For London–based businesses to provide a safe, sanitary, and welcoming environment for their employees and customers, it‘s important to hire a Professional Commercial Cleaning Company.

The first question a lot of companies may have is “how can I tell if the cleaning service I am using is truly a professional cleaning service?“

The answer actually lies in many areas of business.

Many companies feel that they are receiving a clean that is first–rate but later find significant issues that impact their employees‘ productivity, their customers‘ satisfaction level, and ultimately the overall health and safety of their business, as is regulated by various health agencies.

This blog will highlight some of the warning signs associated with a company that is not a professional cleaning service, and why it is important to recognize these issues early on.

We hope to provide you with some insights and solutions to help you ensure that your office or store is maintained to the highest possible standards.

Your Office Cleaning Company Is Not Meeting Your Regular Cleaning Needs

If your commercial cleaning service in London is slow to complete key cleaning tasks, it’s a clear indicator that something is wrong.

A reputable commercial cleaning service will have developed its own customized cleaning checklist to meet the specific needs of your type of business and in addition to that, they should be regularly checking off all of the items from their checklist.

Some examples of you noticing lack of attention to cleaning jobs would include:

The presence of dust on the surfaces of desks, shelves and on/or around other office equipment.

Overflowing bins of trash

Dirty floors, particularly in areas that receive a lot of foot traffic.

Non–cleaning and restocking of all restrooms.

If these important jobs are not accomplished on a consistent basis, they can have a negative impact on employee morale, a customer‘s perception of your business, and can lead to illnesses within a workplace. A reputable commercial office cleaning company will provide you with regular reports on their performance, provide you with checklists of items they have cleaned and will conduct periodic quality control inspections

 You can learn more about our office cleaning checklists in this Dazzle blog on Office Hygiene Tips for London Businesses.

Poor Communication and Unresponsiveness

Low communication levels between you and a professional cleaning business is another sign it may fall into the non–responsive cleaning company category as well.

A good cleaning company will always provide clients clear, uniform communications about scheduling, changes to schedules and other special requests as well as resolve any problems that may come up.

Common Indicators of poor client communication are:

Delayed responses to phone calls/e–mails or endless phone calls/e–mails

Ambiguity concerning the timing of cleaning services.

Failure to act in response to complaints or comments from clients.

Cleaning services provided must serve as an “extension of your team“, with regular updates on their work, solutions to issues and an overall open line of communication. If a company’s business practices don’t reflect these qualities, the company may have organizational problems, lack a commitment to providing high quality services and/or as a company, lack accountability to you.

Pro Tip: Set up regular meetings or monthly check-ins with your cleaning service provider to regularly review service performance and clarify expectations of the service provider.

Inconsistent Cleaning Staff

Having a professional cleaning service means that your property gets cleaned by the same trained staff on a consistent basis.

If you are not working with a cleaning service that is always utilizing the same trained employees this would raise a big red flag because there will be: 

Varying quality of cleaning

Lack of understanding of who does what

Inadequate knowledge of what your office looks like and what you expect from it

If your cleaning team changes often and does not have proper training and onboarding processes, there will always be disruptions to the consistency and reliability you receive from your professional cleaning service.

For instance, in some of London’s most heavily trafficked shopping zones like Oxford Street, having a cleaning team who knows how to navigate through stores allows them to ensure no areas are missed during peak hours.

Lack of Proper Equipment and Cleaning Supplies

Professional commercial cleaning companies use appropriate tools, equipment, and cleaning products in order to achieve higher quality results than others.

The use of inadequate or outdated cleaning equipment by your cleaning team will directly impact your business’ hygiene and cleaning efficiency.

There are certain signs to look out for if your business is not using the recommended cleaning products and equipment for your specific industry.

Some examples include the following: use of household-grade cleaning products instead of commercial-grade cleaning products; cleaning equipment that is not in working condition, for example vacuum cleaners, floor polishers, etc.; failure to comply with governing bodies related to disinfectant usage (e.g. COSHH).

In high foot-traffic areas such as London offices and retail spaces, the importance of using the right cleaning products is even greater. If you cut corners with your choice of cleaning products, the risk of illness increases, damage to your assets increases, and you risk reputational damage to your company additionally.

To help you make an educated decision, be sure to ask your cleaning company what type of cleaning products they use, how they impact the environment, and whether or not they follow cleaning guidelines that are recommended by your industry.

No Health and Safety Compliance

Health and Safety is the primary goal of a professional cleaning company.

A company that does not operate by regulated industry standards or fails to operate in a safe manner represents a significant concern and should be viewed as a warning.

Signs that a company is not compliant with Health and Safety regulations may include:

No training or risk assessments in relation to COSHH No PPE (i.e. gloves, masks, aprons) worn by employees

No enforcement of the Health and Safety Regulations when using Chemicals or Cleaning Equipment

Health and Safety compliance can be critical in providing a safe environment for all employees, customers and visitors to your business. No Compliance can also mean potential legal penalties for your business.

To learn more about COSHH compliance go here. Failure to comply with industry standards for disinfectants such as COSHH compliance and providing the right supplies will impact not only your health and safety but your assets also.

Tip: Speak to your cleaning company regarding not only what cleaning products they utilize but their environmental impact and whether they are compliant with the industry standards for cleaning products.

Lack of Flexibility and Adaptability

Businesses often need cleaning schedules to adapt to changing needs, especially during holidays, promotions, or special events. A professional cleaning company provides flexible solutions to accommodate these requirements.

Poor Customer Feedback and Reviews

Reputation is everything in the cleaning industry. If your current cleaning company has negative reviews or a poor track record online, it may indicate a lack of professionalism.

Check for:

Low ratings on Google, Yelp, or other review platforms

Frequent complaints about missed cleaning tasks or unreliable staff

Minimal client testimonials or case studies

Professional cleaning companies are transparent about their successes and actively seek client feedback to continuously improve service.

No Quality Assurance or Monitoring

Professional cleaning companies implement systems to monitor and maintain service quality.

This could include:

Checklists for each visit

Regular inspections by supervisors

Reporting to clients on completed work

Without quality assurance, it’s difficult to maintain consistent cleanliness. A professional service uses audits and supervisory visits to ensure your office or retail space is consistently spotless.

Ignoring Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Practices

Today’s businesses are increasingly conscious about sustainability. A cleaning company that ignores eco-friendly practices is falling behind professional standards.

Indicators include:

Using harsh chemical cleaners that are not environmentally friendly

Wasting water or generating excess plastic waste

Not offering green cleaning options for sensitive surfaces

Professional commercial cleaners like Dazzle London use sustainable cleaning products that protect your employees, customers, and the environment, while maintaining impeccable standards.

Lack of Transparency in Pricing and Contracts

Finally, a professional cleaning company is clear and transparent about pricing. Hidden fees, vague contracts, or unclear scope of work are significant red flags.

Signs to watch for:

Sudden price increases without explanation

No detailed breakdown of services included

Difficulty canceling or adjusting the contract

A reputable cleaning company provides a clear agreement outlining services, frequencies, and costs upfront.

Take Action and Partner with a Professional Commercial Cleaning Company

If any of the following indicators are apparent: inconsistent staff, ineffective communication, lack of adherence to regulation, or lack of quality assurance measures, it may be prudent to reconsider your choice of cleaning provider.

It is imperative that you choose a reputable commercial cleaning firm in the London area, to protect your company‘s reputation, maximise the performance of your employees, and ensure that your customers have an enjoyable experience when they enter your premises. (Your business might be affected negatively if you don‘t take these steps).

We at Dazzle provide highly competitive commercial cleaning services specifically designed to accommodate each individual client‘s needs.

Our expertly trained professionals, advanced cleaning technologies, and our strict compliance to quality assurance principles provides you with the assurance that your workplace (office) or retail environment (store) will be kept in a pristine condition so that it is both safe and inviting to customers.

Avoid having problems arise within your business due to unsatisfactory cleaning.

Please contact us at Dazzle to schedule a consultation, and discover why we are regarded as London companies‘ trusted provider partners for professional cleaning solutions.