Searching for specialized church cleaning services? Churches require certain techniques to effectively care for historic architecture, special materials, and vertical spaces.
General cleaning companies often aren’t equipped with the knowledge or tools to properly care for these places of worship. Professional church cleaning companies can take care of:
- Historic woodwork
- Stained glass
- Masonry and stone
- Historic floors
At Corporate Cleaning Group Toledo, our cleaning experts specialize in cleaning for churches and other religious buildings. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
Gentle and Effective Church Cleaning Techniques for Historic Buildings
In Toledo, there are several churches with breathtaking architecture, from Spanish Plateresque cathedrals to Victorian Gothic chapels. These churches are more than just places of worship, they’re historic artifacts that require proper care to maintain.
Standard commercial cleaning isn’t sufficient for these types of spaces. In fact, traditional cleaning methods can cause irreversible damage to old limestone, hand-carved oak, and fragile leaded glass.
If you want to clean your church effectively, you’ll need to use proper cleaning methods and work with an experienced professional.
At Corporate Cleaning Group Toledo, we move beyond traditional janitorial services, acting as stewards of your building. Our church cleaning services include proper cleaning methods for:
1. Historic Woodwork
Old churches often feature historic woodwork for the pews and altars, such as old-growth white oak or walnut. This material must be properly cared for to keep it in good condition. Otherwise, typical silicon-based wood polishes can create a plastic buildup on the wood surface. They also contain harsh detergents that strip the wood’s natural oils and lead to cracking.
Our professional cleaning team is trained on proper cleaning methods for historic wood. First, we use dry dusting with microfiber towels and natural-hair brushes.
These tools remove dust and grit without scratching the wood’s surface. Then, we use pH-neutral, natural paste waxes to nourish the wood without creating sticky residues or damaging the natural oils. Waxing is only done once or twice a year to keep the wood in good condition.
2. Stained Glass
Stained glass windows are the pride of many churches, but they’re difficult to clean safely. Many of them feature came framework made from lead strips, which can become brittle over time.
For typical windows, ammonia-based glass cleaners or high-pressure sprayers are used. However, for delicate stained glass windows, these can etch the glass or break the seal between the glass and came framework.
At Corporate Cleaning Group Toledo, we only use deionized or distilled water to clean dust and soot. If there is heavy grime, we use a highly diluted, pH-neutral conservation cleaning solution.
In addition, we never spray the window directly with cleaning solutions. Instead, we use a soft, lint-free cloth and stay away from the delicate lead edges.
3. Masonry & Stone
Historic masonry and stone floors are also common in many churches. When it comes to these materials, acidic cleaners or pressure washing can be harmful. Acids can dissolve the binders in limestone, while pressure washing forces moisture deep into the masonry. This leads to cracks during freeze-thaw cycles.
The proper techniques for cleaning stone surfaces include HEPA-filter vacuuming and low-pressure steam. Vacuuming lifts dust and soot from stone cracks without being abrasive, while steam provides deep cleaning to sanitize and remove grime. Low-pressure, high-temperature steam doesn’t cause chemical erosion like many cleaning solutions would.
4. Historic Floors
Many churches around Toledo feature original terrazzo, marble, or historic hardwood flooring. To protect floors, it’s essential to use heavy-duty mats at the entrance. These mats catch winter salt, dirt, and grit before they ever touch the floor.
In addition, mopping with pH-neutral solutions is essential for protecting the material. It’s best to use damp microfiber mops to pick up bacteria without causing staining.
Contact Us for Expert Church Cleaning in Toledo, OH
At Corporate Cleaning Group Toledo, we’re backed by over 30 years of commercial cleaning experience. Managed by Len Yakuber, our franchise serves the Toledo, Ohio, area, including Bowling Green, Perrysburg, Oregon, and Sylvania.
Our church cleaning services are unique from our competitors because we offer customized cleaning plans. Our team’s flexibility means we can work around your busy church schedule and provide service exactly when you need it.
Want to learn more about working with us to clean your church? Call (888) 813-0246 or contact us online today for a consultation.