No matter what type of facility you manage – offices, medical clinics, schools, warehouses, auto dealerships, churches, or more – keeping it clean is crucial. Facility and office managers often wonder about cleaning schedules, service levels, and how to choose the right provider. In this guide, we answer the most common cleaning questions: How often should we clean? What’s the difference between “commercial cleaning” and “janitorial services”? How do we keep high-traffic areas hygienic? What special services do schools and healthcare facilities need? How should we handle post-construction or seasonal deep cleans? Throughout, we’ll show how Assett Commercial Services meets each need. With roots in healthcare cleaning, Assett serves offices, schools, churches, auto dealerships, and industrial facilities alike, tailoring janitorial and commercial cleaning plans for every client.
How Often Should Our Facility Be Cleaned?
Cleaning frequency depends on the facility’s size, use, and foot traffic. In general, daily or weekly cleaning is standard, with deeper tasks scheduled monthly or quarterly. For example, a typical office cleaning routine includes:
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Daily tasks: Trash removal, wiping desks and counters, sanitizing restrooms, and tidying common areas. Performing these every day keeps workspaces safe and presentable for employees and visitors.
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Weekly tasks: Vacuuming carpets, dusting high surfaces (shelves, light fixtures, vents), a thorough restroom sanitize, and kitchen area cleaning. These tasks give a deeper clean than daily tidying and help control allergens and grime.
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Monthly or less often: Window washing (inside and out), steam-cleaning carpets, stripping/waxing hard floors, and air-duct cleaning. These specialty services extend the life of floors and improve air quality, but usually aren’t needed more than once a month or quarter.
The exact schedule should match your environment. For instance, offices often use daily or 5‑day-per-week cleaning, focusing on workspaces and lobbies. Medical facilities require more frequent cleaning and disinfection due to patient health needs. Schools and daycare centers also need consistent cleaning (often multiple times per day) to prevent germ spread. Retail or auto dealerships typically schedule daily cleaning to stay customer-ready.
Assett Commercial Services works with you to customize a cleaning schedule. You might have team members or parts of your building cleaned nightly, while others (like storage areas or conference rooms) are handled weekly. Assett even offers 24/7 service options — day-porters, overnight shifts, weekend crews — so cleaning can happen without disrupting your business. In all cases, consistency is key. Regular cleaning (daily or weekly) prevents build-up, keeps surfaces hygienic, and ensures that less frequent deep-clean tasks can work effectively.
Key takeaway: Develop a tiered schedule (daily, weekly, monthly) based on usage. Assett’s trained teams will handle routine janitorial tasks every day and perform specialized cleans on your chosen timetable, ensuring your facility always looks its best.
What’s the Difference Between Commercial Cleaning and Janitorial Services?
“Janitorial services” and “commercial cleaning” often overlap, but there is a distinction. Janitorial services typically refer to the routine, day-to-day cleaning tasks that keep a facility orderly. This includes emptying trash, cleaning restrooms, dusting and vacuuming all over the building. A janitorial crew might visit daily or weekly for these tasks, ensuring the office or school stays neat.
In contrast, commercial cleaning usually implies a higher level of service or specialty projects. Commercial cleaners have the training and equipment to tackle deep cleans and larger tasks beyond daily maintenance. For example, commercial cleaning covers projects like steam-cleaning carpets, scrubbing grout, polishing floors, and sanitizing for events or move-ins. These tasks may only be done monthly, quarterly, or on-demand (e.g., before a big inspection or after construction) because they are more intensive. Commercial cleaners often use industrial-grade equipment and hospital-grade disinfectants to meet stringent standards.
In practical terms, janitorial services are your daily “housekeeping” – think trash cans emptied, floors swept, surfaces wiped, restrooms sanitized. Commercial cleaning is like a “white glove” treatment – deep carpet shampooing, tile-and-grout scrubbing, power washing, upholstery cleaning, and any service that requires specialized skills or equipment. Many businesses hire one company (like Assett) that offers both tiers: routine janitorial maintenance and periodic deep cleans. Assett, for example, provides ongoing janitorial services and also offers specialty commercial cleaning services for clients that need more intensive projects.
Key takeaway: Janitorial = daily upkeep; Commercial cleaning = deep/specialized projects. A good provider will explain which services fall under each category and customize your plan. Assett’s trained staff handle both levels, ensuring your facility gets everyday cleaning plus any extra attention it needs.
How Do We Ensure Hygiene in High-Traffic Areas?
High-traffic areas (lobbies, entrances, corridors, lobbies, elevators, restrooms) are germ magnets. The CDC emphasizes that “high-touch” and busy spaces need frequent cleaning and sanitizing because germs spread easily there according to cdc.gov. Here are effective strategies:
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Identify the hotspots. Common busy zones include front lobbies, entryways, elevators/stairwells, restrooms, and conference rooms. Assett teams assess your layout to spot these areas.
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Increase cleaning frequency. In lobbies and waiting areas, wipe down surfaces (door handles, countertops, push plates) multiple times per day. The CDC advises cleaning high-touch surfaces “regularly” in high-traffic locations. Assett often assigns day-porters or extra shifts to monitor these zones during peak hours.
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Use proper equipment and products. Hard floors in entryways should be swept/vacuumed daily and mopped (or auto-scrubbed) with appropriate cleaners to remove tracked-in dirt. Carpets in entrances may need more frequent vacuuming or spot-cleaning. Use mats at doors to trap soil. In restrooms and breakrooms, use hospital-grade disinfectants to sanitize sinks, faucets, rails, and other touchpoints.
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Pay attention to surfaces. All surfaces in high-traffic areas get worn and grimy fast. Dust high ledges and vents weekly. Wipe electronics (touchscreens, printers) gently with disinfectant. Inside vehicles or showroom floors at auto dealerships, professional cleaners can steam-clean upholstery and polish floors to maintain hygiene and appearance.
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Provide hand hygiene. Supporting cleanliness isn’t just cleaning surfaces. Place hand-sanitizer stations or wipes near entrances and conference rooms to reduce germ transfer. Assett can replenish soap and sanitizer dispensers as part of janitorial services.
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Maintain supplies and trash. Empty trash bins promptly, especially where customers or patients come and go. Overflowing bins are unsanitary and look bad. Assett’s crews not only clean, but also restock restroom consumables (soap, towels) to ensure hygiene standards.
By focusing on these points, you create a hygienic buffer in busy zones. Remember: more traffic = more germs, so adjust your schedule accordingly. Assett’s cleaning plans can be tailored so that high-traffic areas get extra attention (for example, adding midday restroom wipes or extra lobby cleanings). This helps prevent soil and pathogens from spreading throughout the facility. As experts note, routine maintenance plus periodic deep cleaning keeps even your busiest areas looking safe and fresh.
Key takeaway: Clean high-traffic, high-touch areas more often than low-traffic areas. Use appropriate disinfectants, mats, and hand-sanitizers. Assett’s trained crews understand facility flow and will regularly service your busiest zones to stop germs in their tracks.
What Cleaning Services Are Essential for Medical or School Facilities?
Healthcare facilities and schools have unique cleaning needs to protect occupant health and safety.
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Medical facilities: In hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices, infection control is paramount. Staff clean every space (waiting rooms, exam rooms, bathrooms, labs, surgery suites) with hospital-grade disinfectants on a very strict schedule. Assett’s roots in healthcare cleaning mean our teams are trained in these standards. They know, for example, to clean from “clean to dirty” (starting with least-contaminated areas first) and to disinfect all high-touch surfaces (bed rails, sinks, door handles) at least daily. Waste and laundry handling follows strict rules (red bags for biohazard waste, separate color-coded mops for labs vs general areas). Professional healthcare cleaners also comply with regulations on PPE (gloves, masks) and bloodborne pathogen cleanup. In short, a medical facility’s cleaning plan includes constant sanitization: floors mopped daily, all patient rooms and common areas disinfected daily (or after each use), and thorough “terminal cleaning” once a patient is discharged. It’s much more intensive than a typical office routine.
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Schools and daycare: K–12 schools, daycare centers, and universities similarly need frequent cleaning to stop germ transmission among students and staff. Researchers link good school cleaning to lower absenteeism and better health. A comprehensive school cleaning regimen includes daily trash removal, sweeping/mopping of hallways, desk and board wiping between classes, and multiple toilet cleanings per day. Special areas also need care: gyms and cafeterias should be cleaned and disinfected regularly due to sweat and food spills; labs or art rooms might require wet-mopping with neutral cleaners. High-touch objects like desks, lockers, stair railings, and light switches must be wiped often. Seasonal deep cleans between semesters are wise (e.g. shampoo carpets, clean under desks, sanitize lockers). Schools also benefit from green cleaning (low-toxic supplies) to protect kids with allergies.
In both settings, specialty services often apply. For example: ultrasonic fogging of entire wards in hospitals, or electrostatic disinfection in classrooms during flu season. Assett offers such services and can coordinate extra tasks like window washing, hard floor polishing, or HEPA vacuuming of vents to improve air quality. We also provide day-porters or on-site custodians for big institutions (so hallways stay tidy all day).
Key takeaway: The essentials for healthcare and schools are above-and-beyond cleaning standards. Medical sites need hospital-grade disinfection and compliance with health regulations. Schools need thorough daily cleaning of all classrooms, restrooms, and cafeterias with frequent focus on desks and doorknobs. Assett’s experienced teams specialize in healthcare and education cleaning, so they understand these higher standards and the critical detail work each requires.
How Do We Handle Special Cleaning Needs (e.g. Post-Construction, Seasonal Deep Cleaning)?
Facilities often have one-off or periodic needs beyond regular janitorial work. The good news: professional cleaners can tackle these too.
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Post-construction cleaning: After renovations or new construction, sites are covered in dust and debris. A post-construction cleaning crew will “remove dust, debris, and residual materials to prepare your space for occupancy”. This involves heavy-duty tasks: vacuuming and scraping concrete dust, wiping down every surface from ceiling to floor (vents, light fixtures, baseboards) and cleaning new windows and fixtures. Assett uses industrial vacuums, floor scrubbers, and specialized tools for efficiency. The team also does “fine cleaning” or detail work: polishing glass, extracting carpets, and applying high-gloss finish to floors. In short, they leave no construction dust behind. As ABM notes, professional post-construction cleaning ensures your space is “spotless, inspection-ready, and move-in prepared”. You can rely on Assett for rapid, on-schedule turnaround so the project transition is smooth.
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Move-in/out and turnover cleaning: For property managers, Assett offers turnover cleaning services (apartments, hotels, rentals). This is essentially a deep clean between occupants: kitchen cleaning, bathroom sanitation, floor stripping/waxing if needed. Ensuring a fresh space for the next tenant keeps occupancy high. Similarly, after a major event or pre-lease inspection, Assett’s crews can provide one-time or periodic clean-ups (concerts, conferences, open houses, etc.).
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Seasonal deep cleaning: Many facilities schedule seasonal deep cleans (e.g. spring cleaning, after winter, summer break). These go beyond daily tasks. Summit Janitorial explains: seasonal plans “tackle built-up dust, allergens, and germs in hard-to-reach places” and include “polishing floors, sanitizing restrooms, deep-cleaning carpets and vents”. In practice, this means pulling furniture to scrub behind it, washing walls and windows, shampooing carpets, buffing or refinishing hard floors, and cleaning air vents that have collected dust. It’s also the time to service items like water fountains or deep clean kitchens. By doing such deep cleaning on a schedule (often quarterly or semi-annually), you break the cycle of hidden grime and improve air quality and appearance.
Key takeaway: Special projects need special handling. After construction or renovation, hire experts to do a post-construction clean – sweeping up all dust and detailing every surface. For seasonal or occasional needs, plan a deep clean: strip and wax floors, shampoo carpets, clean vents and windows, etc.. Assett’s “specialty services” include all these: floor polishing, grout cleaning, upholstery cleaning, move-in/out cleaning, and more. Just like Assett’s clients have access to professional project cleaning (floor polishing, carpet cleaning, move-out cleaning, etc.), you can arrange for these one-time or periodic services as needed.
What Should We Look for in a Reliable Cleaning Company?
Choosing the right cleaning partner is as important as choosing what to have cleaned. Here’s what facility managers should check:
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Relevant experience and certifications: Look for a company that knows your industry. A provider experienced with offices, healthcare, education, or other facilities like yours will understand your standards. Industry certifications (like ISSA’s CIMS-GB or healthcare-specific credentials) signal high quality. For example, Assett was founded in healthcare cleaning and holds professional cleaning accreditations; its background means we’re vetted for hospital and clinic needs.
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Range of services offered: Make sure they can do all the cleaning you need. A good commercial cleaning company will offer comprehensive services – not just vacuuming and trash. This includes floor care (buffing, waxing), carpet and tile cleaning, window washing, and specialized disinfection. If you foresee projects like post-construction cleans or event cleanup, check that these are covered. Assett, for instance, provides routine janitorial plus a menu of specialty services (day porters, turnover cleaning, floor and carpet care, etc.).
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Staff training and screening: The workers entering your facility should be professional and trustworthy. Inquire about the company’s hiring practices. Do they perform background checks on all employees? Do they invest in ongoing training? Assett “does not hire employees with a previous criminal record” and uses a multi-layered vetting and training process to build top cleaning talent. Ask your provider how they ensure their staff follow safety protocols (PPE, chemical use).
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Safety and eco-friendly practices: A reliable cleaner should prioritize safety. They should use the right chemicals and personal protection to avoid accidents, and ideally use green cleaning products when possible. (Some clients, like schools, may require low-VOC or EPA-certified disinfectants.)
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Insurance and contracts: Ensure the company is fully insured and bonded. That way, any on-site accidents or damages are covered. Read the contract terms carefully — beware of long lock-in clauses. Assett, for example, uses a flexible, non-binding service agreement by default unless a client needs a long-term contract.
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Transparent pricing: Expect clear quotes. Avoid companies that give vague estimates. A reputable provider will itemize services and prices (or at least explain what’s included). Hidden fees or sudden price hikes are red flags.
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Responsiveness and communication: Notice how they treat you from the first call. Do they respond quickly to emails or calls? Are they willing to customize a plan? Look for testimonials or ask for references. Happy customers often highlight good communication. For instance, many Assett clients rave about our responsiveness and professionalism.
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Quality control: Ask how they maintain quality. Do they inspect their work? Assett uses a “Live Verification” system tying each task to instructions and accountability forms, so nothing is missed. This kind of systematic approach ensures consistency.
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Reviews and reputation: Check online reviews, and ask other facility managers. A top-notch cleaning service will have positive feedback about reliability and thoroughness.
Key takeaway: The ideal cleaning company is experienced in your type of facility, fully certified/insured, and offers the full set of services you need. They should have well-trained staff, flexible scheduling, and transparent prices. Assett Commercial Services checks all these boxes – we hold industry certifications, background-check and train our teams rigorously, and we work closely with clients on customized plans. Our many five-star reviews attest to the high standards we maintain.
Ready to Keep Your Facility Spotless? Contact Assett Today!
Every facility’s needs are different, but the questions are the same. By understanding cleaning frequencies, knowing what distinguishes janitorial from deeper cleaning, and focusing on hygiene hotspots, you’ll keep your building safe and welcoming. Whether you oversee an office, school, medical center, or any other facility, Assett Commercial Services has the expertise and flexibility to handle it all.
Assett Commercial Services offers customized cleaning solutions – from daily janitorial upkeep to specialized commercial cleaning projects – tailored to your schedule and industry. Our teams are professional, fully vetted, and armed with the right tools to make your space shine. Don’t settle for a one-size-fits-all approach. Contact Assett today for a free quote and consultation. Let us partner with you to design a cleaning plan that keeps your facility healthy, compliant, and looking its very best.