It's no secret that a clean space is good for business. But how will you manage to keep up during the busiest time of the year? As holiday shopping begins, retail owners want to make a good impression and ensure their stores can withstand heavier foot traffic. Hiring a professional retail commercial cleaning service will help your store stay off the naughty list by keeping your space clean and enjoyable for customers. We’ve put together a guide of the most important cleaning services to focus on during the holiday season to help you get ready for the rush. Check this list — and check it twice — to make sure your retail cleaning service is going above and beyond for your bottom line and brand image.
 

Deep clean your carpets

Carpet cleaning is a must at all times of the year, but it’s even more important as customers make decisions about where they do their holiday shopping. Dirty carpets can have a major impact on your brand image, leading to low sales and negative reviews that might discourage holiday shoppers from becoming repeat customers. Recent studies have shown that 14% of shoppers will stop visiting a location if the store does not achieve their expected level of cleanliness.

Even with regular vacuuming, carpets often need regular deep cleans during the holiday season to keep up with the increased foot traffic. Deep cleaning your carpets before and after the holidays not only improves the overall look of your store, it also keeps your retail space clear of any allergens or unpleasant odors that might turn customers away. Regular maintenance and deep cleans can also keep your carpets from showing signs of wear and prolong the life of your carpet by removing dirt and particles that have been tracked inside.
 

Polish your floors

Research has shown that 42% of customers look at the floors of a business to determine its cleanliness, which is why it’s so important to keep your floors polished and properly cared for. To make your floors look truly inviting to holiday shoppers, consider having the floors stripped and waxed on a regular basis. 

Retail stores use a variety of different flooring types, each with their own unique needs: 
Reorganize these to the following order: Hardwood, Tile, Concrete, Vinyl and Laminate
 

• Hardwood: Hardwood floors are very susceptible to damage in a high-traffic setting, especially during the holidays. Don’t use too much water or liquid cleaner on wood floors during regular maintenance, as it can cause permanent damage. Daily sweeping is one of the best ways to clean hardwood floors. To clean spots or spills, your cleaning provider will use a light cleanser designed especially for hardwood floors.
• Tile: Tile is a top choice for high-traffic areas in retail because of its easy maintenance, durability, and low cost. Many tile floors are made of a vinyl composition tile (VCT) that requires non-abrasive cleansers, but other types of tile can tolerate more harsh chemicals. It’s important for your commercial cleaning service to come equipped with a cleaning brush or tool that can accommodate these imbalances, especially in tile floors that have prominent grout.
• Concrete: Concrete is quickly becoming the most popular type of flooring used in retail due to its low maintenance needs and easy-care routine. Polished concrete can handle heavy foot traffic while also being aesthetically pleasing to customers. Sealing concrete with polish will help keep it from absorbing stains from spilled liquids or ingrained dirt. It will also make it easier to clean down the line. During regular care, it’s important to use stiff brushes that can efficiently get the grit out of concrete floors. The right commercial cleaning service will come with the proper equipment to care for your concrete floors.
• Vinyl and Laminate: Vinyl and laminate flooring is durable, water-resistant, and easy to maintain. It’s important to limit the amount of water and liquid cleaner on your vinyl and laminate floors. Excess water can get under your vinyl floor and start to loosen the adhesive, causing the floor to peel. Spills should be cleaned from these types of floors immediately. Regular sweeping and light mopping from a commercial cleaning service is the best way to keep vinyl and laminate floors in shape.

 

Grout cleaning for bathrooms

Stores are usually swarmed with shoppers during the holidays, even after the festivities have passed. All of this activity means your restrooms are going to be used more frequently and require daily maintenance to stay clean. Despite day-to-day care, restrooms still need a good deep clean to keep customer satisfaction high. Why is it so important to deep clean your restroom during the holidays?

Research shows that 64% of customers say they would not return to an establishment if the state of the restroom is poor. In essence, a dirty and smelly restroom is costing you money! Floors tend to be the filthiest part of a restroom -- the more people that are walking in, the more likely it is that dirt and bacteria are being trailed across your restroom floors and into your main retail space. By getting a commercial clean, you’re making sure the grout in your restroom is free of any debris and properly sanitized for the health and comfort of your customers. 
 

Increase the frequency of your cleaning services

Due to the high foot traffic during the holiday season, you may need to increase the frequency of your cleaning services. This is especially true for floor care in your retail space. Heavy traffic areas will need to be deep cleaned by a professional on a quarterly basis. In addition to deep cleaning, appearance management and spot removal will also be required daily. Frequent vacuuming or dry mopping is essential to the regular maintenance of your carpet, and the frequency should definitely be increased during the holiday season. One to two times daily is generally recommended.

Coverall offer customized cleaning plans tailored to fit your business’s needs. The size of your space, the frequency of service, and specific floor cleaning needs are all considered in your customized quote. Our cleaning services are always available when you need them — even in the midst of the busy holiday season!