How to Select a Cleaning Company for Dorm Turnover Services

As the last semester of the college year kicks off, it’s time to plan for dormitory turnover services.

When students leave campus housing, professional cleaning services come in to clean up! And just think about the mess students can leave behind – after all, they are experiencing new freedoms away from their parents. Keeping things clean and tidy is not likely on most students’ radar.

Dormitory turnover services include a combination of janitorial cleaning, deep cleaning, floor work and carpet cleaning to completely restore buildings to pristine condition.

Here’s what to look for in a cleaning service when it comes to dormitory turnover services.

Game Plan

You never know what you will find in a young adult’s dorm room after living there with no supervision! Any effective dormitory turnover will require the cleaning company to be well prepared. They must have the right tools and sufficient staff to accomplish this huge job, plus a great managerial team.

First, they should be using state-of-the-art cleaning procedures and tools, which will give you the best service while saving you time and money. Ask them about the latest technologies and industry trends.

They should also have extra staff available to tackle unexpected issues – after all, we are talking tight deadlines (Hello August!). Ask them what their staffing policy is. Will they have enough people to tackle dorm cleaning, even if people call out sick?

Make sure the management team is accountable. They should know where everyone is in the completion process and what is left to be done. Will they set timelines for cleanup? Will they provide status reports so you have peace of mind that the job will be finished thoroughly?

There should be a comprehensive plan making sure all client requirements are being met.

Communication is a Priority

When looking for a professional cleaning company, communication should be a top priority. Cleaning services are an extension of your existing team. In most cases, your staff members will be working side by side with their team. So you want to make sure communication and expectations are clear.

Is the cleaning company you are considering asking all the right questions? This is a good indicator to determine whether they are worth their salt.

Communication is crucial to ensure there are no issues as the project wraps up. Regular status reports should be provided and include what units were cleaned, any issues (i.e. broken blinds, stained carpets, holes in the walls, etc.) and where the project stands in regard to completion. Regular communication should be a top priority.

Checks and Balances: Quality Control

Preparedness includes implementing a “checks and balances” system. Does your cleaning company incorporate quality control?

This dedicated team routinely inspects the work of team members. They should ensure that no units have been missed and that every room measures up to the company’s high standards of cleanliness. Inspections should include a checklist that allows quality control to review each room with thorough consistency. They should examine every nook and cranny before marking a room complete.

Having a quality control system in place helps ensure the team is on track to successfully complete the project.

Reviews and Ratings

Reviews and ratings are a large part of how people make decisions about everything. Online resources are at people’s fingertips, and can make or break an establishment. You want to use a professional cleaning service that not only results in positive reviews for your campus regarding cleanliness, but also great reviews of their own.

Research potential cleaning companies and make sure they are highly rated by their customers. Do they respond to their customers’ needs quickly and resolve issues adequately? What does their Quality Assurance Program look like? Ask for references so you can reach out to existing customers and discuss the quality of their services.

Dorm Turnover Services: Let’s Talk Details

Having a limited window for cleaning dorm rooms makes it critical for your cleaning company to implement the most comprehensive and efficient cleaning procedures. They should use a combination of the best commercial cleaning supplies, janitorial power equipment, and procedures to keep campus dorms looking great.

Efficient dorm cleaning procedures include the following:

Floors

Most dormitories have a combination of hard and carpeted floors requiring a combination of vacuuming, deep cleaning and polishing. For more information on the various types of floor cleaning refer to the following blogs:

• How to Care for Commercial Carpets

• Fight Dull and Dirty VCT Flooring

• How to Care for LVT and LVP Flooring

• How to Remove Tough Carpet Stains

Baseboards/Molding

Most likely there is a buildup of dirt and dust around the floors, doors and windows in a campus dorm that need to be cleaned. Make sure this is part of the cleaning company’s detailed work list.

Windows

It is highly likely that the windows have not been cleaned the entire school year, which means they are probably covered in dust, dirt, bacteria, and fingerprints. The cleaning company will need to complete a thorough cleaning of the windows. See Window Cleaning Tips from Our Professionals for some helpful information.

Walls

Walls are another area of dorms that get neglected and rarely cleaned throughout the school year. They too need to be thoroughly cleaned to remove a buildup of dust, dirt, smudges and fingerprints. This should be included in your cleaning company’s dormitory turnover plan.

Furniture

All furniture provided by the university that remains in the dorm should be cleaned and disinfected. All surfaces including tops, inside, sides, underneath, legs and arms should be included in this process.

Pro Tip: Make sure your cleaning company cleans before they disinfect. Cleaning ensures that all debris is removed prior to disinfection. If they are not cleaned first, germs will linger and reduce the efficacy of the disinfectant. For more information, see Best Practice for Cleaning and Disinfecting.

Bottom Line

There is a lot to consider when choosing a professional cleaning service to perform your dormitory turnover service. Dedicating time and research to review potential companies is imperative to make sure you get the services you need.

Cleantec aims to offer helpful information to our clients and friends. We currently serve all of New York, including the Syracuse, Ithaca, Manhattan, Rochester, Utica, and Buffalo regions. We also have operations in Palo Alto, CA; Denver, CO; Muscle Shoals, AL; Tampa, FL; and Sanford, NC. Give our sales professionals a call at (877) 469-0543 for a free consultation and quote regarding janitorial services. Learn how we can help your business achieve your cleaning needs.

Cleantec ensures all staff members are thoroughly vetted conducting background checks and drug testing. In addition to providing professional cleaning services, we are also a supplier of specialized cleaning products and green chemicals. Please call (315) 463-5353 to place an order.