As the holiday season approaches, shopping centers and strip malls are some of the busiest places. Now is the time to get your space in shape, especially the high-traffic areas. Before the holiday rush begins, you’ll want to ensure your mall or shopping complex is clean and inviting. After all, well-maintained spaces create a welcoming environment that encourages shoppers to stay longer (and spend more).
Here’s how to tackle those high-traffic areas and keep them looking their best all season long.
Tips for Shopping Center Cleaning
- Start with the entryways. Doors, floors, and glass entryways are the first things shoppers see when they arrive at your property. During wintertime, dirt, salt, and moisture quickly accumulate at entrances, as do fingerprints and smudges. But arrival sets the tone for the rest of the visit. To handle floor debris, consistent sweeping and mopping are a must. You should also schedule regular deep cleans and mat replacements to maintain a pristine, upscale appearance. And make sure you wipe down handles, doors, and surfaces where those pesky fingerprints can linger.
- Put a big focus on restrooms. Bathrooms are often the most used—and most complained about—areas in any shopping center. During peak shopping hours, they can see hundreds of visitors per hour, so a strict cleaning schedule is essential. Increase restroom checks during busy seasons, such as the holidays, to ensure that trash bins are emptied, supplies are stocked, and floors are dry and disinfected. Don’t overlook high-touch surfaces like door handles, faucets, and stall locks.
- Keep food courts fresh and sanitized. During a marathon shopping spree, the food court is another hotspot that requires regular cleaning. Food crumbs, spills, and sticky tables can not only deter shoppers from taking a seat, but they can also attract pests and cause bigger problems if ignored. A professional janitorial crew can circulate throughout the day to wipe tables, empty bins, and sanitize surfaces. After the shopping center closes, you can perform a thorough floor cleaning to ensure that no crumbs or spills are left behind.
- Pay attention to windows and glass surfaces. Natural light has the remarkable ability to make a space feel open and inviting. However, this effect can quickly fall flat if the windows aren’t kept clean. Fingerprints, smudges, and streaks can create a negative impression, detracting from the overall shopping experience. To ensure that your retail space always looks its best, make window cleaning a regular part of your maintenance plan. This involves not only cleaning the interior surfaces but also the exterior windows, which can accumulate dirt and grime from the elements. For strip malls, having clean exterior windows is especially important, and you should aim to clean them weekly to maintain an inviting look. Ultimately, sparkling windows and glass surfaces not only improve the aesthetic appeal of your store but can also increase foot traffic and encourage more customers to step inside.
- Don’t forget flooring. When preparing for the uptick in business during the holidays, it’s essential to prioritize the cleanliness of your flooring, both indoors and outdoors. Mall floors are subject to high foot traffic, making regular cleaning crucial. Daily vacuuming and mopping in your space keeps floors looking spotless and helps prevent dirt buildup. For exterior areas, ensure sidewalks are routinely swept and pressure-washed as needed. This not only enhances curb appeal but also contributes to safety by reducing slip hazards.
Let Office Express Make Your Retail Space Shine Before the Holidays
Waiting until November or December to ramp up cleaning can leave you scrambling. Scheduling professional deep cleans now ensures your mall or shopping center is ready for increased traffic.
Looking for the best janitorial services for your shopping center? We offer top-notch cleaning at a fair price, with standards set in best practices and procedures established by OSHA. Contact Office Express Janitorial Services, Inc. today to schedule a free quote!