Don’t let the cold fool you! While spring cleaning cleaning gets all the glory, property managers know the importance of tackling a winter cleaning checklist and pre-winter cleanup.
Is Winter Cleaning a thing?
Winter brings special challenges to your properties. A deep cleaning during this time can prevent problems. This cleaning may include different commercial cleaning services. It creates a better experience for your tenants and teams.
Winter cleaning is not just a task. It is an important part of property upkeep. It keeps homes and businesses safe, clean, and comfortable for living and working. So, before the snow piles up, let’s dive into why “winter cleaning” is absolutely a thing for savvy property managers like yourself.
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The Importance of a Winter Cleaning Checklist
The hustle and bustle of the winter season and seasonal cleaning brings increased foot traffic and wear and tear to your commercial building. From salt tracked in on boots to holiday decoration dust, neglecting a thorough cleaning can impact the overall health and aesthetics of your space.
That’s where a winter cleaning checklist comes in. This plan makes sure every part of your commercial building gets proper attention. It helps keep the office clean for tenants and visitors.
Some property managers may feel overwhelmed by these tasks. Hiring a commercial cleaning company can make things easier and give peace of mind. When professionals handle cleaning, property managers can trust their spaces will be cleaned well. This lets managers focus on other important property tasks.
Our Winter Cleaning Checklist
We’ve crafted a comprehensive winter cleaning checklist to ensure your commercial space shines throughout the season. From the lobby to the restrooms, and educational institution, retail business, public building, or workspace, we focus on thoroughness and attention to detail. Remember, this is just a guide; tailor it to your specific needs and building layout.
Taking Care of the Roof
While indoor cleanliness is crucial, winter presents unique challenges for your building’s exterior, particularly the roof. Snow accumulation, ice dams, and trapped debris can lead to costly damage if left unattended.
The financial implications of such damages can vary widely; estimates suggest that businesses may incur costs ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the extent of the damage and the type of roofing material used. Consider these three roof cleaning suggestions and improvements for better lifespan and cost-effieciency.
- Prevent ice dams. Ice dams form when melting snow refreezes at the eaves, potentially causing leaks and damaging shingles. Early removal of snow buildup can prevent this issue.
- Gutter Cleaning. Blocked gutters with leaves and debris can trap water, adding weight to the roof and potentially causing ice dams. Regular gutter cleaning throughout winter is essential.
- Insulation Improvements. Enhancing the insulation of roofs is critical for maintaining temperature stability and reducing energy demands. Increasing the thickness of insulation layers can significantly improve thermal performance during winter months. Additionally, the use of ventilated roofs can help manage moisture and temperature, reducing the risk of condensation and subsequent damage to roofing materials
Maintain High-Touch Areas
Especially during flu season, prioritizing the cleanliness of high-traffic areas is essential to create a safe environment for all occupants. High-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, and elevator buttons are notorious breeding grounds for flu viruses and other pathogens, unless treated with proper sanitization and disinfection.
1. Focus on Frequent Disinfection
- Target hot zones. Identify and prioritize cleaning in high-traffic areas like reception areas, break rooms, bathrooms, and common workspaces.
- Increase janitorial cleaning frequency. Disinfect these areas several times a day, especially during peak activity periods.
- Choose effective disinfectants. Use EPA-registered disinfectants proven to kill flu viruses. Always follow label instructions for safe and effective use.
2. Mindfulness and Thoroughness
- Don’t forget light switches. These often overlooked surfaces are frequently touched and harbor germs.
- Provide hand sanitizer stations. Place dispensers in convenient locations to encourage frequent hand hygiene.
- Promote healthy habits. Encourage tenants to cover coughs and sneezes, dispose of tissues properly, and wash hands regularly.
While a clean and well-maintained commercial space is crucial for winter, remember that your employees are your most valuable asset.
During winter—when flu activity peaks in February—the real cost of illness goes far beyond discomfort. Even a short bout of employee downtime can create a measurable financial hit. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for full-time U.S. workers is $23.83. Using that benchmark, if 10 employees are out for just two days, the direct paid time cost already reaches $3,813.
Additionally, the Society for Human Resource Management reports that employees covering for absent coworkers experience an average 29.5% productivity loss. Applying that factor adds another $1,125 in indirect productivity drag—bringing the total to approximately $4,938 lost from only a brief interruption.
These costs highlight why encouraging frequent handwashing, offering hand-sanitizer stations, and reminding employees to stay home when unwell is more than a health measure. It’s good business. Consider providing on-site flu shots or flexible work arrangements during minor symptoms. By proactively supporting their well-being, you reinforce a culture of care, protect productivity, and maintain healthier, more reliable operations throughout the winter season and beyond.
3. Extra Measures for Peace of Mind
- Consider electrostatic disinfection. This advanced technique provides a comprehensive and long-lasting germ kill on surfaces.
- Partner with professional cleaners. Atlas Facilities Maintenance possesses the expertise and equipment to tackle heavy-duty disinfection, freeing up your time and resources.
Clean Windows
Short winter days already limit natural light. Dirty windows make it worse. When grime, streaks, and frost build up, they dim your workspace, making offices feel smaller, colder, and less inviting. Professional window cleaning and safely removing ice from glass restore brightness. They also increase tenant satisfaction and help overall productivity.
Adding window care to your winter cleaning checklist makes your building look neat outside. It also makes the inside brighter. This is especially true when you get a deep clean from professional window cleaners like Atlas.
Related: Invest in Commercial Window Cleaning
Do Floor Care
Winter weather throws a curve ball at your commercial floors. From salt deposits tracked in on boots to slippery snow-melt puddles, maintaining pristine and safe surfaces requires extra vigilance. Here’s how to conquer floor care challenges and keep your commercial space shining despite the winter chill.
1. Combat Salt Deposits
- Prevention is key: Invest in high-quality, absorbent floor mats at entrances and exits. Encourage tenants and teams to wipe their shoes thoroughly before entering.
- Regular cleaning: Use floor cleaners specifically designed to remove salt deposits without damaging your floors.
- Spot clean spills promptly: Don’t let salt residue linger and create unsightly white streaks or slippery patches
2. Tackle Slippery Situations
- Mop frequently: Especially in high-traffic areas, regular mopping with warm water and a mild detergent removes tracked-in moisture and prevents puddles.
- Post wet floor signs: Alert occupants to any freshly mopped areas to avoid slips and falls.
- Consider traction mats: Place strategically in areas prone to moisture buildup, like entryways and around restrooms.
Improve Winter Air Quality
During the winter months, indoor air quality can suffer due to factors such as poor ventilation and increased indoor pollutants. To combat this issue, it’s essential to focus on key elements such as air filters (HVAC filters), air purifiers, and clean air ducts. Simple yet effective strategies can ensure everyone breathe easy throughout the season.
- Replace air filters in your HVAC system regularly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, even more frequently during winter months. Dirty filters restrict airflow and trap pollutants, reducing efficiency and air quality. Consider HEPA filters, which offer superior filtration for dust, allergens, and even some germs.
- Position air purifiers in high-occupancy areas or near potential pollutant sources like printers or kitchens. Choose air purifiers with HEPA filters and activated carbon filters for comprehensive pollutant removal.
- Schedule regular air duct cleaning to remove dust, dander, and other contaminants trapped within the system. If you suspect mold growth in your air ducts, call a qualified professional for immediate remediation.
Additional Tips for Fresh Air
- Increase ventilation: When weather permits, open windows and doors for short periods to bring in fresh air and flush out stale air.
- Invest in plants: Indoor plants can act as natural air purifiers, improving air quality and adding a touch of greenery to your space.
- Minimize chemical use: Opt for cleaning products with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) to reduce indoor air pollution.
Train Employees
A sparkling commercial space during winter isn’t just about the final polish; it’s about empowered employees equipped to handle the extra attention required for winter’s unique challenges. By providing training on key cleaning tasks and equipping them with your essential winter cleaning checklist, you create a team prepared to conquer the season.
Hire Atlas to Complete your Winter Cleaning Checklist
Sometimes the demands of winter maintenance necessitate the expertise of professional cleaning services. Partnering with a trusted provider like Atlas Facilities Maintenance can save your time and resources. It also ensures your commercial properties get the full winter cleaning they need.
Atlas started as a commercial cleaning service provider in Portland, and evolved to take care of seasonal needs all around Washington, California, and multiple states nationwide. Whether it be for winter cleaning, spring cleaning, or fall – we will find the means and solutions to take care of your building’s unique challenges.
Leave the winter cleaning worries behind and let Atlas Facilities Maintenance take care of your commercial space. Contact us today for a free consultation and experience the difference professional cleaning can make.
FAQ: The Property Manager’s Winter Cleaning Checklist
What should be included in a Winter Cleaning Checklist?
A winter cleaning checklist should include roof maintenance to stop ice dams and clogged gutters. It should also include frequent disinfection of high-touch areas. Cleaning windows thoroughly helps maximize natural light. Floor care manages salt deposits and slippery surfaces. Improving air quality by replacing air filters and cleaning air ducts is also important.
How can I improve indoor air quality during winter?
To improve indoor air quality in winter, regularly replace HVAC air filters, use air purifiers with HEPA filters, and clean air ducts to remove dust and allergens. Increasing ventilation and using low-VOC cleaning products can also help maintain fresh, clean indoor air throughout the season.
Why should I hire professional cleaning services during winter?
Winter cleaning can be demanding, from maintaining roofs to handling increased foot traffic and disinfecting high-touch areas. Professional cleaning services like Atlas Facilities Maintenance have the skills and special equipment to keep your commercial properties clean. They save you time and resources. They also ensure thorough maintenance.
