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.