Clean Like a Pro: Time-Saving Strategies for Commercial Property Managers

One of the most important aspects of property management is keeping the property clean and well-maintained. Not only does this help prevent a property from falling into disrepair or becoming dilapidated, but it also helps with tenant confidence in your ability to manage the property well.

Tenants evaluate properties largely based on the look and feel of the space. Buildings that are kept clean, maintained, and updated attract tenants that value these same qualities and are more likely to spend time taking care of the rented space.

This can create a symbiotic relationship between property manager and tenant and one that leads to the built space lasting longer and needing fewer major repairs as it ages.

The value of regular cleaning and maintenance is exponential; however, these are also time-consuming tasks and for busy property managers, finding ways to save time can have a significant impact on the total cost of managing a property.

Hire a Professional Cleaning Company

One of the most efficient ways to save time on cleaning is by hiring a professional cleaning company. A cleaning company has the necessary experience and tools to clean a property quickly and efficiently. Property managers can schedule regular cleaning services with the company, freeing up time that would have been spent cleaning the property themselves.

In addition, schedule cleaning teams to be on site during hours when the building is regularly staffed. Cleaning and health are still top of mind for most people and having visibility into the cleaning process now works as reassurance for anyone concerned about health and safety.

According to JLL, this yields multiple positive results:

“Not only does this benefit the cleaners by allowing firms to give workers better and longer contracts with less anti-social hours, it also has a positive effect on office hygiene behavior. ‘It’s like a kid who’s more likely to put their shoes away when his mother is around,’ says Whyte. ‘Employees become more considerate when they can see the people who’ll be clearing up after them.’”

Invest in Autonomous Cleaning Equipment

Investing in autonomous cleaning equipment can help save time every day and even increase the productivity of the staff it supports.

This not only cuts down on floor cleaning time, but it also frees staff from the repetitive work of floor cleaning and allows them to focus on more detailed tasks like wiping high touch surfaces and keeping bathrooms clean and stocked.

Another added benefit of Cobi 18 is that it is priced affordably. A subscription starts at $15 a day, that’s less per month than it is to hire a full-time person for a week (if minimum wage is between $13-$15 per hour).

Use Technology to Track Data and Increase Efficiency

There are several cleaning management software tools available that property managers can use to manage their cleaning tasks. These tools can help property managers to schedule cleaning tasks, assign tasks to staff members, and track the progress of cleaning tasks.

This is especially important as office dynamics continue to shift with the growing popularity of hybrid workers.

Traditional cleaning checklists are being replaced by digital platforms that allow cleaning teams and managers insight as to how the spaces they oversee are used, including numbers of people in a space at one time and notifications when supplies like paper towels are running low.

IoT (Internet of Things) connected devices are changing how properties are cleaned and maintained and increasingly more time is saved.

“These always-on data points mean cleaning services can be driven by real-time usage, rather than pre-set schedules,” JLL notes. And “Janitorial staff now concentrate their attention where it adds more value, while recognizing the best times to replenish consumables. And by avoiding wasted effort, it frees up time which can be dedicated to more lengthy periodical cleaning tasks, saving on additional costs.”

Similarly, IoT connected cleaning equipment can also provide data to property managers that can help save time. Many of today’s commercial floor cleaning machines are equipped with fleet management technology that tracks in near real time, cleaning routes, total square footage cleaned, hours the equipment is deployed or used, and more.

Reviewing this data can help property managers identify possibilities for increased efficiency and productivity, helping to save time in the cleaning process.

Using technology can save time and make managing cleaning tasks more efficient.

Use Cleaning Products Efficiently

Using cleaning products efficiently can save property managers time and money. For example, using a concentrated cleaner can reduce the amount of product needed, making the cleaning process faster and more cost-effective.

Additionally, using multi-purpose cleaners can eliminate the need for multiple cleaning products, saving time and money. Lastly, make sure to keep cleaning products stocked and stored in the same location. Moving products around or not having enough products on hand slows down the cleaning process and can result in the job getting skipped.

Provide On-Going Training for Staff

It is important to train staff in proper cleaning techniques including how to use specific chemicals and on what surfaces chemicals can be used.

According to it is important to “stress reviewing labels, safety data sheets (SDS) and individualized literature for each chemical before using products and equipment. This enhances cleaning performance by ensuring products get applied correctly and to the right surfaces.”

Providing training on specific techniques and uses for cleaning products can save time. The more staff are trained and know the less chance of mistakes that require re-doing the work or improper use of chemicals, both of which can extend cleaning time.

It is also important to provide training on site at each facility. This can help to ensure that the proper practices are used throughout a building, and it helps to avoid misunderstandings or mistakes that require more time to fix.

On that note, making sure you have a cleaning checklist for each property can also help staff save time. By creating a checklist, property managers can break down the cleaning tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks. The checklist also helps to ensure that nothing is missed during the cleaning process.

Outsource Large Cleaning Tasks

Outsourcing cleaning tasks can be an effective way to save time and money. Property managers can outsource tasks like carpet cleaning, window cleaning, and pressure washing to specialized cleaning companies.

This can save time and money in the long run, as these tasks are often time-consuming and require specialized equipment and expertise. Finding a contractor to do the work can result in a job well done by an expert and prevents property managers having to spend time learning the skill or teaching other staff how to do the work, both of which can add to the time spent completing the task.

Conduct Regular Property Inspections

Regularly inspecting the property can help property managers to identify areas that require cleaning before they become major issues. By identifying and addressing cleaning issues early on, property managers can save time and prevent costly cleaning and maintenance issues down the line.

According to Evercor Facility Management, “Inadvertently ignoring a minor issue can quickly escalate into a high-priority, costly problem. Regular building inspections also result in a significant reduction in maintenance costs which will positively impact the long-term return on your investment.”

Not only do regular inspections impact the time spent on a job they can also have financial benefits as well. In fact, “Identifying and resolving a $1,000 issue today can save you from having to deal with a $100,000 problem down the road.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, property managers play a crucial role in ensuring that properties are well-maintained and attractive to potential tenants. Cleaning is a critical aspect of property management that requires attention to detail, diligence, and time.

By implementing time-saving strategies such as outsourcing large cleaning services, using cleaning technology and investing in autonomous solutions, property managers can significantly reduce the time and effort spent on cleaning and positively impact the tenant experience and the bottom line.

ICE Cobotics is a technology and cleaning equipment company specializing in automation. If you would like more information on Cobi 18, please reach out to our automation experts.

If you’d like to read more on the top technology property managers should adopt in 2023, we suggest: The 3 Most Important Tech Trends for Property Managers in 2023