Episode 119

No Cleaning Hacks

I spend a lot of time in janitorial groups online, and lately I’ve seen a trend that worries me: the rise of “cleaning hacks.” These are NOT tips from seasoned pros. These are shortcuts that give our industry a bad name and CAN be dangerous. I watched as someone posted a photo of a floor. This person had already sold a cleaning service and was now reaching out to the community with this question:

“I got this job. Does anyone know what type of floor this is?” I won’t tell you what came out of my mouth.

Listen, a lack of knowledge is understandable. We all have to learn our work. I wasn’t surprised that someone needed education. What caught my attention was the fact that this person had already sold a cleaning service! Remember that YOUR customers are relying on you to be the expert.

Consider the steps that had to occur before selling this job. Someone had to consider what they might be paid and what it might cost in travel, time and materials. And all of that was decided before knowing the type of floor they would be cleaning.

The Distance Between Hacks and Professionals Gets Wider

As I monitored this, the situation went from bad to worse. The community comments were a circus. People guessed what type of flooring materials this was, “vinyl, asbestos, stone”. They threw out everything except the right thing. After about 150 responses someone tossed out “travertine”. Which was correct. And I know that only because I know my craft.

Professional Knowledge Matters 

The material dictates everything. The flooring type determines your chemistry, process, tooling and finish. When the commercial cleaner misidentifies a floor the risks mount. Those risks include:

• Voiding warranties
• Losing a reputation
• Forced to pay for replacement (which could close some businesses)
• Create serious health risks

Quick tip: asbestos tile is typically 9×9, not 12×12. And asbestos flooring demands strict safety procedures. If you don’t know that, step back. Learn first.

The circus I observed was not, in my opinion, a professional discussion. Let me tell you why.

Hacking Up A Price

Now with the flooring identified, the pricing “advice” started. A few folks proudly claimed they’d do 600 square feet for $45–$50, three coats of finish included. If you’re not in-the-know on this one, let’s do some basic math:

• The space has to be prepared, that’s your time
• A gallon of finish runs $45–$60
• You’ll need about an hour of cure time between coats. That alone comes to over two hours just in dry-time
• Application, edging, and cleanup
• Travel, scheduling, and often after-hours constraints

Physics and Chemistry Don’t Care About Your “Hack”

Finishes need time. Coverage rates are real. Diluting finish to “make it go further” just guarantees weak film, poor leveling, premature wear. After this level of service, you should expect complaints from a disappointed customer.

If you intend to grow your business I’m here to tell you this is NOT the way to do it.

Imagine The Mess

Methods matter. I can picture the $45 job:

• Cotton mop
• Fibers embedded in the film, hair sealed in
• Edges untouched, behind-the-door corners ignored

The next morning the floor is shiny. For an untrained eye, everything looks good. But pros see it immediately. Lap lines, swirls, contamination, no prep, no baseboard detail. That’s not craftsmanship. That is a temporary sheen masking failure. And hopefully, that’s not the kind of quality you intend to deliver.

Experts Out-Perform Hacks

This is why being The Expert isn’t a marketing slogan. Your expertise is knowing your craft. Know your surfaces, your chemistry and your process timing. Price your commercial cleaning services to deliver the outcome you can proudly stand behind. TikTok and YouTube can be great for exposure and ideas. I’m all for learning. But “faster, cheaper, better” doesn’t beat material science. Our work is hard work. Its service, chemistry, timing and physics. And physics is unforgiving.

I love this industry because when you do it right, it’s art. I’ve walked out of construction clean ups, carpet restorations, and floor refinishing projects feeling like Picasso! (Yeah, I know.) But I see the work my team and my cleaning clients do. When we take pride in our work we transform construction sites and offices from disaster-areas to designer spaces.

Take Pride in Your Profession

Some of my coaching clients start with a chip on their shoulders. I’ve been there. I’ve said. “I’m just a cleaner” many times. I’m happy to say that no more. And I train my coaching clients to learn and own their knowledge. When you and your team complete a job, you can point to it and say, “We did that!” That pride only comes when you refuse the race to zero and commit to integrity, training, and repeatable systems.

Professionalism Can Equal Profits

If you’re a cleaning company owner, hear me clearly. Stop chasing hacks! Build expertise and process. Build pricing that sustains quality. Your clients will feel the difference, and so will your profit margins.

When you’re ready to level up on pricing, processes, technical skills, and leadership, book coaching with me. I offer single sessions and those you can use over months. My six-month program includes monthly sessions for owners. These allow you consistent time to access my resources to expect steady, accountable growth. Let’s turn expertise into your competitive edge. Reach out to schedule your session and start building the company you’re proud to stand behind.

This Week’s Podcast transcript can be downloaded here for free.