How to Find Commercial Cleaning & Disinfection Services for Warehouses and Logistics Facilities
Heavy equipment, constant movement, and employee foot traffic can make warehouses a magnet for dust, dirt, grime and germs. Not only can your warehouse or logistics facility start to look bad, but it can also create an unhealthy environment for your employees.
Trying to keep up with constant cleaning needs is expensive if you use an in-house janitorial staff, and asking employees to do the work takes them away from their primary responsibilities. This is why many warehouses, fulfillment centers, and logistics facilities hire commercial cleaning services to ensure they get a cost-efficient and high-quality cleaning experience.
Not all commercial cleaning services are alike. If you are doing an online search for commercial cleaning services near me, that may not be the best way to find the right cleaning company for your warehouse or logistics facility. There is a better way to start your search.
Ask Other Facilities Managers
Getting referrals from others in your industry is a great place to start. If there is somebody you know and trust, their recommendation should carry a lot of weight. You may even be able to visit their place and see their commercial cleaning company in operation.
Broaden Your Search
You should only work with local commercial cleaning services, but it helps if they also have a national footprint. For example, OpenWorks’ elite network of service providers are local businesses in your community but they are backed by a national company that provides oversight, guidance and support.
Do Your Research
Every warehouse facility has unique cleaning needs. This requires that commercial cleaning services have specific training, products, and equipment to get the job done right. It may be helpful to make a list of things you require in any commercial cleaning company you consider.
Here are some things that should be on your list:
- Experience
You want to work with commercial cleaning services that understand the warehouse and logistics facility needs. For example, warehouse floors need specific equipment and best practices to ensure a clean and safe environment. - Staffing
You cannot afford to trust your facility to companies that hire day-workers or pay in cash. You need professional technicians who work with service providers who have gone through background checks. - Training
Ask questions about the training provided for cleaning crews. While OSHA safety training is a must, it should go much deeper than that. Training should include: - Bloodborne pathogens
- Chemical and Product Handling
- Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- State and local health regulations
- Use of EPA-registered antimicrobial disinfectants for Infection Control
Cleaning technicians should also be trained in best practices for cleaning warehouses and logistics facilities.
- Get References
Regardless of how you found the company, ask for references from clients at similar-sized facilities, preferably in your industry. Call them yourself and ask if they are happy with the service.
- Do a Background Check
You will be trusting the care of your facility to a commercial cleaning service. So, you want to be sure they are registered for business in your state, which requires a license in some cases. They should also be licensed, bonded, and insured. Review their liability coverage to be sure they are covered for damage or on-the-job injuries while working at your facility.
Compare Commercial Cleaning Services
After you have narrowed your list to a few promising commercial cleaning services, request quotes. Start by thinking about the types of services you will need and ask yourself the following questions:
- How frequently will you need commercial cleaning?
- What services do you need?
- Do you need deep cleaning or disinfection?
- What unique or special circumstances do you have?
If you are comparing multiple companies, be sure they all quote on the same services so you can easily compare prices and value offered. One effective way to do this is to ask each for their warehouse cleaning checklist. This will give you an idea of the basic services they offer. Review the list with your managers to see if any other services should be added. Then, ask every company to quote on the same set of needs.
Other Services
Ask about other services they provide. You may find that some providers can also handle other facilities management services such as landscaping, pest control and general maintenance. You should also ask about additional cleaning-related services. OpenWorks’ elite network of service providers offers total facility management services as well as disinfection and Continuous Care, an infection control service that inhibits the growth of bacteria and microorganisms such as COVID-19 for up to 90 days.
Searching for Commercial Cleaning Services Near Me
OpenWorks is a nationwide network of commercial cleaning service providers, including professional cleaning teams that are experienced and trained in best practices to clean and disinfect warehouse and logistics facilities. So, if you are searching for commercial cleaning services near me, OpenWorks should be at the top of your list.