The Cleaning Indy Podcast

Do Your Cleaners Constantly Skip Steps While Cleaning Is your Indoor Air Quality Making You Sick

Podcast Summary: Missed Trash Cans, Odors, and Accountability in Commercial Cleaning In this episode of The Cleaning podcast, hosts Tom Moore and Sarah Moore of American Facility Care continue their discussion around common pain points facility managers face with commercial cleaning services. Building on their online quiz at CleaningIndeed.com, they dive into Question #5: “Do you frequently encounter missed trash cans and other overlooked items?” The conversation begins with a discussion on indoor air quality, emphasizing the difference between masking odors and eliminating them at the source. Using real-world examples—like fruit flies and forgotten trash—the hosts explain why proper trash removal, enzyme-based cleaners, air sanitizers, and odor neutralizers play a critical role in maintaining a healthy facility. From there, Tom and Sarah walk listeners through a familiar scenario: arriving at work on a Monday morning only to find overflowing trash cans and unpleasant smells. They outline the three most common reasons this happens: Internal staff rushing through cleaning duties Weekend shifts without proper trash removal plans External cleaning contractors missing key items or areas Rather than focusing on extreme cases, the episode zeroes in on the “middle ground” problems—where cleaning is inconsistent and accountability is unclear. The hosts stress that these issues usually come down to communication, training, and clearly defined expectations. They explore how inadequate training, staff turnover, unclear scopes of work, and poorly documented spaces can lead to missed trash, skipped rooms, and frustrated facility managers. Practical solutions include better onboarding, labeled rooms, second walkthroughs, and stronger quality control systems. The episode closes by tying this discussion into Question #6 of the quiz, addressing whether cleaning company managers show a lack of concern or follow-through. Tom and Sarah emphasize the importance of inspection systems and strong manager-to-cleaner communication to ensure problems are actually corrected—not just acknowledged. Finally, they preview the next episode, which tackles a surprising but real issue: cleaners clocking in but not cleaning—including stories of janitors hiding in closets. 🎧 Listen, subscribe, and learn more at CleaningIndy.com, and don’t forget to leave a review or subscribe on YouTube for future episodes.

Do You Struggle To Get A Meeting With Your Contractor?

In this episode of *The Cleaning Indy Podcast*, hosts Tom and Sarah Moore tackle a crucial issue that many facility managers face—why it can be so difficult to communicate directly with onsite cleaners. They explore how certain cleaning companies use independent contractor (1099) models instead of hiring W-2 employees, leading to miscommunication, lack of accountability, and a drop in service quality. Drawing from their own experiences and real-world cases, they shed light on why this practice is so common and how it ultimately affects both the workers and the businesses that hire these services. The discussion highlights how some companies outsource their cleaning work to subcontractors without informing clients, leaving facility managers struggling to address cleaning concerns. Tom and Sarah share real-life examples, including a situation where a company was unaware that their cleaning provider had hired an entirely different company to handle the actual cleaning. They also discuss major lawsuits and Department of Labor investigations into the misclassification of workers, where cleaning companies have been found guilty of avoiding tax obligations and underpaying their staff. Tom and Sarah emphasize the importance of choosing a cleaning company that hires and invests in W-2 employees rather than relying on subcontractors. They explain how businesses can protect themselves by asking the right questions during the hiring process—such as whether the cleaning company directly employs its workers and what steps they take to ensure training and accountability. By opting for a provider that values long-term relationships and company culture, businesses can secure more consistent, high-quality cleaning services while supporting fair labor practices. Before wrapping up, the hosts invite listeners to take their **Cleaning Quality Quiz** at CleaningIndy.com to assess their current cleaning service. They also tease the next episode, where they’ll discuss another common frustration—missed trash cans and overlooked cleaning tasks. Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple, Google, or Spotify and subscribe for more insights into keeping your facility clean and well-maintained!

Help! My Cleaners Quality Dropped After Initial 90 Days

Why Cleaning Quality Drops After 90 Days & How to Prevent It! In this episode of the *Cleaning Indy Podcast*, hosts Tom and Sarah Moore, brought to you by American Facility Care, dive into an all-too-common issue: why cleaning service quality tends to decline after the first 90 days. They explore the typical scenario where a cleaning contractor starts strong, providing exceptional service and attention to detail, but after a few months, small issues begin to creep in—missed trash cans, dusty surfaces, unstocked supplies, and overall lapses in quality. Key Discussion Points:   🔹 **The Initial Cleaning "Honeymoon Phase"** – Many cleaning companies perform a deep clean at the beginning of a contract, making everything look pristine. However, if regular maintenance isn’t properly structured, that initial deep clean wears off, leading to noticeable drops in cleanliness over time. 🔹 **Common Signs of Declining Quality** – Trash cans being missed, floors not being vacuumed, dust accumulation, and restrooms not being fully stocked with essential supplies. 🔹 **Understanding the Root Causes** – - A lack of ongoing training for cleaning staff. - Inconsistent inspections and supervision. - Weak communication and complaint resolution processes. - Increased foot traffic in a facility leading to faster wear and tear. 🔹 **How to Prevent Quality Drop-Off:** 1. **Ask the Right Questions During the Bidding Process:** - How does the company handle complaints? - How many supervisors and managers are involved in quality control? - What systems (software, work orders, inspections) do they use to track performance? 2. **Improve Communication & Relationship Building:** - Frequent check-ins with the cleaning team to address issues early. - Providing detailed, specific feedback rather than general complaints. - Recognizing that a strong relationship with a contractor leads to better service. 3. **Determine If Your Cleaning Needs Have Changed:** - Has foot traffic in your facility increased? - Are daily or weekly cleaning schedules still enough, or do you need an additional shift? 4. **Setting Clear Expectations & Holding Contractors Accountable:** - Defining scope of work clearly to ensure all key tasks are covered. - Implementing a structured review process to track ongoing performance. Tom and Sarah share real-world insights, including a case where a company switched cleaning providers due to poor complaint handling—where the previous contractor’s response to issues was simply yelling at employees. This highlights the importance of hiring a team with a solid system for handling concerns professionally. **Looking Ahead** In the next episode, they’ll tackle another critical question: *Is it difficult to arrange meetings with the actual onsite cleaners?* and how that affects overall service quality. **Connect With Us!** If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to leave a review on Apple, Google, or Spotify! You can also visit CleaningIndy.com to take their quiz and learn more about optimizing your cleaning service. Want to share your experience? Leave them a voice message on their website! 🎧 Tune in next time for more insights on maintaining a high-quality cleaning service in your facility.

How to handle a skipped service!

Welcome back to The Cleaning Indy Podcast, brought to you by American Facility Care! Tom and Sarah Moore kick off this episode with a lively discussion about strengthening the bond between contractors and facility managers through effective communication and solid cleaning practices.They revisit their online quiz, specifically diving into the second question: Do you experience too many instances where the cleaning staff fails to show up for scheduled appointments? Tom and Sarah share a real-life story about a daycare left scrambling every Friday when their cleaning company failed to show up—highlighting the ripple effects of unreliable service on overworked daycare staff.To tackle this common issue, they outline actionable tips, such as asking critical questions during contractor walkthroughs, like: * How does your management structure operate? * What happens when staff calls in sick? * Do you utilize technology like geofencing to ensure coverage? They also stress the importance of clear contract language to define expectations, penalties, and service guarantees. A good contractor, they note, should value communication and cater to your preferred style—whether it's via text, email, phone, or in person.The Moores close with a teaser for the next episode, where they'll explore why service quality often declines after 90 days with a new cleaning company and what steps you can take to prevent it.If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to leave a review, subscribe, and check out their website, CleaningIndy.com [https://cleaningindy.com/], for more insights.

What Happens When Training Your Staff Fails?

The cleaning industry faces many challenges, especially when it comes to training staff effectively. In this episode, we discuss the importance of a structured training system for cleaning staff to ensure they can handle their tasks efficiently and safely. We explore the seven-step training process that includes written instructions, hands-on demonstrations, and ongoing inspections to guarantee that employees are well-equipped to perform their duties. By implementing a choreographed cleaning routine, we can help staff manage overwhelming tasks and maintain high standards of cleanliness. This podcast is a must-listen for facility managers and contractors looking to improve their cleaning processes and employee training. Tune in to learn how to enhance your cleaning operations and ensure your team is set up for success!