A church is a place of fellowship, faith, solace and celebration. The last thing a congregant wants to hear is a visitor’s reaction to pews that have seen better days, windows that are dingy and restrooms that need intervention. Yet even if a small church doesn’t have the coffers of a huge congregation, there are budget-friendly commercial cleaning options to help keep worshippers and church staff healthy.
Budget-Friendly Cleaning Practices Stretch Your Budget
The most effective way to stretch your cleaning budget over the long run is to plan ahead. Develop a cleaning routine that staff and volunteers can manage during the week so you can hire a cleaning company before and after special events, such as baptisms, weddings and Christmas vigils.
Staff members or volunteers on a schedule can provide regular janitorial services, such as cleaning the restrooms, mopping, running vacuum cleaners and wiping down high-touch surfaces such as handrails, light switches and door handles. Save money by using eco-friendly cleaning solutions you can mix in bulk using common household ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and essential oils. Such homemade solutions show stewardship and respect for the environment, while minimizing the risk of using untrained volunteers to clean.
Mix olive oil and distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar as you would for salad dressing to create a fine furniture polish. Add lemon essential oil for a fresh scent. Wipe in the direction of the wood grain to remove grime and refresh natural woodwork on the altar, pews, even office furniture. (Don’t use this on wood floors, though, as it can be slippery.)
Check online for other cleaning recipes, such as a mixture of water, rubbing alcohol and vinegar for a streak-free solution for window cleaning that also makes mirrors sparkle.
Another cost-effective idea is to invest in reusable cleaning products, such as:
- Microfiber cloths and dust mops
- Reusable spray bottles
- Cordless vacuum cleaners
Microfiber cloths and dust mops
Unlike disposable paper towels, microfiber cloths need just a spin through the laundry to be ready for another job.
Reusable spray bottles
You’ll need places to store your everyday cleaning solutions, and these wash up easily for a new batch.
Cordless vacuum cleaners
We realize this stretches the “reusable” definition a bit, but a cordless vacuum is lightweight and doesn’t use vacuum bags, which are another expense. They recharge, making them eco-friendly, and many come with attachments, enabling you to reach stubborn nooks and corners.
Use Commercial Cleaning Services Once a Month or As Needed
Handling day-to-day cleaning tasks without breaking the bank allows you enough money to hire professional commercial cleaning services when you really need your small church to shine. Commercial cleaning companies can take on larger tasks, such as carpet cleaning, dusting light fixtures, polishing candle holders and giving extra attention to often-forgotten surfaces, such as hymnal holders and kneelers.
Quality cleaning services don’t have to be expensive, either. In fact, many companies provide affordable cleaning packages ideal for nonprofit organizations such as churches.
At Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services, we’re happy to discuss cleaning schedules that fit your budget and offer additional tips for regular maintenance to meet your high standards. Contact us today to learn how we can help ensure your church is the clean and inviting place of worship your congregation and staff deserves.
