New commercial cleaning industry trends can be your friend, but don’t ignore the tried and true classics you know will boost your bottom line.
Do you follow the latest commercial cleaning industry trends? Trends are an interesting thing. The dictionary defines a trend as a “prevailing tendency or inclination.” However, as we all know in business, there are some basic standards that don’t change over time. Good customer service and high-quality work will always be in style.
At the same time, we have to anticipate trends. They help us understand what our commercial cleaning customers want, where the industry overall is headed, and what the future of our janitorial business might look like. For instance, the projected growth in commercial cleaning employment in the U.S. by 2028 is 6.6%. Dig in a bit more, and you’ll find that in some areas, you may want to gear up for hiring. For example, Florida has a projected growth rate of 11.2%, according to a study funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
While they can help us prepare for the future, commercial cleaning industry trends can also help us stand out now– especially if we can get ahead of the competition in recognizing the changes that customers are looking for.
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7 Commercial cleaning industry trends to pay attention to this year
1. Coronavirus cleaning. Let’s get this out of the way, because every industry has been changed to some degree by COVID-19. We’ve learned a lot about this virus since it first emerged, including that it spreads primarily through the air. Still, many businesses and office buildings have an increased focus on the cleanliness of their facilities. That means one of the biggest commercial cleaning industry trends is that customers are asking for more frequent and more detailed cleaning. Without getting into the specifics (you can read more about those here, here, and here), each contract requires more hands-on time than ever. And even once this virus is out of the picture, it’s probably safe to say that the continued attention to cleaning protocols will stay with us.
2. Increased client communication. Due in part to COVID-19, clients want to be part of the process. They want to know what you’re cleaning, what products you use, how you train your team, how often you clean surfaces and areas, and more. They have lots of questions. This is potentially a boon for your business. There’s no question that janitorial teams work hard, but for many clients, it’s easy to miss that. Detailing exactly what your team does at any given location makes it clear how much work goes into the job. So don’t fear questions about your work; take it as a chance to highlight the careful and thoughtful approach your team commits to when they go to work.
3. Green cleaning. This is one of the commercial cleaning industry trends that should come as no surprise to anyone. With the increased attention to climate issues and the long-lasting impact of so many of the chemicals and products we use (both household and commercial cleaners), green cleaning is a segment of the industry that continues to grow. In fact, the market for green cleaning products is expected to grow to $11.6 billion by 2029, up from $3.9 billion in 2019. If you aren’t offering green cleaning yet, now is the time to start. And don’t be shy about it, either. Your customers want this. In fact, LEED-certified buildings require LEED-compliant cleaning to attain and retain their certification, so a specialization in green cleaning could be your entry point to this valuable market.
4. Add-on services. Many commercial cleaning companies add services such as lawn care, basic facility maintenance, HVAC cleaning, window cleaning as a specialty, and more. These add-ons are an easy way to boost your revenue while also providing a valuable service to your clients. It’s the all-in-one bundle that saves them from having to look around and contract with another service provider.
5. Specialized services. Whether it’s biohazard cleaning, working in hospitals and health care facilities, or specializing in carpet cleaning or marble floors, there is a lot of room for growth in these niche cleaning markets. And because they require specific training and procedures, there isn’t a lot of competition out there.
6. Software tools. We are, of course, biased here since we design software specifically for the cleaning industry. That said, the right software tools are such a powerful addition to your business processes. Streamline work orders, offer on-site proposals, create and change bids with a few simple entries, create cleaning checklists, conduct inspections, follow employee performance, track your inventory, and so much more with janitorial management software. This one addition to your business will make you more efficient, faster, more accurate, and more profitable.
7. Employee training. Many commercial cleaning industry trends, such as LEED cleaning or specialized services, require extensive employee training. Even without these services, however, increased employee training is essential for high-quality customer service. It’s also an excellent way to improve your employee retention rates, giving continuity and stability to your entire operation.
Keeping up with trends doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Even adding a few of these to your business plan can help bring in more revenue, raise the quality of your work, and assure customers that you’re continually working to improve your service.
And don’t forget the ongoing commercial cleaning industry trends, such as a dedication to excellent customer service, transparency, and doing good work. Those three alone can do wonders for your business. They make you the kind of company that people feel good about hiring. Ultimately, that’s what you want. That’s what keeps you in business.
Find out how easy it can be to stay in touch with employees and clients, bid on jobs, manage inventory, perform inspections, and more with Janitorial Manager. Check out a free demo to learn about all the great features!