'Some people seem to think it’s okay to pee on the floor because someone will clean it up anyway'

Some 140 cleaners work at Utrecht University. They are not employed by the university itself but rather by Asito, the company hired by UU to carry out the cleaning, which they do daily. However, what they do and how often they clean certain areas depends on usage. “Toilets are cleaned daily, but office spaces that aren’t used as much are only cleaned once a week," explains Cluster Manager Malika Afkir, who oversees the cleaning of many buildings at Utrecht Science Park. It's the university that decides how often rooms should be cleaned and, if there are any changes to the use of a room, the cleaning schedule is adjusted accordingly.

Geert cleans the floors

“I will stay here until I retire, my health permitting”

Geert Ludwig has worked as a cleaner at the university for 28 years. Before this role, he used to be a taxi driver. He cleans floors at Utrecht Science Park using heavy machinery. Some of his tasks are the same every week, while others depend on what’s happening at the university. You will find Geert cleaning the floors after big events, for example.

A lot has changed throughout the many years Geert has worked at the university. “Everything has modernised. It has to, otherwise it wouldn't be any good." He is not only talking in terms of cleanliness and safety, which are “much better regulated these days”, but also when it comes to students' attitude. “Their mentality is so different nowadays. I was raised the old-fashioned way, I guess, but I believe students have become less respectful. Some of them seem to think: 'Let's just pee on the floor, someone will clean it up anyway.'"

In his view, filth caused by students is getting worse. "Shit, vomit, you name it. We’ve seen it all." Sometimes, they lack respect for the cleaner. "We must do a lot of work in little time and not everyone is aware of that." Students could help by cleaning up after their own mess. “Say you spill coffee on the floor. That happens, but please report it. It saves us work." Still, Geert feels that the interaction with students is usually positive. "I don't interact with them that often, but when I do see them, they understand what I do."

As for university staff, the quality of interactions with them varies. He feels that some people don't appreciate his work. “They don't realise how hard it is. If a desk is completely covered with piles of paper, I can’t clean it, and some employees find that annoying. But then again, you can't be friends with everyone."

Geert is feeling the years creeping up on him. "The work does take its toll. If my health permits, I will stay here until I retire. Unless I win the lottery, then I'll be out of here in a second." He wouldn’t know what to do if he had to stay home all day, however. "That's where my wife does the cleaning," he jokes. "I do my fair share, though! Cooking, laundry, you name it."

Sultan has been working as a cleaner at UU for 27 years

"When I'm here, I feel at home"

Sultan Akkanat works in several buildings at Utrecht Science Park. One of her regular tasks is cleaning toilets and offices. She beams as she talks about her work, which she has been doing for 27 years. "When I'm here, I feel at home," she says. "You can’t do this job for so long if you don't."

Because she’s been cleaning the university for so many years, she has worked for several cleaning companies. She is happiest with Asito, her current employer. “I'm particularly satisfied with the cleaning products, materials and safety." She doesn't think students have changed much in the time she’s been at UU. "They’re very friendly and always say 'good morning' when they see me." However, sometimes they are dirty or leave things behind. "But I have no problem with students."

She also interacts well with the university staff and loves it when they compliment her work. "Sometimes people thank me for cleaning their office so well. That makes my day."

But it's not all roses. "Occasionally, there are some really nasty things in the toilets, but I'd rather not talk about that." One can't always tell the difference between places frequented mainly by students and by employees. "Some toilets in staff-only departments are just as dirty as those found in lecture halls." Students could flush the toilet more often, though. "But hey, do I need to spell that out?"  

Sometimes Sultan catches a cold or feels a bit sick, "but I'm not going to call in sick for that, am I? I simply take some Paracetamol and go to work. That will make you feel better faster than just sitting at home."

Mohammed does all the heavy work

“No two days are the same"

Mohammed Belkheir has been working as a cleaner at the university for five years. Before that, he worked for a different cleaning company. He doesn’t have a set routine at UU, he gets assignments from his supervisor instead. Those are often the “extras", such as parties, get-togethers, and conferences held in the Koningsberger building or the Minnaert building. "Every working day is different. I like the variety."

Mohammed believes it’s important to do a good job. Because of that, he never runs into issues and has a great time. "Every day I love what I’m doing. I’m proud of my work and I have great colleagues. We always have fun."

He does “the heavy stuff”, i.e. cleaning with big machinery. "People respect that. When they see me, they think: 'Hey, they brought in the big guns', and we usually get compliments right away. People see that we’re working hard."

He feels that his work is well appreciated. "When I’m working on a floor, people see how beautiful the clean part is, which makes them happy. I’m also well known here, so many people greet me and ask how things are going."

His interactions with students are good: there has never been any altercation. "And why would there be? I just come in to do my job and they just come in to study." Sometimes they also help Mohammed. "If they see me coming, they'll grab some rubbish off the floor or move chairs aside."

He too encounters nasty stuff often. "That happens every day, but hey, that's part of the job." When they leave rubbish behind, some people don’t seem to realise that someone will have to come and clean up the mess. "I know everyone’s busy, studying, working and running back and forth between all sorts of things, but they should think of others while doing so."

Recently, he also started cleaning his home. "My wife used to do that, but I would always criticise her. This work has really given me an eye for it. One day, my wife had enough of it, so now I have to do it myself." But he draws the line at doing dishes. "I'm too macho for that," he jokes.