Janitorial services are recurring cleaning and basic building-upkeep services that keep commercial or public buildings clean, sanitary, orderly and usable. One janitor, an in-house cleaning team or a contracted cleaning company may provide them. ****
Janitorial work commonly covers offices, schools, medical facilities, apartment buildings, warehouses, retail stores and other commercial properties. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics describes the work as maintaining buildings through tasks such as floor cleaning, rubbish removal, dusting, restroom cleaning and minor maintenance.
What Do Janitorial Services Include?
A janitorial services contract may include:
- Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and polishing floors
- Cleaning and disinfecting restrooms
- Emptying trash and recycling bins
- Dusting furniture, fixtures and equipment
- Cleaning interior glass, doors and common areas
- Restocking soap, paper towels, toilet paper and other supplies
- Cleaning break rooms, kitchens and employee areas
- Removing spills and visible debris
- Cleaning walls, windows or carpets when included in the service plan
- Reporting maintenance problems to the building manager
- Performing minor upkeep tasks, such as changing light bulbs, when offered by the provider
Some contracts cover routine light cleaning. Others include heavier work, such as carpet shampooing, wall and glass washing, and rubbish removal.
Janitorial Services at a Glance
| Aspect | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Main purpose | Keep a building clean, sanitary and orderly |
| Typical schedule | Daily, several times per week, weekly or according to a custom contract |
| Common locations | Offices, schools, hospitals, apartment buildings, retail stores and warehouses |
| Common tasks | Floor care, restroom cleaning, trash removal, dusting and supply replenishment |
| Service type | Usually ongoing and contracted, although one-time services may also be available |
| Extra services | Carpet cleaning, floor waxing, window cleaning and deep cleaning may be added |
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration lists janitorial services, office cleaning, floor waxing and window cleaning under building cleaning and maintenance services.
What Is the Difference Between Janitorial Services and Cleaning Services?
Cleaning services is a broad term for many types of cleaning work. It can include one-time deep cleaning, residential cleaning and specialised restoration.
Janitorial services usually refer to ongoing cleaning and basic upkeep for a building. The work is often completed according to a regular schedule, such as daily, several times per week or weekly.
The difference depends on the service agreement. A janitorial contract should identify the areas covered, cleaning frequency, included supplies, response times and additional charges.
How Are Janitorial Services Different from Housekeeping?
Janitorial services maintain buildings such as offices, schools and commercial properties. Housekeeping usually focuses on rooms and living spaces in hotels, hospitals and private homes.
Housekeeping work may include:
- Making beds
- Changing linens
- Cleaning guest rooms
- Replenishing room supplies
The Bureau of Labor Statistics separates these duties from janitorial and building-cleaning work.
How Are Janitorial Services Different from Facilities Maintenance?
Janitorial services focus on cleaning, sanitation and basic upkeep. Facilities maintenance covers a wider range of building systems and repairs, including:
- Plumbing and electrical repairs
- Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
- Building equipment
- Preventive maintenance
- Grounds and exterior maintenance
- Safety inspections
- Major repairs and building systems management
A janitorial provider may report a repair issue or perform minor maintenance, such as changing a light bulb. Major technical repairs are normally handled by a facilities maintenance team or specialist contractor.
What Should a Janitorial Contract Cover?
Before signing a janitorial services contract, confirm:
- Which rooms, floors and shared areas are included
- How often each task will be completed
- Whether cleaning products, paper goods and other supplies are included
- How spills, urgent cleaning requests and maintenance problems are handled
- Which services cost extra
- Whether carpet cleaning, window cleaning, floor waxing or deep cleaning are part of the agreement
The written scope of work determines what the provider is responsible for. Two companies may both advertise janitorial services while offering different tasks, schedules and prices.