Since the spread of COVID-19 began in 2019, every industry has been rushing to keep up with the rapid mandates and protocols that are being introduced accordingly. Although there has been much debate over which sectors of society were “essential” or not, there is one industry that has been regarded as essential throughout the entirety of the pandemic – commercial cleaning services. As companies of all types began opening their doors after the initial lockdowns, they began relying on 3rd party commercial cleaning companies that could conduct thorough, routine cleanings of their facilities to maintain high sanitation standards for staff and guests. Contracting 3rd party commercial cleaners to handle their needs allows businesses to alleviate the impact of COVID on commercial cleaning practices and focus solely on maintaining regular business operations.
Cleaning vs. Sanitization
Although the term “cleaning” is used as an umbrella to describe the entire industry, it is important to note that there is a distinct difference between standard cleaning – think household cleaners, furniture polish, vacuuming/sweeping – and sanitizing. When cleaning with a soap-based or standard cleaner, bacteria and contaminants are significantly reduced but not eliminated. Sanitization, on the other hand, completely kills all bacteria and contaminants present on the surface and makes it sterile. The CDC has determined that both cleaning standards are crucial to the containment of COVID, but they have also issued guidance to businesses on how to know which method is needed and when. The most current best practices for commercial cleaning are considered to be:
Daily or hourly cleaning using soap-based or mild disinfectants on surfaces in heavy traffic areas, regardless of the presence of the virus or not
Thorough, full sanitization of the entire facility following the presence of someone who has recently tested positive for COVID-19 in one of the building spaces
As a result, commercial cleaning companies have had to adapt and expand their services to offer a wider variety of options while also requiring investments in training and new products to keep up with consumer demands for complete sanitization. To be able to deem a surface sanitized against COVID, they must use one of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) List N – which identifies disinfectants that are known to kill all strains of COVID-19 – but before businesses can use said products, they must familiarize themselves with correct product handling and usage procedures.
How Consumer Demands Have Fueled Change
In 2022, very few U.S. industries are still required to be closed, which means the demand for commercial cleaning services is as high as ever. Every business wants to say that their facility is cleaner and safer than their competitors while maintaining full availability of services and hours of operation. This has led to commercial cleaners learning to streamline their methods to be as quick and efficient as possible – without lacking quality. While doing so, the commercial cleaning practices being used throughout must be compatible with a variety of surfaces that are encountered in settings of all sizes where commercial cleaning is needed, such as:
Bathroom surfaces – including glass and mirrors
Kitchen and food-preparation surfaces
All flooring types – tile, wood, carpeting, concrete, etc.
Electronic components
Fabric surfaces – clothing, furniture, drapery, etc.
When it comes to precise cleaning practices, commercial cleaners have continuously stayed up to date on the best practices for cleaning and sanitizing any surface from Coronavirus. As a result, commercial cleaners have relied heavily on several cleaning practices that have resulted in success in combating the presence of the virus on surfaces. Given the size of average commercial facilities and the extensive list of surfaces to accommodate, most commercial cleaning companies have adjusted to working “after-hours.” Commercial cleaners can do the job without disrupting their clients’ operations by conducting their services before facilities open or overnight. This also allows cleaning crews to complete sanitization regimens that require fully coating every surface in disinfectants with specialized handling standards or personal protective equipment needed while in proximity, which is often required when using most methods that sanitize against COVID.
Overall Impact of COVID on Commercial Cleaning
The commercial cleaning industry has been exponentially growing since the start of the pandemic, and the impact of COVID-19 on commercial cleaning practices has forced the industry to adapt to meet the demand for high-quality sanitization and protection against the Coronavirus. Each individual commercial cleaning company has had to work overtime to center their services around preventing the spread of COVID-19. Not only are commercial cleaners expected to sanitize large-scale facilities fully, but they are expected to do so without disrupting their clients’ day-to-day operations. Overall, commercial cleaning practices have increased in thoroughness and frequency while requiring cleaners to accommodate the need for commercial cleaning outside traditional service hours.
Partner Facility Solutions
Since the spread of COVID-19 began in 2019, every industry has been rushing to keep up with the rapid mandates and protocols that are being introduced accordingly. Although there has been much debate over which sectors of society were “essential” or not, there is one industry that has been regarded as essential throughout the entirety of the pandemic – commercial cleaning services. As companies of all types began opening their doors after the initial lockdowns, they began relying on 3rd party commercial cleaning companies that could conduct thorough, routine cleanings of their facilities to maintain high sanitation standards for staff and guests. Contracting 3rd party commercial cleaners to handle their needs allows businesses to alleviate the impact of COVID on commercial cleaning practices and focus solely on maintaining regular business operations.
