Evalynn asked a simple question to the custodians who participated in the UW Custodian Photography Project: What do you wish people knew about what it's like to be a custodian?
We take pride in our work. In detailed cleaning. That’s our way of showing our clients that we care about their health and we’re protecting ourselves as well.

We’re available too. If there’s an accident, you can depend on us.

We get up very early to work early shifts. To get here to make sure everything is presentable when they get here.

​The most important floor is the floor that you see when you first come in the door. Want to make sure everything is tidy up before they enter the building.



We start in the busy rooms first. On your floor, you know which is the busy one. They start at 7 o’clock too, but the other side they start 8, 9, like that so… what I’m doing, I start in the first, that I see.

​Especially the manager office. So when the manager is coming, it’s clean already.


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We need to be presentable. 
 
We just come and do our job.
 
We are respectful to staff and students.
 
We make sure their environment is comfortable.


​I’m there because it’s going to be clean. Clean is everything. You know, we clean, you can be healthy. It could be clean. Be happy. I wish they’re happy with me.



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​I wish they know how much we work hard… hard worker.
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Some custodians very, very, very hard workers. I wish they appreciate the person.

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I look at them as my kids, like my son. So I want them to see me as their mom.

We come here Monday through Friday, five days, it’s like we’re taking care of them. And they should know the responsibilities.
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We clean up their mess. They should know how to clean up after themselves too.
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We have to take out the garbage before they arrive. Especially in the classrooms before the students arrive.

​We have to get ready everything





Being a custodian, it’s hard. It’s not that easy.

You know the garbage that we are cleaning. You don’t know if the virus is there. You might catch it. That’s why, we have to be very, very careful.

And sometimes when we get into the offices, you’ll never know if somebody has the virus or not. That’s why so scary.
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When they see you, say thank you for the cleaning. You know, be happy. When we’re working they see us, be happy.
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I don't think people realize that we’re cleaning up after them. From post-it notes sticking to the garbage can to gum to popcorn on the floor. And I don't think people are really mindful of that. Or maybe they are.



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I know I signed up to be a custodian, but without me, they cannot do nothing… in the school. If I don’t clean up, they gonna sit down in the trash. Even if I get paid, they should know. They get paid too for their working in the office. But without me cleaning, they are not gonna do nothing. They are not going to be healthy.


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