Where the Tools Are: Why Commercial Cleaning Leads to Human Flourishing

A person operates a floor cleaning machine, finding a deeper connection through the rhythm and precision of their work.

Have you noticed how tools have become more and more scarce? Pushing a button starts our car a block away. Speaking a few words into our smartphone instantly opens a world of information without opening a book. Open the hood of your car and notice the engines are starting to look like one solid block without any moving parts. Televisions seem to be one seamless, solid slate of glass without any working components. 

I cannot help but wonder if the disappearance of tools from our foundations of education could contribute to missed opportunities for connection to the world of built spaces and devices that surround us. It almost seems like anyone who is not a knowledge worker is considered less accomplished and even less valuable. Digging precisely measured fence holes, selecting quality lumber, carefully cutting the wood and setting plumb posts and slats to create a beautiful new fence can provide an immense measure of happiness. The roar of a circular saw, the feel of the hammer and the smell of the cedar can make one feel alive. Carefully making offices and restrooms disinfected, shiny and fresh requires tools and conscientious handiwork. During the pandemic lock down I decided to make eggplant parmesan from scratch for the first time. I selected some beautiful, deep purple, organic eggplant along with deep red, ripe tomatoes, fresh garlic, basil, oregano, sea salt, olive oil, mozzarella cheese and organic, thin spaghetti. This amazing dish took several hours but handling the kitchenware, cutting with precision and arranging the ingredients to produce a culinary symphony was amazing. The experience of creating, fixing, or cleaning something can be a tremendous source of happiness but yet so many times we believe these essential projects are a waste of time.

I have been in the commercial cleaning, janitorial space for many years here in the Dallas, Carrollton, Frisco, Plano, Prosper and McKinney Texas areas. In other words, a place where there are incredible facilities and clients have world class expectations. I have learned during my years in integrated facility management that true manual competence feeds into human flourishing. After completing a labor-intensive strip and finish of a vinyl composition floor…that last look at the beautiful floor on the way out provides a sudden, new source of energy. It is possible to feel a greater sense of agency and fulfillment doing manual work such as commercial cleaning well compared to other jobs recognized as knowledge positions. After an intense day at the office or home study how many of us run to a paint brush and canvas, musical instrument, craft, or hobby where we are using our hands? So many of us gain a great sense of peace and accomplishment through cleaning, disinfecting and organizing the spaces we inhabit. I want to simply recognize the intuitions that are imbedded in us but for some reason in the professional world sometimes have diminished recognition. The trades can be a great choice for lifelong flourishing and the manual competence of a craft such as commercial cleaning is truly admirable.