What's Included in Janitorial Services? A Full Breakdown

Janitorial services is a broad term that means different things to different cleaning companies. Before signing any contract, you should know exactly what tasks are performed on each visit, what's done periodically, and what falls outside the standard scope. This guide provides a complete breakdown of what professional janitorial services typically cover in a Toronto commercial facility.

Standard Inclusions: What Happens on Every Visit

Washrooms

• Clean and disinfect all toilets — bowl, seat, lid, and exterior
• Clean and disinfect all sinks and countertops
• Clean all mirrors
• Sweep and mop all floors with disinfectant solution
• Empty sanitary waste bins and replace liners
• Restock paper towels, toilet paper, and hand soap
• Wipe down all dispensers, partitions, and fixtures
• Clean and disinfect door handles and high-touch surfaces

Floors

• Vacuum all carpeted areas including edges and corners
• Sweep and damp mop all hard floors (tile, hardwood, vinyl, concrete)
• Spot-clean visible spills or stains on hard floors
• Clean entrance mats by shaking or vacuuming
• Sweep stairwells and landings

Waste and Recycling

• Empty all waste bins throughout the facility and replace liners
• Empty all recycling containers and sort appropriately
• Consolidate waste to the designated collection area or compactor
• Wipe down bins that have visible residue

Surfaces and General Areas

• Wipe down all desks, tables, and workstation surfaces (items on desks are typically not moved unless specified)
• Dust all horizontal surfaces — ledges, window sills, filing cabinets, shelving tops
• Wipe down all door handles, light switches, and elevator buttons
• Clean reception and common area furniture
• Spot-clean partition glass and mirrors

Kitchen and Break Room

• Wipe down all countertops and surfaces
• Clean the exterior of all appliances — microwave, fridge, dishwasher, coffee machine
• Clean and sanitise the sink
• Wipe down the stovetop or hotplate if present
• Empty dishwasher if dishes are clean and put them away (if specified in contract)
• Sweep and mop the kitchen floor
• Restock dish soap and paper towels

Periodic Services (Not on Every Visit)

These tasks are typically included in a janitorial contract but are scheduled less frequently than daily or weekly cleaning visits:

• Carpet hot-water extraction: Typically every 3–6 months depending on traffic
• Interior window cleaning: Monthly to quarterly
• Floor stripping, sealing, and waxing (VCT and resilient flooring): Annually or as needed
• High-dust removal — ceiling vents, light fixtures, high shelving: Monthly or quarterly
• Deep clean of appliance interiors — oven, fridge, microwave interiors: Monthly or quarterly
• Baseboard and wall washing: Semi-annually

What's Typically Excluded

• Exterior window cleaning (requires specialised equipment and insurance)
• Pressure washing of exterior areas
• Post-construction or renovation cleaning
• Pest control services
• Hazardous waste removal or biohazard cleaning
• Moving or storing furniture and equipment
• Laundry services (beyond wipe-down of dryer exterior)
• Cleaning of personal items left on desks

How to Read a Janitorial Contract

A well-written janitorial contract specifies three things for every task: how often it is performed (daily, weekly, monthly), who is responsible (the standard cleaning crew vs. a specialist team), and whether it is included in the base price or billed separately. Watch for vague language like 'as required' or 'as needed' — these terms leave too much room for dispute. Ask for a scope of work document that lists every task, its frequency, and its inclusion status.

Questions to Ask Before Signing

• Is there a detailed scope of work document I can review?
• Which tasks are included in the base monthly price and which are add-ons?
• How are periodic tasks (carpet cleaning, window cleaning) scheduled and billed?
• What happens if I'm unsatisfied with the cleaning on a specific visit?
• Are your staff direct employees or subcontractors? Are they background-checked?
• What is the notice period if I need to adjust the scope or cancel the contract?

CMG Clean provides a detailed, itemised scope of work with every janitorial contract. Our staff are direct employees — not subcontractors — background-checked and trained before their first shift. Contact us to discuss what a janitorial services programme would look like for your Toronto facility.