I've been in the cleaning field for a long time. It seems like only yesterday that while cleaning schools, I marveled at the swirls of my newly buffed floors, and moments later watched as the tiny feet of second graders smudged and marked the carnauba wax. Just a few days ago, during employee performance appraisals, I watched as an auto scrubber using just tap water and an ionizer, made a terrazzo floor sparkle.

Although the equipment, chemicals and techniques have changed, the role of a cleaning professional is still the same as it's always been: we guard the treasures.

These treasures are the health of the people in our buildings, the image of our organizations, the value of the infrastructure, and the productivity of the workers. Without the services of the cleaning profession, our organizations and companies would not survive. The word custodian means keeper or guardian. Janitor comes from the word Janus, a Roman god who guarded the treasures for the rest of the gods. As members of the cleaning profession, we provide the services that keep schools, offices, factories, hospitals, and other businesses moving forward.

The next time someone asks you what you do for as living, tell them proudly: I guard the treasures.