Compare the Top Rated Commercial Cleaning Companies: Best & Most Popular Commercial Cleaning Services

For most organizations, hiring a professional cleaning company is the most cost-effective, efficient way to keep their workspace clean, sanitary, and looking professional. Commercial cleaning services have the tools and training to get the job done right and don't add to your payroll and benefits costs.

You can choose the level of service that's right for your organization, from light janitorial tasks performed once or twice a week to detailed cleaning services performed daily. Also available are professional cleaning companies that specialize in particular industries, such as medical or child care facilities.

On this page, we look at the types of commercial cleaning services available as well as what you should look for when hiring one of these companies.

Choosing a Professional Cleaning Service

Before requesting quotes and proposals, consider your organization's cleaning needs. You want to be able to answer the following questions:

• How much space needs to be cleaned?
• What services do you require?
• How often do need the area to be cleaned?

Most cleaning companies charge by the square foot, but some charge by the hour or offer a flat rate for certain jobs and tasks.

If the company charges by the area, they likely have a sliding rate that depends on the type of work performed. For example, you may pay $0.10 per square foot if all you need is vacuuming, light dusting, and the waste baskets emptied. But, if you need deeper cleaning, such as bathrooms, mopping and buffing floors, and cleaning windows, the per-square-foot price goes up.

Look also at what's important to you, such as green cleaning products and methods, or HEPA-rated tools. Many commercial cleaners offer these types of products. Before signing on with any cleaner, someone from the company should visit your facility; it's the only way to get an accurate estimate. Compare proposals from multiple cleaners and don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you aren't sure what's included in the price.

Do some research into the company. Items to review include:

• Whether they are licensed and bonded
• Whether they perform background checks on employees
• What type of customer support they offer (live, email only, hours available)
• At least three to four references - call and speak to each one

Finally, before signing a contract, make sure it includes a clause that you can cancel services if the company fails to deliver.

Top Commercial Cleaning Brands

• ABM: With 24-hour availability, this national cleaner can meet any schedule. Staff are fully trained and services offered include medical and educational facilities in addition to the standard office building.
• Anago Cleaning Systems: Services range from light to in-depth cleaning in a variety of facility types, with round-the-clock availability.
• BuildingStars: Features include customizable cleaning plans and staff trained to work in nearly any type of facility. One drawback: the company currently has franchises in only 10 cities.
• CleanNet USA: Janitorial offerings include green cleaning, floor care, and general office care. You can also customize your cleaning plan.
• Jani-King: With more than 40 years in the industry and over 120 locations worldwide, this cleaning service has the experience needed to tackle any cleaning need.
• Jan-Pro: Specializing in green cleaning and in-depth training for all employees to ensure customers get a high-quality cleaning job every time.
• Office Pride: Experienced in cleaning facilities across a variety of industries, they handle everything from the floor to the ceiling. Services include green cleaning and customized schedules.
• OpenWorks: 2018 marks 35 years since this company opened its doors in Phoenix. Their goal is creating a safe, clean, healthy environment for every customer.

Commercial Cleaning Services Offered

If you aren't sure which janitorial services your facility needs, consider the following common day-to-day tasks:

• Bathroom maintenance (stalls, sinks and counters, floors, replenishing supplies)
• Cleaning common walkways (vacuuming, sweeping, mopping)
• Clearing debris (sweeping, vacuuming)
• Dusting desktops, cabinets, and other surfaces
• Trash disposal
• Washing interior windows

Smaller facilities and those with fewer than 25 employees may only require light services, such as emptying waste baskets and vacuuming once or twice a week. They may add deep cleaning services monthly, quarterly, or however often is required.

Larger organizations may require more in-depth, regular cleaning. The same is true for companies that have clients coming and going regularly. Banks, for example, do not employ dozens of people, but extreme cleanliness is vital to projecting the right image to customers.

Other industries also have more stringent or specialized cleaning requirements. This includes medical facilities, schools, and daycares.

Special Cleaning Services

In addition to common cleaning tasks, you may require what is known as special services weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, or on a custom schedule. These services include:

• Cleaning tile grout
• Exterior window washing
• Cleaning ceilings and light fixtures
• Pressure washing the outside of the building
• Carpet extracting (also known as dry foam cleaning)
• Stripping, waxing, and polishing floors
• Parking lot cleaning

Some of these services cannot be handled by every cleaning company and may require working with another vendor. However, if these are services you require regularly, it makes sense to look for a commercial cleaner who can handle pressure washing as well as bathrooms.

What to Look for in a Commercial Cleaning Service

The best commercial cleaners have the ability to handle any janitorial task. Researching and comparing vendors is time-consuming. In the end, it saves you time and probably money to find a single source to handle all of your janitorial needs.

Look for providers with experience cleaning buildings in your industry, particularly if it is one with specialized or unique cleaning needs.

The ideal service is flexible as to hours worked, has live support available during your business hours, and lets you customize your cleaning plan and schedule. If the company's workers wear a uniform, that's another plus, as it makes identifying their workers easy. This is particularly true if your facility includes restricted areas.

Compare quotes carefully, and make sure you're comparing like services to get a true idea of costs. Talk to others in your industry or whose opinion you trust. They are the best resource for referrals.

Author: Angela Escobar