Cleaning and sanitation services are among the most essential within companies.
In the case of gyms, supermarkets and restaurants, for example, the investment may even be a higher priority. In addition to labour, this type of service requires the use of a number of components for proper functioning, which are part of the cost structure. Here are some simple measures you can implement to help reduce cleaning and sanitation costs in your company.Although for many people, cleaning and sanitation services seem invisible in companies, they are an activity of utmost importance in everyday life.
In companies such as supermarkets, gyms, clinics, and restaurants, cleaning and sanitation are fundamental to the image of the business as a whole.
Teams maintain proper hygiene conditions in all facilities, thereby promoting the well-being and quality of life of employees and managers. Well-maintained environments motivate people and make them feel comfortable. In addition, they contribute to a positive image of the company for customers and partners.
However, it is an area of management that involves a number of components:
- Structural resources: equipment of various sizes, depending on the size and type of the company's operations;
- Products: there is a wide variety on the market for different applications and specificities;
- Human Resources: qualified and trained staff;
- Training: ongoing training for teams;
- Water and energy: this is an area that usually has high consumption.
As we can see, for each of these items, there are other aspects – equipment maintenance, contract termination expenses, consumption controls – which makes the Cleaning and Sanitation sector complex, meaning that, in practice, it can become a company within a company.
How can you tell if your company's cleaning and sanitation costs are appropriate? And when do we discover that they are high and need to be controlled?
Let's talk about 6 tips for reducing costs with cleaning and sanitation services in companies.
The importance of the Management Plan for Cleaning Services in companies
The cleaning and sanitation sector is usually made up of a group of employees who work throughout the company, during business hours or in shifts, so planning is necessary to ensure that efforts are used as efficiently as possible:
- Correctly map areas and demands;
- Avoid cleaning at inappropriate times;
- Respond quickly to emergencies;
- Establish a healthy relationship with other employees.
All of this is aimed at achieving the best performance and results that benefit the environment. In addition, it is necessary to provide guidance on the rational use of products, the correct operation of equipment, the correct procedures in each area, among other points.
An efficient Management Plan should define:
- How the company's areas will be cleaned and how often;
- Products, equipment, schedules, and procedures;
- The Cleaning and Sanitisation schedule – areas, days, and times for routine and occasional cleaning;
- The employee roster;
- Procedures for the use and storage of cleaning equipment and products;
- Policy on conscious consumption of water and energy;
- Code of conduct on company premises;
- Guidelines for the use of uniforms and safety equipment;
- Monthly budget for all operating costs in the area;
- Audits and performance indicators.
As in every area of a company, the success of the Cleaning and Sanitation sector depends on attentive management that evaluates the behavior of the various costs involved.
How can we reduce the cost of the company's Cleaning Services?
Even with the necessity and complexity of the activities and costs of the Cleaning and Sanitation sector, there are many good options for reducing costs:
1. Constantly research the prices of cleaning products
This is a rule found in all cost management manuals, but here it is even more important. There are many different items, brands and qualities, so it is necessary to carefully research the options on the market and how to buy in large quantities at the best price.
2. Invest in employee training
It is essential that people know how to use cleaning products and equipment in the most efficient way, for better use and efficient use of water and energy, which are two items that usually weigh heavily on companies' budgets.
Another important point is to apply best practices for cleaning and the use of protective equipment, not only to save time and materials, but also for health reasons, by adopting correct postures.
3. Encourage the participation of other employees
Here we use the same concept as urban and public cleaning teams: their existence does not mean that we should neglect the cleanliness and hygiene of the sectors. The company should adopt as standard procedure that everyone follows simple rules to keep the work area clean, without areas for the accumulation of dirt, food scraps and insects, including drawers.
In addition, it is essential to dispose of unnecessary materials, either as rubbish or for recycling. In this way, the consumption of products and equipment can be reduced and, perhaps, even the frequency of cleaning teams – which, ultimately, would optimise the number of employees for this type of service.
4. Optimise your product inventory as much as possible
With a list of suppliers who have a good relationship with the company and offer reasonable prices, it may not be necessary to stock cleaning materials in large quantities. The important thing is to have good inventory control for quick replacement. This makes it possible to extend purchase and payment terms.
5. Adopt recyclable collection practices
Companies are increasingly aware of the importance of reusing materials and contributing to the environment. The ideal here is to create a policy for all employees – cleaning or otherwise – to separate recyclable materials. In fact, in some companies, these materials are sold later and even generate revenue.
6. Consider outsourcing
As we have seen so far, the cleaning and sanitation sector has a wide variety of processes and costs, in addition to continuous involvement with human capital.
Sometimes, it ends up being a slightly more complex management task because it is not the company's core business and requires specific knowledge. No matter how organized the company is, it may lack the in-depth knowledge to find solutions to day-to-day problems and some costs that are not in line with the budget.
Outsourcing can be a good option for managing cleaning and sanitation through a company with experienced professionals and industry experts who are always seeking the best practices and the best costs for customers, in this case, your company.
Does outsourcing cleaning services help reduce costs?
There are a number of other measures that can help reduce costs, depending on the type of business, the size of the company, and the investment capital.
As we can understand in this article, the cleaning and sanitation sector is of fundamental importance to the quality of life of employees in their daily lives, spending so many hours inside companies. Understand that it is a cost center that must be constantly monitored to seek best practices in cost optimisation.
ERA Group, a global consultancy specialising in Cost Management, has a recognized efficiency methodology and qualified professionals with experience in the field.
