Describe your Spotless Space.

St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Illinois, is a monastery-like facility that houses priests and monks of both working and retirement ages. The Abbey includes a commercial kitchen, large dining area, private chapel, large church, and library, along with many offices, approximately 30 residential studio apartments, bathrooms, and an infirmary wing. The campus is connected by long hallways and shared common spaces.

What specific measures do you or your team implement to ensure this space meets the highest standards of cleanliness and embodies the value of clean?

Our staff is responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the entire facility to ensure residents remain safe, comfortable, and cared for in their homes. Our team follows a detailed cleaning schedule that includes servicing each monk’s studio apartment, straightening, vacuuming, dusting, and performing deep bathroom cleaning between one and three times per week.

We also carefully schedule cleaning of common areas to respect the rhythms of the Abbey. Vacuuming is planned to avoid worship times and minimize disruption, and hallways are wet-mopped during low-traffic periods to reduce safety risks. With over 35 years of experience in this facility, we have developed a highly efficient cleaning plan that ensures thorough coverage while maintaining respect, privacy, and comfort for residents.

What does having a spotless space mean to you and your team and how does it contribute to the organization’s business outcomes?

To our team, having a spotless space means creating an environment where residents feel safe, comfortable, and supported without needing to ask for assistance. A spotless space is one that removes obstacles, reduces stress, and contributes positively to the daily lives of those who live there.

We take great pride in ensuring that residents have clean places to live, eat, worship, and relax. This is especially meaningful given that many residents are elderly and have devoted their lives to service. Providing them with peace of mind, safety, and dignity is our greatest measure of success. Our work supports the Abbey’s mission by promoting well-being, comfort, and quality of life for its residents.

How does your facility promote sustainability and/or green cleaning?

Our team’s deep familiarity with the facility allows us to clean efficiently while prioritizing safety and sustainability. Our cleaning schedules are designed to maintain clean floors while avoiding wet surfaces during high-traffic times, reducing slip hazards and preventing unnecessary re-cleaning.

Health and safety are especially critical given the older population of residents. Common areas are carefully maintained to ensure cleanliness, accessibility, and usability at all times. The infirmary wing, which includes private rooms, bathrooms, an exam room, and a nurse’s office, is maintained to the highest hygiene standards to support resident health and medical care.

We also prioritize keeping hallways clear of obstructions to ensure safe movement for residents using wheelchairs, walkers, or mobility aids. Our proactive approach helps prevent accidents, reduces risk, and supports the long-term health and safety of everyone in the facility.

Give any examples of how you aim to create an inclusive and accessible experience in your facility for users and cleaners.

The entire purpose of St. Procopius Abbey is to provide a safe, accessible, and dignified environment for aging residents. Our cleaning practices directly support accessibility and mobility throughout the facility.

We use walk-behind floor scrubbers to keep hallway floors clean while minimizing excess moisture. To further enhance safety, we place wet floor signs and use small floor fans to accelerate drying times and reduce slip risks. We also ensure hallways and common spaces remain free of obstacles so residents using wheelchairs or walkers can move safely and independently.

Our team’s work helps create an inclusive environment where residents can live comfortably, safely, and with dignity. By maintaining clean, accessible spaces throughout all levels of the facility, we support the physical safety, independence, and overall well-being of those who call the Abbey home.