Cleaning 24-Hour Businesses Without Breaking the Customer’s Flow

The in-person customer experience is something that businesses take very seriously. When a customer has a positive experience, they are more likely to return to the business and tell others about it. So, as a business owner, you need to do everything possible to ensure you deliver a flawless and seamless experience for every customer.

Part of the positive customer experience is a clean business that has been properly sanitised. Visible dirt, grime and dust are among the fastest ways to discourage customers from returning. But what happens if you operate a 24-hour business where there is no downtime to schedule the cleaners? How do 24-hour businesses such as mini marts, diners and casinos clean their premises without breaking the customer’s flow?

Below, we’ll take a look at this common issue that 24-hour businesses face. We’ll also share some useful tips you can implement immediately to maintain cleanliness without disrupting customers.

Opt for Small Frequent Cleanings

The first tip is to change the way you think about cleaning. Yes, a deep thorough clean is always a good thing, but it may not be ideal for 24-hour businesses. Instead, get in the habit of scheduling shorter cleaning blocks more frequently. This may mean you need to bring in cleaners daily, but for a shorter period of time. Overall, this will be much less disruptive to your customers.

It’s the same premise you would use in your home. If you are constantly cleaning up small messes as you go, things never have a chance to get out of hand.  

As for when to schedule these smaller cleanings, choose natural lulls during the day or evening. Your business may be open around the clock, but the volume of customers doesn’t stay consistently high. It may also mean scheduling cleaning for different times of the day or night depending on the day of the week. You must learn to predict the peak hours accurately before setting up the cleaning schedule.

Noisy Cleaning Equipment Should Be Kept to a Minimum

To properly clean a business, you’ll need specific tools, and some are more disruptive than others. For example, a vacuum will likely be necessary to clean the floors, but these machines can be quite loud. If your goal is to cause as little customer disruption as possible, a large industrial-style vacuum won’t be welcome. Smaller, less obtrusive models will still get the job done, but they shouldn’t startle or annoy customers. If you have hard floor surfaces in the business, a broom and mop are all that’s needed to get the job done, and they won’t produce any noise at all. You should cover this when training cleaning staff, making it clear that you want cleaning activities to be quiet and smooth.

Strong Cleaning Product Scents Can Be Very Disruptive to Customers

Besides the equipment you use, it’s also important to assess the cleaning products. While it may seem like a great idea to pick products with strong, fresh scents, these can be disruptive to your customers. The initial burst of chemicals can be overwhelming to the senses, triggering negative reactions such as headaches, sneezing, asthma attacks or even nausea.

The last thing you want to do is chase customers away because your cleaning products smell too strong. To create an inviting environment, low-scent, natural and green cleaning products are your best bet.

Steer Away from Customers Whenever Possible

To clean the business properly, you’ll need to reach every nook and cranny. While that is the ultimate goal, it’s worth noting that you need some flexibility in the cleaning routine. Ideally, you want to avoid cleaning near customers, who probably don’t want their experience interrupted by housekeeping activities.

For example, a gambler in a casino isn’t going to pull out their phone and look for bonuses on casinos.com while you clean around them. The focus should be on subtle, customer-first cleaning methods that preserve both hygiene and atmosphere.

This will mean backtracking to areas you initially skipped because you didn’t want to disrupt customers. To this end, your staff will need to keep careful track of the areas that have been cleaned and those that have been missed. Using a cleaning log to track different zones can be helpful. When staff switch shifts, incoming members will know where to resume.

Provide Staff with a Clear To-Do Cleaning List

This particular tip complements the cleaning log. Not only do staff need to know what cleaning has already been done and when, but they should also be aware of what’s left to do. Creating a simple ‘To-Do Cleaning List’ that can be posted in the staff room is invaluable. There’s no need for staff to try to remember what’s next or how to fill their time; they can simply refer to the list.

The cleaning list should be dynamic and not be set in stone. The company’s cleaning needs can change, quiet periods or lulls may differ seasonally, the equipment may be updated and so on. Make sure you stay on top of updating this information so that staff are always in the loop. You should also encourage staff to come to you with suggestions and ideas that could make the cleaning process more efficient and less disruptive.

Mindful Tips Ensure That 24-Hour Businesses Don’t Disrupt Customers with a Cleaning Routine

Each of these tips is designed to prioritise keeping a 24-hour business clean and organised without interrupting the flow of customers. It can seem like a delicate balance, but a great customer experience always needs to be top of mind. These tips will quickly become habits, leading to positive outcomes.