How a Consistent Cleaning Routine Boosts Workplace Health and Productivity
- Clear Facility Services
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 22
In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, the pursuit of enhanced productivity and employee wellness is more crucial than ever. A simple, yet profoundly effective strategy to achieve this goal lies within your cleaning practices. Implementing a consistent cleaning routine not only promotes a healthier workplace but significantly improves employee performance, satisfaction, and even profitability. Let’s explore how an ongoing cleaning regimen positively influences workplace wellness and productivity.
Better Indoor Air Quality and Cognitive Function
We spend approximately 90% of our time indoors. The quality of indoor air directly impacts everyone—especially vulnerable groups like children, elderly individuals, and people with health conditions such as asthma or heart disease. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), maintaining high standards for indoor air quality significantly contributes to overall wellness and productivity.
Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) demonstrates that improved indoor environments can yield up to $6,500 per person per year in enhanced cognitive function. Further, a Harvard study found that initiatives to improve indoor quality could lead to a 10% increase in organizational profitability at the relatively low cost of approximately $40 per person per year.
Preventing Absenteeism and Presenteeism with Consistent Cleaning Routine
When workplaces are clean, absenteeism (employees missing work due to illness) and presenteeism (employees present but working sub-optimally due to illness or discomfort) decline significantly. According to Gallup, global workplace engagement issues, largely driven by presenteeism, cost companies around $7.8 trillion annually. Simultaneously, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that employees working while sick cost employers between $150 billion and $250 billion annually in lost productivity.
Implementing and maintaining consistent cleaning protocols directly addresses these challenges by reducing common pathogens, allergens, and irritants in shared spaces. As confirmed by a Georgia-Pacific Professional Consumer Poll, 72% of people express concern over germs in communal areas, highlighting the importance employees place on cleanliness for their peace of mind and productivity.
Sustainability Practices Enhance Productivity and Talent Attraction
Sustainable cleaning practices extend beyond environmental responsibility; they actively contribute to enhanced workplace productivity and talent acquisition. A Deloitte study reported that workplaces emphasizing sustainability and inclusive culture experienced a 22% greater productivity rate and 27% higher profitability. Similarly, younger generations—particularly Millennials and Gen Z—show a marked preference for sustainable employers, with nearly half indicating willingness to accept lower pay for roles at environmentally responsible companies
By incorporating sustainable practices like using green-certified cleaning products, adopting energy-efficient solutions such as LED lighting, and pursuing LEED certification, businesses can significantly improve their attractiveness to talent, their market reputation, and their overall operational efficiency.
Asset Preservation and Operational Efficiency
Routine cleaning and maintenance effectively preserve the lifespan of building assets, reducing the frequency and cost of replacements and repairs. Thoroughly maintained environments ensure resources meet and even exceed their expected lifetimes, ultimately safeguarding investment and maintaining operational efficiency.
Social Returns and Enhanced Company Image
Investments in regular, high-quality cleaning programs can also yield substantial social returns by boosting customer satisfaction and enhancing the public perception of your organization. In an increasingly health-conscious society, a visibly clean environment reassures clients, customers, and employees alike that their well-being is prioritized.
According to Grand View Research, the global cleaning services market is expected to grow significantly—from $392 billion in 2023 to nearly $617 billion by 2030—reflecting heightened awareness and prioritization of workplace cleanliness and sustainability.
Bringing It All Together
Consistent cleaning routines not only provide immediate benefits in employee health and wellness but also bolster long-term profitability, sustainability, and organizational reputation. Companies seeking tangible productivity and profitability gains must recognize cleaning not as an expendable cost, but rather as a strategic investment with clear and compelling returns.
For businesses committed to thriving in today's competitive marketplace, fostering a clean, safe, and sustainable workplace isn't just good practice—it's essential.
If you want to learn more, access the ISSA Value of Clean at https://www.issa.com/
Interested in commercial cleaning services for your business? Schedule a time for Clear Facility Services to provide a quote here.
