Understanding Janitorial Services vs. Office Cleaning Helps You Choose the Right Solution
Janitorial services vs. office cleaning—many business owners ask us the same question: “Aren’t janitorial services and office cleaning the same thing?” While both involve maintaining cleanliness in professional environments, the services differ in scope, tools used, and how often they’re needed.
As a trusted provider of professional commercial cleaning services, Enterprise Building Services offers tailored solutions including daily janitorial support, office cleaning, carpet care, floor maintenance, and post-construction cleaning. We help companies make informed decisions about their cleaning plans. Whether your office needs daily upkeep or occasional deep cleaning, understanding these differences ensures you get the right service without overpaying or missing key maintenance tasks.
Defining Janitorial Services
A janitor’s job is to manage day-to-day cleanliness in a facility. These services are usually performed before or after work hours to prevent interruptions and ensure hygiene is consistently maintained.
Core tasks include:
- Emptying trash bins
- Cleaning and sanitizing restrooms
- Sweeping and mopping floors
- Restocking hand soap and paper products
- Light dusting and wiping surfaces
🧠 Helpful Tip: According to ISSA regular janitorial maintenance can reduce the spread of germs in shared spaces by up to 62% when paired with proper disinfecting products.
Janitorial services vs. office cleaning comes down to how frequently the tasks are needed and how deep the cleaning goes. In this case, janitorial support focuses on routine upkeep that keeps your workplace presentable and safe on a daily basis.
Working with a reliable janitorial company ensures that essential maintenance tasks are performed consistently and with attention to detail.
Read why regular disinfection matters in the workplace: Why Regular Office Disinfection Services Are Crucial for Business
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Defining Office Cleaning Services
Unlike janitorial routines, office cleaning services offer a deeper and more specialized clean. These services are usually scheduled once a week or monthly and are ideal for targeting areas that are often missed in regular upkeep.
Services typically include:
- Carpet shampooing
- Dusting air vents
- Cleaning office appliances like fridges and microwaves
- Floor stripping and waxing
- Disinfecting hard-to-reach surfaces
🧠 Helpful Tip: According to the AAFA, indoor air quality can be 2–5 times worse than outdoor air, especially when vents and filters aren’t regularly cleaned. That’s where office cleaning comes in.
See how eco-friendly practices enhance commercial cleaning results: Eco-Friendly Commercial Cleaning Practices & Benefits
Businesses that request janitorial services vs. office cleaning assessments often learn that their high-traffic zones require both types of service. Office cleaning tackles the areas that, if left untreated, may affect indoor air quality and employee health.
When occasional issues arise beyond routine office maintenance, this deeper level of cleaning helps restore the environment to top condition.
Key Differences in Service Frequency
Let’s break down the janitorial services vs. office cleaning difference by frequency:
📊 Industry Insight: A 2023 BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) report showed that facilities with a combined cleaning schedule (routine + deep cleaning) had 32% fewer tenant complaints related to hygiene and odors.
Daily support is often handled by a trained cleaning crew. Office cleaning is a deeper investment, with each service requiring more time and preparation.
Equipment and Staff Skill Levels
The tools and products used in each service also differ.
A typical janitorial crew uses:
- Brooms, mops, microfiber cloths
- General disinfectants and restocking supplies
- Trash liners and basic vacuums
Meanwhile, our office cleaning teams are equipped with:
- Low-moisture carpet machines
- Hospital-grade disinfectants
- HEPA vacuums
- Specialty floor buffers and polishers
🧠 Helpful Tip: HEPA filter vacuums remove 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. This significantly reduces allergens and improves overall air quality in offices.
When comparing janitorial services vs. office cleaning, businesses often overlook how equipment and experience impact both service quality and workplace health.
A trained cleaning crew brings not only the tools but also the expertise needed to handle complex cleaning challenges in larger or older buildings.
Janitorial Services vs. Office Cleaning Costs and Contracts
The structure of the service agreement is another major distinction.
- Janitorial services are typically part of ongoing, long-term contracts.
- Office cleaning is more likely to be booked on a one-time or periodic basis.
A commercial janitorial contract focuses on daily continuity. Office cleaning services offer flexibility but may be priced higher per visit due to their specialized nature.
📊 Cost Insight (Updated): According to HomeGuide (2024), commercial cleaning services typically cost $25 to $100 per hour, depending on building size, service type, and location. For space-based pricing, expect $0.08 to $0.20 per square foot for standard janitorial work and up to $0.50+ per square foot for deep or specialized cleaning.
Choosing What’s Right for Your Business
Still deciding between janitorial services vs. office cleaning? Your decision should reflect the size of your facility, the number of occupants, and how the space is used.
- A small accounting office might benefit from weekly deep cleaning only.
- A large condo complex likely needs both janitors and scheduled deep-cleaning services.
- Offices with shared kitchens and restrooms often require both to maintain cleanliness.
📌 Helpful Tip: For high-traffic areas like lobbies, restrooms, or medical offices, consider daily janitorial plus biweekly deep cleaning. This combination reduces cross-contamination and keeps your space presentable.
Combining both types of service is especially helpful in building cleaning plans that cover everything from restrooms to high-traffic lobbies. In many cases, hybrid contracts are the most cost-effective solution.
When managed properly, ongoing office maintenance paired with monthly deep cleans helps maintain both appearance and hygiene throughout the year.
Need janitorial service, office cleaning, or post-construction cleanup? Enterprise Building Services provides custom plans for every type of facility.
Ready to Choose Between Janitorial Services vs. Office Cleaning?
Choosing between janitorial services vs. office cleaning depends on the size of your facility, how often it’s used, and the cleanliness standards expected by your team and visitors. Workplaces with daily foot traffic often require routine janitorial care, while others benefit from scheduled deep cleaning to address carpets, floors, and hard-to-reach surfaces. Many businesses find that combining both options delivers the best results.
Enterprise Building Services provides flexible plans designed around your specific needs, including daily upkeep, office, carpet, and post-construction cleaning.
Request a FREE estimate or call (708) 296-9650 to speak with a cleaning expert. Supporting your workplace with dependable commercial janitorial solutions is our commitment—day in and day out.