Business owners searching for commercial cleaning often encounter two terms used almost interchangeably by cleaning companies: commercial cleaning and janitorial services. They’re related but not identical, and choosing the wrong one for your business type can mean either overpaying for services you don’t need or underbuying and getting a workspace that doesn’t meet your standards.
Understanding the actual difference, what each type of service covers, how they’re typically structured and priced, and which one fits your specific business situation makes the selection process significantly more straightforward.
The Core Difference Between Commercial Cleaning and Janitorial Services
The fundamental distinction comes down to scope and frequency.
Janitorial services refer to ongoing, routine maintenance cleaning typically performed daily or several times per week. Janitors maintain a clean baseline throughout regular business operations. Think: daily trash removal, restroom restocking and cleaning, floor sweeping and mopping, wiping down surfaces, and keeping common areas presentable during business hours or after each day’s use.
Commercial cleaning generally refers to deeper, periodic cleaning performed less frequently, typically weekly, monthly, or seasonally. Commercial cleaning goes beyond daily maintenance to address buildup, deep clean surfaces, clean windows, strip and wax floors, clean carpets, and address the areas that daily janitorial work doesn’t reach.
In practice, many cleaning companies use both terms loosely, and many provide both services under one contract. The meaningful question is not which label to use but rather what specific services your business needs, how often it needs them, and what that scope actually covers.
What Janitorial Services Typically Cover
Daily or routine janitorial services for a standard office or commercial space usually include:
Restrooms (daily or multiple times daily in high-traffic environments):
- Restock paper towels, toilet paper, and hand soap
- Clean and disinfect toilets and urinals
- Clean sinks and mirrors
- Empty trash
- Mop floors
- Wipe high-touch surfaces (door handles, faucets, light switches)
Common areas and offices:
- Empty trash and recycling at every desk and workstation
- Vacuum carpeted areas
- Sweep and mop hard floors
- Wipe down conference tables, break room surfaces, and common areas
- Clean the break room kitchen area: wipe counters, clean sink, wipe appliance exteriors
- Restock break room supplies if applicable
Building entrances:
- Sweep and mop entryway floors
- Clean interior glass doors
- Empty entry trash receptacles
What janitorial services typically do not include: deep cleaning inside appliances, window washing (exterior), carpet cleaning, floor stripping and waxing, high-dusting above reach, cleaning behind equipment, or any significant periodic service beyond routine daily maintenance.
What Commercial Deep Cleaning Typically Covers
A commercial deep cleaning session addresses what routine janitorial work accumulates over time. For most businesses, this is scheduled monthly, quarterly, or seasonally.
- High dusting: ceiling fans, light fixtures, vents, and surfaces above standard reach
- Deep restroom cleaning: scrubbing tile grout, descaling fixtures, cleaning behind toilets and under sinks
- Kitchen and break room deep clean: inside appliances, inside cabinets, behind and under equipment
- Window cleaning (interior)
- Carpet cleaning or extraction
- Hard floor deep cleaning, stripping, and refinishing where applicable
- Wiping all baseboards throughout the space
- Cleaning behind and under office furniture
- Cleaning HVAC vents and supply registers
Commercial cleaning is also used for specific situations: post-construction cleaning, move-in or move-out cleaning for commercial spaces, pre-event or post-event cleaning, and seasonal deep cleaning at the start or end of heavy business periods.
Types of Businesses and What They Typically Need
The right cleaning structure varies significantly by business type.
Small Offices (Under 2,000 sq ft, 5-15 employees)
Light daily or every-other-day janitorial is appropriate for most small offices. The restrooms and break room need regular attention. Individual offices and common areas can typically be maintained with less frequent cleaning if employees maintain reasonable tidiness at their workstations.
A monthly commercial deep cleaning handles the accumulated buildup that daily cleaning doesn’t reach. Many small offices opt for a weekly professional cleaning that combines the daily janitorial scope with more thorough attention, eliminating the need to separately manage both services.
Medical and Healthcare Facilities
Healthcare environments have the most rigorous cleaning requirements. Cleaning protocols must address infection control and may need to meet specific regulatory standards. Daily janitorial is required, but with healthcare-specific disinfection protocols for patient areas, waiting rooms, restrooms, and exam rooms. Specialized cleaning companies with healthcare experience and the appropriate disinfectant certifications are necessary.
Retail Spaces
Retail environments need daily maintenance cleaning (floors, restrooms, fitting rooms, surfaces) and periodic deep cleaning. High customer foot traffic means floors need more frequent attention. Fitting rooms require daily cleaning. Display surfaces need regular dusting.
Restaurants and Food Service
Commercial kitchen cleaning is a specialized category. Food service facilities have specific health code requirements for grease trap cleaning, exhaust hood cleaning, equipment cleaning, and frequency of service. Restaurant cleaning is typically performed nightly after close and requires food-service-specific products and protocols.
Warehouses and Industrial Spaces
Industrial facilities need floor maintenance (sweeping, mopping, or industrial scrubbing), restroom cleaning, and break room maintenance. High-dusting of shelving and equipment areas becomes more critical for facilities where dust accumulation is a fire or equipment hazard.
Property Management (Apartments and Condos)
Property managers need turnover cleaning between tenants (equivalent to move-in/move-out cleaning), regular common area maintenance (hallways, lobbies, laundry rooms, amenity spaces), and periodic deep cleaning. SHINENOS’s move-in/move-out cleaning covers residential property turnovers throughout the Twin Cities metro.
How Commercial Cleaning Is Priced in Minnesota
Pricing structures for commercial cleaning vary by company and service type. Understanding the common models helps you evaluate quotes accurately.
Per square foot: Many commercial cleaning companies quote a per-square-foot rate for the space, multiplied by the number of visits. This is common for routine janitorial service.
Flat monthly rate: A fixed monthly fee for a defined scope of services and visit frequency. This is the most predictable model for budgeting.
Hourly rate: Some companies quote per cleaner per hour. This can work in your favor for small scopes and against you if the job takes longer than expected.
Per-service pricing: Specific services (carpet cleaning, floor waxing, window washing) are often priced separately as one-time or periodic add-ons to a base contract.
For the Twin Cities metro area, typical ranges for commercial cleaning:
| Service Type | Typical Price Range |
| Small office routine cleaning (1,000-2,000 sqft) | $150 to $350 per visit |
| Medium office routine cleaning (2,000-5,000 sqft) | $300 to $600 per visit |
| Commercial deep cleaning (1,000-2,000 sqft) | $250 to $500 per session |
| Carpet cleaning (per sqft) | $0.15 to $0.35 per sqft |
| Window cleaning (interior, per pane) | $3 to $8 per pane |
These are general benchmarks. Actual pricing varies based on the specific scope, cleaning frequency, space complexity, and the company you hire. Always request a site visit for an accurate quote on commercial cleaning.
What to Look for When Hiring a Commercial Cleaning Company
Several factors matter beyond price when selecting a commercial cleaning company in Minnesota.
Commercial liability insurance: A commercial cleaning company working in your business should carry at minimum $1 million in commercial general liability coverage. Request the certificate of insurance before signing any contract. If something is damaged or an employee is injured on your property, liability coverage protects both parties.
Workers’ compensation coverage: Confirms that the cleaning company’s employees are properly covered for workplace injuries. This protects you from liability if a cleaning employee is injured in your facility.
Background-checked employees: Cleaning staff have access to your business after hours. Verify that the company conducts background checks on all employees.
Experience with your type of facility: A company experienced with medical offices has different expertise than one experienced primarily with retail. Ask specifically about experience with your business type and request references from similar facilities.
Defined scope of work in the contract: The contract should specifically list what is and isn’t included in each visit. Vague scope language leads to disputes about what was agreed.
Communication and accountability: How does the company handle concerns or missed items? A phone call or text to a reliable contact who addresses issues promptly is a baseline expectation.
Green cleaning options: Many businesses prefer or require environmentally responsible cleaning products. Ask specifically about product options and certifications if this is a priority.
SHINENOS Commercial Cleaning for Twin Cities Businesses
SHINENOS offers commercial cleaning for office spaces, small businesses, and commercial properties throughout the Twin Cities metro. Our commercial cleaning service covers:
- Regular routine cleaning tailored to your schedule and scope
- Deep cleaning sessions for thorough periodic resets
- Move-in and move-out cleaning for commercial tenants and property managers
- Special event cleaning for business events and meetings
We serve businesses in Minneapolis, Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Wayzata, and Excelsior.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between commercial cleaning and janitorial services?
Janitorial services cover routine daily or frequent maintenance cleaning: trash removal, restroom cleaning, floor sweeping, and surface wiping. Commercial cleaning refers to deeper periodic cleaning that addresses buildup, deep cleans surfaces, and covers areas that daily maintenance doesn’t reach. Many companies provide both under a combined service agreement.
How much does commercial cleaning cost in Minnesota?
For a small office of 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, expect $150 to $350 per routine cleaning visit. Deep cleaning sessions for the same space run $250 to $500. Pricing depends on the scope, frequency, and specific services included. A site visit from the cleaning company provides the most accurate quote.
How often should a business be professionally cleaned?
At minimum, restrooms and high-traffic common areas should be cleaned at least weekly. For offices with significant daily foot traffic, two to three times per week is more appropriate. Deep cleaning sessions are typically scheduled monthly or quarterly.
Do I need a contract for commercial cleaning services?
Most commercial cleaning companies work under service agreements that define the scope, frequency, pricing, and cancellation terms. Review the agreement carefully before signing, particularly the cancellation terms and what constitutes the defined scope of service.
What’s included in a commercial cleaning contract?
The contract should specifically list every task included in each visit, the frequency of each task, the pricing structure, payment terms, the cancellation policy, and liability and insurance provisions. Anything not listed in the contract is not guaranteed to be included.
Is commercial cleaning tax deductible for businesses?
Yes. Commercial cleaning services for business premises are a deductible business expense. Consult a tax professional for guidance specific to your business structure.
How do I transition from an existing cleaning company?
Review your current contract’s cancellation clause for required notice periods (typically 30 days). Provide written notice within that window. Schedule your new service to begin when the old contract ends, and arrange for a walkthrough with the new company before their first visit to establish expectations.
Find the Right Cleaning Solution for Your Business
The difference between commercial cleaning and janitorial services matters less than finding a reliable company that clearly defines the scope and delivers it consistently. Start by identifying what your specific business needs, how often it needs to be cleaned, and what your budget is. Then evaluate companies based on their scope specificity, insurance documentation, and references from similar businesses.
Contact SHINENOS to discuss your commercial cleaning needs in the Twin Cities metro and get a quote based on your space and requirements.
