FM newsroom – facility cleaning. Cleanliness in facilities management is no longer judged by checklists alone. Today, it is about perception, experience and the ability to respond in real time.
Drawing on insights shared by Adam Brejnak on Obiekty.org, the facilities management sector is increasingly rethinking what “clean” truly means in practice. As Regional Sales Manager at Inwemer, part of the LIWO Group, Brejnak emphasises that effective cleaning begins well before any work is carried out on site.
The process starts at the inspection stage, where identifying risks and pinpointing critical areas is key. This early assessment not only shapes the scope of services required but also ensures that staffing levels are properly aligned with the demands of daily operations.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Facilities vary widely, and so must the approach to maintaining them. A single-site office requires a different strategy from a multi-location contract. In distributed environments, coordination and consistency become key challenges, Brejnak notes.
His professional experience shows that success in such settings depends on scale, well-structured processes and, crucially, skilled coordinators who ensure standards are upheld across all locations.
Beyond KPIs: Measuring Real Experience
The industry is gradually moving away from viewing quality purely through KPIs. While metrics still matter, they do not tell the whole story.
What truly defines quality is the daily experience of the people using the space. Their interactions with the environment provide the most authentic measure of whether cleanliness standards are being met, Brejnak believes.
Unexpected situations—such as reduced air quality after refurbishment or ventilation failures—require swift and effective action. Companies that invest in the right technologies can respond quickly without disrupting operations. This not only maintains service continuity but also reduces operational risks and costs.
The Power of First Impressions
Cleanliness is highly subjective and shaped by what users notice first. Small details often carry the greatest weight: reception areas, glass surfaces, lifts, touchscreens and shared spaces.
Particular attention must be paid to restrooms and break areas, as these strongly influence overall perceptions of a facility’s standard.
People Make the Difference
While technology and systems play an important role, people remain at the heart of service delivery.
Regular training helps frontline staff see spaces through the eyes of users, sharpening their attention to detail. At the same time, performance-based reward models can improve motivation, reduce staff turnover and build stronger, more consistent teams, Brejnak claims.
Modern cleaning services go far beyond routine tasks. They are about managing quality, shaping user experience and ensuring operational efficiency—all with the well-being of occupants in mind.