National Custodian Day

National Custodian Day - Thursday, October 2, 2025

Career Careers education

They work while we sleep. Sometimes we walk around them in the halls not always “seeing” them or their work as important. That’s why we love this day, National Custodian Day, which rolls around every  October 2.  It recognizes the hard work that it takes to keep our public facilities in tip-top shape as well as the people who dilligently work, often at low wages, to make sure we have schools and workplaces that are spotless and sanitary.

Custodians are our first line of defense of the war on germs and often, it’s a thankless task. So, on National Custodian Day,  show your appreciation to the custodians who clean the office buildings or schools that you frequent. As far we’re concerned, custodians are the hardest-working people in show business! 

National Custodian Day timeline

​​1920

​Lysol hits the market​

​Lysol, one of the first commercially available cleaners, was originally designed to help women with gynecological needs. ​

1901

The modern vacuum is invented

It's thanks to Hubert Cecil Booth, an English engineer celebrated as the inventor of the power vacuum, that these handy household devices are gradually rolled into mass production.

​18th century

The Industrial Revolution comes into play

The Industrial Revolution takes off and creates a massive number of factories. Custodians are hired to clean them.

5 Revolutionary Cleaning Products That Will Cut Your Cleaning Time Down To Almost Nothing

  1. Nobody likes a dirty toilet

    The company, Forpow, has released a UV light that attaches to the underside of your toilet lid in order to keep things sterilized after every use.

  2. ​There's a volcano in my microwave

    The Eruption Disruption Microwave Cleaner is designed to help release built-up grime and grease from inside your microwave — just by filling the device up with vinegar and letting it "cook" for a few minutes. ​

  3. End all of the shedding​

    There are a number of self-cleaning hair brushes that trap hair until you release a button located in the back of the brush; trust us, your bathroom floors will thank you. ​

  4. ​Can my dorm have a dishwasher?

    Thanks to Sunpentown, a countertop dishwasher is now available for those of us who live in tiny little spaces. ​

  5. ​No need to stare at your phone through fingerprints

    The Lenspen SideKick uses a unique cleaning blend to effortlessly wipe away the fingerprints that are all over your favorite touchscreens.

National Custodian Day Activities

  1. Do something nice for a custodian

    Bake a cake, grab a gift card, or simply write a thank you note in order to show the custodians in your life that you care. Everyone likes to receive acknowledgment of a job well done, and a little extra sweet treat thrown into the mix doesn't hurt either.

  2. Commend your custodian to his/her supervisor

    It's a simple thing to do but so very important when you consider that most custodians lead hard lives, making very little money. If you like the job your custodians do, contact their supervisor either with a call, email or text to let them know how much you appreciate your custodian's hard work. Or, more simply, write a note and have several other employees sign it. Stick it on the wall where it's sure to be seen by the custodian's supervisor and you will have given your custodian, not only a great day; but also the possibility of a raise during the next review!

  3. Organize an office potluck

    Send out an email blast inviting your coworkers to help you celebrate National Custodian Day. (Be sure to send beautiful, hand-delivered invitations to the custodians and their supervisor.) Ask everyone who signs up to commit to bringing a dish. Bonus points if you can turn the festivities into a surprise as the custodians walk into the potluck party!

Why We Love National Custodian Day

  1. It gives us a chance to show our appreciation

    Being a custodian is sometimes a thankless job. That's why it's important on National Custodian Day to take the time to show your appreciation to the custodians you know. We get to reap the benefits of their hard work on a near daily basis, so it's about time we thank them for all that they do.

  2. It encourages us to be a little extra clean

    On a typical day, we may not notice if we accidentally throw a paper towel on the floor or leave a plastic water bottle behind on a table, but that changes on National Custodian Day. When we stop and remember that someone has to come and clean up after the mess we make, there's a good chance we'll put forth a little extra effort to tidy up after ourselves.

  3. It makes us pay attention to the little things

    Having a restroom stocked with soap and toilet paper may be something that's taken for granted on a daily basis. National Custodian Day makes us stop and appreciate these little details. The next time you walk through the office and notice that the ground isn't littered with staples and small scraps of paper, remember that a custodian was there taking care of the mess for you!

Also on Thu Oct 2, 2025...

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