How do I choose a cleaning service for my restaurant?
When choosing a professional restaurant cleaning service, the following steps can help:
Verify license and insurance: Look for a company with general liability insurance and a janitorial bond. Specialized services, like kitchen ventilation cleaning, may require specific certifications. Requirements vary by region.
Get several estimates: An estimate should detail the scope of work, cleaning frequency, and all costs. It may also list the types of cleaning products they’ll use.
Read reviews: Good signs include comments on reliability and thoroughness, especially in kitchens. Red flags include inconsistent quality, missed appointments, or poor communication.
Ask for references: Check to see if they have experience cleaning other restaurants, and ask for a list of client references to verify their track record.
Find out about guarantees: Many services offer a satisfaction guarantee, meaning they’ll return to fix any cleaning issues you find at no extra cost.
Ask other questions, like: What cleaning products do you use, and are they food-safe? What times do you have available in your schedule?
When should I hire a restaurant cleaning service?
Most restaurants would benefit from a regular professional cleaning service. Common signs that it’s time to hire a pro include:
Lingering odors from grease, drains, or garbage that don’t go away with daily cleaning.
Your staff seems overwhelmed or doesn't have the time or knowledge to perform necessary deep cleaning tasks. Some tasks, like ventilation cleaning, may require certification.
You've received customer complaints or negative online reviews that mention cleanliness.
There's visible grease buildup on kitchen equipment, sticky floors, or dust on hard-to-reach surfaces.
You're concerned about health inspections and want to make sure your establishment meets all sanitation codes.
What is commercial cleaning?
Unlike residential cleaners, commercial cleaners focus on cleaning offices, buildings, retail stores and other commercial spaces. If you’re looking for someone to clean your home, hire a house cleaner instead. House cleaners specialize in cleaning bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and other areas in your home.
How long does it take to clean a restaurant?
It can take a few hours to a full day to professionally clean a restaurant. The time depends on:
The size of your restaurant, including the kitchen, dining area, and restrooms.
The scope of work, whether it's a standard nightly clean or a deep clean involving equipment and vents.
Whether the space is well-maintained already or if it needs more intensive work.
The number of people on the cleaning crew.
Additional tasks like high-dusting, exterior window washing, or floor polishing.
Remember: The timeline for your project may vary, so ask your restaurant cleaning service to provide an estimate.
How often should I have my restaurant cleaned?
Optimal frequency for restaurant cleaning depends on traffic, your local health codes, and the areas being cleaned. Here are some general guidelines:
Daily cleaning: Dining areas, kitchens, restrooms, and high-touch surfaces.
Weekly deep cleaning: Floors, walls, equipment exteriors, and grease-prone areas.
Monthly services: Hood systems (light cleaning), tile scrubbing, and detailed sanitation.
Quarterly or semiannual: Professional hood and exhaust system cleaning.
Always follow local health department requirements. High-volume restaurants may need more frequent deep cleaning to maintain safety and compliance.
What can make restaurant cleaning services more expensive?
Several factors might impact the cost of getting your restaurant cleaned, including:
Size of the restaurant: The total square footage of your space is a key factor, as larger areas typically require more time and resources to clean.
Scope of the cleaning: A standard cleaning of dining areas and restrooms will likely cost less than a comprehensive deep clean that includes the kitchen, exhaust hoods, and grease traps.
Frequency of service: You’ll typically see different pricing for a one-time deep clean compared to a recurring contract for daily, weekly, or monthly services.
Condition of the space: If your restaurant needs a lot of initial work to tackle built-up grease or grime, the first service may have a higher cost.
Specialized tasks: Additional services like high-pressure washing, exterior window cleaning, or floor stripping and waxing can add to the overall price.