Why January Is the Best Time to Switch Cleaning Services

Let’s Be Honest

Most people don’t think about cleaning services until something goes wrong.

The bathroom’s been “off” for three weeks. The breakroom smells weird. Someone important came to visit and you found yourself making excuses for the streaky windows.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing: January is the perfect reset button. Not just for your calendar - for your workspace.

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Why January Is Different

Budgets Are Fresh

If you run a business or manage a property, you know how it goes. Q4 is chaos. Budgets are locked. Nobody wants to approve anything new.

But January?

Budgets reset. New fiscal year energy kicks in. Decision-makers actually have bandwidth to think about improvements - instead of just surviving.

Translation: You can finally get that cleaning upgrade approved.

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Everyone’s Already Thinking About “Fresh Starts”

There’s a reason gyms are packed in January.

People want change. They want cleaner, better, more organized. That mindset doesn’t stop at personal goals - it shows up at work too.

Your employees notice the condition of the office. Your clients definitely do. January is when expectations are high and patience for “good enough” is low.

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Your Current Vendor Is Also Resetting

Here’s something most people don’t think about:

Cleaning companies start the new year with new schedules, new hires, and sometimes new priorities. If you’ve been getting B-minus service, January is when it either gets fixed - or gets worse.

It’s a natural evaluation point. Use it.

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Signs It’s Time for a Switch

Not sure if your current cleaning situation is actually a problem? Ask yourself:

• Are you getting excuses instead of results? “Traffic was bad.” “New guy is still learning.” “We’ll get to that next time.”

• Do you dread walkthroughs? If you’re nervous about what clients will see when they visit your office, that’s a red flag.

• Is communication one-way? Good cleaning partners check in. They ask questions. They adapt. If you’re chasing your vendor down just to get a response - that’s not a partnership.

• Has the quality slowly slipped? It happens. First it’s one missed trash can. Then the floors look dull. Then you realize you’re basically paying full price for half the work.

If any of this hits home - you already know what to do.

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Why Switching Feels Harder Than It Is

Most people avoid switching vendors because they assume it’s going to be a headache.

Let me tell you: it’s not.

Here’s what actually happens when you switch to a legit cleaning company:

1. You get a real walkthrough. Not a phone quote. Someone shows up, looks at your space, and asks what matters to you.

2. You get a clear proposal. What’s included. What’s not. What it costs. No surprises.

3. You set the schedule. Nights, weekends, early mornings - we work around your business, not the other way around.

4. The transition is seamless. We handle everything. You don’t need to manage the handoff.

Honestly, the hardest part is sending that first email. After that? It’s easy.

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What to Look for in 2026

If you’re evaluating cleaning companies this year, here’s what actually matters:

✅ Background Checks

You’re giving someone keys to your building. Make sure they’ve been screened.

✅ Insurance & Bonding

If something breaks - or worse - you need to know you’re covered.

✅ Consistent Teams

You shouldn’t see a new face every week. Consistency = trust = better results.

✅ Flexible Scheduling

Your cleaning shouldn’t disrupt your workday. Period.

✅ Local Ownership

Portland isn’t Seattle. It’s not San Francisco. A company that actually knows this city cleans it better.

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The January Advantage (Specific to Portland)

Let’s get real about what January looks like in Portland:

• Rain. Lots of it. Which means mud, wet floors, and entryways that need daily attention.
• Post-holiday mess. Your office probably hosted a party, a potluck, or at least some questionable breakroom leftovers.
• Air quality concerns. Cold weather = sealed buildings = dustier air. Not great for focus.

Starting the year with a cleaning reset tackles all of this at once. You’re not playing catch-up in February - you’re already ahead.

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What We Offer in 2026

At RKA Cleaning, we’re the same family-owned team that’s been serving Portland since 2020. Same people. Same values. Same attention to detail.

Here’s what you get when you work with us:

• Custom cleaning plan built around your space and your schedule
• Background-checked team - every employee, every time
• Flat-rate pricing - no surprises, no hidden fees
• Flexible scheduling - nights, weekends, whatever works
• Eco-friendly options for clients who want green products
• 24-hour response time on quotes

We don’t do cookie-cutter cleaning. We do your cleaning.

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Make the Call (Literally)

Here’s my challenge to you:

If your cleaning situation isn’t where it should be - don’t wait until March to deal with it. Don’t let another quarter slip by while you hope it gets better.

January is the time.

You’ve already got momentum. You’ve already got budget. All you need is a conversation.

Get a free quote →

No pressure. No commitment. Just a real walkthrough, a clear proposal, and an honest conversation about what’s possible.

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Final Thought

A clean workspace isn’t a luxury - it’s a baseline.

It affects how your team feels. How your clients perceive you. How productive people actually are.

You wouldn’t start the year with broken equipment or outdated systems. Don’t start it with subpar cleaning either.

2026 is yours. Make it spotless.

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Related Services

• Office Cleaning in Portland - Custom schedules for any size office
• Commercial Cleaning - Retail, medical, and specialized facilities
• Janitorial Services - Full facility maintenance and support
• Deep Cleaning - When you need more than maintenance

Serving Portland Metro

We provide professional commercial cleaning throughout Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Hillsboro, Tigard, Gresham, and Vancouver, WA.