Commercial cleaning companies are
contract
A contract is an agreement that specifies certain legally enforceable rights and obligations pertaining to two or more parties. A contract typically involves consent to transfer of goods, services, money, or promise to transfer any of thos ...
ed to carry out
cleaning
Cleaning is the process of removing unwanted substances, such as dirt, infectious agents, and other impurities, from an object or environment. Cleaning is often performed for beauty, aesthetic, hygiene, hygienic, Function (engineering), function ...
jobs in a variety of premises. Commercial cleaners, often referred to as custodians or janitors, work in many different types of buildings such as schools, banks, and offices. The main job duties include picking up trash, cleaning, and disinfecting.
Cleaning techniques and equipment
Commercial office cleaning companies use a wide variety of cleaning methods, chemicals, and equipment to facilitate and expedite the cleaning process. The scope of work may include all internal, general and routine cleaning - including floors, tiles, partition walls, internal walls, suspended ceilings, lighting, furniture and cleaning, window cleaning, deep cleans of sanitary conveniences and washing facilities, kitchens and dining areas, consumables and feminine hygiene facilities as well as cleaning of telephones, IT, and other periodic cleaning as required. Essentially, everything involved with a commercial business, be it cleaning a property for a real estate agent, or cleaning the aftermath of a building project. Carpet cleaning though, even with regular vacuuming, needs hot water extraction applied every 18 to 24 months. External cleaning, litter picking, and removal of graffiti may also be incorporated.
The two global cleaning industry associations, the
British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) and the
International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA), both publish standards for managers and operatives engaged in cleaning activities.
Consumables
Contracts often require the cleaning companies to provide
consumables
Consumables (also known as consumable goods, non-durable goods, or soft goods) are goods that are intended to be consumed. People have, for example, always consumed food and water. Consumables are in contrast to durable goods. Disposable product ...
such as
paper towel
A paper towel is an absorbent, disposable towel made from paper. In Commonwealth English, paper towels for kitchen use are also known as kitchen rolls, kitchen paper, or kitchen towels. For home use, paper towels are usually sold in a roll of p ...
s, toilet rolls, liquid soap, bin liners, etc.
Workers
The commercial cleaning industry is extremely competitive and employees tend to be at the lower end of the pay scale.The salary for working in the commercial cleaning industry rage from approximately $31,000 to $48,000, depending on the job title. However, unionized workers may earn higher wages. Many commercial cleaning companies provide on-the-job training for all new employees due to the nonexistence of tertiary based courses for the cleaning industry. A trend in the cleaning industry is the elimination of the usage of more hazardous chemicals such as drain cleaners due to liability and environmental concerns. Individuals employed in commercial cleaning typically hold the job title of
janitor
A cleaner, cleanser or cleaning operative is a type of Industry (economics), industrial or domestic worker who is tasked with cleaning a space. A janitor (Scotland, United States and Canada), also known as a custodian, Facility Operator, porter ...
, custodian, or day porter. A study was conducted on hazardous chemicals and the effect they have on employees in the commercial cleaning field. Results from this study showed that the chemicals being used by these employees had respiratory, dermatological and many other negative issues associated with them.
In Australia, the United States, and Europe, commercial cleaning companies are encouraged to screen all employees for evidence of a
criminal background. In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, cleaners working in schools, children's care homes and childcare premises are required by law to undergo a criminal record check
See also
*
List of cleaning companies
This is a list of notable cleaning companies. Cleaning is the process of removing unwanted substances, such as dirt, infectious agents, and other impurities, from an object or environment. Cleaning occurs in various commercial, industrial, environ ...
References
{{Industries
Cleaning industry