Warehouse Cleaning: 3 Things You Need To Know Before You Hire A Cleaner
Running a warehouse isn’t easy - there’s a lot to think about, from incoming and outgoing stock or items to managing staff.
Add in the burden of ongoing maintenance and cleaning, and you might find things start to slip. That’s where hiring a contract cleaning company can help - not only do you relieve yourself of the stress of the day-to-day chore of cleaning, you can be assured that it is done to an impeccable standard.
But before you hire a professional for your warehouse cleaning, here are 3 things you need to consider first.
Why Warehouse Cleaning Is Unique
Warehouse cleaning isn’t like cleaning at home, nor is it like other commercial cleaning jobs, like office cleaning. That’s because warehouses are unlike any other type of building.
Warehouses have so many unique aspects to them. From a large floor space and multiple fiddly surfaces to sensitive and delicate stock, there are a lot of things that need careful consideration before you dive in with a vacuum and a duster.
A
cleaning company
needs to know exactly what’s required in order to deliver the standard of cleanliness that you’re looking for. This includes making sure your warehouse and all of your goods and equipment are not damaged or moved during the process.
Warehouses are often busy 24 hours a day, with every shift as busy as the other. There’s no sneaking inside in the early hours to clean before the workers arrive because, more often than not, there are always people working.
Not to mention, warehouses have people, stock, machinery, staff rooms and facilities, as well as office space. All of this needs to be considered and taken into account when deciding how to quickly, efficiently and safely clean.
A reliable contract cleaner needs to know how to manage all of these things and get consistently excellent results.
The Benefits Of Warehouse Cleaning
The benefits of having a clean warehouse go beyond just having a dust-free environment - although that’s a pretty big one! Warehouse cleaning is an essential part of running your warehouse and business, but you’ll also be reaping the rewards once the cleaning is done.
With a regularly, professionally cleaned warehouse, you’ll be getting the benefits of….
Hygiene - Lower incidence of illness within your workforce thanks to the reduced risk of contamination.
Maintenance -
Keeps floors, machinery and equipment in good condition and working for longer.
Safety - Reduces the risk of slips, trips and accidents.
Aesthetics -
Looks better, resulting in better employee mood and engagement.
Productivity - People can work faster in an organised, clean workplace.
Alternatively, consider the effect on your warehouse if you don’t ensure consistent levels of cleanliness. A quick clean with a broom after you’ve finished your shift will only go so far in maintaining a safe, pristine and functional warehouse space.
What Do You Need?
Your warehouse will likely have its own considerations that you need to make a cleaning contractor aware of. Before you start the hunt for a cleaner, you need to assess what you need to be done and how often.
By having a clear idea of the specific things required to achieve a good cleaning in your warehouse, you’ll be able to better assess your budget and understand the kind of cleaner you require.
Some of the important factors to think about might include:
- The area and size of the space that needs cleaning.
- The complexity of the space - spread over different floors? Mezzanine? Machinery?
- General clean vs deep clean (a deep clean takes longer and covers areas that a general clean doesn’t. Many warehouses opt to have regular deep cleans - about once a month - in between general cleans).
What To Look For In A Warehouse Cleaning Contractor
Now you know what you require from your warehouse cleaning team, you need to know what to look for.
Not all cleaners are the same, and you can easily end up feeling frustrated with your choice if you don’t put time into vetting your options. Rather than end up having to hire and fire numerous cleaners, use these points to filter out those who can deliver what you need;
Team vs one-man-band
A team means your cleaning will be more efficient, and you won’t risk missed cleans due to illness or holiday.
Training & Experience
Specific warehouse cleaning knowledge and
accreditation is vital for a reliable and safe clean.
Insurance
Have some extra peace of mind knowing your cleaning team is prepared for anything.
Flexibility
A certain amount of flexibility in timing is usually necessary when cleaning warehouses.
Equipment & Products
The wrong cleaning products or incorrect cleaning equipment can leave your warehouse less than pristine.
Transparency of contract
A trustworthy cleaning contract will be clear, easy to read and honest, showing exactly what is included and what is not.
Working Together
Your cleaning contractor will quickly become a vital part of your warehouse team. You’ll depend on them to provide a regular and reliable service.
You’ll need to have great communication with your cleaners to keep things running smoothly. Whether that’s to report an issue, make a special request or discuss aspects of your warehouse cleaning.
You need a cleaning contractor who is capable of clear and friendly communication in addition to the cleaning side of things. Because the alternative is a cleaner, who may be unclear on your changing needs and unreachable when you need them most.
By ensuring that your chosen warehouse cleaning team are proficient at communicating and collaborating, you’ll save yourself problems in the future and have a stronger sense of trust in your team.
Are You In Need Of A Professional Warehouse Cleaner?
A cleaning contractor can transform how your warehouse looks and operates, but only if you pick the right one. If you spend time identifying your needs and select a cleaning team that can deliver what you need with great back-office support, you’ll wonder how you ever did without one!
Request a quote from our expert warehouse cleaning team
here.
