The Difference Between Janitorial, Custodial, and Commercial Cleaning
These terms get thrown around a lot—janitorial, custodial, commercial cleaning—and most people assume they mean the same thing. But in the professional cleaning world, each one has its own scope, expectations, and ideal use case.
At Cleanse Solutions, we provide commercial cleaning services to offices and facilities across Lakeland and Polk County, and we often get asked: “What exactly is the difference between janitorial and custodial?”
Let’s break it down so you can choose the right service for your building—and your budget.
🧹 1. What Is Janitorial Cleaning?
Janitorial cleaning typically refers to routine, ongoing cleaning services that happen on a daily, nightly, or weekly basis. These tasks are meant to maintain cleanliness rather than deep clean or restore.
Common janitorial tasks include:
Trash removal
Restroom cleaning and restocking
Surface disinfecting
Vacuuming and mopping
Breakroom tidying
Light dusting
✅ Best for: Offices, clinics, schools, and small to mid-sized businesses with regular traffic.
🧽 2. What Is Custodial Cleaning?
Custodial work is a broader term and often overlaps with janitorial work. However, custodial staff are usually in-house employees of a company or facility rather than an outsourced cleaning crew. Their duties often include light maintenance and facility upkeep, in addition to cleaning.
Custodial responsibilities might include:
Light bulb replacement
Event setup or teardown
Minor building repairs
Lawn or exterior upkeep
Handling deliveries or supply inventory
✅ Best for: Schools, government buildings, or large campuses with full-time maintenance needs.
🧼 3. What Is Commercial Cleaning?
Commercial cleaning is the umbrella term for professional cleaning services performed in non-residential buildings. It includes janitorial services—but also covers specialized services like:
Floor stripping and waxing (VCT)
Carpet shampooing and extraction
Electrostatic disinfection
Pressure washing
Post-construction cleaning
Window and glass detailing
✅ Best for: Businesses looking for a higher level of service, especially with specialty floors or hygiene needs.
📊 Summary Chart
TermWho Provides ItFocusFrequencyJanitorialOutsourced cleaning crewDaily/weekly cleaning tasksOngoingCustodialIn-house employeeCleaning + light maintenanceFull/part-time staffCommercialProfessional cleaning companySpecialized deep cleaning & routine janitorialAs-needed or scheduled
Which One Do You Need?
If you’re running an office, medical clinic, church, or commercial building in Lakeland or surrounding areas, chances are you’re looking for commercial janitorial services—with the option to add specialty services as needed.
At Cleanse Solutions, we tailor our plans to fit exactly what your space requires. Whether it’s nightly cleaning, VCT floor care, deep carpet treatments, or odor elimination, we’ve got the team, equipment, and systems to keep your space looking sharp and staying healthy.
Services We Offer:
Janitorial (nightly or weekly)
Day porter staffing
Floor care: VCT, carpet, tile
Disinfection: high-touch & electrostatic
Custom cleaning schedules
Emergency or one-time cleans
Not sure what kind of cleaning support you need?
📞 Call or 📩 message Cleanse Solutions for a free consultation—we’ll help you find the right solution for your space, your people, and your goals.