In the commercial cleaning industry, most of your cleaners work alone at client sites. When communication is limited or rushed, they can start to feel invisible—and when that happens, performance and retention take a hit.
One of the most powerful, low-cost tools you already have?
Constructive feedback.
It’s proven to boost productivity, improve quality, and reduce employee turnover.
Yet only 58% of managers think they give enough feedback. (Source: Feedback Academy)
Done well, feedback shows your cleaners that you care—not just about the job, but about their growth and success. But done poorly (or not at all), it can damage trust and increase churn.
Let’s break down the 7 most common mistakes cleaning managers make when giving feedback—and how to avoid them.
Need help building better feedback into your training process? Download our Cleaning Employee Handbook to set clear expectations from day one
Avoid this:
Doing all the talking in feedback sessions—delivering your critique without hearing your cleaner’s side.
Try this:
Turn feedback into a two-way conversation. Ask open questions and listen first. For example:
“Can you tell me what happened from your perspective?”
“What might you do differently next time?”
“Is there anything you need to succeed?”
By listening more, you build trust and uncover the real challenges your cleaners face.
Avoid this:
Giving feedback to supervisors or leads in a way that feels like you’re questioning their judgment or authority.
Try this:
Treat them as partners. Ask reflective questions like:
“What was your goal in that situation?”
“How would you recommend we handle this in the future?”
This approach respects their role and encourages ownership instead of defensiveness.
Need more leadership tips?
See The Secret to Managing a Great Cleaning Team for communication and coaching strategies.
Avoid this:
Using a critical or cold tone that makes your cleaner feel judged or attacked.
Try this:
Give feedback as a supportive coach or friend. Share relatable stories, like:
“I remember struggling with that myself early on. What helped me was…”
This builds rapport and makes feedback easier to accept.
Avoid this:
Surprising cleaners with feedback about issues they didn’t know they had.
Try this:
Set clear expectations upfront and focus on desired outcomes, not just problems. Use tools like our Cleaning Staff Performance Evaluation Template to document goals and progress, so feedback feels fair and predictable.
Avoid this:
Giving feedback based on assumptions, hearsay, or comparing cleaners unfairly.
Try this:
Base your feedback on facts and data. Review time tracking, inspection notes, or performance reports to understand the situation before you talk. This ensures your feedback is fair and credible.
Avoid this:
Only giving feedback when there’s a problem—or overwhelming your cleaner with too many points at once.
Try this:
Schedule regular monthly check-ins focusing on habits and growth, not just isolated mistakes.
Avoid this:
Having one feedback conversation and then forgetting to check in on progress.
Try this:
Always agree on a follow-up plan. Say something like:
“Let’s touch base next week to see how things are going. Does that work for you?”
Track follow-ups with our Performance Evaluation Template to keep everyone accountable and supported.
Giving feedback doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. It just takes practice and structure.
And the payoff? Higher performance, better communication, and happier cleaners.
When you show that you care about your team's success—and back it up with consistent feedback and support—you’ll see the results in both morale and retention.
Want to go deeper? Read Cleaner Retention Strategies: How to Keep Good Cleaners and Reduce Turnover
Giving constructive feedback is just one piece of the puzzle—managing schedules, tracking time, and staying on top of site instructions are just as critical to running a smooth, reliable cleaning business.
That’s where Swept comes in:
Smart Scheduling & Time Tracking — Build clear shifts and track cleaner hours with ease.
Detailed Cleaning Instructions — Ensure every cleaner knows exactly what to do on every job.
No Show & Late Alerts — Get instant notifications so you can act fast and keep clients happy.
With Swept, you have the tools to support your team, improve accountability, and deliver consistent quality—all while saving hours of admin work.
Ready to grow your cleaning business with confidence?