How to get buildings back into top condition in spring

The transition from winter to spring is a critical phase for facility management. While routine cleaning in winter is primarily aimed at damage control, the focus in spring is on thoroughly removing accumulated residue, protecting surfaces, and inspecting safety-critical areas. For nursing homes and hospitals, where hygiene, safety, and a functional environment are paramount, this phase is of particular importance.

Care for High-Traffic Areas

Winter leaves the most visible marks on floors. Hard surfaces are coated with moisture, salt, and a fine film of dirt. These residues cannot be completely removed through regular maintenance cleaning. A targeted deep cleaning provides the solution. It dissolves stubborn salt residues, clears dirt from pores, and prepares the surface for maintenance or resealing. This preserves the appearance and extends the material’s lifespan. In carpets, on the other hand, fine dust accumulates, which is brought in more frequently during the winter. An intensive cleaning noticeably improves the indoor air quality and is particularly important in sensitive facilities such as nursing homes.

High-Traffic Entry Areas

Dirt traps, mat zones, and vestibules are among the classic protective systems in a building. In the spring, they should not only be deep-cleaned but also inspected for their size and efficiency. Are the mats sufficient, and were they installed in the right combination? Spring is the ideal time to consider any optimizations for the upcoming winter season. Glass surfaces, door systems, and frames round out the refresh of the entry areas. It’s also a good time to check whether cold temperatures or moisture have caused any damage.

Underground Parking Garages - An Underestimated Problem Area

Underground parking garages are an area that suffers particularly from road salt. Salt residues have a corrosive effect on concrete, coatings, joints, and metal parts. If the salt isn’t thoroughly removed in the spring, damage and high renovation costs may result over time. Professional wet or scrub-vacuum cleaning removes salt from traffic lanes, parking spaces, and ramps. Cleaning gutters and drains is equally important. This is the only way to ensure that salt-laden meltwater can drain freely, which increases safety and reduces the risk of slipping.

Windows and Facades: More Light, More Control

The spring months offer a good opportunity to thoroughly clean windows, frames, and window sills and to conduct a visual inspection for winter damage. When cleaning facades, a gentle approach tailored to the material and degree of soiling is recommended. Algae, dust, and environmental deposits can be removed particularly easily at this time. Canopies, outdoor furniture, and railings should also be inspected for damage and cleaned.

Improving hygiene and indoor climate

Sanitary areas benefit from intensive descaling and deep cleaning. This is a particularly important factor for hygiene and well-being in nursing homes and hospitals. Grout lines, fixtures, and drains should be thoroughly inspected and cleaned. Visible ventilation elements should also be cleaned to improve air quality. A good indoor climate directly protects the health and promotes the well-being of occupants.

Safety in Outdoor Areas

Pathways, ramps, stairs, and common areas are often covered with gravel, leaves, and dirt after winter. Thorough cleaning reduces the risk of accidents and creates a well-maintained appearance. Green spaces are prepared, outdoor furniture is inspected, and defective parts are repaired.

Planning, Documentation, and Sustainability

To ensure that “spring cleaning” runs smoothly, close coordination between the cleaning staff, facility services, and building services is essential. Transparent documentation records the measures taken and helps to effectively manage the preservation of property value. Sustainability plays an increasingly important role in this process: cleaning methods that are gentle on materials, properly measured chemical dosages, and the targeted use of mechanical cleaning reduce resource consumption - without compromising on quality.

Matthias Dürig

ist Head of Cleaning Products & Performance bei ISS Schweiz

Checklist: Spring Cleaning for Buildings

Floors and Interior Areas

• Deep cleaning of hard surfaces (including maintenance/sealing)

• Deep cleaning of carpets

• Inspection and cleaning of entryways and mudrooms

Building Exterior and Windows

• Window cleaning

• Gentle facade cleaning

• Inspection of canopies, railings, and outdoor furniture

Underground parking garage

• Wet or scrub-vacuum cleaning of floor surfaces

• Cleaning of gutters and drains

• Visual inspection for corrosion or frost damage

Plumbing and Indoor Climate

• Descaling and deep cleaning of restroom areas

• Cleaning of visible ventilation outlets

• Air quality check

Exterior surfaces

• Removal of gravel, leaves, and winter debris

• Cleaning of walkways, stairs, and ramps

• Preparation of green spaces and recreational areas

Planning and Sustainability

• Coordination between cleaning, building maintenance, and facilities management

• Documentation of all measures

• Use of sustainable cleaning methods