Full length portrait of confident janitors holding Thank You sign against white background

Updated on September 10, 2024 

Many great things get a day, week, or month of recognition every year, so it’s only fair that the important, hardworking cleaning professional get some love, too. International Housekeeper’s/Environmental Services Week takes place the second week of September every year. This year it takes place Sept. 8-14.

Housekeeper’s/EVS Week was started in 1981 by the International Executive Housekeeping Association, more commonly referred to in the cleaning industry as IHEA. There are several reasons for this annual week of celebration. One mission of the event is to annually demonstrate how the work conducted by professional cleaning or environmental services (EVS) staff positively impacts patient care, building occupants and the overall public. The event also demonstrates how these professionals are contentiously asked to do more by the people they serve and their employers. Additionally, the event serves as a reminder to honor the achievements of EVS, cleaning and janitorial professionals and to thank them for their meaningful work.

To honor their teams, facility managers in commercial buildings across the country take time to celebrate their staff with special events, recognition programs and gifts. For those looking to surprise their staff with a morale boost, look no further than the recently-opened CleanLink merch store! Head to cleanlink.myspreadshop.com/ and easily search for a wide variety of products that can serve as gifts, or even new uniforms. Examples include a "Keep it Clean" shirt, "Cleaning is my Superpower" tote, a "Saving the World One Building at a Time" water bottle, and more.