Does my Facility Need to Reengineer its Cleaning Process Post-Pandemic?

The short answer is yes. 

Here are the benefits of reengineering your cleaning process:

• Cut costs by using a proactive and preventative approach to your cleaning process
• Ensure transparency by having a highly detailed cleaning schedule
• Provide a cleaner, safer, and more inviting work environment
• Increase productivity by keeping your employees healthy 

Because our backgrounds, experiences, industries, and job titles are different, it can be difficult to know how to bounce back to normalcy after Covid-19. 

This causes friction, and here’s why:

Many businesses and facilities that implemented a cleaning process prior to the pandemic are now questioning what needs to change in that process in order to keep their customers, employees, and anyone in the building feeling safe and healthy. Because every industry has different standards and codes to keep up on, this leaves a gulf of confusion as building managers, business owners, and others begin to roll out a plan for their post-pandemic health and cleanliness plan. Restaurants are enhancing the way their kitchens are sanitized, medical facilities are extra cautious of any cross-contamination to prevent as many germs from spreading as possible, offices are putting an extra priority on their cleanliness in hopes that their employees will feel safe being back in person, and every other industry is needing to “up their game” to provide a more sanitary environment.

According to CSG’s CEO Dennis O’Brien, “Every building of every industry must be reengineered in terms of how to clean going forward post pandemic.” There is no question that people are more conscious of the cleanliness and sanitation of the buildings they go in and surfaces they touch. Now, if we have learned anything from the pandemic, it is that a company’s cleaning process is more important than ever if we want to bring back our employees and customers safely and make them feel that their health is at the forefront of our priorities. 

"What Needs to Change?"

Let’s first start by defining a few terms that can often be used lightly or in the wrong context. Here is the difference between Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing according to the CDC:

Cleaning: removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.

Disinfecting: kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

Sanitizing: lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection.

By understanding the difference between these terms, you can better know when to implement each of them in your new, reengineered cleaning plan for your company and ensure the germs that reside on your surfaces are removed and killed using safe chemicals, equipment, and proper cleaning techniques. 

“How do I begin reengineering my company’s cleaning process?”

Here are a few steps you can take to get a jump start on your planning:

1. Rewrite the specifications of what needs to be done/changed
2. Have a precise rollout plan detailing when each action will be implemented
3. Constantly re-engineer the cleaning crew’s routine to 15-minute intervals to be sure the best use of time is being used
4. Increase cleaning crew security to ensure the safety of your employees and your building
5. Use a color coded detail schedule to identify the date, time, and frequency of the task

There are a number of key elements that must be implemented as you reengineer your cleaning process. At CSG, we specialize in engineering a customized cleaning plan that ultimately saves you time and money. We understand the importance of keeping your facility’s cleanliness standards high and how it can benefit your bottom line. We use top of the line equipment with every service we provide. By choosing CSG as your facility services partner, you are choosing a partner who values our relationship with our customers, and is constantly innovating to provide better communication, accountability and technology for our customers and their facilities. Connect with us today to get a free quote and learn how you can get a customized plan for your facility.