Securing a CIMS certification is not quick or simple. It takes months of planning, reviews, and team-wide commitment to meet the strict standards required. Here, we explain what the CIMS process looks like and why it matters. From safety training to client inspections, you’ll see how this process helps us deliver better results across every part of our work.
What is the CIMS Process?
CIMS stands for Cleaning Industry Management Standard. It is a detailed set of rules that shows whether a cleaning company follows best practices and serves clients with care.
To meet CIMS standards, we had to document how we handle:
- Hiring and employee training
- Safety procedures on every site
- Sustainability and green cleaning
- Daily operations and team management
- Customer service and quality control
We didn’t just write down what we do. We had to prove it. That meant showing how each part works through real examples, software tools, and team reviews.
How Long Does the CIMS Process Take?
Getting CIMS certified isn’t fast. We started in June and didn’t finish for several months.
Our team worked on:
- Reviewing every step of our process
- Improving our inspection systems
- Setting up software for better tracking
- Running internal audits
- Preparing for client site audits
Every department helped. From sales to operations, and from cleaning staff to IT, the whole team was part of the journey.
Pro Tip: CIMS success takes full buy-in from the entire team. No single person can manage it alone.
How Does CIMS Improve Our Service?
Our goal wasn’t just to pass a test. The real purpose was to raise our service level.
Key improvements from the process:
- Stronger training so every cleaner knows what to do
- Digital inspections to catch issues early
- Clear checklists for each job site
- Better communication between staff and management
Because we built these systems, our clients see the results every day in the quality of our work.
On-site audits are an important part of the CIMS process
Once our documents and systems were in place, the final step was a detailed audit by an outside reviewer.
During the audit, the inspector:
- Checked our job sites for safety and performance
- Spoke with staff members about procedures
- Reviewed software logs and inspection results
- Looked for proof that we followed our written policies
This visit was detailed and thorough. It confirmed that our systems were not only written down but also actually used every day.
Key Takeaway: On-site audits show that a CIMS-certified company follows through on its promises.
Need help understanding or applying the CIMS process? Contact Cleaning Up KC for a free consultation. We’re proud to be CIMS-certified and ready to share our experience.
Going through the CIMS process can improve your business operations
For any cleaning company looking to improve, the CIMS process is a proven path.
To succeed with CIMS, you need to:
- Review all major areas of your business
- Build clear systems and train your staff
- Test your procedures through regular audits
- Prepare for a full external review
It takes work, but the results are clear. You build trust with clients, improve your systems, and raise your standards.
In Summary
What does the CIMS process look like? It looks like planning, teamwork, and daily commitment to better service. At Cleaning Up KC, we built strong systems, trained our team, and earned a certification that proves our quality.
Ready to work with a CIMS-certified team? Contact Cleaning Up KC today.
