Help yourself and your cleaners by getting everyone on the same page. As a consultant and trainer, I have often seen that lack of standardization is the cause of most cleaning problems. Here is a place to start for standardizing your cleaning operations.

The results of this standardization should be an easy-to-use chart that your cleaners can use. A document that impresses your boss, but cannot be understood by the employees, is a waste of paper. Be sure to take into account the factors that might hinder your employees. Not all of your people in housekeeping, janitorial, or custodial can read or understand English. Be sure to use pictures or color-coding when appropriate. The chart should have the following components.

* Cleaning tasks. Tasks should be broken down into specific assignments, such as dust mop, clean sinks and empty trash.
* Cleaning chemicals. Have ready-to-use (RTU) products when possible.
* Cleaning equipment. Use the proper name for each tool.
* Frequency of cleaning tasks. Avoid descriptions like "as needed."
* Key concepts of the cleaning tasks. Keep it simple.

A standardized system of your Cleaning Operations is also an excellent management tool. It can provide accountability. With all of your cleaners playing by the same rules, it is easier to modify the behavior of employees. A standardized system can also be an excellent foundation for the assessment of staffing levels in your buildings, which can help you to modify price or service levels for your Custodial Operations. Your system can also be the bais for your janitorial training.

Once you have a system of standardization in place for your cleaning operations, stick to it. You need to walk a fine line in this area. Some of your employees may be capable of cleaning more productively by experimenting with different janitorial procedures. Be flexible and open-minded enough to listen to and understand new ways of effective cleaning, yet firm enough to stop ineffective methods before they become the norm. If changes are introduced into the system, make sure that it is reflected in the standardized cleaning methods.