3 Overlooked Areas That Can Make or Break Your Workplace’s Appearance

Every business owner or facilities manager knows that keeping their facility clean and tidy is a necessity. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done — and the stakes are high.

Your customers and guests expect your workplace to be clean. By the time you’ve noticed that floor mats are worn down, restroom dispensers are empty and high-traffic areas are filthy, they’ve have already formed critical impressions about your business.

The spaces that have the biggest impact on your facility aren't always top of mind. Here are three commonly overlooked areas — and how to manage them more effectively.

1. Entryways and Floor Mats: Where First Impressions Are Won or Lost

Since it’s often your first touchpoint with your customers, your entryway is one of the most important and most underestimated areas of your facility.

Clean, well-maintained floor mats help create a positive first impression while also helping keep the rest of your facility clean.

What often gets overlooked:

• Dirty or worn floor mats that aren’t replaced regularly
• Debris buildup that gets tracked into the building
• Inconsistent service schedules from vendors

According to a white paper published by Cleaning Maintenance and Management, 80% of dirt is tracked into a building from outside, and regular service to pick up and launder floor mats helps remove the dirt that vacuums can't reach.

2. Bathrooms: The Most Visible Measure of Cleanliness

Bathrooms are one of the clearest indicators of how well a facility is maintained and one of the fastest ways to create a negative first impression. Even if the rest of your facility is clean, customers will immediately notice if your bathroom is out of necessary supplies like soap, toilet paper or paper towels.

What often gets overlooked:

• Empty or inconsistent restocking of toilet paper and paper towels
• Inconveniently placed or missing soap dispensers
• Gaps in cleaning frequency, causing buildup around toilets and faucets

Even if the rest of your facility is clean, customers will immediately notice if your bathroom is out of soap, toilet paper or paper towels.

3. Supply Closets: The Source of Inefficient Cleaning

You may not think about your supply closet often, but the reality is that your team members are using it every single day.

It can be easy to overlook everyday essentials like mops, towels and disinfectants. But if these items are understocked or poorly managed, it creates problems for your entire business.

What often gets overlooked:

• Overpaying for excess inventory that takes up space in your closet
• Disorganized storage of cleaning tools and chemicals
• Delayed or inconsistent laundering of towels and mop heads

When your supply closet is organized, cleaning products are clearly labeled and your towels and mops are fully stocked, your team can clean more efficiently. And your staff can spend less time trying to find the supplies they need.

An organized supply closet also ensures team members are using the right cleaner for the right task while reducing product waste, improving productivity and keeping your facility cleaner.

Tips for a Cleaner Workplace

Want to keep your entryways cleaner, your restrooms stocked and your supply closet organized? It doesn’t require much — just a more intentional, streamlined approach and help from trusted vendors.

Shift to proactive management:

• Identify gaps before they impact employees or customers
• Establish consistent service and replenishment processes

The easiest way to be proactive with your everyday business essentials? Outsourcing restocking and servicing. Doing so can help you maintain a cleaner, more professional environment by ensuring essential restroom and hygiene supplies are consistently available when needed.

Rather than relying on employees to monitor inventory and replenish supplies, a dedicated service provider can proactively manage stocking levels, helping to prevent common issues such as empty soap dispensers, missing paper towels or run outs of toilet paper.

Working with a vendor supports a cleaner, better-maintained workplace and reduces the administrative burden on your staff, allowing them to focus on creating a positive experience for customers and visitors.

Consolidate your vendor list

Savvy business owners know that the longer their vendor list is, the more backend work it takes to coordinate orders, deliveries and invoices. Instead, prioritize vendors with diverse offerings to streamline procurement and administrative tasks.

A Better Way to Manage Your Facility

Looking for an easier way to keep your entryways, restrooms and high-traffic areas clean? Cintas Facility Services streamlines your operations by consolidating all your workplace essentials and services into a managed, proactive program.

Keep your workplace cleaner and get time back in your day to focus on what matters most: running and growing your business.

Learn more about a Facility Services program.