The key to great cleaning personnel is taking care of them and treating them fairly. When you hire a cleaning company, you want to know you’re getting a great service. Knowing the company you hire takes care of their staff and pays them well is essential to knowing the job will be done well.

Are They Being Compensated According to the Value They Provide?
While appropriate pay rates and salaries vary by region, the important thing to keep in mind is that it’s not just about paying staff what society thinks is enough. They should be paid based on what they do for the company. Do they show up consistently, on time, with a great attitude, and deliver outstanding service? Then they should be compensated accordingly. 
The more that a staff member feels valued, the better they will perform their job. When people feel like an essential part of a team, it motivates them. They no longer feel like just a worker, they become an asset to the company, and it shows in their work.

It’s Not Just About Salary
Money talks, but when it comes to jobs and careers, there’s more to it. Do they have good benefits? Things like insurance (health and life), bonuses, and time off are major draws and help create a positive work-life balance.

Society is shifting. People are no longer satisfied just making money; they want to know they’ll be taken care of. They want to know they can still have time to enjoy their life outside of their job. And they want opportunities for growth. Cleaning Companies need to show employees they have the possibility of a future, and a chance at advancement. Rewards programs, raises, promotions, and continuing education are all big parts of this.

You Get What You Pay For
We all want a great deal. We want the service or product we need without breaking our bank, but we have to understand the value of what we’re asking for. Shopping for the cheapest cleaning company around may sound good to your bottom line, but that’s not always the best deal, and likely won’t get you what you need.

While paying more isn’t ideal, consider the quality of what you’re getting. You want a clean, safe, and sanitary facility, especially in the current post-COVID climate. Sure, it would be nice to find that cheap, but that’s not likely. And the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re getting an exceptional product is worth it. Looking for a superior cleaning service with well-cared for staff? Contact us to learn how we take care of our staff so they can take care of your facility.

While Spring Cleaning is all about removing clutter and reorganizing your life, summer is a great time to get down and dirty with deep cleaning. Thoroughly cleansing and sanitizing your office during the summer months will help diminish the spread of germs and keep your employees happy and healthy through the fall and winter seasons.
Work From Top to BottomStart up high with ceiling fixtures, tall windows or furniture, etc. As you clean these, you inevitably move some dirt and dust onto surfaces below. Working down from there will keep you from having to re-clean or sanitize surfaces. Wipe down any and all surfaces that are frequently touched, including counters, doors and door handles, and bathroom and kitchen fixtures. Check the walls behind desks or tables—this is a common place for food or drinks to be spilled and forgotten about or go unnoticed. 
Last, but certainly not least, you’ll want to focus on the floors. This is actually the most important part of a good summer deep clean.
Focus on the FloorsYour office floors—particularly if they’re carpeted—take on the most wear and tear of anything in your office. They’re also breeding grounds for dirt and germs, from employees’ shoes, or trash or debris (or liquids!) falling off other surfaces. Carpets are especially notorious for harboring dirt and germs. 
We consider commercial carpets to be like a large filter for your office. They are great at collecting and trapping things you don’t want in the air, but like all filters, they need to be cleaned or emptied regularly. If you have any carpeted floors, you should do a deep hot water extraction cleaning at least once a year. Summer is a great time to plan this undertaking. Not only do you have fewer employees in the office, as many are out taking vacations, you can open windows and doors during the nice weather to promote efficient carpet drying and allow dust and dirt to escape outside while cleaning.
Wash the WindowsAgain, nice summer weather is a perfect time for indoor/outdoor cleaning tasks. Besides removing dirt and grime—which likely includes springtime allergens—a clear window that lets the sun shine through is a great mood booster and motivator. Employees tend to be more productive when happy and mentally healthy, and a bright office full of natural light definitely helps with that! 
Consider a Professional ServiceDeep cleaning is tedious and time-consuming, something you likely already don’t have a lot to spare. Offices are often short-staffed during the summer months, and you don’t have extra hands to help with such a large project. Plus, many people don’t like to clean, and your employee morale could suffer if they’re having to help. Not to mention you and your employees aren’t professionals, and might not do the most thorough job. Hiring a commercial cleaning service fixes all of these problems. You get a friendly crew who want to clean your office, and you know they’ll do quality work. And you get a sparkling office with happy employees without having to lift a finger.
Contact us today to learn more. Let us get you ready for fall with a pristine workplace you’ll love coming to work in.

One of the biggest challenges in office janitorial services is effectively communicating changes with your cleaning provider and their staff. Whether the changes are logistical (time, location, etc.) or functional (tools or processes), making sure everyone is on the same page can be difficult. 
Using comprehensive communication software can help you get the right information to the right people quickly and easily. And creating open, trusting dialogue with your service provider is crucial to avoiding pitfalls. We’ve outlined what we believe are the five major rewards of establishing and maintaining effective communication with your cleaning services provider.
1.Reduce MisunderstandingsConstant misunderstandings and miscommunication cost more than just time and energy. They can cause financial losses and cost you valuable relationships. The more open and consistent your communication with your janitorial services provider, the less likely you are to deal with confusion. And you’ll spend less time correcting mistakes. 
2. Establish Better RelationshipsAnyone would tell you the key to great relationships is communication. This is no less true for professional relationships with your cleaning providers. Finding and fine-tuning effective ways to convey information keeps everyone happy. There’s nothing more frustrating than announcing a change and not seeing it enacted because not everyone got the memo. Or being on the other side of the equation—not receiving the information, or only getting some of the information, and then being blamed for not following through. These both create tension and animosity, making it harder to work together. Keeping everyone fully in the loop at all times helps avoid those negative feelings and foster mutually beneficial relationships.
3. Enjoy Improved Cleaning ServicesWhen your cleaning services staff all have the same accurate information, the quality of service will undoubtedly improve! Clear expectations and procedures make it easier for the staff to follow directions without feeling overwhelmed or confused. And they will be able to work faster and more efficiently. With less stress over what they are being asked to do and how, they can focus on thorough, quality cleaning. 
4. Maintain Reliable PartnershipsCommunicating is essential to building solid relationships, but it is just as important for maintaining long-lasting partnerships. When your custodial services staff feels confident in their ability to meet expectations, they’ll enjoy working with you. And you’ll be able to keep the working relationship going for longer. Finding a new cleaning provider takes time and energy, and causes major headaches for everyone involved. When you establish and preserve strong and stable partnerships through open dialogue, you’ll see them flourish and sustain for a long time.
5. Learn More About Your Cleaning ProviderA big upside to constant interchange is you’ll learn a lot about your cleaning services company. You’ll discover their values and long-term goals, and find where they align with yours. Mutual expectations will be clear and concise, and you’ll grow together as you reach your collective and independent goals. 
Communication the Inside-Out WayWe believe that open and constant communication is the key to doing our job, and doing it well. Your needs and expectations are important to us, and making sure these are properly disseminated is of the highest priority. To ensure strong and consistent cooperation, we use highly rated and proven tools. For communication purposes, our tool of choice is Swept. We are the only cleaning company in Halifax taking advantage of this premiere software. 
Swept is a comprehensive communication software made especially for the janitorial industry. Among their many features, they allow you to manage and share cleaning instructions, checklists, supply tracking, and more. The app even has enhanced translations for over 100 languages, so no one is ever left out of the loop.
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Contact us today to learn more about how our commitment to effective communication (and quality service) can help solve your cleaning woes.

The days are getting longer and the air is getting warmer, which means it’s time to talk spring cleaning! Whether you love or hate the age-old practice, it’s a necessary part of life, so we’ve compiled some helpful tips to make this year’s routine fun and easy.

Make a ListYou might be overwhelmed at the thought of a major cleaning overhaul, but take it one step at a time. Organize your thoughts first, and then organize your space. Prioritize your list by what needs to be done and what is more for fun. You can tackle the tasks in whatever order works best for you—complete all the necessary tasks first, and save the best for last. Or alternate the fun tasks to keep you motivated for the big ones. Make your list work for you!

Create the Right AmbianceCreate an atmosphere that will keep your spirits up and your mind on your goal. Music gets the blood pumping? Find a killer Spotify playlist and turn up the volume (to a respectful level, of course). Or maybe a good podcast in the background will keep the fire burning. Find what motivates you and use it to make the process fun.

Teamwork Makes the Dream WorkDivide and conquer, as they say. Work together with your employees or officemates to take on big projects and keep you from feeling overwhelmed. Not only will the work get done faster, you’ll have more fun doing it together! Create little challenges and set rewards for crossing items off your list.

Add Your Personal TouchYour typical workday will get a strong boost if you make your workspace truly yours. Add photos of loved ones or fun memories. Decorate with cute knick knacks or bring in a couple of nice plants to bring a little life to your office (check with HR about what’s allowed first, though). If you have wall space, put up a nice painting or poster. These will help you feel connected to your office and take pride in it as well.
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Think About the FuturePart of the philosophy of spring cleaning is “out with the old, in with the new.” Don’t be afraid to get rid of anything you no longer need. The best way to increase productivity is by letting go of the past and looking forward. Think about your future goals and who you want to be, and use spring cleaning as a tool to set yourself up for success. You’ll be more likely to reach your goals working from an organized, fun, personally rewarding space.
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Stretched for time this spring cleaning season? Contact us about our Commercial Cleaning Services and we’ll help you with your fresh start.

2020 has come to an end, but the health-climate going into the new year still remains very much the same. With the winter months comes flu season, and pairing that with the looming threat of COVID-19 makes for quite the scary combination. For the many businesses that have managed to keep their doors open during this time, it’s especially crucial to keep a clean and safe environment.
Inside-Out Cleaning helps business owners of all kinds by providing the appropriate cleaning and safety measures needed to properly operate during these times of multiple infections running amok. With Inside-Out Cleaning, you can rest assured we will treat your tenants, employees, and clients like they're our own!

Trust the ProfessionalsThe COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything we have ever experienced as a society. Attempting to keep your facility open and safe for workers and clients is an intimidating task, to say the least. Fortunately, there are professionals available to help. At Inside-Out Cleaning, we have the staff, expertise, and equipment you need, and we take the next step towards excellence. Rather than applying a systematic routine for all of our clients, we cater our janitorial cleaning to your needs. Your business is unique, and that extends to appropriate cleaning and sanitizing. After an initial inspection and consultation, we will find the perfect balance between your maintenance needs and your budget.
We have the knowledge and experience needed to keep your office compliant with cleaning and sanitizing standards, whether you require scheduled daily cleaning or a major deep clean. Proper care and maintenance during COVID are meticulous, and keeping up with the changing science can be exhausting. We can help take some of that weight off your shoulders.
Equally Committed to Your Office Environment and Our StaffAt Inside-Out Cleaning Service, our commitment to you is equal to our commitment to our employees. You benefit from highly trained and experienced employees who are proud of a job well done. Our goal to provide safe and effective work environments ensures that our staff, the environment, and our clients are protected and treated with respect.
To demonstrate our commitment we have implemented our Red Carpet Promise, meaning we will:

• Make you feel special and important from the moment you contact us.
  
• Handle your office or home as if it were our own.
  
• Be there when you need us, on time and friendly.
  
• Provide you with the information you need to make educated decisions on the services you are interested in.
  
• Make you feel comfortable with our professionally dressed, respectful, and well-trained staff.
  
• Deliver our services in a way that consistently exceeds your expectations, giving you the most value for your dollar.
  
• Provide a service where you will think of us when you have a cleaning need, and will not hesitate to recommend us to your family, friends, and neighbors.
  
• Act with integrity and remedy arising problems to the best of our ability.
  

Local, Family-Owned Cleaning CompanyIOCS began as Martell's Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning in 1977. Though the company started out exclusively servicing carpets and upholstery, we eventually grew to a full-service cleaning company. From residential, carpets, and floor care to post-construction and janitorial services—we have a service that fits your needs.
IOCS is now run by Jason Martell, who joined the company in 2003. While Jason has introduced many progressive and industry-leading changes, the core values remain firmly intact. A motivated management team and highly trained staff continue to use the same recipe for success while offering more services to a growing client base.
We are a family-owned business servicing locally in the South Shore and Halifax area and have happily serviced our community for decades. This area is our home, too—we pass your office on our way to work in the morning and on the way home in the evening. Not some distant corporation, we are located right here in your area and we can’t wait to work with you.

Why It’s Important To Share Core Values With Your Cleaning Company
Choosing the right cleaning company is a process. There is a lot to consider; from their pricing model and if they fit your budget, if they provide the services you require, etc. But are you factoring in core values? How your values align with your cleaning company can have a big impact. Think about what’s most important to you: you want a cleaning provider that values your privacy and safety. You want cleaning staff who dress the part and use high-quality products. You want your time, your space, and your budget to be respected, and to see a company take care of its employees, and vice versa. And you want each service to be better than the last, to see improvement from cleaning visit to visit.

Trust
Providing other people access to your office facility can be scary at times. That’s why it’s crucial to develop trust, and make sure the company you pick shares your principles. Look for a company that requires background checks. Do they have a satisfaction guarantee and a client-friendly return policy? Do other clients rate or speak of them highly? You should also be sure your information is protected, and you have a secure payment option.

But trust goes beyond even those promises; it’s in the people you see. You want a cleaning professional who fosters a friendly, comforting relationship with you and your employees. You want someone who treats your office possessions carefully and respectfully.

Professionalism
When you’re seeking legal advice, what do you expect to see? A person in business attire in a clean, well-lit, nicely furnished office comes to mind. You should seek the same from your cleaning company. They should be dressed neatly and professionally. Their equipment should always be safe, reliable, and in great condition. You wouldn’t use a dirty or broken broom to sweep your floor, and your cleaning company shouldn’t either! Are you environmentally conscious? Then you definitely want a company that uses environmentally friendly products.

Respect
Respect is fundamental to any relationship, and likely a key-value you instill in yourself and your staff. You want cleaning professionals who are similar. They should respect you and your property, treating your things with the utmost care and cleaning to the best of their ability. They should also show consideration for themselves and their peers. The company needs to have equal courtesy for its employees and in how it conducts business not only with its clients, but with vendors, too. Take a look at the company’s reviews: do other clients or vendors have good things to say, or bad? Does the company follow through on their promises?

Continuous Improvement
Your cleaning company should always be striving for improvement. Whether it’s using the highest-quality products and equipment, or finding new, more efficient methods, you want to see and feel the benefits of continuous growth. Have you ever had a stellar first service, only to be followed by a lack-luster second or third? It’s disappointing, and makes you feel like you were lured in on false pretenses. You need a company that delivers above and beyond the last time, every time.
What Inside-Out Cleaning ValuesWe at Inside-Out Cleaning hold these four values at the core of everything we do. We foster trusting, respectful relationships with our customers by hiring only professionals who hold themselves to the highest standards. All our professionals undergo a thorough background and reference check, and are highly rated and reviewed by other customers. We use green cleaning products of the highest quality, and provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee if you are even the slightest bit unhappy with your service. We take pride in your property, because we know you do.

We at Inside-Out Cleaning know that change isn’t easy for anyone. Whether it's changing your internet provider or moving, no one likes the disruption of CHANGE. Making a change to your commercial cleaning provider is no different. This is especially true in today’s world where cleanliness is at the top of everyone’s mind.
No matter how clean or unclean your business is, we tend to make up one excuse after another as to why we can’t change cleaning providers.

• They know your office and sometimes your staff
• They have all your business’ security information
• They’re reliable….sometimes
• It's not THAT bad
• I’ve got more important things to do
• They are affordable

Knowledgeable Janitorial Cleaners Are Necessary
Gone are the days of a couple of people coming into your office with a vacuum, bucket, and Mr. Clean to empty your garbage, and you were happy with that because it was enough. 

Now more than ever, businesses are seeking cleaning professionals that come armed with the equipment and knowledge to replicate a pristine, clean environment day in and day out. 

So what does it mean to you when you change your cleaning company? Most managers will agree that TIME and CHANGE are the biggest factors and the unknowns can be scary. 

How to Successfully Change Your Janitorial Cleaning Service

1. Ask Yourself the Right Questions
What exactly does your business need? Do you need more cleaners or a deeper, more meticulous cleaning? 
What are your current pain points? The most common being that they just aren’t delivering the quality of clean that you want and need.

How much is your budget? Unfortunately, there is not a universally accepted formula for this. You certainly do not want to overpay, but you also do not want to gamble with the cheapest option either. 

2. Schedule In-person Consultations Visits
by two or three companies to your location should provide you with enough information to make a decision. Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding between your options. 

1. Does their culture and values mirror my company values?
2. How do they communicate regularly with their employees, do they have a system for good, consistent communication?
3. Is there a supervisor consistently overseeing and helping the onsite cleaning staff?
4. Are the onsite cleaners properly trained in procedures on products, security, and client requirements?
5. What is their inspection process, will they inspection my facility from time to time or will they simply wait until I complain about a problem?
6. Do they have relevant references and online reviews that can help build my trust in them?
7. One of the most important details…Is this company likable? Did they deliver a good impression during the walkthrough or was it strictly a sales pitch?

​3. Choose the right company to partner with
A good cleaning company should provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. Hopefully they can provide you with a good electronic proposal document outlining exactly what their pricing includes. 
After you have made the decision, it’s time to terminate your current commercial cleaning service. When transitioning to a new commercial cleaning company, a clean and respectful transition is important. Try to make the best of the situation for all parties involved, including your old cleaning service. Doing this can provide a smooth transition for your new provider and allow them to get up to speed quickly. 
Finally, create a great partnership with your new cleaning company and enjoy your clean environment.
If you’d like to learn more about how we at Inside-Out Cleaning can help your business work through this process or to set up a consultation, give us a call today. 

If you work at or own a business that doesn’t operate out of a traditional office setting then you might wonder if a professional cleaning service is even an option for you. When you think of cleaning services, you typically think of an office, but there are actually all sorts of workplaces that hire professional janitorial services. Each space usually needs something a little bit different, but that doesn’t make them impossible to service - quite the opposite actually. With the right team and proper planning, your workplace can be serviced just as efficiently as an office. 


Here are some different workplace types that we serviceSchool and Educational FacilitiesGovernment BuildingsHotels and Hospitality CentersFactories Industrial LocationsReligious Institutions RestaurantsRetail Stores

Properly Quoting Cleaning ServicesWe offer customized quotes for any business that we discuss working with. Our personal approach takes a bit more time and effort, but we think it’s worth it. Every business is different and deserves individualized attention. 
We start with an initial consultation and walkthrough of your workplace. Then, we’ll build out a customized quote with recommendations catered to your business. 
If you’d like to know more about Inside Out or to schedule a consultation, please contact our team today.