What is a Day Porter and Why Your Business Needs One

If you own or manage a commercial building, you may have heard of the term ‘day porter’. But what exactly is a day porter and what do they do? Day porters play an important role in many businesses, but they often go unnoticed. They’re the ones who keep everything running smoothly like cleaning lobbies and conference rooms and making sure facilities are well-maintained.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what day porters do, why they’re important, and what qualities make them successful.

What is a Day Porter?

You may never have heard the term “Porter”, but in any commercial facility, their duties are a crucial part of keeping a commercial facility clean and running smoothly. A Porter, sometimes called a Day Porter, is someone on-site at a commercial space or facility whose job is to clean, maintain, and watch out for overall cleanliness. While a janitorial service or cleaning staff may clean from top to bottom at night, a porter is there during the day, to make sure a space stays tidy while it’s in use.

What are the Services of Porters?

Day porters are jacks of all trades when it comes to maintaining a facility. They take on a wide range of duties to keep things looking their best and running smoothly. Let’s break down some of their core services.

Porters in Schools

Porters in schools will often maintain and monitor the status of restrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and classrooms. A good day porter can give students a clean, safe space to learn, reinforce parents’ confidence in the school, and make teachers feel at home in a well-maintained workplace.

Common Responsibilities:

• Maintain restrooms, ensuring they’re well stocked and tidy
• Wipe down cafeteria tables
• Keep hallways trash-free
• On-Site for emergency cleaning situations

Additional Soft Skills:

• Positive attitude
• Works well around kids
• Helpful, knowledgeable and open-minded

Porters in Office Buildings

In an office environment, porters can be an invaluable part of the building staff. During the workday, a porter is there to help keep the facility running smoothly, giving employees a clean, healthy space to do their best work.

Common Responsibilities:

• Monitor and tidy kitchen or break room
• Tidy coffee or refreshment areas, keep surfaces sanitary
• Maintain restroom cleanliness, stock essentials like toilet paper, paper towels and soap
• On call for facility maintenance when needed

Additional Soft Skills:

• Can-do attitude
• Professionalism
• Well-rounded skills, helpful and knowledgeable

Porters in Retail

Porters in retail are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of the exterior and interior areas of the store.

Common Responsibilities

• Perform tasks such as sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, polishing, and removing trash.
• Assist customers and staff with carrying luggage, running errands
• Helps in fixing minor issues.

Additional Soft skills

• Customer service skills.
• Knowledgeable
• Stamina

Porters in Hospitals

Hospital porters are essential staff members who help with the smooth operation of hospitals and other medical facilities.

Common responsibilities

• They are responsible for transporting patients, medical equipment, food, linen, waste, and other items around the hospital.
• They also assist doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals with various tasks, such as setting up equipment, moving furniture, or cleaning.

Additional Soft Skills

• Hospital porters need to have good communication skills
• Physical stamina, and a caring attitude.
• Ability to follow safety protocols and infection control measures.
• Ability to manage emotionally volatile people.

Porters in Hotels

Porters are essential staff members in hotels who provide various services to guests and ensure their comfort and satisfaction.

Common Responsibilities

• Carrying and labeling guests’ luggage with tags and delivering them to their rooms or storing them in a secure area
• Greeting guests and directing them to the reception area or the appropriate office/room
• Arranging taxi services or other transportation upon request
• Running errands for guests and employees, such as delivering messages, mail, or packages

Additional Soft Skills

• Communication Skills
• Professionalism
• Handy and knowledgeable

Porters at Events

In event settings, the behind-the-scenes duties of a porter are crucial to keeping a venue clean and running smoothly. They work to ensures attendees are well-served and enjoy their time. In fact, good porter services can be that special touch that takes an event from well-planned and memorable to excellent and unforgettable.

Common Responsibilities:

• Monitor and maintain cleanliness of tables, seating and walkways
• Assist guests with facility related questions
• Ensure restrooms are well stocked and trash cans are not overflowing
• Tidies refreshment areas and ensures surfaces are sanitary

Additional Soft Skills:

• Positive attitude
• Connects well with people, personable
• Takes initiative
• Great customer service skills

Benefits of Hiring a Day Porter

There are few reasons to consider adding a day porter service to your facility maintenance solutions. Porters are great for keeping a positive appearance at your facility or commercial space, and they’re versatile. Whether you’re a school, office or industrial space, day porters can be a great way to manage the day-to-day details of keeping a facility safe and healthy.

In addition, a day porter can improve the safety and reputation of your facility, as well as the satisfaction of your employees and customers. While the day porter’s job description may vary depending on the work environment, they are highly valuable to retaining your customers.

Tips for Hiring a Day Porter

Finding the right day porter makes all the difference. Here are a few key qualities to look out for when hiring a day porter:

• positive attitude
• great customer service skills
• takes initiative
• professionalism
• well-rounded skills
• people skills
• can-do attitude
• works well around kids especially if you cater to families
• handy

FAQs

What is the difference between a day porter and a janitor?

The difference between a day porter and a janitor is that a day porter works during normal business hours and focuses on keeping the facility presentable and stocked while a janitor works outside of normal business hours and performs deep cleaning tasks such as disinfecting surfaces, removing trash, and vacuuming floors. 

What is the difference between a porter and a custodian?

The terms “porter” and “custodian” are often interchangeable. Both handle cleaning and maintenance. A day porter’s focus is on daytime upkeep for a better customer and employee experience.

Is a porter a housekeeper?

Day porters work in commercial settings. They handle broader tasks like stocking supplies, general maintenance, and responding to facility needs throughout the day.

Conclusion

Day porters are an important part of many businesses who keep your space clean and well-maintained. They make your facility look its best and ensure everything runs smoothly during operating hours. If you’re looking to improve the appearance and efficiency of your business, Casas Bonitas can help.

We provide commercial cleaning services in Phoenix and in surrounding areas. Contact us today to learn more about our commercial cleaning and day porter services. Let us handle the cleaning, so you can focus on growing your business!