Maintaining a clean and well-kept church is essential for creating a welcoming environment for worship, fellowship, and community events. Regular maintenance ensures that the church remains safe, sanitary, and inviting for members and visitors alike. However, churches must decide whether to hire internal staff or outsource cleaning and maintenance services.
Each approach has its advantages and drawbacks, and the best choice depends on factors such as church size, budget, frequency of cleaning needs, and available volunteer support. This article explores when to outsource, when to hire in-house staff, and how to make the best decision for your church’s needs.
Church Cleaning: In-House vs. Outsourcing
Cleaning is one of the most essential maintenance tasks in a church, ensuring that worship areas, restrooms, kitchens, and fellowship halls remain sanitary and welcoming. Churches typically have three options:
- Hiring an Internal Church Custodian – The church employs a staff member to handle all cleaning duties.
- Outsourcing to a Cleaning Company – The church contracts a professional cleaning service to handle routine and deep cleaning.
- Using Volunteers – Church members contribute their time to help keep the facility clean.
Each approach has its pros and cons, depending on the church’s needs.
When to Hire an Internal Church Custodian
Hiring an in-house custodian or janitor is beneficial for churches that require daily or frequent cleaning. A dedicated staff member ensures consistent quality and availability to handle cleaning emergencies or special event preparations.
Signs Your Church Should Hire an Internal Custodian
Your church is large and has frequent services or events – If your church has multiple services each week, plus weddings, funerals, Bible studies, and community events, an in-house custodian ensures daily cleaning and quick response to messes.
You have multiple buildings or extensive facilities – Churches with multiple buildings, classrooms, gyms, nurseries, or fellowship halls need frequent cleaning beyond what volunteers can handle.
You need ongoing deep cleaning and upkeep – Areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and children’s ministry spaces require consistent sanitation.
You want flexibility and immediate response – An in-house custodian can handle last-minute cleaning requests before services or special events.
Your church can afford a dedicated salary or part-time staff – Hiring a custodian means salary, benefits (if full-time), and employment taxes, but it ensures a reliable presence.
Responsibilities of an In-House Church Custodian
- Daily cleaning of high-traffic areas (sanctuary, bathrooms, fellowship hall, classrooms).
- Setting up and cleaning after events (weddings, funerals, meetings).
- Trash removal and sanitizing high-touch areas.
- Minor maintenance tasks (changing lightbulbs, fixing minor leaks, etc.).
➡ Best for: Medium-to-large churches that need consistent, on-call cleaning.
When to Outsource Church Cleaning Services
Outsourcing cleaning services is often the best choice for small to medium-sized churches or those that do not need daily cleaning. Professional cleaning companies bring expertise, reliability, and specialized equipment, ensuring thorough sanitation.
Signs Your Church Should Outsource Cleaning Services
Your church is small and doesn’t need daily cleaning – If services are only held once or twice a week, a professional cleaning service once or twice a week may be sufficient.
You want professional deep cleaning – Cleaning companies have specialized equipment for carpet cleaning, floor waxing, and restroom sanitation that church custodians may not have access to.
Your church wants to reduce payroll costs – Hiring an in-house custodian requires salary, benefits, and employment taxes, while outsourcing offers flat-rate pricing with no long-term employment commitments.
You need after-hours cleaning – If cleaning is best done late at night or early in the morning, outsourcing allows this without requiring staff overtime.
Your church lacks trained cleaning staff – Professional cleaners are trained in sanitation best practices, especially important for children’s ministry areas, kitchens, and restrooms.
What Professional Cleaning Services Typically Offer
- Scheduled cleaning (daily, weekly, or biweekly)
- Deep cleaning (carpet, upholstery, tile, and grout cleaning)
- Restroom sanitation & supply restocking
- Kitchen deep cleaning
- High-traffic area disinfection
- Special event cleanup services
➡ Best for: Small to medium-sized churches or churches that don’t need daily cleaning.
Can Volunteers Handle Church Cleaning?
Many churches rely on volunteers for cleaning to save costs. While this works for basic upkeep, relying solely on volunteers can lead to inconsistent results and burnout.
Best Uses for Volunteers
“Church Work Days” for deep cleaning – Organizing a cleaning event 1-2 times per year for tasks like window washing, carpet shampooing, and decluttering can be effective.
Small group or ministry responsibilities – Assign specific ministries or groups to take responsibility for cleaning certain areas (e.g., youth ministry cleans their own space).
Post-service cleanups – Volunteers can help with trash pickup, chair arrangement, and small cleaning tasks after services or events.
Why Volunteers Can’t Replace Professional Cleaning
Inconsistency – Volunteers may not always show up, leading to uneven cleaning quality.
Lack of professional training – Volunteers may not know proper sanitation methods, especially for restrooms and nurseries.
Burnout & reluctance – If volunteers feel pressured to clean regularly, it may lead to frustration or disengagement.
➡ Best for: Occasional deep cleaning or small-scale maintenance, but not a full cleaning solution.
Cost Comparison: Hiring In-House vs. Outsourcing
| Cost | Salaried or hourly wage, payroll taxes, and benefits | Flat-rate pricing, no payroll expenses |
| Availability | Always on-site (if full-time) | Scheduled visits, may not be available for emergencies |
| Consistency | Reliable if a good hire, but dependent on one person | Consistently professional, trained staff |
| Cleaning Quality | Depends on custodian’s skill level | Higher professional standards |
| Special Equipment | May require additional purchases | Included in service |
| Flexibility | Can handle last-minute needs | Set schedule, extra charges for emergency cleanings |
➡ For churches with full-time needs and the budget to support a salaried custodian, hiring in-house may be the best option.
➡ For churches that only require weekly or occasional deep cleaning, outsourcing is typically the most cost-effective and reliable solution.
Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice for Your Church
Choosing between hiring an in-house custodian or outsourcing cleaning services depends on your church’s size, budget, and cleaning needs.
Hire an In-House Custodian If:
✔️ Your church requires daily or frequent cleaning.
✔️ You need flexibility and immediate availability for unexpected messes.
✔️ Your church has the budget to cover payroll costs.
Outsource Cleaning Services If:
✔️ Your church only needs weekly or biweekly cleaning.
✔️ You want professional deep cleaning and sanitation.
✔️ You need cost-effective, high-quality cleaning without payroll expenses.
Use Volunteers If:
✔️ You want to organize annual deep cleaning events.
✔️ You need help with small-scale upkeep after services.
✔️ You want to involve members in caring for their church without overburdening them.
By carefully considering church size, cleaning frequency, and budget, your leadership team can make the best decision to keep your facility clean, safe, and welcoming for all who enter.