Cleaning Expectations
Below is a General Task Listing for both In-House and Contract Custodial Services
This list is not meant to be totally inclusive. If you have questions, please contact the respective Director for your area.
Entrances, Lobbies, Hallways, Elevators and Stairs
Daily Tasks
- Clean elevators (police)
- Clean water fountains
- Empty and re-line waste cans
- Police (pick up, straighten up)
- Spot clean entry glass
- Spot clean exit doors
- Sweep outside walks and steps to 20'
- Vacuum walk off mats
Weekly Tasks
- Sweep stairs and landings
- Vacuum carpets
- Clean elevator tracks
Bi-Weekly Tasks
- Damp mop landings
- Damp mop stairs
Restrooms
Daily Tasks
- Clean and sanitize fixtures
- Clean horizontal surfaces
- Clean mirrors
- Damp mop and sanitize floors
- Dust mop floors
- Empty and re-line waste cans
- Police (pick up, straighten up)
- Refill dispensers
Offices
Daily Tasks
- Empty and re-line waste cans
Weekly Tasks
- Damp mop floors
- Vacuum carpets
- Dust exposed horizontal surfaces
- Dust vertical surfaces
- Dust windowsills/high ledges
Classrooms, Lecture Halls, Libraries and Lounges
Daily Tasks
- Clean chalkboards and trays
- Clean and sanitize water fountains
- Clean white boards and trays
- Empty and re-line waste cans
Weekly Tasks
- Damp mop floors
- Vacuum carpets
Laboratories (other than computer labs)
Daily Task
- Empty and re-line waste cans (Not biohazard bins)
Window cleaning is limited to ten feet and lower for Contracted Services. Exterior window cleaning is subject to water restrictions due to drought conditions and will require special approval before hiring a Contractor.
Association of Physical Plant Administrators (APPA) – Appearance Level Definitions:
In-House Operations and Contracted services aim to maintain service quality within APPA Levels 2 to 3 ensuring consistency and alignment with institutional benchmarks.
Level 1 - Orderly Spotlessness
- Floors and base moldings shine and/or are bright and clean; colors are fresh. There is no buildup in corners or along walls
- All vertical and horizontal surfaces have a freshly cleaned or polished appearance and have no accumulation of dust, dirt, marks, streaks, smudges, or fingerprints.
- Lights all work and fixtures are clean.
- Washroom and shower fixtures and tile gleam and are odor-free. Supplies are adequate.
- Trash containers and pencil sharpeners hold only daily waste, are clean and odor-free.
Level 2 - Ordinary Tidiness
- Floors and base moldings shine and/ or are bright and clean. There is no buildup in corners or along walls, but there can be up to two days' worth of dust, dirt, stains, or streaks.
- All vertical and horizontal surfaces are clean, but marks, dust, smudge, and fingerprints are noticeable upon close observation.
- Lights all work and fixtures are clean.
- Washroom and shower fixtures and tile gleam and are odor-free. Supplies are adequate.
- Trash containers and pencil sharpeners hold only daily waste, are clean and odor-free.
Level 3 - Casual Inattention
- Floors are swept or vacuumed clean, but upon close observation there can be stains. A buildup of dirt and/or floor finish in corners and along walls can be seen.
- There are dull spots and/or matted carpet in walking lanes. There are streaks or splashes on base molding.
- All vertical and horizontal surfaces have obvious dust, dirt, marks, smudges, and fingerprints.
- Lamps all work and fixtures are clean.
- Trash containers and pencil sharpeners hold only daily waste, are clean and odor-free.
Level 4 - Moderate Dinginess
- Floors are swept or vacuumed clean, but are dull, dingy, and stained. There is a noticeable buildup of dirt and/ or floor finish in corners and along walls.
- There is a dull path and/or obviously matted carpet in walking lanes. Base molding is dull and dingy with streaks or splashes.
- All vertical and horizontal surfaces have conspicuous dust, dirt, smudges, fingerprints, and marks.
- Lamp fixtures are dirty, and some lamps (up to 5 percent) are burned out.
- Trash containers and pencil sharpeners have old trash and shavings. They are stained and marked. Trash containers smell sour.
Level 5 - Unkempt Neglect
- Floors and carpets are dull, dirty, dingy, scuffed, and/or matted. There is a conspicuous buildup of old dirt and/ or floor finish in corners and along walls. Base molding is dirty, stained, and streaked. Gum, stains, dirt, dust balls, and trash are broadcast.
- All vertical and horizontal surfaces have major accumulations of dust, dirt, smudges, and fingerprint, all of which will be difficult to remove.
- Lack of attention is obvious.
- Light fixtures are dirty with dust balls and flies. Many lamps (more than 5 percent) are burned out.
- Trash containers and pencil sharpeners overflow. They are stained and marked. Trash containers smell sour.