What is APPA?

Preserving high standards of cleanliness has turned out to be strategic in today’s lit commercial cleaning business in an effort to secure clientele. APPA, formerly known as the Association of Physical Plant Administrators – has outlined a clear chart on cleaning that can be used to assess and enhance cleanliness in the various facilities.

In the last few years, APPA Cleaning Standards have gained significant popularity in janitorial and commercial cleaning tenders and RFPs. This trend indicates that more and more people are beginning to appreciate the role of cleaning standards and cleanliness of facilities on the health of the occupants and organizational performance. APPA has in excess of 17,500 members across the globe, and works to support professionals through training, information, and connections.

The APPA Cleaning Standards were designed as benchmarks with specific purpose to facilitate impartial analysis of the cleanliness level of the facilities. These standards provide clear guidelines on how to evaluate different elements of cleanness such as floors and walls, surfaces, and the general appearance of the facility.

APPA defines five different classes of cleanliness with set parameters to determine the general state of cleanness of a place. These levels make it easier to define an objective and systematic way of measuring performance and outlining the areas that require rectification.

Level 1: Orderly Spotlessness (Highest Level)

• Waste containers are clean and odor-free, holding only daily waste.

• Fixtures and tiles gleam and are odor-free. Supplies are adequate and replenished as needed.

• All vertical and horizontal surfaces are spotless, with no accumulation of dust, dirt, marks, streaks, or fingerprints.

• Floors and baseboard molding are clean and free of dirt, dust, or stains. Colors are fresh and vibrant.

Level 2: Ordinary Tidiness

• Floors and baseboard molding are clean, but there may be up to two days’ worth of dust, dirt, or stains.

• Surfaces are clean, but marks, dust, smudges, and fingerprints are noticeable upon close observation.

• Fixtures and tiles are clean and odor-free, with adequate supplies.

• Waste containers hold only daily waste and are clean and odor-free.

Level 3: Casual Inattention

• Floors are swept or vacuumed clean, but may have stains. There may be a build-up of dirt or floor finish in corners and along walls.

• Surfaces have obvious dust, dirt, marks, smudges, and fingerprints.

• Fixtures and tiles may be slightly dirty or have a musty odor. Supplies may be low.

• Waste containers hold only daily waste, but may be slightly dirty or have a musty odor.

Level 4: Moderate Dinginess

• Floors are swept or vacuumed clean, but are dull, dingy, and stained. There is a noticeable build-up of dirt or floor finish in corners and along walls.

• Surfaces have conspicuous dust, dirt, smudges, fingerprints, and marks.

• Fixtures and tiles are dirty or have a musty odor. Supplies may be low or missing.

• Waste containers may have old trash, stains, marks, or a sour odor.

Level 5: Unkempt Neglect (Lowest Level)

• Floors and carpets are dull, dirty, dingy, scuffed, and/or matted. There is a significant build-up of dirt and floor finish in corners and along walls.

• Surfaces have major accumulations of dust, dirt, smudges, and fingerprints, which are difficult to remove.

• Fixtures and tiles are dirty and have a strong musty odor. Supplies are low or missing.

• Waste containers are overflowing, stained, marked, and have a strong sour odor.

Benefits of Using APPA Cleaning Standards

Applying these standards help provide a uniform mechanism for comparing cleanliness levels across the various structures. This aids in gaining an understanding of the key cleanliness levels and aspect, as well as help in the assessment and formulating of expectations in relation to performance. Besides, it also points out where cleaning is needed and which places can be considered already sufficiently cleaned. Any janitorial service that operates under the guidelines provided by APPA is sure to be reputable, professional, and dedicated to providing their clients with satisfactory services.

Possible challenges

Despite the potential benefits that APPA brings, the standards’ implementation might involve costs. To get the desired quality, it is required to introduce training for the cleaning staff concerning the norms and the ways of the correct cleaning. However, purchasing quality equipment is crucial when one wants to achieve better results in their work. Moreover, costs can be associated with writing and updating documentation about cleaning protocols, evaluations, and records.

How to Implement?

To effectively implement APPA, a systematic approach is recommended to ensure effective and consistent adherence. It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the standards, review the APPA documentation to gain a thorough understanding of the five levels of cleanliness and the specific criteria for each. 

Conduct a baseline assessment. Determine which are most applicable to your facility type and specific cleaning needs. Compare your facility’s current state to the desired APPA levels to pinpoint areas that require attention. With the areas determined, create detailed cleaning protocols that outline specific tasks, frequencies, and responsibilities for each area, ensuring the cleaning protocols align with the requirements of the desired APPA level. 

With the areas and protocols determined it’s time for a comprehensive training of your staff. Make it easy for them to understand cleaning procedures, and the use of appropriate products and equipment. Implement a system for regular monitoring and evaluation of cleanliness levels throughout the facility. Use checklists or inspection tools to assess compliance with APPA standards. Conduct periodic audits to identify areas for improvement and address any non-compliance issues.

And last but not least, maintain documentation of cleaning activities, assessment results, and any corrective actions taken. Report on cleanliness levels and progress towards meeting APPA standards to relevant stakeholders, such as facility managers, building owners, and clients. Furthermore, keep continuing to identify areas for improvement and adjust cleaning protocols as needed.

Adopting APPA Cleaning Standards is a strategic business decision that has potential for providing high returns for commercial cleaning organizations. These standards assist in increasing customer satisfaction, boosting the morale of employees, and ensuring the well being of people in the building through offering a framework for arriving at the highest levels of cleanliness. The training and investment required to improve the efficiency and employ the specialized equipment and resources may seem costly in the first place, but it is much more beneficial in the long run.