Cleaning is important regardless of what business you have, but in the case of retail, cleanliness can make the difference whether or not a customer makes a purchase. First impressions are key to increasing a consumer’s likelihood to buy a product. Cleaning and maintenance are also required to create a safe and pleasurable shopping experience. Some retail stores overlook the customer experience and neglect cleaning tasks that can in the end help them make more money. Here are some cleaning tips to consider for your retail store.

First Impressions: A good first impression starts with your storefront. Clean windows increase visibility inside your retail store which is important because people driving or walking by only have several seconds to view your storefront. Driving around Westchester County New York, you may notice some retail stores that appear closed because their windows are dirty and not cleaned on a regular basis. Clean windows also let ambient light into your retail store which creates a more pleasant shopping experience as opposed to indoor lighting.

Floors: Proper floor cleaning and maintenance is important for retail stores because clean floors make the store more presentable and safer. Depending on how many customers your retail store has in a day it is important to protect your floors with an entrance mat. Entrance mats will protect your floors by reducing the amount of dirt and moisture that is tracked in on customer’s feet. Clean floors are also important for safety reasons. Everything from water and dirt to objects and clutter can pose a potential slip and fall hazard. It is important to sweep, mop and vacuum any dirt, debris or moisture that builds up in your store during the shopping day to ensure your customers safety.

Air Quality: When people walk into your store it should have a clean fresh smell as opposed to an unpleasant smell. To improve air quality and smell you should clean on a regular basis so that when a customer walks in your store it smells clean. You can improve air quality and ventilation by cleaning your HVAC system’s air filters. Indoor plants filter airborne toxins making them not only a great way to create a healthier shopping environment, but to decorate your store as well.

Facilities: In a retail store, facilities such as restrooms or dressing rooms require constant attention.  People should feel comfortable when they are trying something on or using a restroom. If your store has dirty facilities it is a reflection on your business and could reduce their likelihood to purchase a product. If a dressing room is dirty a customer might not even want to try an item on and if the bathroom is un-clean they might leave after using it. Making sure your retail store’s facilities are clean and presentable will make the customer feel more comfortable and clean.