What is a day porter anyway?
There are some confusing terms in the commercial cleaning industry, so let's start with some definitions:
According to merriam-webster.com
Porter: a person stationed at a door or gate to admit or assist those entering. Or one employed to carry baggage for patrons at a hotel or transportation terminal.
Janitor: one who keeps the premises of a building (such as an apartment or office) clean, tends the heating system, and makes minor repairs
So, what is the definition of a day porter?
In general, a day porter is a person who keeps a building clean and presentable throughout the day. The activities depend on the frequency agreed upon in the contract, the building, and the customer specifications.
What are the day porter duties?
It will depend on the customer's needs and the porter's abilities. Some examples include.
Dust Mop & Damp Mop floors.
Handle Trash (Empty and replace liners)
Spot Clean: Many surfaces like doors & frames, light switches, kick plates, appliances, and more...
Police For Loose Debris in the perimeter of the building.
High contact area disinfection.
Wash Tops & Disinfect conference tables.
Refill Dispensers.
Microwave cleaning.
Refrigerator cleaning
Lunchroom, tables.
Report Building Problems Such as Toilets That Do Not Flush, Broken Windows, etc.
Day porters maintain cleanliness in businesses during business hours, handling tasks like trash removal, restroom upkeep, light cleaning, and the occasional minor emergency like a spill or an overflown toilet; it will also depend on the person's level of training if they can expand their services to your building, for example, minor repairs or specialty services that require some certification.
Do you need day porter services?
First, ask yourself how much you value a consistently clean environment. This might be more valuable to a business with high customer traffic or to a business that is prone to regular issues like spilling, for example, if you deal with kids or need to maintain specific standards like in health care. After small accidents, a day porter can help you minimize disruptions.
Another benefit of having a day porter is linked to preventive maintenance. In areas with a lot of snow, a day porter can help you maintain the wax on your floors; otherwise, the salt in the sidewalks will penetrate the wax, requiring a more expensive fix. Also, it will help you avoid safety hazards.
Now, if you have a regular office where you do not expect the unexpected, a janitorial service might be enough to cover your needs.
Imperial Service Systems can provide a solution that fits your needs. Contact us today for a non-obligation quote.