Over the course of the last year, cleaning professionals have been more visible than ever by completing much of their work during the day. From using electrostatic sprayers in schools and on transportation systems like buses and trains to disinfecting in retail stores and airports, they are working to make these spaces safer. What will happen once concerns around COVID-19 dwindle? Read on as we explore the importance of daytime cleaning, now and in the future.
Shining a Light on Daytime Cleaning Advantages
There are numerous benefits related to daytime cleaning, including:
Greater peace of mind for building occupants and guests.
The pandemic caused a dramatic shift in expectations about cleanliness in public settings like retail stores, schools, commercial offices, and restaurants. Many facilities increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting so they could curb the spread of infections such as COVID-19. This also had another effect: building occupants and visitors could see these processes in action and feel safer knowing cleanliness was a priority.
Day cleaning brings the cleaning process front and center, thereby demonstrating a facility’s commitment to protecting employees, guests and customers. As we progress towards a post-pandemic world, it will be important for organizations to remain committed to cleaning regularly when customers, employees and other building occupants are present.
Better cleaning results.
An advantage to daytime cleaning is that it typically leads to enhanced cleaning performance. There are several reasons why this occurs. Cleaning with natural light helps many cleaning professionals better address issues like carpet stains and the buildup of dust on surfaces. Additionally, other building occupants can interact with cleaning staff and have cleanliness concerns addressed more quickly than if employees were cleaning after hours.
Environmental savings.
Conducting cleaning during daytime and early evening hours can help facilities reduce reliance on HVAC systems and electricity. This can lead to lower energy bills, and can have a significant long-term impact on the bottom line, especially for larger buildings like convention centers, schools and commercial offices. Many facilities are looking for ways to limit their environmental impact. Daytime cleaning is a simple change that organizations can implement to cut energy consumption and realize other benefits as well.
Enhanced employee morale.
Cleaning professionals often have limited opportunities for flexibility in their roles. Many are accustomed to working nighttime hours. Transitioning employees to morning hours puts them back on a traditional work schedule, giving them time at home in the evenings. These schedules are preferred by employees. Offering morning hours can improve their job satisfaction and help them feel valued by their employer. Focusing on employee morale helps reduce turnover rates, which further improves the quality and consistency of cleaning results.
Best Practices for Shifting your Cleaning Hours
Facilities that wish to transition to daytime cleaning can consider the following recommendations to ensure success.
Determine your employees’ preferences.
It’s possible that not every employee will want to alter their schedule. Perhaps they already work a daytime shift for another employer and don’t have the flexibility to transition to daytime cleaning. Discuss options with your employees so that you can provide them with a schedule that works for their specific needs.
Conduct interpersonal training.
Employees may be approached by building guests while they are cleaning. Provide training on the types of inquiries they might receive so that they are comfortable interacting with others. For example, people may want to know more about the cleaning chemicals being used, cleaning frequency or whether a custodian can address a specific area of the building. If employees are confident, they’ll be more successful having discussions related to their roles.
Select the right equipment.
Noisy equipment will disrupt building occupants, especially in settings like offices, schools and libraries. Be sure to review the decibel level of machines like vacuums, carpet care systems and autoscrubbers to confirm they operate quietly while others are present. Keeping tasks as quiet as possible can avoid complaints and is one way to work harmoniously alongside facility guests.
Making your Commitment to Cleanliness Clear
There are many reasons to adopt daytime cleaning. From enhancing trust among building occupants and visitors to improving the consistency of cleaning results, facilities can realize the many benefits simply by shifting cleaning schedules forward slightly. Before making this change, it’s important to consider best practices so that daytime cleaning runs smoothly. By following the aforementioned strategies, organizations can transform their approach to cleaning and their workplace culture.
Looking to implement a successful day cleaning program? Contact GSF USA here and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for the latest updates.