are less likely to pass on any illnesses to colleagues - which can reduce absenteeism and boost the overall efficiency of your business.
In addition to the employee health benefits, a clean and hygienic workplace environment can have positive effects on employee morale, and also creates the right impression for clients and visitors.
The importance of keeping office spaces clean is one of the reasons why many businesses choose to outsource their cleaning to professional office cleaners.
Outsourcing your cleaning to the right company means that a team of qualified, certified experts maintains your office to the highest standards.
However, when it comes to choosing the right office cleaners for your business, assessing their quality can be challenging.
Not all office cleaning services offer the same level of expertise, reliability, and attention to detail.
To help you make the right decision, this article is going to cover the key things you’ll want to consider when you’re deciding on an office cleaning partner.
The KEY INDICATORS OF QUALITY IN OFFICE CLEANING SERVICES
When you’re weighing up different office services, there are a number of different factors that you should take into account to help make sure your office remains clean, hygienic, and safe for both employees and visitors.
Experience and expertise in office cleaning
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when you’re choosing an office cleaner is how much relevant experience they have.
Ideally, the cleaning company you choose should have experience with businesses similar to yours, whether you’re a corporate office, a creative agency, or a co-working space.
Experienced office cleaners with a portfolio of clients that are similar to your business will be knowledgeable about high-traffic areas that require more frequent attention, such as washrooms, kitchens - and areas that often get forgotten such as door handles and light switches.
When you’re evaluating different companies, it’s a good idea to check if they have memberships with professional organisations, such as the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc). This can often provide you with insight into how committed they are to maintaining industry standards and investing in ongoing professional development for their staff.
Trained and certified office cleaners
It’s important to choose a cleaning company that invests in training and certification for their staff, and any reputable cleaning company shouldn’t have any issues with you asking about their approach to staff training.
When you choose a company that invests in comprehensive training you can have the peace of mind that the staff cleaning your office cleaners are knowledgeable about the latest office cleaning techniques, such as green cleaning methods that are safer for both the environment and your employees.
It’s also worth looking for a cleaning partner that holds ISO certifications, such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, which demonstrate their commitment to quality and sustainability.
By choosing a certified office cleaner, you can be confident that your office will be cleaned to a high standard using the safest and most effective techniques available.
Use of green cleaning products and eco-friendly methods
With the growing importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility in business, many companies are looking for partners who offer green cleaning services.
Choosing an office cleaning partner that uses eco-friendly products is not only better for the planet, but it also helps to maintain a healthier workplace by improving indoor air quality and reducing irritants that can trigger allergies or respiratory issues in employees
Using a cleaning partner that prioritises sustainable cleaning methods can also align with your company’s ESG goals - helping to demonstrate your commitment to the environment.
But a word of warning - with the rising importance of green cleaning for businesses, there are a lot of cleaning companies that claim to be ‘green’ but don’t fully embrace sustainability with their products and cleaning practices.
So, make sure you ask about their ISO 14001 status, the ingredients in their cleaning product, and their approach to water conservation and waste management.
Proof of insurance
Another important thing to ask any potential office cleaning company is whether they are fully insured. Always ask to see proof of insurance before signing any office cleaning contracts.
Any reputable cleaning company should have both Public Liability Insurance and Employer’s Liability Insurance.
Public Liability Insurance covers any damages or accidents that occur as a result of their cleaning services, protecting your business from potential liabilities.
Employer’s Liability Insurance ensures that the cleaning company’s staff are covered in case of any work-related injuries.
Testimonials from other office cleaning clients
A proven track record of satisfied clients is one of the best indicators of the quality and reliability of a cleaning company.
When you’re evaluating different office cleaners, look for testimonials or case studies that provide insights into the company’s reliability, professionalism, and attention to detail.
It’s also worth asking for references from current or past clients, or to be put in touch with a current client. Speaking to a client directly will allow you to get first-hand accounts of their experiences with the office cleaning company and ask questions about how they handle specific areas of cleaning, such as infection control and adherence to best practices.
Evaluating an office cleaner’s performance: some practical tips
Even if you’ve followed the guidance in this article and have carefully chosen an office cleaning partner, it’s important to monitor their performance to make sure they continue cleaning and maintaining your office to the standards you expect.
We’ve put together some practical tips for monitoring the quality of your office cleaning service.
Regular office cleaning audits
One of the most effective ways to monitor the ongoing performance of your office cleaners is to conduct regular cleaning audits.
When you’re conducting a cleaning audit, it’s easy to focus on the high-traffic areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and walkways.
However, it’s important not to forget the less obvious areas, such as under desks, behind equipment, and in storage rooms, to ensure these spaces aren’t being overlooked.
It’s often a good idea to keep a checklist of areas to inspect, to make sure the auditing process is as efficient as possible, and no areas are neglected.
Employee feedback on office cleanliness
Another effective way to assess the quality of your office cleaners is by asking for feedback from your employees.
Your staff are the people that will be spending the most time in the office, so they are the most likely to notice if any areas of cleaning are being neglected or not delivered to the standard expected.
It’s important to have an easy process that employees can follow for raising any issues or concerns related to office cleanliness, so you’re able to address them with your cleaning company.
If you’d like more detailed guidance on how to monitor the quality of your office cleaning services, download our free guide.
Contact Green FM for high-quality office cleaning across London
Making sure you choose the right company for your office cleaning services is crucial for maintaining a productive, healthy, and professional workspace.
By taking your time to evaluate different partners, and looking at key factors such as experience, training, use of green cleaning products, insurance coverage, and client testimonials, you can confidently choose an office cleaning company to best meet your business needs.
At Green Facilities Management we’re a leading provider of green cleaning services across London, and we can confidently say that we excel in all areas you should be looking for in a cleaning partner.
We’re committed to delivering high-quality industry-standard cleaning, using environmentally-friendly cleaning methods. Our team is fully trained, insured, and certified, ensuring the highest standards of performance and safety.
Whether you need routine office cleaning or expert help with how to deep clean an office, Green FM is here to support your business.
For a free cleaning assessment, contact us today.
