The APPA cleanliness levels are:
1 Orderly Spotlessness
2 Ordinary Tidiness
3 Casual Inattention
4 Moderate Dinginess
5 Unkempt Neglect
Definitions of the cleanliness levels in the following topics are taken from the APPA Custodial Staffing Guidelines manual.
Orderly Spotlessness
The highest level of cleanliness is defined by the following requirements.
- Floors and base moldings shine and/or are bright and clean; colors are fresh. There is no buildup in corners or along walls.
- All vertical and horizontal surfaces have a freshly cleaned or polished appearance and have no accumulation of dust, dirt, marks, streaks, smudges, or fingerprints. Lights all work, and fixtures are clean.
- Washroom and shower fixtures and tile gleam and are odor-free. Supplies are adequate.
- Trash containers and pencil sharpeners hold only daily waste, are clean and odor-free.
Ordinary Tidiness
The second highest level of cleanliness is defined by the following requirements.
- Floors and base moldings shine and/or are bright and clean. There is no buildup in corners or along walls, but there can be up to two days worth of dust, dirt, stains, or streaks.
- All vertical and horizontal surfaces are clean, but marks, dust, smudges, and fingerprints are noticeable upon close observation. Lights all work, and fixtures are clean.
- Washroom and shower fixtures and tile gleam and are odor-free. Supplies are adequate.
- Trash containers and pencil sharpeners hold only daily waste, are clean and odor-free.
Casual Inattention
The third level of cleanliness is defined by the following requirements.
- Floors are swept or vacuumed clean, but upon close observation there can be stains. A buildup of dirt and/or floor finish can be seen.
- There are dull spots and/or matted carpet in walking lanes. There are streaks or splashes on base molding.
- All vertical and horizontal surfaces have obvious dust, dirt, marks, smudges, and fingerprints. Lamps all work, and fixtures are clean.
- Trash containers and pencil sharpeners hold only daily waste, are clean and odor-free.
Moderate Dinginess
The fourth level of cleanliness is defined by the following requirements.
- Floors are swept or vacuumed clean, but are dull, dingy, and stained. There is a noticeable buildup of dirt and/or floor finish in corners and along walls.
- There is a dull path and/or obviously matted carpet in the walking lanes. Base molding is dull and dingy with streaks or splashes.
- All vertical and horizontal surfaces have conspicuous dust, dirt, smudges, fingerprints, and marks. Lamp fixtures are dirty, and some lamps (up to 5%) are burned out.
- Trash containers and pencil sharpeners have old trash and shavings. They are stained and marked. Trash containers smell sour.
Unkempt Neglect
The lowest level of cleanliness is defined by the following requirements.
- Floors are dull, dirty, dingy, scuffed and/or matted. There is a conspicuous buildup of dirt and/or floor finish in corners and along walls. Base molding is dirty, stained, and streaked. Gum, stains, dirt, dust balls, and trash are broadcast.
- All vertical and horizontal surfaces have major accumulations of dust, dirt, smudges, and fingerprints, all of which will be difficult to remove. Lack of attention is obvious.
- Light fixtures are dirty with dust balls and flies. Many lamps (more than 5%) are burned out.
- Trash containers and pencil sharpeners overflow. They are stained and marked. Trash containers smell sour.