Building and Cleaning Service Companies Key Terms

Know the key terms to get the best out of a cleaning service
By Geraldine McGowan Cleaning services are part of owning and operating a business. You can do the cleaning yourself but if your business is growing, having a service clean for you will make a big difference. Cleaning services can do routine cleaning such vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, dusting general areas and replenishing supplies such as soap and paper towels. But cleaning service companies can do more if you want that. Building and cleaning service companies key terms can help you focus on what you're looking for in a cleaning service company.

Commercial cleaning contracts

A commercial cleaning contract is an agreement between a client and a cleaning service on the rates and work to be performed, such as frequency of the cleaning. Contracts can be for one year, two years or three years.
Try:  Buyerzone.com discusses some essential aspects of what goes into a commercial cleaning contract, including an important clause that protects the client.

Maid service

Maid service is traditionally a travel service for a hotel, but times are changing and maid service is expanding its definition of the service into business cleaning operations.
Try:  Home Travel Agency defines maid service in its more traditional meaning. Some maid service companies are defining themselves more broadly as a cleaning service. For example, see Mia's Maid Service for information on a commercial cleaning service.

Green cleaning companies

Green cleaning companies use non-chemical solvents to clean offices. They do not use aerosol cans for anything. Green cleaning relies on natural, safe kinds of cleaners.
Try:  International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association defines green cleaning companies on its website.

Green Seal certification and standards

Green Seal is an independent, non-profit standards organization that tests products for environmentally-friendly ingredients. Green Seal certification and standards are based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for environmental labeling programs.
Try:  Green Seal certification and standards are explained on its website. Cleaning products with Green Seal certification can also be found on the website.

Licensed, bonded and insured

"Licensed" refers to companies that have been licensed by a regulatory body, "bonded" refers to insurance against the theft of monies and other forms of property and "insured" means you have the correct amount of insurance to completely cover losses due to the company's errors.
Try:  Brittany Maids defines the terms and explains how they are and are not applicable to cleaning services.

Building maintenance and cleaning services

Building maintenance is the general upkeep of a building, from replacing lights that have blown out to overseeing work done on the building by a contractor. Some businesses who own their own buildings might want to contract with a company that provides building maintenance as well as cleaning services.
Try:  The International Facility Management Association definition pointedly excludes janitorial work in its definition of building maintenance. National Maintenance Group defines the work of a building maintenance and cleaning services company.