I’m a BIG FAN of using office cleaning checklists. They keep your company focused on the task at hand, not allowing you to miss the details that make customers unhappy.
They also have the added benefit of keeping your staff accountable. If employees are required to follow an office cleaning checklist every time they clean, then there can be no excuses as to why something was missed. After all, they dated and signed it!
Customers also LOVE the fact an office cleaning checklist is being used.
Why? Because it goes to the heart of a concept called “perception”. In a nutshell, what the customer “perceives” BECOMES “reality”. This is how the process works. From the “customers eyes”, when you use a cleaning checklist it makes them feel like a “system” is being employed in their office, by you and your cleaning crew.
This means you are not just roaming around cleaning up what “looks like” needs attention, you are actually CLEANING each and every time out (because you are following the office cleaning checklist). This plants the seed that your company is different.
Making your company different from the rest is KEY TO GETTING ACCOUNTS. This is because the more you seem different, in a good way, the better off you will be, it’s as simple as that.
As you can see, a lot of very good things comes out of your use of a checklist. Needless to say, I use office cleaning checklists all the time in my cleaning business. This isn’t just a technique for a newcomer, it’s for the seasoned pro too.
The office cleaning checklists are available below. Keep in mind that there is no one size fits all approach to creating one. Every job has nuances that require a little customization in the form.
I’ve made two different versions of the checklist available. The first one is in PDF Format. It’s perfect for those of you who can use the checklist “as is”. The second checklist version is in OpenOffice Format, and is easily edited if you have the OpenOffice program.
Download Office Cleaning Checklist (PDF)
Click Here To Go To Download Page (LOOK FOR FILE #2B)
Download Office Cleaning Checklist (OpenOffice)
Click Here To Go To Download Page (LOOK FOR FILE #2A)
Office Cleaning Checklist Suggestions?
If any of you out there have suggestions of any kind for the checklists, please make them known in the comments section below. I would love to hear what you have to say!
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Love this idea and will modify it to meet my company’s needs. Thanks so much! I would make a couple of suggestions:
*I have discussed with my clients how important it is to clean door handles particularly in the bathrooms. Each week I include the door handles and areas around the door handle in my cleaning regimen.
*On the Kitchen list, I would also add a monthly clean of the refrigerator and a weekly clean of the microwave. I send an email reminder to my contact at each office reminding them that on the following weekend we will be cleaning out the refrigerator. I remind them that any open containers will be disposed of. Busy employees forget to remove lunch leftovers from the frig until we remind them. I have only had to give the refrigerator 1 sanitary cleaning and all the rest have pretty much been touch ups as employees are no longer leaving food and messes behind.
Hope that helps!
Hi Susan!
I LOVE the idea of addressing the cleaning of the bathroom door knobs and surrounding door area! Mentioning that little tidbit when meeting the customer who you KNOW IS A GERMAPHOBE would be a BIG WINNER with them (not to mention most everyone else).
The fridge idea is good too. I like the weekly email reminder part (it provides VALUE). I’m happy to hear you like the office cleaning checklist and thanks for the comment Susan, we appreciate it!
Very informative blog, keep up the good work..
Thanks
Thanks!
Thank you for this useful information. I have just been laid off from a custodial job after 22 years and thinking about starting a cleaning service. I love the checklist. The only thing that I would add is to vacuum the edges by doors when vacuuming behind them. Dust collects right at the edges by the hinges.
HI Vici!
Thanks for stopping in and sorry to hear about the job. I’ve been there, I know. Anyway… you have a VERY good suggestion (that is a pet peeve of mine too).
Office cleaning checklists! Who would have thought!
Good not only for keeping your employees on track, but they build confidence in your customer as well!
As Tom said, germaphobes will LOVE the checklist. Thank you for the article!
Hi Tom,
I’d like to thank you so much for everything you posted on this website. You have no idea how you have helped me.
the idea about the office checklist is great. Thanks again.
Hi Vivian! I’m VERY happy to hear you are making use of the info. I love hearing that.
Hey Ralph! Can’t believe I missed your comment, please forgive me for that (I get back to EVERYONE). Anyway…Thanks Ralph!
HI Tom,
While reading your blogs, you used a ‘VCT’ quite offen.
what does it mean?
Thanks
Hi Joung! VCT stands for Vinyl Composition Tile. It’s a finished flooring material used primarily in commercial and institutional applications. For instance, when you go to a doctor and you sit in the little room waiting for the doc to come in… that is VCT (flooring tile) on the floor. They use it because it’s indestructible.
I think if the cleaners follow these checklists, they will not miss anything about cleaning in their cleaning profession.
I agree. Thanks for commenting!
A huge thank you this is going help heaps it a fantastic way to stay on track thanks heaps !!!
Hi Renee! Thanks.
Hi Tom,
Thank you for sharing such valuable information. I am the Town Administrator for a small town and we have been having a challenge getting our maintenance person to be consistent in the cleaning areas. Your checklist is going to help tremendously.
Hi Dolly! I’m happy to help. If you need anything and think I may be of help, just touch base.
I’m working on trying to find a few small businesses to clean for extra income…are there any legal forms or contracts that you have signed between you and the company that hires you?
Hi Leslie! Your comment went to spam, so I missed it. Sorry about that. Anyway… I have those contracts in the course. They are what I use day to day in my business.
thanks
Are you still in business? I havent seen any recent post? Im looking for a few checklist if available.
What in particular are you looking for?