Reducing cleaning budgets to save money can have negative consequences for businesses, including increased health risks, decreased productivity, and loss of customers.
How Cutting Corners on Cleaning Can Cost You More in the Long Run
Drastically reducing cleaning budgets will negatively impact an organization quickly and potentially permanently in several ways, including:
- Increased health risks - A dirty and unsanitary workplace can lead to increased health risks for employees and customers. This can include the spread of germs and bacteria, which can cause illness, allergies, and even infections.
- Reduced productivity - A dirty and cluttered workplace can distract and stress employees, decreasing productivity. Employees may also be more likely to take sick days if they are working in a dirty environment.
- Property damage - A dirty and neglected workplace can also result in property damage, including damage to furniture, equipment, and the built environment.
- Loss of customers - A dirty and unkempt workplace can give customers a negative impression of a business, typically leading to lost customers and decreased sales.
- Increased liability - A dirty and unsanitary workplace can also increase a business's liability risk, meaning the business may be held liable for any injuries or illnesses that are caused by the dirty conditions.
In addition to these risks, reducing cleaning budgets can also lead to:
- Increased employee turnover.
- Decreased morale, and;
- A negative impact on the overall culture of a business.
Alternatives to Reducing Facility Cleaning Costs
If you are considering reducing your cleaning budget, it is essential to weigh the potential risks and benefits carefully.
In some cases, cutting back on cleaning may be necessary, but it is vital to do so in a way that does not compromise the health and safety of your employees or customers.
Here are some tips for reducing cleaning costs without sacrificing cleanliness:
- Renegotiate your cleaning contract - If you are currently outsourcing your cleaning services, you may be able to negotiate a lower price with your current provider or switch to a different provider that offers more competitive rates.
- Eliminate unnecessary cleaning tasks - Take a close look at your cleaning schedule and identify any jobs that are unnecessary or can be done less frequently. For example, you may not need to have your carpets cleaned as often as you currently do.
- Use more efficient cleaning methods - There are several new cleaning technologies and techniques that can help you clean more efficiently. For example, you may be able to use steam cleaning instead of traditional chemical cleaners.
- Train your employees on proper cleaning techniques - Make sure that your employees are adequately trained on how to clean effectively and safely. This will help them clean more efficiently and reduce the risk of accidents.
References
- Coyne, K., Coyne, S., & Coyne, E. (2014, August). When You’ve Got to Cut Costs—Now. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2010/05/when-youve-got-to-cut-costs-now
- How to Reduce Labor Costs in Your Cleaning Budget. (n.d.). Www.tennantco.com. Retrieved July 13, 2023, from https://www.tennantco.com/en_us/resources/resource-center/articles/reduce-labor-cost-in-your-cleaning-budget.html
- Understanding the Importance of Workplace Cleanliness. (2022, August 15). Apollo Technical LLC. https://www.apollotechnical.com/understanding-the-importance-of-workplace-cleanliness/
Takeaway
Businesses that reduce their cleaning budgets to save money may be setting themselves up for failure.
Cutting cleaning costs can lead to several negative consequences, including increased health risks, decreased productivity, damage to property, loss of customers, and increased liability.
A dirty and unsanitary workplace can pose a severe health risk to employees and customers.
Germs and bacteria can spread quickly in a dirty environment, leading to illness, allergies, and even infections.
This can increase absenteeism, decrease productivity, and even lead to lawsuits.
A cluttered and disorganized workplace can also be distracting and stressful for employees.
This can lead to decreased productivity, increased errors, and even accidents.
A dirty and unkempt workplace can also give customers a negative impression of a business, leading to lost customers and decreased sales.
In short, there are several reasons why businesses should avoid cutting cleaning costs.
Doing so can hurt a business's health, safety, productivity, and bottom line.
Outsourcing is a proven method for onboarding highly in-demand cleaning and sanitization services and experience for a fraction of the price of maintaining a similar service in-house.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation on-site assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!
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In Valencia, CA, or Santa Clarita, CA, call (661) 437-3253
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