Cleaning is an essential service, and the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to rethink how they assign their cleaning contracts to third parties. These days, customers and employees expect their environment to adhere to a higher standard of cleanliness. To meet these new standards, businesses need to ensure that the cleaners they hire are prepared to deal with the "new normal."
How has cleaning changed?
It can seem like everything has changed since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. And while that is true in many cases, we can see it most clearly in how businesses approach health and hygiene. Increasingly, businesses are looking for service providers who offer deep cleaning. But what exactly does that entail?
First, it's important to understand that deep cleaning isn't an official description, and it does not and cannot guarantee the complete removal of viruses. Viruses are simply too difficult to detect for cleaning personnel to be 100% certain that any room is free from coronavirus. While no cleaning solution is permanent, deep cleaning services can provide greater peace of mind by ensuring that high-touch areas are sanitised. The potential for infection can be reduced, but never eliminated completely.
For an in-depth look at a typical deep cleaning strategy, check out our full overview.
Reasons to outsource your cleaning tasks during the COVID-19 pandemic
Some business owners are understandably concerned about inviting even more people onto their premises while social distancing is of the utmost importance. However, hiring professional cleaners during this time has a number of benefits:
Professional service
The biggest advantage of hiring professional cleaners is that you benefit from their expertise. While most common cleaning tasks can be done by the average employee, there is still a level of professionalism that not everyone can achieve. When you're in a rush to clean your business premises, you may miss important areas, for example. With a professional service, you know that every inch of your business will get the level of cleaning needed to make your customers and employees feel comfortable.
Commercial-grade cleaning products
Household cleaning products are not suitable for commercial applications. Professional-grade cleaning tools are more durable, so they last longer, making them more environmentally friendly. In addition, commercial cleaning equipment is designed with ergonomics in mind. That means that cleaning staff can worry less about repetitive stress injuries that may come from frequent use of consumer-grade products.
Time to focus on your business
Let's face it: Deep cleaning a business environment is a lot of work. If you spend all of your time and energy on cleaning, you won't have much left for the tasks that are important for keeping your business running. When you hire professional cleaners, you can spend your time building a better customer experience and adapting to other changes resulting from the pandemic.
Support other local businesses
Hiring a cleaning service also lets you take a step back and look at the bigger picture of the country's economic recovery. When you hire a local cleaning service, you'll know your money is staying in the local community and helping businesses just like yours.
Tips for hiring a cleaning service
You'll likely have many options when choosing a cleaning service. Consider these tips before you make your decision:
Do your research
Don't settle for the first cleaning service that comes up when you look online. Make a list of a few companies that look good to you and check out their reviews online. Often, this quick exercise will help to eliminate service providers who aren't up to your standards.
Conduct interviews
Always speak with a representative directly. You can learn a lot from the company's website, but you'll want an opportunity to ask questions specific to your needs. The more information you can get upfront, the better.
Ask for references
Ask the cleaning company to provide the names of some of their other clients. If possible, call the references to ask if they were satisfied with the cleaning company's service. A reference is the best way to find out what to expect from the service provider.
Demand superior cleaning products
When negotiating your contract with a cleaning company, you have the opportunity to demand that the service provider use commercial-grade cleaning equipment when performing work at your site. Be sure to inquire about what type of equipment the company use before you sign the contract.
When your business hires cleaners who carefully follow COVID-19 guidelines and use durable commercial cleaning products, you'll gain better peace of mind. Not only will your employees feel more comfortable coming to work, but you'll also offer a high quality of customer experience.
To learn more what makes Rubbermaid Commercial Products the right choice for your cleaning needs, check out our catalogue today.
