Not every cleaning company maintains the same level of service they promised on day one. Over time, priorities shift. Maybe your provider underpriced the contract. Maybe new leadership took over. Or maybe, plain and simple, they’re focused on other customers. Whatever the reason, there are usually clear signs that your facility is no longer at the top of their list. Here are six clues your janitorial company might have stopped showing up for you—at least in the ways that count.

1. Employee Gripes Are Becoming the Norm

Cleaning services are supposed to operate in the background—not become a daily topic of conversation. If your team is frequently complaining about things like empty dispensers, neglected areas, or lingering odors, that’s not a minor inconvenience. It’s a sign that cleaning tasks are being skipped or rushed.

2. The Contractor’s Communication Has Slowed—or Stopped

When you first signed the agreement, the vendor was engaged and responsive. They checked in. They sent updates. Now, silence. If you haven’t heard from management in weeks or months, that’s a red flag. Good cleaning companies stay in touch—even when there’s nothing wrong.

3. Issues Aren’t Handled with Urgency

If something goes wrong—say, missed trash or a spill left overnight—you should expect fast follow-up. When phone calls go unanswered or it takes two days to get a response to an email, that’s more than an inconvenience. It may mean your account is no longer getting the attention it deserves.

4. You Keep Seeing New People Cleaning Your Space

Turnover is part of the janitorial world, but constant staff changes can impact performance. If you notice a rotating cast of cleaners with no consistency, it could point to hiring problems or poor supervision. Even worse is when the entire crew changes without a heads-up.

5. They’re Using Equipment That’s Past Its Prime

Look at the condition of the tools being used in your building. Are the vacuums patched up with duct tape? Are carts and supplies disorganized or visibly worn? If your cleaning provider isn’t investing in their equipment, chances are they’re not investing in your facility either.

6. You’re Assigned a New Account Manager—Again

If your main contact keeps changing, it’s difficult to build trust and accountability. High turnover in account management usually signals deeper instability within the company. And when things are chaotic behind the scenes, service quality almost always suffers.

What Should You Do If This Sounds Familiar?

Here’s a practical way to handle a cleaning company that’s losing focus:

1. Schedule a Direct Conversation

Don’t wait. Bring up specific concerns: “We’ve had three different crews in the last month,” or “Your team used to respond within hours, now it takes days.” See if they can explain the shift—and if they have a plan to correct it.

2. Clearly Outline Your Expectations

If the vendor is unaware of what matters most to you, they can’t deliver on it. Revisit your service priorities and ask for a revised action plan. Be fair, but firm, about what needs to improve—and how quickly.

3. Be Ready to Make a Switch

Most commercial cleaning contracts allow you to exit with 30 days’ notice for underperformance. If the problems continue, don’t hesitate to start looking for another provider.

4. Create a Ready-to-Go RFP

Even if you’re not actively replacing your current vendor, start preparing a request for proposal (RFP). That way, if things don’t improve, you won’t be starting from scratch when it’s time to explore new options.



Your cleaning service should help maintain a clean, safe, and professional environment—without requiring constant oversight. If you’re seeing signs they’ve mentally moved on from your account, it might be time for you to do the same.