Building Stronger Partnership and Safer Facilities

By Doug and Susan Boonstra, Master Franchise Owner, Anago of Minneapolis

In the commercial cleaning industry, the work is more than mops, vacuums, and schedules. It’s about partnership. The difference between a good client relationship and a great one often comes down to collaboration — the kind of open communication and shared responsibility that elevates cleaning from a service to a strategic advantage. 

October’s designation as Fire Prevention Month illustrates the power of collaboration. While commercial cleaning providers aren’t directly responsible for kitchen exhaust systems or fire suppression, it helps to have an extra set of eyes and ears that help keep facilities safe. Our franchisee teams move through every corner of a building, from breakrooms to boiler rooms, long after the last employee has gone home. 

When hazards like blocked fire exits, overloaded outlets, or flammable waste are spotted, the responsibility is not only cleaning but communicating. When clients respond in kind (welcoming observations and sharing operational goals), the result is a safer, more resilient facility. 

But fire safety is only one example. Collaboration extends across nearly every environment:

 - Health care settings: Cleaning teams play a crucial role in preventing infections. By working closely with administrators and staff, cleaners can identify high-touch areas, adjust disinfection schedules, and recommend improvements that support patient safety and regulatory compliance.

 - Schools and universities: Collaboration here means coordinating cleaning schedules with academic calendars, athletic events, and after-hours programming. When cleaning providers and administrators share information freely, facilities remain clean and safe without disrupting the student experience.

 - Corporate offices: Cleaners often see how space is used in ways managers may not — such as heavily trafficked conference rooms, neglected stairwells, or cluttered emergency exits. Sharing these observations can inform better space planning, energy use, and safety practices.

- Industrial and warehouse spaces: Dust accumulation, debris, and blocked aisles aren’t just housekeeping issues; they can become fire or injury hazards. Cleaning crews who work collaboratively with operations staff help ensure compliance with OSHA standards and support a safer workplace for employees. 

In each of these examples, collaboration elevates cleaning into something greater: a partnership in maintaining not only cleanliness but also safety, compliance, and employee well-being. For business owners, it means knowing that their cleaning provider isn’t just servicing their space; they’re invested in its performance and resilience. For cleaning providers, it builds trust and long-term relationships that go beyond contracts and task lists. 

This October, Fire Prevention Month is a reminder that no vendor can work in isolation. Facility safety, compliance, and productivity are shared responsibilities, and when cleaning companies and their clients work together, the results are transformative. A clean facility becomes a safe facility. A safe facility becomes a productive one. A productive facility fosters the kind of trust that keeps customers, employees, and visitors coming back. 

Collaboration is what turns everyday cleaning into a strategic asset. It’s what transforms a good client relationship into a great one. And in my experience as an Anago Master Franchise Owner, it’s the single most powerful tool we must ensure the spaces we care for are not only spotless, but also safe, compliant, and prepared for whatever challenges tomorrow may bring. 

This October, businesses should take time to ask their cleaning partners: What are you seeing in our facility that could compromise safety? What housekeeping practices could we adjust to reduce risks? In doing so, they’ll not only honor the spirit of Fire Prevention Month but also strengthen the everyday partnerships that keep operations safe, compliant, and resilient year-round. 

Doug and Suan Boonstra are the Master Franchise Owners for Anago of Minneapolis, part of the Anago Cleaning Systems brand, supporting over 1800 franchises across the U.S. and Canada. For more information about Anago of Minneapolis, click here.