Janitors are the unsung heroes of our schools, offices, and public spaces.
They work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our environments clean, safe, and comfortable.
Yet, their efforts often go unnoticed and unappreciated. It’s time we change that and show our gratitude for the invaluable work they do.
In this article, we’ll explore 20 meaningful ways to say “thank you” to the janitors in our lives.
Whether it’s a heartfelt conversation, a thoughtful gift, or a public acknowledgment of their hard work, there are many ways to express our appreciation.
Let’s dive in and discover how we can make janitors feel valued and respected for their essential contributions to our communities.
Ways to Thank Janitors
From a simple “thank you” to more elaborate gestures, here are 20 sample messages and ideas to show your appreciation for janitors:
1. A Sincere “Thank You”
“Good morning, John! I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all the hard work you do to keep our office clean and tidy. Your efforts don’t go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate you.”
Commentary: This simple, heartfelt message is perfect for a quick face-to-face interaction. It acknowledges the janitor’s hard work and expresses genuine appreciation.
2. A Handwritten Note
“Dear Maria,
I wanted to write you a quick note to express my gratitude for the amazing job you do in keeping our school clean and well-maintained. Your dedication and attention to detail make a huge difference in creating a pleasant learning environment for our students and staff.
Thank you for your hard work and commitment. We are lucky to have you as part of our team!
Best regards,
[Your Name]”
Commentary: A handwritten note adds a personal touch and shows that you took the time to express your appreciation. This message is suitable for leaving on the janitor’s desk or handing to them in person.
3. A Public Acknowledgment
“Attention everyone! Before we start our meeting, I’d like to take a moment to recognize and thank our incredible janitorial staff. They work tirelessly to ensure our offices are clean, sanitized, and well-maintained, which is especially crucial during these challenging times.
Let’s give a round of applause to [Name Janitors] for their dedication and hard work. We are grateful for all that you do!”
Commentary: Acknowledging janitors in front of their colleagues or the public shows that their work is valued by the entire organization. This message is perfect for meetings, assemblies, or events where the janitorial staff is present.
4. A Gift Card
“Hey Mark,
I noticed you always go above and beyond to keep our break room spotless and well-stocked. Your efforts make our workdays so much more enjoyable.
Please accept this small token of appreciation – a $25 gift card to your favorite coffee shop. Enjoy a few extra cups of coffee on us!
Thanks for all you do,
[Your Name]”
Commentary: A gift card is a practical way to show your appreciation while giving the janitor the flexibility to choose something they enjoy. This message can be attached to the gift card or sent via email.
5. A-Team Thank-You Card
“To our amazing janitorial team,
We wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible work you do every single day. Your dedication, hard work, and attention to detail keep our workplace clean, safe, and inviting.
Your efforts often go unseen, but they are never unnoticed or unappreciated. You are an essential part of our team, and we are so grateful for your contributions.
Thank you for all that you do!
With appreciation,
[Company Name] Team”
Commentary: A team thank-you card signed by multiple colleagues shows a collective appreciation for the janitorial staff. This message is perfect for special occasions like Janitor Appreciation Day or the end of a particularly challenging period.
6. A LinkedIn Recommendation
“I highly recommend [Janitor’s Name] for their exceptional work ethic and dedication to maintaining a clean and safe environment. In the [Number] years I’ve worked with [Janitor’s Name], I’ve been consistently impressed by their attention to detail, reliability, and positive attitude.
[Janitor’s Name] goes above and beyond their job description, often taking on additional tasks to ensure our workplace is in top condition. They are a true asset to any organization fortunate enough to have them on their team.
It’s been a pleasure working with [Janitor’s Name], and I wholeheartedly endorse their skills and character.”
Commentary: Writing a LinkedIn recommendation for a janitor highlights their professionalism and can help them advance their career. This message is perfect for janitors who are job searching or looking to build their professional network.
7. A Special Lunch
“Dear [Janitor’s Name],
We would like to invite you to a special lunch in your honor next Friday at 12:30 PM in the conference room. The entire team wants to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for your hard work and dedication in keeping our office clean and well-maintained.
Your efforts make a significant difference in our daily lives, and we want to show our appreciation. Please join us for a delicious meal and some well-deserved recognition.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Best regards,
[Company Name] Team”
Commentary: Inviting a janitor to a special lunch is a thoughtful way to show appreciation and build a personal connection. This message can be sent via email or as a printed invitation.
8. A Shout-Out on Social Media
“We want to give a huge shout-out to our incredible janitorial staff! They work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our campus clean, safe, and beautiful.
Their dedication and hard work often go unnoticed, but today we want to recognize and celebrate them. Join us in thanking [Tag Janitors or Janitorial Company] for their amazing contributions to our school community!
#JanitorAppreciation #Unsung Heroes #ThankAJanitor”
Commentary: Recognizing janitors on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram can help raise awareness about their important work and show public appreciation. This message is perfect for schools, universities, or organizations with a strong social media presence.
9. A Personalized Gift
“Hi Sarah,
I noticed that you always have a smile on your face and a kind word to share, even when you’re working hard to keep our office clean. Your positive energy is contagious and brightens everyone’s day.
I remember you mentioning that you love gardening, so I wanted to give you this small potted succulent as a token of my appreciation. I hope it brings a little extra joy to your day, just like you bring joy to ours.
Thank you for being such a wonderful part of our team!
Warm regards,
[Your Name]”
Commentary: A personalized gift shows that you pay attention to the janitor’s interests and hobbies, making the gesture more meaningful. This message can be attached to the gift or shared in person.
10. A Surprise Treat
“Attention team! We have a special surprise for our hardworking janitors. Today, we’ve arranged for an ice cream truck to come to our office at 2:00 PM and serve free ice cream to our incredible janitorial staff.
Let’s take this opportunity to express our gratitude for their tireless efforts in keeping our workspace clean and comfortable. Be sure to stop by and say thanks in person!
Enjoy the sweet treat, [Janitors’ Names]! You deserve it.
Cheers,
[Manager’s Name]”
Commentary: Organizing a surprise treat, like ice cream or coffee, is a fun way to show appreciation and create a memorable experience for janitors. This message can be sent via email or announced in person.
11. A Thank-You Video
“Hey everyone! We want to create a special thank-you video for our amazing janitorial staff. We’re asking all employees to record a short 10-15 second clip expressing their gratitude and appreciation for their hard work.
You can share a specific story, mention how their efforts have impacted you, or simply say thank you. We’ll compile all the clips into one heartwarming video to show our janitors how much we value them.
Please submit your clips by next Friday to [Email Address]. Let’s make this a memorable surprise for our incredible janitorial team!
Thanks,
[HR Manager]”
Commentary: Creating a thank-you video is a unique and engaging way to involve the entire organization in expressing gratitude. This message is perfect for initiating the project and encouraging participation from colleagues.
12. A Charitable Donation
“Dear [Janitor’s Name],
In honor of your dedicated service and the positive impact you’ve made on our organization, we have decided to make a charitable donation in your name.
We’ve chosen [Charity Name], a cause that aligns with your values and passion for [Janitor’s Interest/Hobby]. A donation of [Amount] has been made to support their mission and help make a difference in our community.
Thank you for inspiring us with your hard work, kindness, and commitment to making our world a better place.
With gratitude,
[Company Name]”
Commentary: Making a charitable donation in a janitor’s name is a meaningful way to show appreciation while supporting a cause they care about. This message can be shared in person or as a letter accompanying the donation receipt.
13. A Personalized Uniform
“Surprise [Janitor’s Name]!
We noticed that your uniform has been looking a little worn out lately, and wanted to show our appreciation for your hard work with something special.
We’ve ordered a brand new, high-quality uniform, complete with your name embroidered on it. We hope this small gesture shows how much we value your dedication and commitment to keeping our facility in top shape.
Thank you for all you do!
Best regards,
[Manager’s Name]”
Commentary: Providing a personalized uniform is a practical and thoughtful way to show appreciation while ensuring the janitor has a comfortable and professional outfit to wear on the job. This surprise can be presented in person or left in the janitor’s locker with a note.
14. An Employee Spotlight
“Employee Spotlight: [Janitor’s Name]
This month, we want to shine a spotlight on one of our unsung heroes – [Janitor’s Name], a dedicated member of our janitorial staff.
[Janitor’s Name] has been with our company for [Number] years and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our facilities are clean, safe, and well-maintained. Their positive attitude, attention to detail, and willingness to help others have made them an invaluable member of our team.
Outside of work, [Janitor’s Name] enjoys [Hobbies/Interests] and is passionate about [Cause/Community Involvement].
We are incredibly grateful to [Janitor’s Name] and all our janitorial staff for their hard work and commitment. Let’s give them a big round of applause!
Thank you, [Janitor’s Name], for all that you do!”
Commentary: Featuring a janitor in an employee spotlight is an excellent way to publicly recognize their contributions and share their story with the entire organization. This message can be shared in a company newsletter, on an intranet, or during a staff meeting.
15. A Personalized Playlist
“Hey [Janitor’s Name],
I noticed that you always have your headphones on while working, and I thought it would be fun to create a personalized playlist for you!
I’ve included a mix of [Genre/Artists] that I think you might enjoy based on our chats about music. I hope these tunes bring a smile to your face and make your workday a little more enjoyable.
Thanks for all you do to keep our office looking fantastic. I appreciate you!
Rock on,
[Your Name]”
Commentary: Creating a personalized playlist shows that you pay attention to the janitor’s interests and want to brighten their day. This message can be shared along with a link to the playlist on a music streaming service.
16. A Customized Coffee Mug
“Dear [Janitor’s Name],
I wanted to express my appreciation for your hard work and dedication with a small token of gratitude. I noticed that you’re always carrying a coffee mug, so I thought you might like this customized one!
The mug has your name on it and a special message: ‘Keeping it clean, one mug at a time!’
I hope this brings a smile to your face during your breaks and reminds you how much we appreciate all that you do.
Cheers to you!
[Your Name]”
Commentary: A customized coffee mug is a practical and thoughtful gift that the janitor can use daily. This message can accompany the mug when presented in person or left on the janitor’s desk.
17. A Shout-Out in a Meeting
“Before we wrap up this meeting, I want to take a moment to recognize some unsung heroes in our organization – our janitorial staff.
They work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure our facilities are clean, safe, and comfortable. Their efforts are essential to our success and well-being.
In particular, I want to give a special shout-out to [Janitor’s Name]. They consistently go above and beyond, and their positive attitude and dedication are an inspiration to us all.
Let’s give a big round of applause to [Janitor’s Name] and our entire janitorial team. Thank you for all that you do!
Now, back to our agenda…”
Commentary: Giving a shout-out to a janitor during a meeting is a simple yet effective way to publicly recognize their contributions in front of their colleagues. This message can be incorporated into any meeting agenda.
18. A Surprise Decorations
“Surprise, [Janitor’s Name]!
We wanted to do something special to show our appreciation for all your hard work. We know you take pride in keeping our office looking its best, so we thought we’d return the favor.
We’ve decorated your janitorial closet with some fun and colorful new posters, streamers, and a personalized sign that says ‘[Janitor’s Name]’s Headquarters.’
We hope this little surprise brightens your day and reminds you how much we value your efforts.
Thank you for being an essential part of our team!
With gratitude,
[Company Name]”
Commentary: Decorating a janitor’s workspace is a fun and creative way to show appreciation and make them feel special. This surprise can be set up during off-hours and revealed to the janitor with a message like this.
19. A Thank-You Chant
“Hey everyone, gather round! We have a special thank-you chant for our amazing janitorial staff.
When I say ‘Thank you,’ you say ‘[Janitor’s Name]’! Ready?
Thank you! [Staff: Janitor’s Name!] Thank you! [Staff: Janitor’s Name!]
For keeping our office clean and bright, For working hard with all your might, We appreciate you day and night! [Janitor’s Name] is out of sight!
Let’s give them a big round of applause! Thank you, [Janitor’s Name] and our entire janitorial team. You’re the best!
Commentary: A thank-you chant is a lively and engaging way to show appreciation and get everyone involved. This chant can be performed during a staff meeting or gathering, with the janitor present.
20. A Heartfelt Hug
[Walk up to the janitor and give them a warm, heartfelt hug]
“[Janitor’s Name], I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do. Your hard work, dedication, and positive energy make such a difference in our lives.
I know I don’t say it often enough, but I truly appreciate you and everything you do to keep our workplace clean, safe, and comfortable.
Thank you for being not just an incredible janitor, but also a wonderful human being. I’m so grateful to have you as part of our team.
[Give another quick hug]
Keep being amazing!”
Commentary: Sometimes, a simple, heartfelt hug can convey appreciation better than words. This gesture is best used when you have a close, friendly relationship with the janitor and feel comfortable sharing a hug. Always respect personal boundaries and ask for permission first.
Other Ways to Show Appreciation
Aside from verbal or written messages, there are many other ways to show your gratitude to janitors.
Here are a few ideas:
- Create a “Thank You” bulletin board where colleagues can leave notes of appreciation for janitors.
- Organize a fundraiser or collection to provide janitors with new uniforms, equipment, or personal protective gear.
- Volunteer to help janitors with a specific task, like decorating for a holiday or setting up for an event.
- Advocate for better pay, benefits, and working conditions for janitorial staff.
- Nominate exceptional janitors for employee recognition awards or industry-specific honors.
Wrapping up: Ways to Thank Janitors
Janitors play a crucial role in maintaining clean, safe, and comfortable environments for us to work, learn, and thrive.
By expressing our gratitude through words, actions, and gestures, we can make janitors feel valued and appreciated for their hard work and dedication.
Remember, a little appreciation goes a long way in boosting morale and creating a positive workplace culture.
So take a moment today to thank a janitor in your life and let them know that their efforts make a difference.