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4 Common Challenges That Arise From Office Cleaning

Customer complaints are inevitable in any business. Most often, the overlooking of the smallest, but important detail is enough to damage or end a business relationship with a customer. This is especially true when referring to the janitorial industry. Attention to detail is a must. The best Kansas City commercial cleaning companies know the importance of always being two steps ahead. Those that excel, tackle problems even before a customer has the chance to notice something was wrong to begin with.

However, because office cleaning is not an exact science, hiccups and complaints are bound to present themselves along the way. On occasion, you as a customer may ask yourself, why did the cleaner miss such an obvious task?

Here is some insight as to what the most common complaints are and how to deal with them.

1. TRASH CANS AND RECYCLING

Who knew such a simple object could become such a headache? More often than some, trash is thrown away in the incorrect container, or in the wrong place altogether. Make sure your cleaning schedule specifically mentions where trash should be thrown away and if recycling need be considered. Also, if applicable, don’t forget to give cleaners access to dumpsters or trash sites to avoid excuses.

2. SPIDER WEBS AND DUST BUNNIES

Often overlooked, the presence of spider webs and dust bunnies is a nuance that can easily be prevented by your commercial cleaning company. If you begin to notice them in corners or behind plants, voice your concern immediately. Even though it need not be specified in your cleaning agreement, spider webs and dust bunnies should not pop up and, unfortunately in most cases, are the result of poor sweeping and dusting.

3. DUST ON COMPUTER

Dust on computers and surfaces is another of the most frequent customer complaints. An unknown fact hover is that many cleaners will not dust a desk unless it is cleared off by the customer, as any moved objects may cause a complaint. Advise employees to clear their desks before they leave if they wish to have their surfaces thoroughly dusted.

4. MOVED OBJECTS

Objects being moved and not being placed back in its proper position is by far the most common cause for concern amongst customers when it comes to office cleaning. Instruct your janitorial company that under no circumstance should a cleaner move an object.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Your office cleaning schedule is your most powerful weapon, it clearly outlines your needs and the company’s responsibilities. Remember, what may seem basic to you, as with moved objects, may need be clearly stated in your cleaning schedule. If there are specific tasks you require, make sure it is included.

Most important of all communication is key, never hold back on a concern. All complaints, whether they simple or urgent, must always be handled immediately and efficiently by your janitorial company. If you notice a lack of communication, or are constantly finding yourself having to remind cleaners that trash was dumped in the incorrect bin, it may be time to move on and find yourself a new janitorial company.

Elite Clean Co.

How Office Odors Affect Your Bottom Line

Office odors are unpleasant, but did you realize they can have a negative affect on your company’s profits? The Sense of Smell Institute conducts research to help business owners and facilities managers better understand the powerful effects that the human sense of smell has on consumer purchasing decisions. If customers are confronted at the front door with a blast of malodor, they may forever remember your business as “that place that smelled like leftover fish,” choosing instead to patronize one of your less odiferous competitors.

Interesting Facts about the Human Sense of Smell

The sense of smell, more than any other of the senses, is directly linked to the memory and emotion centers of the brain. Smells affect people on a profound, often subconscious level. Think about how much the automotive industry relies on “new car” scent. Real estate professionals know that vanilla and cinnamon are effective for persuading home buyers to choose the homes they are selling. The powerful influence that smell exerts on purchasing decisions has created an entire industry based around “scent marketing.”

The Office Odors You May Not Notice

Prolonged exposure to a certain smell, especially an unpleasant one, causes the human smell receptors to shut down, making you unable to smell the odor. This is bad news for the business owner, because your clients have not had the opportunity to become immune to the smell. In the office setting, the most commonly reported odors are moldy or musty smells, strongly scented chemicals (including cleaning products), stale or spoiled foods and human body odor. Although you may have become immune to the accountant’s garlicky leftovers, your customers aren’t so fortunate. While the clerk with poor hygiene practices may be a sore spot for your HR department, you may not realize that your customers take issue as well.

Sniffing Out Off-Putting Odors

Believe it or not, you can hire expert odor sniffers — consultants with extremely sensitive abilities — to detect malodorous conditions. If that strikes you as overkill, experts recommend asking trusted friends or family members to drop by later in the day and give your office the “sniff test.” (The human sense of smell becomes more sensitive as the day wears on.) Request their first impressions as they walk through the office. You may disagree with their perceptions, but it’s likely your potential customers detect similar odors. Another excellent resource for rooting out and eradicating unpleasant odors in your facility is your cleaning company. Invite your account manager to drop by and evaluate the office air quality, then recommend strategies for mitigating any bad odors. Consider also adding a professional air freshener system in your office or facility to ensure a consistently pleasant customer experience.

Don’t put your company’s profitability at risk over office odors. Elite Clean Co understands the importance of offering your customers a sanitary and pleasant environment. Contact us today for help in tackling your unpleasant office odors.