Commercial Cleaning in Cambridge, MA
Facility services for Cambridge's apartment buildings, condominiums, offices, and mixed-use properties — from a team that has been serving Greater Boston since 1977.
A city of squares, and a city of very different buildings
Cambridge is one of the most densely populated cities in New England, and its building fabric reflects that density in layers. Cambridge housing is dominated by condos and multifamily conversions rather than detached single-family homes, with single-family properties making up only about 6.4% of the residential mix. Many condos are in converted Victorian triple-deckers or mid-rise brick buildings, with options that trade off historic details like high ceilings and bay windows versus newer-building amenities.
Each of these environments comes with its own cleaning demands. The converted Victorian in Cambridgeport has narrow stairwells, original hardwood in the common areas, and ornate newel posts that need care. The newer lab-adjacent residential tower in East Cambridge has a high-amenity lobby, package rooms, bike storage, and a fitness area that need daily attention. The office building off Massachusetts Avenue has executive suite standards and high foot traffic. 78-Clean has been working across all of these building types in Cambridge for nearly 50 years. Our crews understand the difference, and so do our supervisors.
Services for Cambridge properties
Commercial Cleaning & Common Areas
Recurring cleaning programs for lobbies, hallways, stairwells, laundry rooms, package rooms, and all shared spaces — scheduled around your building's rhythms and resident expectations.
Trash & Recycling Removal and Bin Return
We manage placement before collection and return bins on collection day — keeping your building compliant with Cambridge's mandatory recycling and trash requirements without you coordinating the schedule. Cambridge requires trash and recycling to be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on collection day, and Cambridge's mandatory recycling ordinance applies to all buildings in the city.
Snow Removal & Ice Management
On-call snow response built around Cambridge's ordinance requirements. Snow must be removed within 12 hours after it stops falling during the day, and before 1:00 PM if it snowed overnight. Ice must be removed within 6 hours of forming. Cleared paths must be wide enough for wheelchair access. The fine for non-compliance is $50 per day — and every day of violation is a separate offense.
Apartment & Condo Turnover Cleaning
Professional unit cleaning between tenants — essential in a city with a large student population and concentrated September lease turnover activity. Supervisors sign off before the next resident moves in.
Junk Removal & Cleanouts
Unit cleanouts, bulk item removal, and post-move debris disposal — handled in compliance with each city's bulk waste rules, so abandoned furniture and move-out junk doesn't become a code violation.
Post-Construction Cleanup
Cambridge's development pipeline is active — new residential conversions, lab-adjacent mixed-use builds, and gut renovations across every neighborhood. We get your property back to resident- or tenant-ready after construction wraps.
Deep Cleaning
Targeted cleaning beyond the routine scope — light fixtures, mechanical rooms, bike storage, garage levels, basement common areas, and more.
Floor Care
Carpet shampooing, tile stripping and waxing, and hardwood care for lobbies and common area floors — including the original hardwood floors that define so many of Cambridge's older buildings.
Landscaping, Cleanups & Planter Services
Spring and fall cleanups, planter maintenance, and grounds care. Cambridge collects yard waste curbside from April through December — we work within that program and manage compliance for your property.
Porter & Event Services
On-site day coverage to maintain building presentation throughout the day, or staffed support before and after building events.
Power Washing
Entryway, sidewalk, courtyard, and parking area cleaning — including post-winter salt and sand removal and graffiti cleanup.
Know the rules. Cambridge takes compliance seriously.
Cambridge has one of the most progressive and closely enforced set of property maintenance regulations in Greater Boston. Here's what property managers need to stay current on:
Trash, recycling, and compost
Mandatory separation of recyclable materials from refuse applies to all buildings in Cambridge. Violations involving prohibited materials — electronics, yard waste, appliances with refrigerants, and construction debris placed in regular trash — may result in fines of $50–$200 per incident. Cambridge also operates one of the most established curbside compost programs in Massachusetts, with weekly organic waste collection available to residential buildings. Property managers of multifamily buildings are expected to facilitate resident participation and maintain compliant bin areas.
Snow and ice removal
Cambridge requires snow to be removed within 12 hours after it stops falling during the day, and before 1:00 PM if it snowed overnight. Ice must be removed within 6 hours of forming. Corner properties are required to shovel and clear ramps at corners near their properties. Shoveling or plowing snow into the street or bike lanes is prohibited. The fine for non-compliance is $50 per day for each day of violation. Property owners are responsible even if they are not on-site — the obligation cannot be delegated away through a lease.
Yard waste collection
Cambridge operates a curbside yard waste collection program running April 1 through December 31. Yard waste must be properly separated and marked — loose leaves or brush mixed into regular trash is a violation.
A partner Cambridge property managers trust
78-Clean is the commercial cleaning brand of Commercial Cleaning Service, Inc., a family-owned, women-owned Greater Boston business since 1977. We maintain a 97% customer retention rate — built on a simple premise: show up, communicate, and handle problems before they reach the property manager.
Every 78-Clean client is assigned a dedicated Relationship Manager who knows your building and your expectations. Whether you manage a triple-decker on Huron Avenue, a mid-rise near Kendall Square, or a portfolio spanning multiple Cambridge neighborhoods, we'll walk your property, understand what it needs, and build a service program around it.