Custodians or janitors are essential aspects of the workforce as they do the job not much people want to do. They keep our malls, offices, and restaurants clean, and allow us to be productive in a spotless environment. However, many overlook the importance of janitorial or custodial services, as well as the condition of their storage areas.
What is a Janitor’s Closet?
A janitor closet, or custodial closet, is the heart of janitorial services. The janitor’s storage area is where all of the cleaning essentials and supplies are. Without them, there would be no cleaning services at all.
Keeping a janitor’s closet well-stocked is key to maintaining a clean, spotless place. While many people may not realize the importance of these cleaning implements, custodial services are the backbone of our day-to-day operations. After all, working in a filthy environment isn’t very ideal for anyone.
What’s in a Janitor’s Closet?
The custodial closet should be stocked with essential cleaning supplies that are used in everyday cleaning and deep cleaning. Detergents, disinfectants, mops and scrubbers are just a few items kept in stock to provide a thorough cleaning service.
An experienced custodian should know how to keep full inventory of their supplies, and tailor their cleaning service to their client or area. A custodian cleaning bathrooms, for instance, should know to keep a ready stock of toilet cleaner, bathroom disinfectant, and hand soap refills on hand to provide a proper cleaning service.
A custodial closet should have ample space and resources for proper organization of items and tools. The closet, while space-saving, should have enough space to keep mops, floor burnishers, and large buckets. Shelves should be installed to separate cleaning supplies, especially equipment and chemical cleaners that should never be mixed together.
What are the Most Important Things You Need to Have in It?
While custodians should tailor their cleaning to the situation, some items are essential for all areas to clean. Some of these items include brooms, mops, and all-purpose cleaners that can be used in a plethora of situations, and helpful in tackling most cleaning duties. Here is a list of the most important cleaning equipment needed in a janitorial closet:
- Broom and Dustpan for light cleaning
- Feather Duster or similar tools
- Mop and Mop Bucket for thorough floor cleaning
- Vacuum Cleaner for carpet cleaning
- Steam Cleaner with Steam Cleaner Solution
- Brushes and Scrubbers for hard to reach areas and for cleaning tiles, grout, toilets, etc.
- Rags and other soft cloths used for cleaning chairs, tables, and countertops
- Sponges for sinks and basins
- Floor Burnisher or Floor Buffer to shine floors for the commercial ‘wet look’
- Trash Bags
- All-purpose Cleaning Solution
- Powerful Disinfectant
- Glass Cleaner
- Deodorizer
- Carpet Cleaner
- Detergent
- Laundry Soap to clean rags and mops
- Bleach
- Specialized Cleaners for marble, grout, steel, and other sensitive surfaces.
Above all, the custodial closet should have a separate sink and drain for easy access to water for mopping and cleaning of supplies. Custodians can also store their protective equipment and uniforms or gloves in the closet for one-stop, convenient access.
Read also: Printable Janitorial Checklist Template
How to Maintain a Janitor’s Closet?
A janitorial closet is usually placed in an inconspicuous, but accessible location. Usually in a location near running water, like the bathroom, the janitorial closet should be accessible at all times, open particularly before or after operating hours of a commercial space. Custodians should be able to get the items they need at the most efficient rate.
Maintaining a janitorial closet means to clean the closet as needed and in the best way possible. Shelves are important fixtures in the closet, as they help to organize the supplies so custodians can instantly see and find the items they need. Shelves should be arranged so that the most used supplies are at eye-level, as these should be easy to get during a busy cleaning service.
The bottom-most shelves are reserved for heavy items and gallon-sized cleaning solutions that are too heavy to store on higher shelves. Top shelves can hold light items and items that are not usually in-use during regular cleaning service as these are kept out of reach.
Minimize unnecessary search for supplies by properly labelling each item with specific use and instructions. All cleaning solutions must be kept tightly sealed to prevent spillage, and equipment should be stored upright and cleaned before storage.
The cleaning service crew should review and organize their items separately as per area: bathroom supplies, kitchen supplies, and lobby supplies should be kept separate for sanitary cleaning organization.
The Benefits of Having an Organized Janitor’s Closet
An organized janitorial closet is more than just for convenience. The organization of the janitorial closet says a lot about the person or team using it, and how well they can do their job. If a custodian can not maintain a clean, organized closet, how can you expect them to do a good job in cleaning your space?
An organized janitorial storage area also makes cleaning more efficient, as custodians can immediately see and find the items they need to tackle the cleaning job. Less time scouring through the equipment first, means better use of time for doing the actual maintenance job.
Professional Janitorial Services You Can Trust
At Luce SG, our cleaning crew knows that the condition of their designated storage area says a lot about their quality of work. Hence, our expert cleaners are knowledgeable in maintaining a clean, well-organized space. Check out our website for more cleaning tips and tricks!
