When selecting a professional, commercial cleaning company, there a few important criteria to consider and important questions to ask of a potential service provider. These questions should be asked either in person at your consultation or on a live phone call.
Security protocol
Q. “Please describe your system for ensuring the security of our business while you are on site.”
Their answer should include the service provider having an after hours contact at your company and/or your security provider, should there be any security issue eg. faulty alarm, malfunctioning lock etc. There should also be a system outlined to you that ensures the premises is locked at all times while they are on site.
Dust prevention and removal
Q. “What is your dust management system?”
This is an important question, because a professional commercial cleaning company should minimise production of dust and remove dust present, not merely manage it. Dust is a major issue that can affect the health and therefore the production of your team.
Minimising production of dust;
A factor of dust production that is in direct control of your cleaner is the type of vacuum head used on carpet. A regular head will produce carpet dust fibres due to the friction caused by most heads. The “Sidewinder” system, used by very few of the top companies, is a flat, smooth head that causes minimal friction and reduces dust by a significant amount.
Removal of dust;
Your cleaning company should employ a system that regularly vacuums dust from unseen flat surfaces like high shelves and panels, vents as well as on desks behind computer screens. Thorough vacuuming under desks is also vital, as regular foot movement on carpets under desks will agitate the carpet fibres and produce dust. Feather dusters tend to only circulate dust within your workplace.
Cross contamination prevention method
Q “What is your cross contamination prevention method?”
A fool proof cross contamination prevention policy is a health and safety insurance for your business and a cornerstone of a professional commercial cleaning company concerned with the well being of their clients. A sloppy system which allows, for example, for the cleaning of a bathroom with the same cloth used to wipe desks or clean kitchens poses an enormous risk to the health of your staff. A colour coded cross contamination prevention system (see image below) is a powerful safeguard against such threats and is a sign that you are dealing with a professional.
Track record
Q. “May I have contact details of 3 current, long term clients?”
It is essential that your commercial cleaning company has a history of competent, reliable long term service of clients. Make sure that the contact details provided include an email address associated with the company. A length of service over 1 year is a good sign. This can obviously be requested by email. Ask about their reliability, responsiveness to requests and quality of service.
If you follow this process you will have the best chance of finding the best commercial cleaning company for your needs.
