What Message Does a Dirty Janitor’s Closet Send? Top 5 Things

Ever catch a glimpse of a janitor’s closet and can’t help but notice that it’s disorganized, dirty, chaotic, and generally hazardous? These spaces can actually be repositories of pathogens; spreading throughout the facility on wheels, shoes, and more. But what else can they tell us about an organization?

Here are five insights you can glean about a company from the state of one of its janitorial closets (in no particular order).

Do we care about the environment?
Do we value safety?
Do we pay attention to detail?
Do we care about our workers?
Are we neat and tidy?

Environment

Are we using bleach and other harsh chemicals? How about single-use plastics and other wasteful products like wet wipes? Seeing any of these might be a hint that environmental impact is not exactly a priority.

Safety

Are we putting the people visiting our location at risk by potentially spreading pathogens? Is our cleaning routine sufficient and effective?

dirty janitors closet 2

Detail

Are our bottles labeled clearly and color-coded? Or are they hastily scribbled on with permanent marker? Are there clear and instructive training posters on the wall?

Workers

Do our workers have to mix chemicals, do they have to follow complicated concentration instructions? Are they exposed to potentially toxic concoctions should they make a mistake?

Neatness

Is the space physically clean, organized, and therefore reassuring? Or does it project more of a chaotic and unsettling presence?

Take an honest look at your own custodial closets. Do they measure up? What message do they send? If your customers and or stakeholders had a look inside, what sort of assumptions might be made?

Additional resources:

https://cmmonline.com/articles/sorting-out-your-supply-closet

https://cmmonline.com/articles/maintaining-custodial-closets