These days, in the fast-paced world of business, keeping things clean isn’t just about looking good – it’s deeply tied to your reputation, the health and safety of everyone, and even your bottom line. With things like rising costs, changing ways of working, and higher expectations for cleanliness constantly increasing the pressure, more and more companies are really examining their current commercial cleaning setup.
What’s happening as a result? Many businesses are deciding to change cleaning companies, work out new contract terms, or bring their cleaning duties back in-house themselves.
This shift isn’t usually about tiny gripes; it’s often about deeper, more widespread disappointment. Companies now have higher hopes for their cleaning partners, especially since keeping things spotless is increasingly linked to how customers see them, how well they keep employees happy, and even meeting health rules. At Jani-King, our average customer retention rate is nine years. This shows that we listen and we act on what we hear.
Let’s take a closer look at the main reasons businesses are rethinking their commercial cleaning company and what they’re looking for in a better solution.
1. Unequal Cost-to-Quality Ratio
With the economy feeling so unpredictable these days, businesses across the board—from retail stores and hotels to hospitals and office buildings—are really feeling the pinch. Everyone’s under a lot of pressure to cut costs and find every possible way to save money. Since commercial cleaning services often take up a noticeable chunk of the budget, it makes sense that companies are starting to take a closer look at them.
More and more, companies are asking questions like:
- Can we get the same quality cleaning for a lower price?
- Are there any services included in our contract that we really don’t need?
- Is our cleaning provider being completely clear about what we’re paying for and exactly what they’ll do?
As a result, some businesses are choosing to work with more local cleaning companies instead for their new commercial cleaning providers. Others are creating new approaches, mixing their own staff with outside specialists for specific jobs, like thorough disinfection or carpet care.
2. Economic Pressure and Budget Constraints
In today’s uncertain economy, businesses in every sector—from retail and hospitality to healthcare and office spaces—are under immense pressure to cut costs and find savings wherever possible. Commercial cleaning services are a significant line item on many budgets, which makes them a natural area for reevaluation.
Companies are increasingly asking:
- Can we get the same service for less?
- Are there unnecessary services in our contract?
- Is this provider being transparent with pricing and deliverables?
Some businesses are opting for a smaller, more local commercial cleaning company. Others are moving toward hybrid models that combine in-house staff with third-party specialists for tasks like deep disinfection or carpet maintenance.
3. Post-COVID Expectations Haven’t Been Met
The pandemic completely reshaped what businesses expect when it comes to cleanliness. People now demand more, and there’s almost zero patience for anything less than thorough. While many cleaning companies stepped up their game during the worst of COVID-19, some have unfortunately slipped back into their old ways—leaving their clients feeling disappointed.
These days, businesses know their stuff about things like:
- Using EPA-approved disinfectants
- Following special cleaning routines for surfaces that get touched a lot
- Making sure restrooms, break rooms, and lobbies are properly sanitized
- Having services like day porters to keep busy areas clean throughout the day
If cleaning companies don’t keep up these higher standards after the pandemic like Jani-King has, they could easily lose clients to competitors who are still sticking to the more rigorous ways of working.
4. Communication Breakdowns and Lack of Accountability
At Jani-King, our service has the feel of being a true partner, not just someone they pay to do a job. With other commercial cleaning company services, when problems pop up—like cleanings being missed, supplies running out, or customers complaining—the issues don’t get fixed fast enough. Many companies find that their cleaning providers struggle with things like:
- Account managers who don’t get back to them.
- A lack of follow-through on promises.
- No clear system for checking the quality of the work.
- Reports or paperwork that’s unclear or incomplete.
This kind of lack of transparency and accountability can quickly make businesses lose trust. On the other hand, today’s forward-thinking cleaning companies are using tools like real-time apps, regular quality checks, and systems to gather customer feedback to make sure their clients are happy.
5. Mismatch Between Services and Facility Needs
Each building has its own specific cleaning needs, shaped by its size, purpose, how many people use it, and the health and safety rules that apply. Sadly, the typical commercial cleaning company just use a standard method for everything.
Some typical problems are:
- Spending too much time on areas that don’t get much use while not giving enough attention to places that are busier.
- Not offering special services like deep floor cleaning, hospital-level disinfecting, or eco-friendly cleaning.
- Using cleaning products or methods that aren’t right for the space.
As businesses grow, shrink, or change their layout, they need cleaning partners who can adjust their plans to match. If cleaning providers can’t keep up with these changes, businesses will often start looking for someone else. This is why Jani-King does a pre-evaluation to get the proper expectations set ahead of time.
6. Compliance and Health Regulation Risks
Companies in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, food services, and other heavily regulated sectors simply can’t risk cutting corners on their cleaning routines. Failing to meet these standards can lead to a whole host of problems, including:
- Financial penalties or failing important inspections
- Unhappy customers
- Health dangers for both staff and visitors
If a cleaning company doesn’t have the proper training, paperwork, or certifications needed to uphold these industry standards, they could become a serious liability. That’s why more and more businesses are now specifically looking for cleaning providers who can prove they follow compliance procedures and have expertise in their particular industry.
7. The Rise of Sustainable and Green Cleaning
Sustainability isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore; it’s something customers and stakeholders now expect. As a result, more and more companies are establishing their own internal ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals, which naturally extends to carefully choosing suppliers who share these values.
That’s why businesses are taking a fresh look at their commercial cleaning services, seeking providers who:
- Utilize environmentally friendly cleaning products
- Make conscious efforts to reduce waste and water consumption
If a company’s current cleaning provider doesn’t align with these important environmental priorities, businesses are increasingly prepared to make a change and find a partner that does.
8. Staffing Shortages & Inconsistent Service Delivery
The cleaning industry is really feeling the impact of labor shortages right now. This means some cleaning companies are spread so thin they struggle to keep up, which often results in:
- Teams that don’t have enough people
- Staff who might be less experienced or temporary hires
- Cleaning tasks that get missed or aren’t completed properly
This kind of inconsistency really frustrates businesses and makes them question whether their cleaning provider can be trusted to do the job properly. Companies are really looking for reliable, professional teams that they can count on to show up on time and get the work done right, every single time.
9. Poor First Impressions = Lost Business
Little things like a messy lobby, windows with fingerprints, or dusty desks can create a bad impression for customers, clients, or even your own employees. How clean a place is really does affect:
- How motivated and productive employees feel
- How much trust customers have and whether they’ll stick around
- What people think of the company’s brand
If a business hears complaints about the cleanliness—or, even worse, loses customers because of it—they won’t hesitate to think seriously about finding a new cleaning company.
What Today’s Businesses Want in a Cleaning Partner
When businesses decide to change their commercial cleaning provider, it’s usually not just about cutting costs. They’re looking for more—more value, greater transparency, and a stronger sense of trust.
Here’s what companies really care about when picking a new cleaning service:
✅ Plans That Fit Their Needs:
- Cleaning schedules that sync up with their hours and the flow of people.
- Extra services like floor care, window washing, or event cleanup when needed.
- The ability to adjust plans for busy seasons or special events.
✅ Trained and Reliable Staff:
- Clean, uniformed team members who have been background-checked.
- Ongoing training and oversight to keep service top-notch.
- Staff with certifications in disinfection and specialized cleaning.
✅ Clear Costs:
- Detailed quotes and bills that make sense.
- Well-defined service agreements.
- No surprise charges or unclear language.
✅ Health and Eco-Friendly Focus:
- Using cleaning products registered with the EPA.
- Implementing green cleaning practices.
- Prioritizing the health of occupants and improving indoor air quality.
Final Thoughts
Commercial cleaning isn’t just a background task anymore; it’s a smart move that boosts workplace health, enhances your company’s image, and keeps things running smoothly. Lots of businesses are realizing their current cleaning service isn’t cutting it anymore and are making changes.
No matter if it’s because of budget worries, not being happy with the quality, or just not feeling the right fit, the outcome is clear: companies are rethinking their cleaning services like never before.
If you’re starting to wonder if your cleaning service is really worth the money you’re spending, you’re definitely not the only one. But here’s the encouraging part: there’s a great cleaning provider out here who will care for your space, look after your team, and treat your budget with the importance it deserves. Contact us today to get started.
