Custodial Services Provided

Services

The custodial staff provides custodial service on a scheduled basis to about 70 administrative and academic buildings along with a few other areas.

Auditorium, Classroom and Computer/Class Lab Space

Daily

  • Trash and recycling bins are emptied, cleaned, and relined.
  • Check and refill soap, sanitizer, and paper towel dispensers.
  • Remove large debris; dust mop, vacuum, mop, or spot clean floors as needed.
  • Wipe down tables, desks, and chair surfaces; remove debris and reposition furniture.
  • Spot clean walls, glass, and other vertical surfaces as needed.
  • Clean major spills promptly.
  • Clean and disinfect sinks and drinking fountains where applicable.
  • Clean and maintain whiteboards and chalkboards (unless marked “do not erase”); replace markers and erasers as needed.
  • Clean door handles and light switches.
  • Maintain wall clocks and replace batteries as needed.
  • Report damaged furniture or building issues.

Weekly

  • Clean instructor tables and lecterns (excluding electronics and equipment).
  • Remove mineral buildup from sinks and drinking fountains where applicable.

Monthly

  • Dust accessible horizontal surfaces, including vents, windowsills, baseboards, and fixtures.
  • Fire extinguisher inspection and sign-off.

Annually

  • Scrub and refinish hard floors as needed.
  • Extract carpets as needed.
  • Clean reachable light fixtures and walls as needed.
  • Inspect classroom seating in preparation for the start of the school year.

What to Expect

  • Floors and carpets are clean but may show wear or stains in high-traffic areas that cannot be removed by spot cleaning.
  • Floor finishes may appear dull or scratched near the end of a semester due to use and weather.
  • Winter conditions may increase moisture and dirt tracked into spaces during the day.
  • Dust buildup and fingerprints may be noticeable between scheduled cleanings.
  • High lighting replacement is coordinated during school breaks.
  • Classrooms are at their highest cleanliness level in the early morning, with conditions changing throughout the day due to continuous use.
  • When possible, daytime custodial staff will spot clean during schedule breaks.
  • Cleaning standards are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 3.
     
Conference Rooms

Daily:

  • Trash and recycling bins are emptied, cleaned, and relined.
  • Large debris is removed before floors are dust mopped or vacuumed.
  • Floors are mopped or spot cleaned as needed.
  • Chairs, glass, and tabletops are spot cleaned as needed.
  • Chairs are placed back in position.
  • Clean and maintain whiteboards and chalkboards (unless marked “do not erase”); replace markers and erasers as needed.
  • Door handles and light switches are cleaned and disinfected.
  • Vertical surfaces are spot cleaned as needed.

Monthly

  • All accessible areas of the room are dusted.

Annually

  • Hard surface floors are scrubbed and refinished as needed.
  • Carpets are extraction cleaned as conditions allow.
  • Light fixtures are cleaned as needed.
  • Walls are spot cleaned as needed.

What to Expect

  • Tile and carpet are cleaned but may show wear in high-traffic areas. Some stains may remain if they cannot be removed through spot cleaning.
  • Near the end of a semester, floor finishes may appear dull or scratched due to use and weather.
  • During winter months, moisture and dirt may be tracked into conference rooms.
  • Between monthly cleanings, dust buildup and fingerprints may be noticeable.
  • Conference rooms are at their highest cleanliness level at 8:00 a.m., with conditions changing throughout the day due to frequent use.

    Cleaning levels are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 3.
Teaching Laboratory Space

Daily:

  • Empty, clean, and reline trash and recycling bins.
  • Remove large debris prior to dust mopping or vacuuming floors.
  • Spot clean floors, as needed.
  • Thoroughly clean whiteboards unless marked “Do Not Erase” or “Save.”

Weekly:

  • Clean door handles and light switches.
  • Inspect carpets for stains and spot extract, as needed.
  • Dust empty, accessible horizontal surfaces.

Annually:

  • Scrub and burnish floors.
  • Scrub and refinish floors, as needed.
  • Extract carpets.
  • Clean light fixtures, as needed.

What to Expect:

  • Tile floors are clean but may show wear in high-traffic areas; some tile stains may remain if they cannot be removed through spot-cleaning methods.
  • Traffic patterns and certain stains may remain in carpeted areas if they cannot be removed through spot-cleaning techniques.
  • Near the end of a semester, floor finishes may appear dull or scratched depending on weather conditions and usage.
  • During winter months, increased moisture and dirt may be tracked into teaching laboratories throughout the day.
  • Dust buildup and fingerprints may be noticeable between weekly and/or monthly cleanings.
  • Teaching laboratories are at their highest cleanliness level at 8:00 a.m., with conditions potentially deteriorating throughout the day due to extended use.
  • Cleanliness levels are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 3.
  •  
Entrance, Elevator, Hallway, Lobby and Vending Space

Daily

  • Trash and recycling bins are emptied, cleaned, and relined as needed.
  • Large debris is removed before floors are dust mopped or vacuumed.
  • Hard surface floors are cleaned as needed.
  • Carpets and entrance mats are vacuumed.
  • Main lobby entry door windows are spot cleaned, weather permitting.
  • Elevator doors and interiors are cleaned and spot cleaned as needed.
  • Drinking fountains are cleaned and disinfected.
  • Door handles and light switches are cleaned.
  • Furniture is placed back into designated positions.
  • Visible soil and marks on hallway surfaces are spot cleaned as needed.
  • Vending machines are spot cleaned as needed.

Monthly

  • Empty horizontal surfaces, window ledges, baseboards, railings, and ledges are dusted.

Quarterly

  • Hallways are buffed as needed.
  • Areas under entrance matting are cleaned.

Annually

  • Floors are scrubbed and refinished as needed.
  • Carpets in high-traffic areas are extraction cleaned as conditions allow.
  • Entrance mats are deep cleaned.
  • Light fixtures and high-level surfaces are cleaned as needed.
  • Walls are spot cleaned as needed.

What to Expect

  • Tile and carpet are cleaned but may show wear in high-traffic areas. Some tile and carpet stains may remain if they cannot be removed with spot cleaning.
  • Near the end of a semester, floor finishes may appear dull or scratched due to use and weather.
  • During winter months, moisture and dirt may be tracked indoors despite entrance matting.
  • Between monthly and quarterly cleanings, dust buildup and fingerprints may be noticeable.
  • Hallways, elevators, and lobbies are at their highest cleanliness level at 8:00 a.m., with conditions changing throughout the day due to continuous use.
  • Cleaning levels are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 3.
Office Space

Daily Services

  • Empty, clean, and reline trash and recycling bins.
    • If trash needs to be collected before staff arrive, please place it in the hallway.
    • You may also use the large yellow-ringed trash containers in the hallway, which are serviced daily.
  • Vacuum and/or sweep and mop floors as room contents allow and conditions warrant.
  • Spot clean glass, chairs, and tables.
  • Spot clean and disinfect surfaces as needed.

Monthly Services

  • Dust all accessible areas of the room.

Annual Services

  • Clean carpets, if necessary and if the carpet condition allows.
  • Scrub and refinish hard-surface floors as needed.
  • Clean reachable light fixtures as needed.
  • Clean walls as needed.
  • Annual cleaning is completed in cooperation with occupants.

What to Expect

  • Carpet and tile will be clean but may show wear in high-traffic areas. Some carpet or tile stains may remain if they cannot be removed through spot cleaning.
  • Between monthly cleanings, dust buildup and fingerprints may be noticeable.
  • Offices receive less frequent attention due to typically lower traffic. Occupants are responsible for cleaning desks and surfaces containing personal belongings.
  • Floors are dusted; however, stains that cannot be spot cleaned may remain.
  • Some dirt buildup may be present along baseboards and in corners.
  • Facilities Management may decline service in areas that are inaccessible or where cleaning could damage or interfere with room contents.
  • Office spaces are locked after cleaning.

  • Cleaning standards are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 3.

Locker Room, Restroom and Shower Space

Daily:

  • Empty, clean, and reline trash bins.
  • Disinfect, check, and refill soap, paper towel, and other dispensers.
  • Remove large debris prior to dust mopping and thoroughly disinfect floors.
  • Clean and disinfect all fixture surfaces.
  • Clean and disinfect walls and partitions, as needed.
  • Spot clean mirrors.
  • Clean and disinfect door handles.

Weekly:

  • Remove mineral deposits from sinks, toilets, and urinals.
  • Dust empty, accessible horizontal surfaces.

Quarterly:

  • Deep clean floors, as needed.

Annually:

  • Scrub and refinish floors, as needed.
  • Inspect and deep clean tile grout.
  • Clean reachable light fixtures, as needed.
  • Thoroughly clean trash bins and receptacles.

What to Expect:

  • All lights are operational, and restroom supplies are fully stocked.
  • Soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers, faucets, mirrors, light switches, doors, stall handles, and other fixtures are clean and disinfected.
  • Toilets, urinals, sinks, shower stalls, and floors are clean and disinfected.
  • Some restroom fixtures may be older and difficult to restore to a shiny appearance; however, every effort is made to maintain a high level of cleanliness regardless of fixture age or condition.
  • Cleanliness levels are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 2.
Stairwells and Landings

Daily:

  • Sweep and vacuum stairs.
  • Empty, clean, and reline trash and recycling bins, as needed.
  • Spot clean glass and remove minor marks.
  • Clean and disinfect handrails, as needed.
  • Wet mop treads and risers, as needed.
  • Vacuum walk-off mats.

Weekly:

  • Dust all rails and other eye-level surfaces.
  • Clean door glass and side glass.
  • Sweep or vacuum the back of open stairs.
  • Spot clean minor stains.
  • Spot mop stair treads.

Monthly:

  • Dust all accessible areas of the stairwell.

Annually:

  • Scrub and refinish floors, as needed.
  • Clean reachable light fixtures, as needed.

What to Expect:

  • Tile surfaces are clean but may show wear in high-traffic areas.
  • Some stains may remain if they cannot be removed through spot-cleaning methods.
  • Dust buildup and fingerprints may be noticeable between weekly and/or monthly cleanings.
  • Stairwells may not appear as clean as hallways due to lower finish levels.
  • Cleanliness levels are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 3.
     
Library Space

Daily:

  • Empty, clean, and reline trash and recycling bins.
  • Remove large debris from floors prior to dust mopping or vacuuming, as needed.
  • Mop or spot clean floors, as needed.
  • Clean major spills from floors, as needed.
  • Clean all entrance and exit door glass.
  • Return chairs and tables to their original positions, as needed.

Weekly:

  • Clean door handles and light switches.
  • Wipe down tables or desktops and remove debris from chairs.
  • Spot extract carpet stains, as needed.
  • Clean private study areas.

Monthly:

  • Dust empty horizontal surfaces.

Annually:

  • Scrub and refinish floors, as needed.
  • Extract carpets, as needed.
  • Clean reachable light fixtures, as needed.
  • Clean walls, as needed.

What to Expect:

  • Tile floors are clean but may show wear in high-traffic areas; some tile stains may remain if they cannot be removed through spot-cleaning methods.
  • Traffic patterns and certain stains may remain in carpeted areas if they cannot be removed through spot-cleaning techniques.
  • Near the end of a semester, floor finishes may appear dull or scratched due to weather conditions and usage.
  • During winter months, increased moisture and dirt may be tracked into library areas throughout the day.
  • Dust buildup and fingerprints may be noticeable between weekly and/or monthly cleanings.
  • Library areas are at their highest cleanliness level at 8:00 a.m., with conditions potentially deteriorating throughout the day due to continuous use.

    Cleanliness levels are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 3.
Clinical Space

Daily:

  • Empty, clean, and reline trash and recycling bins.
  • Remove large debris from floors prior to dust mopping or vacuuming.
  • Wet mop or spot clean floors, as needed.

Weekly:

  • Dust empty horizontal surfaces.

Quarterly:

  • Burnish hard surface floors, as needed.

Annually:

  • Scrub and refinish floors.
  • Clean light fixtures, as needed.

What to Expect:

  • Tile floors are clean but may show wear in high-traffic areas; some tile stains may remain if they cannot be removed through spot-cleaning methods.
  • During winter months, increased moisture and dirt may be tracked into clinical areas throughout the day.
  • Clinical areas are at their highest cleanliness level at 8:00 a.m., with conditions potentially deteriorating as the day progresses due to ongoing use.
  • Cleanliness levels are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 2.
Copy/Mailroom/Printing Space

Daily:

  • Empty, clean, and reline trash and recycling bins.
  • Remove large debris from floors prior to dust mopping or vacuuming.
  • Mop or spot clean floors, as needed.
  • Clean major spills from floors, as needed.

Weekly:

  • Clean door handles and light switches.

Monthly: 

  • Dust empty horizontal surfaces.

Annually:

  • Scrub and refinish floors, as needed.
  • Extract carpets, as needed.
  • Clean fixtures, as needed.
  • Clean walls, as needed.

What to Expect:

  • Tile floors are clean but may show wear in high-traffic areas; some tile stains may remain if they cannot be removed through spot-cleaning methods.
  • Traffic patterns and certain stains may remain in carpeted areas if they cannot be removed through spot-cleaning techniques.
  • Near the end of a semester, floor finishes may appear dull or scratched depending on weather conditions and usage.
  • During winter months, increased moisture and dirt may be tracked into copy, mailroom, and printing areas throughout the day.
  • Cleanliness levels are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 3.
     
Gymnasium Space

Daily:

  • Empty trash and recycling bins.
  • Dust mop and auto-scrub floors, as needed.
  • Clean and disinfect water fountains.

Weekly:

  • Clean door handles, door glass, and light switches.

Monthly:

  • Dust empty horizontal surfaces.

Annually:

  • Refinish floors, as needed.
  • Clean light fixtures, as needed.

What to Expect:

  • Floors are dusted regularly; stains that cannot be removed through spot-cleaning techniques may remain.
  • Dirt buildup may be noticeable around floorboards and in room corners.
  • Cleanliness levels are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 3.
     
Lounge, Suite Space and Break Rooms

Daily:

  • Empty, clean, and reline trash and recycling bins.
  • Remove large debris prior to dust mopping tile floors or vacuuming carpets.
  • Spot clean minor stains.
  • Wet mop hard surface floors and spot clean, as needed.
  • Clean door handles and light switches.
  • Wipe down tabletops and remove debris from chairs.
  • Spot clean glass.
  • Check and refill dispensers.
  • Straighten chairs and tables, as needed.

Weekly:

  • Remove mineral deposits from sinks and drinking fountains, as needed.
  • Dust all accessible areas, including HVAC vents or units and empty horizontal surfaces.

Annually:

  • Scrub and refinish floors, as needed.
  • Extract carpets.
  • Clean light fixtures, as needed.
  • Spot clean walls, as needed.

What to Expect:

  • Tile floors are clean but may show wear in high-traffic areas; some tile stains may remain if they cannot be removed through spot-cleaning methods.
  • Traffic patterns and certain stains may remain in carpeted areas if they cannot be removed through spot-cleaning techniques.
  • Near the end of a semester, floor finishes may appear dull or scratched depending on weather conditions and usage.
  • During winter months, increased moisture and dirt may be tracked into lounge areas throughout the day.
  • Dust buildup and fingerprints may be noticeable between weekly and/or monthly cleanings.
  • Lounge areas are at their highest cleanliness level at 8:00 a.m., with conditions potentially deteriorating throughout the day due to continuous use.
  • Cleanliness levels are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 3.
Mother's Rooms

Daily:

  • Empty, clean, and reline trash bins.
  • Check and refill dispensers, as needed, and wipe down dispenser surfaces.
  • Clean and disinfect counters.
  • Remove large debris prior to dust mopping and thoroughly disinfect floors.
  • Vacuum carpets and spot clean, as needed.
  • Clean and disinfect all fixture surfaces.

Monthly:

  • Dust empty, accessible horizontal surfaces.

Annually:

  • Scrub and refinish floors, as needed.
  • Extract carpets, as needed.
  • Clean reachable light fixtures, as needed.

What to Expect:

  • Tile floors are clean but may show wear in high-traffic areas; some tile stains may remain if they cannot be removed through spot-cleaning methods.
  • Dust buildup and fingerprints may be noticeable between routine surface cleanings.
  • Cleanliness levels are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 2.
Research/Department Laboratory Space

Daily:

  • Clean door handles and light switches.
  • Empty, clean, and reline trash bins.
  • Dust mop floors; wet mop or spot clean floors, as needed.
  • Custodial staff will leave spills that have not been identified as non-hazardous.

Weekly:

  • Dust all accessible areas of the room.

Annually:

  • Scrub and burnish floors, as needed.
  • Clean light fixtures, as needed.

What to Expect:

  • Floors are dusted regularly; stains that cannot be removed through spot-cleaning techniques may remain.
  • Dirt buildup may be noticeable around floorboards and in room corners.
  • Occupants are responsible for cleaning their own desks, horizontal surfaces, sinks, and equipment within laboratories.
  • Cleaning service to laboratories with restricted access can be prearranged.
  • Departments are responsible for the collection and disposal of all lab-related waste, including biohazard containers and glass/sharps containers, within the laboratory.
  • Properly labeled, sealed biohazard totes that meet weight guidelines will be collected by custodial staff when placed in hallways.
  • Cleanliness levels are based on APPA Staffing Guidelines – Level 3.
Additional Services

Daily:

  • Buildings locking and unlocked at published times Sunday through Friday morning.
  • UPD maintains building security on weekends.
  • As necessary, snow removal and ice treatment around buildings and on sidewalks.

Weekly:

  • Verify and report exterior lighting situations.

Monthly:

  • Fire extinguisher monthly checks in public or academic spaces the first week of each month.
  • Smoker outposts checked and maintained.

Semi-Annually/Quarterly:

  • Floor maintenance to buff all hard floor surface hallways and deep clean restroom grout.

Summer-end of October-Christmas break-Spring break:

  • Mechanical space will be checked and spot cleaned. Cleaning under all mats.

Annually:

  • All entrance floor matting is cleaned.

Notes

  • Facilities and Services Custodial Services strives to provide a green cleaning service. Therefore, if conditions do not warrant cleaning, labor, natural resources, chemicals will not be invested into cleaning. All frequencies and cleaning levels will be reduced when staff is diverted to handle weather event conditions.
  • Facilities and Services Custodial Services will not provide reconditioning of any wood floors which includes sanding or waxing of the wood areas. We will clean and help to maintain wood floors throughout the year.

Events

  • If a special event is being held, please notify custodial staff for additional service as needed. At an hourly rate, custodial services can be provided for event support, in specific event locations, such as Intramural Building, Animal Science Arena, or Lincoln Music Hall Peterson Recital Hall.
  • If planning an event in a university classroom in the evening, please contact Customer Service Center 605-688-4136 for spot cleaning prior to your event.