CORE™ decision support

Commercial cleaning & janitorial terms, explained

The short answer: commercial cleaning proposals use industry shorthand that isn't always defined. This glossary explains the terms you're most likely to run into while comparing quotes or reading a contract.

Abstract illustration representing an A to Z glossary of commercial cleaning terms

Terms A–Z

CAM charges: Common Area Maintenance charges, a cost some landlords pass through to tenants that can include cleaning of shared spaces like lobbies and hallways, separate from a tenant's own suite cleaning.
Day porter: A cleaning staff member present during business hours to handle spot-cleaning, restroom checks, and immediate issues, distinct from the nightly cleaning crew.
Dilution rate: The ratio at which concentrated cleaning chemicals are mixed with water before use; correct dilution affects both cleaning effectiveness and chemical cost.
GC/SF: Shorthand for "general cleaning per square foot," a pricing reference some providers use, though it is an unreliable way to compare buildings of different types (see the cost guide for why).
Green cleaning / GS-37: Cleaning using products certified to environmental standards such as Green Seal GS-37, sometimes requested for LEED or sustainability requirements.
High/low dusting: Periodic cleaning of surfaces above and below normal reach — vents, light fixtures, baseboards — that isn't part of nightly routine cleaning.
Janitorial closet: A dedicated space for storing cleaning supplies, equipment, and often a mop sink, typically required for on-site staff to work efficiently.
Periodic services: Cleaning tasks performed on a scheduled interval longer than the routine visit — such as strip and wax, carpet extraction, or high dusting — usually priced separately from nightly service.
Scope of work: The specific, itemized list of tasks and areas included in a cleaning contract; the foundation for comparing any two proposals fairly.
Strip and wax: A periodic floor-care process that removes old wax finish from resilient flooring and applies new coats, distinct from routine mopping.
Supply replenishment: Restocking consumables like paper towels, toilet paper, and soap, which may be included in a contract or billed as a separate line item.
Touchpoint disinfection: Targeted disinfection of frequently touched surfaces (door handles, light switches, handrails) as a distinct task from general surface cleaning.

Glossary questions

Why do commercial cleaning proposals use so much industry shorthand?

Most proposals are written from internal operations templates rather than for a first-time buyer, so terms like periodic services or GC/SF appear without definition. Asking a provider to define any unfamiliar term is reasonable and expected.

What's the difference between routine and periodic services?

Routine services are the tasks performed on every scheduled visit — trash, restrooms, vacuuming, surfaces. Periodic services happen on a longer interval, such as strip and wax or carpet extraction, and are usually priced separately.

Where can I see these terms used in context?

The commercial cleaning cost guide shows how these drivers affect pricing, and the RFP checklist shows how to write them into a request so bidders answer the same questions.

See the terms in context in the commercial cleaning cost guide and the RFP checklist.

See these terms in a real contract-review context in the red flags guide.

See the full RFP checklist Benchmark your building