Retail Store Janitorial: Spring Cleaning Checklist For Your Retail Space

Spring cleaning has a whole new meaning this year, as it is the first spring following the pandemic that swept over the world in the middle of spring 2020. Retail store janitorial cleaning procedures and protocols will need to be revisited, and retail store cleaning checklists and schedules need to be amended.

This isn’t just to appease the heightened needs of your customers, or the local, state, or federal mandates. It’s for public health reasons, so your approach to retail janitorial services should be with a good attitude! Here’s some help to get you started – some tips and a retail store janitorial checklist:

Retail Store Janitorial: Tips First

It’s important to acknowledge that different parts of your retail space require different janitorial services at different frequencies. This should make sense, as the purpose of each area differs quite a bit and the volume of foot traffic and contact from employees and/or patrons changes substantially.

Two more things. First, you should definitely increase the frequency of the janitorial service you design for each section of your retail store. Heightened sanitary standards increase this demand. Second, consider both employee and customer-related preventative measures, such as using PPE and offering hand sanitizer.

Retail Store Janitorial: Entrances, Exits & Exterior

Your entrances and exits, which may often be the same, require different janitorial services, and compared to other sections of your retail store, likely won’t change much in terms of spring cleaning. Here’s what to include in your checklist for these areas: 

• Wipe doors and windows with the appropriate solution daily
• Disinfect door handles daily
• Clean signage daily
• Remove garbage and litter daily
• Vacuum and sweep entryways and doormats daily
• Spot clean hand and fingerprints, and smudges, as they appear throughout each day

Retail Store Janitorial: Store Interior

By store interior, we’re referring to your main retail space where customers shop for retail items and checkout. This space is probably the most high traffic area, and will require the most rigorous cleaning at the highest frequency. Here are some things to include in your checklist:

• Dust, clean, and disinfect shelves, cabinet trimmings, display units, glass surfaces, windows, window sills, and walls
• Vacuum carpeted areas
• Sweep and remove dirt and debris from non-carpeted areas
• Wet-mop non-carpeted flooring (during non-business hours)
• Empty garbage cans and replace with new bags

Retail Store Janitorial: Backhouse, Storage, Offices & Breakroom

The rest of your retail store’s areas, rooms, and sections will require much the same, but will have their own janitorial nuances. For your backhouse and storage areas, offices, and breakroom, make sure to include these in your checklist that differs from previous lists:

• Clean your vents, vent covers, and change air filters
• Clean and disinfect individual employee lockers and cabinets
• Clean and disinfect communal surfaces and materials, including janitorial tools
• Limit or eliminate entirely the use of employee break room materials and kitchenware