A tenant in your office building calls, complaining about dirty restrooms that haven’t been cleaned in two days. You call your “commercial cleaning company,” assuming they handle daily cleaning. They explain that they only perform periodic deep cleaning and suggest that you require janitorial services for daily maintenance.
Or the opposite happens: Your janitorial service keeps your office clean daily, but your carpets look progressively worse, and your hard floors have lost their finish. When you ask your janitorial company to fix it, they explain that those specialized services require commercial cleaning, which they don’t provide.
At EBS, we receive calls weekly from confused Southern California businesses that have hired the wrong type of service, mistakenly thought janitorial and commercial cleaning were the same thing, or didn’t realize they needed both services working together.
This guide explains the fundamental differences between janitorial and commercial cleaning services, what each actually does, and how to determine what your business needs.
The Real Difference Between Janitorial and Commercial Cleaning
The terms get used interchangeably, but they describe different services:
Janitorial Services = Ongoing Maintenance
Janitorial services provide routine, frequent cleaning to maintain daily facility cleanliness. Think of janitorial services as regular maintenance, keeping your facility consistently clean and tidy.
Frequency: Daily, multiple times weekly, or weekly, depending on facility needs
Scope: Routine tasks, maintaining baseline cleanliness
Timing: Often during or immediately after business hours
Staff: Same cleaners regularly assigned to your facility
Commercial Cleaning = Specialized Deep Services
Commercial cleaning provides periodic specialized services beyond routine maintenance. Think of commercial cleaning as deep services handling what regular maintenance can’t address.
Frequency: Weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on service type
Scope: Specialized tasks requiring equipment, expertise, or extended time
Timing: Often scheduled during off-hours or low-traffic periods
Staff: Specialized crews with specific training and equipment
The Confusion
Many companies (including EBS) provide both janitorial and commercial cleaning services, leading to confusion. When someone says “we’re a commercial cleaning company,” they might mean:
- We offer specialized deep cleaning only
- We offer routine janitorial services only
- We provide both janitorial and specialized commercial cleaning
You need to clarify precisely what services any “cleaning company” actually provides, rather than assuming based on terminology.
Contact EBS to discuss which services your Southern California facility needs. We’ll explain exactly what janitorial versus commercial cleaning means for your specific situation.
What Janitorial Services Actually Include
Understanding janitorial services helps determine if they meet your needs:
Typical Daily Janitorial Tasks
Trash and Recycling:
- Empty all waste baskets and recycling bins
- Replace liners
- Remove trash to the designated collection area
- Clean around trash receptacles
Restroom Maintenance:
- Clean and disinfect toilets, urinals, and sinks
- Restock paper products and soap
- Clean mirrors and fixtures
- Mop floors
- Spot-clean walls and partitions as needed
- Empty sanitary disposal units
Floor Care:
- Vacuum carpeted areas
- Dust mop or sweep hard floors
- Spot-mop spills and high-traffic areas
- Maintain floor appearance between deep cleaning
Surface Cleaning:
- Wipe down desks and workstations (if contracted)
- Clean and disinfect the break room counters and tables
- Clean kitchen sinks and counters
- Wipe down door handles and light switches
- Dust accessible surfaces
General Tidying:
- Straighten waiting areas
- Organize break rooms
- Maintain overall facility appearance
What Janitorial Services DON’T Typically Include
Janitorial services maintain cleanliness, but don’t handle:
- Carpet deep cleaning or extraction
- Hard floor stripping and waxing
- Window washing (interior or exterior)
- High dusting above reach
- Specialized equipment cleaning
- Power washing
- Post-construction cleanup
- Major spill or contamination remediation
If you only have janitorial services, these needs go unaddressed unless you arrange separate commercial cleaning.
Janitorial Service Scheduling
Daily Service: Facilities with high traffic, multiple restrooms, or constant use need daily janitorial attention.
3-5x Weekly: Medium-traffic offices can often manage with less frequent service.
Weekly: Very small offices with minimal traffic may suffice with weekly service, although restroom cleaning usually requires more frequent attention.
Most businesses need at least three times weekly janitorial services to maintain acceptable cleanliness.
What Commercial Cleaning Services Actually Include
Commercial cleaning addresses needs beyond routine janitorial maintenance:
Floor Care Services
Carpet Cleaning:
- Deep extraction cleaning
- Stain removal
- Odor treatment
- Traffic lane cleaning
- Carpet protection application
Frequency: Quarterly to annually, depending on traffic
Hard Floor Maintenance:
- Stripping old finish
- Applying new wax or finish
- Buffing and polishing
- Tile and grout deep cleaning
- Concrete sealing and polishing
Frequency: Annually to semi-annually for most floors
Window Cleaning Services
Interior Windows:
- Cleaning all interior glass
- Removing smudges, fingerprints, and buildup
- Cleaning window frames and sills
Exterior Windows:
- Cleaning exterior glass
- Removing environmental contamination
- Addressing hard water deposits
Frequency: Monthly to quarterly, depending on visibility importance and environmental factors
Specialized Deep Cleaning
High Dusting:
- Ceiling cleaning
- Light fixture dusting
- Vent cleaning
- High ledge and beam cleaning
Frequency: Quarterly to annually
Upholstery Cleaning:
- Office furniture deep cleaning
- Lobby furniture maintenance
- Conference room chair cleaning
Frequency: Annually or as needed
Kitchen and Break Room Deep Cleaning:
- Appliance deep cleaning (inside and out)
- Cabinet cleaning
- Grease removal
- Deep floor cleaning
Frequency: Quarterly to annually
Specialty Commercial Cleaning
Post-Construction Cleaning:
- Debris removal
- Dust remediation
- Final cleaning before occupancy
Pressure Washing:
- Building exterior cleaning
- Sidewalk and entrance cleaning
- Parking structure maintenance
Emergency Services:
- Water damage cleanup
- Major spill remediation
- Urgent deep cleaning needs
These services are provided as needed, rather than on a regular schedule.
Ready to understand which services your facility needs? Call EBS at (800) 558-9815 for an honest assessment of your janitorial and commercial cleaning needs throughout Southern California.
Most Businesses Need Both Services
Here’s the reality: Most commercial facilities need both janitorial and commercial cleaning services working together:
Why Both Are Necessary
Janitorial Services Alone:
Without periodic commercial cleaning, facilities gradually decline even with excellent janitorial service:
- Carpets accumulate deep soil, and regular vacuuming can’t remove it.
- Hard floors lose finish and develop buildup
- Windows accumulate contamination; regular wiping can’t address it
- High areas accumulate dust and debris
- Specialized needs go unaddressed
Your facility remains clean, but it slowly deteriorates over time.
Commercial Cleaning Alone:
Without ongoing janitorial service, facilities are unacceptable between deep cleanings:
- Trash accumulates daily
- Restrooms become unusable
- Floors show dirt and debris
- Surfaces accumulate dust and grime
- The facility appears neglected most of the time
Your facility looks great immediately after commercial cleaning, but it is unacceptable the rest of the time.
Both Services Together:
Janitorial services maintain daily cleanliness, while commercial cleaning periodically addresses needs beyond regular maintenance. This combination keeps facilities consistently clean while preventing a gradual decline.
Decision Framework: What Does Your Business Need?
Use this framework to determine appropriate services:
You Need Janitorial Services If:
- Your facility is used daily by employees or customers
- You have restrooms requiring regular cleaning
- Your floors accumulate visible dirt between cleanings
- You need trash removal multiple times weekly
- You want consistent baseline cleanliness
Frequency Assessment:
- High traffic (50+ daily visitors): Daily janitorial service
- Medium traffic (20-50 daily visitors): 3-5x weekly
- Low traffic (under 20 daily visitors): 2-3x weekly minimum
You Need Commercial Cleaning Services If:
- Your carpets show traffic patterns or soil buildup
- Your hard floors look dull or show wear
- Your windows are visibly dirty or streaked
- You have areas above normal reach showing dust
- You need specialized cleaning beyond daily maintenance
Frequency Assessment:
- High-traffic facilities: Quarterly commercial cleaning
- Medium-traffic: Semi-annual commercial cleaning
- Low-traffic: Annual commercial cleaning minimum
You Need Both If:
Most commercial facilities over 2,000 square feet with daily operations need both janitorial maintenance and periodic commercial cleaning.
Small facilities under 1,000 square feet with minimal traffic might manage with only janitorial services plus occasional commercial cleaning as needed.
Cost Considerations: Budgeting for Both Services
Understanding typical cost splits helps budget appropriately:
Janitorial Services: Typically represent 70-80% of the total cleaning budget due to frequency.
Example: 5,000 sq ft office
- Janitorial service 3x weekly: $800-1,200/month
- Annual cost: $9,600-14,400
Commercial Cleaning: Typically represents 20-30% of the total budget as periodic services.
Example: Same 5,000 sq ft office
- Carpet cleaning (2x yearly): $800-1,200/year
- Floor maintenance (annually): $1,000-1,500/year
- Window cleaning (quarterly): $400-800/year
- Total: $2,200-3,500/year or $180-290/month averaged
Combined Investment:
- Monthly average: $980-1,490 covering both janitorial and commercial cleaning
- This comprehensive approach maintains the facility properly
Many businesses make the mistake of budgeting only for janitorial services, only to be surprised when carpets need cleaning or floors require maintenance, budget for both from the start.
Combining Services with a Single Provider vs. Multiple Vendors
Single Provider for Both (Like EBS):
Advantages:
- Single point of contact for all cleaning needs
- Coordinated scheduling between services
- Consistent quality standards across all services
- Simplified billing and administration
- Provider understands the facility comprehensively
Potential Considerations:
- Ensure the provider truly offers both services competently
- Some providers subcontract services they don’t do in-house
Multiple Specialized Providers:
Advantages:
- Choose the best specialist for each service type
- Potentially lower costs for shopping separately
- Flexibility to change providers by service type
Disadvantages:
- Multiple contacts and relationships to manage
- Coordination challenges between providers
- Potentially conflicting schedules
- More complex administration
Most businesses find single-provider arrangements simpler and more effective, provided that the provider competently delivers all needed services.
Common Mistakes Businesses Make
Hiring Only Janitorial Service
Facilities gradually decline without periodic deep cleaning. By the time problems become apparent, correction is expensive.
Hiring Only Commercial Cleaning
Facilities are unacceptable between deep cleaning sessions. Daily operations suffer from inadequate maintenance.
Assuming All “Cleaning Companies” Provide Both
Not all cleaning companies offer both janitorial and commercial cleaning. Verify specific services before hiring.
Not Budgeting for Commercial Cleaning
Budgeting only for janitorial service, then being surprised by the commercial cleaning costs needed eventually.
Choosing Based on Price Alone
The lowest janitorial bid often delivers poor results. Cheapest commercial cleaning may damage rather than properly maintain surfaces.
Questions to Ask Cleaning Service Providers
Clarify precisely what services companies provide:
About Service Scope:
- Do you provide routine janitorial services, specialized commercial cleaning, or both?
- If both, which services are in-house versus subcontracted?
- Can you provide detailed lists of what’s included in each service?
About Scheduling:
- How do you coordinate janitorial and commercial cleaning schedules?
- Can commercial cleaning be scheduled during off-hours to avoid disruption?
- How much notice is required for commercial cleaning services?
About Pricing:
- Is pricing separate for janitorial versus commercial cleaning?
- Are there package deals combining both services?
- How are commercial cleaning services billed (per occurrence, contracts, etc.)?
About Qualifications:
- What training do staff receive for specialized commercial cleaning?
- What equipment do you own for commercial cleaning services?
- Can you provide references for both service types?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we start with just janitorial service and add commercial cleaning later?
Yes, and many businesses do this. However, understand you’ll eventually need commercial cleaning services regardless. Starting with a budget for both prevents surprise expenses later. If the budget is minimal, start with essential janitorial services, but plan to add periodic commercial cleaning within 6-12 months to prevent the facility’s condition from declining significantly.
How do we know when we need commercial cleaning if we have good janitorial service?
Watch for signs regular maintenance can’t address: carpets showing traffic patterns or appearing dingy despite vacuuming, hard floors looking dull or showing wear, windows with visible buildup, and high areas showing dust accumulation. Good janitorial services maintain, but don’t restore. When maintenance alone no longer achieves an acceptable appearance, commercial cleaning is needed.
What if our janitorial company says they can handle commercial cleaning services?
Verify they actually have the capability, not just the willingness. Ask about specific equipment they own (carpet extractors, floor machines, window cleaning equipment). Request references for commercial cleaning specifically. Some janitorial companies legitimately provide both. Others claim capability but lack the necessary equipment and expertise, resulting in poor commercial cleaning results.
Is it more cost-effective to have employees handle some cleaning tasks rather than hiring a service?
Rarely. Employee time costs more than that of professional cleaning staff, as employees often lack proper training and equipment. Additionally, using employees for cleaning reduces the time available for their actual jobs. Professional cleaning services are almost always more cost-effective than employee cleaning, except for immediate spot cleanup of individual spills or messes.
Making the Right Service Choice
Understanding the difference between janitorial and commercial cleaning services helps businesses make informed decisions about facility maintenance.
For most Southern California commercial facilities, the answer isn’t choosing between janitorial or commercial cleaning. It’s understanding how both services work together and maintaining your facility properly.
At EBS, we provide both routine janitorial services and specialized commercial cleaning throughout Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura County. We help businesses understand what they actually need rather than selling unnecessary services or leaving gaps in facility maintenance.
Get an honest assessment of your facility’s janitorial and commercial cleaning needs. EBS serves Southern California businesses with both routine janitorial maintenance and specialized commercial cleaning services. Contact us today at (800) 558-9815 or request your free facility evaluation online. We’ll explain exactly what your facility needs and why, with transparent pricing for both service types.
