What Is Team Cleaning?
When it comes to office cleaning, medical office cleaning, or commercial cleaning in general, two of the most frequently used approaches are the zone cleaning or area cleaning, and team cleaning. Team cleaning works.
The zone cleaning approach consists of one cleaner performing all the routine cleaning tasks in one area of a facility. For example, if cleaning a five-story building nightly, you might have five cleaners assigned to the building each night, one cleaner on each floor of the building. Each cleaner would be responsible for every task performed (dusting, trash removal, vacuuming and restrooms) for the floor they are assigned to. In addition to performing each task, each individual cleaner would need a set of cleaning equipment including a backpack vacuum, utility cart, trash barrel, and all necessary cleaning chemicals. The equipment and chemicals alone can be costly and, depending on space limitations, difficult to store on each floor. We will go over why team cleaning works!
Team cleaning on the other hand, utilizes an approach consisting of a team of professionals that systematically work together through each area of a facility at the same time. Each professional is trained and assigned to one function as a “specialist”, and the team moves together throughout the building to complete the cleaning routine. A typical team includes the following specialists:
1. Light Duty Specialist
2. Vacuum Specialist
3. Restroom Specialist
4. Utility Specialist
The Four (4) Specialties:
Cleaning Tasks are Grouped into Four (4) Specialties:
Light Duty Specialist: Tasks performed include emptying of wastebaskets, cleaning of telephones, dusting of all horizontal and vertical surfaces- high to low, picks-up paper clips and pens from the floor and spot cleans.
Vacuum Specialist: Tasks performed include the vacuuming of all floors including carpet and hard surfaces.
Restroom Specialist: Tasks performed include the cleaning, disinfecting and restocking of the supplies in the restroom.
Utility Specialist: Tasks performed include the cleaning of lobbies, spot cleaning of glass, mopping and scrubbing of the floors and the removal of the trash from the building.
Why Team Cleaning?
Some of the advantages of Team Cleaning are:
1. Simplified Training
2. Saves Time
3. Saves Energy
4. Saves Money
5. Utilizes a “Double Check” System
6. Easier to Inspect
7. It is Safer
8. Working as a Team is More Fun!
9. A Cleaning Specialist is a Trained Professional!
Team cleaning allows clear cut responsibilities for all workers. As a “specialist”, cleaning workers know, understand, and have been trained as specialists.
Simplifies Training
Team training is less complicated and time-consuming. For new cleaning workers, the supervisor demonstrates one function rather than several. This saves time to get new workers up and running proficiently.
Saves time
The cleaning team saves time not only in training, but also by utilizing more efficient equipment and chemical dispensing.
Saves Energy
When a team works together throughout the building, they help save energy because they turn off lights as they complete each area and move to the next area.
Saves Money
In addition to the energy costs, the team needs less equipment and will use chemicals more efficiently. The team will need only one backpack vacuum, one utility cart and one trash barrel total instead of one piece of equipment for each zone area.
Utilizes a “Double Check” System for Trash Cans
This can potentially avoid errors and missing trash cans. The light duty specialist would remove all trash from the cans. Then the vacuum specialist would vacuum under and around the trash can. If the light duty specialist missed a trash can or did not replace the liner, the vacuum specialist would see this and tell the light duty specialist.
Easier to Inspect
The inspection process is also easier and less time-consuming for a supervisor because it can be completed as the team finalizes one area of the facility.
It is Safer
It uses lighter, more ergonomic tools to perform the cleaning tasks.
Working as a Team is more FUN! Specialists are working side by side rather than by oneself. If you do not have a four-person team, you can divide these tasks amongst three, two, or even a one-person team.
A cleaning specialist is a trained professional! Each job is important and can determine the success of the entire team. This drives each specialist to do the best job that they can do. Each specialist receives specialized training just like an architect, electrician or any other professional.
As a cleaning professional, a specialist contributes to good health and protects the health of the customers.
Team Cleaning Protects People and Building Interiors:
-Removes indoor pollutants by using proper procedures, tools and equipment
-Improves workplace environment
-Prevents wear and tear on furniture & carpet
-The specialist follows a plan to reduce mistakes
In summary, Team Cleaning can deliver a service above and beyond.
Eight Strategic Team Tactics:
1. The cleaning process is standardized – procedures, equipment and chemicals
2. Assigns specialist – one to four person teams
3. Use of “back-up” workers for vacancies and account start-ups
4. Training is fundamental – all cleaning workers are trained on their specialty
5. Measure and improve – best to begin where you are and take baby steps
6. Communication of assignments helps prevent mistakes and improve safety
7. Supervision is part of the strategy and helps to prevent “firefighting”
8. Diversity- a team needs various skills to be successful
Accurate Training when Team Cleaning:
When using the team cleaning method, it is important to use accurate training information to ensure smooth and efficient training for each specialist. A “scouting report” can be used to help provide this. The scouting report will explain the function of each specialist. It demonstrates a standard way to perform duties, provides a clear assessment of what to expect, and shows all tools that the specialist will use. The team leader can use this scouting report when training the specialists and on a day-to-day basis.
Team cleaning is beneficial for everyone involved including the customer, the cleaning company and cleaning team for economic, efficiency and quality purposes! For the team specialists, it boosts moral and provides a sense of unity by working as part of a team! The team can work together to accomplish the cleaning in an efficient manner and provide quality professional service.
Any cleaning issues that you may have should always be handled immediately and proficiently by your janitorial cleaning company. If this is not the case, it might be time to look for another janitorial service. Does your cleaning service get back to you in a timely fashion if not the same day? They should be.
Square Feat is Here to Handle all your Janitorial Needs!
Square Feat has been serving commercial clients in the Phoenix metropolitan area for more than two decades with basic janitorial services, carpet cleaning, floor refinishing and other specialized services. Phoenix Business Journal and Arizona Business Magazine recognizes Square Feat as a top full-service janitorial provider.
Please, visit this page to learn more about the cleaning services they provide or to obtain a free no obligation quote for your facility. You can also call Square Feat at 480-777-0605 to schedule an appointment to survey your facility.
For more information about Team Cleaning, please read Team Cleaning and the Role of the Utility Specialist (squarefeat.com)
