Certain types of seasonal organizations tend to slow down during the summer. Schools are a great example. While students are away enjoying their summer vacations, cleaning crews can get to work preparing the building for fall. That means deep-cleaning spaces that were just spot-cleaned before.
Summer deep cleaning is just as appropriate to universities and colleges as it is high schools. Likewise for government office buildings, where the summer season tends to send legions of workers on vacation for extended periods of time. Even some private businesses are subject to a seasonal summer slowdown. If such is the case for your organization, we have some deep cleaning tips for you.
Tip #1: Create a Deep Cleaning List
The first thing to do is to create a list of all the facility’s deep cleaning needs. Start with high traffic areas that are hard to clean when the building is full. Entryways, first-floor halls and offices, etc. are all on the table.
You also want to prioritize a list of cleaning strategies for each space. You may have a floor that needs to be completely stripped and refinished. That’s going to take time, so you might want to put it higher on the priority list. Otherwise, it might be late-summer before you get to it – and then it’s too late.
Tip #2: Create Zones with Task Lists
As a company that specializes in business, industrial, and office cleaning services, we have discovered that deep cleaning is more thorough when we create cleaning zones throughout the facility. We then assign both tasks and the appropriate workers to each zone.
Creating zones divides a very large project into smaller, bite-sized chunks. By giving people responsibility over certain zones, we prevent any one person from being overwhelmed by the sheer scope of the job. Each team member has their responsibilities in a particular zone.
Creating zones with individualized task lists also makes it easier to align cleaning schedules with other things that need to take place in the building. And yes, other things will be going on. That is the nature of seasonal work.
Tip #3: Use Both Waterfall and Adaptive Scheduling
In the software development world, there are two different development methods. The waterfall method is a sequential method in which the cycle is completed by building one task on top of another. The other method is adaptive. With an adaptive cycle, multiple parts of the software are developed concurrently. Everything is brought together in the end.
The same principle can be applied to commercial cleaning. We recommend not utilizing just one method or the other. Use both. Certain tasks cannot be completed until other things are done. So for them, develop a waterfall cycle. Other tasks can be completed concurrently. Use an adaptive cycle for those.
By combining waterfall and adaptive methods, you can maximize your cleaning efficiency over a short summer term. You will want to get as much deep cleaning done as possible before people start returning in the fall. What you do not get done over the summer will have to wait until you get another break – perhaps a winter break or even next summer.
Make the Most of Your Time
Deep cleaning during seasonal slowdowns is all about maximizing your time. So be prepared. Come up with a plan and task lists. Divide your facility into zones and assign workers accordingly. With a solid plan and the right people in place, maybe you’ll check every item off your list before fall. Wouldn’t that be a fantastic way to head into the new season?
