The state of the commercial cleaning industry is fluid from year to year and is often defined by both the department’s cleaning mission and the environment in which is serves. Whether purchasing products, managing employees, promoting green or outlining budgets, the cleaning manager has dealt with a lot of changes through the years.

Responsibilities of the position now encompass varying areas within the facility, the potential for green or sustainable initiatives — and understanding the difference between the two — and working with other departments within the organization on cleaning initiatives. The goals of the department, or “mission,” are constantly being tweaked to reflect the more critical role that the cleaning department has on the indoor environment and the facility’s carbon footprint.

In 2007, Housekeeping Solutions conducted its first Reader Survey, which provided a general look into the world of cleaning and what trends impact housekeeping departments. Although some results were surprising, others supported traditional assumptions about the industry and the cleaning workers within it. With this second annual survey, Housekeeping Solutions has outlined changes that have taken place over the last 12 months.

Facility Management

Uneducated, blue-collar, lacking in skills and unsophisticated: The cleaner, and the entire custodial department is traditionally perceived negatively by building occupants and the overall American public. Many think that cleaning requires no skills and anyone off the street can do the job. Others judge on first impressions and see a worker wearing tattered clothing and automatically pass judgement. Although the large majority of cleaners are actually very well educated and knowledgeable on topics such as chemistry, esthetics and health, the negative perception is often difficult to overcome.

In our survey, we asked readers why they might think there is a negative connotation connected to the cleaning department. The number one answer: the general nature of the work performed. But, although 38 percent ranked this No. 1, this is actually down from 54 percent in 2007. Why? Possibly because of internal public relations and cleaning perception. Or, possibly because the American consumer is becoming more educated on cleaning and how it affects their health — understanding that cleaning is more than pushing a broom.

Although perception is important, it is ranked only No. 4 as a top management priority, down from No. 2 in 2007. At No. 1, for the second year in a row, was “improving staff performance and cleaning times.” This, of course, is no surprise as the Housekeeping Solutions reader is responsible for cleaning an average of 38 buildings and 39 percent of readers expect the total square footage of cleanable space to increase in 2009.

What’s interesting, though, is that although cleaning managers anticipate that their facility will grow and the workload will increase, budgets are expected to stay steady. Only 29 percent — up from 25 percent in 2007 — expect their budget to adjust relative to the cleaning workload. Not surprising were the 39 percent of readers who commented that their department is underfinanced relative to the cleaning workload, a statement that is consistent with responses last year.

Due in large part to the growing square footage within these facilities, and the demand for more technical cleaning, many in-house departments are exploring the benefits of project outsourcing. Although the majority of readers (53 percent) commented that they do all projects in-house, 38 percent commented that outsourcing of special projects is an option.

Specialty or infrequent cleaning projects such as window cleaning, exterior or lawn care, carpet extraction or floor stripping and recoating are some of the more common areas where departments are outsourcing. These projects often take extended periods of time and specialty education for custodial workers and often, it is cost effective to source the work out.

Purchasing Priorities

As the in-house cleaning manager prepares for 2009, product purchases and policy upgrades are top of mind. According to industry statistics, in-house service providers actually account for the majority of purchasing in the industry. Of those readers polled, 87 percent commented that they are involved in recommending, specifying and/or purchasing housekeeping supplies and equipment used within their facility. Naturally, 80 percent of these executives commented that they turn to their jan/san distributor for product knowledge, training and purchase, while 62 percent still look to industry magazines for additional information.

Over the last decade, facility service providers have changed the way they purchase, but not much has changed in the last year. Ten years ago, the physical appearance of a facility drove cleaning purchases. Although appearance is still very important, cleaners are now looking at products that will help safeguard the health of building occupants and cleaning workers.

Ranked first for the second year in a row, managers are making product purchases that will improve both building occupant health and hygiene. The appearance of the building and product pricing follows at a close second. And rounding out the list as the No. 3 product priority, indoor air quality and cleaning speed or duration of cleanliness.

With the obvious focus on health, it is no surprise that an emphasis on green cleaning and sustainability jumped from No. 4 in 2007 to No. 2 this year as a top management priority. According to the survey, 81 percent of readers comment that the use of green cleaning products contribute to a healthy working environment for building occupants and cleaning workers. This overall push towards green, and now a stronger focus on sustainability issues is driving cleaning initiatives.

With this push, various cities and states across the country have begun mandating the use of green cleaning products within schools, government facilities and health care institutions. As the laws require, these facilities are purchasing green, or sustainable products as their existing products run out. Although not yet required, retail, commercial and hospitality facilities are also reaping the benefits of providing “green” environments.

The Green Push

With an obvious push towards building occupant health and environmental interests, the job of cleaning managers now includes specialty tasks, in addition to their traditional cleaning duties. Today’s cleaner must be knowledgeable regarding bacterial, viral and fungal contaminants and the cleaning procedures necessary to address them.

They must also be educated on indoor environmental quality concerns such as volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions and their health impact on the public and building occupants with specific chemical sensitivities. Similarly, cleaners must be familiar with the federal, state and local laws, as well as industry-specific precautions that impact product use.

In regards to green cleaning, managers are doing their homework. Early perceptions of green products indicated that they were ineffective and expensive. Only a year ago, a dismal 25 percent agreed that green products work just as well as their traditional cleaning counterparts.

During the last 12 months, though, the green push has grown and more cleaners are becoming educated on the technology of these products, as well as their use. And now, 40 percent agree that green is as good or better than the traditional products used within the facility.

One reader commented, “Information now supports the fact that green products have come down in price and have proved to be as, if not more effective at cleaning as traditional products.”

Not only are cleaners educating themselves on green initiatives, they are actively implementing green products into their cleaning programs. A year ago, more than half of all managers were purchasing any product, green or traditional, that did the best job for the least amount of money. Today, that number has significantly dropped.

Instead, 83 percent of readers commented that they will do whatever they can to incorporate green products into their cleaning program. And 63 percent of readers have already implemented green products into their programs — up 7 percent from 2007.

The increased usage might come as a result of additional green products entering the marketplace. According to the survey, readers have documented increased product offerings in the green category over the last 12 months.

In 2007, chemicals — all-purpose and restroom cleaning chemicals — had the largest impact in facilities searching for green cleaning alternatives, as well as antimicrobial cleaners. Although these categories continue to thrive in the green market, a more surprising category has emerged over the last 12 months. The paper product category has jumped from only 47 percent usage in 2007 to 64 percent this year.

Speculation for this shift comes from experience. As many departments began their green programs, chemicals were overwhelmingly the first change that was made. As these departments progress with their sustainable initiatives, they have shifted to include different categories of cleaning, making paper the next most obvious choice.

That said, progress has also been made in the touch-free category as more building occupants become educated on cross-contamination issues and common touch points throughout the facility. Also top-of-mind is carpet care equipment and it’s impact on indoor air quality.

In fact, every category — soaps, microfiber, cleaners, strippers, finishes, etc. — jumped from those results reported in 2007. The change can be credited to cleaning managers experiencing improved customer satisfaction, improved health among building occupants and cleaners and reduced absenteeism.

Certification

Although the push towards green cleaning has grown over the last 12 months, the drive towards certification has stayed stagnant. With various certification entities, the saturation has become somewhat confusing to the in-house manager.

Managers now have various options to certify themselves, their workers, their department or their entire facility. Even with all the options, many are still struggling to determine what benefits certification will bring.

Although 33 percent of readers commented that their expectations for personnel certifications will increase in 2009, a whopping 77 percent commented that facility certification was not a goal.

However, product certifications continue to be a focus in many facilities. Adhering to various laws implemented by city and state governments, facility managers’ hands are tied when it comes to product options. These laws often require the use of products certified by a third-party.

Of those surveyed, 81 percent commented that green certification for products were somewhat or very important as they make their green product purchases.

Even facility managers that are not restricted by law are targeting products that don green certification labels. In fact, many readers commented that “green” and the use of sustainble products within facilities will soon be required or mandated in all facilities — potentially driven by public perception. If assumptions are true, it would be wise for cleaning managers to get a head start.

According to the survey results, an overwhelming 76 percent of readers admitted to already implementing green cleaning products into their cleaning programs. Of those who are currently not implementing green products, 84 percent plan to make the switch within the next year — a drastic jump from only 43 percent in 2007.

One reader put it perfectly when he commented, “Anytime you can do something that helps both the environment and the building occupants and workers is a good thing.”