You run a busy office in Los Angeles, and the floors are looking scuffed. Or maybe the trash cans in the break room are overflowing by noon. You know you need help, but do you hire a cleaner or a janitor?
While people often use these terms interchangeably, there is a distinct difference in the scope of work, frequency, and skills involved. Hiring the wrong professional can leave you with dirty windows or a maintenance worker who doesn't know how to fix a leaky faucet.
This guide breaks down exactly what distinguishes these two roles so you can make the right choice for your facility.
The main difference is that a janitor handles ongoing maintenance and small repairs in a specific facility, while a cleaner focuses on specific cleaning tasks, often at multiple locations. Think of a janitor as an onsite caretaker who keeps the building running daily, whereas a cleaner is a specialist who comes in to perform targeted sanitation tasks like vacuuming, mopping, or deep cleaning restrooms.
Cleaners generally focus on the appearance and sanitation of a space. You typically hire them for specific tasks rather than general upkeep. They might come in after hours to scrub floors, wash windows, and sanitize surfaces.
Their work is often task-based. For example, if you finish a renovation project in Downtown LA, you wouldn't call a janitor to remove the drywall dust. You would need specialized commercial construction cleaning to handle that level of detail. Cleaners bring heavy-duty equipment to tackle specific messes, ensuring the space is spotless and ready for use.
Common responsibilities for a cleaner include:
A janitor acts as the caretaker of a building. Their role is broader than just cleaning; it encompasses the overall functionality of the property. You will often see janitors in schools, hospitals, and large office buildings where daily wear and tear requires constant attention.
If a lightbulb burns out in a hallway in Commerce or a faucet starts leaking in a restroom, a janitor handles it. They maintain the building's security, lock up at night, and ensure everything operates smoothly.
Typical janitorial duties include:
Budget is always a major factor for local businesses. In California, the cost for these services can vary based on the size of your building and the frequency of service.
According to recent data, the mean hourly wage for janitors and building cleaners in California is $20.48, which is slightly higher than the national average. When hiring a service, you aren't just paying wages; you're paying for insurance, supplies, and management.
For janitorial services in Los Angeles, California, businesses can expect to pay between $0.15 and $0.25 per square foot for monthly maintenance. If you require a day porter (a janitor present during business hours), costs will obviously be higher than a crew that comes in once a week.
One specific cost that surprises many business owners is floor care. Stripping and waxing a floor can cost anywhere from $0.30 to $0.50 per square foot depending on the condition of the floor. It pays to get a custom quote rather than guessing based on averages.
The type of facility you manage usually dictates which professional you need.
Janitors are essential for:
Cleaners are better suited for:
Because the jobs differ, the tools they use differ too.
A cleaner's toolkit is focused on hygiene. They use industrial vacuums, steam cleaners, floor buffers, and specialized chemical solutions for sanitation. Their training focuses on cross-contamination prevention and chemical safety.
A janitor's toolkit is much more varied. In addition to mops and brooms, they likely carry a tool belt. You might see them using wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers to fix minor mechanical issues. They might also operate larger machinery like carpet extractors or even leaf blowers for outdoor maintenance.
Operating a business in Los Angeles presents unique challenges for facility maintenance. The dust and smog from the I-5 or the 710 freeway means windows and entryways get dirtier faster than in other cities.
In my years managing accounts across Los Angeles County, I have noticed that businesses near major construction zones—like those constantly popping up around the Arts District—require significantly more frequent dusting and air vent cleaning than a quiet office in Pasadena.
Finding reliable janitorial services in Los Angeles California means looking for a team that understands these local conditions. A generic service might not realize that your polished concrete floors need specific care to withstand the grit tracked in from city sidewalks.
Choosing between a cleaner and a janitor comes down to your daily needs. If you need someone to fix a door handle and empty trash daily, hire a janitor. If you need a team to deep clean your carpets and sanitize restrooms twice a week, hire a cleaning service.
Many businesses actually benefit from a hybrid approach—a day porter for maintenance and a cleaning crew for deep sanitation.
The best way to know for sure is to speak with a local expert who can assess your facility.
Ready to improve your facility's cleanliness?
Contact S&W Janitorial Services today at (323) 264-7800 for a free consultation. We have been providing top-tier janitorial services in Los Angeles California and surrounding communities like Commerce and Montebello for decades. Let us help you create a spotless, professional environment for your team and clients.
