Regular office cleaning services are nothing new. If you've worked in such a space, you have likely seen the cleaning crew, especially at night. However, it's no secret that since the pandemic, such cleaning services have had to adjust their workload in many ways. Here are changes in office cleaning services that happened due to the pandemic.

Shift in Labor

When the pandemic began, many office buildings shut down, and that meant that the services that relied on them also had to shut down temporarily. As a result, many existing office cleaning services had to make temporary adjustments to labor. Some had to lay people off, whereas some merely had to make a shift to new markets. According to OneDesk, companies have begun to reopen with an increased focus on proper sanitation and hygiene, so expect professional cleaning services to rebound in the upcoming years.

New Markets

An advantage of the situation described above is that office closings provided cleaning contractors the opportunity to look to other markets. In addition to cleaning offices, many also handle medical buildings, educational buildings, and food services, as well as residential properties. With these new markets has come an opportunity to acquire more clientele and branch out the company in ways they may not have expected.

More Training

When one hires a cleaning service, they now have to worry about more than dirt and dust. The COVID-19 virus is now a lingering part of the ecosystem. In addition to the COVID-19 virus, the flu virus, salmonella, E coli, etc. are all serious health concerns. Cleaning services needed additional training to handle all of these types of bacteria and viruses. From using the right chemicals to having the right water temperature for disinfecting, many of these services have undergone adequate training to ensure that office buildings, medical facilities, and residential properties are as safe as possible.

Use of More PPE

PPE stands for personal protective equipment. After all, your office cleaning professionals aren't just protecting the clients. They must also protect themselves from lingering bacteria and viruses in the spaces they're working in. More cleaning companies understand the use of giving employees masks, thick gloves, and protective clothing to ensure they also stay safe while cleaning an office or other building from head to toe.

Increased Focus on Disinfection and Sanitation

There was a time when office cleaning may have focused on the mere appearance of a clean surface. In other words, as long as dirt and dust weren't visible, that was what mattered. However, people now have a greater understanding of the lingering bacteria and viruses that can harbor on any surface. As a result, your local office cleaners understand how to properly disinfect and sanitize the space just as much as cleaning it visually.

Frequency and Visibility

Thanks to the pandemic, office cleaning services are now needed more than ever. According to Gitnux, in 2021, there were more than 25,000 commercial cleaning businesses in the United States. Whether it's an office, building, medical facility, or university, you may see them more frequently than before. A company that may have used their services once or twice a week may now want them available every day.

You may also notice the visibility factor when it comes to these cleaners. Companies want everyone to know that their business is being thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to prevent cross-contamination or illness. You may also notice more signs available, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. These signs will often give directions on how to properly wash your hands to prevent the spread of disease. You may also notice the presence of hand sanitizer and wipes, so people can do their part to localize their cleaning and sanitation as needed.

As you can see, your local office cleaning services had to make many adjustments due to the pandemic. As businesses and the world have opened up, these cleaning services will continue to expand and grow with the new world they're in. To ensure your business is as safe, clean, and sanitized as possible, make sure you find the right service that can keep up with all of these updates. Look no further than Marquis Commercial Solutions, who's been in the business for over 30 years. We handle many types of businesses and look forward to serving you in the future. Contact us today for an appointment.