Key takeaways
- Professional crews bring their own commercial-grade equipment, not your vacuum.
- Look for color-coded tools, microfiber, HEPA filtration, wet floor signs and labeled chemicals.
- Equipment that is clean and maintained is a good sign of a well-run company.
You can learn a lot from what a crew carries into your building. Professional equipment is a sign of professional practice.
The essentials
- Commercial vacuums. Upright or backpack vacuums with strong filtration. HEPA filters trap fine dust and are valuable in medical offices, daycares and anywhere with sensitive occupants.
- Microfiber cloths and mops. They pick up more soil with less product and can be laundered and reused.
- Color-coded tools. Different colors for restrooms, general surfaces, glass and kitchens help prevent cross-contamination. See disinfection basics.
- Wet floor signs. Used before mopping starts and kept until floors are dry.
- Janitor cart or caddy. Organized, with separated clean and dirty supplies.
- Mop buckets with wringers and fresh mop heads.
- Restroom-only tools. Dedicated brushes, cloths and mops that never leave the restroom.
- Labeled spray bottles. Every secondary container should be labeled with the product name and hazards, as OSHA's Hazard Communication standard requires.
- Dispensing system. Proportioner or measured dilution to avoid guessing.
- Personal protective equipment. Gloves, eye protection and non-slip shoes.
For larger or specialized jobs
- Floor scrubbers and burnishers
- Carpet extractors
- Ladders and extension poles for high dusting
- Wet-dry vacuums for spills
What to ask a vendor
- What equipment will crews bring to our building?
- Do you use HEPA-filtered vacuums?
- Are cloths and mops color-coded, and how are they laundered?
- How are chemicals diluted and labeled?
- Do you maintain and replace equipment on a schedule?
What to look at during a visit
- Is the cart clean and organized?
- Are bottles labeled?
- Do the vacuums look maintained?
- Does the crew use signs and PPE?
Simple test: If a crew shows up with unlabeled bottles, one dirty rag for everything and a borrowed vacuum, expect the same level of care in the work.
Related: what makes a good commercial cleaning company.