Your company may have the best janitorial staff on earth in its employ, but even they will not be able to do their jobs well if they do not have the right arsenal of janitorial supplies. Buying your company’s cleaning materials and supplies is like buying your office supplies, which means that you need to take some things into consideration when making your purchase. You do not just order all the cleaning materials that you see on a store’s shelf nor do you accept everything that a supplier offers you. To make it clearer though, here are some of the things that you should keep in mind when buying janitorial supplies
Know Your Needs
With the help of your janitor, assess all the areas that need cleaning in your office, like windows, furniture, carpets, and equipment. You have to remember that each area or furnishing needs special care. For instance, wooden furniture needs a wood polisher and glass windows need a glass cleaner. You will also need some general supplies like toilet paper, spray bottles, mops, towels, dispensers, mats, trash bags, and scrubbers. Once you have listed these all down, decide how many you will need for a month’s supply, so that you do not have to go out every week to replenish your stocks.
Safety and Environmental Consciousness
It is imperative to check the labels of cleaning products. As much as possible, avoid those that contain harmful ingredients. The same goes with the supplies that will be used around your staff. Try to choose products that are made of biodegradable materials so that you can support sustainable living. Some offices are staunch advocates of green living, and make a great effort to ensure that all their equipment, tools, and supplies meet this criteria.
Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk can give you a lot of savings. This is also a green move since materials that are packaged in dozens require less packaging material, thus reducing waste. If your office has a huge stock room for your janitorial supplies, you may keep an inventory that is good for a couple of months. Besides, these supplies do not rot, so you can store them for months without affecting their quality.
Find a Good Supplier
There are a lot of factors to think about when finding a good supplier of cleaning materials. First is the price. To get the best deal, try to compare prices from three or more suppliers before deciding on one. Second, you have to make sure that the supplier is able to meet your demands in terms of the quality of the cleaning materials and the inventory you need. Large companies, for instance, are bound to consume hundreds of rolls of toilet paper and hand towels a month. Third, find a supplier who can deliver these items to your office for your convenience. Fourth, have a backup supplier in case your primary supplier fails to meet his commitments.
Cleaning your offices becomes much easier if you use the right janitorial supplies. This may seem trivial compared to purchasing your office equipment or attending board meetings, but you have to remember that in order to work efficiently, you must first make sure that your environment is comfortable and hygienic. You can only achieve that by giving your janitorial staff all the tools and supplies that they need for them to do their job well.