Summary: Foot traffic invites dirt and grime. In downtown Boston, especially near high-traffic MBTA stations, keeping a lobby clean can be a challenge. But it is possible when cleaning providers utilize the three T’s of commercial cleaning.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) provides a valuable service. Where would commuters in the greater Boston area be without it? Unfortunately, there are downsides, especially for businesses located near high-traffic MBTA stations. An enormous challenge for many is keeping their lobbies clean.
A lobby is more than just an entryway or waiting area. It is the foundation of a first impression. The lobby is a silent greeter; a key indicator of a business is professionalism and attention to detail. A well-maintained lobby that looks clean impresses visitors. They are disappointed with a dirty or cluttered lobby that calls into question a company’s willingness to make guests feel at home.
MBTA Traffic and Busy Lobbies
MBTA stations generate a lot of foot traffic. They do so by design. But all that foot traffic brings with it the grime, grit, and dirt of urban life. It is stuff you don’t want in your Boston lobby.
Foot traffic’s dirt and grime are made worse by the normal wear and tear generated by a constant flow of pedestrians. Interestingly, the two challenges have almost a symbiotic relationship. Dirt and grime exacerbate wear and tear. But wear and tear also invite more dirt and grime.
All Pro Cleaning Systems attack busy commercial lobbies with a unique understanding of the challenges businesses in these high-traffic areas face. Our years of commercial cleaning across the greater Boston area have forced us to hone our skills. We know how to keep commercial lobbies near MBTA stations as clean as possible throughout the day and night.
It’s All in the Three T’s
Cleaning commercial lobbies is a complicated exercise in any city. When you are talking about lobbies near busy MBTA stations, the degree of difficulty only goes up. So at the risk of oversimplifying what can often prove difficult, we want to introduce you to All Pro Cleaning Systems’ three T’s for lobby cleaning:
1. Timing (the art of strategic cleaning)
How and what we clean is critically important. But when it comes to high-traffic lobbies near MBTA stations, when we clean is equally important. Here is the simplest way to look at it: the busiest buildings in the greater Boston area see people coming and going throughout the day. A single cleaning at the end of the day is not enough. High-traffic buildings require two types of cleanings and their commensurate schedules.
Peak Hour Cleaning
Peak hour cleaning looks at the busiest times of day for a given lobby. In downtown Boston, that usually means first thing in the morning, during the lunch rush, and at the end of the business day. Immediately following each rush, cleaners come in and do their thing. Peak hour cleaning is complemented by:
- Hourly Spot Checks – A member of the cleaning team does a quick walk-through looking for trash, muddy footprints, spills, etc.
- Mat Management – The dirt and grime from foot traffic is better controlled with floor mats. During peak times, mats can be saturated with dirt and moisture. A quick vacuum or shake-out every few hours ensures they continue doing the job all day long.
Off-Peak and Overnight
Off-peak cleaning occurs when foot traffic is slow enough to allow for a more thorough job. And of course, overnight is the best time for those deep cleaning sessions. Both off-peak and overnight cleaning address dirt and grime at a level that is simply not possible through hourly spot checks.
Note that off-peak cleaning includes an initial morning clean. This thorough cleaning prepares the building for the business day. It ensures that the lobby is spotless when the first visitors arrive.
2. Tools (equipment designed for success)
The second ‘T’ in the quest for clean lobbies near high-traffic MBTA stations is ‘tools’. As professional cleaners, we are committed to the idea that there is a perfect tool for every job. Having the right tools is crucial to all sorts of cleaning – especially keeping high-traffic lobbies clean and presentable.
One of the most important lobby tools is the high-performance floor mat. We simply cannot stress enough how much quality matters in this particular area. Floor mats are not merely decorative. They are the first line of defense against dirt, road salt, slush, mud, and anything else guests track in.
We recommend multi-zone matting and a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule that guarantees mats are changed and cleaned regularly. We also recommend:
- Industrial-strength vacuums.
- Commercial floor scrubbers.
- High-quality microfiber maps.
- Commercial-grade cleaning solutions, microfiber cloths, and other tools.
Where applicable, we also recommend upgrading commercial-grade tools and cleaning solutions to hospital-grade. Hospital-grade products are necessary for proper disinfection.
3. Training (the power of a skilled team)
The final three T’s principle is training. Even with proper timing and the best tools, an untrained staff isn’t likely to do the best possible job. Their efforts might even undermine the greater goal of keeping that lobby spotlessly clean. On the other hand, a fully trained team understands the how’s, why’s, and what’s of it all.
Results-driven training include:
- The proper use of all equipment.
- Cleaning protocols for different surfaces.
- Sanitation best practices.
- Safety protocols.
It is a smart move to include attention to detail in any cleaning crew training program. When things go wrong, it’s often in the details. So nipping that in the bud during training just makes sense.
We also train our crews in both customer service and professionalism. We offer ongoing training by way of refresher courses and updates whenever circumstances warrant. Your organization should do something similar if you handle cleaning in-house.
Your Boston-area business welcomes visitors every day. How does your lobby look? Keeping the lobby clean and inviting is imperative, even in areas close to high-traffic MBTA stations. Do not let the traffic ruin your lobby. Instead, stay ahead of it with a cleaning strategy that includes the proper timing, tools, and cleaning crew training.
FAQs
Why is cleaning near an MBTA station different?
Foot traffic is the big thing with MBTA. The sheer amount of foot traffic stations generate creates a constant influx of urban grit and grime that gets carried into lobbies.
How often should a lobby be cleaned during the winter?
Winter is the busiest time for lobby cleaning. Hourly spot-mopping and wiping at peak times is necessary. Businesses should plan on a deeper overnight cleaning after every business day.
What is the best way to handle subway dust?
Microfiber cloths and HEPA-filtered vacuums are about the only way to deal with Boston’s subway dust. Other strategies don’t remove the dust. They simply move it around.
Can proper cleaning eliminate the musty smell on rainy days?
Rainy days can make Boston lobbies smell musty. But a combination of eco-friendly cleaners and hourly spot checks can make an enormous difference.
What types of floor mats should our lobby utilize?
We recommend heavy-duty, slip-resistant floor mats that soak up water and cling to dirt and debris. A vestibule mat soaks up water, while a longer runner inside the lobby can help dry shoes as pedestrians walk through.