The Hidden Costs of In-House Cleaning for Private Schools

Costs of Overseeing a Cleaning Team

School facility managers have a lot on their plates. Managing an in-house cleaning department takes time, no matter how honed your time management and multi-tasking skills are. The level of cleanliness expected at a prestigious private school calls for a hands-on approach. Even exceptional in-house cleaning teams put demands on you with other time-consuming issues, including:

• Training
• Scheduling
• Time off requests
• Team member assessments
• Hiring
• Payroll
• Benefits administration
• Disciplinary action

These duties take focus away from higher-value tasks resulting in a poorly managed facility. Labor costs are also much higher when managers or administrators perform these additional tasks.

Offloading Cleaning Duties

Some private schools eliminate cleaning costs by offloading cleaning duties to existing employees. This comes with much pushback, especially from highly qualified staff members such as teachers.

During the pandemic, pressure to disinfect and sanitize classrooms fell on the teachers’ shoulders. However, adding additional cleaning duties to their already busy schedules is not an option. Expecting staff members to take on extra cleaning duties can result in higher staff turnover and poorly executed cleaning.

Also, the common areas, such as halls, auditoriums, etc., still need cleaning. As a result, you’ll need cleaners to keep these areas safe and presentable.

Lack of Skills

Your in-house cleaners may not have the proper training to complete the intense level of cleaning expected at a private school. Proper commercial building cleaning requires training in best practices to provide a conducive student environment. For example, cleaning products and equipment used to clean hallways differ significantly from those used to clean washrooms. This can lead to mistakes.

Professional cleaners are trained to understand how to handle and store cleaning products safely, avoid slip and fall hazards, and prevent cross-contamination from area to area. They also understand the importance of addressing essential cleaning requirements, such as frequently touched surfaces. This is essential to reduce the spread of illness and keep students and staff safe.

A lack of skills might lead to shortcuts that put people at risk. Also, using the wrong cleaning product can damage school equipment or make surfaces unsafe to touch for small children. Replacing equipment costs money. However, the cost of liabilities for unsafe cleaning practices is much higher.

Attract More Students

The highest cleaning standards appeal to parents looking for a private school for their kids. When parents pay for their children’s education, they have much higher expectations. As a result, you have to keep your campus spotless, so parents feel confident their children are safe. It’s all about first impressions, and a pristine campus creates a strong perception.

The Cost Comparison

In-house cleaning teams operate much like a small business. You will face the exact operational costs as a cleaning company without the knowledge to manage the business effectively. In fact, unlike a business, your costs are not balanced with revenue to cover those costs. As a result, budgeting interferes with cleaning efficiency.

The costs associated with your in-house cleaning department include the following:

• Recruitment/onboarding costs
• Training
•  Wages
• Purchasing, servicing and replacing cleaning equipment such as vacuums, floor buffers, dusters, mops, buckets, etc.
• Cleaning products, including disinfectant cleaners, multi-purpose cleaners, etc.
• Liability insurance
• Benefits
• Management hours
• Administrative costs include ordering cleaning products, team member requests, scheduling, benefits administration, etc.

A commercial cleaning company covers these costs. They also buy cleaning supplies in bulk and pass those savings on to you.

Compliance & Safety

Cleaning companies keep up with federal and state regulations and follow industry-related cleaning protocols. They also understand how to use specialty cleaning products safely based on regulations. Why is this important? Because improper cleaning exposes cleaners, staff, and students to many hazards, including:

• Chemicals that can cause severe skin reactions or respiratory illnesses
• Infectious diseases due to improper surface disinfecting
• Slips, trips, and falls related to spills and not cordoning off wet surfaces
• Injuries caused by the improper manual handling of equipment

Unsafe practices expose your school to lawsuits and third-party litigations if injuries occur. Professional cleaners understand all possible liabilities related to maintenance tasks. As a result, your students, staff, and property are protected.

Infrastructure Maintenance Costs

Proper cleaning and maintenance help reduce the cost of expensive replacements and repairs. Through ongoing assessment, cleaners help extend the life of critical elements in your school. Professional cleaning companies spot early warning signs of potential structural damage, such as washroom leaks and new stains on ceiling tiles. Having an extra set of eyes gives you a better idea of what’s happening at your school. As a result, you can take care of minor issues before they cause costly damage

The Benefits of Outsourcing Your Private School Cleaning