Building cleaning, what is it actually? As the name suggests, “buildings are cleaned” in this job description. An often-used term, but very few people use it in everyday language. It is primarily the name for a service that is often requested.
Usually, only companies talk about building cleaning. A normal person is looking for a window cleaner, a cleaning company, or simply a cleaning lady. But it is a recognized and widely used term.
As a “main topic,” building cleaning comprises many sub-areas, such as glass cleaning, floor cleaning, facade cleaning, office cleaning, maintenance cleaning, or special cleaning for special areas. In short, all cleaning services are related to a building and what goes with it.
Sub-areas of building cleaning.
It is not necessary to clean the whole building every time. With certain company sizes, that would simply not be possible on a daily basis. Decide for partial services, such as regular office cleaning every day of the week, weekly window cleaning. Make sure to clean the facade once a month, the parking lot, and all traffic areas every six months.
Glass cleaning, window, and frame cleaning.
Anyone can clean windows! You hear that often. And, of course, that is true in most cases.
But grandma’s window cleaning with the secret trick “newspaper,” for example, cannot be compared with the professional service of window and frame cleaning, as performed by a specially trained cleaning specialist.
In both cases, the windows are clean afterward. But have the frames and seals also been cleaned? With the appropriate cleaning agents? Or the wrong ones, which permanently dissolve or crack the seals? Are wooden frames built-in and exposed to the weather?
Here it would be advisable to glaze, oil, or apply protective varnish to the frames regularly. Because who wants (or can) buy new windows every year?
Maintenance cleaning.
Another quite incomprehensible term from the world of building cleaning. What is maintenance cleaning anyway? A cleaning job that makes a living? No. The maintenance cleaning is simply one (or several) cleaning of certain -previously defined- areas carried out at regular intervals.
Classic maintenance cleaning components include regular office cleaning, workplace cleaning, utensils, emptying garbage cans, filling up consumables (paper towels, soap dispensers, etc.), cleaning common and sanitary areas, floor cleaning, or parquet and carpet care. So you could say that maintenance cleaning includes all cleaning work that has to be done on a regular basis in order to ensure the smooth operation – so to speak, the “maintenance” – of a company.
Depending on the public, Customer frequency, or the number of employees, the requirements for maintenance cleaning are, of course, very different in every company. A toilet used once a year does not have to be cleaned as often as, for example, the telephone receiver in a call center, which is used intensively every day – and is therefore also dirty.
Exterior cleaning: also part of building cleaning?
The so-called “external cleaning” is – as the name suggests – about cleaning areas outside the actual building. It includes sidewalks, parking lots, playgrounds, common areas, or courtyards. Winter service is also an important part of this.
Regular exterior cleaning is very important. On the one hand, the traffic areas are a company’s “calling card.” The first impression should not be characterized by dirt and grime (unless you want to present yourself in a dubious way).
On the other hand, for reasons of liability. If a pedestrian slips on the icy traffic areas, claims for damages can arise. It is important to avoid the risk of injury and cut down old trees as their falling branches can be dangerous and regularly pruned or cut.
A core component of building cleaning: facade cleaning.
When you look at a building, what do you see? A facade. And windows. In addition to window cleaning, facade cleaning is an integral part of the generic term “building cleaning.” Of course, not all facades are the same. And so, of course, different cleaning techniques and cleaning agents have to be found. Natural stone facings, clinker masonry, or sandstone walls require professional cleaning by a specialist.
In most cases, for example, one must not use acidic cleaners. Sandblasting is also not possible in many cases, and here you have to know what you are doing.
The facade is a company’s “flagship” and the first thing you see of a building. There is a wide variety of – often occurring – dirt that needs to be removed. Graffiti, algae, soot from exhaust gases or chimneys, salt efflorescence, lime scale deposits, paints, varnishes, weathering, or vandalism. Graffiti in particular – with offensive content, should be removed as soon as possible to avoid damage to reputation.
Companies or owners must professionally ensure facade cleaning on all common building materials. Of course, only using suitable cleaning agents and tools.
Cleaning? No. Also, care and value retention.
Good building cleaning is important. But it is even more essential to clean properly and with the right means. Building cleaning also means looking after a building and maintaining its value. And the rooms, floors (parquet, linoleum, laminate, tiles, natural stone, etc.), windows, frames, walls. The more carefully you deal with it, the longer everything will last.
For example, imagine you’ve just bought a new car. Then the coffee mug falls over and soils the upholstery. You then stand in front of two upholstery cleaning products in the supermarket. One advertises with effective cleaning, the other also with upholstery care and synthetic leather protection. Although the first one is cheaper, you will likely opt for the one that is also a conditioning product. Because you know that your car retains more of its value as if you clean the upholstery with a cheap and harsh agent that may even discolor or dissolve the upholstery. So it makes sense to think ahead. It saves time, money, and nerves.
Last but not least: definition of “building cleaning.”
Building cleaning is a service provided by the “building cleaner.” On the other hand, building cleaning is a skilled trade obtained after years of training and successful examinations. Every day work in building cleaning includes cleaning work in, on, and around a building, such as facades, floors, sanitary areas, windows, parking lots, or other outdoor areas. And this is how you perform a thorough cleaning of building premises.
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