The Importance of Clear Communication
When training my cleaning team, there are two key things I avoid saying. The first is "spot clean." If you tell someone to spot clean something, like the cabinet fronts, they have to use their own judgment to decide which spots are worth cleaning and which can be left alone. They have to decide whether a spot needs a wet wipe or a dry wipe, or if it just needs to be dusted. This can be mentally taxing and creates unnecessary confusion for the cleaning team.
Similarly, I don't say "clean as needed." If I put "clean baseboards" on the list for a particular house and simply say "clean as needed," it doesn't set clear expectations for the cleaning team. They have to decide for themselves whether the baseboards need to be cleaned and how thoroughly.
Instead, I provide specific instructions for what needs to be done. For example, I might say "wet wipe the cabinets" or "dry wipe the cabinets." This eliminates confusion and makes it clear exactly what needs to be done. I also make it clear whether something is on the list or not. If it's on the list, it will be cleaned from top to bottom, and if it's not, it won't be touched. This makes it easier for the cleaning team to know exactly what's expected of them and helps to avoid confusion and unnecessary judgment calls.
By providing clear instructions and expectations, I'm setting my cleaning team up for success. It also makes it easier to communicate with the client and provide accurate estimates for the job. Avoiding vague instructions like "spot clean" and "clean as needed" can save time, reduce confusion, and ultimately lead to a better cleaning job.
Training properly is something that can make or break your business, you can learn more about how to do it well in our new course Cleaning for Profit: Train Your Team and Boost Your Bottom Line by clicking here!