Day Porter vs Janitor: Who Does What?

The roles of a day porter and a janitor are usually used interchangeably in commercial cleaning.

Although there are overlapping responsibilities in the day porter vs. janitor comparisons, they have distinct schedules, duties, responsibilities, and interactions with the building occupants.

In this article, we will discuss the different roles, responsibilities, and specific benefits of hiring janitors and day porters.

We will also examine why these differences are important and how knowing them can help you make better decisions regarding hiring commercial cleaning services.

What is a Day Porter?

A day porter is professionally responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and functionality of a commercial space during business hours.

Day porters also ensure that the buildings they work on are welcoming throughout the day.

You can find day porters at schools, hospitals, shopping malls, office buildings, etc.

Day Porter Job Description

• Maintaining cleanliness: Day porters maintain cleanliness in high-traffic areas like lobby, hallways, and restrooms throughout the day to ensure these areas are always welcoming. Maintaining cleanliness also involves removing trash quickly before it piles up and responding immediately to spills and messes.
• Restocking supplies: Day porters help restock supplies such as toilet paper, paper towels, stationery, and other essential supplies so they are always available throughout the day.
• Assisting with Setup and Cleanup: Another responsibility of the day porter is to assist in the setup and cleanup, especially after meetings, events, or other activities during business hours, to ensure spaces are ready to use.
• Minor maintenance tasks: Day porters perform minor maintenance tasks, such as changing light bulbs and fixing faulty faucets, to keep the facility in good working order. Day porters also report faulty pieces of equipment in the office so that they are scheduled for replacement or repairs.
• Customer service: A Day porter’s responsibilities include minor customer services, such as giving directions, assisting visitors with cleaning tasks, or running minor errands in a friendly manner.
• Adhering to safety standards: Day porters adhere and help other building occupants adhere to safety measures.

Benefits of Hiring a Day Porter

• Appearance and cleanliness: The number one benefit of hiring a day porter is the all-day-long cleanliness and welcoming appearance they give your business. With day porters, you worry less about maintaining a healthy environment.
• Customer satisfaction: Day porters contribute to customer satisfaction by improving your business’s outlook and helping with menial tasks and minor customer service to ease your customer’s stay at your company.
• Health and Safety: Health and safety are paramount to a good work environment, and who better to keep your commercial space healthy and safe than day porters? Day porters ensure spills are cleaned, edges are well covered, and clutter is cleared to encourage a safe environment.
• Increased productivity: With day porters focused on keeping your commercial space clean and fresh, you are more focused on the business end of things at your workplace, which can improve productivity.
• Sustainability: Day porters are charged with sustainability, ensuring their cleaning practices and solutions do not negatively affect the environment. With the correct day porters, you don’t have to worry about meeting sustainability standards.

What is a Janitor?

A janitor, also known as a custodian, is responsible for cleaning and maintaining buildings such as offices, schools, and hospitals.

Their duties typically include cleaning floors, restrooms, and common areas, emptying trash bins, and sometimes performing minor maintenance tasks.

Janitor Job Description

• Sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming floors
• Dusting and wiping down surfaces
• Emptying trash cans and disposing of waste
• Cleaning and sanitizing restrooms
• Cleaning windows and mirrors
• Restocking supplies such as toilet paper and soap
• Performing minor maintenance tasks
• Following safety guidelines and using cleaning chemicals properly
• Notifying supervisors of any maintenance or safety issues
• Adhering to cleaning schedules and completing tasks promptly

Benefits of hiring a Janitor

• Cleanliness: Janitors ensure your workspace is clean and sanitary, promoting a healthy environment for employees and visitors.
• Professionalism: A janitorial service can provide more professionalism in cleaning, ensuring your space looks well-maintained and cared for.
• Time-saving: Hiring a janitorial service saves you time and effort that would otherwise be spent on cleaning tasks, allowing you to focus on your core business activities.
• Cost-effective: Outsourcing cleaning services can be cost-effective compared to hiring and managing in-house cleaning staff, as you only pay for the services you need.
• Customization: Janitorial services can be tailored to meet your specific cleaning needs, whether you require daily, weekly, or monthly cleaning.
• Expertise: Professional janitors have the training and expertise to use the proper cleaning methods and products for different surfaces, ensuring thorough and safe cleaning.
• Consistency: With a janitorial service, you can expect consistent cleaning standards and results, ensuring that your space always looks its best.

Day Porter vs Janitor: Key Differences

The key differences between a day porter and a janitor lie in their roles and responsibilities:

Roles

Day Porter: A day porter typically performs cleans during the day while the facility is open. They may also handle other tasks such as restocking supplies, setting up for events, and providing customer service.

Janitor: A janitor typically works after hours to clean and maintain the facility when it is not in use. Their primary focus is cleaning tasks such as sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming.

Responsibilities

Day Porter: A day porter’s responsibilities may include cleaning common areas, restrooms, and high-traffic areas, as well as responding to immediate cleaning needs throughout the day.

Janitor: A janitor’s responsibilities typically include deep cleaning tasks, such as cleaning floors, windows, and surfaces, emptying trash, and restocking supplies.

Visibility

Day Porter: A day porter is often more visible to building occupants and visitors since they work during business hours and interact with people throughout the day.

Janitor: Janitors are less visible since they work after hours when the building is empty, focusing on cleaning tasks without interaction with occupants.

Schedule

Day Porter: A day porter typically works during the day, often with a schedule that aligns with business hours.

Janitor: A janitor typically works after hours, often late at night or early in the morning, to avoid disrupting normal business operations.

Scope of Work

Day Porter: A day porter’s scope of work may be more varied, including cleaning, maintenance, and customer service tasks as needed throughout the day.

Janitor: A janitor’s scope of work primarily focuses on cleaning tasks, with less emphasis on other duties outside of cleaning and maintenance.

Conclusion

To conclude the day porter vs. janitor comparisons, it’s important to remember that each position has its own functions despite seemingly overlapping responsibilities or job descriptions.

Day porters keep your commercial space fresh and welcoming through regular cleaning, while janitors are focused on deep cleaning that extends to every aspect of the building.

Establishing the differences between a day porter and a janitor should show that both roles are needed to keep your work environment safe, healthy, and clean. After all, a clean business is vital to productivity and customer satisfaction.

At CasasBonitas, we pride ourselves on providing the best janitorial and day porter services. Our team is made up of absolute professionals who are trained to adhere to safety standards while also ensuring your workplace is secure. Give us a call today.