11 Jun How To Prepare Your Office for a Cleaning Service Visit
When you schedule a cleaning service for your office, you expect spotless results. But did you know that the best outcomes start with your own prep work before the pros arrive? Knowing how to prepare your office for a cleaning service visit will make things much easier for the cleaning team.
Whether you’re a CEO responsible for maintaining a professional environment or an office manager who just wants to provide a clean workspace for your team, this is the guide for you.
Why Preparing for an Office Cleaning Visit Matters
When you hire professional janitorial services, think of them as your partners in workplace health and productivity. They have limited time on-site.
By preparing your office properly, you can guarantee priority areas receive adequate attention, prevent loss or damage of sensitive materials, reduce disruptions, and improve the appearance of your office space.
What Your Office Needs the Most
Before your next cleaning visit, take a walkthrough of your office and identify areas where dust collects, that get messy fast, and with hidden health or safety hazards. Then, make a note for your cleaning team to prioritize the areas. Some spaces that need attention might include:
- Reception areas and common spaces.
- Conference rooms and offices.
- High-traffic hallways and entryways.
- Shared kitchens, break rooms, and restrooms.
- Storage closets and supply rooms.
You know your office habits better than anyone else. Flagging problem spots—like the mystery carpet stain no one will own up to—helps cleaners focus on the most important locations.
Declutter and Clear Surfaces
A cleaning crew can do wonders, but not if desks have cluttered project folders or snacks. Before the crew’s visit, make sure to remove personal items, documents, and non-essential décor from desks and work surfaces. Additionally, recycle or securely dispose of old papers and junk mail and clear floors of bags, boxes, and office supplies.
If each employee has a desk, ask them to take five minutes at the end of the day to tidy up and lock away sensitive documents. Company-wide email reminders go a long way here. When surfaces are clear, cleaners can disinfect and dust with no obstacles.
Secure Confidential Information and Valuables
Though it certainly helps protect the privacy of your employees and clients, securing documents and small valuables ensures nothing goes missing or gets misplaced.
Before cleaning day, store confidential files in locked cabinets, remove all cash, wallets, and other personal equipment, and set aside anything that the cleaning crew shouldn’t move. Adding a brief reminder to your office’s shared calendar lets everyone protect their personal belongings or professional supplies.
Address Kitchen and Break Room Zones
Kitchens and break rooms attract the most spills, crumbs, and, yes, science experiments in the fridge. For a thorough clean, remember to discard expired food and drinks from the refrigerator and wipe up any standing spills.
Also, place dirty dishes in the dishwasher or designated spot, not the sink. Label shared food and make sure there’s nothing perishable. If the cleaning visit happens after a long weekend, empty the trash to avoid odors.
Create Accessible Pathways
Speed matters to your cleaning team. Keep high-traffic areas and storage rooms accessible by moving items out of walkways, unlocking doors to spaces that need attention, and providing instructions for alarm systems if necessary. With a clutter-free pathway, cleaners can focus on working efficiently instead of sidestepping obstacles.
Communicate Needs and Expectations
Open communication ensures you get the service you want. Reach out to your cleaning provider with the following information:
- A list of rooms or zones that require extra attention.
- Areas to avoid cleaning.
- Requests for hypoallergenic or eco-friendly cleaning products.
- The exact time cleaners should arrive.
- Any security codes necessary to access the facility.
Check Supplies and Equipment
Unexpected hiccups can slow even the best teams down. Before your cleaning service arrives always ensure there’s a fresh supply of trash bags, paper towels, and soap. To go a step further, refill air fresheners or diffusers to boost that fresh scent.
Plus, some companies bring their own tools and supplies, so check with them first. Keeping a checklist in your office admin handbook will prevent last-minute scrambles.
Guide Cleaners to High-Priority Areas
You know which corners or carpets need extra attention. Make your team’s job easier by leaving notes for trouble spots, highlighting any recent spills or messes, and giving written instructions for valuable or delicate office items.
Clients who clearly communicate their priorities receive better, more customized results. You’ll avoid disappointment and help your cleaners deliver their best work.
Plan for Access and Security
Safety is essential for all involved. To ensure a smooth visit:
- Ensure cleaners have passes or keys for the building and alarm codes if necessary.
- Advise them if particular floors, elevators, or restrooms are out of order.
- Post emergency contacts and procedures on the break room wall.
Some offices appoint a person to greet the cleaning team on their first visit and walk them through the space. Building a relationship helps every visit go more smoothly.
Adjust Your Team’s Workflow
Even the most efficient cleaning team creates some disruption. To prepare your staff, notify them in advance about the cleaning schedule and have them power down tech equipment in areas getting deep cleaned.
If the office allows remote work, encourage team members to work from home during large cleaning projects such as carpet steaming and window cleaning. This helps everyone avoid surprise interruptions and stay productive.
Get Feedback and Build a Routine
After the first few visits, solicit feedback from your team about their experience with the cleaning. Did the cleaners focus on the right areas? Did anything get missed or accidentally moved? Use this feedback to adjust preparation routines and improve your communication with the cleaning company.
Many offices see the best results when they create a brief checklist and assign cleaning preparation to a rotating group. Over time, this guarantees no details get missed and keeps your workspace in top shape.
Make Every Professional Cleaning Visit Count
Now that you understand how to prepare your office for a cleaning service visit, you can take the necessary steps to improve your cleaning results and enjoy a squeaky-clean workplace. If you’re looking for a high-quality cleaning service for your office, contact Master Clean today and make your next cleaning the best one yet!